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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2001-08-15, Page 4UP NEXT, LADIEEES AND GENTLEMEN, MIKE HARRIS-5UPERFLY PRODUCTIONS FEATURE A TAG-TEAM BOUT OF EPIC PRoPoRTION5... Looking Back Through the Years PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 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 ($26.17 + $1.83 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 © 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. 40050141 The Citizen P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, BLYTH, Ont. BRUSSELS, Ont. NOM 1H0 NOG 1H0 Phone 523-4792 Phone 887-9114 FAX 523-9140 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca ocna C 4. 91A •,,„ Member of the Ontario Press Council 1/17'117•1 The glass is all empty There's been a great debate over climate change in recent years. Some people predict calamity. Some claim there's no climate change at all. Some say a cold country like Canada can actually gain if the temperature goes up. Is the glass half empty or half full? After the past few years, surely those who claim climate change could be good for Canada must be having second thoughts. Yes warmer temperatures would be nice, but the climate is a tricky thing. A couple of degrees in the mean temperature can also mean , a change in precipitation patterns. Four of the last five years, Ontario has had drought: the other, too much rain. Canadians from coast to coast this summer have been in the grip of hot, dry weather. Crops are shrivelling. The potential for economic loss is staggering. Right around home, pods are dropping off some bean crops and corn yields are likely to plunge if rain doesn't come quickly. Out west, memories of the dust bowl years of the 1930s are resurfacing. In the Maritimes they're fighting forest fires. Still, no doubt many pro-growth advocate, (like U.S. President George W. Bush) will say there's no proof of global warming and nothing should be done that might harm the economy. Until the bills come in for crop losses and other costs of global warming, such people won't pay any attention. By then, of course, it will be too late for an entire generation of farmers and others who make their living from a natural environment that has been pushed too far. — KR Having it both ways When Canadian athletes failed to win a single medal at the recent World Track and Field Championship in Edmonton, Canadians' inferiority complex again surfaced. How humiliating to host a major championship and be shut out of the medals, the media blared. Of course we were also humiliated when a little-known sprinter tested positive for drugs, reminding us of the Ben Johnson debacle at the 1988 Olympics when he thrilled the nation by winning the 100 metres, only to have the medal taken away when drug tests proved he cheated. Johnson claimed then that there were many other cheaters who didn't get caught. When many top athletes are nabbed in drug tests, their national associations rush to defend them and find a technicality why the test wasn't valid. A top Russian runner whose times improved beyond any reasonable explanation was found to have used drugs before the recent games but a fault in the testing procedure let her compete. This time she made no mistake and the drug didn't show up in tests. Canadians are being naive wanting to have it both ways: clean athletes who still win. Yes it's possible, but in a world where athletes routinely cheat and are protected by their sport associations, it's unlikely for athletes to'have consistent success without pharmaceutical assistance. We have to make a choice: are we a bottom-line country that only cares about winning even if people cheat to win or does honesty matter more? We found out how hollow victory through cheating can be after Ben Johnson. Surely it matters more to be able to hold your head up for giving your best, rather than to win through cheating. — KR Must hatred go on forever? The nightly news is pretty depressing these days. The cycle of death and revenge goes on in the Middle East between Palestinian terrorists and a vengeful Israeli government. Meanwhile hopeful signs of peace in Northern Ireland have crashed with the announcement the Irish Republican Army won't turn over its weapons after all. Sadly, humans are too predictable. Some would rather hate, than get along. Some would rather die for that hatred than live in peace. Humans can be so loving and forgiving but many choose not to be.— KR Letters Policy The Citizen welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed and should include a daytime telephone number for the purpose of verification only. Letters that are not signed will not be printed. Submissions may be edited for length, clarity and content, using fair comment as our guideline. The Citizen reserves the right to refuse any letter on the basis of unfair bias, prejudice or inaccurate information. As well, letters can only be printed as space allows. Please keep your letters brief and concise. Aug. 16, 1950 Mrs. A. Russell received word from the National Defense at Ottawa in regard to the grave of her son, Pilot Officer Lewis A. Russell, who lost his life in air operation on Feb. 24, 1945. Graves of which no one was aware were located in the cemetery at Dortmundd. This was where Lewis and the members of his crew were found. The letter informed Mrs. Russell that her son and the crew were re- interred in the Reichswald Forest British Military Cemetery. She was assured that all such cemeteries were cared for and maintained in perpetuity by the Imperial War Graves Commission and that a permanent headstone would be erected at her son's resting place. Ted Mitchell was a member of the first party of recruits fron) Western Ontario to join the new Canadian brigade for service with the United Nations. He was the son of former Brussels residents Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mitchell and a brother of Mrs. Rae Bronson of Brussels. Aug. 12, 1981 The five-week drought which ended early in the week had a silver lining for the season's corn crop. An agricultural rep from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food said the dry period meant root systems had to search for water and develop. This prevented lodging, when plants topple over because the roots won't support them. The Huron Pioneer Thresher Association planned a work bee for August. A hydro pole was to be installed and the old bleachers repaired. The first annual Blyth Slo-pitch tournament was a hug success. Lucknow teams cleaned up by winning the A and B championships. The peace and calm of Chris Lee's farm, just north of Walton was broken as motocross racers from around the province invaded for two days of hard, dirty riding. The races, an annual event at the track were part of a provincial series. The Blyth Centre for the Arts received a donation for the building fund raised from a food booth at a Teeswater-area farm sale. Bruce and Linda Campbell of Belgrave received a certificate recognizing their participation at the Co-op Young Couples' Conference at Muskoka Sands, Gravenhurst. The couple was sponsored by UCO Listowel area, which included Co- ops at Listowel, Belgrave and Auburn. 4-H exchange visitors from Huron County Michigan staying in the Belgrave area were Shelley Nichols, who was visiting with Lisa Thompson and Lynn Holdwich staying with Meribeth Scott. Farmers were feeling dumped on but consumers were sympathetic to their plight. These were the messages which came from Ruth Jackson, vice-president of the Consumers Association at a meeting of the Huron Federation of Agriculture. Aug. 13, 1986 Blyth recreation program participants held a car wash. Bouyed by a near-miss in attracting industry to the village, Brussels council voted to "think big" in the purchase of industrial land. In a unanimous vote, council agreed to buy a 13-acre parcel at the north end of the village from William Wheeler. Council had been discussing two possible purchases for several months but plans were held up in budget talks. Earlier council had been leaning towards a two-acre parcel on Turnberry Street. But one councillor said he favoured the purchase of a larger property which would have room for one more factory. In addition ownership of that land would make it easier to service the area optioned by Astra Pyrotechnics. The Brussels swim team finished third in its first ever swim meet held at the Wingham pool. Members were Stacey Hahn, Lanette Todd, Leslie Stretton, Jennifer Machan, Brett Clarkson, Bobbi-Jo Rutledge, Carrie Cooper, Krista Hastings, Sherri Jacklin, Jennifer Vanass, Ross Machan, Brad Beuermann, Jay Hahn, Jason Cooper, Gary Yuill, Shaun Jacklin, Donald Hastings, Barry Blake and John Lowe. Susan Marks received a $1,000 bursary from Champion Road Machinery of Goderich. She attended Conestoga College. Rose Marks received a $1,500' bursary. She was attending Wilfrid Laurier. Joan Mair, daughter of Jim and Evelyn Mair sent home a picture of herself with a camel. Joan was a nurse in Saudi Arabia. Aug. 16, 1995 Vandals defaced the walls of Trinity Anglican Church in Blyth. Walton was gearing up for the fourth annual TransCan National motocross championship. Rev. Ian Diamond from Bowral, Australia exchanged pulpits for a year with Rev. Stephen Huntley of Blyth United Church. Brian Machan, a graduating senior from Central Huron Secondary School was the recipient of a DeVry Institute half-tuition scholarship. A Blyth native was appointed to the post of acting general manager of the Blyth Festival. Karen Stewart was an eight-year veteran of the theatre.