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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-02-03, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 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; $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 BRUSSELS ON NOG 1H0 email: norhuron@scsinternet.com Canada We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs. The Citizen RO. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 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 Member of the Ontario Press Council We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright Toronto pays for opting out Toronto politicians are feeling sorry for themselves these days, unhappy at what they see as the rest of the province dragging them down. They’re also about to see there’s a cost to pay for thinking they can get along quite nicely on their own. Upset that the Association of Municipalities of Ontario was negotiating with the province on new powers for all municipalities. Toronto Mayor David Miller last fall decided Toronto would pull out of AMO and negotiate with the province as, his spokesperson said, “the sixth largest government in Canada”. Now AMO has decided it won’t hold its 2006 conference in Toronto as usua', but move it to Ottawa. Some Toronto politicians are already bemoaning the $10 million blow to the local economy from the loss of the convention’s 1,500 delegates. AMO is fortunate it can take such direct action to show Toronto it reaps huge benefits from the rest of the province. Those outside the big smoke know we all contribute to the success of the capital, but Toronto is like the rich man who thinks that he owes all his success to his own efforts. Such people usually see themselves as victims, asked to pay taxes, for instance, so that lazy or less intelligent people can benefit from their hard work and genius. Mayor Miller has bought into Toronto’s own publicity about its importance in Canada to the point he thinks that we all benefit from Toronto more than Toronto benefits from the rest of the province and the country. A wiser man would know this is a two-way street and that hurting the rest of Ontario or Canada may come back to bite him, as the AMO decision seems about to do. — KR Be careful what you ask for As opposition continues to build against the government’s move to recognize the union of gay couples as “marriage” just the same as a union of heterosexuals, it’s perhaps understandable that people resent the change forced on them. Less understandable is the number of people who oppose the role of the courts in interpreting the charter of rights — to the point that some people would love to be rid of the charter. This is a case of being careful that you don’t get what you ask for. Opponents of same sex marriage and many other reforms in recent years argue that “parliament should decide.” They worry too often that supreme court justices are shaping the country through applying the charter. But people who argue that parliament should decide usually mean the majority should decide and they’re sure a majority will support their point of view. The charter, on the other hand, was designed to guarantee the rights of all people, including minorities. So let’s look at the proposition that parliament should decide. Suppose as Canada continues to become more secular and more multicultural, some future parliament decided Christians should not be allowed to practise their religion. Many of the people against the charter of rights now would suddenly be depending on it to protect their rights. We like the majority to rule if we’re the majority. The charter’s there to protect us when we aren’t, whether the majority likes it or not. — KR A brave start The bravery of Iraqis in turning out to vote in remarkable numbers, Sunday, despite 44 deaths caused by extremists bound on blocking the election, is truly inspiring. Still, with the votes uncounted, it’s hard to know if Iraqis can move to the next step, turning their backs on the temptation of the majority Shiites to gain revenge for the suffering inflicted by Saddam Hussein and his Sunni followers. Hopefully they’ll copy the example of Nelson Mandela in South Africa where he worked hard to forge reconciliation between the abused majority blacks and the abusing white minority. Only with tolerance and forgiveness can Iraq truly move ahead. — KR Looking Back Through the Years Letters Policy The Citizen welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed and should include a daytime telephone number for the purpose of verification only. Letters that are not signed will not be printed. Submissions may be edited for length, clarity and content, using fair comment as our guideline. The Citizen reserves the right to refuse any letter on the basis of unfair bias, prejudice or inaccurate information. As well, letters can only be printed as space allows. Please keep your letters brief and concise. Feb. 4, 1948 John Staples was hired as town foreman for the Village of Blyth. Prompt action by neighbours saved an East Wawanosh home from fire. Auburn Fire Department was called but blocked roads prevented them from responding. Neighbours were able to extinguish the chimney fire. Playing on the Blyth Girls hockey team were Lois Augustine, Dorothy McGee, Ann Watson, Lois Doherty. Mary Kyle, Irma Wallace and Gloria Sibthorpe, Marguerite Hall, Doris Johnston, DeLores McNall.Joan Philp, Joan Kernick, Helen McGee, Irene Logan and Mona Tunney. Leonard Caldwell succeeded William Carter as road superintendent for Hullett Twp. Claude Rains, Vivien Leigh and Stewart Granger starred in Caesar and Cleopatra playing at the Roxy Theatre in Clinton. At the Capital in Goderich it was Errol Flynn, Barbara Stanwyck and Geraldine Brooks in Cry Wolf. Seaforth’s Regent was showing Nora Prentiss starring Ann Sheridan, Kent Smith and Robert Alda. At the Lyceum Theatre in Wingham it was James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore in It's A Wonderful Life. A filler declared, “Husbands who adore coffee, deserve Maxwell House...” A crokinole board could be purchased from Speiran’s Hardware for $4. Feb. 1, 1950 J. Wheeler and A.B. Cousins were appointed as Brussels Agricultural Society delegates to the Toronto convention. It was the big mid-winter clearing sale at D.A. Rann Furniture Store and Pearson’s Show Store. A four- piece bedroom suite was on for the special sale price of $169. Other suites were priced from $90. Studio couches and davenports were selling from $49 to $80. At Pearson’s ladies’ pumps were marked down to $1.98 a pair, while men’s oxfords were on sale for "$3.95. Playing at the local movie theatres were Everybody Does It with Linda Darnell, Celeste Holm and Paul Douglas, and Blue Lagoon with Jean Simmons and Donald Houston. The Ethel bridge club was entertained at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Percy Stevenson. Winners were Mrs. John Wilson and Cliff Dunbar. Jan. 31,1986 By a vote of more than two to one, the directors of Blyth’s Agricultural Society decided to discontinue the fall fair. Several reasons were given, but the greatest appeared to have been the difficulty in finding a president to take over and run the event. Mark Battye, a student at Blyth Public School won top honours at the Zone and District levels for his poem in the Legion’s Remembrance Day contest. Members of Huron County council listened as two separate petitions were presented by persons upset with the fact that part of the gaol was being removed. Blyth Lions were looking for three talented people or groups to represent the village at the Wingham Lions’ Talent Night. The directors of the Huron County Pork Producers Association decided at the regular meeting to go with the request of the provincial board and hold an opinion poll on a pork producing licence. Adrian Vos was the newly- appointed spokesperson for the Huron County producers. Harvey Davis, the former warden of Bruce County was the guest, speaker at the Huron Federation of Agriculture meeting. Roasting chickens were on sale at Corrie’s Foodmaster for 59 cents a pound. Pork steak was 98 cents a pound. Among the ‘buys of the week’ at Stewart’s Red & White Food Market were Banquet TV dinners for 55 cents. Jan. 29, 1986 Grey insurance costs jumped 70 per cent. Council decided that delinquent Brussels PUC bills wouldn’t be added to taxes. Conestoga College was exploring the idea of providing continuing education classes in Brussels. On the local advisory committee were Ruth Sauve, Miriam Zehr, Alan Bragg, Betty Graber and Tom Hanrahan. Receiving 4-H awards at the Brussels Agricultural Society were Darren Johnston, Donna Lynn Armstrong, Grant Martin, Kevin Johnston, Doreen Johnston, Heather Wheeler and Dave Wheeler. Rev. James Carne was to be the new pastor at Huron Chapel in Auburn. Dance champions at the Brussels Figure Skating Club championships were Dana Mathers, Lisa Pennington, Karla King, Peter MacDonald, Scott Johnston and Stacy Miller. Jim Mair received the Brussels Agricultural Society award for service. Jan. 28, 1998 The Ministry of Natural Resources released wild turkeys in Huron. Wingham hospital got approval for a new clinic. Fire destroyed a Winthrop home. Three area figure skaters proved their mettle coming home with gold from the Great Lakes Winter Skating Festival. Michelle Cook, Michelle Smith and Jamie Lewis were students of Michelle Blake.