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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-04-16, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 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 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca A°cna@“ < Member of the Ontario Press Council ■RS3MB The power to get things done A rare example of municipal leadership was shown in Goderich last week when the local town council put together a deal to build a new medical centre in the town. It’s not the medical centre itself that’s of interest here: other Huron County towns and villages were actually ahead of Goderich in recognizing the need to bring doctors together in a single facility (35 years ago in Brussels’ case). What stands out about the Goderich example is that the town council saw a need in the community and decided to make it happen, using both its persuasive powers and its ability to raise money. It’s a brave move in a world where governments of all levels these days are supposed to stick to providing basic services. It’s almost a throwback to an era when people felt our local governments could spur growth and development by putting projects in motion that wouldn’t happen without someone taking leadership. And leadership is something sorely missing in rural and small-town Ontario today. We are facing a time of crisis in the future of our communities, yet there’s nowhere to turn to for help. Goderich is rare in that its council oversees only its own community. Elsewhere amalgamated municipalities spread over wide areas must be all things to the entire population. Who is going to make something happen in Brussels, for instance, when Huron East covers a huge territory from Hensail to Molesworth? On top of that, municipal councils have been discouraged from doing more than looking after streets, drains and lights for decades now. They have limited powers to raise money and the province imposes limits on where they can spend it. But we desperately need more than just streets, drains and lights in our smaller communities. We must rethink our communities for the changing economy. We must meet the challenges of a new era, challenges that are totally different than those that councils faced a decade ago. We need leadership from somewhere to solve our problems and build a future, yet there are so few places to turn for it. So congratulations to Goderich for taking a leadership role. Here’s hoping the idea of activism spreads. — KW The hard part begins The inevitable happened last week when the government of Saddam Hussein collapsed under the weight and power of a coalition of armies led by the United States. But military victory was one thing: winning the war for the hearts and minds of Iraqis and other Arabs is another. Military power is easier to wield than the power to make people think the way you want. The very symbolism of American supremacy, the toppling of a gigantic statue of Hussein, shows how uncontrollable public opinion can be. An American soldier draped Hussein’s head in the U.S. flag for a moment before hauling it down. The next day, as newspapers in the Western world featured the symbolic image of the statue falling, the image on the front page of newspapers across the Arab world was the appearance of the soldier rubbing the face of the Arab leader in the Stars and Stripes. The coming weeks, months and years will do much to determine if the U.S. victory in Iraq has helped the war on terrorism or made it worse. Only a charitable, respectful treatment of the beaten nation will repair the damage done among Muslim and Arab peoples, the source of most of the terrorists who have endangered the U.S. in the past. Already images of looting and of children suffering in Iraqi hospitals with no pain killers or medicine are sure to hurt the American image, rightly or wrongly. The U.S. must deliver on its promises to rebuild Iraq and give the people freedom. It might not be easy. There are all kinds of ethnic and religious factions within Iraq, many of which have been held down by Hussein. Freed from his iron grip, the Kurds are going to want a homeland, which will upset Turkey. Different religious factions will want freedom. A true democracy in Iraq might deliver the kind of religious extremist government the U.S. would least like to see in place. If things begin to develop in that direction, it won’t be surprising to see the Americans put the brakes on democratic reform. Here’s hoping the U.S. has the wisdom to deal with the opportunity to play god that power has delivered to them. — KR TRUTH IS THE FIRST CASUALTY OF WAR The best-ten whoppers by Iraq's Minister tf*information'' Mohammed Saeed abSohhaf (a.k.a. "Comical W, a k a. “Baghdad Bob") Looking Back Through the Years 1. There are no American infidels in Baghdad. Never I" 1. Out initial assessmeM is Thai They will all die." 3. 'We have destroyed 2 tanks, fighter planes, 2 helicopters and their shovels." 4. “We have them surrounded in theit tanks." 5. "I am not soared and neither should you he." (To journalists) 6. ”1 am here to tell you, we do not have any scud missiles, and I don’t know why they were fired into Kuwait." 7. They will be burnt. We are going to tackle them." 8. "We blocked them inside the city. Their rear is blocked.’ 9. "The Americans have started to commit suicide under the walls of Bdghdsd. We will encourage them to commit more suicides quickly.” 10. "These (American] cowards have no morals. They have no shame in lying."* Hote- Comical AH has since gone underground. Up next, Riproaring Rumsfeld and Fibbing Fleischer. ■ < ■■ ■ ■■ - ■ ■■■1 < ? \ > ■■■ ■ ■'s • Letters to the Editor THE EDITOR, We had the pleasure in attending the Blyth Festival Singers In Praise of Music at Blyth Memorial Hall Sunday evening, April 6. It was conducted by the new director, Robert Blackwell, a Goderich-area resident who is also the director of music at Central United Church in Stratford. Also performing were the Strathroy chorale and Ben Bolt­ Martin, cellist. They sang George Gershwin’s / Got Rhythm, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music and many more. The Blyth Festival Singers will be performing Evening Cabaret Night May 10 at the Holmesville Community Centre . Those of you who enjoy good music, I urge you to attend. Lois van Vliet. April 16,1958 Two youths were charged in connection with break-ins at Brussels. In a theft from Bill. Fischer’s Fina service station the pair allegedly netted $430, while $25 in silver was taken from McDonald’s Lumber where an attempt had been made to open a safe. The East Huron Agricultural Society was planning a rummage sale. Funds wwould go towards the construciton of a new office and washrooms at the fairgrounds. The Regent Theatre in Seaforth was showing Loving You starring Elvis Presley and Lizabeth Scott. At Listowel Capitol Theatre the weekend had a double bill. Tim Hovey was making his own western movie in Hollywood in Slim Carter while Abbott and Costello appeared in Comin ’ 'Round the Mountain. With spring’s arrival Llashmar Drive-in Theatre in Listowel was back in business. Saturday’s double bill was Revel in Town with John Payne and Ruth Roman, and Manfish starring John Blomfield and Lon Chaney. North Huron Junior Farmers were organizing a farm gateway improvement project open to anyone in East Wawanosh, Morris, Turnberry and Grey Twps. They would be judged on originality, improvement and safety. Prizes were first, $25; second, $20; third, $15; fourth, $10; fifth, $5. To enter a picture of the farm gateway must be submitted at which time the project would begin, then another was to be taken Sept. 1 when the contest was to close. The new Brussels Livestock Sales barn was set to open. Sale managers were Hugh Pearson and Jack Bryans. The auctioneer was Harold Jackson. On sale at the Rutledge Grocery were 48-oz tins of tomato juice for 28 cents; cohoe salmon for 35 cents, two 15-oz tins of pork and beans for 33 cents. April 18,1968 The new president of Ethel WI was Mrs. George Pearson. Heading Majestic’s executive was Mr. James Smith. Brussels firefighters were called to the home of Cliff Kemaghan where a grass fire ignited the shingled roof at the back of the house. Prompt action quickly extinguished the blaze which threatened, with the high wind to destroy the home. Executive of the Brussels Figure Skating club was Mrs. Jack McCutcheon, president; Mrs. Bob Richmond, secretary; Mrs. Lloyd Kemaghan, treasurer. At Thompson and Stephenson Meat Market, smoked cottage roll was selling for 75 cents a pound. Bacon was 65 cents a pound and a package of fish and chips was 39 cents. At Brownie’s Drive-in in Clinton it was Bom Losers starring Jeremy Slate and Elizabeth James, and Minnesota Clay, with Cameron Mitchell. April 18, 1973 The Farm Show opened for a second run in Toronto to rave reviews. The show would be in Blyth at the end of the month. Fifteen applications were received for the position of Blyth clerk. Dick Eisler was hired as animal control officer for Blyth. The hiring came after more than a year of complaints about dogs running at large in the village. April 13,1988 Three speakers represented the local Lions Clubs at the District speaking competition. Steacey Elliott and Stephen Souch were runners-up. Kim Medd was the top English-speaking girl, advancing her to the next level of competition. Glenn Coultes received recognition for 22 years of coaching in the Belgrave hockey system. Winners of the Celebration ‘88 medals in East Wawanosh were Gordon Pengelly, Jack Shiell, Harvey Black, Terry Daer, Brian Potter. The WOAA Crusaders championship team was Trevor Pocaluyko, Dave Stephenson, Brian TenPas, Mike Smith, Ron Smith, Randy Clark, Ken Cousins, Kevin Deitner, Paul Johnston, Troy Pocaluyko, Paul Montgomery, Dave Montgomery, Rob Cardiff, Stewart Cardiff, Len Stamper, Hugh Hanly, Ken Higgins, Mike Watson. Coaches were Gary Dauphin and Gerry Wheeler. Frank Stretton was manager and Joe White was trainer. April 14,1993 Brussels Army Cadet Warrant Officer Brad Ribey was awarded the Gold Star at the corps’s special awards ceremony. April 15,1998 Blyth Legion Auxiliary celebrated 50 years of support and service to the local Legion. Blyth Midgets David Craig was acknowledged at the annual hockey banquet for his dedication, while Mike Courtney was commended for his strong team effort. Kendall Whitfield was the Luke Anderson trophy winner, while MP Paul Steckle made a presentation to Mike Ansley, the MVP at the Midget’s Canada Cup tournament in Montreal. Actor-writer George Sermba’s opposition to two bloody regimes in his homeland of Uganda led to a firing-squad execution which he survived. His one-person show Come Good Rain was being performed at Blyth Festival.