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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2001-04-11, Page 4The Citizen P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, BLYTH, Ont. BRUSSELS, Ont. NOM I HO NOG 1HO Phone 523-4792 Phone 887-9114 FAX 523-9140 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca ocnaC +TA Member of the Ontario Press Council Ready for Easter Photo by Janice Becker PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2001 Editorials & Opinio 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 rote 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 S photographs. Contents of The Citizen are 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 Two rights make a wrong The Huron County Health Unit's recommendations on how to fight the possible spread of West Nile Virus into the area show that sometimes it just impossible to do the right thing — even when it's a government agency that's telling you what the right thing is. Many of the suggestions of the health unit on how to fight mosquitoes, and therefore reduce the possibility people will be infected by the virus which is spread to human by the insects, make perfect sense. Things such as cleaning up old tires that might fill with water and provide breeding spaces for mosquitoes are a good idea even if there were no danger of West Nile Virus spreading into our region from the U.S. The difficulty comes with the health unit's suggestion that swamps should be drained. Certainly stagnant water sitting in swamps is a prime breeding ground for mosquitoes. But this proposal to drain swamps comes at a time when groups like the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority have been trying to persuade landowners of the environmental value of wetlands. Natural economic forces have, for decades, been encouraging farmers to drain wetlands so they can plant more land to crops. In recent years, in particular the drought years of 1998 and 1999, the value of having these resources of moisture became apparent. As well, since the Walkerton water tragedy, concerns have grown over the purity of the groundwater and surface water. Wetlands are places where water is purified by wetland plants like cattails. In short-term economic terms, the "right" thing for farmers to do was drain the wetlands. In long-term environmental terms, the "right" thing to do was keep the wetlands. Now from a health position, the health unit is saying the "right"' thing to do is drain the wetland. Any wonder why landowners are confused? — KR With friends like these . • • Proof of how warped the thinking of extremists like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) can get was in evidence last week when the group's president, Ingrid Newkirk, expressed the hope foot and mouth disease would make its way to the U.S. so cows and other animals would be spared a "concentration-camp-like existence." PETA's position echoes the sentiments of other extremists back in the Cold War years who felt it would be better to be dead than "Red", or communist. Newkirk seems to be saying it would be better to slaughter all the farm livestock in North America than to let the animals be kept in baths and fields. Did she ask the animals what they think? And even, for a moment, if you accept that cattle,' pigs and sheep are living such miserable lives that they'd be better off dead, what about the deer, elk, caribou, buffalo mountain sheep and mountain goats that live wild natdral lives and yet can still suffer from foot and mouth? The frightening thing about PETA's position is that it seems to encourage, while not condoning, ecological terrorism. Some follower may try to import the disease, bringing about death and suffering .to animals, and ruining the lives of thousands of farmers who love their animals. — KR Looking Back Through the Years April 12, 1950 L. E. Cardiff, MP for North Huron, was guest speaker for the regular Lions Club meeting. His subject was "Parliamentary. Procedure." The club president, Robert Bowman, introduced a short musical program in which Jane Work played a piano solo and a girls' sextette from K. Ashton's class in the public school sang two numbers. The girls were Barbara Allen, Jean Jewell, Sheila Porter, Maureen Sullivan, Joan Thomas, and Agnes Lane. The club would send a PeeWee hockey team to the Huron County sports day in Goderich. A committee was named to discuss and arrange for the erection. of a Lions club bulletin board at a ceriteal location in the business block. Plans were in the making for the annual summer carnival in aid of the club's work. Born at Dr. Meyer's Nursing Home, to Mr. and Mrs. John Perrie, on April 5, a boy. The summary of the Canadian Record of Performance for Poultry for the year 1948-49 published in The Canada Poultryman gave a lot of information for poultrymen everywhere and was of special interest to those in this district. In it was published the flock averages of all flocks in Canada entered under the Dominion R. 0. P. Policy and comparison could be made of the different breeds and the different strains within the breeds. The Little Stars Mission Band met in the basement of Melville Sunday School. Jim Edgar read the scripture lesson from Mark: 16. Mrs. Elliott led in prayer. The roll was called by Sheila Alderson, followed by a piano solo by Helen Wilson. April 9, 1986 The walls came tumbling down as the final clean-up of the once-huge Queen's Hotel in Brussels took place. By Monday, the site was completely leveled and preparations were underway to make the site ready for the new supermarket to be built on the lot. It was a family affair when Health Minister Murray Elston presented a plaque to Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bowman, his grandparents, on their 60th anniversary. The couple had five children, 19 grandchildren, and 15 great -grandchildren. Blyth was host for the Lions Club's District A9 Effective speaking contest. Sixteen speakers took part. Winners were: Kirsten Reggelsen, Shelburne; Rhonda MacDonald, _Port Elgin; Shaun Prouix, Grand Valley; and Peter Piegase, Shelburne. John Stewart of Blyth was the chairman of the effective speaking contest for the district. A "hillbilly" play was one of the highlights of the Junior Farmer Talent Night. The play, Huron County's entry in Culturama, a provincial competition, had some romance, suspense, music, and most - of all - comedy. The audience also enjoyed music, dancing and speeches performed by talented Junior Farmer members. Proceeds from the event, held in Clinton, went towards community betterment projects in Huron County. Sharron Dobson of Ethel was winner of a trip to Expo from entering a draw at the McDonald's restaurant in Hanover. Wong Yee . Fun, from the Ethel area, won the Royal Canadian Legion Public Speaking Contest at Mount Forest. She went on to area level at the Aurora Legion. The next step would be provincial in Toronto. Her topic was on her trip from Malaysia to Canada. April 10, 1991 Laura Douma and Heather Somers, Grade 8 students at Brussels Public School, demonstrated the Greenhouse effect as their Science Fair Project. Winners advanced to the county competition to be held at the Brussels Morris and . Grey Community Centre this Friday. There was another sign of spring as tickets wept on sale for the Blyth Festival. By the time the box office opened at 9:30, the lineup stretched nearly out to the street as early birds • booked their favorite seats. Members of the Auburn United Church Sunday School hosted their annual County Supper last week in the church basement. An excellent crowd turned • out to enjoy the delicious meal prepared and served by the group. Two members of the Ethel 441 Club Flower Power received recognition for completing six clubs at an achievement night in Ethel: Angie Terpstra and Rachel Van Veen. • Winners at the Brussels Minor Hockey banquet were: Novices Trevor Wilson, Stephen Oldfield and Shaun Engel; PeeWees Brad Mulvey, Randy Beuermann, and Jamie Smith. Brussels Atom Jamie Thomas accepted the Don Higgins memorial trophy for Most Outstanding Goalie from Ron Clarkson. A prii3, 1996 Grade 3/4 students at Blyth Public School had the unique opportunity to cook and enjoy a true Japanese meal as part of their study of Japan. Not only did the children sample stir fried vegetables, but were able to try rice rolled in seaweed, though some were not too sure they liked the "fishy" smell. Murray Adams and Allan Bosman were among the many who helped with the Londesboro Lions Club breakfast held at the community hall on Sunday morning. The Brussels Lions Club did its part by contributing $2,000 towards the building of a pavilion and washrooms at Ethel Ball Park. It was hoped that the facilities would be completed in time for Grey Twp.'s 140th anniversary celebration.