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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-08-25, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1999. C itizenTheIXJorthiHuron j^ocna ^CNA P.O. Box 429. BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152. BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising Manager, Jeannette McNeil Member Ontario Praaa CouncilE-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 ($25.24 + S1.76 G.S.T.) in Canada; S62.00/year in U.S.A, and $100/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 Where does co-operation begin? Representatives of the pork industry gathered in Mitchell last week to look at solutions to the current crisis and speaker after speaker begged for more co-operation between the sectors of the industry, from producers to the retail outlets. The problem seemed to be, who's going to make the first move. Co-operation is something that goes against the whole tenor of our times. In today’s world people seem bent on looking to their own interests, not looking at the common interests of all. The speakers were absolutely right when they said the pork industry chain is only as strong as its weakest link, but in an era of shareholders’ rights is any retail food chain or packing company likely to be able to convince shareholders that it’s really in their best interest to take a little less profit today to make a little more in the future? The tone of the speakers seemed to be that producers have to make the first move. Over and over producers were told they have to improve the quality and consistency of their product and listen to the message consumers send back through the retail and processing sector. Since producers have been struggling through the worst hog prices in decades while processors report record profits and retail giants merge in multi­ billion dollar deals, producers in the room could be excused if they wondered when others were going to start co-operating with them. During the worst of the crisis the local business community rallied to help hard-hit producers. Feed dealers helped fund buses for the big rally in Toronto and local abattoirs sought ways to put more money in producers’ pockets. Those business people really did know their prosperity depends on the prosperity of producers. The problem is the huge companies, based in the cities, answering to shareholders who demand maximum profits, are a long way from dealing with the suffering farmers. Paul Knechtel, CEO of Ontario Pork, said respect and trust must be rebuilt between the various sectors of the industry. The problem is there is also a huge imbalance of power between the giant packers and retailers and the small farmers. Respect, in this day and age of economic clout, is won, not granted. Working individually with these corporations, farmers are not likely to get that kind of respect no matter how hard they try to co-operate. Yes there needs to be more co-operation in the farming industry but farmers can’t do it all. Somebody else has to signal willingness to co­ operate too. — KR Summer reading____________________________ Photo by Bonnie Gropp E ditorial Looking Back Through the Years From the files of the Blyth Standard, Brussels Post and North Huron Citizen How fortunate we are An estimated 40,000 people died last week when an earthquake hit Turkey. Thousands fled their homes along the Texas coast when Hurricane Bret came ashore uprooting trees and flattening buildings. In Canada, meanwhile, we gripe about a couple of boatloads of illegal immigrants trying to sneak ashore. Human nature has a wonderful way of adapting to even the most fortunate of circumstances — and wanting more. Canadians seldom seem to stop and realize how fortunate we are, as we gripe about what’s not going the way we’d like. Not only do we live in one of the world’s most prosperous countries, not only are we protected from social and economic catastrophies by safety nets set up by our governments, but we seldom have to face the wrath of nature the way people in other parts of the world do. Can we even imagine 40,000 people being killed in a single tragedy as happened in Turkey? For us, in our relatively safe world, a car accident in which four people are killed, makes the national news. But 40,000? It’s beyond our comprehension. Is it any wonder then that people from poorer parts of the world want to sneak into the country? Certainly it’s not fair that some people try to “jump the line” of those who are patiently waiting for legal permission to immigrate, yet how many of those who complain don’t try to circumvent the rules to get ahead — like fudging tax returns. And what is fair about the lot of people who must live in a world of economic despair with few human rights while we live in such comfort and luxury? Certainly Canada cannot just throw its borders open to everyone, but those who obsess on a relative handful of illegal immigrants should lighten up. — KR Aug.22, 1979 Eleanor Bradnock, secretary of the 125th birthday committee pre­ sented Auburn "mayor" Warner Andrews with a friendship plaque and key to Auburn, Michigan. As a result of several meetings, St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Blyth and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Clinton set up a committee which applied to sponsor a Vietnamese family of five. The Blyth Horticultural Society’s annual flower show and tea was held in the Community Centre with an exceptionally good showing of exhibits. The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce silver rose bowl was awarded to Mrs. Dan Mclnnes for being the exhibitor with the highest number of points. Mrs. Ray Madill placed second and Mrs. Charles Johnston placed third. The Junior Farmers collected recipes for a cookbook. The pro­ ceeds of the book were being donated to the Summer Festival Theatre fund to be used to build ramps, so that the handicapped would be able to enjoy the plays. Gerry Bremner of Brussels, a member of the Maitland Dirt Riders won first place in the Canadian Junior Championship Moto cross Races in British Columbia. Aug. 3, 1989 The calling of tenders for the expansion of Blyth Memorial Hall was approved by Blyth village council after a marathon meeting that took up two nights. Well known area skating duo, Peter MacDonald and Kerrie Shepherd, called it quits after six years together, as Kerrie made a decision to concentrate on her edu­ cation. The pair had recently attained triple gold status. Blyth village council appointed Steven Sparling to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Dave Medd. The 1989 Blyth Festival sold out of four of their five shows. The final play, The Mail Order Bride had not yet started its run. Lisa Boonstoppel, Huron County’s Dairy Princess, was trav­ elling to the CNE to compete for the title of Ontario Dairy Princess. Aug. 24,1994 The wet weekend did not deter motocross enthusiasts from travel­ ling to Walton to witness the Trans Can National Motocross Champion-ships held at the Lee farm. East Wawanosh Township decid­ ed to host the 1994 Huron County Plowing Match at the farm of Ray Hallahan. Jayne Marquis, long time resi­ dent and business woman of Blyth, joined a five member team that was being assembled to help refugee children from Bosnia and Croatia. The group was part of an ongoing initiative by Light the Way Children’s Fund International. The Brussels cemetery board honoured Jack Bryans with the dedication of a plaque bearing his name at the cemetery. Bryans retired from the board in 1993. Former students of Blyth Public and Continuation School gathered at a reunion. Strong winds and heavy rains caused damage to a bam and corn­ field at Lot 12, Cone. 13 in Hullett. The hometown of writer-broad­ caster Harry J. * Boyle, St. Augustine, is marked by a plaque which was unveiled in a ceremony at the village. Present to hear Boyle’s reminiscences were Huron MPP Paul Klopp and Huron-Bruce MP Paul Steckle. Howsons won the AA champi­ onship for the Blyth Slow Pitch Men’s League Tournament. Team members were Rob Finch, Kevin Ritchie, Steve Howson, Gerald Kerr, Jack Stewart, Pat Cronin, Patrick McGlyn, Jeff Peters, Mike McDonald, Kevin Coultes, Barney Stewart, Jason Mangene, Brent Scrimgeour. Kerry Hallahan returned home from a five-week visit to Denmark as part of the Lion Youth Exchange program. Don Harron and Catherine McKinnon appeared at Blyth Memorial Hall in A.R.Gurney’s Love Letters. Letters Letters to the editor are a forum for public opinion and comment. The views expressed do not neces­ sarily reflect those of this publica­ tion. THE EDITOR, Goderich District Collegiate Institute of Goderich, Ontario, is inviting all alumni and former staff to its upcoming All Years Reunion on the July 1 weekend of the year 2000. Our Reunion committee is plan­ ning an enormous fun-filled week­ end. If you were a student for a day or many years, if you volunteered, coached, if you attended night school, or worked as a teacher, assistant, custodian, we welcome you to enjoy the reunion festivities. Plan now to revisit with old friends, remember the good times. Our committee has compiled over 6,500 names, but we feel there are many people we don’t have on our list and many address­ es are missing or incomplete. It is imperative that we have full and complete information before we mail our “registration information package” in January 2000. Please encourage everyone, all relatives and friends to submit their infor­ mation. Contact us at GDCI Alumni, 260 South St., Goderich, ON N7A 3M5. Phone 519-524-9402, fax 519-524-1710 or e-mail gdci@hurontel,on.ca. The web page is http://gdci.hurontel-on.ca- Judy (Jenkins) Watt Reunion Committee