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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2001-01-24, Page 4PAGE 4, THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2001 Editorials & Opinio Does nobody care about food? If there's one thing worse than being ill, it's the feeling that nobody cares that you're sick — that whether you survive or not is irrelevant to the world. For Ontario farmers, that's the sense they get from the utter lack concern shown for their present precarious financial situation by both federal and provincial governments. Farm leaders are seething when they contrast the federal government's reaction to their struggles to compete with subsidized farmers in the U.S. and Europe to its support for one large company claiming to be disadvantaged by foreign subsidies. The federal government recently announced a large loan guarantee to help Bombardier Ltd. to compete against subsidies to a Brazilian aircraft maker. The aid to the huge, profitable, Montreal company was a stinging rebuke to farmers who have been begging for government aid for nearly a year. Not only are Ontario farmers hit by low commodity prices but they suffered poor crops last year as well. Many may not survive. Whenever the federal government even talks to the farmers, politicians claim Canada cannot afford to compete with the treasuries of the U.S. and Europe. There doesn't seem to be a problem with forking out money for an aircraft maker, however. Canada's Agricultural Minister Lyle VanClief is busy arguing the U.S. and Europeans should drop their subsidies but this is like demanding the tide go out. An American agricultural economist speaking at a Ridgetown College conference recently said Canadians don't understand that the U.S. sees food as a security issue. Food surpluses are a weapon to be wielded to bring other countries into line. VanClief and the rest of the federal government either don't get it or are willing to let Canada's farming sector die rather than spend federal money. When the current price crunch is over, American farmers will be around to take advantage of higher prices. Canada's farm producers will be long gone unless the government has a quick change of heart. While the federal government is the big culprit, the Ontario government isn't helping much either. In Quebec, where again they see a healthy farm sector as a key to their dreams of independence, the provincial government spends nearly twice as much on agriculture as Ontario does. This is a crucial issue not just for farmers, but for our rural lifestyle. When governments say they doesn't care if farmers go broke, they're also saying they doesn't care if rural economies are healthy or not. Our survival seems irrelevant compared to one aircraft company. — KR So what's the problem? Given that there is more wealth and lower taxes in Alberta than anywhere in Canada, it's hard to understand the imperative of forming a separatist party as happened on the weekend. Leaders of the party claim Alberta gets less from Canada than it gives and therefore should separate unless it gets a better deal. The argument seems like the same one put forward to wealthy supporters of right-wing causes in Canada. Under their thinking, it's the wealthy who are disadvantaged because they must pay taxes rather than the poor who have no money so can't pay taxes. Probably Newfoundland would like to be as disadvantaged as Alberta. — KR Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising Manager, Jeannette McNeil 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 $28.03/year (526.16 + $1.84 G.S.T.) in Canada; $65.00/year In U.S.A. and S100/year in other foreign countries. 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 Cr Copyright We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs. Publications Mail Reg. No. 09244 Canadian Publication Mail Agreement No. 1374990 Member of the Ontario Press Council P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, BLYTH, Ont. BRUSSELS, Ont. NOM 1HO • NOG THO Phone 523-4792 Phone 887-9114 FAX 523-9140 FAY 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca ocna ENA The Citizen Cool waters Photo by Janice Becker Looking Back Through the Years Jan. 25, 1950 Melville Presbyterian Church held a well-attended annual meeting. Five retiring managers were re-elected for a term of four years: W. Porter, R. Gemmell, D. McLeod, R.J. Bowman and W. Shortreed, who was chairman of the board. John Gibson requested to be allowed to retire and his son Gerald Gibson took his place. A new amplifying system, the gift of Louis D. Thompson in memory of his father and a memorial plaque in honour of four fallen heroes of the second world war were dedicated. The peculiar antics of the weatherman had even confused the animal world. A groundhog, which usually stayed well holed up until his venture out in February was enlivened by the unseasonable warmth and emerged from its hole on the farm of Earl Anderson, in Morris Twp. The newspaper report noted it was "an unfortunate misfortune for Mr. Groundhog to be discovered by Mr. Anderson's dog, which killed him. A test shaft drilled at the Hullett Twp. farm of Bert Allen in the hope of finding oil went down past the 1,000-foot mark. This far down there was still no showing of oil, but drillers "reckoned" they might continue work for some weeks- before reaching the strata in which oil might be found. The previous weekend was a big moment in the life of Charles Thomas, Brussels, when flying instructor Bill Peppier climbed out of the Piper Trainer aircraft and said, "you're on your own this time." Charles's three sisters witnessed his solo flight. The attendance at the Library's story hour was "very encouraging." Mrs. McCreath would be in charge of the next session. The Brussels Town Hall underwent long-needed renovations. A new feature was the new hardwood floor. The stage had been entirely remodelled and the old curtain removed as were the moveable wings. These were replaced with permanent plywood. The ceiling was lowered and the sides were at an angle to make the stage slightly funnel shaped. Provisions were being made for spotlighting and the narrow twisting stairs have been straightened and enclosed. There was a gospel meeting at the Orange Hall in Brussels under the direction of John Martin of Hawkesville. Boy's windbreakers were on sale at Wood's for $3.95. Girls bloomers were selling for 59 to 98 cents. Specials at the Brussels Arcade Store included boys' plaid shirts for $1.69 and men's Stanfield drawers for $2.69. Jan. 22, 1986 . The school board accepted a proposal that would allow staffing on a more equitable basis. Class sizes were set as primary 21-29. junior 23-31 and intermediate 26-34. Trustee Joan Van den Broeck wanted assurance from the committee that small schools would not be unduly affected. She was told that the staffing formula would have a positive effect and that small school staffing had been thoroughly discussed. Hessie Kipfer took over as the new postmistress at Blyth. Blyth Legion Ladies Auxiliary presented a cheque to the Wingham hospital for the purchase of water mattresses for the comfort of long- term care patients. The county discussed replacing Ball's Bridge with a new bridge two kilometres downstream on the Maitland River connecting the county road running through Benmiller and Londesboro. Pairs skater Kevin Wheeler of Brussels and his new partner Michelle Menzies of Halifax placed third in the central division of skating championships at Sudbury. Jan. 23, 1991 It was off to Nationals for Peter MacDonald of the Brussels Figure Skating Club and his partner Suzanne Killing of the Tavistock Figure Skating Club, the 1992 Western Ontario Junior Dance Champions. The new Blyth Venturers scouting group was invested. They were: Greg McClinchey, John Greidanus, Brad Walsh, Terry Greidanus, Derrick Cressman, Tim Airdrie, John Verway and Jason Lee. The Auburn LIons presented a cheque for improvement to the Auburn Hall. The newly formed Madill branch of Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) were busy promoting the message against impaired driving. Jan. 24, 1996 The Huron County Plowmen prepared to promote Huron as the site for the 1999 International Plowing Match. The winter wheat crop was in jeopardy with a January thaw. Neighbourhood Watch came to Brussels. Huron's 13,500 students' received a second dose of measles vaccine.