Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-04-27, Page 44 Exeter Times—Advocate Wednesday, April 27, 2005 =CNA Editorial Opinion 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 casts. 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 EDITORIAL Filling the empty spaces We're not claiming the sky is falling, but there should be some concern about the number of business closures Exeter has experienced over the past several weeks. As already mentioned in the Times - Advocate, the corner of Main and Sanders streets became much more barren when Pizza Delight closed at about the same time Shoppers Drug Mart moved to a bigger location at the north end. Add to that the closure of El Veracruz, Country Health Foods, Before & After, Frayne's General Store and the upcoming closure of Sandollars and we have what hopefully doesn't become an unsettling trend. On the plus side of the ledger, SAAN is re- opening, The Gossiping Goose crossed Main Street to a larger location and Willow Valley Furnishings is opening in the former Jervis Photo building. Still, there are four empty storefronts on the west side of Main Street between Sanders and John, not exactly what most people would describe as a good thing. The key, of course, is in filling these loca- tions quickly, something Exeter has been able to do in the past. Small towns have a tough time competing with the retail draw of a large city. In London, the Masonville and Hyde Park areas have made it attrac- tive for South Huron residents to do their shopping in the Forest City. The fact many locals work in London makes it even more convenient for them. Exeter businesses need to convince local residents to do their shopping locally, either by offering services and products not available in other areas or by featuring competitive prices that make the drive to London not worth it. We're optimistic this will happen — Exeter has always had a strong business community and that will probably contin- ue. But let's not rest on our laurels. About the Times -Advocate WHY SHOULP HIS HAIRCLJI' COST LESS THAN MINE?! 65 Who will step forward? Two men. Two volunteer organizations. Two different results. Exeter has recently witnessed the passing of the torch at two different local organizations, but the men who led them leave behind different results. The retirement of Exeter Hawks general manager John Rasenberg leaves behind a team with a bright future. With a mix of budding talent and veteran leadership, the Hawks are ready once again to challenge for the Junior D championship. But for another volunteer organization, the future is not as bright. Despite the hard work and best efforts of outgoing R.E. Pooley Legion Branch 167 presi- dent Ron Helm, the future of the Legion, like that of many Legions across the country, is increasingly grim due to a shortage of volun- teers. Although the Legion has reached out in the past few years to attract new members, it and service clubs like it find it increasingly a chal- lenge to fill the ranks. Empty chairs and members moving a little slower every year echo the statement that Legions are born to die. Groups like local Fall Fair boards continue to rely on the same pool of volunteers to do the heavy lifting if fairs are to survive. In a fast paced life, it is hard to find the time, even a couple of hours a week, to sit in a booth, take notes, or any of the other routine work service clubs require. But perhaps it is the word "service" itself that causes people to shy away from coming forward. In "today's thumb sucking, not my fault/I hurt/give me a pill culture," maybe the idea of working for more than our own interests and that we have a duty to each other, our community and the country are obsolete ideas. The fashionable idea is that groups should change to whatever is needed to attract new members. But despite what some might say, the idea of water- ing down a group's beliefs in the hope of attracting someone/anyone is a false hope. Like the (of course) country song says, "you've got to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything." Values aren't something that can be deter- mined in a focus group, written up by a com- mittee, and abandoned when the values change. For 200 years, the emblem of the United States Marine Corps has remained essentially the same, drawing a link from the past to the present. That Rasenberg built an organization admired throughout the league, for its behav- iour both on and off the ice, echoing the style of the 1950s' Bleu -Blanc -Rouge, is an attitude few teams bother to strive for anymore. Whether it is the Big Brothers/Big Sisters, a service club, the Legion or a sports team, when the volunteers stop coming forward, we all lose. PAT BO BACK 40 VIEW LEN 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: $38+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $70+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada: $130 Call (519) 235-1331 to order a subscription. Classified Rates Word ads: $11.00 for 20 words, 20c 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 Stephanie Mandziuk ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Kim Hern ext. 102 COMPOSITION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord ext 114/103 Sharlene Young, ext 103 Heather Bilcke ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 Christina Scott ext. 108 Marg Pertschy ext. 111