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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2001-02-14, Page 4PAGE 4, THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2001 Editorials & Opinions 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 $28.00/year ($26.16 + $1.84 G.S.T.) in Canada; $65.00/year In U.S.A. and $100/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 C Copyright We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs. Publications Moil 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 I HO NOG 1H0 Phone 523-4792 Phone 887-9114 FAX 523-9140 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsintemet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca pcna +#►CNA The Citizen Oops, moved too fast Now that the provincial government has backed off on its forced amalgamation agenda, apparently apprehensive of political fall-out from the 905 belt around Toronto, it appears that Huron County's traditional policy of foot-dragging might have paid off after all. Each time the subject has raised its head in the past, whether the regional government plans by the Progressive Conservatives in the 1970s or the county reform movement under the Liberal government in the late 1980s or the tentative suggestions under the NDP in the early 1990s, Huron County has had one approach: promise to study the issue, then hope it will go away. When the Harris Conservatives raised the issue again in the mid-1990s, however, Huron politicians sat up and paid attention, then put amalgamation plans i -;1 high gear. The Harris government was not seen to be like the others. Whether it was the forced amalgamation of Toronto despite heated opposition, or the one-tier government imposed on Chatham-Kent, it seemed this was a government determined to have its way no matter what the local fallout. Huron's municipalities hurried to comply before the government reorganized things for them. The government seemed to meet its match, however, in the area around Toronto that provides a huge number of its seats. People there don't like the idea of being forced to amalgamate. They've seen a proposal of a $300 million tax increase in Toronto. The Harris government may blame inefficient Toronto politicians but the 905-ers are worried. We don't know what the tab for amalgamations in Huron County will be yet. Some observers are already concerned about the spending habits of the new, large municipalities. Hopefully things will work out for the best. If they don't, Huron residents may wish their politicians hadn't been quite so quick to jump this time.— KR There is no free' music The screams are likely to be heard from coast to coast now that a judge has slapped an injunction on the internet music provider Napster to prevent people from downloading music without compensating the recording artists or the record companies that create the music. Somehow a-lot of people who would call themselves honest, have convinced themselves there's nothing wrong with taking music without paying the people who produce it. The argument seems to go that the record companies are too rich and so are the recording artists- so why should people have to pay them. Imagine if the same argument was carried through the entire economy. Imagine if a car thief could argue that some millionaire had more cars than he would ever drive so therefore it wasn't a crime to steal one. Imagine if people argued that shoplifting laws should be thrown out because, after all, Wal-Mart was a huge corporation and wouldn't miss the goods that were stolen from their store. But people don't see taking something like music or computer programs the same way they see stealing cars or stereos. Somehow these aren't real goods. Stealing a CD from a record store would be theft; taking the music off that disc without buying it isn't. Yet it's real for the people who make their living (and very rarely their huge wealth), from creating music. There's no free music. If everyone takes it for free, eventually there will be no music created. Musicians and recording companies couldn't afford it — and we'd all lose out.— KR Rushing around, Photo by Janice Becker Looking Back Through the Years Feb. 15, 1950 After a lengthy discussion, and following the hearing of a delegation from the Morris Twp. council the following resolution was passed: "That the Brussels Fire Department be authorized to answer reasonable fire calls in the Twp. of Morris, Aid that the rates charged for fire service be $50 per call for the first hour, $50 for each additional hour's service. This rate to include the Fire Truck and pumper with five men." Lion Gordon Bennett, Clinton, Huron County agricultural representative, was guest speaker at the regular supper meeting of the Lions Club. He gave an interesting and instructive speech on agriculture in relation to urban people, illustrating the fact that the prosperity of urban communities depends on the prosperity of the farmers. Publicity about old coins in Blyth community had residents of Brussels looking up the date on old pieces in their possession. Mr. W. R. Little brought four to the office of The Brussels Post, a U.S.A. one cent dated 1881; an Upper Canada 1852 half penny; a U.S.A. 1841 cent with picture and inscription of Major General H. Harrison and a Queen Victoria one shilling piece dated I897. Feb. 12, 1986 Blyth Branch member Joe Chatterton presented Russ Wilson, the only surviving World War I veteran with a diamond anniversary commemorative medallian. Presented with life memberships in honour of their service to the branch were Tom Thompson, Clare Vincent, and Bill Riehl. The levy of the Blyth and District Area Fire Board to local municipalities went up 10 per cent. The cost of tire protection increased to $5700. Blyth paid 19 per cent of the $30,000 budget. Larry-Walsh won $10,000 in the instant lottery. Former Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Bill White was in Blyth to coach local youngsters. A large crowd attended the Ice Carnival held in the Belgrave Community Centre. Prizes were awarded to: Joeleene Black, Travis Campbell, Tanya Pletch, Michael Mali, Marie Cook, Tracy Robinson, Michelle Pletch, Sabrina Black, Ian Morton, Julie Snow, Aaron Barnes, Dan Webster, Ruth Gordon, Justin Black, Jennifer Black, Erica Culbert, Jennifer Weber, Taylor Mali, Erin Cook, Attie Wharton, Angie Wharton, Tasha Mushied, Joyce Van Camp, Terry Buchanan, Mary Hunter, Jackie Cook, Carla Cook, Colleen Van Camp, Dawn Dow, Mark Robinson, Darryl Jardin, Peter Irwin, Lindsay Michie, Des Curtis, Brace Carmichael, Pete Campbell, Bruce Campbell and family, and Barbara Pletch. Feb. 13, 1991 Jeff Cardiff presented Amy Thomas with the Murray Cardiff award for the most school points earned at Brussels Fall Fair at the Agricultural Society meeting. Carla Johnston, accepted the Highest Judge 1990 award on behalf of Donna Johnston at the Brussels Agricultural Society meeting. The award is a jacket from Topnotch Feeds and was presented by Ralph Watson. The new executive of the Brussels Agricultural Society was appointed; past president, Jim Hunter; first vice- president, Jeff Cardiff; second vice- president John McFadzean; new director, Don Armstrong; secretary- treasurer, Barb Mutter; president, Allan Cardiff; and Homecraft president, Lois McCall. In a three-game sweep over Grand Valley, the Brussels Bulls scored seven powerplay goals, and an amazing eight short-handed goals. They went on to play the winner of the Goderich - Mount Forest series. Joan Bernard, presented the trophy donated by Howard Bernard Fuels - Petro Canada for the highest first year member in the Brussels 414 Dairy Calf Club to Wanda Martin at the Brussels Agricultural Society meeting. David Johnston received the trophy for Champion 4-H Showmanship 1990. The trophy was donated by the Agricultural Society. David also received the Cal Krauter trophy for highest combined calf and showmanship for 4H Beef Calf Club member. Feb. 7, 1996 A mass innoculation of Huron County students, both elementary and secondary, happened throughout the next few weeks with the goal of eradicating measles. George Langlois of the Brussels Optimists presented a cheque to The Ark, to cover the rent of the building for one year.