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Times Advocate, 1999-10-13, Page 7Wednesday,October 13. 1999 Exeter Times -Advocate 7 bpinion&Forum 10 YEARS AGO October 11, 1989 - Due to almost perfect weather, atten- dance at the recent 1989 Ilderton Fall Fair was estimated at 12,000. Secretary -treasurer Marjorie Speiran said cars and visitors on foot were still streaming through the gates at 3 p.m. This year's Fair Queen is Lynda Brown. Scouts Canada, owners of the Camp Sylvan property presented a plaque Friday to the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority for 25 years of conservatiu education. The presenta- tion was made by Scouts Canada London Council president Jim Etherington. A telephoned bomb threat brought Dashwood Industries to a standstill not once, but twice last week as police searched the plant to confirm the threat was another in a series of hoaxes. 20YEARS AGO October 12, 1979 - Exeter council decided Wednesday night to call tenders for a new police station on the lot just west of the post office which was recently purchased for $44,000 from former Exeter accountant Barry Reid. They turned down a last minute bid by the Exeter Heritage Foundation to use the present town hall. 25 YEARS AGO October 11, 1974 - On Wednesday,, Exeter's RAP committee appointed arena manager Alvin Willert as recreation director. Exeter council decided Monday night to call a meeting with officials of Canadian Canners and the Ontario Water Resources Commission over the problems with the lagoon at the canning plant. A projected scheme for a 100 -boat capacity. marina in the old river bed at Grand Bend was presented to GB council Monday night by four members of the yacht club. 40 YEARS AGO Rev. Bren de Vries of Exeter who opposed a res- olution Tuesday urging retention of the Canada Temperance Act, stated he could not support the CTA as it now stands. Simon Nagle, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gert Nagle of Huron Street in Exeter has won third prize in an essay contest conducted among grade 12 students in all London schools. Miss Alice Claypole, Mrs. Lee Learn, Miss Maxine Reeder and Mrs. Fred Dobbs attended the Ontario Hospital Association convention held at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto earlier this week. Public School inspector John Goman climaxed official playing activities for Exeter Golf Club mem- bers when he downed Hal Hooke two and one to capture the consolation round title. 50YEARS AGO October 11, 1949 - Thursday evening in an impressive ceremony in the Grand Bend Town Hall, the Grand Bend branch of the Canadian Legion No. 498 received its official charter. Beginning on November 1, all barber shops in Exeter will be closed all day Wednesdays. Mrs. Frank Whilsmith has returned from a four- month visit with relatives and friends in England and Scotland. 60YEARS AGO October 11, 1939 - The effects of World War II were just beginning to be felt over here. A public meeting in Exeter was held to organize a branch of the Canadian Red Cross for war -time work. Boys and girls games of softball were being played this week indoors at the Exeter arena, attracting competition from Crediton and Benmiller teams. 75 YEARS AGO October 12, 1924 - A little girl at Exeter gave Santa Claus a real poser today as he passed through on his way to London."What would you like for Christmas, little girl?, the great man inquired benevolently. The little miss replied, "I want some teeth for our new'baby." About twenty cottages on the London side of the summer resort at Grand Bend have been broken into and much clothing, bedding and food taken. 110 YEARS AGO October 10, 1889 - Predictions for the coming winter of 1889 was that it was going to be harsh. The indicators of tough skins on apples and other fruit were offered as an indicator from the area's "oldest resident". But, it didn't say who. ROSS HAUGH BACK av TINE OPINIONS AND LETTERS Striving to reach goal Dear Editor: It is getting to be that time of year again! February will be here before we know it and that means that it is time for Heart and Stroke Month, and with that the annual Person to Person Campaign! So it is time to get our your walking gear and collect donations to help the fight against Canada's No. 1 killer, heart disease and stroke. The Heart and Stroke Foundation, Huron Chapter, is planning to make this year the most successful one ever, by surpassing our goal of $52,000. Last year, we raised $49,795, way to go! Many thanks to all those people who made it possible for us to do so, we hope to see you out again this year! To reach this year's goal, we need to knock on as many doors in Huron as we can in the month of February. This is only possible through the many citi- zens who volunteer their time to help the Heart and Stroke Foundation meet our goal - to reduce the risk of premature death and disability from heart disease and stroke by raising funds for research and health promo- tion. If you are interested in volunteering for our Person to Person campaign as a canvasser, captain, or in another r 91e, please contact The Heart and Stroke Foundation at 73-5212 or 1-888-287-7775. Thank you, SARAH BROWN - Person to Person Co-ordinator Job unfinished? Dear Editor Spousal abuse is common around the globe. Men beat women, and in some cases, visa versa. Domestic homi- cides are reported almost weekly in the media. According to Statistics Canada, nearly 75 percent of the domestic homicides are caused by everything from pushing their spouse down the stairs, knifing them, choking to death, and so on. Staitscan recently stated in a federal government publication that only "one-quarter of all domestic homicides involve firearms." In that pub- lication titled "Focus on Firearms", there was another very startling revelation. While women are most often seen as the victims of abuse, nearly 40 percent of the dead in domestic shootings are in reality, men. Verbal abuse from both sides of the domestic scene may well continue, but what can be done about the homicides? Since knives appear to be a major contribut- ing factor, should the sale of anything that is sharper than a butcher knife be prohibited? If we are going to allow sharp knives, should they only be available to butchers, chefs, and other tradespeple who need them? Wouldn't it be wise to pass • legislation forcing the regis- tration of all sharp knives? After all, if guns are only 25 percent of the problem, and they have come under strict government control, let's not leave the job unfinished. Call or write your M.P. now, and demand action on the knives! PE MI E. STICK EE - Thornton, Ontario Are tourists welcome? • Dear Editor: It is a great relief to know that we, the local taxpayers, are protected from the outside world. The International Plowing Match is a fine example! All signs pointed away from Exeter and our illustrious mayor was quoted, -as saying, that we certainly would not want 40,000 people driving through out town. Someone may have stopped and spent money. Others might have visited our famous "Parkette" where there is no problem with crowd control. Some one might even have come face to face with a white squirrel. One of our best merchants has told me that it was his poorest business week in his long main street career. Maybe, we should install toll gates at each end of town to really keep the visitors out, year round. RUN WESIMAN "Going the distance Dear Editor: Exeter made the 1999 Terry Fox Run another success story! The support of the whole community made a big impact. Thanks goes to our corporate sponsors which include Eddington's Fine Casual Dining, Take Two Hair Design, New Orleans Pizza, Seip's valumart, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Kicks Aquatic Centre, Re/Max Realty, McDonald's Restaurant, Exeter Times Advocate, Jervis Photo and Ex-Cen Cable TV. Of course the heart of this event is the participants and their donors. Thanks for "going the distance" to fund a cure for cancer. Sincerely JAMB HUNDEY - Fox Run Organizer 9 Agriculture plays major role in Huron's manufacturing sector By Kate Monk TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF HURON COUNTY - The agriculture sector in Huron County has been and continues to be a driving force in the local economy in terms of its ability to generate wealth and create employ- ment, according to a recent University of Guelph study. The study also found the growth in Huron County's manufacturing sector is due in large part to the strength of the county's agricultural base. The agriculture sector also helps insulate t -he local economy from the effects of broader down- turns in the provincial economy. The Huron County Federation of Agriculture approached the university to complete the study to "put some hard numbers to the industry" to help leaders make arguments for the industry, according to federation member Bill Wallace who was instrumental in having the study com- pleted. Manufacturing shares top spot with agriculture as the major employer in the county with some industries extensively involved in production related to agriculture. - The study found agriculture exports and ag- related exports contribute significantly to the Huron County economy. From the 37 major farm production and agricultural related businesses that provided sales data, it was calculated $475 million was generated in gross annual sales of which $345 million was goods exported from -the county. Almost 75 per cent of the total goods produced and/or handled by the 37 businesses is exported out of the county. The37 businesses are representative of a broad base of industry including farm produc- tion, feed and food production and equipment, manufacturing. Ninety-five per cent of the total sales were ag- related of which $330 million were export relat- ed. When the total annual sales value for dairy, chicken, egg, hog and apple production is incor- porated, the total value of agriculture and manu- facturing production is $706 million of which $567 million is from goods exported out of the county. The county's road network is essential, carry- ing 90 per cent of the goods. With more farm inputs manufactured off the farm, municipal roads are carrying more and heavier traffic. The county has assumed responsibility for a number of downloaded provincial highways essential to the transportation of goods. The study recommends policy makers and planners ensure the industry continues to have access to a reliable road network that contributes to the region's ability to maintain an advantage in trade. Huron County businesses are moving into and/or expanding their value-added activities, according to the study. As well, more businesses are adopting or exploring niche marketing to expand their presence in both the domestic and international miiiiketplace. The. study showed little processing is done in Huron County -- most goods are exported unfin- ished with the processing done outside the coun- ty. The county's location more than the infrastruc- ture is limiting the processing industry, with most processing done in Ontario in the Guelph to Toronto area. Dr. Harry Cummings, who was involved with the research, recommended the county explore processing businesses that don't rely on location for success. Cummings, Don Murray and Gayle Bogart of the University of Guelph completed the study in June. A 1996 study, also completed by the university for the HCFA, showed Huron County 'ranks sev- enth in Canada, ahead of the Maritime provinces in agriculture sales. In terms of farm gate sales, Huron County is the lead- ing agriculture region in the province. AGRIC�UtkU'RE t::