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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-12-15, Page 4TIMES ADVOCATE 4 Exeter Times—Advocate Wednesday, December 15, 2004 zkxna =CNA Editorial Opinion PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER 07511 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing casts. Jim Beckett Publisher and Editor Deb Lord Production Manager ii Published by Metroland Printing, ri Publishing & Distributing Ltd. Metroland 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • (519) 235-1331 EDITORIALS Winter's here be careful ith old man winter sending an icy blast of snowy reality to southwest- ern Ontario early this week, it's time once again to remind area drivers to be care- ful on the roads. It seems every year around Christmas, newspapers have the unfortunate duty of reporting news of deaths on the roads. While treacherous conditions like black ice, drift- ing snow and poor visibility are often the cause, there's also the issue of driver care- lessness, of which everyone is guilty from time to time. If forecasters are suggesting you don't go out on the roads, then don't. Stay safe in the house. If you are driving, take your time and keep plenty of distance between your car and others. If it takes a little longer to get some- where, most people would agree it's better than the alternative. Every winter, newspaper, TV and radio reports are full of weather warnings, yet it's amazing how many people ignore them and go out on the roads, putting themselves and others at risk. Let's keep the Christmas news happy this year. it WHAT'S YOUR CELL?, IF I THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE, 1i.I TEX1'mMESSP1GE IT To YoU,,, [4:rk Y w ! Distributed by Canadian Artists Syndicate Inc. Business bylaw It will be interesting to see what the munici- pality decides to do about its proposed busi- ness licensing bylaw. As reported elsewhere in the Times - Advocate, a public meeting will be held at this Monday's council meeting. As was expressed at a recent council meet- ing, there is concern among South Huron's business community about outside business- es coming into the area and flooding the market with their auctions. Often, these com- panies can afford to sell items at lower prices. Is this simply fair competition, or does the municipality have to do something to protect local businesses? About the Times -Advocate We have the ri Court stories are always among the most con- tentious parts of any newspaper. Whether they are found guilty or innocent, those charged with crimes are reluctant to see their names under the court heading. But just as in a free and open society where we are confronted with things we consider offensive or wrong through a free flow of information, residents of a community have a right to know who among them has been convicted of a crime and even more importantly, who has been found inno- cent. This right was threatened last month with a decision at the Goderich Court House for the monthly Exeter Court. Instead of the usual court docket listing what each defendant was charged with, the Times -Advocate received a special sheet list- ing only the defendants' names, a policy the staff at the court house say they are unlikely to change. The reason given was to protect the birth dates of the accused but the list also omitted the charge each defendant was accused of, informa- tion which by law is public. Due to the possibility of a mistake being made, the Times -Advocate may not be able to continue covering the court sessions but is continuing to try and have the policy reversed. It would be easier (and more fun) to blame this policy on the liberal mentality that runs through the country, the one that says criminals need to be coddled and t to know shouldn't have their feelings hurt by having to see their names in print. But the more troubling issue is one which goes beyond court proceedings into every part of society, whether it is government or business. In every office there are people who feel they have the right to decide what the rest of us should see, hear, watch and read. The growth of the Internet has allowed a new type of democracy to flourish as people around the world communicate directly, bypassing the need to wait for the anchor man with his "that's the way it is" newscast. But even as information can be transmitted instantly around the world, the ability of regu- lar citizens to pry information from the grip of those who hold onto it is threatened more all the time. The amount of information governments and businesses collect on citizens continues to grow, whether for security reasons or for sta- tistics to satisfy the never ending bureaucratic curiosity. But fording out what a company has collected on its customers, what a government is spending or if a neighbour has been convicted of a crime is becoming more difficult all the time. If you feel not only that you should have the right to know what is going on in your community but should have the ability to decide for yourself what you want to read and hear, contact the Goderich Court House at 524-2447. PAT B BACK 40 VIEW OLEN 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. Contact Us By Phone or Fax Classified ad & subscription sales (519) 235-1331 24-hour automated attendant (519) 235-1336 Fax number for all departments (519) 235-0766 Subscription Rates One year rate for addresses in Canada: $37+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $68+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada: $104 Call (519) 235-1331 to order a subscription. Classified Rates Word ads: $10.00 for 20 words, 20ir for each addition- al word+ GST. Notices (births, deaths, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $15.00 + GST for up to 50 words, All ads must be pre -paid. The classified ad deadline is Monday at 10 a.m. Display Advertising To place a display ad, (519) 235-1331 weekdays 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. or evenings (519) 235-1336 (leave mes- sage) or toll-free at 1-888-270-1602. Deadline: Fri. 4 m. -mail Us Web site: www.southhuron.com TA e-mail addresses consist of the person's first initial and last name followed by @southhuron.com. 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 Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 REPORTERS Scott Nixon ext. 105 Pat Bolen ext. 113 Mary Simmons ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Sherrie Thomson ext. 102 COMPOSITION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord ext 114/103 Sharlene Young, Diana Hardy ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 Christina Scott ext. 108 Marg Pertschy ext. 111