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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-06-09, Page 44 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday,June 9, 2004 zkxna =CNA TIMES ADVOCATE PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER 07511 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs. Jim Beckett Publisher and Editor Deb Lord Production Manager &Published by Metroland Printing, rt Publishing & Distributing Ltd. Metroland 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • (519) 235-1331 EDITORIALS Stay informed of issues Are you keeping informed on the issues sur- rounding the June 28 federal election? Too many Canadians, it seems, don't care or know about the issues and controversies surrounding the latest election, the third elections Ontarians will be involved with since the fall. While a series of uninspiring and disappointing politicians has Canadians more cynical than ever about politics, the June 28 election seems more inter- esting than federal elections of the past decade, dur- ing which it seemed a foregone conclusion the Liberals would sweep their way into power. This time around, polls indicate not only will Paul Martin and his Liberals not win a majority, they may not even win a minority, with Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party moving up in the polls after the Progressive Conservatives merged with the Canadian Alliance. The fact is, Canadians need to pay attention during this election and should get involved. While the Liberals like to view themselves as "Canada's party," the prevailing attitude among the public is that, after 11 years in power and after Adscam, the gun registry fiasco and the HRDC mess, not to mention an increas- ing air of corruption and arrogance, the Liberals need to be punished. But those who consider themselves centrists or left-wingers have a problem: if you feel you just can't vote for the Liberals, how can you vote for the Conservatives, whose conservatism seems too far to the right for many? There are alternatives, though. Voters in Huron -Bruce can also choose from the New Democratic Party, the Green Party, the Christian Heritage Party and the Marijuana Party. A vote for one of the smaller parties is not a vote wasted, contrary to what members of the two largest parties might tell you. Your vote is important and candidates should have to earn it, not acquire it by default. If the Liberal and Conservative parties don't appeal to you, it's simple — don't vote for them. But please, stay informed of the issues. Next week the Times -Advocate will profile the candidates in Huron -Bruce and Middlesex-Kent-Lambton. There will also be an all -candidates meeting for Huron - Bruce candidates June 14 at Huron Centennial Public School south of Brucefield at 8 p.m. GENIUS OF THE WEEK Television personalities wonder why they get no respect. Sunday night as U.S. talk shows continued to pay tribute to late President Ronald Reagan, CNN's Larry King interviewed former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney on his relationship with Reagan. When the interview was over, King thanked Mulroney, looked straight into the camera and said, "That was Brian Mulroney, former prime minister of Great Britain." Nice try, Larry. This man makes more money in six months than most people make in a lifetime and he doesn't even know who he's talking to. About the Times -Advocate Editorial Opinion 20574 rastr,buted by Canadian Art lets Syndicate Inc. Professionalism on display It's unfortunate but true the work of some of the most highly trained and valuable people around us often goes unnoticed. Much of the most valuable work done by professionals such as doctors, para- medics and firefighters is invisible to us until it is needed in emergency situations. Even then, with victims being pulled from burning buildings and removed from crushed vehicles, dazed, bleeding and in pain, the concern for an individual's own safety and survival can make them over- look the skill of the people rescuing them. But the work of area firefighters was on display last week with a training exercise involving a crashed bus and two vehicles, complete with volunteer victims. With the victims in place inside smashed vehicles, the call went out and within min- utes firefighters were on scene assessing the situation and determining how best to secure the vehicles in place so extrication could proceed. But what probably was an orderly procedure as three different departments tackled the three vehicles and the occupants, seemed to be anything but from inside one of the vehicles. As firefighters clambered over the hood of the car wedging timbers into place to safely prop up the vehicles, power tools fired into life, sparks flew and metal gave way allowing entry. Despite the presence of a firefighter in the back of the car providing reassuring words to the vic- tims and the absence of pain and injuries, the scene bordered on overwhelming as a neck brace was put in place restricting movement, making it possible only to overhear frag- ments of conversation as rescuers debat- ed how best to remove the victim from under the steering wheel without doing anymore damage. The sense of being overwhelmed turned to helplessness as hands gently but firmly turned, pulled and finally slid the survivor onto a board and carried him to safety. Free and unhurt once again, it was pos- sible to see the skills of the rescuers up close for a change, as heavy hydraulic tools were manipulated with the skill of a surgeon to slice away the roof of a van, inches from the victim still inside. With the last cut to remove the roof, multiple hands lifted the final survivor to safety. Although just an exercise with all the victims walking away, the skill and professional on display will continue to be put to use every day. PAT B BACK 40 VIEW Address & Office Hours Times -Advocate, 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Holidays. 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For example, Jim Beckett's e-mail address is <jbeck- ett@southhuron.com> Our general e-mail address is ads@southhuron.com. The Times -Advocate Team Publisher/Editor Jim Beckett ext. 109 Advertising Barb Consitt ext. 110 Reporters Scott Nixon ext. 105 Pat Bolen ext. 113 Mary Simmons ext. 107 Customer Service Sue Rollings ext. 101 Carol Powe ext. 102 Composition Department Manager Deb Lord ext. 114/103 Sharlene Young ext. 103 Jacky Westlake ext. 103 Accounting Staff Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 Carol Windsor ext. 111