Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-04-21, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2005. Editorials IO iptr Opinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising, Heather Armstrong, Capucine Onn & Dianne Nonkes 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 $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 1 HO 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 P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 RO. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1 HO Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca Xocna^£NA Member of the Ontario Press Council MEQEBB We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright Just what we don’t want Looking Back Through the Years If there’s one thing that Canadian farmers have learned during the BSE crisis it’s the high cost of too much corporate concentration. So it wasn’t good news on Friday when it was announced one of the largest packing companies in western Canada (and the U.S.) is going to buy the largest beef packer in Ontario. The federal government has been trying to alleviate the problems of a lack of competition and too little packing capacity by providing funding for new packing operations across Canada. One would think, then, that federal officials would oppose the purchase of Better Beef of Guelph by Cargill, but don’t count on it. Though the sale will be subject to review by the Competition Bureau, that agency has virtually rubber stamped every takeover, never finding any against the Canadian interest. Could this purchase be in Canadian interest? If Cargill’s deep pockets lead to expansion of the Ontario plant it could help in the short term. But with Canadian-owned packers falling into the hands of American giants, who’s to say that once the border reopens to live Canadian cattle exports, there won’t be the temptation to ship live Canadian cattle to American plants with unused capacity, leading to an exaggeration of the same problems we already have — vulnerability to the whims of U.S. politics. While Canada is often portrayed as having too much red tape, when it comes to competition legislation we’re far behind the Americans. With the exception of the government’s blocking of bank mergers, pretty well whatever business wants, it gets when it comes to corporate concentration. — KR We don’t need an election With polls showing the popularity of Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin plunging, the urge for opposition to topple the minority government is almost irresistible. Still, the last thing Canada needs right now is another election, less than 12 months after the last one. Other than the lust for power of opposition leaders, just what would be accomplished by an election right now? Yes, people are mad at the unseemly and even criminal goings on in the sponsorship scandal but until Justice Gomery gives his report, we don’t even know the whole story. Besides, some people have already been charged by police for alleged criminal activities. So what is the purpose of an election? To punish the Liberals? For one thing, the Liberals who were in control during the period of the sponsorship abuses are long gone. Punishing the Liberals of today for the faults of those in the past is like getting mad at the boss and kicking the dog when you get home. The fact is, the Liberals were already punished for the affair by being reduced to a minority government last June. As well, how do you weigh scandal versus generally good government? While some opposition politicians have called this the worst scandal in the history of Canadian politics, it pales by comparison to some others. Remember, Sir John A. MacDonald, generally regarded as the one of our greatest prime ministers, was tossed from office over scandals in the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway, yet that railway today is considered one of the pivotal events in the creation of a Canada from coast to coast. How do you measure the waste of the money and the nefarious events of the sponsorship scandal versus the good government that has put Canada in the best fiscal position of any of the western countries? While the U.S. runs up record deficits and imperils the world economy with its spendthrift ways, the issue in Canada is fighting over what should be done with the surplus? A concern of business leaders is that the Canadian dollar is so strong that the margins on exports are reduced. When it comes right down to it, do Canadians want to reject the policies of this government just because they’re mad over the sponsorship issue? Do they really want to replace Paul Martin with Stephen Harper? Let’s hope everyone, Mr. Harper and Canadian voters, think long and hard about the need for an election. — KR Letter to the editor THE EDITOR, Twice in the last few weeks we have had to call 9-1-1 to obtain medical assistance for our elderly husband/father. The first responders were members of the Blyth and District Fire Department. They arrived quickly and attended to our husband/father with total professionalism. h was so apparent they were well trained as they went about their business in these emergency situations with calmness, competence and compassion. We tend to forget that the members of the fire department are, for the most part, community volunteers. On a moment’s notice, they are prepared to help others in need, sometimes placing themselves in harm’s way. Thank you to the members of the Fire Department. We will always be grateful for their help. Sincerely, Ruth Jardin and family. April 21,1948 A special meeting of Blyth council was held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 21 for the purpose of deciding if Blyth would observe Daylight Saving Time. A brief wind storm was responsible for considerable damage at a local farm. The wind which momentarily reached almost hurricane proportions, ripped the shingles from one side of the bam roof and also one side of the home's roof. An old bam door was picked up and lodged in a tree. A portion of the door broke off and was blown through an upstairs window. Several of the boards came to rest under the bed. A branch blew across hydro lines on the 9th of Morris cutting off hydro power for several hours. The storm had been preceded by an almost abnormal high temperature well into the 70s. By midnight the temperature had dropped to below the 40° mark. Carl Reid of Toronto purchased the billiard parlour from Kenneth Scott. J.A. Cowan was appointed as police chief of Grand Bend. While working in the fields Kenneth MacDonald of Boundary Road unearthed an old Indian arrowhead. A “revolutionary phonograph” played records vertically. It was claimed that this would “completely revolutionize the playing of recorded music”. The records were never turned or dropped and the phonograph held 200 selections ready for instant playing. It could automatically find any record in the library, played either or both sides and returned it to storage without anyone touching any of the recordings, pick-up arm or mechanism. The machine furnished more than 14 hours of continuous music without ever repeating. April 19,1950 A story told of “clothing prices in the good old days”. An old sale bill listing goods at prices “that would cause a sensation these days” was brought to attention of The Brussels Post editor. The bill was believed to have . been from 1890. “Goods advertised for the following prices are almost unbelievable now. Men’s suits at S5-$15 on sale for $4.50 to $8.75. You can’t even buy an eight-year-old boy a good suit for that now and we’ll wager the materials were better quality than most you get now.” The latest in ladies dress shoes were selling at Pearson’s Shoe Store for $6.95 to $9. Navy doctor Gordon C. McNeilly and his family were bound for an 18- month tour of duty in the leper colony on Tinjan Island. Dr. McNeilly volunteered because he felt it was his Christian duty. April 19,1972 More than 600 invitations had gone out to former residents to attend the Brussels Centennial. The Maitland River overflowed its bank and flooded the Lions Park area in Brussels. A meeting was held in Brussels to organize a men’s town fastball league. The executive was: president, George Langlois; secretary-treasurer, Fred Stephenson; press reporter, Ken Ritchie; equipment manager, Wayne Lowe; directors, Murray Lowe, Brian Huether, Barry Peters and Brian Rutledge. A pilot project to reduce fuel costs of Huron farmers was being undertaken in Huron. April 18,1973 Tickets were on sale for The Farm Show being presented at Blyth Memorial Hall. Blyth Girls broomball team finished the year with a trophy. Players were: Sandra McLachlan, Elaine Vincent, Joyce Carter, Sue Kolkman, Marie Empey, Dianne McDougall, Mary Lou Vincent, Kathy Street, Marion DeGroot, Marg Heffron, Annette Carter, Pat McClinchey, Rosemary Carter, Joanne Cook, Frances McClure, Bonnie Snell, June Leishman and Barb Empey. Dick Eisler was hired as Blyth’s animal control officer. April 23,1986 McKillop taxpayers were facing a five per cent increase while Morris residents would see no increase despite higher levies in the county and school board. It was a remarkable performance as three of the four prizes for best in fair at the county-wide science fair went to East Wawanosh students. Winning trips to the national science fair in Calgary were Tom Cull, Heather Campbell and Ben Barnes. Area students also dominated the Grade 8 biological class. Winners were: Campbell, Anita Gross of Hullett and Kim Medd of Blyth. Marg Anderson was elected as president of the Londesborough Women’s Institute. Heading the Ethel WI was Barb Grube. Kathy Bridge would lead Majestic WI for a term. Helen Craig was the new president for the Walton branch. Auburn Lions welcomed three new members: Keith Lapp, John Bos and Frank Slater. The Brussels swimming pool staff for the first season of operation was Karen Phillips, Karla King, Bonnie Evans, Cindy Evans, Sharon Scott and Kim Fritz. The Brussels Curling Club’s D.A. Rann trophy was presented to Rick McDonald, Fran Bremner. Mervyn Bauer and Marg Taylor. April 22,1998 Kristyn Gerth of Belgrave advanced to the national science fair. Former Blyth Bulldog Ryan Chamney completed his Junior career. Scrimgeour’s Food Market marked its 25th anniversary with an open house and sample fest at the Blyth arena.