HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-01-26, Page 44
Exeter Times–Advocate
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
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Editorial Opinion
TIMES ADVOCATE
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Jim Beckett
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rt Publishing & Distributing Ltd.
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Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • (519) 235-1331
EDITORIAL
No more
blockades
They got the attention they wanted, but in
the process farmers who blocked
Highway 401 for six hours Jan. 21
angered and inconvenienced thousands of dri-
vers who have nothing to do with the farmers'
complaints.
About 100 slow-moving tractors and more
than another 125 cars and trucks led a
convoy down both sides of Highway 401
between Putnam and Culloden roads. The
protest was organized by Rural Revolution,
which includes tobacco, beef and grain
farmers and rural landowners complaining
that the province is ignoring their con-
cerns. The group is planning another
blockade in eastern Ontario this week.
The concerns and frustrations farmers
feel about declining commodity prices and
increased government regulations are real,
but blocking the 401 isn't the correct way
to protest. The blockade meant drivers —
who had to take an hour-long detour —
and truckers trying to deliver their goods,
were late for work. In the trucking busi-
ness, time means money and some truck-
ers, through no fault of their own, lost
money because of the blockade.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture
(AFO), while stating it supports Ontario
farmers, declined to participate in the
blockade, stating in a press release last
week that "OFA's issue is not with truckers
and motorists using that highway."
And for his part, Minister of Agriculture
Steve Peters needs to address the farmers'
concerns. Their voices need to be heard,
but not by blocking major highways.
Rockin' at the Legion
Thumbs up go to several area bands who
will make sure the Exeter Legion is rockin'
this Friday night with a benefit concert for
the south Asian tsunami relief efforts.
The concert is a great idea and another
example of the willingness of local resi-
dents to help those who need it.
N'aiozo5
French Immersion in Huron County? Mais, out
As long as there's enough interest and the Avon
Maitland District School Board decides it's afford-
able, I'm all in favour of a French Immersion pro-
gram coming to Huron County.
As you may already have read, a public meeting
was held in Exeter last week to determine local
interest in the program. Whether or not the school
board gets the kind of commitment it needs
from parents to go ahead with the program
(about 60 students are needed) is still
unknown.
It's a great idea, though, and it's about
time French Immersion was offered in
Huron County by the public board.
French, you see, is one of our two official
languages — parents should have the
choice to have their children educated in a
French Immersion program if that's what
they want.
French Immersion may be a tough sell in
Huron County, where French isn't exactly
something you hear on the streets and in the coffee
shops everyday. Nevertheless, it's clear there are
people who want it.
There will also be those who are against it, and the
boorish English Canadian intolerance for all things
French will no doubt rear its repulsive head. I grow
wearier every day of this prejudiced garbage. You
want to know why some Quebecers want to sepa-
rate? Just ask your average redneck from Ontario or
Alberta what he thinks of French Canadians and you
won't blame some Quebecers for wanting their own
country.
It's no doubt my attitude is formed largely because
half my family comes from Quebec, although we're
English (try explaining that to the average "Hee
Haw" viewer). In fact, my 96 -year-old great-grand-
mother, who has lived nearly every day of her life in
Quebec, probably knows about as much
French as your average U.S. Republican,
although her English is much better and she's
a whole lot smarter.
Random thoughts:
• Just wondering how long it's going to take
for people in Exeter to realize those Christmas
trees they've dumped by the side of the road
aren't going to be picked up. The municipality
has already said on more than one occasion
there won't be a Christmas tree collection, so
how long are these people going to let their
trees sit by the sidewalk? What are they wait-
ing for? Christmas?
• Another thing that has concerned me is letters to
the editor (not in this newspaper) written by people
upset that the federal government and Canadians in
general are donating to the Asian tsunami relief fund
when there are still problems in Canada. Just how
selfish are these people that they would object to
providing aid to people in nations much poorer than
ours? Need we be reminded how pampered and easy
our lives are in this country compared to most other
nations?
SCOTT
NIXON
AND ANOTHER
THING
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