The Citizen, 2002-04-17, Page 4OUR VOTE FOR THE 10 MOST IRRITATING LAD1
(This poll carries a 97 per cent margin cf error.
19 times out of 20, depending on who is viewing it)
PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2002
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
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E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.corn
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ocna *CNA Aigt,
Member of the Ontario Press Council ININZa:Mili
PO. Box 429.
BLYTH, Ont.
NOM 1H0
Phone 523-4792
FAX 523-9140
The Citizen
P.O. Box 152.
BRUSSELS. Ont.
NOG 11-10
Phone 887-9114
FAX 887-9021
Minister presents opportunity
While in no way demeaning the skills of Huron-Bruce MPP Helen
Johns, her appointment Monday as Minister of Agriculture and Food in the
cabinet of new Ontario Premier Ernie Eves shows how far the farm
population, and therefore its influence, has dropped.
Johns herself would be the first to admit that prior to her election in 1995
she knew little about farming. It's to her credit that she's picked up much
knowledge in a short time since as representative of the most productive
agricultural riding in the province. When she first attended the Huron
County Federation of Agriculture's annual Members of Parliament day-
long sessions back then, her lack of knowledge among the highly-
knowledgeable farm leaders of the county was almost embarrassing. By
the 2002 meeting she could hold her own in discussions on nearly any
topic.
Still, there was a time when the premier of the province would have a
choice of any number of smart, far-thinking farmers for the agricultural
ministry. In recent years more and more non-farmers have occupied the
post, dating batik to when Dennis Timbrell was minister of agriculture in
the waning days of the previous ConserwAtive goVtrnment.
What's more, the importance of agriculture in society is demonstrated
by the fact Johns' appointment was ignored in reports of the cabinet
shuffle in urban publications like The Globe and Mail, which purports to
be Canada's national newspaper.
Still, for Huron County having the sitting member as the minister
responsible for the single biggest driver of the local economy is a plus.
Also a bonus is the fact that Johns has had, for the past several months, an
advisor with a world of experience in farm politics. Her constituency
assistant is Bruce County's Ken Kelly, former vice-president of the
Ontario Federation of Agriculture.
For local, farm leaders this may be a golden opportunity to reshape
Ontario's agricultural policy in a way that supports the efforts of our
farmers. — KR
A recipe for death Looking Back Through the Years
A University of Toronto researcher's recent suggestion that the speed
limit on the 400-series highways should be increased to 130 km per hour
is truly frightening — because so many drivers agree.
In reality, of course, the defacto speed limit on those highways is already
about the 130 km area because that's what people are driving and no one
is enforcing the 100-km current limit. Even Saturday in the midst of fog
and pouring rain, for instance, many drivers were still travelling that speed
between Kitchener and Toronto.
Following an interview with the researcher, CBC radio invited listeners
to respond to the idea of the 130-km limit. About 80 per cent of those who
did call in supported the idea of the higher limit. Among those (many of
them men) several mentioned being "comfortable" at the 130-km speed.
Comfortable? Quite frankly anybody who's travelling 130 km per hour
should not be comfortable. They should be tensely on guard for anything
that can go wrong. Speed is not so much a problem on an open road with
no possibility of something getting in your way. On a crowded road where
you might have to stop in a hurry, however, speed can kill.
Several of the callers also said the real problem is with the people who
drive too slowly. They mentioned people going 80 km per hour but one
wonders if they were driving so fast that when they came up behind
someone going the speed limit, they just thought the person was going 80.
This complaint about "slow" drivers is not new. Some people in that
horrific accident near Windsor a couple of years ago blamed it on drivers
who slowed down when they hit a bank of fog, not on the drivers-who kept
on driving fast even when they couldn't see where they were going.
There's also the "plus" factor. If the speed limit was raised to 130, many
drivers would tack on another 20-23 km on top of that. We've seen that in
Huron County where the speed limit was raised to 90 and most people
travel at 110-120.
In the coming years we will have the huge baby boomer population
moving into its senior years, a time when reflexes slow and ability to
adjust to changing circumstances declines. So do we really want people
travelling at ever-increasing speeds under such circumstances?
Here's an idea: what if we enforced the speed limits we currently have?
Police say speed kills. Mightn't it save lives and our economy to cost
drivers a few extra minutes to get from point "a" to point "b"? — KR
Letters to the Editor
THE EDITOR:
In response to last week's query
from Mr. Bailey regarding the Blyth
and District Community Centre, we
have contacted Mr. Bailey with
regards to his concerns. We would
like to remind everyone with
questions about the reconstruction to
feel free to contaet-arty member -of
the Heart & Soul committee.
If you did not receive your
information package in the mail,
please call, 523-9040 to have one
forwarded to you.
Sincerely,
Anne Elliott
Public Relation
April 21, 1960
The Brussels Home and School
Association elected its new slate of
officers: Mrs. Bob Raymond,
president; Cal Krauter, Gerald Exel,
vice-presidents; Mrs. 0. Elliott,
treasurer; Mrs. George Elliott,
recording secretary; Laurie Cousins,
press secretary; Mrs. Murray
Huether, program; Mrs. Doug
Smith, social.
April 16, 1981
Blyth council donated $1,800
Clinton hospital fund.
About 50 area residents attended a
meeting at Auburn to consider the
alternative routes proposed , by the
county to replace Ball's Bridge.
The Brussels Optimists presented
$2,000 to the BMG pool.
Hullett school students, Lana
Lawrence, Kevin Wright, Mike
Merner, Tracy Kennedy, Shane
Taylor, Shannon Duizer, Richard
Wilts, Murray Whyte, Darlene
Buffinga, Anita Gross, Leona
Cunningham and Theresa Knox-had
the. winning science fair projects at
the school.
Officers for the Cranhrook
Women's Institute were installed.
They were: • Mrs. Jim Hart, past
president; Mrs. John Vanass,
president; Mrs. Bert van
Donkersgoed, vice-president; Mrs.
Gordon Engel, secretary; Mrs. Frank
Workman, assistant secretary; Mrs.
Jim Hart, treasurer; Mrs. Donald
Perrie, Mrs. Robert Locking, Mrs.
Goldwin Knight, branch directors;
Mrs. Tom Baker, curator.
Tweedsmuir committee Was Mrs.
Gordon Engel, Mrs. van
Donkersgoed. Mrs. Jack Conley was
public relations officer.
McGavins was planning its 50th
anniversary for July.
• Jack Armstrong one of the original
members of the Londesboro men's
his retirement. Mr. Armstrong
started with the club in 1947.
Belgrave Novice hockey team
won the Lucknow. • tournament
consolation trophy and the Tri-
County B. Team members were:
Coach Harry Wilson, Mike Golley,
Mark Olson, Brandon Coultes,
Kevin Procter, Doug Wilson, Coach
Ted Moran, Corey Moran, Andrew
Potter, Aaron Coultes, Brian Marks,
David McBurney, Brent Robinson,
Chris Casemore and Jason Curtis.
April 15, 1992
Blyth council voiced opposition to
a proposal from the Ministry of
Education for the establishment of
French lang-uage school boards.
Councillor Steve Sparling said he
agreed completely with the feeling
expressed by a Muskoka councillor
in his letter. The concern was "this
segregation of children froin
kindergarten to Grade 13 on the
basis of language, religion or
economic status is contrary to the
best interests of our province and our
country."
"This is another scary piece of
work," said Sparling.
Clinton Public Hospital presented
A Night with the Stars. People were
invited to come dressed as their
favourite celebrity and enjoy an
evening of fine food, entertainment,
raffle and a silent auction.
Despite hard economic times,
Huron Chapel Missionary Church in
Auburn surpassed its fundraising
goal of $22,000 to raise $24,735.
The Blyth Publicitchool Grade 6
co-ed volleyball team went
undefeated at the second annual co-
ed volleyball tournament. Players
were: Leanne Bell, Mark Nesbit:
Mike Ansley, Skye Lantinga,
Christina Black, April Van
Amersfooft, Cappy Onn, Mike
Courtney, Corey Shannon, Mike
Haggitt, Joanne Josling, William
Fitzgerald.
April 19, 1995
A long-time resident of East
Wawanosh Twp. was honoured by
the Essex County Soybean Growers
for his contribution to the seed
industry. Robert Peck of RR3, Blyth
was inducted into the Essex County
Agricultural Hall of Fame in
Harrow.
With help from some Blyth Public
School students Jayne Marquis of
Blyth told the story of Light the Way
to the audience at a fundraising
performance. The event featured
students Kristy Blair, Jackie Brak,
Elisha Courtney, Leanne Haggitt,
Ashley Howson, Shanda Loder,
Michelle McNichol, Julie Ritchie
and Karin Schroeker. Proceeds went
to the Light the Way Children's Fund
International.
Brussels 125th Homecoming held
its general meeting at the Library.
Charlene Bromley was the lucky
winner of the large chocolate Easter
bunny, a promotion of the Blyth
Business Association.
The Blyth Midget Bulldogs
wrapped up a successful season
taking home the Lake Placid Cup
gold. Team members were: Trainer
Colin Riley, Coach Doug Chamney,
Jason Rutledge, Ryan Chamney,
Peter Craig, Ben Craig, Greg Toll,
Mike Salverda, Jonathan Collins,
Benjie Hakkers, Mark Wilson,
Christopher Howson, Manager Neil
Salverda, Trainer Allan Craig, John
Armstrong, Chris Stewart, Tim
Cowan, Chris -Bromley, Michael de
Jong, Chad Haggitt, Brian Marks,
Brad Anderson, Coach Kevin Lee.
The provincial Liberal leader
candidate for Huron John Jewitt
opened his campaign headquarters in
Clinton.
John Moffatt created the poster for
the Blyth Festival's 1995 summer
season. Heart & Soul-Committee-------------truwlin-g-leagne-re-ceived a plaque on