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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-11-11, Page 4• PFage 4 The Hurn or 4I8r �1.1 ,0019 P(in. r l yam, , , _. ti1f�lrr �:<• a lfztlPt"tr'lXq c'in'it fi'i tslq.i� • Opinion • Prondstor and PSR Bowes Publishers United, Main St, Seatlorth, ON, NOK IWO ubllc bodies can more to be accessible Though there is little doubt that public bodies — like school boards, councils and politicians in general -* endea- vour to remain accountable, the simple fact remains that public meetings often fail to draw more than the usual number of suspects. And while there are exceptions, like the Rluewater-South Huron Accommodation. Review Committee meeting held at Zurich Public School on Nov. fi, the status quo seems to he that it's OK to make people "hurry up and wait." Indeed, whether it's an all candidates' debate, healthcare - related information session, public meeting or the school board's ongoing set of Accommodation Review Committees, the standard practice is to begin at 7 p.m. (8 p.m. at the Nov. 4 ARC in Seaforth), and then slowly roll out a histori- cal lesson, followed by a lot of sats and information that, more often than not, is already known or can be readily accessed online by those present. Indeed, it is not the least bit unusual for the county to host information sessions where there are more staff and politicians present than members of the public. The question is why? And the answer that's usually given is complacency or ambi,rance. Yet, the more truthful answer may be that many families don't have the available resources to allow them to leave young .children for hours with the hope of perhaps getting a chance to speak on an issue that may indeed be near and dear to their hearts. Furthermore, it may well seem like speaking out is pointless since, as history has shown, the worst-case scenarios play out with alarming frequency. Nonetheless, there should be alternatives slight out by poly accountable bodies. Meetings should be held at earlier times to accommodate families and workers. Day meetings and weekend sessions are also possibilities. Such moves would likely cost some organizations, like school boards, more money in order to pay staff that is required to be present. Yet, a cost -benefit analysis would show that such a practice would allow for greater trans- parency and likely alleviate what can otherwise turn out to be increased tensions 'and anxieties as the hours click closer to midnight and anxious parents and workers won- der whether holding out for a chance to speak worth the aggravation of shaking up their children's route or show- ing up late for work the, next day. Accountability, as all public officials know, is about not only being there but being available, too, at public -friendly meeting times -- The Clinton News -Record Your Comma nfy Newspaper Sjic• 1860 Publisher - Dave Sykes • Editorial and Business Offices -11 Maio Street., Seaforth lblephone (519) 527-0240 Fax (519) 527-2858 MailingAddress - P.O. Box' 69, Seaforth, ON, NOK 1WO Wait our home page at www aeaforthhuronexpoejto,ccrn QUNIOOR AMA `WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, THROUGH THE PUBLICATIONS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (PAP), rowARO OUR MAILING COSTS." • emsDayi� on ans role in Afghanistan • Each year on Nov. 11, we pause to reflect on the courage of our war veterans, whose numbers are, as each year passes, becoming fewer and fewer. Now that all of the veterans of the First World War have passed on, when Remem- brance Day ceremonies honour veterans still living, we mainly look to 'those who fought in the Second World War, who are now in their 80s and 90s, and symbolize a gen- eration that bravely signed up to fight in the name of our country, with many making the ultimate sacrifice. Since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, Canada has again come to the aid of its allies in war — specifi- cally, the United States. Once again, young. Canadians signed up to risk their lives in the name of their country's allegiances and interests. But in the nine years that the war in Af- ghanistan has raged on, taking the lives of 3 Canadian soldiers and countless Afghans, scandalous factors continue to derail the legit- imacy of the war effort, which has so far cost Canadians $20 billion. • • The recent fraudulent election that has president Hamid Karzai accused of corruption and ballot box stuffing, makes his leader- ship illegitimate in the eyes of many Afghans. The passage of a law in August signed by Karzai, permitting Shia men to deny their wives food and prohibit them from leaving the house if they refuse to submit to their sexual 'demands shows that even after nearly a de- cade of occupation, Western influence is lim- ited in a society with a history of misogynistic laws. Opium production and trafficking has sky- rocketed since the ousting of the Taliban in 2001. Support for the war among Canadians has plummeted to 45 per cent last month, from 59 per cent in mid -2006, according to a survey conducted by the Innovative Research Group. These unfortunate and embarrassing fac- tors continue to frustrate the mission, which currently appears to be less about building a viable democracy in Afghanistan than about creating a perpetual state of chaos, to prevent the rise of an organized Islamic reime. See IT'S, Page 5 Ron c bave What's r It's a news story "On this day in 1918 they signed on is about the memorial on armistice to end the services. This is "War to end all wars". Remembrance bay. • In other news:.,. bombs fell'in the mid -east, and Vietnam, while leaders threaten military action! by David Lacey SUBSCRIPTIQN RATES: LOCAL - 38.05 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. SENIORS; - 36.14 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. Ftp: 38.05 a year in advance, plus $195.00 postage, plus G.S.T. U.S.A.; 38.05 a year in advance, plus $99.84 postage, plus G.S.T. 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