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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-03-31, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 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 + $l .96 G.S.T.) in Canada; $85.00/year in U.S.A, and SlOO/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. 40050)41 PUBLICATIONS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM REGISTRATION NO. 09244 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. PO BOX 152 BRUSSELS ON NOG 1H0 email: norhuron@scslnternet.com Canada 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 RO. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca A°cna®“ < Member of the Ontario Press Council We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright Communities must show pride As spring arrives, the urge grows for people to get out and spruce up their yards. That urge needs to take root throughout our communities. While taking a walk or drive down the residential streets of our villages in summer reveals beautiful gardens and well-kept homes, the public view of our communities most visitors see is the main street. Sadly, our main streets have not seen their best days in recent years as shopping trends have seen people bypass local merchants for big box stores in neighbouring towns. The result is empty stores and a general depression among the property owners and merchants. But because this is the public face of the community, it’s essential we put on a little makeup. If the first impression people have is one of a community that’s a loser, property values will suffer for all houses in the community. People don’t want to live in a declining town. A sad public face also handicaps other efforts to grow the community. In Blyth, for instance, it was revealed at last week’s Blyth Business Association meeting that this year’s Annual Jamboree Campout Weekend will have about 500 campers while the Campvention next year will bring 1,000 visitors to town. The Twp. of North Huron has hopes of attracting many more visitors to the campground in the future. Do campers want to come to a town that appears to be on its last legs? Everyone in our community has a stake in the look of our main streets. We need to mobilize to spruce them up so they are just as attractive as our back streets. — KR Putting on an expensive show Federal Agriculture Minister Andy Mitchell made some welcome announcements of aid for farmers and, by extension, rural communities on Tuesday but the way the announcements were made says something not only about government, but the media and public as well. The e-mail to the media outlining Mitchell’s agenda to make the announcements sounded like something from a satire: 9:30 a.m., Guelph; 12 p.m. Mt. Brydges, an announcement of aid for the grain and oilseeds sector; 4:30 p.m. Regina for an announcement of support for beef farmers; 7:15 Winnipeg for an announcement of support for producers of other ruminant animals. How much money was spent flying the minister around the country to perform photo -ops for the media? Wouldn’t this money have been better spent giving real aid to farmers or some other needy group? Yet before you blame government waste, let’s be honest. The media, particularly TV, wants the picturesque settings for important announcements. On TV, image means everything and if a government is going to spend millions it wants taxpayers to remember the image. And in a country where everyone has a chip on their shoulder, a minister mustn’t make an announcement in Guelph or Ottawa about a program affect?ng people in western Canada or people will be upset. Still, this is silly and we all need to look at this waste of money. — KR Letter to the editor pttortsso* SCHfAARTZ "FREE n/ITH PURCHASE" "DIET ICE CREAM” "EXPRESS MAIL” “DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC U/0RKS' "ROBERT BLAKE TRIAL" ■clearly misunderstood" "FLAT BUSTED" ■VIRTUAL REALITY" "SENATE FORKING COMMITTEE” , "RESPONSIBLE DRINKER" / ■NONy/ORKING MOTHER” / "LIBERAL AGENDA" g "UNITED RI6HT” "TRAINED FERRET" |1 "PAINLESS DENTISTRY" H "TAX RETURN" S j WORE OXYMORONS (LIST 12) I r Looking Back Through the Years THE EDITOR, Contrary to the impression left in readers by your most recent article, in fact, the issue of bringing French immersion to public school families in Huron County is still alive and well. On Tuesday, March 22, several concerned parents and Monika Ferenczy, Ontario president of the Canadian Parents for French Association met with Avon Maitland District School Board members to discuss the most recent French immersion survey and the board’s hesitation to offer a registration for September 2005 based on “lower than expected” numbers. The parents and Ms. Ferenczy pointed out that there actually were enough interested students to form Grade 1/2 split classes in several towns including Listowel, Wingham, St. Marys, Clinton and Exeter for September 2005. Parents asked the board members to be cognizant of the fact that Huron County is rural and that our numbers should not be compared to those in Stratford, an urban centre. There were close to 250 positive responses from the surveys, quite a sizable number. Ms. Ferenczy cited the examples of several areas which began their French immersion programs with small opening class sizes. She said that French immersion programs in rural areas tend to thrive since there are not as many competing programs for children to be enrolled in. The board officials were still very amenable to the idea and said that they would like to have discussions with board members from the other smaller centres. They also said that a motion could be entertained by the board regarding offering a registration for French immersion, possibly in January 2006 for the fall of 2006, since, by then, staffing deadlines could also be met. Parents have been very pleased with the open lines of communication with the AMDSB members and are looking forward to having their children enrolled in local French immersion programs in the near future. Vickie Candow, Andrea Schaefer and Gillian Thomas Huron County Parents for French Immersion. March 31, 1948 Blyth United Church’s Young People presented a pageant with proceeds going towards the Sunday school. The music was by the Fireside Choir, with Shirley Phillips as organist. Special numbers were contributed by Irma Wallace, June Marsh, Lois Doherty, Margaret Mar­ shall, Harry Lear, Howard Wallace and Mildred Charter. Taking part were: Joanne Hodgins, Wayne Jackson, Marlene Walsh, Jack Tyreman, Jack Kyle, D.A. McKenzie, Mrs. Freeman Tunney, Mrs. James Lawrie, Mrs. Ben Walsh, Mrs. Charles Johnston, Mrs. Moody Holland, Mrs. Roy Doherty, Irvine Wallace and Frank Tyreman. Of interest to Blyth and district parents was the indication of an increase in the Clinton Collegiate staff for the year. According to The Blyth Standard, “new Easter bonnets and other finery usually resplendent on Easter Sunday were given a rude welcome by the weatherman. Following a period of quite seasonable weather, the temperature dropped on Saturday afternoon and quite a snowstorm developed. Although Easter Sunday was bright and the sun shone, the air was quite cool.” The East Wawanosh Federation of Agriculture arranged with a veterinarian to have all heifer calves in the township vaccinated against Bangs Disease “Contagious Abortion” at the very low fee of 50 cents each. The village of Hensall was busily engaged in a campaign to raise $20,000 for a recreational centre. In international news, Shizuko Tsutsui was the first woman charged with war crimes atrocities in Japan. The 31-year-old former chief nurse was accused of performing experimental operations on captured Allied prisoners. March 29,1950 The resignation of Rev. George A. Milne, minister of Melville Presbyterian Church was dealt with at the Presbyterial meeting. Rev. Milne came to Brussels from Georgetown, British Guiana where he held a post with the Church of Scotland. J.C. Baeker, who had been in the butcher business in Brussels for 45 years sold his business to his brother William. The Voice of Temperance wondered, “When will the public realize that a drunk man’s law breaking is not to be excused on the grounds that he was under the influence of liquor? His drunkenness does not lessen the harmfulness of his lawbreaking. When will the picture stop displaying the plight of a drunk man for the amusement of the audience? It’s not funny — it’s pathetic and shameful. When will the public learn that drunkenness is a disease just as deadly as tuberculosis and to be treated with just as much seriousness?” The Federation of Agriculture for Huron County added two more members to its poultry committee. The committee was: Jim Scott, Seaforth, chairman; Elgin McKinney, Zurich; Harold Johns, Woodham; Harold Campbell, Belgrave and Russel Knight, Brussels. The Brussels Post reported, “The largest crowd since the re-opening of the Town Hall attended the concert and dance sponsored by the local Lions Club. Featured entertainment was The Kansas Farmer. Playing at the Regent Theatre in Seaforth was How Green Was My Valley starring Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O’Hara, Barry Fitgerald and Roddy McDowell. At the Capitol Theatre in Listowel it was Kirk Douglas, Doris Day, Lauren Bacall and Hoagy Carmichael in Young Man With A Hom. March 29,1972 The Brussels Tykes established a new record when they defeated Milverton to win their third trophy of the year. The team was: Ken Cousins, Terry McCutcheon, Brian TenPas, Lyle Campbell, Mike Watson, Stewart Cardiff, Rick Guest, Terry Glanville, Gary McArter, Brian McGavin, Jim Scott, Bruce Godkin, Bradley Wright, Paul Johnson, Kenny Higgins and John Stroop. Coaches were Jim Prior and Ralph Watson. An article stated, “Nonsmokers are learning how to defend themselves. Remember just a few years ago when airlines passed out courtesy cigarettes? No longer. Today they’re just as busy setting up non-smoking areas for complaining customers.” March 28,1973 A special evening to honour William Thuell, who retired after over 50 years of service to Blyth as foreman of the Blyth Public Utilities Commission was held. Belgrave PeeWees enjoyed a good season, winning the Tri-County title and the Blyth tournament trophy. Team members were: Dean Campbell, Donald Dunbar, Keith McLean, Marvin Cook, Bradley Cook, Steven Cameron, Ken Marks, Lyle Bridge, Eric Niesson, Jeff Armstrong, Howard Roberts, Wayne McDowell, Donnie Shiell, Doug Arbuckle and Gary Hopper. Coach was Grant Vincent and John Thompson was manager. April 2, 1986 The storefront of what used to be a pool hall and hamburger stand in Brussels went to the museum in Goderich.