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The Times Advocate, 2006-12-27, Page 44 Times—Advocate Wednesday, December 27 2006 zkocna =CNA Editorial Opinion *cliapise n = MISIM 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 costs. Canada Jim Beckett — Publisher Deb Lord — Production Manager Scott Nixon — Editor 4 Published by Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing Ltd. Metroland 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • 519-235-1331 Peter Winkler -General Manager, Southwestern Ontario Division EDITORIAL Looking ahead Ats we wrap up another year and ponder he highlights and lowlights of 2006, it's my natural that one wonders what 2007 will bring. Locally, how will the new councils do? With new leadership in South Huron and Lambton Shores, will those councils change direction from what we have seen before? Will there be effec- tive chemistry among the councils in the Times - Advocate's readership areas? Will the new coun- cillors adapt quickly to their role in politics and bring new ideas to the table? Crediton and Centralia residents will be waiting with interest to see if the $6.2 million sewer pro- ject in those villages will be approved for a Canada -Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) grant and, if so, how much will it be? Will it be enough to ease the concerns of those residents who are worried they won't be able to pay the bills? And if there is no grant, what then? South Huron chief administrative officer Larry Brown said recently he expects an answer on the COM - RIF grant early in the new year. Hopefully this story will have a happy financial ending for the residents of Crediton and Centralia. If not, there will probably be a few more full galleries at South Huron council meetings. The economy in general is always a concern in small towns. Locally, towns are not only worried about the state of their downtown cores, but the agriculture sector. Work on a business study, the South Huron Alliance for Retention and Expansion, will begin in earnest in the new year and should help let us know what challenges and struggles local businesses are facing and how we can help address them. Looking provincially, voters in Ontario will head to the polls and let Dalton McGuinty know how they feel about his reign as premier. In Ottawa, it remains to be seen how long Stephen Harper can keep his minority government together. Are Stephane Dion and the Liberals ready for an election? Have voters forgiven the Grits? Should they forgive them? Time will tell. About the Times -Advocate I'm taking the challenge It's that time of year again. The Wife is happily using her new drill press (with an excessive amount of force, I must say). The last of the family has gone home, especially good old aunt Hie, still happily wearing her 'vote Louis in 49' button on the pant suit and whose hugs/gropes get tighter and lower every year. We've all had our fun, bingeing and bingeing and coming back to the table and bingeing again. But at some point, we accept it's time to make some changes in the eating habits, look in the mirror and say "boy, you need to gain some weight." Weight and lack of it has always been an issue for me, especially on the first day of Grade 9 high school phys ed when I was prod- ded onto the scales. Kevin, a boy who could have doubled for Englebert in the "Bad News Bears" leaned one of his chins over my shoul- der and made the casual but pointed observa- tion, "I weighed more than that in Grade 1." BACK 40 A high school wrestling career proved to be VIEW beneficial, if short-lived since the WWF wasn't looking for a wrestler whose image was some- what less macho than Jimmy `Super Fly' Snuka. But the rasslin' career, which ended with a perfect 0- 10 record, briefly got me within a few more apple frit- ters of 140 before some friendly drill instructors ran the flab off with thrice hourly runs up a mountain roughly the size of Mt. Doom and Mt. Krumpet put together. It's been a difficult climb since then. With the butt parked firmly on a chair for several hours a day these past four years, the pounds have steadily packed on, but not nearly fast enough. It's time to get serious and I admit I need help. What I'm looking for is more than just a coach or a trainer. I'm looking for someone who brings a way of life and knows packing on pounds takes a serious lack of effort. Alma Nri A PAT B 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: $40+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $72+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada: $140 Call (519) 235-1331 to order a subscription. OLEN What I'm looking for is a disciplinarian with, to paraphrase Krusty, "an exclusive program of eating and ridicule." I need an eating partner who isn't afraid to challenge me and let me know when I'm slacking off and who will say "put that glass of water down and have another beer." I'm sure there are moments of weakness in every diet, but since I've never been on one I wouldn't know. But this won't be done alone and I need your help. As Hillary said, "it takes a village to raise a child," and it will take a community to make a lean man fat. The temptation to walk a block to the pizza joint instead of driving will be strong so don't be afraid to offer a lift. If you see me looking gaunt feel free to offer meat snacks or to buy me the hungry man's buffet. Together we can make 2007 the year I stopped eat- ing off the Canada food guide pyramid and starting looking like it. Classified Rates Word ads: $11 for 20 words, 20(t for each additional word+ GST. Notices (births, deaths, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $15 + 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. 2 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 Jim Beckett ext. 109 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 EDITOR Scott Nixon ext. 105 REPORTERS Pat Bolen ext. 113 Nina Van Lieshout ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Elaine Chipchase ext. 102 PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord ext. 103/114 Heather Bilcke ext. 103 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 MargPertschy ext. 111 Heather Clarke ext. 206