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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-04-30, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 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 moiling 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 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.caA°cna€> < Member of the Ontario Press Council BBEBM When the need arises Looking Back Through the Years When people who disparage government complain about money being wasted, public health is probably one of those expenditures they have in mind. How perceptions can change. Until something comes along like the SARS outbreak, most of us really can’t appreciate the role of public health officials. Healthcare to us as individuals means going to our doctor or, if things get serious, the hospital. Public health is mostly invisible — perhaps a health nurse at a school — or worse, interfering — as when health inspectors crack down on deficiencies in restaurants or for groups providing catered meals. It’s only in an emergency the importance of public health is understood. SARS has been just such an emergency and Toronto and provincial public health officials have been at the centre oi efforts to contain the deadly disease: working with hospitals to co-ordinate procedures, tracking down people who could be infected, imposing quarantines and keeping the media and the public informed. This is just one case in recent history that proves the importance of this little-known government service. Another was the tireless detective work by officials with the Grey-Bruce Health Unit that tracked down the cause of illness in Walkerton when local public utilities officials were denying there was anything wrong with the water system. And in the coming months and years we will all depend on public health officials as we battle West Nile Virus and the threat it poses, particularly for those of us who live in rural areas. The lesson of SARS and Walkerton and West Nile Virus is that there are government services we might be tempted to think of as a waste of money which will prove essential when a crisis arises. — KW Say it isn’t so A national lobby group for grain farmers recently told the federal government that consumer opinion shouldn’t matter when it comes to approving genetically-altered wheat varieties. Nice try. The Grain Growers of Canada said science should be the only basis for approving or rejecting genetically-altered wheat varieties now in development. The suggestion runs counter to the concerns of many wheat growers themselves who worry that if genetically-engineered wheat is approved, Canadian farmers could lose many of the markets around the world they depend on. Like it or not, the consumer is boss. You can’t make people buy what they don’t want. You can give them all the scientific reasons why they shouldn’t be against something but in the long run they will decide. Consumer opinion in Europe or Asia may not be what we’d like, but they still control their own choices. — KR Letters to the Editor THE EDITOR, No one disputes the need for a will. However a will does not take effect until you die. Many people do not recognize that their estate may need managing before their death. A family can experience great difficulty when a person, young or old, is left incompetent to handle their health issues or their finances as a result of a bad accident, head trauma or dementia. When Bob Rae was premier, the NDPs passed legislation making it mandatory for a person to have a Power of Attorney for personal care (medical/health) and also for finances to manage another’s affairs. Lawyers debated this issue recognizing the difficulties it could present. Through personal experience I learned what they were. Some years ago I was asked by a childless couple to act as their power of attorney. I now know I should have asked to see all pertinent pieces of paper before saying yes. It is also a good idea to have your own copy of that paperwork. Shortly after one of this couple passed away, it became apparent that the other partner was in early stages of Alzheimers. Thankfully this person was showing no signs of aggression and had complete faith in my actions. As I prepared to deal with these health issues, I was able to locate that particular power of attorney. I made many calls to the doctor, homecare providers, CCAC, neighbours, etc. and eventually changed this person’s residence to a long-term care facility. Indicative of rural communities, those people could not have been more helpful and suitable arrangements were always quickly forthcoming. However the reason for this power of attorney can therefore be justified. Perhaps the person who steps forward to make these decisions has motives other than the patient’s best interest. Families have been torn apart by poor planning or no planning. If a person has no children, the decisions may be made by a doctor. My experience indicated that in a small community where you have and trust a family doctor, the issue will be dealt with kindly. Can we expect to be at home when a medical emergency happens? What happens when a doctor faces a crisis that seems to contravene the Hippocratic Oath regardless of how a patient might decide for themselves if able? Knowing you may be making a life or death decision for someone at some point is something you need to consider when agreeing to be a power of attorney for personal care. You are the advocate or substitute decision-maker when the person is incapacitated. In my case, while dealing with this person’s health issues, etc. it became Continued on page 6 April 30, 1958 Firemen were called out when a bam was discovered ablaze. The building, which was being used as a garage was destroyed. However, firefighters were credited for their quick response and efficient work in keeping the flames from spreading to surrounding buildings. Mrs. Fred E. Jewell and Mrs. George Davis as delegates from St. John’s WA attended the annual diocesan conference in Windsor. George Paterson McLauchlin, retired vice-president and managing director of Marshall-Wells B.C. Ltd. passed away. McLauchlin, who was born in Brussels, worked for 37 years for Marshall Wells in western Canada. Playing for one full week at the Capitol Theatre, Listowel was Walt Disney’s Old Yeller. The double bill at Seaforth’s Regent Theatre was Devil’s Hairpin with Cornel Wilde and Jean Walker, and The Joker is Wild, starring Frank Sinatra and Jean Craine. The weekend double feature at Llashmar Drive-in Theatre in Listowel was Bail Out at 43,000”, starring John Payne and Karen Steele, and Star of India with Cornel Wilde and Jean Wallace. On sale at Grant Shoes and Men’s Wear were woolen and worsted grey and black suits for $39.95. Sports coats were $35 and sport shirts were $3.95, $4.95 and $5.95. For one week only any pair of ladies’ shoes featured in the window could be purchased for $5. Moth preparations were the big spring cleaning items on sale at Smith’s Rexall Drug Store. Crystals were selling for 63 cents, while moth balls were 75 cents. Liquid moth killer was 59 cents. May 2,1968 The community was shocked by the fatal car crash which claimed the life of a father of four. The man, an owner of a local business, was killed when his car left the highway and crashed into a tree. Dawson Woodburn was the adjudicator at the Belgrave, Blyth, Brussels Music Festival. It was time to get ready for spring yard work with a sale at McDonald Lumber. A set of garden tools could be purchased for $5.96, while a circular saw was selling for $29.97. A hose, sprinkler and ‘water wiggle’ were advertised at $1.77. Playing at Brownie’s Drive-in in Clinton was Dick VanDyke and Debbie Reynolds in Divorce American Style and Richard Todd, Susan Oliver and James MacArthur in The Love-Ins. Five 19-oz tins of cream style com were selling for $1 at Stephenson’s Bakery and Grocery. May 3,1988 A fire started at the Blyth Inn during a roofing project over the lounge area. The fire then moved into the wooden wall of the main building, but it was quickly extinguished by the local department. Max Oldfield of Brussels was honoured by the Ministry of Natural Resources in recognition of issuing sport fishing and hunting licences from his Brussels business for 25 years. Top awards presented at the Brussels Bulls banquet went to: Mike Vincent, most improved player; Ron Strome, rookie of the year; Tim Fritz, most valuable player and top scorer; Mike Chapman, coaches’ award; Jim Garniss, most dedicated Bull; Greg Crummer, most valuable player in playoffs. The Zone C-l Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary convention was held in Brussels for the first time since 1976. Valerie Gauley opened Blu-mers in Blyth while Sherry Reavie opened Dressing Room Only. The two businesses were located in The House Village Shoppes development. May 2, 1990 Carmen Laus of Brussels was the winner of the District 60 trophy from the Toastmasters International speaking contest. The F.E. Madill concert band received bronze at the New England Music Festival in Boston. Attending from Brussels were Curtis Graber, Nicki Gropp and Kelly Overholt. Betty Cardno retired as director of the Huron County Home Care program. Katrina Somers, a Blyth-area resident and former student at F.E. Madill was the recipient of the most improved player award in women’s varsity soccer at Redeemer College, Ancaster. May 3, 1995 Don and Jill Sholdice opened Your Choice Meats. Award-winning Bulls were: Ryan Fisk, rookie of the year: Peter Ryter, most improved player; Greg McNevan, season MVP; Tim Beyer, top defenseman; Fisk and McNevan, playoff MVPs; Josh Alexander, coaches’ award; Brad Beuermann, Mike Vincent memorial award; Greg Brown, Jason Kraemer award. Judy and David Glen were honoured at the Maitland Conservation Foundation auction for their contributions. For two years the Glens had donated five cents from every jar of the Glen Farms specialty jam to the Foundation for a total of $868.15. April 29, 1998 A farm accident claimed the life of an Auburn man, while a Londesboro woman was killed in a car/tractor collision. Wescast announced construction of a $60 million facility.