Loading...
Huron Expositor, 2006-04-19, Page 4• Page 4 April 19, 2006 • The Huron Expositor Editorial Opinion Proprietor and Publisher, Bowes Publishers Limited, 11 Main St., Seaforth, ON, NOK IWO e nature of power- �an $ " the c tinges ademoc- racy were brought into sharp focus last week at a meeting over the possible deamalgamation of the former. Grey 'Township from Huron East. Beginning with a presentation on the 50 -plus municipalities in Ontario currently dissatisfied with the shotgun unions forced upon them more than six' years ago, one could not argue against the point made that grassroots democracy was decided- ly absent when the Harris Conservatives decided that fewer municipalities meant less. cost during their so-called Common Sense Revolution.. While Canadian government is structured to give provinces complete power over their municipalities, those towns, townships and cities told to - form larg- er alliances were certainly not given the option to refuse. And, despite their opposition to amalgamation at the time, politicians - including Premier Dalton McGuinty - in the current Liberal government are definitely not giving citizens the option to gain back the greater representation and stronger sense of community they enjoyedunder the former system. Not yet, anyway. It was perhaps in reaction to their powerlessness thus far that organizers of the --meeting in Grey decided that anyone - including Huron East coun- cillors - who lived outside of Grey would not be allowed a voice that night. But, it is a testament to their belief in democracy that Grey residents asked to hear pertinent finan- cial information and opinion from Huron East's rep- resentatives. The local facts did little to advance the cause of deamalgamation in Grey, however, since residents learned that Huron East is in the rare position of actually being a municipality that has created a less costly government through amalgamation. And, while Grey proponents of deamalgamation are not finished trying to gain back control of their former community, it's refreshing to see the respect all players on the local scene are giving to the democratic process. If the same respect had been given to democracy by the province, it's doubtful we'd be knee-deep in this mess today. Susan Hundertmark Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 E-mail us at seaforth@bowesnet.com Visit our home page at www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com OUEBECOR MEDIA "We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs." Canada Oompa Loompas wanted for my personal chocolate factory I'm not kidding. I have a large enough inventory right now in my apartment I could open my very own chocolate factory. . I could even visit Seaforth Public and St. James Schools and see if any kids want to volun- teer to be my Oompa Loompas. If you think I"m joking stop by my apart- ment and I'll show you the coffee table filled with chocolate eggs (not just Cadbury's cream eggs, but two bags full of those generic choco- late eggs in foil wrapping) and an Easter bunny -shaped container full of Ferrero Rochers. - But wait, that's not all. There's also two bags full of gummies shaped like bunnies and a bag full of jube jubes. All I have to do is throw a sign up out front of my the apartment complex and set up a register on my sofa, and I'll be open for busi- ness. Like every Easter, I have my family and girlfriend to thank for my wealth of indul- gence. What really is a medium -built guy such as myself to do with it all? Do they expect me to actually eat it all? Maybe they gave me so much because they forgot I live alone? By Jeff lUeuchert Actually, now that I think about it, my mom is always telling me to gain some weight, so this is just probably her way of pro- moting the cause. My girlfriend will sure- ly help me finish my collec- tion the next time she comes to visit (not that she would have thought of that in advance, before buying me so much). All of the goodies are the result of another wonderful Easter weekend at home with my family. I spent much of my time laying in front of the television, watching some baseball or movies, or best of all, Pearl Jam perform on Saturday Night Live. But, as always, the weekend came to a end Sunday night with our family's traditional Easter supper. Turkey, stuffing, garlic -mashed potatoes, perogies and spinach salad - all the compo- nents for a filling and very satisfying meal. What made it even better was the company. The whole family - parents, brothers, grand- parents - all together reminiscing about past stories we've heard a hundred times before, but they're still just as funny. Yep, I was very lucky this past Easter week- end. I even won $5 on a lottery ticket. Ron Dove Today boys and girls we're going to study "As You Like It", by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare? You've got to be kidding mel . How does does that relate to anything? Cis that going to help me get a job when I grow up and put food on the table, or turn me into a pseudo - intellectual and a burden to the taxpayers!? 1 by David Lacey ...so you were studying Shakespeare..then what? The taxpayers will thank me. Our 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 $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 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 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 MAIL AGREEMENT 40029693 PAP REGISTRATION NO. 7605 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO Circulation Department P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, ON., NOK 1 WO Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association & the Ontario Community Newspapers Association Tom Williscraft Susan Hundertmark Publisher Editor Bernie Pugh Advertising / Office Jeff Heuchert Reporter Dianne McGrath Marcie Riegling Front office Composing Editorial and Business Offices - 11 Main Street.,Seaforth Telephone (519) 527-0240 Fax (519) 527-2858 Mailing Address - P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ontario, NOK 1 WO