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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-11-09, Page 4Page 4 November 9, 2005 • The Huron Expositor Editorial 8j/C71'@ decision needs careful- thought Sipce the amalgamation of Huron East in 2000, Tuckersmith Day Nursery has been a source of con- tention for local councillors. The municipal daycare, which has struggled with deficits as high as $70,000, has been singled out as an unfair burden on taxpayers, many of whom in our geographically -huge municipality do not live close enough to use the service. As council has struggled to find a way to provide fair daycare funding in a municipality that houses three different types of daycare - municipal, a par- ent -run cooperative and private - the Tuckersmith daycare has also struggled to reduce its deficit. Of course, one of the biggest challenges of increasing enrolment and revenue in Vanastra is the fact that its future continues to be threatened. And, despite the fact that Tuckersmith's deficit is now less than the $34,000 rent it must pay to the municipality to stay in the Vanastra Recreation Centre, the anticipated loss of $20,000 in revenue from Huron County is again threatening the cen- tre's future. In contrast, North Huron council, according to Reeve Doug Layton, is not feeling the same urgency about a similar loss of revenue from the county, even though the municipal daycare in Wingham is facing a much larger deficit of $75,000 to $100,000. Council needs to think carefully through the ram- ifications before closing the daycare centre in Vanastra. What, for example, will be the effect on the Vanastra Rec Centre, which already struggles to balance its budget with a significant portion of its revenue coming from the daycare. And, without a daycare, how many fewer families will take the time to experience the pool and the other recreation services offered there? As well, as Huron East works to promote the area for potential development, what will the effect be of offering fewer services in Vanastra? Council has to be careful that it doesn't begin a domino effect that causes significant damage to one of its small urban centres. Susan Hundertmark Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 E-mail us at seaforth@bowesnet.com Visit our home page at www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com 44► OVENECOR MEDIA Canada .We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs.' Opinion Fighting the root causes of war a good way to honour veterans In a country known for peacekeeping, it can become tougher every year to explain the relevance of remembering wars that happened during the youth of our grandparents and great grandparents. I'm sure they have no such problem in the U.S. Known for its military might, every generation of Americans contin- ues to be able to claim yet another war. From the First and Second World Wars to Korea, Vietnam and Iraq both in the 1990s and today; honouring veterans is much more immediate and closer to home. Yet, in Canada, our children struggle to imagine what, going to war would be like. What a problem to have! It would be wrong, of course, to believe that because Canada has not been involved direct- ly in war for several generations, that Remembrance Day has no relevance. As Janelle Wood's presentation to the Remembrance Day banquet at the Legion on Saturday demonstrated, Canadians can and have continued to fight for freedom and democracy, even without going to war. Wanting to make a difference in the world, Wood travelled to Africa this year to help edu- cate the population about AIDS and its pre- vention. Six months later, she is questioning her contribution, especially since the organization she volunteered with has pulled out of the vil- lage she was sent to. But, whether or not she succeeded in helping to slow the devastation caused by AIDS in Africa, I think her efforts are just as important as any mili- tary operation in bringing peace to the planet. There are so many ways to become a warrior for peace without picking up a weapon. Those who fight for social justice, education and an end to poverty and the conditions that cause disease are also fighting for free- dom and democracy. While the ultimate sacrifice, paid by so many Canadians during the First and Second World War, will always be final response to tyranny and injustice, those fighting the root causes of war, like Janelle Wood, contribute towards creating a world where the necessity for that sacrifice becomes less likely. Wood honoured Seaforth's veterans, stating that because of their sacrifice, she lives in a first world nation that is able to help others. I would say the relationship is reciprocal - if more of us follow her example, the need to don uniforms and march off to war might remain in the past, where we can continue to honour it with our remembrance. Ron & tome Hey, when we grow up do you want to join the army? Yeah that would be cool! We could be big heros! And we'd travel all over the world! ...and I could be an important general! by David Lacey TEN YEARS LATER.... Tell me again why we joined the army i Shaddup. SUBSCRIPTION RATE: LOCAL - 35.85 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. SENIORS. - 33.85 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. USA 8 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 occu- pied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement wiN 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 may 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. PUBLICATION MAUL AGREEMENT 40029693 PAP REGISTRATION NO. 7605 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO Circulation Department P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, ON., NOK IWO M . Ontario Community Nethe C•fladilltl w papeni - AssociationAssociation filmrspapor Tom Williscraft Susan Hundertmark Publisher Editor Bernie Pugh Advertising / Office Dianne McGrath Front office Air 4. 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