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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2007-08-08, Page 44 Times—Advocate Wednesday, August 8, 2007 A ocna =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 casts. 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 Bluewater should say yes Here we go again — more talk about sew- ers. With the controversy surrounding the Crediton/Centralia sewer project dominat- ing local headlines about a year ago, another sewer project is on the horizon, although this one is a bit different. Lambton Shores needs to expand its Grand Bend sewage treatment operations and has plans for a $12.4 million treatment plant, a cost that, based on flow, would be shared with South Huron and Bluewater. South Huron council has already said it wants in on the project, while Bluewater hasn't yet made up its mind. Wanting to hear from its ratepayers, Bluewater held a public meeting on the issue Saturday morning in Hensall, and is expected to discuss the issue again and possibly make a decision at its next council meeting Monday. The timing of the meeting (a Saturday morning on a long weekend) was unfortunate to say the least, but it was very well attended with about 200 people filling the Hensall community centre. And while Bluewater hasn't yet made a decision on whether or not to join their neighbouring municipalities in the project, it seems they don't have much of a choice — they need to say yes and go ahead with it. Quite frankly, it would be surprising if they didn't. A yes now doesn't mean sewers will be installed in Dashwood or the lakeshore anytime soon, it simply means Bluewater is buying capacity into the new plant. Engineers have estimated that will cost Bluewater $4.6 million. As was explained to ratepayers Saturday, saying no to the project means Bluewater would be out for good — if the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) comes in five years from now and says sewers have to be installed in Dashwood, Bluewater is on its own and wouldn't real- ize the cost savings it will now in partnering with Lambton Shores and South Huron. Most of the public on Saturday seemed to agree Bluewater should buy into the proposed sewage plant, although many Dashwood residents said that village doesn't need sewers. However, South Huron Mayor Ken Oke said it's only a matter of time before the MOE forces sewers in the village. It's better to be safe now and be prepared for it, rather than to be surprised five or 10 years from now. Buying into this sewage project makes sense in the long run, not to mention it will be beneficial to the environment and Lake Huron, some- thing most of us say we're concerned about. It's also said that there is a greater chance of receiving a gov- ernment grant if all three municipalities are united on the project — as residents of Crediton and Centralia know, grants are paramount in costly projects. About the Times -Advocate OL1TICAL SUICIDE BOMBER United in the face of tragedy It was a tragic and senseless act with absolutely no meaning or purpose. The community is mourning a significant loss, the lives of 72 -year-old Bill and 73 -year-old Helene Regier of the Mount Carmel area. The couple, who leave behind six children, 16 grand- children and five great-grandchildren will be remem- bered for their devotion to their family, community and church. The couple was found slain in their farmhouse on Bronson Line July 23, something I'm still coming to terms with. It's been over two weeks and I'm still confused as to how or why this has happened, as are most of the mem- bers of the community. When the OPP released the information to the media on that Monday afternoon, I read the release several times, not believing my eyes. How could such a horrendous act be brought to South Huron? How could a mur- derer come into our community and for just the reason of stealing a pickup, commit an evil act as the one the community is mourn- ing? I won't name the alleged killer. He deserves nothing, especially not notoriety for this unexplainable crime. It's disgusting. Lives are lost and many more will be impacted for the rest of their lives. This is something which will impact the community, going down in history alongside the slayings of the Donnellys in the 1800s. Although there is a huge difference between the two cases, some say the Donellys deserved to die, since many believe they terrorized the Lucan area for years. No one would say the Regiers deserved to die, and especially not like this. I personally was never given the opportunity to meet Bill and Helene but since covering this story extensively, I've only heard amazing things about them. Many members of the community have opened up to me, shaking their heads at how this could happen to some of the kindest most gentle people they have ever known. I'm told Bill and Helene would do anything for any- one. Many have known Bill and Helene their whole lives, explaining that anytime someone needed a hand or some help, they were there. They're called "pillars of the community" by many and I don't doubt that for one second. I struggled covering this story. It was tough balancing my values and morals with what is considered to be "good journalism." I, along with a couple of other photographers was asked by one gentleman to, "put down the cameras for awhile." I thought that wasn't a bad idea. But that's not the way things work in the media. I don't want to paint the media as a bunch of story - hungry dogs, but I'll admit sometimes I do feel that way. On the other hand, if it weren't for the media many people would not be given the opportunity to know the details and facts, although in this case I think many of those could have been spared. Although it's tough to find any good in this tragedy, I do want to take a moment and com- mend the community support. We really did pull together for the Regiers, between the prayer service, prayers by the Catholic Women's League of which Helene belonged to and prayers by the Knights of Columbus of which Bill belonged to, and of course the funeral which about 1,000 family and friends attended July 30. Another act of kindness that made me smile was that family and friends put in straw at the Regier farm last week, in memory of Bill. The group, including Bill's son Dale Regier were on the farm for several hours. Crediton area resident Glenn Hodgins, who was also part of the harvest, said it was quite the circus down at the Regier farm with many family and friends coming and going. NINA VAN LIESHOUT KICK THIS AROUND 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