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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-11-08, Page 4PAGE 4, THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2000 Editorials & Opinions 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 The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG I HO Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca Xocna^cNA Member of the Ontario Press Council Honour the fallen — vote Saturday is Remembrance Day. Monday is the municipal election. That connection shouldn’t be overlooked, because those soldiers who served their country fought to preserve our right to decide our own future. It’s easy to be cynical about politics these days. On one hand, we take for granted that we will always have democracy. On the other hand, we doubt our ability to actually change our lives through the ballot box. Those who served, and in some cases died, in two world wars, did not take the gift of democracy for granted. In World War II in particular, they faced dictatorships seeking to impose their will on the world. The prospect of the life that awaited their families back home if the enemy was successful made soldiers, airmen and bailors realize they had no choice but to win. We came close enough to losing democracy that for years following World War II, people realized what a precious gift it was. But 55 years of peace have dulled that awareness. We haven’t seen our country under direct threat. We have become accustomed to belittling government, politics and politicians. We moan that it doesn’t matter who is in power because "they’re all the same”. We sit back and pay no attention to our government until it’s election time, and perhaps not even then. All this is a disservice to those who fought to give us this democracy. They gave their lives, or at least offered their lives. We’re only asked to take the time to know what’s going on, to study the issues and decide who will serve us best. On Saturday, take the time to remember. On Monday, take the time to vote. — KR Smaller parties deserve a look In the excitement of creating a two-horse race for the November 27 federal election, the media has given short shrift to the parties such as the Progressive Conservatives and the New Democratic Party. In many ways it is these two parties, however, that are offering real choice in their platforms, something missing by the Liberals and Alliance. Until the Conservatives started running attack ads against Prime Minister Chretien on the weekend, their leader Joe Clark had run perhaps the best campaign of any of the leaders. He unveiled, for instance, a real proposal to help farmers survive the current desperate state of agriculture brought on by both poor weather and heavy subsidies south of the border. The NDP too has promised help for hard-hit farmers. The Liberals didn’t even mention agriculture in their platform last week. Alliance literature says it will support safety net programs but spells out few details and given the party’s tax-cuts-first, get-government-out-of-business stance, farmers have a right to be skeptical. While the Liberals profess to be the protectors of the social safety net, they have offered few new ideas. NDP Leader Alexa McDonough, on the other hand, has proposed innovative policies such as a national home­ care plan to help those patients who are discharged from hospitals early in order to cut hospital costs. She’d give medicare a cash infusion and target income tax cuts to those who really need it instead of those who already have the most money. The NDP and the Conservatives can afford to promise the most, of course. As things stand, they have little chance of having to deliver their promises. Still, good policies deserve reward. We should at least take the time to study those policies. — KR Photo by Bonnie GroppStriking a pose Looking Back Through the Years Nov. 10, 1960 The Belgrave Cub Pack held its regular meeting with a good attendance. Mrs. Ken Wheeler and four assistants were in charge. Instead of a regular meeting, everybody enjoyed a Halloween party with relays, games, and treats for all. Donald Bosman, received his first star and Collectors and Toymakers badges were earned by Donald Bosman, Jim Robertson and Gary McSween. Mr. George Inglis of Belmore was the guest speaker when the Cranbrook Women’s Institute held its November meeting. Mrs. Ross Knight gave a report on the District Annual. Mrs. Wm. Bremnergave the motto - “United we stand, divided we fall.” She read the poem Battle of Cape Farewell by Surg. Capt. C.M. Oake. Mrs Clem Stettler introduced Mr. Inglis, who gave a very informative outline on the work of the Legion in the community. Nov. 17, 1960 Remembrance Day was observed by Brussels and community with a service at the cenotaph followed by a service at St. John’s Anglican Church. The address, at the cenotaph, was given by the Rev. H. L. Brown of the United Church. Walter McFarlane was in charge of the wreath laying ceremony. Wreaths were placed by Frank Shaw, Stewart Humphries, Mrs. Margaret Stephenson, Jack Willis, George McCutcheon, Clifford Dunbar, Bailie Parrott, Rebekah Lodges, Jack Mitchell, Donald Dunbar, Oliver Riley, Jack McDonald, Walter Brewley, Mrs. Roderick McLean, Mrs. Earl Bowes, Mrs. John Speir, Ben Whittard, Mrs. Hartley Rutledge, M. Wineburg, Mrs. A. Coutts, and Mrs. Joe Baker. The November meeting of the Brussels Home and School Association was held in the public school. After the reading of the minutes, Jack McDonald reported for the UNICEF committee. The canvass of homes on Halloween night totalled $54.90. Nov. 12, 1975 A very successful crokinole party was held in the Londesboro church hall. This yearly event brought together young and old. Dennis Penfound was in charge of the evening assisted by Cathy Penfound. In charge of kitchen were Helen Lawson, and Sandra Westerhout and lunch was served by members of Intermediate Sunday School class. Prizes for the evening were awarded to: high score. Shelly Westerhout; low score, Cathy Radford; most 20s, Hazel Watkins; the lucky cup, Pat Hunking. Mrs. Murray Lyon, Mrs. Jack Tarablyn, Mrs. Bill Bromley, Mrs. Reg Lawson, Misses Bernice and Shirley Hur.king and Rev. McDonald attended the Sunday School teachers workshop held in Auburn United church. Nov. 7,1990 A huge crane had to smash at the top of a silo on the Morris Twp. farm of Carman Craig as Blyth firemen battled a fire inside the unused silo. The heat from the fire burned holes in the side of the silo and firemen decided the silo had to come down so they could get at the fire. Firemen were at the scene for more than 10 hours. Brussels skate-a-thon took place with several youngsters winning prizes. Prize winners were: Jacquie Seili, Jay Hahn, Shannon Craig, Brandon Blake, Nicole Mastnak, Todd Armstrong, and Melissa Souch. Receipiants of the George Menzies Endowment Fund at F.E. Madill’s commencement ceremonies were: Dianne Hall, Scott Johnston, Sandra Marks, Jason Breckenridge and Corrinna Stephenson. Nov. 8, 1995 Blyth Optimists hosted a babysitting course. Graduates were: Rachel Morrison, Sonya Schultz, Elizabeth Ross, Amanda Fitzgerald, Darwin Buffinga, Luke Slotegraaf, Rachel deBoer, Steven Empey, Jackie Falconer, Melissa Badley, and Sabrina Buffinga. John Lowe resigned from Brusels council citing work pressures as the reason.