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Huron Expositor, 2000-03-29, Page 4THE HURON EXPOSITOR. March 29. 2000 Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 Terri -Lynn Hart - Publisher Pat Armes - Office Manager Scott Hilgendorff - Editor Dianne McGrath • Stbscripions/Cassifieds Susan Hundertmark - Reporter Katrina Dietz - Sales & Distribution Bowes Publishers Limited $.e.r„., 5.. MAW c y...,.. - e Q..r,.. r..y..., E-mail us at seoforthabowesnet. com SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 32.50 a year, in advance, plus 2.28 G.S.T. SENIORS: - 30.00 o year, in advance, plus 2.10 G.S.T. USA 8 Foreign: 28.44 a year in odvance, plus $78.00 postage, G.S.T. exempt SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Published weekly by Signal -Star Publishing at 100 Main St., Seaforth. Publication mail registration No. 0696 held at Seaforth, Ontario. Advertising is accepted on condition that in the even* of a typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate In the event of a typographical error, advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely on offer to sell and may be withdrawn at ony time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproduction purposes. Changes of address, orders for subscriptions and undeliverable copies are to be sent to The Huron Expositor. Wednesday, March 29, 2000 Editorial and Business (Maw - 100 Maisrarsreer.,feaferlh T.lephone (519) 527-0240 Fax (819) 527-2958 Mania. Address - P.O. Bess 69, Seaforth, Ontario, NOK 1 WO Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association, Ontario Community Newspapers Association Publication Mail Registration No. 07605 Editorial Confederate flag debate in States a sign of the time. r for both Canada and the US The Confederate Flag. Not even close to a Canadian symbol but something worth taking notice of as a debate continues in the Southern United States. In South Carolina, the governor refuses to stop flying it atop the state's government buildings. And the protest against the flag grows. At issue is what the flag rebresents. Supporters say it is a symbol of The South. It's opposers say it is nothing less than a symbol of racism. It was a flag that existed at a time when African Americans were struggling to find freedom through the underground railroad to Canada with an entry point into our land of freedom, less than a three-hour drive from here. But the freedom to fly that flag is now being debated. While the single issue surrounding the flag may not be ours to worry about, it is still worth watching for two distinctly different reasons. , The first is how something can be turned into a symbol of hate. Until the protest against the flag began, it was a symbol of Southern pride. It represented both the good and the bad of a region in the United States. Now, it is being turned into a symbol of hatred by white people against black because of a part of the Southern history that saw that flag created at a time when people embraced the ideas of slavery. It used to represent The South but as more people take up the cry against it, they are giving it power as a symbol of hatred. The second is how we must worry as a North American society that we are little by little, chipping away at similar freedoms enjoyed by Canada and The United States --freedoms like that of speech and religion. We live in a world where we are supposedly allowed to have our own beliefs but face being criticized or even losing our jobs if we share those beliefs at what another person might feel is the wrong time or place and decide he or she is offended by them. Just like people have decided to be offended by the Confederate flag. Scott Hilgendorff Opinion Letters PROTECT disagrees with how manure storage study was done To the Editor: On March 10, Ontario Pork held a press conference to release the findings from an assessment conducted by - Komex International on 50 liquid manure storage system sites on hog farms in Southwestern Ontario. PROTECT (Presenting Recommendations on Township Environmental Concerns Together) had previously indicated it would issue a response once it had a chance to review the report. PROTECT would like to emphasize that it fully supports Ontario Pork's initiative to conduct a study and to make the results available for public review. We commend Ontario Pork on their proactive approach in accepting ownership for the problems and concerns faced by their industry. By taking this "first step", they have determined a direction in which all agriculture producers and community members could work together on addressing the environmental issues at hand. In response to the findings of this report, PROTECT would like to acknowledge our disappointment with the process. After being asked to participate in the study, we were arbitrarily excluded from meetings to review the draft and final reports. We were denied the opportunity for open discussion on the data and to contribute to the conclusions. Our review of the published report and the press announcement raises serious concerns. Initially 100 sites were selected. by Ontario Pork to participate in the study. Komex then chose a sample of 50 sites from that list to reflect a representative variety of factors and conditions. The question is, "Were the original 100 sites a random representation of all barn sites?" For example, if producers thought their sites were suspect, would they have volunteered to participate? The possibility of a favourable bias is something to keep in mind when reaching conclusions. Komex was cautioned to consider the impact of building perimeter and field drain tiles. These tiles could very well allow leaked contaminants- from storage tanks, to escape the site, therefore reducing the site readings. The report makes no reference to this. We mention this as another possible source of favourable bias. Of the 50' sites in the sample, eight sites or 16 per cent "appear to be impacting groundwater." Given this, PROTECT takes exception to the conclusion that "the results do not raise serious concerns of extensive environmental impacts of hog manure storage facilities." The study indicated this was a 1 per cent sample of the 5100 pork producers. Given that many pork producers have several facilities, the sample was probably less than Iper cent. Even if we accept a 1 per cent sample rate, it suggests that 816 (ie. 16 per cent of 5100) storage facilities have problems. We feel that is cause for concern. PROTECT feels the press release did not acknowledge the full extent of the problem. While the focus of the study was on leaking facilities, it also revealed 11 other sites (22 per cent) that had impacts unrelated to leaks. Each of these had "nitrate concentrations in groundwater above the drinking water guidelines, along with elevated chlpride concentrations." Thus the 1 per cent sample indicates there could be problems at a further 1122 sites (ie. 22 per cent of 5100). All together, 19 sites. or 38 per cent, indicated serious problems. Given the 1 per cent sample size, this equates to 1938 sites with problems just in Southwestern Ontario. As discussed above, the total sites with problems could be understated, given the possibility of bias in the sample selection, and the fact that some producers have more than one site. While plans for follow up were somewhat uncertain, the study has shown the likely presence of a more pervasive problem. This" leaves the industry,and the public with some critical open questions: • If field and perimeter drain tiles had been given full consideration, to what extent would they have impacted the results? • What will be done to identify, all facilities with problems? , • Will problem correction by producers be voluntary? • Are there adequate skills and equipment available to initially audit all facilities? • Who will pay for the cost of identifying problem sites See CLOSURES, Page 2 Town can be proud of one of its citizens To the Editor: Seaforth and area have reason to be especially proud of another of its citizens this week. Eighty-eight year old Harold Coleman put together a fund raising dance in one week and was able to collect more than $1800 from it. All of this money that came from door receipts and donations at the door is for the Seaforth Student Success' Foundation; to go towards the legal fund supporting Seaforth District High School. The committee fighting to keep our school in Seaforth is preparing for the May 19 hearing to be held in London in front of a panel of three judges. Mr. Coleman was a trustee for the school for 10 years and realizes the importance of keeping our 'youth in our community. This type of support 'shows the strength and commitment that, people have to the Seaforth and area community. Maureen Agar for the Seaforth Student Success Foundation Thermometer shows 15 degress below zero carnival held in the new arena. March 19th, 1875 It is our painful office to record the death of Daniel Lizars, clerk of the peace for Huron County which took place in Goderich at the age of 82 years. David Jonson of town has purchased the residence of J.P,Kendall, opposite the Canada Presbyterian Church for $1,100.00. We noticed by a Dundee (Scotland) paper that James Wanless of Varna who is at present visiting the scenes of his youth in the Old Country, addressed a large gathering of temperance people recently. G.Dobson of Clinton has sold his farm of 50 acres in the Huron Road to Richard Carter his next neighbor. The 17th of "Ould Ireland" was . celebrated by the Irishmen of Carronbrook and vicinity by a dinner at Callaghan's Hotel. About 100 guests sat down. The McKillop Council met at Hannah's Tavern with all members present. It was moved and seconded by Mr.Kerr and Mr. Bell that Soloman Shannon be re- appointed treasurer for the present year. The house of Mr. Yellow on the Huron. Road, Tuckersmith, next to Chris Dale's farm was burned to the ground. March 16, 1900 S.S.Cooper of Clinton has been awarded the contract for a new brick school house in Constance. Mrs.Dominic Reynolds of Hullett, died last week at the age of 69 years. Both she and Mr. Reynolds were natives of Ireland. W.E.Hoggarth, breeder of fancy poultry of Hensall has lately shipped a grand pair of Barred Plymouth Rocks to a gentleman in Winnipeg; a. white Leghorn Cockerel to a gentleman in Forest and a pair of pullets to a fancier of Woodstock. A very pleasant event took place at the resident of. Thos. Pryce, McKillop when Miss Polly was united in marriage to John Scott Bolton. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Mr.Trffin. The thermometer was 15 Years agone degrees below zero on Monday morning last. This is pretty good for March. J.M.Best, barrister, was in St.Thomas attending the assizes in a professional capacity. The demand for wood is still brisk and every load is snapped up at good prices. Josiah Watson, of Seaforth saw mill, is getting in a big supply of logs. He will have as large a stock as has ever been in the yard in Seaforth. Wm. Fowler of Enderlin, North Dakota, is visiting his father in Harpurhey who is very ill. Wm. Adams of town has purchased the residence of Wm. Reidy on North Main St. for $700.00. Alex Ross of Brucefield held an immense wood bee and it wound up with a dance at night with music furnished by Abe Forsythe. March 20th, 1925 Wm. McSpadden of Winthrop left last week for the west on a visit to his sisters. Messrs. Joe and Stephen Eckert of • Manley have completed their contract in pulling down the old land mark in the Cowan farm. Geb. Kistner of Manley met with a painful accident, when he slipped on the ice, but it was found that no bones were broken. .The auction sale of G.W.Nott of Alma was a good success. There was a large crowd present and the bidding was keen. G.H.Elliott of Clinton wielded the hammer. A painful accident occurred to Willie Parker of Chiselhurst one day recently while cutting wood with others. In some way the saw of the next man buckled, coming in contact with his hand and causing a severe cut. Scott Davidson of Brucefield has bought the old McQueen farm on the London Road from McDonald Bros. The following from the Sault Ste Marie Star will interest many old friends here as Mr. Moore is an old Tuckerslnith boy. "Two Wolf pelts were shipped to the Ontario Government for bounty by John A. Junor and John Moore of McLennan, Algoma." Miss Irene O'Sullivan of St. Columban has finished he course at the Business College at Stratford. Alfred Melick of Zurich has taken into partnership Albert J. Kalbfleisch of Hay Twp. Sugar making is now the order of the day at Mensal!, and some very mice molasses has been sold on the market. The vote on the question of church union in connection with First Presbyterian Church was concluded and the result of the voting was announced as follows: Possible vote` 450; votes cast 311; for union 91; against union 220; majority against 129. March 17th, 1950 The Schneider Orpheus Male Choir, Kitchener, sponsored by the Men's Club of First Presbyterian Church, presented one of the finest musical programs Seaforth has been privileged to hear for some time. The 1.O.O.F. Rebekahs and Order of the Eastern Star sponsored a euchre party when 60 people enjoyed the cards. The prize winners were, Ladies 1st Mrs. Mae Dorance; lone hands - Mrs. Mae Free; Consolation, Mrs. Wm. Kelly; Gents 1st Percy Little; Lone hands Cecil Oke, Consolation Willis Dundas. Mrs. Paul Doig was the guest speaker at the Women's Institute held at the home of Miss Mabel Cameron when she chose as her subject "Being an Optimist". ' Miss Rita Duncan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.J.Duncan Seaforth, has been elected secretary;treasurer of the Windsor Social Workers Club. A large crowd attended the John W.Steward, a life long resident of Usborne Twp. died suddenly at his home. He was one of the best known farmers of the district. Stuart McBride, Kippen, has won a $1,250 scholarship at Western University. Joseph Mason, has moved into the home owned by Mrs. J.Ferguson, Goderich St. West. Rev. H.E.Livingstone of Brownsville has accepted the call extended to him' by the McKillop charge. March 27, 1975 Tuckersmith Township wants to meet again with the 160 residents of Egmondville on a proposed sewage system and treatment facilities for the hamlet before a plebiscite is taken. Mrs. Robert Middleton, while playing a game of cribbage with her husband recently held a count of 29, which is a perfect hand. There is no bigger count in cribbage and this rarely occurs. The Stars capped off a perfect season last Sunday night by winning the playoff championship and walked off with all the awards and honors available in the Industrial Hockey League. Occupancy rate at Seaforth Community Hospital during February is up substantially over budget figures it was revealed by finance committee chairman Mrs. Don Morton at the March meeting of the board Tuesday evening. In February occupancy stood at 78.9% compared to a budgeted occupancy of 68%. This week in the Legislature. the Minister of Education announced that the Government will raise ceiling on school board spending by $50.00 for each elementary and secondary school pupil "because of continued inflation". Boards will now be permitted to spend $926.00 for each elementary school student and $1,441 for each high school student.