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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-03-12, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2003. Editorials & Opinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising, Alan Young, Patty Van der Meer 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 © 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.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 RO. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1 HO Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.caA°cna<SNA Member of the Ontario Press Council County councillors likely targets Any time you bring in an eight per cent tax increase, it’s an uncomfortable time to be a politician, and for Huron County councillors it’s likely to remain uncomfortable for some time to come. On average, it’s likely to cost Huron County taxpayers $40 more this year just to cover the increased levy from the county, let alone any increase in municipal taxes. Councillors can quite rightly argue that they held the line against tax increases too long in the 1990s making this increase inevitable, but that’s not likely to cut it with many taxpayers who see only the increase on this year’s tax bill. Councillors can also argue much of this increase is the fallout from a downloading of services from the province that was supposed to be (but wasn’t) matched by additional tax revenue because the province was taking over more of the cost of education. As well the province continues to dictate new municipal expenses on such things as stiffer drinking water regulations when there’s no additional levenue to cover the extra costs. Even after the discontent over the tax increase dies down, the issue is unlikely to go away. With a provincial election expected this year and with Central Huron Mayor Carol Mitchell representing the Liberals, the provincial support (or lack of support) for municipalities is sure to come up. Incumbent Helen Johns, if she follows past practice with school funding, will blame the problem on mismanagement by local councillors. And county council has handed her ammunition. While the province bullied municipalities into amalgamation, for instance, provincial officials didn’t say the county had to come up with a remuneration system that saw $269,258 in salaries and expenses for 18 in 2002 compared to $144,295 for 26 councillors in the last year before amalgamation. Councillors can argue that with the extra workload of downloaded services from the province they must spend more time on county business but that’s a plea unlikely to be accepted by many taxpayers. Then there’s the $219,000 for renovations to county council chambers at a time when councillors were struggling to cut the budget. It may be true that the changes are badly needed and that little has been spent on the council chambers since the courthouse was built in 1954 but the Looking Back Through the Years expenditure will be an easy target for critics. So don’t envy county councillors, at least until the provincial election is over. They’re likely to earn every penny they get as danger pay. — KR Celebrating our differences In a homogenized modem world, rural communities are missing out on one of their greatest strengths when they don’t emphasize their uniqueness, argues Elbert van Donkersgoed, policy director of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario. Van Donkersgoed has always been one of the most interesting thinkers and speakers on rural issues — in fact one of the few people who spends much time thinking about the state of rural life beyond the specifics of municipal or farm issues. The move to larger farms has been turning towns and villages from places where farmers turned for needed supplies to places depended on for non-economic services such as church or recreation facilities. As farms get larger, there are not only fewer people living in the country, but farm managers go f arther for better deals, cutting out local dealers. But rural economic development always works best when it is place­ based, he says and this is where the uniqueness of each community needs to be emphasized. Unfortunately, van Donkersgoed says, the dependence of municipalities on provincial funding has tended to create a sameness from one community to the next. Public services in rural communities need a different model than those in the cities, he argues. Instead we seem to be remodeling rural services to be more like those of the cities because that’s what the people who control the purse strings insist on. Van Donkersgoed sees hope in the promise of Premier Ernie Eves of more taxing ability by municipalities. Only by ridding themselves of dependence on the province can municipalities develop their unique characteristics, he says. — KR March 8,1950 A robin, that cheery harbinger of spring, was spied in the village of Brussels. George Wesenburg was named secretary-treasurer for the East Huron Agricultural Society. He replaced Rev. George A. Milne who was leaving for Oregon. The new east window of St. John’s Anglican Church was unveiled and dedicated. It was announced that a tap dance school was to open. Instruction was given by a graduate of the Jack Manning School of Dancing in New York City. There was also to be instruction in Scottish dancing. Enrollment was held at the American Hotel, Brussels. Belle Star’s Daughter, starring George Montgomery, Rod Cameron and Ruth Roman was playing at the Capitol Theatre in Listowel. Grewar’s Groceteria was advertising several specials: a pound custom-sliced bacon, 55 cents; one pound farmer’s sausage, 39 cents; tin of sockeye salmon, 47 cents; one pound Maxwell House coffee, 89 cents and three dozen spring clothespins, 25 cents. Specials at The Arcade Store included: women’s station wagon coats, $14.95; fur-trimmed, half chamois-lined, boucle winter coats, $14.95; men’s all-wool, lined windbreakers, $4.95; boys snowsuits, $4.95 and sports shirts, $5.95. March 12,1958 Playing for four “big” days at the Capitol Theatre was Tammy and the Bachelor, starring Debbie Reynolds. An enthusiastic meeting in the interests of Huron Liberal candidate Wm. G. Cochrane was held in Brussels town hall. Robert McCubbin, former parliamentary assistant to the minister of agriculture was the speaker. March 9,1988 The Village of Blyth was one of five Huron County municipalities to be included in th'e- foreign investment opportunity tour organized by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Technology. Confirmation had been given by senior planner, Wayne Caldwell, that two investment opportunities had been identified by the Blyth business and tourism committee. A group was formed to organize details for the tour. Bev Elliott, a Blyth councillor was the village representative. Unless snowmobile operators in Brussels became more aware of the right of others councillors warned they might be banned from driving in the village. Councillors were upset by what was viewed a lack of “common courtesy”. Blyth Legion Remembrance Day poster winners were Jody Button, Karen Bromley, Debbie Logue and Jonus Irving. Essay winners were Mandy Medd, Jodee Medd, Marie Cronyn, Michelle Nesbit, Heidi Scrimgeour. Public speaking winners from the Brussels and Grey Legion speak-off were Laura Cousins and Seth McCutcheon. The Huron County Board of Education was the recipient of the Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority award for outstanding initiative and commitment to resource conservation, as evidenced by the many outdoors and conservation-oriented projects undertaken throughout the years by county schools. Blyth Midgets captured the WOAA trophy. Team members were: Tim Walden, Jeff Vincent, Paul Hoggart, Mike McDonald, Allan Hillis, Dean Whitfield, coach Kurt Whitfield, manager Melvin Bergsma, Drew Allen, Larry Hunking, Dan McDougall, Keith Verburg, Jamie McDonald, Kriss Snell, Mike Henry and trainer Ralph Datema. The Blyth Bears girls volleyball team took first in the five-school tournament. Team mebers were Debbie Logue, Tammi Medd, Laurie Wharton, Donna Lynn Armstrong, Julie Bromley, Heidi Scrimgeour and Rhonda Stadelmann. Dave Williams, advertising manager of The Citizen announced the appointment of Judy Somers as assistant to the advertising manager. March 10,1993 Karen Trick was page at county council. In typical Bulls/Barons fashion what was intended to be a sports match broke out into a fighting match in the stands at a Brussels hockey game. The referees had asked police be present as a large crowd was expected. A fight began among fans which police broke up. Several liquor licence violations and assault charges were laid as a result. Venturers honoured several members. John Greidanus won an award for past advisor while Jeff Josling won for interest and Terry Greidanus for treasurer. The Blyth figure and power skating club marked its 25th anniversary. Patty Banks was the new correspondent for Walton. March 11,1998 Huron MPP Helen Johns and Margaret Marland, Minister Without Portfolio Responsible for Children visited the Ark in Brussels to discuss services offered to children and their families. Speed skater Carla Hunt of Ethel rounded up several medals at the Ontario Winter Games. Blyth Festival alumni, Severn Thompson and Raoul Bhaneja appeared in Standing Female Nude at Factory Theatre Studio Cafe.