Loading...
The Citizen, 2004-03-11, Page 4Looking Back Through the Years PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2004. Editorials Opinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising, Jamie Peters and Alicia deBoer The Citizen 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; S80.00/year in US.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 crearred. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4'p.m. - Blyth. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40050141 PUBLICATIONS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM REGISTRATION NO. 09244 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. PO BOX 152 BRUSSELS ON NOG 1H0 email: norhuron@scsinternet.com We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs. We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscrlpts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright OCna +CNA Member of the Ontario Press Council mstraiml P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Webslte www.northhuron.on.ca P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 A little goes a long way It would require a mass epidemic of masochism but it really would be a lesson in democracy if the public gallery at Huron County council was filled with spectators when council resumes deliberations over the 2004 budget at the March 16 committee of the whole meeting. Those who attended would learn that governing seems a lot more complicated in a council chamber than in a coffee shop or on a street corner. At the March 4 meeting of council, for instance, councillors slogged through nine pages of options in an attempt to slash a budget that originally had increased by 54 per cent to something more manageable. There were 110 options, which, if adopted in full, would have reduced the budget increase to 15 per cent, still a ratio that would have people screaming all over the county even though it would mean $25.45 more per year on the tax bill for a home assessed at $100,000. By the end of that meeting, councillors were .,till far above that 15 per cent goal because, as they went over the opt-lg.., -, many of the cuts required would have had repercussions they felt might be worse than a tax increase. Using up reserves to prevent increasing taxes, for instance, seemed like bad management. Saving $46,000 by cancelling household hazardous waste collection days might see more of these hazards being hidden in garbage going into landfill sites, perhaps poisoning future generations. And on and on and on the tough decisions went. In the end, perhaps the solution will be something that's been an anath- ema for municipalities for a generation: borrowing. While municipalities have been loath to borrow in the past, the fact that most of the increase in this budget is for major road and bridge projects shows these as long-term investments: exactly the kind of project that justifies borrowing. Whatever path they take, councillors know they'll be condemned by those in the community who knOw better how to govern. — KR Blyth Idea Group's image-revitalization plan for Blyth, unveiled last week, is designed to make limited resources go a long way. The plan for attractive street signs, a walking tour complete with historic plaques, large photo-murals and redecorated storefronts can be accomplished at a relatively small cost. If individuals, groups and the municipal government get behind the plan and work to provide the money it's easy to see a Blyth proud of both its future and its past. — KR Why governing is difficult Letter to the editor THE EDITOR, There are some points that need immediate attention to protect the infrastructure of rural Ontario. It is not only farmers that are suffering, but many smaller businesses in the rural communities. What Ontario farmers need from their governments: Federal: • an urgent infusion of cash to overcome the economic devastation caused by ten months of BSE impacts with border restrictions on meat and live animal sales and unprecedented low domestic values for slaughter animals. • income tax treatment to allow producers to defer taxes on inventory sales when they can't afford to restock their feedlots before year-end because of reduced borrowing capacity as a result of BSE. • a realistic approach to enforcement by Department of Environment officials in situations where farm animals have historically had access to streams and waterways - initiate a more consultative approach similar to that taken by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Provincial: • an immediate commitment to • funding necessary to assist farmers comply with regulations contained in the Nutrient Management Act. Farmers need to know what level of public support they can expect before proceeding with plans to upgrade facilities to compliance standards. • development of an acceptable definition of agricultural operations for assessment purposes. Farmers with value added facilities as part of their operations are experiencing unacceptably high property assessments when such things as on-farm maple syrup evaporator facilities and on-farm grain drying facilities are assessed as industrial. • a willingness by Ministry of Natural Resources officials to meet and develop with Ontario Federation of Agriculture representatives the necessary guidelines to reduce predator damage to crops, livestock and facilities of farmers. A more realistic level of compensation for such damage is also required from the Ministry of Natural Resources. • Ontario farmers need a commitment from Ontario's Energy Ministry that energy rates for farm- use electricity will be reduced to more closely reflect the actual cost of the energy supplied to farmers, both for transmission and the energy used. • retail sales tax, as it is applied to the purchase of farm-related goods, needs revision, exempting at point of purchase a list of items already recognized in provinces where the GST and PST have been harmonized. • Ontario's land transfer tax system requires amendments that would lexempt within-family transactions, similar to sales to corporations. Neil Vincent, President Huron Federation of Agriculture. March 15, 1944 Savings- in gasoline, rubber and trucking equipment resulted from the order on transportation of milk and cream issued by the Wartime Prices and Trade Board over the pervious year. The zoned collections resulted in reduction up to 44 per cent in the number of trucks used for collecting the products which brought the savings down. Brussels council decided to let the clerk advertise for tenders to sell the township farm on Conc. 7. Canadian motorists were told to take care of their tires because R.C. Berginshai,v, president of the Polymer Corporation, told the Ontario Motor League that there wasn't much hope of synthetic tires being available for civilian drivers for at least 12 to 18 months. Stewart A. Scott, formerly of Wingham was involved with the Canadian Provost Corps overseas. He was one of two escorts chosen to accompany the King and Queen of England, through the Beaver Club in London. The Brussels Continuation School sold $60 worth of War Savings Stamps. They also sold $6.92 in old records, which went to the Red Cross. March 13, 1969 Dr. and Mrs. Culbert were in Brussels to make final arrangements regarding the opening of a new dental practice. Don Snyder, an architect, addressed the Lions Club with information regarding the swimming pool, requirements from the department of health, types of pools and, answered numerous questions froin flub members. The Brussels Figure Skating Club presented its Springtime '69 program to friends and family. March 8, 1972 Brussels players captured the ,WOAA Midget E trophy when they defeated Lions Head 10-4. Brussels council declared all-out war on stray dogs when approval was given for the purchase of a dog trap. William Turnbull, a well-known area swine breeder, received several trophies in Toronto at the annual meeting of the Ontario Swine Breeders Association. A provincial grant of $7,000 to the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority for the Brussels Conservation Area was approved by the Ontario government according to 'n announcement made by Murray Gaunt, then Huron-Bruce MPP. March 12, 1986 Two Brussels dance teams came home with championships from the interclub figure skating competition at Mitchell. Peter MacDonald and Kerrie Shepherd of Blyth took first place in the senior dance competition and Lisa Pennington and Scott Johnson were first in the novice dance category. Huron County council learned that for the fourth consecutive year the county library had exceeded its budget by more than $52,000. The major share of that was for books which were 'received in November and December although invoices for those books were not forwarded to the board until 1986. The most vicious storm of the winter closed down the northern part of Huron County as temperatures plummeted from above freezing to some of the coldest temperatures of the winter. Approval was given by county council to a recommendation that the Blyth architectural firm of Christopher Borgal be engaged as architects for the design of the Huron County Pioneer Museum project. Sharon Motycka became the new manager of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce branch in Blyth. A 10-member team from the Brussels Figure Skating Club participated in the interclub competition in Mitchell. Laurie Rowbotham conducted the Blyth Festival Singers in a rehearsal for their upcoming concert in Clinton. March 9, 1994 One group of skaters performed a routine to Achy, Breaky Heart at the Blyth Power and Figure Skating Club Achievement Night. Blyth Optimists received recognition from the District at a banquet in Kitchener. Karen MClinchey was recognized for her work as secretary/treasurer. Members of the Seaforth and District High School Marching Band were preparing to leave on a trip to Myrtle Beach, Florida, where they performed at the Convention Centre. March 17, 1999 Thanks in part to a donation from the Howick Optimists, a flood safety program from the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority was brought to several local elementary schools in the spring. Residents of Huronlea in Brussels, took full advantage of the bright sunshine to enjoy a horse- drawn sleigh ride through Ken and Judy Shortreed's Morris Twp. woodlot. Brandon Blake, Sean Hoegy, Adam Corbett, Cory Chapman, Chris Corbett and Matthew White, all Brussels Power Ska- ters, achieved Level 3 Gold.