Loading...
The Times Advocate, 2008-06-11, Page 66 Times -Advocate Wednesday, June 11, 2008 Opinion Forum News Local editorials needed The Times -Advocate is doing an improving job of reporting local news, so it is a mystery to me why the topic of the editorial most weeks has nothing to do with what is going on locally. The May 28 and June 4 editorials dealt with the Maxime Bernier affair. Why? This topic is certainly interesting, but is well handled by news outlets that don't have the responsibilities of a weekly community newspaper. Are there not closer -to - home topics on which you can take an editorial stand and view with alarm, or damn with faint praise? The local economy offers up much grist for the mill Plant clos- ings and Main street churn? Local crime — are you "shocked and appalled" that six women had their purses stolen on Main street? Or how about the debate over corn for food versus corn for fuel? Or the wisdom of a lengthy detour on a major route to Grand Bend during the tourist season. Your op-ed page says you welcome letters on "local" issues, concerns, complaints and kudos. Should the same guidelines not apply to your choice of editorials? I respectfully suggest that you not be hesitant to express an opinion on local matters, even if it is contrary to the view of a reader, advertiser or local politician. �- - Letters Editor the KEITH KINCAID Grand Bend Thanks from OSPCA On behalf of the Huron County Branch of the Ontario Society for The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA), we would like to express our gratitude to all the volun- teers, merchants, individuals and financial institutions who generously donated to or attended the Fourth Annual Animal House Dinner Auction on May 30 in Exeter. The event was a huge success, raising over $78,000 and for a combined 4 -year total of almost 1/4 of a million dollars! Face (John Facey) from 103.9 The Hawk was our amaz- ing emcee for the evening. Bob Heywood and Kevin McArter did an incredible job of keeping the bids on the rise in the live auction, which saw such items as an ocean kayak from Southwest Marine Services and a private din- ner for eight prepared by James Eddington of Exeter take top dollar. The most sought after item was a tugboat ride for 20 in Goderich. Annie Baltessen of Grand Bend won the Panasonic 42" TV Raffle. This event was sponsored by BMO, Bank of Montreal. Funds raised at the event will support the animal shelter and animal cruelty investigations as well as veterinary costs and legal prosecution fees. Once again, the residents of the region have made a clear statement that neglect and cruelty to animals will not be tolerated in Huron County. With extreme gratitude, KATE MCKENZIE, auction co -chairperson LIAM BRENNAN, auction co -chairperson Principal's message Governer general wastefu Many Canadians find it very disgusting that the present Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean and the immediate past gover- nor general seem to believe holidaying abroad is their calling. It was well reported former G.G. Madame Clarkson spent $41 million for the ongoing of her depart- ment in 2003. If the governor general is the Queen's rep- resentative to Canada, why are they traipsing all over the world - Russia, Africa, France, etc.? Canada already has well paid, qualified ambassadors who represent us abroad and also promote our products. The Speaker of the Senate could well be the liaison between the Queen and our government. Those millions of dollars surely could be diverted into areas of much greater need in our country. It is also reported that after just five years of service as governor general the pension for this position is in the $100,000 range - fully indexed. GARNET BLOOMFIELD, ILDERTON Former M.P. London Middlesex Communities in Bloom This week our committee has some reminders for you as well as updates on what is happening. • To the families who planted trees, remember to water in the upcoming weeks when there is no rain. • If you have not planted your zinnia seeds, there is still time to plant them directly in your garden. • We would welcome pictures of your zinnias and plan to display them in a business location down- town. Photos can be submitted at the Town Hall Office in an envelope marked c `Communities In Bloom'. Please include tees u,iim your name with the picture. in Bloom adieus • For a best zinnia showcase, there will be an opportunity at the Exeter Bei 1A4rt O f It7 Sidewalk Sales to display your prize flowers. • If you have used zinnias in your gardens or contain- ers we would be happy to visit and judge them. Contact any committee member. • Look for us at community events. We will be selling tickets for a zinnia quilt that has been generously donat- ed. • Despite the clean up of litter in April there is garbage again littering our trail, sports fields and other areas. Recycling barrels have been added so we are not putting plastic or glass in the regular garbage. Please help us to continue to keep our town clean. • In July, judges will be here as we compete at a provincial level. It will be your participation that helps us all grow together. Cathy Seip, Deb Roy, Dianne Waun , Linda Tgahrt, Carla Goodfellow, Dave Athill EXETER — I would like to start this week's column by commending all the students who attended this year's Formal for their very good behaviour at the dance. As I had indicated in my columns over the last two weeks, we did a breathal- yser test on each person who attended the Formal. I am very pleased to report that we did not have to turn anyone away, and the evening went very well indeed, although it was swelteringly hot in the small gym. I would like to thank Ms. Black, Ms. Magill and the Formal Committee for their hard work in orga- nizing the dance and decorating the gym for the evening's festivities. I would also like to extend my congratulations to Lauren Haberer and Marcus Haccius, who were voted by their peers as Students of the Year for 2007-08. The voting was very close this year, the closest in fact that I have seen in my seven years as principal, and as I said on Friday evening, any of JEFF the nominees would have been a good choice for this honour. So congratula- REABURN tions as well to the other nominees: Katie Anderson, Janita Pfaff, Carly PRINCIPAL'S Schroeder, Dimitris Fragiskatos, Bryce Halpenny and Kurt Van Osch. MESSAGE Katie Anderson had an outstanding weekend, as the Formal took place between two races she ran in Hamilton at OFSAA, the provincial championships in track and field. On Friday afternoon, she placed fourth in the Senior Girls 1500 M race, and then she "raced" back to Exeter for the Formal. She returned to Hamilton on Saturday afternoon to run in the Senior Girls 3000 M race, finishing second and earning a silver medal. These are outstanding achievements, a great way to finish off her high school track and field career. Congratulations, Katie, on these incredible accomplishments. Katie's performance and the performances of all of our athletes will be recognized at our annual Athletic Awards Assembly this Thursday morning. The assembly will take place at the beginning of the day, but contrary to what some students will try to tell 'Hire aYouth' week EXETER — June 9 -13 is 'Hire a Youth' week. The summer is fast approaching, which means there are many young people who will soon be looking for jobs in Exeter. The temporary and flexible labour ser- vices that young people provide can be a valu- able resource for local businesses. If your company receives rush orders, has an employee on maternity leave or needs to improve office effi- ciency, hire a youth! Young people can offer many skills including: Flexibility — Young people can often work days, evenings or weekends. Some are available for part-time employment, while others are available full time. From physical labour to office work to comput- er programming, young people can meet your organizational needs. Technological skills — Today's young Canadians are among the best educated and most at ease with changing technolo- gies. They have a lot to offer the work- force. But they have to start somewhere. Learning is their business — Youth are talented and adaptable. Learning is their full-time job. Community enhancement — Summer jobs help young people enhance their employability skills, finance post -sec- ondary education and contribute to the local economy. Odd jobs — Businesses and private households often have tasks that no one has time to do. Answering telephones, mowing lawns, faxing letters or cleaning an office are jobs that young people can help you with. Odd jobs help young peo- ple gain valuable work experience and can last from one hour to several weeks. During 'Hire a Youth' week, Youth Services Officers (YSOs) from the Service Canada Centre for Youth (SCCY) in Exeter will be stopping by local businesses to provide information to employers about the benefits of hiring a youth. YSOs will have job order forms for employers wish- ing to post free job advertisements in the SCCY offices and on jobbank.gc. ca To place a job order or for more infor- mation, visit the Exeter SCCY Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 349 Main St. S., call 235-1711, fax 235-2716, or e-mail ashley.blake@ser- vicecanada.gc. ca ASHLEY BLAKE YOUTH SERVICES OFFICER their parents, it will not last the whole day. The exact times for classes have not yet been determined, but we will be running all five periods following the assembly. This is a very important time of year for students to be in class as we are working on final assessments and getting ready for exams: so, if your son or daughter tries to convince you there are no classes on Thursday, please let them know that I have told you other- wise. Besides, we do feel that it is important to recognize the hard work of our student athletes, and we would like everyone to attend the assembly. Also this week is our annual art show in the small gym, showcasing the tal- ents of the students taking art in the second semester. The show opened on Tuesday, but will continue to run on Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and on Friday from 9 a.m. until noon. Admission is free but we will be accepting donations for MS. We encourage you to come in and check out the excellent work that our art students produce. On Friday evening, we will be holding our annual Relay for Life to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society. Once again, students, staff, parents and community members will be walking the track from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. in support of this worthy cause. The event will open with the traditional Survivors' Victory Lap and once again the track will be lighted by luminaries, candles placed in paper bags in memory of loved ones who have lost the battle with cancer. We encourage you to support this event by sponsoring a walker and attending the opening ceremonies. Finally, I would like to remind students and parents that exams begin Thurs., June 19, and run until Tues., June 24. Students are advised they should by now be prepar- ing for these exams and working on any final assessments that have been assigned in class. Report cards will be available for pick up in the school office from July 2 - 4: reports not picked up by July 4 will be mailed out July 7. Students need to ensure that all textbooks have been returned, and any outstanding library fines or fees have been paid before getting their report cards. r-‘7400