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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2001-06-27, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 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: $62.00/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 Mail Reg. No. 09244 Canadian Publication Mail Agreement No. 1374990 ocna C 91A :W*1— Member of the Ontario Press Council its P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 11-10 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 E-mail norhUron@scsintemet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca The Citizen P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 For one day let's not feel inferior As Canadians prepare to celebrate (as much as we ever celebrate) Canada's 134th birthday, nationalism seems to have become a bad word. Canada has never been a very nationalistic country but in a time of globalization, any small attempt to stand up to the tidal wave of homogenization from south of the border is seen as the last stand of misbegotten 1960s' idealism. In truth, nationalism can be a dangerous force. We have seen instances where excessive national pride has led to death and destruction. We have seen examples throughout history of people being so blinded by patriotism that they couldn't see the evil abroad in their land. The problem, however, isn't nationalism in itself, but extremism. Just as religion is a good thing but taken to fanatical extremes leads to evil, so having pride in your country is a necessary thing. Canada has always been in the shadow of the world's most powerful nations: first as a colony of ,Great Britain when its colonies circled the globe, then living beside the U.S. when it became world leader. As such, many among us have always felt we just didn't measure up. There was a brief period of celebration following Centennial year in 1967, but today many of our business and political leaders would have us stop trying to set out our own priorities and go with the flow, adopting more American policies and attitudes. Just as a person must like himself or herself in order to be healthy, so a country must have a sense of self-worth. Just as each person must stand up to parents and set out on his or her own course in life, so a country must find its own solutions to problems, not just mimic its powerful neighbours. Canadians must have confidence that if we develop our own way of doing things, it might actually be better than what our gigantic neighbours do. We shouldn't be willing to throw out what's best in our lives in order to harmonize our country with American standards. We shouldn't be smug, or put on superior airs about things we do better. We shouldn't fool ourselves into thinking we're better than we are (the news on the weekend that Americans are appalled at how lax our standards are for taking toxic waste should be a wakeup call for all Canadians). But we should, this Sunday, be proud of the things we do well, and not always add: "yeh but". "Yeh but" somebody does it better in Chicago or New York or Los Angeles. "Yeh but" Americans ignore us. We have so many things in this country to celebrate. For one day at least, let's put our inferiority complex away for Canada Day. — KR Mob vengeance frightening The idea that two 10-year-olds would plan and execute the murder of a toddler in England was truly frightening, but is it any more frightening than the threats of some adults in England to hunt down the convicted perpetrators now that they're 18 and released from prison? The idea that Timothy McVeigh would bomb a federal building in Oklahoma City because of anger against the U.S., indiscriminately killing many innocent workers is horrible. The idea that 300 relatives would want to watch him die is just as frightening. This is healing? A psychotic lone wolf is terrifying but mob vengeance is more so. — KR Letters to the Editor Looking Back Through the Years THE EDITOR, This month, the editor of the British Medical Journal (BMJ) announced that the BMJ is banning the inappropriate use of the world "accident" in their pages. The BMJ is the first major medical journal to do so, but we hope local channels of the media will follow suit. For years, public health authorities and safety officials have discouraged the use of the word accident when it refers to injuries or the events that produce them. An accident by definition, is unpredictable — a chance occurrence or an "act of God" — and therefore unavoidable. However, 90 per cent of injuries, and the events leading up to them, are predictable and preventable. Consider the following — the aviation industry and the media report 'airplane crashes' not 'airplane accidents', The plane didn't just fall out of the sky. Every plane crash or near mishap is fully investigated for the purpose of learning how to prevent it from happening again. • conversely, motor vehicle collisions are reported as car accidents, as though the vehicle randomly flipped or collided with another, as if by fate. The word crash indicates in a simple factual way what is observed, while accident suggests a general explanation of why it occurred — fate — without any evidence to support such an explanation. Banning the word accident will require editorial discretion. Some injury-producing events such as tornadoes, being struck by lightning, and other natural disasters may seem to be caused by bad luck or 'acts of God' and thus are not preventable. However, there is some disagreement because these events are somewhat predictable, and preventative steps can be taken to avoid dangerous places at times of risk. For example, don't play golf in a lightning storm. This may seem to be a mere 'war of words'; however, injury prevention professionals believe that the words we use to describe injuries, and the events leading up to them, have Continued on page 5 June 28, 1950 Brussels Lions Club installed officers: lion tamer, L. Michel; tail twister, Jas. S. Armstrong; directors, C. Long, S. Machan, W. Porter, D. Whitfield; first vice-president, Bill Turnbull; second vice-president, Selwyn Baker; third vice-president, Harvey Johnston; treasurer, R. G. McBride; secretary, D. M. MacTavish; president, Gordon Hazelwood. June 25, 1986 More than 100 people from across Huron County and Southwestern Ontario who were involved in tourism, attended the preview performance of Another Season's Promise at Blyth Festival. Ross Daily, agriculture and business editor of CFPL television in London told the Festival's opening night dinner crowd during his speech that Canadians should be watchful of the potential cost of free trade. A major addition addition to Brussels was ready for business when the new EMA supermarket opened its doors. The 6,000 square foot store employed a staff of more than a dozen people. A farewell party for Ken Scott, principal of Brussels Public School was held. In attendance was his family, daughter Shannon, wife, Laura, daughter Christy, mother Joan and son Bill Jim. Scott was leaving after 19 years to take over the position of principal at East Wawanosh. At Grey students, parents and staff bid farewell to Jim Axtmann who was coming to Brussels. The Blyth Quest for Success 4-H club held its achievement night. Taking part were Karen Richmond. leader; Darlene Glousher, Rose Ann Machan, Colleen Glousher and Elaine Brown. Bev Elliott and Marilyn Forl5es' opened Christmas and Country. Ross Stephenson .was presented with a geld watch for his 30 years of service tcr the Grey Twp. Fire Department. Graduating from Brussels kindergarten were Corey Campbell, Jason Kellington, Jason Crawford, Jenny MacLellan, Becky McLaughlin, April Johnston, Sherri Verstoep, Amy Crawford, Alex Leger, Cory Smith, Robbie Burkholder, Kevin White, Susie Jo Black, Jenny Olinskie, Korey Bray, Scott Somers, Jason Walker, Ryan Olinskie, Cory Bragg, Michael McDonald, Philip Williams, Melinda Exel, Anita Little, Shirin Smith, Jennifer Watts, Kara Lee Pepper, Heather Douma, Christeen Wilbee, Jenny Gowing and Lesley Elliott. Donna White became the new assistant to Brussels Clerk-Treasurer Hugh Hanly. June 25, 1991 Hullett and McKillop residents saw a jump in taxes of close to five per cent. Winners at Blyth's Rutabaga Festival included: Brussels Hotel with two firsts, two seconds and two thirds in the baking contest: Brenda Burkholder, first, muffins and loaves; Dorothy Lyndon, first chiffon pie. Brussels Hotel also swept the top three places in the most creative category. First prize went to its chess board, second was its Duchess a la Rutabaga and third was for the Rutabaga Noodles 'n' Sauce. In the parade, the best commercial float was Doughertys. The best with a rural theme was the Thresher and Hobby Association, while Blyth soccer had the best organization float. Betty Graber was Brussels and area Citizen of the Year. Staff at the Brussels pool was Sharie Jacklin, Nicki Gropp, Corrinna Stephenson, Kim Fritz and Shannon Rice. • June 26, 1996 Brussels teacher Emily Cousins retired. Grey Twp. marked its 140th anniversary. Several charter members were on hand when Walton WI celebrated its 40th anniversary: Berva Watson, Mary Humphries, Alberta Stevens, Leona McDonald and Margaret Craig. Stephanie Kellington was the Brussels Lions $5,000 elimination draw winner. June 28, 2000 For the second time in a year, the Brussels dam could not hold back flood waters as heavy rains overflowed the earthen section of the dam, washing over the walkway. Debris brought with the water blocked the sluices, forcing village and Maitland Valley Conservation Authority employees to free the passages for easier flow. North Huron Public Company Inc.. publisher of The Citizen moved into the internet-age, providing a new service to northern Huron and beyond with a website. . Belgrave hosted a millennium celebration. The Walton community bid farewell to its public school. On hand for the day were past principals Paul Carroll and Marie Toll. Members of the Choral Kids wrapped up a tour of area churches with a service at Blyth United Church.