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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-09-08, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2005. Editorials Opinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising, Ken Warwick 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 PAP 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 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 >>cna®<A Member of the Ontario Press Council We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright Thanks to those who do Labour Day is past, the kids are back to school and the coming weeks will be filled with special community events beginning this week with Blyth’s Thresher Reunion, continuing with fairs in Belgrave and Brussels and capping off when our neighbours in Perth County host the gigantic International Plowing Match. Most of us will be consumers at these events. We want to go and enjoy ourselves. If something isn’t as exciting or as well-organized as we think it should be, we’re likely to complain, as we would if the vegetables weren’t fresh at the supermarket or the bathrooms dirty in a restaurant. Behind the scenes at these events, however, are people who are participants, not observers. They are the volunteers who keep these events going for the rest of us to enjoy. They have no profit motive, except watching the enjoyment of the people who come or the pleasure of working with others to accomplish something wonderful for their community. They’re usually invisible to those of us who are simply consumers at these shows. We’re watching the exciting things while they’re plugging away making things happen, from taking admission to picking up garbage we heedlessly drop. There are, naturally, more of us consumers than there are the people who work to make these events possible. As we move toward a more consumer-oriented society sometimes it becomes harder to find the volunteers to help keep these events going. The rural tradition of pitching in is being weakened by an attitude that these things are here for our enjoyment and people forget that someone has to make it happen. We should thank all those who work so hard to make these community events successful for us to enjoy. We should also consider whether we’re missing out on something if we’re always just consumers instead of getting involved in making it happen. — KR The thin layer of civilization When a natural disaster strikes, as Hurricane Katrina did last week on the U.S. gulf coast, we’re reminded how narrow the gap is between the First World and the Third. So many of the pictures beamed from New Orleans and other communities in the path of the powerful storm reminded viewers of the destruction of southern Asian communities hit by the tsunami earlier this year. Those countries, we felt, were already poor. The destruction now has happened in the richest country in the world. But so much of the comfort in our North American lives depends on technology that’s vulnerable to natural disaster. We’ve experienced this in Canada with the ice storm that hit eastern Ontario and Quebec destroying the electrical distribution system. Without electricity people were in danger of freezing. The situation was so much worse in New Orleans, a city built on faith in human ingenuity. The city is below sea level, protected by levees to keep the water out and pumps to take water away that is inside the enclosure. The storm breached the levies and the water flooded in. The high winds knocked out the power and the pumps didn’t work. People drowned in the floods. Rescuers were hampered in efforts to save people’s lives by flooded streets and a lack of transportation. Back in 1998 a $ 14-billion plan was put forward to give the city more protection. No doubt there were people who argued such a storm would never happen and the money shouldn’t be spent — much as many people argue against government spending to prevent global warming today. If something costs money no one wants to do it until its need is proven — usually when it’s too late. —KR Letter to the editor Looking Back Through the Years THE EDITOR, Plans are once again brewing at The Alzheimer Society of Huron County as we prepare for our 10th annual Coffee Break fundraiser. The official date is Wednesday, Sept. 21 which is National Coffee Break Day right across Canada, but any day in September is just fine to host a Coffee Break. We are beginning our quest for enthusiastic and creative people to host coffee breaks all throughout Huron County. Simply invite your Iriends, neighbours, colleagues and clients to “take a break” and make a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Huron County. Last year 98 Coffee Breaks were held throughout Huron County. Hosts raised more than $15,000. Amazing success! II you have never hosted before. please consider doing so as every new event means new people are being reached with the Alzheimer message. Ninety per cent of money raised during Coffee Break stays right here in Huron County to help the. Alzheimer society provide education and support for persons with Alzheimer disease, their families and caregivers. The remaining 10 per cent of money raised is designated for research. If you want more information on how you can host a Coffee Break, please contact me at Alzheimer Society of Huron County at 482- 1482 or 1-800-561-5012. Sincerely, Theresa Wilson Events Co-ordinator Alzheimer Society of Huron County. Sept. 8, 1948 Blyth Public School made the news with its back-to-school season when they had a total of 19 - beginners enroll for the 1948-49 school year. This was one of the largest beginner classes in the history of Blyth PS. Some of the young ones included Wayne Johnston, Lyle Taman, Patricia Ann Heffron, Dorothy Bailie, Jeanne Hodgins, Yvonne Gibson, Nancy Campbell, Karen Cook, Margeret Ann Doherty, Ronnie Tunney, Ronnie Lockwood, Diane Radford, Carol Marks, Patsy Richt, Dorothy Riehl, Sammie Dougherty, Audrey Lawrence, and Graham Jackson. The Blyth Girls Lions Boys and Girls Band placed fourth among six other strong competitors at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. The band did extremely well, and did Blyth proud, competing against the other highly trained bands. The placings and points scored were as follows: London Police Boys Band, 93; Guelph Junior Band, 87; Assumption High School Band, 81; Blyth Lions Club Band, 80; Assoc. Bands of Essex South, 76 and Midland Boys’ Band, 75. The self-styled leader of the notorious ‘Beanery’ gang was in police custody in Barrie on accusations of making life miserable for residents at the Ontario summer resorts. Unable to raise bail money on an assault charge, he pleaded “My folks have deserted me -1 don’t want to go back to jail.” Sept. 6, 1972 The federal government offered a $400 cash grant to the approximate 22,500 farmers in wet-damaged areas of Ontario and Quebec. The federal cash grant, which was expected to total $9,000,000, rounds out the assistance programs which were being developed jointly with the provincial ministers of agriculture. Sept. 10,1986 A Blyth-Area resident, Jerry McDonnell, was appointed TVOntario Southwestern Regional councillor. Mr. McDonnell was formerly a teacher at F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham, and would then represent the interests of the Blyth area to TVO. A local woman was charged with theft when she appeared in Exeter district court. The woman, who was native to Auburn, pled guilty to theft but was not sentenced pending the investigation of two other charges being sent down from the Listowel police. She faced a charge from the previous May of stealing an amplifier, and a set of phone plugs from McLean’s Home Hardware in Exeter. Evidence revealed that the woman went to the cashier and paid only for a saw blade and a subsequent investigation found the plugs and amplifier in her vehicle. Her lawyer stated that she was facing similar charges in Listowel. She would appear again later that year for sentencing. A number of local music students were successful at the Royal Conservatory of Music examinations. Cindy Bernard and Sherry Hoegy tied for first place in Preliminary Rudiments with First Class Honours, with 98 per cent each. They next received Grade 5 Royal Conservatory Pianoforte Certificates. Elizabeth denDekker won second place with First Class Honours of 83 per cent and received her Grade 6 Royal Conservatory Pianoforte certificate. In the Pianoforte section: Grade 4, Heather Wheeler received Honours with 72 per cent; Grade 6, Elizabeth denDekker was first in this class with Honours with 78 per cent; Cindy Bernard gained Honours with 72 per cent; Sherry Hoegy had Honours with 71 per cent. Donna Higgins passed and received her Grade 8 Royal Conservatory Pianoforte certificate as she previously passed three theory exams with First Class Honours. These were the students of Mrs. Winona Martin of Brussels. Playing at the Park Theatre in Goderich was a comedy starring Roger Dangerfield appropriately called Back To School. Also playing was About Last Night starring Rob Lowe and Jim Belushi. Sept. 6,1989 A young Wroxeter-area man was struck down while crossing Turnberry Street in Brussels. The accident occurred when a 1986 Chev driven by a Paisley woman was southbound through the business section of Brussels. The Wroxeter man, who was travelling west, allegedly ran out in front of the car. The driver didn’t see the pedestrian and struck him'with the right front side of the vehicle, knocking him to the ground. The man was taken to Wingham and District Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. There was no damage to the car, and there were no charges being laid in the incident. Sept. 7,1994 For the first time in its history, the provincial finals for the National Barrel Horse Association were held in the Brussels area at the CJS Arena. The co-proprietor said “The event went great and I am quite pleased with the participation. Though there were only 13 racers, they were quality competitors. They are amongst the leaders in Ontario in other barrel racing associations.” Christine Eskritt of Brussels and her sister Caroline placed sixth and ninth in competition, doing their hometown proud.