No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-07-16, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 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.OO/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 RO. 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.ca Jjocna ^cna Member of the Ontario Press Council One more uncertainty Agriculture has always been an uncertain business with farmers unable to control the weather or prices. Now, with BSE, you can add one more uncontrollable element: international politics. Canada’s beef, dairy, sheep and goat producers are caught in a crushing catch-22 position: the borders are closed to exportation of their animals and meat products because of one Alberta cow that was infected with mad cow disease, but because only one animal was found, they can’t prove that their beef is safe. The American government claims it is ready to open the borders but can’t because Japan has warned it will ban importing U.S. beef unless there’s a guarantee no Canadian beef might sneak in under an American label, yet our markets are so integrated with those in the U.S. that’s virtually impossible. On the domestic political side, there’s no pressing need for American politicians to urge the Japanese to relent so they can open the border because American beef producers are benefitting financially from the troubles of their Canadian neighbours. The reduced flow of cattle going south has created a sellers’ market with higher prices. And ironically, while Canadians can’t sei' their cattle at anything near a profitable basis, more American beef is flooding into Canada than normal. At the height of the summer barbecuing season, Canadians want the better grilling cuts of beef and because so few animals are coming to market, there’s a shortage of steaks while there’s a surplus of other cuts. Meanwhile when federal minister of agriculture Lyle Vanclief met with Japanese agriculture officials on the weekend, he came away frustrated because they wouldn’t agree that Canadian beef is safe but wouldn’t say what Canada needs to do to prove its beef is safe. Japan, after all, had its own mad cow case in 2001. The hard reality for farmers is that prices have dropped to less than half of what they were before that single cow was found in Alberta. Animals are sitting on the farm costing more and more to feed because it’s better than sending them to market where they’ll lose a lot more money. Dairy breeding stock can’t be exported. Sheep and goats can’t cross the border to U.S. markets. Canadians farmers, not rich in the best of times, are estimated to be losing $11 million a day. The frustration grows as farmers, and even the government, are powerless to change the situation. Perhaps we can only learn for the future. The siren call of international markets has always been tempting for farmers and commodities like beef and pork have followed that call, shipping a huge proportion of their production outside the country. As this case, and disputes like the softwood lumber standoff with the U.S. prove, when you depend on a market beyond your borders you add one more uncontrollable to the list of uncertainties in doing business. — KR Let’s co-operate. You give in Canada’s premiers last week called for a new spirit of co-operation in Canada as they suggested a council of premiers to promote the concerns of the provinces to the federal government. Though this sounds much more pleasant than the usual Ottawa-bashing that emanates from such meetings it still likely means the same thing: Ottawa co-operating with what the provinces want. Co-operation will undoubtedly mean the federal government should give up more of its money and power to the provinces. Name one time the provinces have offered to give up something to the federal government. Many of our country’s problems are caused by a lack of co-ordination across the whole country, yet the provinces never tackle that fault. We have no Canada-wide standards of education because each province guards its control zealously. Health care varies from province to province, despite the Canada Health Act. Investors have called for one national securities act, yet the provinces control this area and won’t give it up. At the same time when international trade forces are calling for more uniformity in rules world-wide suggesting national government must give up some of their sovereignty, our provinces are seeking more power from our national government, building more barriers within the country. They claim they must because they are closer to the people, yet they don’t follow the same argument in giving more power to municipalities which are closer still. Co-operation? Excellent idea if the provinces start co-operating. — KR News Item: Ontario premier "incredibly serious" about setting up tax system separate from Ottawa Blyth Taxpayer BEFORE ... and ... AFTER the changes Looking Back Through the Years Letters to the Editor THE EDITOR, Many of us are very upset because the planters on main street are being vandalized. Again, early last Wednesday morning, geraniums, petunias, potting soil, etc. were found strewn all over main street. We spend time and money making our village beautiful. Also, the village workers. Bill Bromley and Rob Kolkman water all the Bowers faithfully every morning. It is appreciated very much. It is disgusting and upsetting knowing someone would deliberately destroy something that is beautiful. Lois van Vliet Secretary, Blyth Horticultural Society. July 16,1958 Brussels postmaster Harold Victor Kemey died suddenly of a heart attack while on vacation. The Thursday and Friday night double bill at the Llashmar Drive-in in Listowel was The Killer is Loose, starring Joseph Cotton, Rhonda Fleming and Wendell Cory, and Forbidden Desert. Seaforth’s Regent Theatre was showing Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Abbott and Costello Go To Mars, while Listowel’s Capitol Theatre had Ronald Coleman and Hedy Lamarr in Story of Mankind. Anna Chemovolsky who vowed five years earlier while in a Trieste DP camp, that she would look “as beautiful as the elegant British and Canadian women who gave her food and clothing, was one of 11 girls chosen from 350 aspirants in Toronto to model in fashion shows at the Canadian National Exhibition. Hungarian professor Dr. Laszlo Horvath observed that when a spell of settled weather breaks suddenly, nerves suffer “causing careless driving or forgetfulness when crossing the road.” Dr. Horvath suggested “radio warnings should be issued advising people to watch their step whenever a sharp weather change is predicted.” A night’s stay at Ottawa’s Lord Elgin Hotel was $6 for single occupancy or $9 for double. July 18, 1968 Publishers of The Brussels Post were undecided as to whether or not to publish the following week as a postal strike loomed. Dress shoes and flats were selling at Miller’s Shoe Store in Listowel for $3 and $5. The double bill at Brownie’s in Clinton was The Private Navy of Sgt. O’Farrell starring Bob Hope and Phyllis Diller, and A Fistful of Dollars, starring Clint Eastwood. July 18, 1973 The Blyth Standard took another step in its expansion program with the installation of a Buckingham offset camera. The new piece of equipment meant all steps in the production of the newspaper except the actual printing would be carried on in the office in Blyth. Despite a last minute request from Pendulum Players, a young peoples theatrical group of Goderich, asking county council to reconsider its denial of facilities at the former Huron County Gaol to the group, council upheld a recommendation to refuse the use of the premises. The concern was that it might conflict with the building program which was underway. The St. Augustine store changed hands when Mr. and Mrs. Glenn McConnell purchased the business from Gus Deveraux. July 20,1988 Two men were charged after fire gutted the Brussels Legion. Michelle Machan was page for the July session of county council. Krista Lawrie and Nicole Richmond were hired to staff Blyth’s new tourist information booth. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney was set to visit Goderich to officially open the new harbour development in the lakeshore town. Reconstruction of the Brussels Legion, .which was gutted by fire July 6 was put on hold for at least 30 days to give members time to consider options. The rain which some parts of the area got on the previous weekend was the answer to many prayers, but still not enough to rectify the damage that eight weeks of drought had done to crops. Two new stores opened in Brussels, The Fashion Boutique and Linda’s Pre-Teen Scene. Three Auburn-area youngsters debuted on Blyth Festival’s stage. Ben Thomson, Wesley Huizinga and Earl Thomson appeared in Fires in the Night. Hundreds attended the official opening of McGavin Farm Supply Ltd. The new Ford-New Holland dealership was located beside McGavin Farm Equipment Ltd., which was celebrating its 52nd anniversary that year. MP Murray Cardiff was the guest speaker. July 14,1993 Acclaimed to Blyth council to fill two vacant seats were Eugene Cobum and Mason Bailey. Marlene Roberton retired as public health nurse. Local Ontario Scholars from LDSS, SDHS and CHSS were Grant Martin, Rebecca Vanerspiegel, Angela Klumpenhower, Jennifer Brown, Kimberley Hughes, Randy Sheperd and Melanie Knox. July 15,1998 NDP MPP Marion Boyd visited the West Wawanosh farm of Tony and Fran McQuail. The A champs at theTithel Minor Ball co-ed tournament were Rathwell’s Rebels. The Ethel Firemen’s team won the C. David Proulx of Listowel District Secondary School and Tara Sturdy of Goderich District Collegiate Institute were local Ontario Scholars. Grey Central teacher Marilyn Elgie retired after more than 33 years as an educator. Molesworth WI celebrated its 50th anniversary. Members were Florence Holmes, Isabelle Hislop, Margaret McMahon, Kay Whaley, Ruth Watson, Audrey Adair, Isabelle Bremner, Carol Daniels, Muriel Matheson, Violet Smith, Marguerite Beirnes.