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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2004-01-15, Page 4Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising, Jamie Peters and Alicia deBoer 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 $30.00/year ($28.04 + $1.96 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. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1HO Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca ocna ENA Ark Member of the Ontario Press Council INEZICIIMI WOOLY BULLY: After his Leafs suffered a humiliating 7-1 defeat at the hands of the rival Senators, Coach Quinn made a bold change of goalie to ensure such a shellacking would never occur again. Looking Back Through the Years Keeping separate course difficult As Prime Minister Paul Martin was getting set for his first face-to-face meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush this week, polls showed a majority of Canadians were nervous that he would not become too friendly with the leader of the giant to the south. It may be too late. Canadians have always had a schizophrenic relationship with the U.S. We embrace its popular culture to the point of ignoring our own; many of us spend all the time we can in its warm southern regions; and many people will shop in the U.S. whenever it's profitable — yet we also demand to be able to make our own decisions and be as different as we want to be. Our desire to profit from our neighbour led us to adopt a free trade agreement in 1988 that limited our ability to set a different course from the U.S. With better access to the U.S. market,.many people in Canada have prospered but we have tied our future to the Americans even more closely. When an aggressive leader like George W. Bush takes office, determined to push an America-first agenda, our dependence on the U.S. for our prosperity makes us vulnerable to having to bend to his wishes. He has plenty of clout. We have only a sense of fairness. It's against this background that meetings between the leaders of our two countries take place these days. A pro-business leader like Mr. Martin will always be at a disadvantage if he wants to remain friends with a leader like Mr. Bush. Canadian's desire for real independence may be a pipe-dream, undermined by their desire to grow ever more wealthy by trading with our powerful neighbours. — KR Credibility built on tiny things A group of Toronto drug squad officers went on trial in Toronto last week for crimes related to abuse of their power, and concerns were expressed about the damage this will do to police credibility. That credibility, however, can be undermined by small actions that police officers all over the country take every day. Every time a police officer exceeds the posted limit with no apparent emergency to justify the action, a signal is sent that police feel they do not need to obey the laws they are enforcing on the general public. Every time a police car is parked in a no parking zone with no pressing reason, every time a cruiser tailgates or makes an illegal turn, a little bit of the credibility of police is undermined. For officers who do these things, no doubt they think the importance of their jobs justifies small liberties with rules they expect others to obey but what they don't seem to realize is that when they break small laws, there's room for doubt that they may also bend much more serious rules. — KR Letter to the editor PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2004. Editorials & Opinions THE EDITOR, Ontario's agricultural community is anxious to meet with Premier Dalton McGuinty to gain a clear understanding of where the province's new Liberal government is headed with policies that affect Ontario agriculture. While many actual agricultural issues are clear and well understood, major ambiguities exist where farmers and agriculture have issues that come under other ministries within the government. In some of these areas, the ministers responsible understand the issues and want to correct the problems, but we're not yet confident the government will function in agriculture's best interests. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture is asking for a meeting with Premier McGuinty so we can present the concerns Ontario farmers are voicing to us and get a clear understanding of how the premier and his ministers will respond. We need to see definitive answers from Environment Minister Leona Dombrowsky about how she expects her staff to work with farmers on nutrient management issues. We also need to hear about plans to fund upgrades farmers will be expected to make to their facilities in order to comply with the regulations of the Nutrient Management Act. OFA also wants to see demonstrated action that ensures uniform enforcement of regulations in such areas as water well drillers, sewage and septic systems and the requirements placed on them by regulations. Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay will be expected to use our plan to deal with wildlife damage to crops, livestock and buildings on farms. A study done in 2000 tells us that $41 million damage was done on farms by wildlife, and the compensation provided by the ministry falls well short of this for the province's farmers. The ministry has been busy introducing new species, and re- introducing species of wildlife to areas of the province while doing nothing to address the economic impact on agriculture. OFA wants the provincial government to take the necessary steps to compensate farmers for current damage before introducing any more wildlife. Agriculture is very dependent on a reasonably-priced supply of electric energy, and Minister Dwight Duncan needs to find ways to- address this economic issue. OFA has met with the minister to explain that agriculture's use of energy is typically at off-peak periods, and the charge to agriculture should reflect this reality. Facing an extra cost of $42 million when the new rate comes into effect in April, the OFA is anxious to see that Minister Duncan understands farmers will not be able to pay this Continued on page 6 Jan. 14, 1959 The Brussels Legion held its installation of officers for the year. Ross Duncan was president and Stewart Humphries was vice president. Roy Cousins of Brussels was elected chairman of the Wingham District High School Board. Jan. 9, 1969 A meeting was held in Clinton far farmers interested in learning how to use the Ontario Farm Record Book. Reconstruction of Main Street in Seaforth and the completion of a sewage disposal program were described by former mayor Frank Sills as the two most vital projects facing the council that year. The Huron County Beef Improvement Association planned a January tour of beef cattle feedlots in the northeast sector of the county followed by a banquet and the annual meeting. On Jan. 3, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture decided to widen its avenues of farm machinery imports from Britain. Jan. 12, 1972 Former Brussels reeve Jack McCutcheon was ready for Polar Daize activities. The Brussels Lions Club expected a record attendance to the popular winter snowmobiling event. In a recorded vote, Grey Twp. council rejected a move to provide for twice-a-year tax payments in the township. Jan. 11, 1989 Comrade Fred Thuell, a veteran of the First World War, had the honour of cutting the ribbon to declare the newly-renovated Brussels Legion open. The obstructing building in the middle of the street leading to the Brussels Industrial Park was to be destroyed. More than 50 Town and Country Homemakers travelled to Toronto to join hundreds of their counterparts in a demonstration at Queen's Park. The purpose was to draw attention to the serious ministerial underfunding which many said was threatening their existence. Jayne Ross, president of the Brussels Legion, was presented with the new Ladies Auxiliary Charter by Evelyn Carroll, provincial command vice-president, during the official re-opening. Lisa Rammeloo of Blyth was a recipient of the President's Award as the Most Enthusiastic First Year Member at the Huron County Junior Farmers' annual awards ban- quet. Beryl` and John Davies were the proud owners of their own store after taking over Jo-Jo's Variety in Auburn. Elizabeth Van Loo of Wroxeter accepted her prize, a $250 gift certificate for a weekend at the Wheels Inn in Chatham from Debbie Seili of the Brussels Figure Skating club. Skaters Kevin Wheeler and Michelle Menzies performed at the Central Divisional Championships in Sault St. Marie. Jan. 12, 1994 With recommendations presented by the human resources committee, the Huron County Board of Education agreed to share the services of a psychometrist, social worker and psychologist with other county child support services. Mark Shepherd of Blyth travelled to Edmonton, Alta. to compete in the annual Nationals skating competition. An interim report was presented to the HCBE concerning the implementation of junior kinder- garten at eight area schools. Jan. 13, 1999 For the first time ever, snowcross races were held. at the Lee Farm just east of Walton. Racers battled frigid temperatures, driving winds and white-out conditions to compete in the CMA Ontario Snowcross Championship. Erica Clark of Blyth received the gold standard of the Duke of Edinburgh award in the national Gallery of Ottawa. Lawrence Machan, Leanne Minnielly, Gina and Jerry Platt were the new inembers initiated into the Brussels Legion. F.E. Madill Secondary School math teacher, Audrey Bos, left for a one-year teaching exchange to New South Wales, Australia. Jim Armstrong of Brussels travelled to Brazil to visit with fellow Pietenpol enthusiast Edilson Secco. The two men became acquainted over the internet.