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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-02-23, Page 44 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Feb. 23, 2005 Exru Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 Tom Williscraft - Publisher Dianne McGdli • Subsaiptions/Uassifieds Jason Middleton - Reporter C�1 Susan Hundertmark - Editor Bernie Pugh - Office/Advertising Adrienne Peckitt - Composing Anne Roden - Distribution OUEBKOR MEDIA E-mail us at seaforth@bowesnet.com Visit our home page at www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com 5UBSCRIPi)ON 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 $83.20 postage, G.S.T. exempt Published weekly by Sun Media at 11 Main St., Seaforth. 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, will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rote. 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 -Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible for the lou or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reprodociion purposes. PUBUCATION MAIL AGREEMENT 40029693 PAP REGISTRATION NO. 7605 RETURN UNDEUVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO Circulation Department P.O. Box 69 Seaforth, ON., NOK 1 W0 e-mail: seaforth@bowesnet.com Wednesday, February 23, 2005 ldlterlal cool Business Offices - 11 Mato Sbeet.,featerth Tolophoae 1519) 527-0240 Pax (519) 527-2556 Matlia6 Address - P.O. Sex 69, $.afor$s, Ontario, NOK 1 WO Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association & the Ontario Community Newspapers Association "We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs." Canadtt Editorial Huron East tax delay brings attention to farm income crisis Huron East council has taken a novel approach to the farm income crisis which is hitting Canadian producers. Council is delaying all farmland taxation until September to help local farmers find enough dollars to put crops in the ground this spring. While the decision may not leave all hat much money in each farmer's individual pocket, it is estimated to leave $836,940 in the municipality's farm economy until September. It's a courageous act meant to provide relief while also lighting a fire under the derrieres of provincial and federal politicians, to try to show them how serious things havereally become. Huron East Mayor Joe Seili said "this is a way to show we're listening." Well, that's more than can be said for many of the politicians at the federal and provincial levels. In real terms, the Huron East decision may do little to preserve the long-term viability of farms and one wonders if one more deferred expense is going to help an industry reeling from the U.S. ban on cattle imports from Canada as well as nosediving crop and commodity prices. But, Huron County Federation of Agriculture president Nick Whyte praised the Huron East council action as "a very helpful move ... thoughtful and considerate" and he said "I would encourage every municipality to follow their lead." We echo Whyte's words. However, the solution to the problem our farmers face is not in Huron East. It is in Queen's Park and on Parliament Hill. That is why the understandably frustrated farmers of this province are getting ready to attend a rally at Queen's Park in Toronto on Wednesday, March 2. The 'One Voice March' rally, backed by general farm organizations and commodity organizations, is a much-needed step to bring the concerns of this vital industry to government members who just don't seem to understand the importance of agriculture to the Canadian economy. Government is slow to hear the voices of farmers from places like Huron County, the economic leader in that life-giving economic sector. It's time to speak loudly. It's time to speak with one voice. It's time to educate the decision -makers about how important you are to Canada's economy and, its future. How to access us Letters to the Editor and other submissions can be made to us by noon on Mondays at: seaforth@bowesnet.com All letters and submissions must be signed and accompanied by a day -time telephone number. All submissions are subject to editing for both length and content. Don't forget to check out our homepage at: www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com ttt'FS Block Parent story needs clarification, says letter writer To the Editor, Thank you to the Huron Expositor for taking the time to highlight the Block Parent Program; however, I am experiencing deja vu. Last year, I had to take the same action as I am going to have to do in this letter. I need to clarify that the St. James and Seaforth Schools took action on the Block Parent Program. They put articles in their newsletters asking for help with the program and there was no response to these notices. I apologize for the ill feelings that may have been caused by the quote in the newspaper last week on this issue. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Block Parents over the years. Sincerely, Lauren Rooyakkers Pizza Bob's lively personality will be missed says long-time Pizza Train customer To the Editor, I really enjoyed reading your story about the retirement of Pizza Bob from his business, the Pizza Train. I enjoyed .it because his pizzas are great, he has a lively personality, and he's a fixture of the community. He's right, he has served generations. I grew up eating Pizza Train pizzas and saving those orange coupons until our family got 10 and a discount on the next pizza. I've stopped in his restaurant after school or band practice and picked up a quick bite. Pizza Bob always welcomed his customers with a smile and a joke or a question about you and your life. I've shared with him stories of my ventures into the work world, my new beau and my two children over the past 20 years. To Pizza Bob, enjoy your retirement. We will miss you but you deserve it! Nellie Evans (nee Blake) RR 2 Zurich As we get ready to pay income tax, a reader looks at where tax dollars go To the Editor, It's that time of year when after paying tax all year long, you're asked to pay your income tax. Let's take a look at where your tax dollars go. The federal government receives the income tax money and then gives each province their share. Ontario, being deemed one of the richer provinces, pays Ottawa $23 billion dollars more than we receive. Newfoundland and Nova Scotia recently signed a deal with Ottawa to get billions in royalties for offshore oil. But, these provinces still want equalization payments from the supposed richer provinces. We know how well the federal government looks after our money with Jane Stewart's human resource mismanagement, Jean Chretien's Sponsorship Program ($100 million), the Gomery Commission ($60 million +) and according to Sheila Frazer, $7.7 billion is stashed away in foundation funds that are unaccountable to parliament and arms length away from the auditor's reach. Frazer wrote in her report, "Given the significant sums involved, I am concerned about the lack of adequate accountability to Parliament." These foundations are the brain child of Paul Martin during his days as Finance Minister, to stash its annual surplus on budget day. The foundations are managed by Liberal appointees, and declared "independent of government," off limits to the Auditor General and the taxpayers of Canada. Excuse me, but who the heck's money is this anyway? Dalton McGuinty finally figured out after two years in office, Ontario is being short changed. Mike Harris had that figured out eight years' previous to Dalton's revelation. Dalton McGuinty used to say Harris was fed bashing, when he asked Ottawa for a better share of the tax pot. Dalton McGuinty and Carol Mitchell have done their part promising no tax increases, better access to health care, more doctors, lower auto insurance premiums. Let's start with the health care premiums based on income but not called a tax. If you're lucky you have a doctor and waiting times for surgery have definitely not been shortened, there is the threat of hospital closings and reduced medical services. The Business section of The London Free Press reads insurance profit tops $4.2 billion, so I guess that answers the question about insurance premiums. Maybe I'm in the minority but I am angry with the way money is wasted. Jean Chretien found it amusing to bring in a golf ball collection to the Gomery Inquiry. He found it hilarious that he spent $100,000 on golf balls. When broken down it figures out to $83.33/ball. What a bargain. Never mind that because of him and his government we are spending $60 million to find out where $100 million went. Our farmers are being stressed out, commodity prices are half what they were 20 years ago, and the beef fanners are in dire needs with the border being closed for two years. Health care professionals, I'm talking about the front line workers, nurses and doctors, are on the edge with no help in sight. It's time someone becomes accountable and puts money where it belongs, either directly or back to the taxpayer, so we can put it where it needs to go. Bev Coleman Seaforth Seaforth farmer brings in egg measuring six inches by eight inches in 1930 MARCH 5,1880 Seaforth's new Conservative paper, the Sun, made its first appearance on Friday. It's published by Messrs. Clark and Neilan, lately of the Mitchell Recorder. A young lad named Dean got his hand caught in the knives of a straw cutter and had one finger taken off and another badly lacerated. G.E. Cresswell of Tuckersmith, showed us a daisy if full bloom which he had plucked from his garden. The roads are now almost impossible and business is consequently very dull. Henry Colbert, Egmondville and D.D. Wilson have each purchased a span of males and intend using them of the roads for teaming purposes. The severe wind storm of Saturday night drove in the large windows in James Wilson's building on Main Street. Fresh herring were plentiful in Bayfield on Wednesday, Mr. Tolsma is reported to have set 100 white fishnets in the lake. Miss Jessie Ross, a In thc Years LI, ()Ills daughter of Donald Ross, returned from Kansas after an absence of three years. MARCH 10,1905 Julius Bloch of Zurich has purchased the H. Ott farm, which adjoins his farm for $2,400. Miss Morrison is again in charge of McBeath's millinery establishment in Blyth. The sawmills and heading factory of Wm. Ament is an important and valuable industry in Seaforth. Mr. Ament turns over a lot of money in a year. He has in his yards about $12,000 worth of stock, all of which was purchased in this vicinity. Major Anderson was out on a hunting trip and succeeded in bagging a couple of fine foxes. The crows have put in an appearance at Leadbury which is a pretty good sign that spring is not far away. MARCH 7, 1930 Leo Stephenson, of Constance attended a convention in London, on egg grading. Walter Wilson of Constance has rented his farm to Oliver Anderson for five years. H. Rose of Zurich, is making preparations to erect a service station on the premises where fire destroyed his public garage some months ago. Walter Murray of Seaforth brought into the Expositor office an egg laid by one his flock of Barred Rocks with measured six inches by eight inches. MARCH 11, 1955 Richmond Parke, well- known citizen of Seaforth and former mayor died at his home in Seaforth on March 9 at the age of 78. Serving are one daughter, Miss Dorothy Parke, R.N. at home, one son George of London and one sister, Mrs. John Christie, of Penniak, N.D. For more that 40 years a familiar figure on Seaforth's Main Street, Thomas Norman Knight passed away suddently Tuesday afternoon. As a youth he worked for J.W. Beattie and continued to drive for Beatties until the business was sold in 1944. Dr. J.O. Turnbull, Seaforth, heads a special campaign committee to raise funds for the construction of a new pool at the Seaforth Lions Park. MARCH 6,1980 The Seaforth Fire Department was called to the home of Jimmy Nash of RR 5 Seaforth on a chimney fire at press time Wednesday. The formation of a Business Improvement Area in downtown Seaforth will be discussed at a meeting in the town hall. Sally Hannon of the Ontario Ministry of Housing will speak and show a film on how a number of Ontario towns have revitalized their Main Streets. Huron County will have to come up with an additional $95,000 to spend on roads in 1980, an increase of eight per cent over last year. Tuckersmith Township will oppose the petition for a ward system for Vanastra, which 160 residents of the hamlet signed and presented to council 28 days ago on February 5. • Ron & Dave C's AND D's C's AND D's.... That's all I ever get! 'You olways get good marks, How do you do it? What's the secret? Study hard, and work hard. All right, t can see you're not going to take me seriously are you? by David Lacey r If I were you I'd try bribing the teacher. It's probably your best chance.