The Times Advocate, 2006-11-22, Page 44
Times—Advocate
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
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Editorial Opinion
TIMES ADVOCATE
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Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • 519-235-1331
Peter Winkler -General Manager, Southwestern Ontario Division
EDITORIAL
New ideas
or several local municipal politicians,
Monday night's meetings were the last
meetings they will take part in as a mem-
ber of council. They take with them their expe-
rience and knowledge gained over many years
in politics.
Now it's time for the "newbies" to pick up the ball
and run with it.
Of the municipal councils in the Times -Advocate's
coverage area, South Huron lost the most experience,
with Mayor Rob Morley, Deputy Mayor Dave Urlin and
Coun. Harvey Ratz calling it a day. While council, and
the ratepayers, lose their experience, they also gain
new leadership, new ideas and fresh concepts the new
councillors will provide, and that's something to be
excited about.
Mayor -elect Ken Oke has loads of experience, but
leading a council will be a new experience for him.
Newly -elected councillors Cathy Seip and David Frayne
have never sat on council before and will no doubt go
through a learning process, but the new ideas they
bring to the table will be welcome.
In Bluewater, Kay Wise replaces council veteran Rod
Parker in the Hensall ward. It will be interesting to see
Wise, a person who in the past has lobbied for
Hensall's separation from the rest of Bluewater, now
sitting on Bluewater council. How will that dynamic
work?
In addition to losing Parker, Bluewater loses the
experience of Paul Klopp as deputy mayor.
Lambton Shores will also see new faces on council, as
popular longtime Mayor Cam Ivey bowed out of the
election, while council veteran Shirley Andraza opted
not to run. Lucan Biddulph loses Doug Anderson of
Granton.
The Christmas spirit
A thumbs up goes to outgoing Deputy Mayor Dave
Urlin and the rest of South Huron council for showing
some compassion and giving a Crediton man another
chance to pay his taxes and keep his property. After
three years in tax arrears, the property formerly
owned by Danny Thomas fell into the municipality's
hands. In such cases, the municipality can declare the
property surplus and prepare it for a public auction,
which it was about to do, before Urlin interjected and
suggested council give Thomas until Dec. 11 to pay the
nearly $6,000 he owes so he can keep his home.
A nice way for Urlin to wrap up a political career.
The gift of giving
It's that time once again — the leaves are falling,
the weather's getting colder, Christmas decorations
are going up around town and now more than ever
as the holiday season approaches, those people less
fortunate need a helping hand.
Every year I make it my goal to do my part,
whether volunteering or donating a couple of dollars
here and there.
Last week I volunteered at Belongers, accepting
donations as part of the Operation Christmas
Child—Shoebox Gift Campaign with my moth-
er.
We volunteered just two days but by the end
of the second day we wanted to do more.
My mom and I took a couple of shoeboxes to
fill with clothing, toys, school supplies and
more.
And honestly I didn't realize how much joy
would actually come from buying presents for
others, children I didn't even know.
But knowing that our shoeboxes filled with
gifts would travel across the world to a child
that couldn't even afford the everyday necessi-
ties made me excited and gave me a warm
fuzzy feeling inside.
While collecting donations for our shoeboxes I was
impressed by the amount of people I ran into gather-
ing donations for their shoeboxes at various stores
around town.
I was so pleased by the interest shown in the com-
munity.
Operation Christmas Child wrapped up last
Saturday at Belongers where 700 boxes and count-
ing were donated by the Exeter and area communi-
Of those 700 boxes, 280 were from South Huron
District High School students, something they partic-
ipate in every year.
I also noticed many boxes came from several
churches and elementary schools in the community.
And not only did Operation Christmas Child finish
up this weekend, but the Exeter Food Drive was also
Saturday.
The Exeter Food Drive is another annual event
sponsored by the Exeter Scouting and
Guiding Groups and the Exeter Fire
Department.
All the food donations were taken to the
Exeter Food Bank, staying in the Exeter
and area community
Between Operation Christmas Child and
the Exeter Food Drive, many of the volun-
teers donating their time or giving gifts
were either teenagers or children, a great
way of getting the younger generation
motivated, especially around this time of
year
And not to mention helping them realize
what this holiday season is all about, the
gift of giving.
I know Operation Christmas Child and the Exeter
Food Drive are just two of the many annual events
which assist less fortunate people in the Exeter and
area community.
But these have definitely touched my heart.
With the Huron County Christmas Bureau collect-
ing food and gift donations, the drop-off location is
at the Exeter United Church.
I encourage the community to get involved, experi-
encing the gift of giving.
NINA
VAN
LIESHOUT
KICK THIS
AROUND
ty•
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