Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2002-01-23, Page 4Editorials & Opinio Taking responsibility Justice Dennis O'Connor delivered his report on the Walkerton water tragedy last week and there's more than enough blame to go around, but who will take responsibility? Premier Mike Harris travelled to Walkerton to apologize for the E coli infection of the local water supply that killed seven people and made 2,000 ill, some with lasting side effects. But the premier still maintained he didn't think he or his government did anything wrong. There's no doubt the prime responsibility rests with the individuals whose direct actions helped cause the tragedy: particularly Stan Koebet, manager-of the Walkerton Public Utilities Commission. It would be easy to let the blame stop there but Justice O'Connor looked deeper. Ultimately, the tragedy may have stemmed from the idea that has fuelled the Harris government: the theory of i ndividual responsibility. Ideally, each of us should take our responsibilities seriously but we see in this case what happens when someone'doesn't and there's no back-up system. Stan Koebel suffered from the same contempt for rules and regulations and the possible consequences of ignoring them as the Harris government. Because he felt regulations were foolish, Koebel saw nothing wrong with making up figures to fill out reports or not telling anyone when he discovered a problem with E. coli in the water. He thought he knew better than those silly "book learned" officials from the Ministry of Environment to whom he answered. Believing in individual responsibility, the Harris government felt those same rules were nonsense. But while the Harrisites may simply have been naive in believing people given responsibility would exercise it, there's another side of this "individual responsibility" argument. Ustially when someone says "you should take responsibility" there's a hidden message that adds — "so I don't have to". The government didn't want to be responsible for guarding the health of the people of Walkerton and other communities across the province. They wanted to save tax money for big taxpayers instead. But if the government didn't want to take responsibility, neither did the vast majority of the people in Walkerton. While many are angry at the politicians who ran the local council and theoPUC for not doing a better job, the sad fact is that people thought their personal responsibility ended when they voted — that all the the burden then lay with others to guard their safety. Most didn't pay much attention to how the politicians were running these businesses. The theory of individual responsibility is a heavy burden for all of us. It doesn't mean that expecting others to accept their responsibility lets us off the hook for whatever happens. It means we must continue to carry out our responsibilities. That's the lesson that Walkerton has for all of us. — KR Listening to whom? New Federal Health Minister Anne McLellan supported the idea of private hospitals on the weekend. This probably gladdened the hearts of Alberta Premier Ralph Kline who wants to privatize health care as does the leading Ontario Tory leadership candidate Ernie Eves. The leaders seem out of touch with what ordinary Canadians have said in poll after poll, election after election. Ordinary Canadians like our public health care that gives equal access to everyone at no cost. So why don't our leaders listen? Quite probably the move away from government support for publicly- supported health care is because politicians are listening — at least to the people they rub shoulders with regularly and who give the big donations to their political campaigns. Under our health care system, supported by income tax, high-income earners pay a disproportional share of health care costs but get no additional benefit. They have to wait in line behind people who paid little in tax. In a private system as the U.S. has, well-off people pay less in tax and go to the head of the line for treatment. Is it any wonder those close to political leaders are pushing for private health care? Wealthy people long ago rejected the idea their success means they owe it to others to help. Instead they believe they've earned privilege because of their hard work. They're unlikely to support a system that gives the rest of us unworthy people equal treatment. — KR Letters to the Editor 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 m 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 S The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1 HO Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca ocna eNA iVo SHADOWS OVER QUEEN'S PARK WALKERTON Looking Back Through the Years PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2002 Member of the Ontario Press Council THE EDITOR, The North Huron Community Foodshare would like to thank all those who so generously gave food and cash donations to the foodbank over the Christmas season and during 2001. Through your generous support, in the past year we were able to help an average of 60 families per month in the north Huron and south Bruce area. Thank you to the many organizations, companies, churches, businesses and individuals who have given so freely so that the less fortunate can be provided for. May you be blessed for your generosity. Sincerely, Pat Nolan, Secretary North Huron Community Foodshare. Jan. 21, 1960 Brussels council held its inaugural meeting of 1960. It was decided to contact the councils of Blyth and Hensall regarding auditors and their fees. The clerk was asked to have the fire chief and his assistant attend the next meeting of council. There was a problem with the fire siren and council wished to have it moved to the roof of the muntcipal building and hooked directly to the telephone office. Accounts for the amount of $760,13 were approved. St. John's Anglican Church Young Peoples Association held a skating party at the Brussels Arena Jan. 26. Admission was 35 cents and 25 cents. Morris Twp. was advertising for an assessor at a salary of $500 for the year. Brussels Horticultural Society installed its new officers on Jan.18. They were: Mrs. Earl Cudmore, president; Mrs. R. W. Stephens and Mrs. D. A. Rann, vice-presidents; Mrs. Ella Shurrie, secretary-treasurer. The Union WMS and WA met at the home of Mrs. Herman Whitfield. Rawleigh's were advertising for a salesman to visit consumers in Huron County. They were only willing to consider a "reliable hustler". Jan. 21, 1987 Tom Cronin, a councillor in Blyth and former reeve, resigned effective Feb. 1. Brussels council voted themselves a raise of $100. This brought the reeve's salary to $2,100 and and councillors' pay to $1,500. In addition they raised meeting payments to $50 per half day and $75 per full day for special meetings. This was up from $48 and $70 respectively. Bruce Shillinglaw of the Londesboro area and Jack McGregor of the Clinton area were the winners of the 1987 Norman Alexander Conservation Award. Blyth council decided to pay one- fifth of the cost of a brochure advertising the town's attractions. Robert Hunking of RR 1 Auburn was elected the President of the Huron County Junior Farmers and named the most outstanding new member at the group's 7th annual banquet and ,awards ceremony in Clinton. • .An historical plaque listing the presidents of Blyth .UCW was presented to the- United Church at a special 25th anniversary service. On hand for the presentation io Rev. Ken Bauman were Presidents, Mamie Carford, 1974-75; Evalena Webster, 1967-69; Evelyn Smith, 1978-79; Susan Howson, 1984-87; Myrtle Vodden, charter president, 1962-63; Mary Wightman, 1976-77; June Peck, 1982-83. During the annual meeting of the Huron County Cattlemen's Association in Clinton, Ross Procter of RR5, Brussels was presented with the past president's pin by the current past president Ron Bennett of RRI, Gorrie. The senior choir of Knox United Church, Belgrave elected Robert Grasby as president. Secretary- treasurer was George Procter while the social committee was Mrs. Ross Anderson and Mrs. Lawrence Taylor. Jan. 22, 1992 The figures confirmed what most people knew, Huron County got a strong dose of good old-fashioned winter. From rain on the Monday, to intense winds on Tuesday that virtually stopped everything that moved, it was the start of a week of tremendous snowfall, accompanied by winds that jsut didn't quit. Though the stormy weather resulted in the B-W Trailblazers having to cancel their poker rally, the significant accumulation of snow was just what the club ordered. It didn't take long after the worst was over for volunteers to hit the trails in the club's new ASV track truck, designed for trail grooming. .Kevin Wheeler and Michelle Menzies placed fourth in the national skating championships in New Brunswick, just missing a spot on the Canadian Olympic teeam. Peter MacDonald and Suzanne Killing place fifth overall in their division. The Huron County Board of Education trustees passed a motion to establish a memorial fund in honour of Dr. M.H. Corrin, a respected Lucknow physician. The Lucknow Lions on behalf of the late Dr. Corrin presented cheques in the amount of $5,000 to establish at student award at F.E. Madill Secondary School. Dr. Lavern Clark of Blyth Veterinary Services received a certificate for the completion of a Dairy health Management course at the Ontario Veterinary College. The Reform Party directors for Huron Bruce included Mason Bailey of Blyth and Frank Stretton of Brussels. Jan. 22, 1997 Heavy winds were the driving force behind the year's first major blizzard. Quick hands and fast feet were definitely in play for Mary Lou Johnston, winner of the Blyth Lions Club three-minute shopping spree. Johnston racked up $800.26 worth of merchandise. Funds raised by the Lions went to Blyth and Area Fire Department for the purchase of rescue equipment. Doug Howatt was president of the Huron County Beef Producers.