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The Citizen, 2005-09-22, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2005. Editorials Opinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising, Ken Warwick & Marcie Riegling 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 JPCIia <*CNA Member of the Ontario Press Council We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright A knotty problem A large group attending a meeting in Hensall recently voted overwhelmingly to try to de-amalgamate their village from the Municipality of Bluewater. Trying to untie the wedding knots among amalgamated municipalities, however, will be much harder than just expressing the public’s will. Amalgamation is like a marriage that no one ever contemplated would end so there is no provision for divorce. The current provincial government has acknowledged that some of the forced marriages of the Harris-government era may not be happy ones and admitted that if a business plan can be put forward to prove that a former municipality can function on its own it will allow for the break-up of the amalgamated municipalities. There’s a long way. however, between saying it will allow de-amalgamation and it actually happening. Recently questions about the ground rules for de-amalgamation were raised at Huron County council. Though no one knew just what procedure the province would accept for divorcing municipalities, it was suggested it was logical to expect the same triple-majority process be followed to dissolve an amalgamation as was used to implement it (the local municipality, the county and the province). If so, those seeking to regain autonomy for their municipalities may face unscaleable obstacles. The first level of majority that would be needed for Hensall to break away from Bluewater, for instance, would be majority support among the councillors in Bluewater. Even if the Hensall ward representatives on Bluewater council agreed with the general feeling of that village that seeks de-amalgamation, the representatives of Zurich, Bayfield, Hay and Stanley will also have to agree in sufficient numbers to form a majority. Since breaking up the union will impact the ratepayers of all those areas, will they be helpful in giving Hensall what it wants? Even if they agree, the de-amalgamation must be approved at the county council level under a triple majority. Are a majority of county councillors, nearly all of them from amalgamated municipalities, going to want to set a precedent for disenchanted residents of a part of their municipalities? Yet if people are truly as unhappy_as the residents of Hensall seem to be from their near-unanimous vote, how can this go on? People of that community are actually asking for divorce when they never really asked lor marriage, just went along with the current of the time. If we really believe in democracy a reasonable divorce procedure for municipalities must be developed.— KR Canada’s business edge While much attention is focussed on the problems with Canada’s health care system, the fact that our government system gives Canadian businesses a competitive advantage versus their American counterparts gels little notice. That advantage is bound to get bigger. Just as health care costs continue to grow here, they’re exploding in the U.S. and since American employers provide the bulk of insurance coverage, the ballooning costs are a serious issue. One recent estimate was that the cost to employers in the U.S. will increase 10 per cent this year alone. While Canadian business leaders regularly unfavourably compare the tax rate in Canada to that in the U.S., they seem to forget the benefits higher Canadian taxes have directly on their bottom line. Despite the perception that companies would never locate in Canada when they could get lower taxes in the U.S., automakers often choose to expand here instead of south of the border, one reason being the savings in health care. In fact, given the past history of American trade complaints, such as the different ways our lumber producers operate than U.S. companies do, n seems likely our health care advantage will be called an unfair subsidy m some future trade dispute. —KR Letter to the editor Looking Back Through the Years I HE EDITOR, I hc council and ratepayers of the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry extend sincere appreciation to St Willibrord Credit Union for the gracious donation to the Bluevale ( (immunity Hall Renovation I’roieci. the Belmore Community ( entre Roofing Project and the Maitland Valley Conservation Mnhority Ecological Park in ingham I he.se grants will assist with making the Bluevale Community II all more accessible for the disabled .mil assist with the expenses for (he new root on the Belmore Community Centre and benefit the whole area with the ecological park. With the Ontario Trillium Foundation Grants received and fundraising events, we anticipate that these projects can be accomplished by the various organizations. We are very fortunate indeed to have such a generous and caring business as St. Willibrord Credit Union in our area taking part in community involvement. Many thanks to all. The Council of Morris- 'liirnberry. Sept. 22, 1948 Dr. D.C. Draper’s vehicle was recovered after being stolen several weeks before. His car had been stolen right from his driveway, and was found some distance off the Lakeshore Highway in a bush, near the town of Forest. A farmer of that district notified the police when he made the discovery. A special opportunity arose for citizens of Goderich and surrounding area, when one of the managers of the Community Concert Company, of New York notified everyone that they would be holding a series of four concerts in order to showcase the many talented artists. Although the concerts were not being held until the winter, the Community Concert Company wanted to raise awareness of the event so that they could have as many people from the area turn out for the show. The concerts revealed an excellent opportunity for the people of Goderich and Blyth to come out and enjoy music of the finest calibre. An assistant in her father's knife­ throwing act, Alice just barely escaped fatal injury during one of their performances in Oshawa, Ontario's open-air theatre. During the show, one of the fourth of eight knives being thrown by ‘Tex’ Orton caught Ms Orton in the neck, right above the shoulder line. Amazingly, this is the third close encounter for Alice in the time that she has been posing as the ‘target’. Sept. 19, 1973 The Blyth Masonic Lodge celebrated its 100th year of existence. The special feature was a presentation of a 50-year jewel to Worshipful Brother Elwin Munro of Orangeville. Mr. Munro joined the Lodge in June of 1923 and was Worshipful Master in June of 1932. There was news that the Canadian Transport Commission had given permission for the Canadian National Railways to remove station buildings from many local rail lines. This*signalled a definite end to the hopes of a revival of a railway passenger service in western Ontario. The action worried a lot of local residents who could not drive themselves very far and who used the railway as a main mode of transportation. There would be a real need for help for a lot of residents, but of course, without the railway, no-one would be able to make it out here to see. Sept 20, 1989 A picture was shown in the paper of what was once known as the Guelph-Goderich CP rail line sitting in the former Blyth rail yard waiting to be shipped out ... by trucks. Crews had been working for weeks along the rail-line lifting rails and ties for salvage. A saddening last look at a huge part of Blyth and area heritage. Three area youths were involved in a single vehicle accident on Blind Line Road at Sideroad 15-16 of Grey Twp. One of the youths was driving a 1983 Chevrolet Impala east on Blind Line at 80 km an hour when he approached the intersection too quickly. The brakes locked on ahd the vehicle skidded across the intersection and rolled over in the ditch. The authorities stated that there were two passengers, as well as the male driver. One of the two passengers was taken to Wingham hospital after sustaining minor injuries. The damage to the vehicle was severe. Held over at the Park Theatre was Uncle Buck, starring John Candy. Also, at the Lyceum Theatre was Weekend At Bernie Sept. 21, 1994 The Ontario Provincial Police were investigating the thefts of three bicycles from Blyth. Two of the bikes were taken from a Mill Street residence. They were owned by two girls who were babysitting at the home. The bikes were described as a pink and white Pro Tour six-speed and a pink mountain bike. Another local man reported a black mountain bike missing from his home. The bike had apparently been exchanged for one of the ones stolen earlier that week. Police were still on the hunt for the suspect. Loose cattle caused an accident in East Wawanosh Twp. A 19-year-old from Lucknow was travelling west on Cone. 10-11 when several cattle appeared in the middle of the road. The youth tried to avoid them, but ended up hitting one. There was moderate damage to the 1991 Mercury Topaz and the driver escaped injury. There was no word on injuries to any of the cattle. An amazing 3,118 exhibits were shown at the 74th annual Blyth, Belgrave and Brussels school fair. There were 1,567 school work exhibits and 1,551 fair exhibits. Sept. 7,1994 Betty Battye was named Blyth’s Citizen of the Year. Nominators stated she was always seen lending a hand at many community endeavours, and had been keeping very active since her retirement from teaching, doing everything from helping with school and theatre events to planting flowers around town. A true top citizen she was helping out wherever she was needed. The Brussels Terry Fox Run broke records. The total tallied at press time was $5,049.09. The highest fundraisers were Doug and Rhonda McArter who brought in a total of $812.