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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2002-01-16, Page 4Looking Back Through the Years PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2002 Editorials Opinio S 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; $80.00/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 CD 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 Member of the Ontario Press Council P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, BLYTH, Ont. BRUSSELS, Ont. NOM I HO NOG I HO Phone 523-4792 Phone 887-9114 FAX 523-9140 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca ocna eNA The Citizen %o+'• 11111•2111=1 .oar Prevention cuts costs There are more ways to cut the costs of healthcare than turning to privatization — some of which seemingly have little to do with health care. Huron OPP recently noted, for instance, a disturbing increase in the number of automobile accidents and deaths in the area last year. As a letter writer in a major daily newspaper noted recently, unintentional accidents from car accidents, drownings, fires and poisonings, kill more Canadians between the ages of one and 44 than any other cause. Further, injuries are estimated to cost Canadians $9 billion each year in direct health-care costs and lost productivity. Provincial governments are pressing to do away with universal health care because costs are rising at about 10 per cent a year, even though there have been health care reforms and cutbacks. How much of this increase may be caused by the increased carnage on our roads as people drive faster and faster, are distracted by trying to (lc business on cellphones while driving or just become more aggressive in their driving habits? Could more police on the roads actually mean less need for doctors and nurses in emergency wards? Could a return to deterrents like photo-radar reduce the need for more police? Similarly, overlooked in the push for a health care system that's closer to that in the U.S. is the prevention side of a health care system in which people are not afraid, because of fear of cost, to get medical care when it's needed. Canada spends less overall on health care than the Americans but because people here, even the poor, get medical care when they need it, we have a much lower infant mortality rate. How much is that worth in the equation? How much is it worth that people who receive proper medical care at an early age, may be less of a burden to the system in the long run? How much would the health care system be saved if children received proper nutrition from birth? How much better would the education system work if children's minds were able to function at their full potential because they were well fed on nutritious food? Those who are constantly seeking to cut government spending see things in nice handy "envelopes" wanting to cut the expense of the "healthcare envelope" or the "education envelope". But life isn't lived in envelopes. In life, what's done in one area affects what happens in others. It may be that cutting the cost of health care means spending more money in prevention, from public health nurses to homecare to police to nutrition programs for the needy. That's a lot harder to think about than simply bringing private money into the health care equation, but it might be the most effective in creating a society that really works. — KR One man's thinking There was a time when people and governments worried 'about monopolies but in our age of globalization and "convergence", there seems to be an acceptance that bigger is better. The reality of this acceptance is being played out in Canada's newspapers at the moment. In the name of "convergence" — of bringing together the resources of newspapers, television and the Internet — Canwest-Global was allowed last year to buy the Southam newspaper chain. Where once there were restrictions' on cross-ownership of newspapers and television and radio stations because people feared a loss of multiple opinions and points of view, those concerns seemed to be set aside in the dot.com frenzy. Besides, the previous Southam owner, Hollinger honcho Conrad Black, had already owned the chain and in some cases made it a spokesperson for this right wing point of view. But Black looks like a promoter of diversity in public opinion compared to Izzy Asper, the new Southam owner who has declared that editorials written in his Winnipeg headquarters will appear in all Southam newspapers three days a week and no columnists are allowed to deal with subjects in these epistles from the mount. Furthermore, columnists in some Southam newspapers who expressed views contrary to Aspers, have seen their columns cancelled, Nobody is wise enough to think for an entire country. The power allowed to powerful people like Mr. Asper will undermine democracy if not curbed.— KR Letters Policy The Citizen welcomes letters to the editor. must be signed and should include a daytime telephone number for the purpose of verification only. Letters that are not S1 ed will not be printed. ubmissions may be edited for length, clarity and content, using ;far 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. Jan. 14, 1960 A Grey Twp. woman was killed in a two-car crash just west of the Cranbrook corner. Freezing rain had fallen during the afternoon and the road surfaces were treacherous. Ray Bronson of Brussels was the new secretary for the BM&G Telephone. L. W. Glasgow, manager of the Brussels Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce left to take over similar duties at the Beamsville branch. The family was well known in the community taking active roles in the Home and School Association and the Lions Club. They were members of St. John's Anglican Church. Rev. F.G. Stewart was guest speaker for a week of prayer for Christian Unity at Brussels United Church. Pollard's was hosting a Chain Saw Jamboree at the town hall with speakers from saw and chain companies. There were films by the Department of Lands and Forests and entertainment by the Kansas Farmer and Clark Johnston. Jan. 14, 1987 Two local figure skating pairs scored successes at the Central Canadian Divisional Figure Skating competition in Brandon, Manitoba. Kevin Wheeler of Brussels and his partner Michelle Menzies, who skate out of the Preston Figure Skating Club, placed first in _both their compulsory and free skating programs to win the gold medal in the Junior Free Skating Pairs competition. In October the pair had placed second in an international competition in England. In the Novice Dance category, Peter MacDonald of RR3, Brussels and Kerrie Shepherd of RRI, Blyth placed second among the nine dance teams entered to win the silver medal. Both local pairs advanced to the Canadian National Championships held in Ottawa that February. Blyth skaters, hockey and bthomball players found themselves praying for cold weather after a breakdown at the ice plant of the Blyth and District Community Centre. The breakdown coincided with a rare mild January to mean that the arena operations came to a virtual standstill. Brussels council endorsed the July 115th Homecoming. Polar Days were planned for Jan. 24 and 25. New UCW officers were: president, Audrey Cardiff; vice- president, Doris McCall; secretary- treasurer, Luella Mitchell; press reporter, Gertie Kellington. Evelyn Smith and Mary Wightman were co-leaders for the Blyth Sunshine Unit of the UCW. Other officers were Ferne McDowell, Melda McElroy, Myrtle Vodden, Mary Holland, Lenora Davidson, 011ie Craig, Gene Snell, Evalena Webster, Catherine Caldwell, Ida Proctor, Mayme Crawford, Hanny Meier, Rena Watt, Ruby Philp and Ella Richmond. Winners of the Blyth Lions Saturday Night Hockey draws were Pauline Stewart, Tom Cronin and Mary Warwick. An 18-year-old Wingham youth, 1)arry McArthur was awarded an Ontario Junior Citizen citation for his heroic action in rescuing two young children from drowning at the Gorrie Dam in September, 1985. Nancy Jardin was elected president of the Belgrave ACW. Huron County council authorized the construction of a. new bridge to replace the historic 102-year-old Ball's Bridge, located across the Maitland River between Auburn and Clinton. Jan. 15, 1992 Snow was a scarce commodity when the Bruce Regional Snowarama was held in Brussels and Walton areas. Only 65 snowmobilers turned out for the fundraising event, bringing in $4,120 in pledges. Bonnie Gropp of The Citizen received the Media Challenge Award. Morris Twp. native Murray Elston had the lead in unofficial results of weekend delegate voting to choose delegates for the convention at which the new leader of the Ontario Liberal Party would be selected. Elston had 685 delegates in his camp after the weekend vote, followed by 606 for MPP Lyn McLeod of Fort William riding. The Brussels Bulls clinched second place in Western Jr. C league hockey action. Ownership of the Brussels Booster Bus was transferred to the Brussels Lions Club. Jan. 15, 1997 After three years of growing success, A Taste of Country Food Fair held each year in Blyth, was discontinued. Only three people turned up at a meeting to discuss the future of the event. Though attendance was up that summer and the gourmet barbecue was sold out, the number of exhibitors had dropped by nearly one third from 1995. Amanda Brewer and Ashley Thornton were new Brussels Brownies. Linda Subject of RR1 Monkton was the winner of the Brussels Lions Club snowmobile draw. Members of Cranbrook 4-H were recognized at an achievement day: Cheryl Armstrong, Christina De Wit, Angela _ Terpstra, Wanda Martin, Jenny Harrison, Kim Cox and Jelma Gorier.