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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-01-20, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2005. Editorials Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising, Heather Armstrong & Capucine Onn 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; $85.00/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 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. PO BOX 152 We acknowledge the financial support of BRUSSELS ON NOG 1 HO the Government of Canada through the email: norhuron@scsinternet.com Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs. Canada 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@scslnternet.com Website www.northhUron.on.ca AocnarS" > Member of the Ontario Press Council We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. .Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright Don’t mess with food credibility The announcement of the discovery of a third case of BSE in a cattle beast in Alberta last week was more than depressing for Canadian farmers. The fact the animal was bom after the ban on the use of protein from ruminant animals called into question the credibility of Canada’s efforts to prevent the spread of BSE. While Canadian officials have stated the infected animal probably ate feed left over from before the ban, U.S. opponents of the proposal to reopen the border to live cattle trade on March 7 are skeptical. And who can blame them? If the shoe was on the other fool wouldn’t Canadian farmers doubt Americans’ word? The fact is there’s been a lot of foot dragging on the part of Canadian government and feed industry officials, and Canadian farmers for that matter. After the initial diagnosis of FSE in May 2003, for instance, there were immediate preparations to ban the use of any animal protein in feed for any animals. Protein from beef animals, for instance, couldn’t be fed to pigs. Soon, however, this early resolve began to weaken and there were calls to continue to allow protein supplements made from rendered beef products in swine feeds. Critics point out that while Canada points proudly to a ban on feeding ruminant animal protein to ruminants like cattle and sheep, there’s no ban on feeding ruminant protein to hogs or chickens and no ban on feeding protein from hogs and chickens back to cattle and sheep. The argument is that the prions that cause BSE in cattle, scrapie in sheep and chronic wasting disease in elk and deer have never been found to cross the species line to pigs or chickens. That’s also the argument that British scientists, feed companies and farmers used when they felt it was safe to feed protein from sheep with scrapie to cattle, a fatal mistake that saw the near destruction of the British cattle industry. Cattle and sheep farmers are already paying a high price for the failure of officials to take BSE seriously in the first place. Like water officials in Walkerton who felt the danger of E. coli was overrated, Canadian food inspection officials didn’t feel there was a real chance meat from imported British cattle could have been processed into feed and spread the disease. They thought the risk was so low they didn’t recall feed made before the protein ban, the feed they now say is probably responsible for this latest BSE case. It's time to get serious about rebuilding the credibility of the inspection system in Canada. We need to go beyond going through the motions and take the steps necessary to wipe out any chance this terrible disaster could get worse. — KR Why Canada must succeed Prime Minister Paul Martin created controversy on his visit to Sri Lanka this week when he met with officials of the Tamil separatist movement Meanwhile rebuilding efforts in Indonesia are hampered by rebels in the hardest hit area of the country. In Iraq, various religious factions are struggling for supremacy. In Sudan, ethnic cleansing has killed many and driven thousands from their homes. In Rwanda we saw wholesale slaughter of one group by another. Seeing the inability of people of different backgrounds to live in peace makes it all the more important for Canada, with our two founding languages and people from around the world living side by side, to continue to succeed. We must solve our problems and become a beacon of hope that people can learn to live with differences. — KR Letter to the editor Looking Back Through the Years THE EDITOR, In honour of Family Literacy Day 2005, the Wingham Library and the Huron Community Access Program (CAP) are excited to present An Evening Celebrating Rueben Sallows. This special event is planned for Thursday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. and communicates the important message of surfing, learning and reading in our community. The library invites seniors and students, families and friends to come and join us as we learn more about Ontario’s cultural, art and agricultural past. Using the Reuben R. Sallows digital library (www.sallowsgallery.ca) and a number of images from the Huron County Museum we hope to expose the work of this photographer who was truly ahead of his time. This presentation gives northern Huron County residents a chance to learn about our agricultural past as seen through the eyes of this renowned Huron County ar­ tist. Presenting the work of the well- known photographic pioneer we can gain an insight into the lives of Canadians around the tum of the century. In our community, the reading and learning activities we engage in as a family contribute to the development of good communication skills and future success. Please join us as we celebrate Family Literacy Day. For more information, please contact the Wingham Library at 519-357-3312. Hope to see you all there. Mark Nonkes Internet Access Assistant Wingham Library Jan. 21, 1948 Benson W. Tuckey, reeve of the Village of Exeter, was chosen as the Liberal candidate in the Huron riding provincial by-election. Rev. Stan Brenton, newly- appointed pastor of the Londesborough United Church, was the guest speaker for the Blyth Lions meeting. Blyth Legion was seeking information for a prospective honour roll of World War II veterans from within a seven-mile radius, who lost their lives, were wounded or missing. President of the Blyth Horticultural Society was Mrs. A.R. Tasker. The local library was suggesting several new books for reading: Census of Canada, Vol. VI — solid figures from the King’s Printer saying for instance that the average male wage earner’s income per year in rural Huron County is $445, or The Sudden Guest by Christopher Lafarge, a Book of the Month Club novel, set during the hurricane of 1944. Two tins of Campbell’s vegetable soup were selling for 23 cents at Superior Food Stores. Children’s snowsuits were $8.95 at Harris & Company, while women’s gabardine ski jackets, regularly $5, were on sale for $3.95 An electric steam iron could be purchased at Speiran’s Hardware for $14. Jan.18,1950 The giant jar of York peanut butter was selling at Grewar’s Groceteria for 43 cents. C.H. Johnston, reeve of Ashfield Twp„ was elected warden of Huron County. From the Voice of Temperance: “Figures have now been released disclosing the gallonage of intoxicants consumed by the Canadian drinking public for the year ending March 31; 1949. The figures are 6,833,255 gallons spirits and 175,465, 692 gallons beer.” The ‘Voice’ went on to say “It is lluron County’s good fortune that it is under the Canada Temperance Act and is saved from the menace of liquor stores and beer parlours.” Playing at Listowel’s Capitol Theatre was The Good Old Summertime starring Judy Garland and Van Johnston. At the Regent in Seaforth, it was Rogues Regiment starring Dick Powell and Marta Toren. Jan. 15,1986 Kathleen McLennan took over the Sunoco station and restaurant on main street in Blyth, renaming it Kate’s Kitchen. Rental rates for Blyth Memorial Hall were set by the committee at the first meeting of the new year. They were: Summer Festival, $210 per week; theatre office, winter months, $65 per month; main basement and kitchen, $55; upstairs auditorium, basement and kitchen, $85; auditorium for outside groups, $85; practice for outside groups, $35; auditorium for local groups, $45; practice for local groups, $10, Blyth Lions, $10; WI, euchre club, lost heir club, horticultural society and Blyth Seniors, $10. Two white swans owned by a Brussels man, decided to take a paddle downstream to visit Wingham. They apparently set out for new horizons when the water was let out of the mill pond. OPP reported a dramatic reduction in the incidence of drinking and driving around the area. So dramatic in fact that spot checks carried out throughout Christmas and New Year’s failed to tum up on impaired driver. Choice steers at Brussels stockyards sold from $82 to $86 with a sale to $92. Good steers sold $79 to $82. A delegation from the Huron Plowmen’s Association appeared before county council to seek support in hosting the 1992 international plowing match in Huron County. Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase starred in Spies Like Us playing at Wingham’s Lyceum Theatre. Jan. 11,1989 More than 50 Town and Country Homemakers travelled to Toronto to join hundreds of their peers in a demonstration at Queen’s Park. The purpose was to draw attention to the serious ministerial underfunding which they said was threatening their existence. Jan. 16,1991 A Brussels-area couple had the first baby bom in the new year at Listowel Memorial Hospital. Benjamin Alexander Gowing arrived at 10:23 a.m„ Jan. 1. Parents were Paul and Jacquie Gowing. East Wawanosh council decided not to go ahead with their plan to build a new office contingent in conjunction with the Belgrave Kinsmen’s proposal to rebuild the front of the community centre. Charlie Shaw was honoured for his long service as Youth Exchange Officer for the Lions Clubs of District A-9. Scouter Robin Dunbar had been active in the Saugeen West District for 10 years. He received a plaque in recognition of the dedication to Scouts. Local athletes competed at the Hamilton Games. Jason Gropp finished fifth in the senior boys long jump. Other area Madill competitors who performed well but didn’t finish in the finals standings were Ryan Finch, Brad Beuermann and Angie Yoon.