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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-04-09, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 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. - Biyth. 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. 40050)41 P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 Eh Bi—’J s i? So what about clean air? When Huron County councillors decided not to support a tough anti­ smoking bylaw, Thursday, the short-term visible reality of potential business failures won out over the long-term, hard-to-grasp idea that people die from second-hand smoke. It has always been easier for politicians to see the immediate economic dangers of businesses being hurt and jobs lost through environmental legislation than it is to see the price paid by people who are exposed to pollution over a long period of time. If a business closes, the empty building stares a politician right in the face. It’s harder to prove that someone died due to years of being exposed to toxins on a job-site. It’s the game the tobacco industry played for years. You can’t prove a direct tie between tobacco and death, they’d claim, and politicians bought it. Obviously local politicians still don’t truly believe there is a real danger to life and health from environmental tobacco smoke. If they did, they wouldn’t be so ready to dismiss the concerns of their own medical officer of health for the safety of workers in businesses where people will now be allowed to smoke. For many county councillors the thought local bars and restaurants could be adversely affected by a loss of business if they had to ban smoking lay heavy on their consciences. The spector of people sick or dying, because of the smoke they breathed in from years of working in those restaurants and bars apparently was not so real. Yet businesses that die can be replaced. People who die are gone forever. — KR What’s the bottom line? Ontario Minister of Finance Janet Ecker lay out a pretty picture of progress in Ontario under her government when she spoke to the Ontario Community Newspaper Association in Toronto, Saturday. Since her government was elected in 1995, she boasted, a million jobs have been created, taxes have been slashed putting more money in more pockets yet the budget has been balanced and some provincial debt has been paid off. And those tax cuts have generated more government revenue that has meant more money for health care and education, she said. Yet one wonders what the editors of small-town newspapers in the audience, people who have their fingers on the pulse of their communities, would have answered if polled about whether they felt their communities were healthier today than in 1995. Emptying main streets, schools in constant danger of closing, declining medical service: it all adds up to a feeling things aren’t as good as Ecker claims. — KR Letters to the Editor THE EDITOR, After agonizing over the situation in Iraq my wife and I came up wit a few thoughts. If agreed upon as an amendment to the Geneva Convention we humbly suggest this and future wars could be averted. First, minimum age for combatants be raised to 45. After initial problems for suppliers of uniforms accommodating larger midriffs and derrieres the benefits would be manifold. These more mature soldiers would have had opportunities to have children, careers, travel, etc. and society would have had the benefit of at least half their productive lives before being sent to oblivion. Sending these half-spent warriors would save costs, as those just mangled physically or mentally would not have to be cared for nearly as long as the younger more vigorous specimens we utilize now. Also this new arrangement could provide an interesting feedback mechanism for parents. I foresee teenagers at pro-war rallies with signs saying, “Send my parents to Iraq Please”. Parents could then find themselves in the position of dying by virtue of the beliefs they engendered in their children rather than the children dying for the beliefs of the parent. Second, those invoking the name of their God in support of their war effort shall be immediately promoted to the front lines. There they will be able to more fully develop their faith and perhaps even find themselves whisked into the waiting arms of their own personal God that much sooner. Third, we suggest only grandmothers be put in charge of deployment of weapons of mass destruction. They better than any have a sense of the pain and loss involved in life and death, and they would be less likely to view their use with the detachment of a video game. Fourth, leaders must actually lead, as in “from the front”, just like in the old days! That way followers could better appreciate their courage and fortitude, and when they fell those who sought to take up the privilege of leadership would fully appreciate the implications. Perhaps when leaders fall, followers might actually ask “What are we here for again?”. Fifth, businesses providing arms, or private contracting of military service be placed in the 100 per cent tax bracket, thereby making them essentially “not-for-profit” agencies. No doubt this would attract many, many new firms into this field eager to demonstrate their philanthropy and patriotism, and people like Vice President Dick Cheney would be relieved to no longer find themselves in the uncomfortable position of benefitting both from the destruction and reconstruction of Iraq. We do feel fortunate to live in a country where we can express thoughts such as these publically. Iraq may be one of the nations where comments like this would rate a knock at the door, but is a half million armed young people the solution? Sincerely, B&B Budd, Goderich. E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca jjpcna & Member of the Onrarlo Press Council meqEBB Looking Back Through the Years I.4. H£spolon AT THIS HEADY MOMENT, DALTON WAS SUDDENLY GRIPPED BY A CHILLING SENSE OF DEJA VU - A TROUBLED FEELING THAT HE AND HIS PARTY HAD BEEN HERE BEFORE... April 9,1958 The first meeting of the Ethel 4-H club, “The Club Girl Stands on Guard.” was held at the home of the leader, Mrs. Ted Gill, on April 3 at 8 p.m. The Red Cross Campaign concluded with a total collection of $247.10. The local campaign was sponsored and canvassed by­ members of the Brussels Auxiliary to the Canadian Legion. At the Regent Theatre in Seaforth it was Loving You on the bill starring Elvis Presley. Playing at the Capitol in Listowel was Don't Go Near the Water with Glenn Ford and Gia Scala. Used milk bottles could be sold to R.B. Cousins Ltd. for 5 cents each. April 11,1968 The Brussels Legion drew in a crowd of 110 to listen to the gospel sounds of Rev. Ron Price and his wife Sharon. They were followed by controversial minister Russell Horsburgh, who spoke on “What is this thing called love?” He discussed prejudices facing people with a prison record, as well as those who dress or act differently. McCutcheon Grocery had two 14- ounce cans of Stokely’s honey pod peas for 43 cents; the new 13-ounce wide mouth bottle of Heinz Catsup for 31 cents; an eight-ounce package of Maple Leaf cheese slices for 37 cents and Gold Standard Sockeye Salmon for 55 cents. The Post was informed that Norman Pfeifer had dug potatoes out of his garden. They were said to have been firm and good, “as nice as any you would want cooked for your dinner.” April 11,1973 Senior students at Biyth Public School performed The Girl with the Golden Slipper. Residents of Londesboro could now set their garbage at the curb for weekly collection. The decision was made by Hullett council after a petition was signed by residents of the village and presented to council. Farmers in northern Huron and southern Bruce Counties protested prices being offered for land on the route of a proposed Ontario Hydro powet transmission line. A consulting firm was hired to determine the value of the land in question with each farmer agreeing to pay $75 to $100 in order to conduct the study. The cost of spraying cattle for warble flies in East Wawanosh Township was raised to 26 cents per head. Morris auditor’s report showed a deficit of $11,257. The 8th Liners won the WOBA championship. Team players were Ray McNichol, Fred Meier, John Gibbings, Murray McNichol, Murray Gordon, Glen McLean, Ken Bird, Joe Pereira, Jim Johnston, Jim Phelan, Glen McLachlan, Arnold Pease, Bob Blake, Elgin Pease, Jim Blake, Bill Phelen, Harvey Stewart, Charlie Johnston. Farmers were being urged to hire students for the summer. April 6,1988 Brussels council presented its financial report, showing a surplus of $52,351. Tax arrears were the lowest in six years. It was announced that the foreign investment Opportunity Tour would be held in Biyth in September. The event was planned by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Technology in conjunction with Huron, Perth, Middlesex, Grey and Bruce counties. Plans were in the works to make arrangements for the group of 20 to 30 potential investors to enjoy a “real country supper” at the Biyth Memorial Hall and later attend a performance of “Bordertown Cafe” at the Festival Theatre. The Citizen PO. Box 152, BRUSSELS. Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 A full house watched the Brussels Crusaders take the WOAA Intermediate “A” Championship with an 8-7 victory against the Kincardine Kings. The new executive of the Morris Twp. Federation of Agriculture was: Doug Gamiss, Keith Van Camp, Allan Cardiff, Bruce Schmidt and Blaine Stephenson. The new Line Directors were John McIntosh, Harry Verbeek, Don Proctor, Jim Barnes, John Nesbit, John Hoonaard, Glen Warwick and Bert Sanders. The Brussels Curling Club presented trophies to Craig Workman, Brent Evans, Darren Bauer and Barb Alexander for junior curling. The Walter Scott Memorial trophy went to Fran Bremmer, Linda Saur, Valerie Shortreed and Jean Bewley. April 7,1993 Brussels Fire Chief Howard Bernard retired from the department where he had served for 33 years. A new chief had not yet been chosen to replace Bernard, who had held the position for 11 years. The Biyth Bantams captured the All-Ontario Bantam “E” championship for the first time in 21 years. Melville’s time and talent auction raised $4,000. The Maitland Valley Anglers were the lead partner among nine contributors who raised funds to rehabilitate the Biyth Brook. More than $150,000 was raised by the contributors and matched by a federal government grant. The Brussels Bulls wrapped up the season with the annual awards banquet. Among the winners were Steve Fritz, Jamie Scott, Jason Baier, Josh Alexander, Nate Bender, Jeff McKee, Tim Beyer, Greg McNeven, Brad Carter and Trevor Fortune.