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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2002-02-06, Page 4Publisher, 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 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. 40050141 The Citizen P.0.•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@scsintemet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca ocna ENA tr Member of the Ontario Press Council lENTraiMi Looking Back Through the Years Feb 4, 1960 The Brussels School Board held its inaugural meeting. Rev. Brown was elected chairman and Roy Kennedy was vice-chairman. Elizabeth Elliot was confirmed as secretary-treasurer. The board sanctioned the rental of a television for such time as the children's programming was broadcast. Bills to a total of $132.54 were authorized for payment. The Chain Saw Jamboree Dance attracted a large crowd to the Brussels Town Hall on the previous Thursday. Miss Helen Mahood and Mr. Garry Wilson were chosen the Chain Saw Queen and King respectively. The prize for the best Lady Bushwacker costume went to Betty Alcock and the men's prize was captured by Donald McDonald. W. S. Scott was honoured at a retirement party after 23 years as secretary-treasurer and manager of the BM&G Telephone System. The Texan Grill re-opened on Wednesday after an early morning fire on Monday. The fire started in the basement and was believed to have been caused by a short-circuit. Melville Presbyterian Church held its annual meeting. James Mair, chairman of the board of managers, reported that the vestry, choir-room and auditorium had been painted, the lawn of the new manse landscaped and plans for a garage at the manse had been made. The Lyceum Theatre in Wingham was showing Count Your Blessings, staring Deborah Kerr and Rossano Brazzi. Doctor R. M. Aldis, Huron County Medical Officer, issued a warning about the possible resurgence of polio in Canada. He urged all residents of the area to ensure that they had been immunized. Feb. 4, 1987 An hour-long discussion at the Brussels council meeting on Monday night resulted in a decision to retain the firm of Pannell, Kerr MacGillivray as auditors. Nancy Exel of the firm appeared before council to answer any questions councillors had about the firm's billing. East Wawanosh council decided to go ahead with the planned Humphrey subdivision in Belgrave. The fact that development costs were higher than expected meant that the lots will be more expensive than previously thought. The Londesboro United Church decided to purchase the adjacent Hark property. Huron County Board of Education and its 350 elementary teachers began contract talks on this day under provincial government mediator, David Fleet. As well as monetary issues, the groups were to discuss such issues as the staffing formula and affirmative action. Mary Procter and Sheila Richards returned after a two-week trip to Israel. Area skaters were off to participate in the Canadian 'National Figure Skating Competition in Ottawa. Peter MacDonald and Kerrie Shepherd were skating in the Novice Dance Division and Kevin Wheeler and his partner, Michelle Menzies of Preston, were competing in the Junior Pairs Division. The Lyceum Theatre was screening Three Amigos. Feb. 5, 1992 The Huron County Board of Education was painting a "grim" picture of educational finances in the county. Bob Allen the director of education, said that in order to achieve the zero per cent increase mandated by the board, major constraints would be needed. A tip from Crime Stoppers led local OPP officers to a Blyth apartment where a large amount of stolen property was recovered. The Walton Sports Club poker rally was a success with a large number of participants and lots of snow. The Blyth PeeWee hockey team captured the championship at a recent tournament in Chesley. They won four games and tied one. Feb. 5, 1997 The boys' volleyball team from Hullett Central Public School placed first at a tournament held the previous week at Central Huron Secondary School. The Belgrave Girl Guides participated in a winter camp at the Wawanosh Nature Centre. They were involved in many activities and braved the weather to sleep outside in tents. The Huron County Board of Education made over $1 million in cuts to its budget during deliberations in January, it was reported. Director of Education Paul Carroll said at a board meeting, "I am concerned that municipalities will have to increase residential and farm taxes to cover (downloading) from the province." Approximately 120 people attended a winter fun day organized by the parents group at Walton Public School. Sleigh rides were held at the farm of Ken and Judy Shortreed. Secondary teachers from Huron County joined with colleagues from across the province to voice their displeaSure with changes to the educational system by the Conservative governfnent. PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2002 Editorials & Opinions Pleading poverty The two extremes of Canadian politics are on view this week as Alberta teachers and their government face off over salaries and class sizes. The teachers want the same kind of salary increase that the government gave nurses last year: up to 20 per cent over a two-year contract. The government says they can't afford it, that they've budgeted only six per cent for a two-year increase. For the rest of us, there's a certain lack of reality here. A three per cent per year increase looks pretty good when most people are getting, at best, two per cent. The teachers' union argues the government can afford more. The reality, of course, is that government can afford what it wants to afford. We went through a period in the 1970s and 1980s when government employees were getting settlements based on what was "fair" and government expenditures exploded, driving up taxes. In the last decade, however, the movement has been toward the other extreme. In one of the most prosperous times in our history, governments now claim they don't have any money. In truth, they have been starving themselves by reducing their income by tax cuts, then saying they can't do more for education or health care. Somewhere there needs to be a realistic midpoint between thinking government can pay whatever is asked and government claiming it can't Afford to do what's needed. Currently provincial governments, led by lberta, are saying they can no longer afford the kind of publicly- supported healthcare system Canadians have grown to love. They blame the federal government for not providing.enough money, but when the feds did give more healthcare funds before the-last federal election, Alberta used much of its extra money to give huge raises to nurses. Now nurses in Saskatchewan are demanding a 30 per cent increase so they can keep up with what's being offered in Alberta. Certainly we need happy nurses but is it really the answer to providing better health care to spend such a huge chunk of money in one area? One gets the feeling some provinces want to starve the healthcare system so they can bring in the kind of private sector reforms they openly support. On the other hand nurses and teachers don't help their cause when they argue for more money for healthcare or education, then want to snap up nearly all the funds themselves in pay increases. The public is not being served here. We need reasonableness on both sides of these disputes. What we want to see is enough money spent to give us a good health care and education system. Governments shouldn't argue there's no money, after giving away money in tax cuts, and nurses and teachers shouldn't think all the money should go to them, then complain that there's not more money to improve working conditions too. -- KR Two sides of the border Americans went into a patriotic frenzy on Sunday when the Super Bowl — the "world" championship of football — was held in New Orleans. In the wake of the Sept. 11 tragedy, no chance was missed to wave the flag and sing the praises of the United States of America. South of the border, this is called patriotism and it's a good thing. North of the border, such a display would be called nationalism, and at this point in history would be frowned upon. South of the border, it's almost compulsory to search out the good things about the country. In Canada, politicians and the media seem bent on finding only the bad. South of the border the right wing is pro-America and those to the centre or left who see faults in the country are'called un-American. North of the border the right is also pro-American and those who see the good things in their country and want to preserve them from American assimilation aren't patriots but anti-American, fanatical nationalists. In fact the Canadian right wing has been so infatuated with the U.S. that, with our dollar's decline lately, they want us to take the American dollar as our currency. They never mention Canada's relatively strong position compared to other currencies. Others see the answer to the weak loonie as accepting American-style social policies, destroying the social supports that helped Canada be declared the best country to live in in the world. Americans should be proud. So should Canadians — to be ourselves. — KR zen wetcomes titters to the editor, Letters must be signed and should include a daytime elephone number for the purpose of verification only. eaters 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 ieserves 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, I. A. tirsToLoN anthnesp@wincom.net