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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-01-18, Page 44 Exeter Times—Advocate Wednesday, January 18, 2006 =CNA Editorial Opinion n = *SOUS O MIEM 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. Jim Beckett — Publisher Deb Lord — Production Manager Scott Nixon — Editor tirt Published by MetrolandiPrinting, Publishing & Distributing Ltd. 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Metroland Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • (519) 235-1331 EDITORIAL Time for an election The television debates are over, all -candi- dates meetings have taken place and Canadian voters get the chance to exer- cise their right to vote for a new government on Monday. Depending on the results, Monday's election could mean an end to the political careers of either Paul Martin or Stephen Harper. Martin, with all his experience, probably isn't going to want to lead an Opposition party if the Conservatives form the next government; on the other hand, if, after all the controversy sur- rounding Adscam, the Conservatives can't final- ly defeat the Liberals, the Conservative Party will have no choice but to replace Harper. If Harper can't beat the Liberals this time around, when voter anger against the Grits is at an all-time high, he'll never be able to do it. Recent polls show the Conservatives with a 10 percentage point lead over the Liberals. Some are even suggesting the Conservatives are close to a majority victory. Canadians heard the same story in 2004 and ended up giving the Liberals a minority government. Will the same thing happen again? Will Canadians, angry at the Liberals, but fearful of a Conservative victory, turn away from parties like the Conservatives and the NDP and re-elect the Liberals? We'll know Monday night. In Huron -Bruce, it will be interesting to see if four -time incumbent (and Liberal) Paul Steckle can win a fifth term. Some would suggest it's time for a change in Huron -Bruce, but Steckle surprised the doubters in 2004 by handily defeating Conservative candidate Barb Fisher. Will 2006 Conservative candidate Ben Lobb, running his first campaign, be able to defeat Steckle? Will the NDP's Grant Robertson be able to improve on 2004's third place finish? Whatever the results, Canadians need to head to the polls in large numbers. After years of voter apathy, it's time for Canadians to become more active in the democratic process and show Ottawa what kind of representation we want. Last Friday's all -candidates meeting in Holmesville had an impressive turnout, one that is hopefully reflected at the polls Monday. Are you pleased with the Liberals or do you want a change? Make sure your voice is heard. 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: $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. U14OIL OIJR LATEST ELECTION ?oi.I.. SHOWS 99.2 PERCENT OF VOTERS ARE SICK AND TIRF) OF ELECTION PoS11, Communication lacking in Huron Park There was definitely something strange about the way news broke last week that the province had decid- ed to sell the residential side of Huron Park. As we reported in last week's Times -Advocate, the Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC), which manages land for the province, informed Huron Park residents Jan. 9 the province was seeking one buyer for the entire resi- dential side of the park, meaning residents would not be allowed to buy their homes, as many thought they eventually would. What was strange was there was no official announcement from ORC informing the media of their plans — the T -A was tipped off by a local resident Jan. 9 that the ORC was planning two meetings that day. A call to Del Management confirmed that, but we were told the media wouldn't be allowed into the meetings. Stranger still, South Huron Mayor Rob Morley wasn't informed of ORC's plan to sell the Huron Park homes until the morning of the meetings. At the very least, that was bad manners on ORC's part. After all, why wouldn't the municipality be kept fully in the loop on this? Yes, the province owns Huron Park, but South Huron should still be kept abreast of what's happening. As for the media not being allowed into the meetings in Huron Park, that's not terribly sur- prising, since no one (particularly members of the government) wants to speak to the media when they don't think the news is positive. Still, keeping the media out of a meeting never looks good. Maybe ORC eventually intended to let us know about the sale; maybe not. Interestingly, in August 2004, when the province decided it would sell the industrial side of Huron Park to its tenants, there was an official announcement made at the entrance gates to the industrial side. Several members of the media were invited and MPP Carol Mitchell attended as well as Morley and officials from ORC and Del. Press releases were handed out and there were smiles and hand- shakes all around. This time? Nothing. Could it be that ORC was worried there would be negative publicity surrounding the fact residents won't be given the chance to buy their homes? While the announcement in August 2004 that indus- trial tenants could buy their land was seen at the time as positive, it was followed by months of nothingness. More than a year and a half after announcing the industrial side was for sale, negotiations are still taking place. Tenants on the industrial side were left wondering if they would ever be able to buy their buildings and property. Negotiations finally began, but not before some tenants threatened to leave and complained pub- licly in meetings with South Huron council. The province has also placed a "gag order" on the negotia- tions. Regarding the sale of the residential side, Huron Park resident Dave Burrell has sent out flyers to his neighbours asking them their opinions. Do they want to buy their homes or are they happy renting? Sadly, it looks as though those wanting to buy are out of luck. ORC has listed the entire residential side for sale and is look- ing for one buyer for the 355 homes. It remains to be seen whether there is any interest out there in buying all the homes, just as it remains to be seen what will hap- pen to the old Centralia College and airport on the industrial side. Of course, by selling to one buyer, the ORC is doing the easy thing. It's much simpler to deal with one buyer than with 355 (or however many wanted to buy). It's true there are Huron Park residents who can't afford to buy their homes, but there are also those who can and who would jump at the opportunity to buy their home. Unfortunately, they're not going to get that chance. SCOTT NIXON AND ANOTHER THING 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 Kim Hern ext. 102 COMPOSITION 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 Christina Scott ext. 108 MargPertschy ext. 111 Heather Clarke