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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2007-01-31, Page 4Page 4 January 31, 2007 • The Huron Expositor Opinion Proprietor and Publisher, Bowes Publishers Limited, 11 Main St., Seaforth, ON, NOK 1WO Debate over arena improvements can only lead to stronger community Almost as long as Huron East has been amalga- mated, the financial responsibilities of community centres and recreation facilities have been up for debate. On one side, councillors argue that arenas and recreation facilities are public services that can never make money but exist solely to add to the quality of life of a community. On the other side, councillors argue that if they can't turn a profit, arenas and recreation facilities. should at least break even, operating with their budgets uppermost on their minds at all times. As user groups bring forth a list of concerns and complaints about the Seaforth arena and its opera- tion this week, a discussion of the arena's purpose in the community should again be revisited. It seems that a number of the complaints sur- rounding ice quality, physical maintenance, ice time and even' cleanliness have their roots around the focus on meeting the budget. Pushing the quarter century mark, the "new" arena is actually an aging structure with aging equipment and it's likely that it's going to need a significant cash infusion - either through property taxes or community fundraising - to deal with nec- essary repairs. But, the issue also seems to centre around com- munication and the feeling that budgetary con- cerns are coming before the arena's ability td serve the community. The fact that organizations representing the over 300 kids who add fun, exercise and the life lessons of sportsmanship into their lives are asking to be heard about the ways in which they feel the arena can be improved is good news. It shows a feeling of ownership that, if encour- aged and heard, can only lead to a stronger commu- nity with kids who are healthy and physically fit and parents, grandparents and extended families that are engaged and involved. Susan Hundertmark Parents have role to play in screening violent lyrics According to a coalition of parents and teachers, Canadian children are being exposed to far too much violence through music, video games and television. The group cites all kinds of information to support their claims. "Viewing entertainment violence can lead to increases in aggressive attitudes, values and behaviour, particularly in children," they say. The coalition even claims to have "clear and compelling" evidence that illustrates the long- lasting negative impact of violent media on children, and says medical and mental health experts agree it has become a very serious problem. "Music has escaped the need for classifica- tion, despite the fact that the music industry has gone the way of film, television and video games in producing explicitly violent, sexual material," the coalition states. While it's difficult to disagree with their claim that the music industry today produces violent, sexually -explicit material, it's hard to ignore the fact that for generations - mine, yours and even before then - the music indus- try produced songs with the same themes that are condemned today. When I was younger, bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Metallica sang about teenage angst, and in many cases, taking out that angst on the world. Before that, bands like Aerosmith, Motley Crue and Guns 'N Roses used sexually -explicit lyrics in their music. And even before that, Bob Marley sang about shooting the sheriff and Johnny Cash about shoot- ing a man in Reno, just to watch him die. The music industry hasn't changed that much, however the coalition is calling for age - based restrictions on music sales. Implementing age -based restrictions on CDs just sounds like another band-aid solution. This coalition addresses a very complicated problem, and offers nothing more than a quick fix. Violence in today's youth does exist, but there's many contributing factors - not just a game, television show, movie or song. Age -based restrictions are one solid step towards preventing young, impressionable minds from being negatively affected, but there's still more that needs to be done. It's been said a hundred times (but for good reason), parents need to play an integral part in their children's lives. It may sound difficult, but parents need to make every conscience effort to know what their kids watch and listen to, and how they spend their free time. See PARENTS, Page 5 Ron & Dave Coming up in the news Oproh gives away more money! Tom Cruise finds religion! and Paris Hilton says she's more than just a pretty face! That's not news! That's just pap for the masses. Surely you can find something more intelligent to watch! - Q 7.1 V "On this week's report.. More dead in Iraq. North Korea tests missile, Gun violence on the rise, ...and political corruptio>, by bavid Lacey And now here's the "dish" on the latest "shocker" in the entertainment world! Wise move. Intelligence is not for the faint hearted. EThe Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 E-mail us at seaforth@bowesnet.com Visit our home page at www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com 4UEBEtOR MEDIA Canada SUNMEDu "We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs." SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 36.18 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. SENIORS; - 34.17 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. 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Box 69, Seaforth, ON., NOK 1 WO Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association & the Ontario Community Newspapers Association Tom Williscraft Publisher Bernie Pugh Advertising / Office Susan Hundertmark Editor Dianne McGrath .Jeff Heuchert Reporter 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 1W0