HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-03-25, Page 44 MO ch 25,'2009 • The Huron Expositor -
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Proprietor and Publisher, Bowes Publishers Limited, U. Win St., Seaforth, ON, NOK IWO
irk local even
re important
tough times
At least a year before the recession hit Ontario's
manufacturing sector with such ferocity, bumper
stickers could be seen around Huron County fore-
casting the difficulties ahead.
"Out of a job yet? Keep buying foreign," read the
stickers, which can still be seen on an increasing
number of vehicles these days.
It's a common sense messageof cause and effect
but one that - despite massive layoffs and continu-
ing threats to Ontario jobs even the provincial
government seems to be ignoring.
Last week, Premier Dalton McGuinty was taken
to task by MPP Peter Kormos when the NDP repre-
sentative of a riding in Welland learned the provin-
cial government has stopped buying Ontario flags
from a 'Toronto company. Instead, the flags are now
sporting a Made in China label.
As the argument progressed, Kormos revealed
other purchases in China - such as shirts for OPP
uniforms and Liquor Control Board of Ontario tote
bags - as evidence of the government's "cross-border
shopping addiction" he said was adding to local job
losses.
Buying the cheapest products, regardless of where
they're made or sold, is an understandable response
by anyone trying -to make a dollar stretch further
in tough economic times. But, as any small town
merchant can attest, tough economic times are pre-
cisely the time when it's most important to consider
the benefits of local purchases to the community we
live in.
Two well-established Main Street businesses in:
Seaforth recently announced they'll be closing their
doors for good in a few months' time and they're
blaming decreasing sales, caused in part by the re-
cession, for their demise.
The "shop at home" message is not a new one as
small town businesses continue to struggle against
big box pricing. Buying Canadian -made products as
not a new message either.
But, whether it's buying flags in China or head-
ing out of town before checking to see if your needs
can be met locally, your purchasing patterns can,
now more than ever, affect if your neighbours stay
in business or keep their jobs.
Susan Eutri+dertmarll:
Your Community Newspaper Since 1860
Publisher - Dave Sykes
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Canada
•
Using clear garbage bags doesn't
require that much more effort
Last week I was griping about
the new clear plastic garbage -
bag requirements in Central
Huron.
"So now, instead of tossing
my messy garbage into a kitch-
en catcher bag like I used to, I
have to walk all the way down
the stairs to put it directly into
the big clear`bag on my porch!"
No sooner were the words out of my mouth
than I realized how ridiculous they were.
I mean, really Sarah? You have to walk all
the way down one whole flight of stairs or be
prepared to wash out a kitchen garbage bin
every so often so that you can put it by the
curb once a week where it is whisked away
and you never have to think about it again?
You should be interviewed by Oprah and have
your own personal violin player following you
around.
How ridiculous that I got so used to stuff-
ing garbage filled plastic bags into bigger bags
that I couldn't imagine doing things any other
way. I'm not even 30, how could it be possible
that I'm already so set in my ways?
For me, it was a small dose of what a lot of
people must be feeling now that green is the
new black.
Thus far, the most strenuous task I've had
to complete to stay on the good side of David
Suzuki and company was probably changing a
couple of light bulbs.
You see, a few years ago, when it was de-
cidedly less in vogue to be environmentally
Ron&
e
Heyi Our old
regiment is having
Q reunion! They sent
me an invitation.
Yeah,
I got
one too.,
Are you
i ?
Sarah
McDonald
conscious, I was that weird
kid who brought her lunch to
elementary school in reusable
containers with proper cutlery,
a thermos of juice, and a cloth
napkin. This was in fact, so
unusual that it won me more
than one environmental award
at school.
So, usually, when magazines, newspapers
or TV shows offer up tips on going green, I've
been able to smugly think, "compost, check?
Reusable shopping bags? I carry them proud-
ly. Clean with vinegar, salt and baking soda?
Well, either that or Miss Vickies has moved its
headquarters to my bathroom."
Most of these everyday activities have been
a habit for so long, I don't even have to think
about them. They're like brushing my teeth, or
tying my shoes.
The clear bag issue, however, gave me a little
taste of what it must feel like for a lot of people
who didn't learn not to leave lunch containers
in their desks at an early. age.
I think there's a part in all of us that just
digs in our heels at the prospect of a) being
told what to do, and b) changing our habits,
even if we know it's probably a change for the
better.
Whether you've distributed copies of An In-
convenient Truth to everyone you know and
have an `I heart Al Gore' poster above your bed
or whether you're just not convinced about
the whole global -warming thing, most of us
See WE, Page 5
C Why not? It'll be a
great chance to see all
our old buddies again.
Not interested.
by David Lacey
You stili
owe them
money don't
you?
Iwasn'ta
-
very good
poker player.,
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