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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-01-22, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2003. Editorials & Opinions Who cares about tomorrow? Canada has seen tremendous growth in the last 50 years because the best and brightest minds have been able to rise to the top despite the situation of their birth. Looking at the rising cost of post-secondary education, however, makes one question whether this country cares to give current and future student generations the same breaks as their parents enjoyed. Today’s parents benefited from a policy that encouraged people to achieve their potential, no matter how poor their family background. Heavily- subsidized university and college tuitions meant that, unlike our neighbours to the south, even the poorest student could hope to improve her/his lot in life if he/she had the intelligence and drive to do so. But in the name of saving money, our governments are risking the creation of a class system where only the children of well-off parents will be able to get the kind of education that lets tf em get ahead. Starved for government support, schools have been allowed to raise tuitions year after year. Who but a son or daughter of wealthy parents can now dream of being a doctor when tuition for medical school at the University of Toronto is $15,000 a year? And the situation is getting worse. Dalhousie University is exploring a 47 per cent tuition increase, though officials quickly say it won’t likely be that large. University of Victoria is looking at a 30 per cent increase. The benefit of these high tuitions goes to those taxpayers who have enjoyed big tax cuts in recent years. The more money people have, the greater saving they’ve enjoyed. The children of these parents don’t have to worry about going into a huge amount of debt to get a university degree. In many cases the parents’ tax cuts in recent years will more than offset the tuition their children will pay for even the most expensive courses. But to reward those who are already well-off we’re sacrificing the future generation and the dynamism created by putting our best minds to work. The benefit will go to the daughters and sons of the well-off because they won’t have to worry about competing with people who have brighter minds, but empty pockets. We are on a dangerous road which, if we continue on, will create the kind of moribund class society that people came to Canada to escape. Sacrificing the future for the benefit of those who are already being amply rewarded in society is foolish thinking. — KR Deficits okay if buying tax cuts The subject of Prime Minister Jean Chretien creating a political legacy for himself sent shivers through many business and right wing leaders who foresaw the possibility of a spending spree that might topple the country back into deficit financing. The warnings were loud and long that a deficit must be avoided at all costs. It’s strange then that these same voices have been silent about the announcement from south of the border that President George W. Bush, in order to stimulate the economy, will give $674 billion in tax cuts over the next 10 years, even though the U.S. deficit may hit a new record of $300 billion fhis year. In fact, rather than deplore the situation in the U.S., some spokepersons for business have suggested that Canada has no alternative but to match American tax cuts. Of course if the tax cuts were made and Canada slipped into a deficit again, a balanced budget would become the number one priority again. Naturally, the budget could never be balanced by raising taxes again, only by cutting more government programs, — KR Letters to the Editor THE EDITOR, Currently the Government of Ontario is consulting on regulations within Bill 81, the Nutrient Manage­ ment Act. The Huron County Federation of Agriculture made comments on the proposed regulations to provincial agriculture Minister Helen Johns at a consultation meeting held in Teeswater in December. We urge all farmers to look at the regulations themselves and make comments to our agricultural minister before Jan. 31. It is crucial that the government hear from as many farmers as possible, as this Act will affect all farmers. We fully support the intention of the legislation that there be consis­ tent and enforceable regulations and standards throughout the province, based on the capability of the land to carry the nutrient load in an environmentally sustainable manner. We were looking for reasonable, common sense, and affordable regulations and we still are! We feel these draft regulations will result in a system that is too cost prohibitive, requires too much paper work, and is laden with too much bureaucracy. There are too many aspects of the regulations that have very little, if anything, to do with Nutrient Management Planning. Compliance with the regulations cannot be such a burden as to eliminate a segment of farms currently operating, and we feel this will happen if the regulations are implemented as they are presently written. We also need firm commitment from the Minister that compliance with any regulations for the common good of all, will also come with financial support for farmers. Farmers in Huron County, and all areas of the province, are a vital part Continued on page 5 Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising, Alan Young, Cindy Smale The Citizen is published 50 times a year in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a ra»e 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 © 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 RO. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 E-mail norhi'’on@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca A°cna€s“ < Member of the Ontario Press Council ■■ZEBW Looking Back Through the Years Jan. 22, 1958 Wes Budnark and Sons hosted John Deere Day at the Brussels Town Hall, with an afternoon and evening show. Pollard’s Chain Saw Jamboree was also happening at the Town Hall, with speakers from saw and chain companies as well as films by the Department of Lands and Forests. Entertainment was provided by The Kansas Farmer and Clark Johnson. There would be a Bushwackers Dance with the various highlights of other years and featuring the music of Jack Thynne’s Orchestra and Clark Johnson. A “good house” was on sale in the village of Brussels, featuring a bath, furnace, cupboards, attached garage and large garden. Price was $3,500. A 150-acre farm, with house and large barn was advertised for $7,000. At the Regent Theatre in Seaforth there was a double bill with Alan Ladd and Rosanna Podesta starring in Santiago and The Amazon Trader and Jack Palance and Anthony Perkins in Lonely Man. Jan. 24, 1973 Three theatrical experts from the Ontario government youth and recreation branch toured Blyth Memorial Hall and said the community was lucky to have such a facility. They had been called in through the efforts of MPP Murray Gaunt on behalf of the theatre groups. Another representative had been there the previous week and was so impressed he called in the Toronto experts. The men outlined grants available from the government for improvements to the building and urged the Little Theatre groups to continue to fight for renovations of the buildings because it would be a terrible waste if such a fine community resource was not used. Jan. 20, 1987 The Huron County Board of Education voted to give itself a four per cent increase in pay and each subsequent year thereafter. The annual stipend for a trustee at the time was $4,800 while the chairman got an additional 50 per cent for a total of $7,200 annually. Jeff and Julie Sanders of RR4, Brussels kept a pair of noble white swans alive throughout the winter by feeding them com as the ice of the Maitland River closed in on them at various times. Trapped in a small patch of open water just below the Sanderses’ home, the huge birds were believed to have come down in the fail from the Brussels dam and found themselves hemmed in by the expanding ice. Alarmed at the sudden January thaw which hit the area the Brussels Lions Club was begging people to think snow for their annual Polar Daize Weekend. French instruction would not be extended to Huron students in kindergarten. Grades 1 and 2, it was decided at a board of education meeting. Glen Warwick of Bluevale received a project award when the Huron County Soil and Crop Improvement Association held its awards banquet. Receiving certificates of honour at the banquet were Laurence Taylor, Alison Lobb and John Radford. Murray Lobb was named the winner of the Norman Alexander Conservation award. Skaters Kevin Wheeler, his partner Michelle Menzies, Peter MacDonald and partner Kerrie Shepherd were off to the Canadian National Figure Skating Championships in Victoria B.C. Donald, a 17-year-old royal- blooded Clydesdale gelding was the The Citizen P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 latest of a long line to be exported to the U.S.A, by Aubrey Toll to join the celebrated Budweiser Beer eight­ horse hitches, famous throughout North America. Jan. 27,1993 Blyth horticulturalists feared their club might wither away if new leaders weren’t found. Three outstanding rural leaders were honoured at the Huron County Junior Farmers annual banquet: Marjory Humphries, for her dedication to the Walton Women’s Institute; William Wallace, for his participation in the Huron County milk committee, the Seaforth Farmers Co-op and the Huron-Perth supply management committee and Keith Williamson for his involvement with the Farm Safety Association and the Seaforth/Egmondville broomball league. Peter MacDonald and Suzanne Killing and Mark Shepherd and Debbie MacKenzie were off to the Canadian National Figure Skating Championships in Hamilton. Presentations at the Brussels Agricultural Society meeting were made to Bryan Ramsey, Jamie Hallahan, Marg Bennett, Debbie Rintoul and Lorie Ann Black. Jan. 21, 1998 Donations poured in as local service clubs put out the call to help fellow Ontarians devastated by the ice storm. Brussels Optimists parked a bus at IGA which people filled with donated personal needs items, while the Lions filled three tri-axle dump trucks after calls brought a flood of firewood. Receiving Brussels Agricultural Society awards were Jason Snider and Jessica Spink. The Avon Maitland District School board's education director said the province’s funding model could result in school closures.