Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-08-30, Page 4PAGE 4, THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2000 Editorials & Opinions Regional government’s here Given that provincial politicians have been defeated in rural areas before over regional government, it was natural that the term has been banished from the vocabulary of the provincial government. But with another round of amalgamations just around the comer it seems that’s exactly where we’re headed. Local politicians attending the annual meeting of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario heard Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Tony Clement tell them the next round of amalgamation will begin Jan. 1. That's the day the current round finally ends. The provincial government had said all along it was looking for municipalities to find their own solutions to amalgamation. Apparently that meant “as long as you do what we wanted”. So, now the municipalities that have amalgamated at great expense will be expected to amalgamate with their neighbouring amalgamated- municipalities, again at great expense. The new municipal buildings they’ve built or renovated will then have to be expanded and renovated (with some being abandoned) to meet the needs of the amalgamated- amalgamated-municipalities. Then what, an amalgamation of the amalgamated-amalgamated-municipalities? It seems the government won’t be happy until it completes the move to regional government, even if the people have always rejected that form of government. The goal seems to be one government for the county, or even an amalgamation of counties. It certainly could have saved everybody a lot of money and confusion if the government had just stepped in and imposed its vision from the start, instead of trying to stay out of the line of fire while accomplishing its goals by remote control.— KR Strange vision of Canada When people who have belonged to a party that wanted to tear Canada apart feel they can find a home in the Alliance Party, one has to wonder what kind of vision of Canada is held by Stockwell Day and his party leadership. Two defectors from the Bloc Quebecois, who fought, in the 1995 referendum, to separate Quebec from Canada, say they can now achieve their goals through the Alliance. “The Alliance is proposing a deep decentralization that will give Quebeckers power over certain departments with access to more financial resources,” said Nic Leblanc, one of the new Alliance members. Sounds like a new Meech Lake agreement, only with all the provinces getting the deal Quebec got before. Sounds like Ottawa as a tax collector for 10 provinces that are “almost countries”. Except of course that Mr. Day doesn’t believe in taxes. Is this what Canadians want? Mr. Day's vision seems mostly to be about tearing down the federal government in favour of provincial power. Coming from a rich province like Alberta or Ontario that can seem appealing. So the solution to keeping Canada together is to give all the provinces the powers Quebec wants. The only problem with “saving” Canada this way is that there’s no Canada left to save.—KR Letters to the Editor THE EDITOR, This letter was submitted to the Village Council of Blyth. Events have recently occurred during two separate sporting events, which have caused great upset and (yes) anger for the authors of this letter. Something is missing at these sporting events. What you ask? Emergency equipment and phone numbers. We call your attention to a co-ed slow pitch tournament held on July 28, 29 and 30 in which one of our players was injured. While trying to play the ball, he slipped on the wet grass injuring his back, neck and banging his head on the ground. No! This player was not drunk. Someone called 911 forgetting this service is not available here yet. After several minutes the police arrived who then called the fire department (members of which were in the stands). Much later an ambulance arrived. During this time the umpire asked us rather impatiently, to remove the injured player from the field. (A definite no no when dealing with a spinal injury). After some searching a backboard was found (no straps, no neck brace). We then carried him off the field. What’s wrong with this picture? On a more recent occasion (Aug. 18), another of four players suffered a serious seizure in the beer garden after a game. He had not been drinking at all. While the people present did everything they could to help the young man (blankets were brought from cars), none of us were qualified to effectively deal with the situation. While in the throes of this seizure he severely banged his forehead, lost consciousness and became cold to the touch. Again 911 was called. Again the police arrived. Thirty-five minutes later the ambulance arrived. Again, what’s wrong with this picture? While dialing 911 was a mistake (we admit that) it doesn’t excuse the fact that there is no emergency equipment (blankets, bandages, etc.) at public disposal. No one available who is qualified to deal with such Continued on page 5 Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising Manager, Jeannette McNeil 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 $27 00/year ($25.24 + $1.76 G.S.T.) in Canada; $62.00/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. 1374990 P.O. Box 429, • BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com .OGI.I (•.>' Member of the Ontario Press Council ■CM Looking Back Through the Years Sept. 1 1960 Norman S. Hoover was secretary of the Brussels Fall Fair. Added features of the year's fair included the Banner County’s Ayrshire Club Red and White show. The third annual Horticultural flower show was held in the Brussels Library. It was the finest show yet with a record number of exhibits. About 150 visitors viewed 253 exhibits. Serving tea were Mrs. W.A. Williams, Mrs. E. Cudmore, Mrs. G. Davis, Mrs. R.W. Stephens, Mrs. M. Oldfield, Mrs. B. Hemingway, Mrs. N. Reid, Mrs. G. Love. Lottie McCutchen' led in points in the decorative class, followed by Mrs. Cudmore. Mrs. C. Adams won the Four Roses award and Mrs. Dunbar the African Violet special Miss Gwendolyne Martin passed the Bronze Medallion test of the Royal Lifesaving Society swimming examinations at Port Elgin. Back to school specials at Smith’s Rexall Drug Store in Brussels included four ruled ink excercise books for 29 cents or a matched pen set and two extra refills for 99 cents. The phone number for the store was 62. - Ted Nelson preached at Cranbrook Knox Church. A three bedroom frame house with garage in Ethel was listed for $2,200. A three bedroom ranch style house with a sun porch situated in Wingham on 1.25 acres of land was listed for $3,800. A two story brick house with attached garage was going for $3,500. Aug. 27, 1975 Torrential rains hit Huron County flooding many areas. A 22-year-old Goderich man died when his canoe overturned in a flood swollen river at Auburn. The new storm sewer in Blyth seemed to withstand it’s first test well as few complaints were heard of wet basements. William Walden was named Progressive Conservative Candidate in the riding of Huron-Bruce for the provincial election. Murray Gaunt was unopposed for the Liberal party. Two proposals for restructuring Huron County were in the hands of County councillors. The proposals would reduce the number of municipalities in Huron from 26 to 8 or 12. The Blyth Standard won two prizes in the better newspapers competition. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson purchased the Blyth Inn. Aug. 29, 1990 NDP Leader Bob Rae took a few The Citizen P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 minutes during his brief stop at a Howick Twp. farm to chat with an 82 year old nursing home resident who’d been a supporter of the NDP and it’s predecessors since 1916. Brussels Legion members Ernie and Cathy Hackock and Andy and Marg Adams won the Brussels Legion Dart tournament. Janet Amos who six years before had ended her tenure as Blyth Festival’s artistic director was back to star in Local Talent. Aug. 30, 1995 A Hay Twp. property near Dashwood owned by Earl Becker was selected as the site for the 1999 International Plowing Match. Charlene Townsend of RR4, Seaforth was named Huron Queen of the Furrow. Members of the Brussels Barracudas Swim Team were: Coach Jay Hahn, Matthew Elliot, Ashley Gropp, Cynthia DeWit, Stacey Hahn, Christina DeWit, Michelle DeWit. Drew Thomas, Rachel Elliot. Samantha Thomas. Cassie Bootzin, Lisa Blake, Trish Bonsma, Michelle Smith, Mellissa Badley, Jessica Spink. Erin Richmond and Katie Clark. A special section featured businesses in Brussels. The popular Rankin Family made a stop in Blyth.