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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-04-02, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2003. Editorials & Opinions Big price, small price to pay Brussels residents are learning this week what residents of other communities are likely to learn in the next while: it costs big money to meet the water standards that came out of the Walkerton water tragedy. Upgrades to the Brussels water system to bring it up to new regulations will top $400,000. It’s estimated it will cost Brussels homeowners and businesses $80 a year extra for 10 years to cover the costs. It means people will be paying more than $200 a year for their water. No doubt there will be cries of outrage over an increase that, on a percentage basis, is quite large. We’ve been used to seeing water as something that is basically free. But Walkerton has shown us there’s a terrible price to pay for not having pure water. Seven people died, more than 2,000 were made ill by polluted water and we will never take water for granted again. Even before Walkerton, and especially since, people have been paying out good money for bottled water, something they would have thought insane a decade earlier. Strange, though, that many who don’t mind doing that will likely complain about paying more for the water in their tap. Perhaps it’s because they can see what they’re buying when they exchange cash for a bottle of water. There’s a disconnect between paying your water bill and what comes out of the tap. That’s the perceptional problem with most government service: we don’t connect what we get with what is “taken from us” on our tax bills. Moreover, we take for granted what we get from government, as if it were the sun and the rain, while begrudging the weekly deductions from our paycheque or the quarterly municipal tax bill. But if Walkerton taught us anything it was the value of the basic infrastructure of our communities. When your monthly water bill arrives with an increase, think how much the people of Walkerton would willingly have paid to avoid the tragedy that befell their community. — KR Smart bombs, dumb positions In an era when even the bombs used in war are supposed to be “smart”, war still brings out the extremes that make people irrational. And so we have collateral damage in Canada from the extremes of both those against the U.S. invasion of Iraq and those who support it. On one side you have strident opponents of the war who somehow make Saddam Hussein a martyr instead of an evil man. For these people it often seems U.S. President George W. Bush is evil incarnate while the atrocities of the Iraqi dictator are whitewashed. Then there is NDP Leader Jack Layton claiming that Canada is supporting the war because the government refused to pull out a couple of dozen military personnel who were on exchanges with U.S. and British military units. It’s one thing for Canada to not agree with the war, quite another to slap the U.S. and Britain in the face by pulling these people out. On the other hand we have those whose main concern seems to be that American anger may hurt Canadian trade. Canada should have supported “our friend ’ because if they get angry they could retaliate against companies that do business there, business leaders argue. So let’s get this straight, we should risk the lives of young Canadians soldiers in a war a majority of Canadians don’t support, so we can protect the profits of comfortable, middle-aged business people? Let’s hope the war ends soon so some level of reasonableness can return to the land.— KR Letters to the Editor THE EDITOR, Arrogance is very problematic because those who are in its grip do not know that almost everyone else can sense it and they become diminished in their eyes. Secondly, it often makes the practitioners act foolhardy and/or without due consideration. Ernie Eves and George Bush are experienced participants in the art of arrogance. Thus they have both seriously miscalculated. One erred in regards to the repercussions of an unjustified war and the other in underestimating the intelligence and involvement of Ontarians. Because arrogance is not tolerated by an involved citizenry both will face dire political downfall due to the “average” member of a civil and democratic society realizing that their leaders are acting foolishly because of a selfish unbased belief that they are right and damn everyone else. The serious consequences of having such leaders are self-evident. Remember the arrogance of the builders and owners of the Titanic, the “unsinkable ship”. In his poem, Convergence of the Twain, Thomas Hardy had a message for the arrogant. He wrote, “And as the smart ship grew in stature, grace and hue, in shadowy silent distance grew the iceberg too.” But, of course, Eves and Bush are much too sure of themselves to think that they might learn from history or from their citizens. We must be very wary of those who try to tell us what is good for us and sincerely believe they know better than us. Who else in die world right now believes that his/her view automatically supercedes the common sense, collective will and knowledge of everyone else? Who indeed? Angelo Ippolito. 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 Website www.northhuron.on.ca i'Ocna®" < Member of the Ontario Press Council ■MEMO Looking Back Through the Years April 2,1958 Huron Progressive Conservative Elston Cardiff rode the crest of a wave with nearly 14,000 votes, the greatest has received during his 18 years as a member of parliament. Every one of the 22 communities in the riding gave him a majority. His hometown of Brussels supported him with an even greater majority than previously. About 84 per cent of the eligible voters in the riding went to the polls. First place in the county finals of the Junior Farmer and Junior Institute Drama Festival was captured by the North Huron players with their presentation of the mystery drama Fright. Jim Bowman of Brussels, a club member, received the award for best actor. Besides him cast members were Isabel and Jean Smith, Harry Brydges and Ken Coultes. They were directed by R.W. Kennedy and Ross Smith. Playing at Listowel’s Capitol Theatre was The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Victor McLaglen and Barry Fitzgerald. The double bill weekend offered The Courage of Black Beauty and Benny Hill in W7io Done It?. At the Regent Theatre in Seaforth movie and music buffs could catch Jamboree with Fats Domino, the Four Coins and Jerry Lee Lewis. Elliott Carruthers and his Orchestra were playing for the Bunny Hop at Wroxeter Community Hall. Admission was 75 cents. Favourites to win best acting oscars were Deborah Kerr and Alec Quinness. In the supporting category the choices were Diane Varsi and Red Buttons. April 4,1968 A Brussels landmark, the house known to many as the former Ballantyne home, “fell prey” to flames. The house, long vacant and in a state of ruin was located on the south side of the ninth concession of Grey at the eastern entrance to the village. Cousins Creamery and Dairy was sold to Huron Food Products Limited. Delford Turnbull was appointed manager. A pastor, described by a Toronto newspaper as “a man who really rocks his congregation” appeared in the Brussels Legion, accompanied by Rev. Russell Horsburgh, the Chatham minister who was convicted on charges of contributing to juvenile delinquency. He had won his battle with the law when a new trial was ordered by the Supreme Court. All charges were dismissed after the Crown failed to produce any evidence against him. Rev Ronald Price was acclaimed for his unorthodoz, but effective style of presenting gospel rhythm. “I believe that modem life demands a more buoyant ministry approach.” Wayne Klein, accountant of the Brussels Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce branch was the guest of honour at a farewell dinner. He was being transferred to Lindsay. April 4,1973 After 10 years of faithful service to the Village of Blyth Irvine Wallace retired as clerk-treasurer. North America’s meat boycott was having mixed effects locally. Most food merchants said they had noticed little impact. However, one merchant who sells large quantities said sales were “off badly”. The boycott, first organized in the U.S., was promoted in Canada by a Toronto-based group of women in the hopes it would drive meat prices down. Some experts feared the opposite, that it would scare producers into selling their beef herds, creating a short-term drop, but a long-term shortage of meat and thus higher prices. The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M I HO Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhurrn@scslnternet.com Blyth Dairy announced that prices for milk would increase two cents a quart. A quart of homogenized milk was now 40 cents. The 8th Liners, champions of the Blyth Rurual Broomball League won the Western Ontairo Broomball Association championship. It was announced that Huron Tractor was coming to Blyth in the fall. March 30,1988 The people using Grey Twp’s. landfill were among the first in the county to recycle. Hullett students were in Toronto to receive awards for winning the Ministry of Natural Resources essay competition. The team was Randy Shepherd, Sara Lyons, Brent Howatt, Christy Bricker and Melanie Knox. Blyth Midgets began playoffs for the All-Ontario E crown. The new executive of the East Wawanosh Federation of Agriculture was Leslie Caidwell, Donald Dow, John Gaunt, Barry Elliott, Darryl Wood, Ian Scott, Keith Black, Bruce Campbell and Roger Bieman. Rhonda Stadelmann of Blyth was page at county council. March 31,1993 There was a massive turnout for the open house of Huronlea and the Highland Apartments. Blyth ended the year with a surplus of $60,000. Tina Burkholder of the 1st Blyth Pathfinders earned her Canada Cord, the highest achievement in the Guiding movement. The Blyth Bantams won the first game in their OMHA E final series. The Ontario Egg Producers Marketing Board elected Hank Reinink as one of two representatives to the board of directors.