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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-05-10, Page 44 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, May 10, 2006 =CNA Editorial Opinion e 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 casts. Jim Beckett – Publisher Deb Lord – Production Manager Scott Nixon – Editor tirt Published by iroland Printing, Publishing Distributing& Ltd. 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Metroland Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • (519) 235-1331 EDITORIAL Community gets involved ' e the public is often blamed for being apathetic and nonchalant over political issues, two local groups are proving that generalization to be incorrect. As is widely known by now, residents of Crediton and Centralia are upset over potential costs of a proposed $5.8 million sewer project. With the municipality being denied a two-thirds grant from the Canada -Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) for the second time, residents would bear the cost of the pro- ject at an average of about $20,000 per property. What also upsets people is the municipality's wish to not apply for a COMRIF grant for the sewer project for a third time, but to instead apply for a grant for the upcoming Lake Huron water pipeline to Exeter. The municipality feels, having been denied a COMRIF grant for the sewer price twice, there is no sense applying a third time only to get rejected when the approximately $11 million Lake Huron pipeline project could get a COMRIF grant. That sounds logical on the surface but it doesn't help the residents of Crediton and Centralia, who face bills of $20,000 if the sewer project goes ahead without a grant. Many can't afford it and they will no doubt leave. So far the residents have taken the correct step — they were numerous and vocal at last week's South Huron council meeting, they followed it up with anoth- er meeting last Wednesday and will meet again tonight to plan their course of action. Council needs to listen to their concerns. $20,000, even debentured over 20 years, is a price many people can't pay. Another group with a fight on its hands is in North Middlesex, where community members are fighting to keep McGillivray Central School open. Placed on a clo- sure list by the Thames Valley District School Board, McGillivray is a big part of its community. A 'Save Our School' petition already has 700 signatures on it sup- porting the school and committee members have met with MPPs and local politicians to do whatever they can to keep their school open and prevent their chil- dren from being moved to other schools. Only time will tell whether both groups are success- ful. But they're doing something and for that they need to be given credit. About the Times -Advocate CANADIAN TA%PAYERS, I PRESuMg? 2006 Distributed by Canadian Artists Syndicate Inc_ Could we do the same? It has no stars and no special effects. There are no over -muscled actors tossing off one liners as they mow down the bad guys. And there is no happy ending. But despite that, and because of it, "United 93" might be the best action movie ever made as it describes what happened that morning almost five years ago both on the ground and inside the plane. "United 93" is two movies in one, with people on the ground overwhelmed by what is happening around them as they try to understand and gain control over what is going on. For the passengers and crew on the plane, it is the opposite as they sit in the eye of the storm, unaware of what is about to happen to them as the terrorists wait to make their move. From the moment the movie begins, the tension builds as everyday events occur for the last time, unaware to most of those aboard. As the hatch is slammed and locked and the plane's wheels lift off from the ground for the last time, the fate of those aboard is sealed. On the ground, the morning starts with a short radio transmission as the first indication something is wrong and people can do nothing but watch as planes smash into buildings one after another. But in the air aboard flight 93, as the hijackers make their move, cell phones spring to life and the news from the ground reaches the plane. As the reality of their situation sinks in, the passen- gers react as any of us would as some are frozen while others turn to prayer or make final calls. But a few, as in any situation whether faced with a burning building, a wrecked car or any of the situations we could find ourselves faced with at any moment of any day, find the courage to act. As the plane nears its target, the passengers arm themselves not with Rambo -sized weapons but pots of boiling water and a serving cart to make their stand. Charging their captors, they yell not heroic slo- gans or casual one liners, but sounds of despera- tion and fear There is no Schwarzenegger/Stallone/Seagal or Van Damme to lead the charge with his shirt ripped open just the right way. The last moments aren't slow motion care- fully choreographed scenes, just a chaotic struggle as the passengers battle for control with the terrorists. And in the end, blackness with no one left for the sequel. PAT BO BACK 40 VIEW LEN 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