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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-06-15, Page 44 Exeter Times—Advocate Wednesday, June 15, 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 Park's future at stake The next few months will be critical in mapping out the future of Huron Park. As reported elsewhere in this week's Times - Advocate, the province has deemed the sale of the industrial side of the park a high priority and is determined to have it sold by next March. Not to be overly cynical, but we'll believe it when we see it. The issue of selling the former Royal Canadian Air Force base has gone on for years. With the official announcement last August that the industrial side was finally going to be sold, businesses in the park were hoping it would happen sooner rather than later. They were wrong — the sale has been bogged down in delays, leaving businesses at a stand- still, not knowing exactly what the future would hold. For some, the thought of leaving the park and setting up shop elsewhere is probably tempting. Granted, selling the former military base is a complicated matter with many different envi- ronmental and planning issues to figure out. The province's recent decision to look for one or two large purchasers to buy currently vacant properties like the former Centralia College is interesting, although it remains to be seen whether there is a market for such a property. The airport and accompanying runways also need owners. Who's in the market for an air- port? Saving the airport and the runways is an important part of preserving the heritage of the former Centralia Royal Canadian Air Force base, which not only trained pilots during the Second World War, but became NATO's first pilot training centre during the Cold War. Without the airport, the history of the park is reduced to a collection of hangars and bar- racks. The province is correct in taking a careful approach to finding buyers for the park. As Ontario Realty Corporation spokesperson Scot Magnish told the Times -Advocate last week, finding the right buyer can turn Huron Park into a great success story, while finding the wrong buyer can result in a disaster. The `For Sale' sign is up. Now let's hope the buyers come forward. IT SEEMS THE MORE THEYABUSE ME, ThEMORE I LIKE THEM,.. Youa RkHr, You ARE CRAzY. eS uP #40Vis,. The e-mail I never expected to get I opened an e-mail at work one morning from my university buddy, roommate, confidant and friend for life. Deirdrie sent an attachment and I assumed it was another joke or a cute picture of her kids. It turned out to be an inspirational story about a mother and daughter. I quickly read her personal note at the top of the page. Then I read it again and again. "Today I found out I have breast cancer. I am strong and tough and I have a lifetime of memories awaiting me." Utter disbelief. I just couldn't comprehend what I was reading. I quickly called her home in Ottawa. No answer, so I left a message. Then I responded by e- mail. We finally touched base that evening and she shared the details with me. Deirdrie discovered two lumps on her left breast and promptly made a doctor's appointment to learn the horrible truth. How could I possibly comfort her? As she spoke my mind was racing, flashing back to my wedding day almost two years ago. At one point Deirdrie, in her long bridesmaid's gown, was in the backseat of the limo breastfeeding Cameron, not even two months old. How could this be happening to her? We were both optimistic the lumps would be removed, possibly followed by chemo or radiation. The second e-mail arrived days later and again I opened it at work. "I am having surgery Monday and it will be a mastectomy. The news hit me like a brick wall. The sur- geon said it will be a couple of weeks later when I meet with the oncologist to determine what type of treatment will be needed." The news struck every nerve in my body and I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. I rushed home to call Ottawa again. This time Deirdrie's mother-in-law answered the phone offering some sketchy details. I promised to call back later. Deirdrie beat me to the punch. More information, more questions and then just girl talk. She said, "I'm having a beer." I replied, "So am I." We toasted life and friendship just like we used to do back at "Queen's" in Kingston. However, our conversations were never this serious. We promised to talk again before the surgery and I wished Deirdrie a Happy Birthday since she turned 40 the next day (June 3). Deirdrie and I spoke again less than 24 hours before her surgery. For the third time in just over a week I ended the conversation with, "I love you kiddo," and she reciprocated. On June 6 while at work, I anxiously watched the clock. Why was time moving so slowly? A couple of phone calls to Ottawa and I finally got word Deirdrie was doing well and resting comfortably at home. The next day another e-mail arrived. "The nurse was in today and told me the surgeon did a fantastic job, there will hardly be a visi- ble scar. I guess I should take comfort in that. The next big report is the pathology. Hopefully that will come in a couple of weeks." We finally spoke again two days after the surgery. I was apprehensive, thinking the scar may hardly be visible, but what about the STEPH MAND CONSIDE THIS! ANIE ZIUK R missing breast? Deirdrie said physically she felt fine but mentally she wasn't so sure. We talked about counselling and other services. Throughout the entire conversation I still detected Deirdrie's usual spunk and zeal which set the tone. Once again we were right back to the usual girl talk. Another flashback and I recall Deirdrie's very first e-mail about her breast cancer. "I am strong and tough and I have a lifetime of memories awaiting me." Deirdrie, you are absolutely right! About the Times -Advocate 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 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