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Times-Advocate, 1999-02-03, Page 11I **EARS ACio Nr Perbruary .1, 1989r Matt .. Codbalt, 12 year-old son of:: George #nd Lois _Godbolt of -tawe�f` v be sfngWg three tomes • in an 'upcoming Or;at the University of ' Ve'* ,» Ontario,'The opera the life of Helen I{ellei': t 20YEARS AGO B.Aciiii,ant January 31, 1974 -. Brian Miller of Usborne Township is one of four Ontario Junior Farmers attending the Second World Congress of Junior Farmers in Paris, France from March 5 to S. The 1979 executive for the Huron . County 4-H Leaders Association was named Wednesday. They are preside .t Glenn McNeill, past president Albert in Dyken, secretary Maurice Haliahan and vice- ..esidents Barry Miller and Beth Cooper. 35YEARSAGO February 1, 1964 - Rev. John Boyne told his Caven Presbyterian congregation Sunday there is ample evidence for the cynic to shout that public morality is "going to hell". He cited examples of political, business and moral corruption supported by the people. Campbell Chapman has been appointed chair- man for the Grand Bend PUC. R.G. Seldon, local motor vehicle licence issuer, was rescued by fireman Gary Middleton from his burning house just as he was overcome by smoke. David Robinson Won the Home and School Association prize for the best designed crest for Exeter Public School. J.A.D. McCurdy Public School at RCAF Centralia has applied for approval to provide French instruc- tion for its students. 40YEARS AGO February 2, 1959 - The new Hensall post office. opened Thursday on Wellington Street. Cecil Kipfer is the postmaster. Harry Strang, R.R. 2, Hensall, president of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association is p iding'at-'ihe annual convention -oaf •the organ1za- tidrn being- held` iti Toronto this -Week. Huron's new MPP, Charles MacNaughtoir took his seat in the Ontario Legislature Wednesday after being introduced to the speaker and members by Premier Leslie Frost. The winter is breaking records nearly every day for snowfall according to to RCAF Centralia's Met Section. Already, over 150 inches of snow has been recorded. SOYEARS AGO February 1, 1949 - Fred Darling, Jack Doerr and Norman Walper were initiated as members of the Exeter Lions Club, Friday evening., Dr. Stuart Stanbury, a native of Exeter was named national commissioner of the Canadian Red Cross Society. Miss Maude Horton, former principal of Exeter Public School, died suddenly at her brother's home in OshaWa. Ethelene and Eifene Johns, .who have been employed with the Times Advocate were married in a double ceremony Saturday at Elimville United Church. During the windstorm Tuesday, the tall flag pole at the school" developed quite a, slant. It was found . the bottom supports had been rotted. Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Wuerth left Saturday for an extended trip to California. 60YEARS AGO January 31, 1939 - Tuckey Transport of Exeter has bought out Forrest Transport of Brucefield and extended their service to cover Hensall, Kippen, Brucefield, Clinton and Seaforth. 75YEARS AGO February 2, 1924 - The S•.M. Sanders Manufacturing Co. has made very marked progress in taking over the Jackson Manufacturing Co. The output has been steadily increasing and new equip- ment is being installed to add to the efficiency of the company. The latest addition is a new cloth laying machine. An instructive and practical demonstration on shearing, slaughtering and dressing of sheep was given in Exeter Tuesday and Wednesday by W.S. McMullen and W.J. Howard representing the live- stock branch of the Dominion Department of Agriculture. The demonstration was given in con- nection with the short courses in agriculture now being conducted in town. ' r Wrlter d t not mean toyt4041aliZe Dear i wish to .elaritjr recent media reports stating.that I suggestee:*he pr1ce+g 1 us ry wan aver: I am very much aware .ot tile' severity of the situation facing pork producers in Ontario and would not trivial- ize their plight at any time. I did, however, state that we seemed to have hit the lowest point of the crisis given the gradual rise in actual prices; that I. was encouraged by positive signals from the futures market; and hopeful that we' have seen the end of a four-year price cycle exacerbated by economic turmoil in Asia. The Ontario government was quick to respond to the crisis with . the $40 million Whole Farm Program. We opted to proceed quickly with. an interim payment while still negotiating the final details of the national program with the provinces and the federal govern- ment. Farmers and their organizations told us that time was of the essence due to the extraordinary nature of the crisis. Many of them are facing their worst cash- flow crunch ever. All farmers whosuffered extreme hardship caused by weather or market instability this -year can apply for interim relief while a national disaster relief program is being negotiated. The Whole Farm Relief Program is in place, the applications have been sent, and cheques will fie arriving within a few weeks. I am disappointed that some media reports did not accurately reflect my true optimism and hope for the future of Ontario's farmers. But mostly, I regret the additional confusion and stress these reports have caused our producers in troubled times. Sincerely, NOBLE A. VILLENEUVE Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Town of Port Elgin plans homecoming Dear Editor, ,;t "Don't Be A Sap -.Come Home and. Hug A Maple- In `94 -.Port Elgin, Ontario Homecoming '99 - August 12 - 15" Port Elgin Ontario., known far and wide as the "Town of Maples" is asking; all former residents, sum- mervacationers, cottage owners, visitors to Port Elgin, and those who have worked at BNPD(the Bruce Nuclear Power Development) to come back to Port Elgin for Homecoming '99, August 12 - 15. Port Elgin will be celebrating its 125th anniversary of incorporation and has events planned for all ages including our ever popular street dance on Saturday August 14th. Over. 30 events and attractions are planned. Registration for this event is $5.00 per person. (Cheques or money orders only please - no cash). If you've been to our town's past celebrations you know just how much fun this will be! And if you weren't by now you've heard what you have missed. So this is one event you will want to book your holi- days for - so don't delay register today or to get more information on this event 1. Phone: 1-800-387-3456 or (519) 832-2332 2. e -mailing: portelgin@sunsets.com 3. Faxing: (519) 389-3725 4. Visit the Chamber of Commerce's website at www.sunsets.com/portelgin 5. Mail - The Port Elgin Homecoming '99 Committee, cfo Port Elgin. and District Chamber of Commerce; 515 Goderich Street, Port Elgin, Ontario; NOH 2C4 On behalf of our Homecoming Committee we ask that you help spread the word and get your friends together for one great party! We welcome you back for unbe- lievable fun and four days of nothing but good times, stories and laughter. You don't want to miss all this. Sincerely, ROB DUNLOP Chairman," Homecoming $l► moot: P.O.. boa 850, Exeter. Ontario NOM 186 • By fox: (5191 235.0766 By a -mail: editor nth Huron com. Please include your name and. address`. Anonymousletterswill` trot be published. The:. l Advocate reserves the right. to edit letters far brevity. iooks after friendLs TORONTO -- Premier Mike Harris is determined his Progressive Conservative party will ruw the best election cam- paign money can buy, no matter what it costs taxpayers. Harris's latest move to make taxpayers pay for his campaign has been to put his top strate- gists on the public payroll so • they have enough money to A VIEW FROM maintain themselves while QUEEN'S PARK thinking about and planning for a vote within months. • According to figures extracted under th province's freedom of information law, Harris's- senior arris senior communications adviser in the 1995 elec- tion and since, Paul Rhodes, was paid the not insignificant -sum of $225,000 in the 15 months just ended to provide "strategic communications coun- sel" to Ontario Hydro, the provincial utility which does not flick a switch unless Harris approves. Leslie Noble; Harris's campaign manager in 1995 and again in the coming election, also- was helped to keep the wolf far from the door by Hydro, which paid her $91,000 again for strategic advice. And Tom Long, Harris's campaign for both elections, similarly found Hydro eager to commis- sion his services, because it paid his company $250,000 to recruit a chief executive and $650 an hour to write speeches. The Tories have been totally unable to justify these hirings. All parties in power have political staff in government, paid by the public but watch- ing mainly over their party's interests, and Harris's already had its share. They include the notorious whiz kids responsible for most of his legislation and his former principal secretary or chief staff political adviser, David Lindsay, who. switched to head a new board osten- sibly creating jobs which also provides him with a base to plan an election while still paid by govern- ment. Lindsay as good as admitted where his thoughts" are recently when he pointed- out that Harris can- not campaign again on the issues on which he won in 1995, cutting government and taxes, but will have to come up with new issues. Hydro claimed it hired Rhodes and Noble to give strategic advice which its own staff cannot provide, but the only ability they have which Hydro staff lack is quicker access to those in Harris's office who can get things done. Others will find it unacceptable that one branch of the Harris government says it has to pay huge amounts to outside consultants who are cronies of the premier to get its message heard by those in the premier's office who make decisions. The fees Harris had Hydro pay his strategists also are outrageous, particularly for a premier who boasts constantly that he saves taxpayers' money. Rhodes, who has now moved to another well- paid contract back in Harris's office, was a TV reporter covering the legislature and in that role competent but average and probably earning less than $50,000 a year. He was communications adviser to Harris when he won the 1995 election and should get the credit that goes with- it, because winners always are geniuses. But the campaign consisted merely of sticking to the policies laid down by others in the Common Sense Revolution platform without deviating, while the New Democrat government after its huge deficits never had a chance and the 'Liberals threw away any by waiting too late to unveil policies. Rhodes also was press secretary to leader Larry Grossman in 1987 when the Tories won only 16 seats, their worst performance since Confederation., and Grossman lost his and resigned,. which shows media gurus do have off days. Harris ensured Long was paid $650 an hour, which is probably more than Margaret Atwood, although judged by speeches he delivered as party president a decade ago,mostly deploring govern- ments squandering money, he is not quite as handy with words. Harris also had no qualms cutting welfare bene- fits so many single adults have to live on $520 fbr a whole month. They must wish the premier would see their needs as well as he does those of his friends..