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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-04-12, Page 44 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, April 12, 2006 =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 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 Well done Iast weekend's 30 Hour Famine at South Huron District High School was another Jgreat example of local youths raising money and dedicating their time towards a good cause. More than 200 students helped raise over $12,000, taking time out of their weekend to raise money that will help underprivileged chil- dren around the world. According to principal Jeff Reaburn, the school has raised more than $73,000 for the 30 Hour Famine in the last 13 years. This is no small feat and the students should be congratulated for their efforts. Students are also busy organizing another positive event, Relay for Life, which takes place June 9-10 and raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society. This event involves the entire community and sees participants walk around the track at the high school overnight. High school students receive enough criticism for various reasons, some of it justified and some of it not. But through positive community events like the 30 Hour Famine and Relay for Life, they should be commended. Let's see some candidates In letters to the editor and at council meet- ings, South Huron councillors have received some heavy criticism over the past few months. The ability to publicly question and criticize politicians and the government is one of the hallmarks of a democratic society and one we should be proud of. On the other hand, it's also true that it's easy to be a Monday morning quarterback and criti- cize everything — taking an active role in improving things takes another step and anoth- er level of dedication. The past couple of South Huron municipal elections have seen acclamations, few candi- dates and public apathy. Let's hope that changes this time around. As of last week, South Huron still had no offi- cially declared candidates for this fall's election and we already know some of the current councilors won't be back. So let's see the critics back up their words and throw their hat in the ring. If you can do a better job, show us. N4te„lz 60 AHEAD, MAKE MY DAY,,, tI. f . Dirty Harper 1T�a .11 � Otolipias Allow 101.4-1,' fir► 2006 Distributed by Canadian Artists Syndicate Inc.. Local business project a positive step In a community where many are worried about the state of the business community (particularly down- town Exeter), a new program just getting off the ground could go a long way towards help- ing local businesses. The South Huron Chamber of Commerce is taking a lead role in a `Business Retention and Expansion Program' to encourage the growth and stability of local businesses. The year-long project will include not only the Chamber, but partners including the Municipality of South Huron, the Huron Business Development Centre, Huron County, the Exeter Business Association and the federal government. The Ministry of Agriculture is kicking in $30,000 of the total $65,000 budget, with the municipality paying $15,000, the Chamber $5,000 and the remain- der of the partners sharing the final $15,000. Hugh McMaster of The Ranch House Inn, who also helped start the South Huron Chamber of Commerce, is spearheading the project, which offers a positive way for people in the community to help promote local businesses, help them expand, identify what problems they may have and help create a long-term marketing plan for South Huron. Things are still in the beginning stages, but McMaster wants to get moving quickly. As you'll read elsewhere in this week's Times -Advocate, he spoke about the project before South Huron council Monday night. SCOTT NIXON AND ANOTHER THING In any economical study, it's vital that all business sectors be represented — to that end, a leadership team and task force will be created to represent industry and manufac- turing, retail, farming and tourism. Importantly, each part of the community will be involved. Communication is another key in this pro- ject, and the T -A is taking an active role in ensuring the public stays well informed. One of the project's aims is to improve the competitiveness of local businesses, help build networks within the community and determine the strengths and weaknesses of the local economy. Time will tell how the community and the business sector reacts to this new project, but it's high time something like this was done. With recent high profile closures downtown and a growth trend at the north end of town, people are questioning the strength of Exeter's downtown core. In a recent council meeting, South Huron Mayor Rob Morley said Exeter is turning into a ghost town and that rural Ontario's economy is going down the toilet. It's time we did something about this. Standing idly by won't help anybody. 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 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