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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2002-03-27, Page 4TA-DAHH! A. Nt5P01.011 PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 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 Shot 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 ocna *CNA VO Member of the Ontario Press Council Midi:MIN P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, BLYTH, Ont. BRUSSELS, Onf. 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 The Citizen Work will start this weekend on the reconstruction of the Blyth and District Community Centre to create a new multi-million dollar facility. To be successful in a small village this undertaking will require the participation of the entire community. If the organizers are successful in getting the full community behind the project, however, there will be something even more-important than a glorious new arena complex when it's over. If the campaign accomplishes the same thing as similar arena-building campaigns in Blyth, Brussels and elsewhere did in the late 1970s, the resulting bonus will be a new sense of accomplishment and purpose for the community. The building of those areas was accomplished by a drawing together of people who, when they pulled off the massive undertaking, suddenly had a new sense of pride in their community and a will to make it work. Much as the new arena is needed, the intangible of community development is almost as important as the building itself. Small communities have begun to drift as local economies change and people no longer congregate on main street to do their shopping. The sense of purpose gets lost when people drift off in individual directions. Getting together to carry out community projects like arena building can turn that trend around. Blyth has two excellent opportunities to rebuild its community this year with the Heart and Soul Campaign for-the arena and Blyth's 125th campaign. With any luck by the end of 2002 the community will not only have a new community centre and have had a great party, but will have a new sense of purpose as well.— KR • Living next to the biggest market in the world has made it tempting for Canadian businesses to overlook smaller, more distant markets and concentrate on the pot of gold nearby. Last week Canadians learned the penalty for becoming so dependent on a single market. Canada had a choice in dealing with the U.S. in the softwood lumber dispute: give the Americans everything they wanted or face crippling 29 per cent duties on the import of Canadian lumber. A dominant power like the U.S. will always feel it should win in every situation. Despite the fact the U.S. has lost similar trade cases in the past, an American lumber industry spokesman last week said "We're the guys with the white hats here." Americans will always see themselves as the good guys, no matter what they do. They will always feel that their interior politics are more important than international laws or world-wide public opinion. This is the giant Canada has tied its future to through free trade agreements that will always be one-sided because of the sheer power of one partner. It's a recipe for us to yield more and more of our decision making unless we're willing to pay the price. This time the Canadian government has decided the price is worth paying but if the cost is too high, will Canadians agree? — KR Getting squashed by an elephant Community-building a bonus Letters to the Editor Looking Back Through the Years THE EDITOR, Because the Ontario Federation of Agriculture takes very seriously its responsibilities to farmers, particularly its members, requests for refunds of membership. fees are frequently an indicator of dissatisfaction, and OFA is anxious to know why. On a regular basis, OFA conducts sessions with farmers and local federations of agriculture across the province, attempting to take the pulse of the grassroots producers that are Ontario's agriculture industry. Late last year consultations were held on the nutrient management legislation. Then more recently OFA's leaders sat down with the leaders of county federations to explore the issues they face on a day-to-day basis and seek possible solutions. As farmers register their farm businesses for 2002, some are requesting refunds of their registration fee. As the legislation states, this is perfectly legitimate arid takes place every year. This year, however, OFA decided to seek some input as to why farmers didn't want to financially support - the work of the Ontario Federation of Agricul- ture. The OFA is puzzled by this reluctance, especially when we look at how farmers and agriculture are increasingly being attacked on so many different fronts. A recent example is the union that is dissatisfied with its relationship with government, but has chosen to paint a disquieting picture of food and water safety in the province — indirectly pointing the finger at agriculture. Responses are coming to OFA on the postage-paid post cards, and the results are very revealing. The usual number are telling us they have more than one farm business to register and only want to pay their membership to OFA once — that's legitimate. Some others have checked off the box indicating they don't want to support any general farm organization in Ontario. As the leader of one of the two accredited general farm organizations in Ontario, this response concerns me. While I appreciate the individual's right to this decision, I am left asking if these people can't see value in the lobbying the OFA does on behalf of all farmers around such issues as taxes, assessment, safety nets, and new programs for the industry. When you speak with farmers, Continued on page 5 March 31, 1960 Mr. C.F. Parker, formerly of Stevensville, assumed duties as manager of the Brussels Canadian Bank of Commerce branch. Among the officers of the new Huron Presbyterial term were Mrs. Wm. McVittie of Blyth, president; Mrs. Robert McMichael of Walton, president West section and Mrs. Gilbert Beecroft of Belgrave, corresponding secretary. -Attending the meeting from Brussels United Church were Mrs. H. Thomas, Mrs. R:B. Cousins, Mrs. C McFadden, Mrs. A. Wintle, Mrs. R.J. McLauchlin, Miss E. Downing, Mrs. A. Mann, Mrs. Jas Turnbull, Mrs. Alex Armstrong, Mrs. L. Nichol and Mrs. Robert Walker. A 16-oz jar of Kraft Cheez Whiz sold at Stop 'N' Go for 63 cents. One pound of Chase & Sandborn coffee cost 65 cents at Willis's. There was a good turnout to the Jack Thynne concert in Brussels Town Hall. The varied program included orchestra numbers by Scott Pawson, a former Brussels boy, and his Clinton Hilltoppers, featuring Mary Elliott as vocalist; Mary Harmon and Dale Cardiff, a versatile singing duo, who entertained with piano accordian and guitar; Bill King and Graeme McDonald; The Kansas Farmer, who by request staged two acts, The Kansas Farmer and his popular Hobo; Dave Hastings, and Gordon Fleet. April 1, 1987 For the first time there would be an extra three weeks .of daylight savings time for Ontario residents because of the unusual passage of a private member's bill in the provincial legislature. Previously people had set their clocks ahead one hour on the last Sunday in April, but under legislation sponsored by New Democrat Ross McClellan, the Provincial Time Act was amended to permit Daylight Savirigs Time to begin on the first Sunday of April. Introdticing the legislation ,McClellan had argued that the move would give school Children an extra hour to play out-of-doors after school, as well as cut electrical use and provided businesses with more opportunity to attract shoppers and diners in daylight. Originally, .he had wanted daylight time to begin in March, but the minority Liberal government supported the bill only in amended form that would see daylight time began at the same time as in neighbouring American states where the change was approved the previous year. Caroline Kernighan received a Certificate for six years of service at the Brussels Post Office. After 23 years in business in Blyth, Piet and Ann Reinsma closed the doors of the Wallace Turkey Products lunch bar as part of their retirement. They hoped to sell their juice franchise so they could enjoy more time at their new home in Benmiller. One of the founding staff members of The Citizen, Beverley Brown left to take on a new position with Town and Country Homemakers. The Brussels Jr. D Bulls received the OHA northern division championship trophy. The new executive of the Grey Twp. Federation of Agriculture was: Gerry Rijkhoff, RR3, Walton, director; Sharon Boylan, RR2, Listowel, secretary-treasurer; Keith Williamson, RR3, Walton, president; Hugh Crawford, RR1; Monkton, vice-president. March 29, 1989 - The new addition to Blyth Memorial Hall planned by Blyth Festival could mean a new expanded library space for the village if council accepted a suggestion that the art gallery and current box office space at the north side of Memorial Hall become a library space once the new addition on the south side was in place. Students . at Central Huron Secondary School protested the transfer of their pricnipal Joe Wooden by placing a sign on the front - lawn of the school and beginning a letter writing campaign. March 29, 1995 The residents north of Blyth and into Belgrave lost power for approximately three hours due to wind and freezing rain. The Blyth Bantams claimed the WOAA Group championship. Team members were Trainer Terry Richmond, Darryl Bromley, Trent Richmond, Kelly Boven, Greg Blok, Mark Wilson, Jeff Ferguson, Nathan Loder, Coach John Blok, Joe Elliott, Jamie Black, Mike Courtney, Mike Haggitt, Mike Ansley, Jeff Cowan, Scott Bromley and Manager Gord Haggitt. April 1, 1998 The future of Jr. C. hockey in Brussels was facing uncertainty once again as increasing financial demands made icing a compeitition team, while keeping a balanced budget, much more difficult. The waiting and speculation were over, but the results of the provincial government's new education funding model were disappointing for the Avon Maitland District School Boar.d "The fair and equitable _funding we had hoped would happen appears not to have," said superintedent Jaiiet Baird- Jackson. Blyth Bantams and Midgets took their divisions' . All-Ontario championships.