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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-01-16, Page 44 Times—Advocate Wednesday, January 16, 2008 OC =CNA T. 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. Canada Jim Beckett — Publisher Deb Lord — Production Manager Scott Nixon — Editor CNA 2007 BLUE RIBBON /\ t 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 Closure a major blow There's just no way to put a positive spin on it. This is bad news, plain and simple. Official word broke on the morning of Jan. 8 that the CanGro plant in Exeter would either close or be sold by March 31. While the news wasn't particularly surpris- ing, given the number of layoffs, rumours and ownership changes that have taken place at "the canners" over the past several years, it still comes as a shock that the cen- tury -old plant could finally be mothballed. Exeter and "the canners" simply seem synonymous with each other. And while a buyer is being sought, there doesn't seem to be much optimism one will be found by CanGro's March 31 deadline. Of course, our immediate thoughts are for those CanGro employees who will lose their jobs if the plant does indeed close. No doubt, this is hardest on them and their families. But CanGro's closure will have a wide -sweeping nega- tive impact on the local economy, including for farmers who have contracts with the plant. Also, the CanGro property is huge and brings much revenue to the munici- pality in taxes. In addition, this just doesn't look good for Exeter or South Huron. We dealt with news a couple of months ago that Huron Park's Dunline will close and more bad news on the economic front is something we don't need. With all the talk of focusing on economic development in South Huron, it's clear we have our work cut out for us and CanGro's announcement shows that, in addition to seeking new companies to come here, we need to make it a priority to help existing businesses succeed and stay here. And on that note, South Huron needs to do everything it can to ensure the proposed Exeter Honda comes to fruition. As reported last week, concerns have been raised from municipal staff about the proposed site for the dealership (on Highway 4 across from Huron Motor Products). Put simply, we need this dealership to come here. The municipality needs to help Honda deal with stormwater management concerns and also needs to give them the direct Highway 4 access they need. The idea of denying Honda direct access to Highway 4 is silly, particularly when you look across the street and notice the multiple entrances off Highway 4 HMP has. If the municipality doesn't give Honda direct access to Highway 4, the owner will walk away from Exeter and open a dealership in east London. Can we afford to let that happen? Why would we want to? While the 20 or so employees hired by Honda will be only a fraction of those who could lose their jobs at CanGro, it's a start. And bringing a major car dealership to town will bring some optimism back to this municipal- ity about the future of economic development. r Distributed by Canadian Artists Syndicate Another life cut short Tragedy has once again struck the area, with another life cut way too short in South Huron. On Monday at approximately 12:30 p.m. the OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit found the body of 17 -year-old Ryan VanValkengoed of Crediton, a South Huron District High School student who had been missing since Friday night. Vanvalkengoed was found in the Ausable River near Crediton after an intensive search by the OPP Emergency Response Team, OPP Canine units, OPP Underwater Search and Rescue and members of the Huron OPP. As of Monday the cause of death was yet to be determined, the OPP aren't expecting foul play but are reminding the public of the dangers of rivers at this time of year and steering clear of riverbanks and running water. And just like that, another life cut short. Another time of mourning, confusion and of won- dering why. For it was just a few months ago that we were mourning the tragic loss of 72 -year-old Bill and 73 -year-old Helene Regier, an elderly couple of the Mount Carmel area found slain in their farm- house July 23. Jesse Norman Imeson, 22, of Windsor has been charged with their murders. I didn't know VanValkengoed, but what I do know is 17 years old is much too young to have your life taken away. I also know that in just one day alone, I heard a lot of positive things about him. It seems he was well- known in the community. And then it leaves me to think — it's such a strange thing. Who stays, who goes? How does it happen? Why did he have to go? We see it everyday in the news. Fatal car crashes, fires, accidents, murders. You just never know. I wonder some- times if I'll become the next statistic and it's scary. This is why living everyday like it's your last is so important. Forget your worries, the drama and just NINA VAN LIESHOUT KICK THIS AROUND 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 519-235-0766 Fax number for accounting dept. 519-235-2449 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: $13 for 20 words, 20t for each additional word+ GST. Notices (births, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $16 + 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. Web site: www.southhuron.com E-mail Us 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 jbeckett@southhuron.com Our general e-mail address is ads@southhuron.com. forget the arguments, forget live. And in the meantime, let's come together once again, supporting each other, as we did just a few short months ago. As we mourn the loss of another life cut short. 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 Jennifer Skonieczny ext. 102 PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord Nikki Cyr ext. 103/114 ext. 101 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 101 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 Marg Pertschy ext. 108 Heather Clarke ext. 111