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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-01-06, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2005. Editorials Opinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising, Heather Armstrong & Capucine Onn 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. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40050141 PUBLICATIONS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM REGISTRATION NO. 09244 ig*l RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO ( A El A Cl A CIRCULATION DEPT. V>CL1 1CLVACL 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. The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca jpcna <Sna Member of the Ontario Press Council We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright The power of nature The incredibly generous response of Canadians to the Dec. 26 tsunami disaster that struck countries around the shores of the Indian Ocean, may reflect the shock of an increasingly urbanized nation to the sheer power of nature. Most Canadians now live in a man-made world in which only a heat wave or unusually large snowfall can remind them they still must live with nature. The wall of water crashed home a message of the frailty of the man-made world, not discriminating between rich and poor as it destroyed Thailand’s beach-front luxury hotels and Sri Lanka’s peasant shacks alike. Even those Canadians who live with the whims of nature, whose livelihood in farming can be damaged bv seasons that are too wet or too dry, too cool or too hot, cannot comprehend the kind of destruction that has taken 150,000 lives. Nature is much more benign in Canada than in many parts of the world. Not one of Canada’s natural disasters ranks in the top 300 natural disasters in recent history. In fact, if Thai government estimates are correct that 80 per cent of those still missing have perished, this tsunami may have taken the lives of more Canadians, vacationing in this far off corner of the world, than any natural disaster we’ve endured (reports are that 150 Canadians are missing). Canadians have been struck by the unfairness of the plight of poor people bearing the brunt of so many natural disasters and have opened their hearts and wallets and browbeat the federal and provincial governments into increasing emergency support. In our privileged position, it’s the least we can do. — KR Still going in our 20th year When nearly 50 local investors bravely put up money to start The Citizen 20 years ago this coming October, there were doubts a community-owned newspaper serving two small communities could succeed. Al the time a Kitchener newspaper printed comments from Bill Kennedy, publisher of the Durham Chronicle and president of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association, about how difficult it was to keep a small newspaper going. It was ironic then that, at the start of The Citizen’s 20th anniversary year, an announcement came that Kennedy’s former newspaper, established way back in 1856, has been closed down and amalgamated in a new newspaper that will serve Durham, Hanover, Neustadt and Chesley and surrounding countryside. The Kennedy family sold their newspaper a couple of years after The Citizen was born. Several owners later. The Chronicle, along with newspapers in Hanover and Chesley, ended up in the hands of a large chain that envisions the future as one of large regional, free-distribution newspaper similar to those in larger urban and suburban areas. So communities as large as Durham (population 2,500) and Chesley (1.900) now find themselves in the same situation as Brussels and Blyth did 20 years ago: dependent on editors in a community other than their own to give some local coverage. It was lack of local coverage in newspapers outside the community that convinced people to invest in their own, community-owned newspaper to get control back. Mr. Kennedy was correct in his description of the realities of operating a small-town newspaper. It has been a constant struggle over 20 years — but The Citizen is still here. We’re here thanks to the investors, loyal readers, our advertisers and a dedicated staff that works hard because they love their jobs, despite the fact the pay is anything but high. The far-sighted investors gave the community control of their newspaper, eliminating the possibility someone in some far-off city office might suddenly decide the profit level isn’t high enough for the newspaper to continue. In a world where control over so many things has become impossible in small communities, their faith means Blyth and Brussels have some control of the future. — KR Looking Back Through the Years Opinion The Western Producer, Page 7, December 2, 2004 Wendy R. Holm, P.Ag. The glint of sun on stubble is so pretty, you almost forget the acres that didn't get in as you stand in a patch of winter sun. With the farm buttoned up for winter and wood smoke rising in cold, straight plumes against a December sky, it’s time again to take stock of things: what worked, what didn't, and what needs changing in the months ahead, behind and beyond the farm gate. It has been a rough few years for Canada’s farmers: drought; BSE; Avian influenza; allegations of countervail, and when that didn’t work, dumping, against hogs. Record low commodity prices for some crops and new farm programs for others that require a three-day short course to understand. Increasing environmental compliance costs and decreasing farm voice. Not to mention the if-it-wasn’t-so- serious-it-might-be-funny alarm with which baby boomers have dropped spuds, pasta, bread and Continued On page 6 Jan. 7, 1948 The application of Bernard Hall was chosen for the position of clerk­ treasurer for the Village of Blyth at the inaugural session of council. Representing local municipalities at Huron County council were: Stanley Snyder. Colborne; John McNabb, Grey: Clifford Roland, Grey deputy; John Armstrong, Hullett; Dan Beuermann. McKillop; Harvey Johnston, Morris; J. D. Beccroft, East Wawanosh; Everett Finnigan. West Wawanosh; Franklin Bainton, Blyth and R.B. Cousin, Brussels. Alex Alexander of Grey was appointed Huron County assessor. The 20-oz tin of pork and beans was selling at Superior Food Stores for 15 cents. A new Princess Rose cook stove was selling at Speiran’s Hardware for $85. Electric heaters were on sale for $17.50. Playing at the Roxy Theatre in Clinton and the Lyceum in Wingham was Nora Prentiss, “the story of a strange love that drove a man to murder”, starring Ann Sheridan, Kent Smith and Robert Alda. At Goderich’s Capital Theatre and the Regent in Seaforth it was Possessed, starring Joan Crawford, Van Heflin and Raymond Massey. Jan. 4, 1950 Two trains daily on the Palmerston-Kincardine run were to be cancelled. Word had been received that Brussels would be served by only two trains each day. the morning train to Palmerston and the night train to Kincardine. Incredible as it seemed, dew worms were seen on the main street of Brussels, apparently enjoying the unseasonably warm, moist weather. A story in The Brussels Post for the “Voice of Temperance” reported that “one of the iniquities of the Ontario liquor act was that it opened up women’s beverage- rooms. Moreover there are women in increasing number who so forget their womanly dignity as to patronize these drinking places. This is the new and more revolting degradation that the Ontario liquor act has created.” Fred MacMurray and Maureen O’Hara starred in Father was a Fullback, playing at the Regent Theatre in Seaforth. Joel McCrea, Alexis Smith and Zachary Scott starred in South of St. Louis, which was playing at Listowel’s Capitol Theatre. There was to be a gospel meeting in the Orange Hall at Brussels under the direction of John M. Martin of Hawkesville. The Shamrock Orchestra provided the music for a dance at Winthrop Hall. Admission was 50 cents. Youth for Christ presented The Man of Faith. Jan. 1, 1986 Bill Elston recalled 30 years of political life and change. The initial free distribution period of The Citizen came to an end. Subscriptions now would cost $15 for a year. The only provincial park in Ontario to impose a ban on motorcycles no longer had that distinction. Pinery Park lifted a ban that had been in place since 1972. A box of Highliner fish and chips was on sale at Scrimgeour’s for $2.29. At Snell’s Grocery, a three- litre bottle of Wisk liquid laundry detergent sold for $6.49. Jan. 4, 1989 The new Brussels Legion was to be officially opened on the weekend with a gala ribbon-cutting ceremony, less than seven months after the building was almost totally destroyed by an act of arson in the early morning hours of July 6. Volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel from Grey and Wingham worked side by side to free the victim of a fatal accident just east of Brussels. The Walton Feed Mill was purchased by Dauphin Feed and Supply Ltd. of Dungannon. The Brussels stockyards were up and running again. The new owner was Gordon Brindley of Dungannon. Dave Boynton sold Brussels Agromart to Merle Hoegy. A Dungannon boy was one of 12 recipients of the Ontario Junior Citizens of the Year awards announced by the Ontario Community Newspapers Association. Brad Park, son of Bill and Marie received the award for “showing courage and determination in maintaining an active lifestyle despite an ongoing battles with diabetes and for volunteering to be part of a University Hospital pilot study to eliminate insulin injections.” Jan. 8, 2003 Not only was Claire Lillian, daughter of Marie and Neil Mitchell of Grey, the first local baby born in 2003, she was also the New Year’s baby for Stratford Genera) Hospital. RIDE nabbed 17 impaired drivers, up an alarming 16 from 2001. The Grand Walton Pigeon Show would be an opportunity for breeders to exhibit their racing and show birds while others would learn more about the sport. Jean Mathers of the Bluevale Women’s Institute was the recipient of the Women’s Institute’s lifetime membership and certificate of merit. Movie lovers could enjoy The Lord of the Rings at The Park Theatre in Goderich. Brian and Alison Wightman of East Wawanosh won $35,000 in Blyth Minor Hockey's annual sweepstake draw.