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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-02-04, Page 44 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Feb. 4, 2004 Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 Tom Williscraft - Publisher Susan Hundertmark - Editor Dianne McGrath - Subscriptions/Classifieds Bernie Pugh Office/Sales Sara Campbell - Reporter Anne Roden - Distribution C^� OUEBECOR MEDIA E-mail us at seaforth@bowesnet.com Visit our home page at www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 35.85 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. SENIORS: - 33.85 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. USA & Foreign: 35.85 a year in advance, plus $78.00 postage, G.S.T. exempt Published weekly by Signal -Star Publishing at 11 Main St., Seaforth. Publication mail registration No. 40029693 held at Seaforth, Ontario. Advertising is accepted on condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, wit 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 Advertising is merely an offer to sell and moy be withdrawn at any time.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, P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ont. NOK 1 W0. Publication Mail Registration No. 7605 • Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004 Editorial and Business Offices - 1 1 Male titreet.,tieaferth Telephone (519) 527-0240 Pee (519) 527.2555 Mailing Address - P.O. Bee 69, tlseeforth, Ontario, NOK 1 WO Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association, Ontario Community Newspapers Association "We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs." Editorial RCMP tactics smack of media intimidation If the RCMP wants to know who leaked damaging information about Syrian -born Canadian Maher Arar, it should start by investigating itself. And not by storming the home and office of Ottawa Citizen reporter Juliet O'Neill, confiscating her notebooks and Rolodex and even looking through her underwear drawer. O'Neill was simply doing her job last November when she reported on suspicions by the Mounties and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) that Arar had terrorist connections — allegations Arar has denied and which have never been substantiated. The irony of the RCMP raid on O'Neill is that this was the very information our security agencies wanted made public about Arar — anonymous allegations Arar has complained he has no way of fighting and which have wrecked his life. As O'Neill wrote in her Nov. 8 story which sparked last week's raid: "It was in defence of their investigative work - against suggestions that the RCMP and (CSIS) had either bungled Mr. Arar's case, or worse, purposefully sent an innocent man to be tortured in Syria — that security officials leaked allegations against him in the weeks leading to his retum to Canada." The Arar case increasingly sounds like the plot of a Kafka novel in which a citizen is slowly ground under by a relentless, anonymous government bureaucracy. The Liberal,government's response has been a maze of contradictions. Prime Minister Paul Martin said he didn't believe O'Neill was a criminal, but didn't know enough to comment further. Public Security Minister Anne McLellan defended the RCMP raid, saying we should all be concerned that someone was leaking damaging information about poor Mr. Arar. Problem is, the Liberals sure took their sweet time worrying about poor Mr. Arar after U.S. authorities arrested him at New York's JFK airport in September, 2002, while he was on his way home to Canada, and deported him to his native Syria. There, Arar says, he was tortured and forced to make false confessions. Last October, the Syrians finally freed Arar — without charging him — and he returned to Canada. Even Arar's own lawyer has condemned the RCMP raid on O'Neill, adding it's also unacceptable the RCMP is conducting the investigation since its members were likely the source of the leaks against Arar in the first place. In December, Martin said he saw no evidence of wrongdoing by Canadian law enforcement or security officials. But that was well after the damaging Teaks about Arar had started appearing, which the RCMP now says were a crime. Meanwhile, the U.S. television show 60 Minutes II reported last week that Canadian law enforcement agencies knew about Arar's deportation in advance and sanctioned it — which Canada has denied. Arar has since launched a lawsuit against U.S. authorities. To sum up, the conduct of our own govemment in the Arar affair is highly suspect and the Mounties' tactics smack of media intimidation. It's time for a public inquiry. - Sun Media HO Letters can be All le and acc nu for Opinion Cattlemen president remains optimistic U.S. will open borders to Canadian beef To the Editor, In late December a six -and -a -half -year-old dairy cow was diagnosed with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE, or "mad cow disease") in Washington State in the U.S. The origin of the cow was traced to Canada. I wanted to write and update your readers on what this means to the Canadian beef industry. While the diagnosis was a surprise, it was not entirely unexpected. The international panel that reviewed Canada's investigation into the cow diagnosed with BSE in Alberta last May had indicated a few additional animals might be found with BSE. The discovery of this second animal doesn't change Canada's status as a country at minimal risk for BSE. According to international guidelines, provided all necessary precautions are in place, a country can have up to one case of BSE per million head of cattle and still maintain a minimal risk status. The cattle population in Canada is currently 15 million head. We remain cautiously optimistic that the U.S. will soon re -open its borders to live cattle from minimal risk regions, including Canada. Much has been written in the media lately about Japan's insistence that all cattle slaughtered be tested for BSE. The purpose of BSE testing is not to ensure food safety. Other food safety'regulations, especially the removal at slaughter of parts of a carcass (Specified Risk Material) that could pose a risk if the animal were infected with BSE, ensure the safety of North American beef. The purpose of testing is surveillance. It determines the prevalence of the disease in Canada's cattle population and ensures that regulations to prevent the disease from spreading are working. Of the 3.5 million cattle slaughtered in Canada each year, approximately 85 per cent are well under the age of 30 months. Cattle under 30 months of age rarely ever exhibit BSE or have the abnormal prions present in their central nervous system. Therefore testing these cattle would be a waste of money and resources that could be spent preventing commonly occurring food safety concerns that present real risks to consumers. Some Canadians question why we don't give in to Japan's demands in order to regain access to their market. Canada is urging other countries to base their trade decisions related to BSE on sound scientific principles. Overreacting by introducing testing that goes way beyond what is necessary based on science would encourage other countries to continue to react in an irrational manner. I'd like to close by thanking Canadians for their continued support for our beef industry during this time of difficulty. By continuing to add an additional meal or two of beef to their family's menu each week, Canadian consumers are supporting not only cattle producers but workers in rural communities right across the country. The rural regions are the backbone of our nation. Canada needs strong rural communities for the health of our nation, from coast to coast. Neil Jahnke President, Canadian Cattlemen's Association Livestock farmers want compromise with federal environment department Ontario livestock farmers and their organizations are in search of a solution to the By Ron Bonnett, OFA president confrontations that are taking place across the province between fanners and the Federal Department of the Environment. The department is responsible for enforcing a portion of the Fisheries Act that, when enforced as written, can result in a farmer being fined up to $300,000 or spending six months in jail if livestock is allowed to set foot in a stream or river adjacent to that farmer's property. A representative of the Ontario Cattlemen's Association made a presentation to the January board meeting of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture on the subject. He indicated a high level of frustration exists within the farming community with the way the department is See FARMERS, Page 5 Families out of coal and wood forced to leave homes, move into hotels in 1904 FEBRUARY 7, 1879 T. E. Hays, warden of Huron, entertained members of the county council, the county officials and a number of friends at a complimentary support at the British Hotel in Goderich. The vice chairmen at the event were D.D. Wilson, of Seaforth, and Wm. Glegg, of Blyth. The new Presbyterian church at Egmondville was formally opened on Sunday last. Rev. Graham preached in the afternoon and in the evening Rev. Thos. Musgrave, of McKillop, delivered a happy and profitable address. Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Campbell, of McKillop, were proceeding home from Seaforth when their conveyance capsized. Mrs. Campbell was thrown out and she fractured her arm. John Henderson, of McKillop, while starting to cut straw with a power machine had his left hand, which had a mitt on it, caught by the knives. The greater parts of two of his fingers and the third were entirely cut off. Charles Redmond, of Kippen, has purchased from Mr. Mellis a part lot for the sum of $100 per acre. FEBRUARY 6, 1904 Dr. R.E. Copper, of Seaforth, was appointed Grand superintendent of Huron District at the Grand Chapter of Royal Masons held in Toronto last month. Harry Chesney, son of Wm. Chesney of Egmondville, who was engaged as a brakesman on the CPR has been promoted to the position of Conductor on the same run. Years Agone... The stormy weather and bad roads have completely paralyzed business. Wm. Smithers, who has been here for some time, left for his home in Eudcrten, North Dakota, taking with him a life partner in the person of Miss Bennett, niece of Mrs. Jamieson, of the Huron Road. Peter Daley has resumed his position as head carver in J. W. Beatties meat business. Several families in town who are out of coal and wood have been compelled to vacate their residences and some are living at the hotels and others with friends. Pathmaster Delaney, of Dublin, has made a number of sidings on the Beechwocxl side where thc nervous travellers can switch off and allow other travellers to pass without the danger there formerly was of either one or the other going down out of sight in the immense banks of snow that this road has always bean noted for. FEBRUARY 15, 1929 One of the heaviest snowfalls of the winter came on Monday night when nearly two feet of snow fell on the level. At the Ladies Aid meeting of Cavan Church, Mrs. Cuthill, Mrs. McClure and Mrs. Johnston were presented with Life membership certificate. A successful father and son banquet was held in the Bruceficld church. Speaker was Rev. W.P. Lane, of Seaforth. Miss Effie Balfour is spending a month in Seaforth visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Edler. C. Bennett, of Winthrop. and Ed. Miller, of Walton, paid a flying visit to London. The weather man has been handing out some real snappy weather and it was claimed that Monday morning was one at the skating rink at Hensall arranged by Miss Ellis, Miss Buchanan and Claude Blowcs. Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Holdbcin, of Seaforth, celebrated their 64th anniversary of thcir marriage. Mr. Holdbcin is in his 86th year and Mrs. Holdbcin is 83. There were 13 .deaths in thc Township of Tuckcrsmith during the month of January. W.F. Darrock, of thc Wolverton Mill in Seaforth, has leased the residence of Louis Aberhart on Goderich Street. FEBRUARY 13, 1954 Miss Mabel Turnbull was re-elected chairman of the Carnegie Library Board. According to Miss Turnbull circulation has increased during the past year to over 9,000. F.J. Sills was re- elected secretary -treasurer and Miss Greta Thompson was re -appointed Librarian. Mr. and Mrs. J. O'Rourke, of Dublin will celebrate their golden anniversary on Feb. 18 when they will he at home to thcir friends and neighbours. Following an illness of three weeks the death occurred in St. Joseph's Hospital in London, of Seaforth postmaster Chas. P. Sills and widely known Seaforth resident. He had been postmaster for 30 years and was a veteran of World War I when he served in France for 22 months. The family night party of the Seaforth W.I. was held in the Seaforth Community Centre. Jean Papple favoured with a recitation and Walker Hart led in community singing. Step dancing by Mrs. Storey accompanied by Mr. Hart was much enjoyed. FEBRUARY 8, 1979 The winter's most serious storm so fir, closed area schools on Monday and resulted in the Goderich OPP temporarily closing Seaforth arca highways. Many township roads were closed or reduced to one lane track but there was no drastic increase in accidents in this immediate area. One of Scaforth's older homes was demolished last week to make way for the new senior citizens' apartment building which will be built on the site. John H. McLlwain Construction demolished the building on Thursday. The home was once the kitchen of the hotel which was located where the Royal Apartment Building now stands. The house was moved to John Street in 1869 and used as a residence until the land was purchased for the senior citizens complex. Lloyd Eisler, of Egmondville; is one of six Canadian skaters who will be competing in the junior world pairs competition in Augsburg, Germany in March. Lloyd and his partner, Lorri Baler, of Mitchell, captured the junior pairs title at the Canadian figure skating championships in Thunder Bay last week. Ron & Dove Hey Ron, What's a conservative? A conservative is someone who believes in fiscal responsibility within a ionote socie dmRQronorddeve cam A liberal is someone who believes in a compassionate society with fiscal responsibility. Oh, okay, then what's a liberal? by David Lacey What's the diff