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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-08-10, Page 44 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, August 10, 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 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 EDITORIAL That mysterious alligator It seems the fruitless search for the Morrison Dam's elusive alligator is over. Was it real or just another small-town urban myth? No one knows, but the gator managed to drum up some controversy. After attempts by experts to find the lizard — likely a small crocodile called a caiman — failed, the search has been called off. It's been nearly a month since the small lizard was spotted by anglers. And while the reported sighting attracted the media and the public, no one can find the shifty critter, if it ever existed. But much to our amusement, Exeter's revered white squirrels were dragged into the issue, after RSD Authentics printed a T-shirt, humorously suggesting we 'save the gator' by feeding it a white squirrel. Well, Exeter being Exeter, the T-shirt offended at least one local resident, who voiced his displeasure in a letter to the editor last week. The truth is, while many Exeterites are fond of the white squirrel and are quick to tell out-of-towners about our claim to fame, many locals also regard the white squirrel as a nuisance. Whichever your view- point, it's probably best to keep a sense of humour about the odd-looking rodent. Sure, let's try to promote the area by using the white squirrel as a drawing card, but let's be honest, most people regard a squirrel as nothing more than a rat with a bushy tail. And unlike other town mascots like Wiarton Willie or Punxatony Phil, our white squirrel doesn't really do anything, does it? Public involvement Monday night's overwhelming crowd at a South Huron council meeting was good to see. Most were there, as reported elsewhere in this week's Times - Advocate, to discuss solutions for Exeter's flood prob- lem. Not only was the council chamber gallery full, extra seats were placed along the west wall and in front of the gallery as concerned citizens filled the room. Council faced a barrage of questions on the flood issue, as well as other important local concerns such as the sale of Huron Park and doctor recruitment efforts. This standing -room -only crowd Monday night was an about-face from the typical South Huron council meet- ing, normally only attended by municipal staff and the media. Every so often a member of the public will stop by to raise a concern or sit in on the meeting, but the gallery usually remains empty. It would be nice to see more crowds like Monday night's, where the public takes an active role in munic- ipal politics and shows enthusiasm for working with council and holding councillors accountable. Too often the public ignores council and its decisions until it's too late. Staying informed and participating is much more effective than simply being a Monday morning quarter- back. I have a request I usually don't have a lot of time, interest (or any- thing intelligent) to talk about with the eco warrier- sissies. It's a full-time job out there on the far right of the far right and at the end of the day you want to feel you've given your all to exploiting and pillaging the planet. But in this case I have a favour to ask whenever the tree huggers take a lunch break from holding up the sky. I'd like to see some pollution. Maybe I'm just facing in the wrong direc- tion because I keep hearing about it but I don't see it. It's a never ending stream of "smog alerts," "haze over southwestern Ontario," and straight out "bad air days." We didn't get a lot of bad air days down on the farm, except when Pop fired up the Massey -Harris spreader and let it rip. And I don't mean the normal off in the dis- tance type stuff that's as hard to spot as Liberal ethics or Stanley Cup rings on Pat Quinn's fingers. I mean the London in the 1950s type stuff that showed people with cloths over their mouths and the birds falling out of the sky. And one last request. I have a few too many flowers blooming around my place so I'd also appreciate if you have any, whether you could slide over a couple of jars of the higher strength acid rain. Business as usual While the rest of the National Hockey League teams have quickly adapted to the new financial order of the league, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been left sucking exhaust fumes from faster moving teams. Unable to no longer attempt to solve problems with buckets loads of cash, the Leafs are gone from having almost no planning to...having no plan at all. It's been a tough pill to swallow for the team, having to actually think about scouting, drafting and developing players in the manner of lowly teams such as New Jersey. But there were obvious signs the Leafs weren't exactly embracing the new order when they chose to bring back coach Pat Quinn, who never met an over -the -hill geriatric case he wouldn't play. But sensing a revolt from the drones and suits who sleepwalk into the Air Canada Centre, the Leafs decided they should throw some red meat to the faithful and brought back the foundation of the franchise, Tie Domi, for one go around to ensure the future of the team. The Leafs have reacted about as quickly as the dinosaurs did when they saw the asteroid explode on the horizon. The outcome is likely to be the same. PAT BO BACK 40 VIEW LEN 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. 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, 20¢ 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 p m. E-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 MargPertschy ext. 111 Heather Clarke