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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2007-07-18, Page 44 Times—Advocate Wednesday,July 18, 2007 zkocna =CNA TIMES ADVOCATE Editorial Opinion 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 CN 2007 BLUE RIBBON Si ft The Times -Advocate is owned by Metroland Media Group Ltd. Metroland 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Media Group Ltd. Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • 519-235-1331 Doug Rowe -General Manager, Southwestern Ontario Division EDITORIAL Tough lessons You'd think eventually drivers would start learning their lesson after repeated headlines to stories detailing tragic but completely pre- ventable road accidents. It happened again on the weekend, this time on Elginfield Road east of Denfield Road early Sunday evening — a Honda, travelling east on Elginfield pulled out into the passing lane to overtake a tractor trailer, driving into the path of an oncoming Chevrolet Cavalier. According to reports, both cars swerved to avoid each other, but basically collided head-on. As a result, a passenger in the Honda is in hospital with life-threatening injuries, Sgt. Dave Rektor of the Western Region OPP said. The dri- ver of the Honda is in stable condition after suf- fering serious injuries, while the driver of the Cavalier was treated in hospital and released, with his wife still in hospital with non -life threatening injuries. Police described the accident as completely preventable, as many accidents are. In the Times -Advocate's readership area, we expect days in the winter when driving can be treach- erous and sometimes impossible. Accidents happen and aren't always the driver's fault. But in perfect weather when visibility is clear, oftentimes it's carelessness or speed that is the culprit. When will drivers learn? Most among us know a relative or friend who has been killed or seriously injured in a car accident, yet many on our roads continue to drive with reckless abandon, throwing caution to the wind and ignoring the consequences. How many lives have to be lost? How many grisly pictures of twisted, demolished cars do we have to see on the evening news before we clue in to the fact that we need to be careful on the roads? Tougher consequences are required for those who speed, those who drive carelessly and repeat offenders. It might be the only way to make our roads safer. In the meantime, let's hope everyone involved in Sunday's accident is OK. Gotta love small town gossip There aren't many things I absolutely hate about a small town, but something that really gets me going is the small town gossip, which everybody has encountered from time to time. It could be in high school where certain cliques might form, getting "gossipy" by exchanging rumours or at the corner cafe or your workplace. Unfortunately gossip is everywhere. I know I've been on both ends and I think most people have. Until recently I never realized it was really part of my life again because I left all that balony in high school where it should stay and probably not even start in the first place. But you know how some bickering young teen girls are. Most of the problems stem from a bunch of jealously floating around. I'm sure some guys gossip too but it's defi- nitely the girls who take the cake. Besides, we all know guys are more into that macho "I'll beat you up" stuff. The thing is, what people don't get is how painful it really is for the person on the receiving end and how certain rumours can last a lifetime or at least until you move from the area and start over. Unfortunately, bad news travels faster. Think about what you see and hear on a daily basis. For every "good news" story I can think of, I can also think of about "10 bad news" ries in comparison. Think about all those times you've flipped through a Hollywood magazine. I can't tell you what charities certain stars support but I could probably tell how you many times they've made mistakes in their lives. Who couldn't? It's always plastered on the front cover. And whether it's true or not, bad news sticks and it makes me sick. Regardless if it's true, we really should all be keeping our mouths shut anyway, something I'm guessing sounds funny coming from a reporter. So, yes, recently I was on the receiving end of a rumour, a rumour of which has absolutely no merit. It came from a friend I hadn't seen in years. It was one of those "he said that she said that he said" type rumours and it was completely ridiculous. Initially I laughed it off, thinking it would blow over. Then I got upset, wondering why anyone would make up this particular rumour or how on earth it was started in the first place. And then I got angry. How dare anyone say anything about me and how can I fix it. Well guess what, I can't. It doesn't matter what I say or do. I can't go door to door telling people it's all a lie. And after getting angry, I laughed again. You see I rarely hang out in this particular town where this rumour originated and if people have nothing better to do than make up rumours about me, I'll consider it a com- pliment. Why not? Of course I'll still set people straight if confronted again, but that's as far as I'm taking this. Unlike the people out there who have way too much time on their hands, I'm busy building a career and surrounding myself with people who love and support me. It's taken me years to get to that point, but I'm suggesting everyone should because there will always be people out there trying to knock you down. Some rumours are more serious than others but if it's a petty and jealous rumour, ignore the gossip and continue on with life. That's what I'm doing. NINA VAN LIESHOUT KICK THIS AROUND sto- 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: $42+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $75+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada:$160+GST Call 519-235-1331 to order a subscription. Classified Rates Word ads: $12 for 20 words, 20(t for each additional word+ GST. Notices (births, 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 message) 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 Nikki Cyr .ext. 103 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 MargPertschy ext. 108 Heather Clarke ext. 111