HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe 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.
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.
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