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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2002-05-08, Page 4PATIENCE, SWEETS, PATIENCE! IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME NOW- PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 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 ore 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 0 Copyright We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our moiling costs. Publications Mail Reg. No. 09244 Canadian Publication Mail Agreement No. 40050141 ocna 4, CNA ,Cr Member of the Ontario Press Council P.O. Box 429, BLY.TH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca The Citizen PO Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 Globalization has joined the inevitabilities of death and taxes but so far it's been treated like the weather: something we can do nothing to change. If we're going to make globalization work we must grasp what it means, not just let it happen to us. So far globalization has been simply a handy club for multi-national businesses to beat back the encroachment of governments. Reduce red tape, companies say, or we'll move to some_ country, that has fewer regulations. Cut taxes and change your policies or we'll abandon your currency and you'll be forced to change. But if any kind of balance is to be found between the escalating power of huge businesses and the rights of individuals, we're going to have to build new global institutions and we as individuals are going to have to become citizens of the world, not just one hale corner of it. We must be aware of issues in our own countries that may have positive effects on us personally but may have dire consequences for people we seldom think 'about. We must look at issues from the point of what's best for all people, not just those in our country or the countries of our allies. That will mean hard work for us all, and it remains to be seen if we're prepared to do that. The saddest thing about the booing of the Canadian national anthem by American sports fans on the days following the deaths of four Canadian soldiers at the hands of an American bomber pilot in Afghanistan was that the Americans couldn'4 figure out what all the fuss was about. They were just having some harmless fun. They didn't know about the deaths. If the people of the world's most powerful country, the country that has the most to gain from globalization, are so ill-informed and inward- looking, that they don't know how the actions of their own country have affected their closest neighbour, how can they be citizens of the whole world? It will be the level of sophistication of American voters toward the whole globe that will determine whether globalization becomes a new age or just a tool for an American empire. So far the signs have not been good. Even before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. under George W. Bush was signalling it felt it was not part of a new global order. This week it made the decision final that it would not be part of a new international justice system. Previously Bush cancelled the Kyoto Accord designed to reduce global warming, and cancelled an anti-missile treaty against international opposition. Americans are not ready to be global citizens. While their corporations may revel in globalization, decisions are still being made for the nitty-, gritty issues of constituency politics. Senators and congressmen looking to get elected are making decisions that will win them the support of U.S. voters but will hurt people elsewhere in the world. Are Canadians ready to be global citizens? Perhaps we are able to see the international world slightly more clearly than Americans but for many people, internationalism means looking south to the U.S. For many, globalization means Canadians should give up their independence to win support from Americans. Somehow we must find ways to be proud of our own countries at the same time as we live in a global world. If we don't, countries will simply become big tribes in a lawless international world. We've got a huge jump in thinking to make if globalization is to be anything more than an economic reality.— KR Letters to the Editor How do you teach children about evil if you're not allowed to talk about evil? That's the issue for educators in Nova Scotia where some black teachers and parents have demanded several books about intolerance toward black people in the southern U.S. be banned from schools. - Opponents complain that the infamous "N" word in books like To Kill a Mockingbird and In the Heat of the Night are offensive to black students, even though those books set out to show the evil perpetrated on black people. What's next, teaching about slavery without showing slaves? The Holocaust without dead bodies? It would be wonderful if everyone was nice but they aren't. We can only destroy evil by dealing with it.— KR Living in a global world When tolerance isn't tolerated Looking Back Through the Years THE EDITOR, I again refer to my concerns expressed in my previous letter of April 10 pertaining to our arena project. I appreciate the response from Anne Elliott, but don't know how she was informed that my concerns had been satisfied. I did have a meeting with Dave and Fran Cook who gave me a tour of the- site anti a look at the plans, and was pleased to be assured by them that the renovated arena will cost less to operate and will not affect property taxes, which has been part of my concern. I am still puzzled as to why a community that cannot assist a medical facility can cough up a million dollars for a little more ice surface. Having said all that I now am thankful to be assured that property taxes will not be increased for any shortfall that may occur in paying for the arena project. Respectfully, Mason Bailey. May 12, 1960 Fire, causing an estimated $12,000 loss, gutted the Brussels Home - Furnishings store, the above apartments and caused extensive smoke and water damage to the adjacent store of Ned Rutledge. Robert Krogman, owner, had only recently renovated, redecorated and restocked the store after suffering heavy damage in the fire which destroyed the Rutledge store three months earlier. Rutledge had just finished the complete re-modelling and decorating of his building. Fortunately the stock had not yet arrived. A bachelor apartment, card club room and vacant rooms above the Home Furnishings all suffered extensive damage, while the Ladies Auxiliary rooms, immediately south of the burned-out building were slightly smoke damaged. The double feature at the Llashmar Drive-in Theatre was Cast a Long Shadow, starring Audie Murphy and Terry Moore, and The Horse's Mouth, starring Alec Guiness and Kay Walsh. The latter was also part of the twin bill at Brownie's in Clinton, along with Gun Fever starring Mark Stevens and John Lupton. Mr. D. N. Mason, rehabilitation officer at Beck Memorial Sanitorium was the guest speaker at the Huron County TB Association meeting. May 6, 1987 Father and son partners Bruce and Ross McCall of Brussels Stockyards announced that the facility had been sold to a former farmer and businessman from the Stratford area. Frank and Cenetta Bainton were named Citizens of the Year for 13.1ythr and area. Jeanette Boynton opened The Summer Place in Brussels, in the old Fina station on Turnberry Street. A new member of the Brussels 4- H Beef Club, Michael Salter of RRI, Listowel was one of three club members who had a calf at the official weigh-in of potential Queen's Guineas competitors for the fall Royal Winter Fair. Brussels Bull captain Tim Fritz received the best all-round player award for the 1986-87 hockey season at the annual year-end banquet. Brian Huether, club president, and his wife Diane received a special award in recognition of their hard work for the club over the season. Another special award was presented, from the players and the coaching staff, to equipment manager Pete Exel in recognition of his devoted service to the team throughout the season. Lori Appleby of RR2, continued to set records in track and field meets. Margaret Ann Stewart, a Grade 2 student at Blyth Public School was the winner of the primary division for the county-wide slogan contest sponsored by the Huron County Board of Education to uphold its motto. Excellence in Education. Bluevale-area piano students achieved much success in the Walkerton Music Festival, receiving awards of four firsts, seven seconds and three thirds. Those participating were Dana and Tatum Mathers, Marlene Albers, Jim and Pat Cowman, Jan, Jeremy and Joanne Van Keulen, Lori and Susie Black and Carla Johnston. Tatum Mathers received first for sight playing with a mark of 88 per cent. May 6, 1992 It was a proud moment when the new Belgrave arena front received its official christening with a ribbon cutting ceremony: Taking part were Ken Hopper, chairman of the Belgrave Kinsmen Building committee; Gord Bosman, seniors' president; Melanie McLaughlin, a Ministry of Tourism and Recreation representative; Kevin Pletch, Kinsmen president; Ernie Snell, East Wawanosh reeve; Doug Fraser, Morris reeve and Niel Edgar, chairman of the fundraising committee. It was a winning weekend for Margaret Jarvis, when she took first place at the 45th annual Multiple District A Effective Speaking Contest in Toronto. Three Morris Twp. residents were recognized for volunteer service at a special awards dinner in Kitchener. Betty Graber, Donald Craig and Phyllis Mitchell received pins from the Ministry of Citizenship and the Ministry of Culture and Communications. Receiving awards at the Bulls banquet were: Trevor Fortune, coaches' award; Jeff Coulter, Jason Kraemer Meniorial Award for sportsmanship; Corey McKee, MVP; Quade Lightbody, Most Improved Player and Todd Norman, Rookie of the Year. Retiring players were Brad Carter, Fortune and Joe Walker. May 7, 1997 A businessman who helped build one of the most prosperous farm operations in the region was to receive a posthumous honour. Gordon McGavin, the founder of McGavin Farm Equipment in Walton was inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame, W.A. Stewart Gallery. Thirty years of history were recalled at Hullett Central PS. Olde Village Accents opened in Blyth. Debbie Hoggart, of RR Londeshoro received her 12 club award.