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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-07-28, Page 4PAGE 4 THE CITIZEN. WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 1999. The North Huron | P.O Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 1 4“ 1 GF 1*1 Aocna JI JU (j^QNA P.O Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising Manager, Jeannette McNeil E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com♦The Citizen is published 50 times a year in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $27.00/year (S25.24 + $1.76 G.S.T.) in Canada; $62.00/year in U.S.A, and S100/year in other foreign coun­ tries. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Publications Mail Registration No. 09244 Canadian Publication Mail Agreement No. 1374990 E ditorial ..........................J Who’s the enemy ? If anyone would expect to be treated well by a country's government it would be soldiers who have risked their lives in the name of their country’s defence. But even Canada’s soldiers aren’t safe when bureaucrats want to isolate themselves from responsibility for mistakes — or so it seems from the scandal sweeping the defence department. Some soldiers who had served with the peacekeeping forces in Croatia have been getting mysteriously ill. The military has refused to acknowledge the illnesses could have been caused by exposure to any dangers they faced in service to their country. But while the military claimed to the soldiers who complained about being sick that there was no evidence the illness was related to military service a military doctor had warned that soldiers had been exposed to toxic PCBs and bauxite in sand used to fill sand bags. The doctor had wanted a memo about the dangers put in the files of soldiers who had served in the area. Someone removed the letters. Defence Minister Art Eggleton has announced an inquiry into the matter but some critics suggest having the military investigate itself isn’t likely to result in the whole truth. It wouldn’t be the first time a government agency set up ostensively to help people has turned against them. There have been cases where government agencies mandated to protect the environment, for instance, have refused to admit there was an environmental problem because to do so would cost the government a great deal of money. That seems to be the case here Initial investigations seem to show a military lawyer advised the letter be taken out of the soldiers files to protect the liability of the military (and save tax money for us all). The army and the law: two things that are supposed to protect people, but somehow they’ve combined to work against justice for people who risk their lives for their country. This unjust treatment of the people who defend us brings shames to us all. — KR Thev also serve The dea’h of a Clinton firefighter recently is a reminder again of the dangers our volunteer firefighters put themselves in in the service of their community. Like most things in life, we take it for granted that if there is an emergency, a fire and accident or a medical emergency, the fire department wi’l be there. Yet unlike city departments where people have a career in service, our firefighters do this dangerous work outside of their regular work. If the fire alarm rings, they drop their work and take off. If they’re enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon with their family, they leave to answer the call. If they're sleeping after a hard day and the alarm sounds, they hurriedly dress and go to the emergency. Certainly most firefighters like the excitement of the work or they wouldn’t make the sacrifices they do. Certainly there is a small monetary compensation for their work. All these things, however, are small reward for taking on the dangers they do on our behalf. All we can really do is say thank you, loudly and often. Thanks folks. In the land of giants The sale last week of The Stratford Beacon-Herald to the Sun Media group means the number of independent newspapers in western Ontario got even smaller. The Beacon-Herald was a rare independent daily newspaper in a time when nearly all daily newspapers are owned by huge chains. With The Toronto Star buying newspapers to the east of Stratford, and Sun Media owning the dominant London Free Press to the west, the Beacon-Herald owners no doubt felt the writing was on the wall. It was the second significant media change in western Ontario in the last month. Earlier the Eedy Group, which published such newspapers as The Wingham Advance-Times and The Listowel Banner, was sold to Metroland, the community newspaper arm of The Toronto Star. All of which leaves us at The Citizen feeling like we’re surrounded by giants. Our community-owned newspaper (we have 48 shareholders) is the lone independent newspaper in the area, surrounded by newspapers owned by some of the biggest corporations in Canada.We survive only with your support. We’ll hang in if you will. — KR Member Ontario Press Council Photo by Janice Becker Looking Back Through the Years From the files of the Blyth Standard, Brussels Post and North Huron Citizen July 25, 1979 The first annual Bainton Old Mill PeeWee boys softball tournament was scheduled for the upcoming weekend. The Huron-Perth County Roman Catholic Separate School Board increased the budget for its proper­ ty committee for 1979 to $47,000 from $35,000. The old starion house that made its grand exit from Blyth the previ­ ous week,was located on the lot­ next to the Old Mill, south of Blyth. The move did not harm the build­ ing at all. East Wawanosh was to be soon in the communications business. At a meeting, council approved the pur- chas of an FM radio system for the township. The Lord of the Rings, Bill Murray’s Meatballs, Prophecy, 101 Dalmations, John Travolta’s Grease and Saturday Night Fever, Rocky 11, and Beyond the Poseidon Adventure were all playing at local theatres. July 26, 1989 For residents of Brussels there was no respite for thirsty lawns. A total lawn watering ban was in effect in the village with no signs of change. A history book of the Blyth Festival, called Special Memories was created for all those who had made it a success in its 15 seasons. Karen McClinchey, RR1 Auburn was the second weekly winner of the Sounds Fishy contest in The Citizen. Crops were ruined due to drought. The small library in Blyth was soon to be as efficient as large city libraries when its new computer, paid for by Blyth council, was to arrive in August. Blyth was the first library in Huron County to get a computer. Youths from as far away as Montreal came to Blyth to become part of the Young Company’s, drama workshop provided by the festival. A men’s slow-pitch tournament was held in Brussels. Of the 16 par­ ticipating teams, the Algonquin A’s from Formosa won the Adivision, while the Faster Pussycats won the B title. In women’s baseball, Auburn held a fastball tournament. Twelve teams competed, with Gome cap­ turing first, and the Bruce County Brewers taking the Consolation. Ghostbusters 11 played at both Letters THE EDITOR, On Friday, residents of the vil­ lage of Blyth put our collective best foot forward and were scruti­ nized by visiting judges as we par­ ticipated in the Communities in Bloom competition. Thank you to Bev Elliott and an ambitious group of organizers. Thank you to the community groups, village crew, businesses and many residents who invested obvious time and talent - and in the process, demonstrated a real com­ mitment to the community. Of course, there are those who, for whatever reason, discount the merit of every community initia­ tive. That’s to be expected. There are also those who hide from com­ petition. That too, is to be expect­ ed. I just don’t understand it. We share a remarkable commu­ nity and should be promoting it the Park and the Lyceum theatres. July 27, 1994 The Taste of Country Food Fair held in Blyth was a great success, with about 1,000 people sampling the wares of almost 30 exhibitors. Lyn McLeod, Provincial Liberal Leader spoke in Blyth with the message of getting people back to work. Kara Pepper and Amber Ruttan, two area girls were preparing for the provincial qualifying novice ball tournament held in Chatham. Both girls were members of the Seaforth Novice II Girls fastball team. with enthusiasm - and no progres­ sive community hides from any competition. Progressive commu­ nities discovered long ago that competition is the greatest immedi­ ate challenge for new investment and growth. For a viable commer­ cial core. For tourism. Jobs. Real estate sales and new housing. And from this, a sustainable tax base and local economy which helps provide the myriad of services we expect every day. So, kudos to the organizers for providing an opportunity for each of us to share in the Communities in Bloom competition - and to put Blyth in the prestigious company of other progressive communities, each recognized for their home town pride. Steven Sparling Blyth. THE EDITOR, On behalf of the Communities in Bloom committee comprised of Luann Taylor, Eleanor Babcock, and Elaine Scrimgeour, I wish to thank everyone who became involved in the community beautification. Special thanks to Grant Sparling Continued on page 6