Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2004-01-22, Page 4NO NEED FOR SUCH LANGUAGE, 606. 134E PROBLEM CAN BE FIXED WITH HAMMER AND SCALES. • MY, DID I JUST SAY SCALES? I MEANT NAILS, OF COURSE . Looking Back Through the Years PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2004. Editorials Opinions Publisher, 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, P.O. Box 152, BLYTH, Ont. BRUSSELS, Ont. NOM I HO NOG IHO Phone 523-4792 Phone 887-9114 FAX 523-9140 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca ocna + CNA , 0 „O Member of the Ontario Press Council IMWeliimi The gap grows wider It takes only two hours to go from the heart of Huron County, the most productive agricultural county in the nation to the outskirts of Toronto, the industrial and media capital of the country, yet bridging the gulf in perception makes the Mars landing look simple by comparison. The gap in understanding of things rural by the nation's media is truly frightening for those who hope to preserve a rural and agricultural life- style. Consumers and politicians make decisions on the information they receive through the media. When the message is muddled or downright wrong, the potential for bad decisions being made increases. Most often, urban writers and commentators are speaking with no first- hand knowledge. The closest they get to a real farm is when they whiz by on the way to the cottage or soar overhead on an airplane headed to some other city. The reality of rural and farm life is about as real as those photos from Mars. Often they try to say the politically correct thing about the family farm, but they talk about how the family farmer is being replaced from industrial farming, not realizing that many of those "industrial" farms are operated by farm families. On a recent Nature of Things television show, David Suzuki showed photos of huge pork factories in North Carolina then equated them with "industrial" livestock production in Ontario, though even our largest barns can't compare to those in the heart of U.S. industrial pork production. The Toronto Star recently sent a reporter to Huron County to investigate pollution complaints along the Lake Huron shoreline. This reporter did actually visit farms but seemed skeptical from the beginning. He disgustedly reports on the collection, storage and smell of hog manure then comments the real problem comes when the manure is spread on fields. "It's at this stage the murky mix of pig feces is rechristened 'nutrients'." It is a nutrient, of course. It has been for hundreds of years. Whether a so-called industrial farm or a small, organic operation, manure is valuable in growing the food people eat, though in the gap between urban and rural, the thought that manure actually grows food is enough to turn the stomachs of some consumers. The romanticizing of the way things used to be leads to other fallacies. It's universally accepted in urban media that farm animals are mistreated on large-scale modern farms. In some cases that may be the case, but often animal care has improved in modern barns. Human or animal would appreciate the airy, bright, open-sided modern dairy barn if they'd ever spent time in a dingy, dank stable of the past. Try to tell such good news to an urban reporter, however and you're apt to be met with disbelief. Recently on The Current, a CBC radio show, a University of Saskatchewan professor told the program's host that, despite the scare over BSE, food was safer than ever before, but the tone of the host's voice said she didn't believe a word he said. How do farmers and rural residents get the true message across? It's a tough task when one side doesn't even know what it doesn't know but it's an issue so important rural people must keep trying. — KR Letter to the editor THE EDITOR, The Centre for Research and Education in Human Services is working with the Huron County Health Unit, Rural Response for Healthy Children, Pathways to Self- Sufficiency, and the Huron-Bruce Ontario Early Years Centre to learn more about the experiences of low- income and isolated families with young children in Huron County. The Centre, on behalf of Huron County health and child care agencies, hopes to interview 40 families from across the County, who have at least one child six years of age or younger. Survey results will provide valuable insight into what needs are not being met and how local health and child care agencies could better plan for and provide appropriate services and programs. "This research project provides parents with an opportunity to talk about their experiences raising children in Huron County", says Penny Nelligan, Huron County Health Unit. "We want to hear directly from the parents about what they need and whether or not Huron County service providers are offering appropriate programs and services to meet those needs." The 60-minute interview can occur right in your home or at a quiet and confidential interview location in your community. "Often, those families who could benefit most by participating in local research are not able because of transportation or child-care barriers", says Nelligan. "By offering 'kitchen-table' interviews as an option, we hope to overcome those barriers; we need to hear from those parents who are feeling isolated and alone to find out how we can better support them in their important role as parents". Participant names will not be attached to any interview notes; no personal information or information that could identify the participants will be shared. Participants will receive $10 to thank them for their time. If you have a child six years of age or younger and are having trouble making ends meet, we need your help! If you would like to participate or would like more information about the project, contact Kim Ross, public health promoter, Huron County Health Unit at (519) 482- 3416 or if long distance, dial 1-877- 837-6143. You can contact The Centre directly by calling Kristen Roderick at (519) 741-1318. Jan. 22, 1959 A meeting was held by the Wingham and District High School board to discuss an accommodation problem throughout the school. The board wanted to build an addition with six classrooms, one shop and one home economics room. The school was so crowded, classes were being taught -in the cafeteria. Thieves stole about $75 in watches and jewelry from W.G. Leach's jewelry store in Brussels. Jan. 16, 1969 The Massey-Ferguson annual bonspiel was held in the Brussels arena. Winners were Jim McKinnOn of Teeswater, Don McDonald of Brussels and Mac Eadie of Wingham. Warren Zubrigg, district deputy governor of Region 3, made an, official visit to the Brussels Lions Club. The Brussels Minor Hockey Association outlined plans in preparation for the Minor Hockey Week celebration. The March of Dimes opened its annual January campaign for funds with a new symbol and changing role in the rehabilitation of disabled adults. Beverly McCall won first class honours in the Grade 11 theory examination at the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto, held in Blyth. Jan. 17, 1972 Bonnie Pennington was crowned Polar Daize Queen at Brussels Public School. Zero weather on occasion discouraged spectators during Polar Daize events, but it didn't stop some hale and hardy competitors from jumping into the freezing waters as they took part in the annual polar dip in the Maitland River. The Brussels fireman collected $279 for Muscular Dystrophy during a door-to-door canvass of the community. • Debbie Adams, Julie Campbell, Mary Lyne Cardiff and Joan- Huether, all of Brussels, did several dance numbers for a CKCO in Kitchener on Big Al's pro- gram. Catherine Cardiff and Carol Wheeler, also of Brussels, displayed their talent in Scottish dancing for the program. Former Colborne reeve, Doug McNeil had his way during a meeting regarding Huron County jail. He decided to have the five exercise yards torn down to make way for additional parking at the assessment office and the Children's Aid Society. The Duff's United Church Junior Farmer choir in Walton, participated in the singing in Toronto at King Edward Hotel. Jan. 18, 1989 Trevor McArter of Brussels was the first baby born of the new year in The Citizen's readership area. A local resident appeared before Blyth council, protesting an earlier decision of council and public utilities commission not to allow Ontario Hydro to put a high-tension line which ran through his prop- erty. The Huron County Board of Education passed a resolution which would see its French language instruction program doubled in Grade 4 and expanded to include Grades 1 and 2. For the third year in a row, north Huron County was well represen- ted at the Canadian National Figure Skating Championships by Junior Dance competitors dance teams Kerrie Shephard and Peter MacDonald as well as Kevin Wheeler and Michelle Menzies. A local couple brought their new baby home from Listowel Memorial Hospital in style. The child's grandfather rented a 24-foot 1988 Super-stretch Lincoln Town Car Limousine to bring her and her parents home. A quilt created by members of the Brussels Majestic WI was entered in the OMAF competition and came in fourth place. Jan. 19, 1994 The flu bug hit area elementary schools harder than other years as some classes had eight students absent while others had three. In a joint meeting between Blyth and Brussels councils, the important issue of the sludge management for the future of the municipalities was resolved. The Blyth PeeWee B team claimed the A championship a tournament in Huron Park. With much said about hockey linesman Max Demaray's poor eyesight, BIG eyeglasses and a guide dog were used to help make his job easier during the entertaining game between the Brussels Crusaders and the 1979-80 Intermediate Bulls game. Don Lumley, Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club president said he was impressed with the trails in the Bruce region. Jan. 20, 1999 January weather broke some records according to local weather watcher Boyd Taylor. On Jan. 14 it was -27 C, the coldest to date at that time with a wind chill of -40 C. Snowfall was totalled at 80 inches or 202 cm as of Jan. 17. • Huron OPP responded to call regarding a burning snowmobile on Conc. 2 of Morris Twp. Mike Siertsema took his sled team of Alaskan huskies out for a run.