Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-07-02, Page 44 Times—Advocate Wednesday, July 2, 2008 OC 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 Deb Lord — Manager Scott Nixon — Editor it 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 A wild meeting Thumbs down to the handful of residents who turned a public meeting in Crediton last week into a farce. The meeting June 24 was the second of two public meetings scheduled by the municipality to present the new proposed water rates. While there weren't nearly as many in attendance as there were at the Exeter meeting the week pre- viously, what the Crediton crowd lacked in numbers, a few of them made up for in volume and vulgar language. The hour and a half meeting was repeatedly interrupted by two or three individuals in the audience who swore numerous times in response to what was being said by those trying to lead the meeting. They also yelled repeatedly when other people were trying to talk and made a general mockery of the whole evening. One individual even tossed his copy of the water rate study into the air and walked out of the meeting. There were also disruptions and outbursts at the Exeter meeting the week previously, although to a lesser degree. While it's good to see people involved in what goes on in their community, a little decorum would be nice. It's understandable that people aren't happy about increased water rates. Nobody likes pay- ing more for anything, particularly in an uncer- tain economic time when gas prices are sky- rocketing and there is news seemingly every week of people being laid off and businesses closing. But economist Andrew Grunda and South Huron operations manager Don Giberson didn't deserve the abuse heaped on them by a few individuals last week who acted like they were in a saloon, not at a public meeting. There is a way of expressing your concerns and opinions in a thoughtful, articulate way. While there were those last week who fit into that category, they were drowned out by a handful of people who destroyed any attempt of an intelligent public discourse. Unfortunately many people were unable to attend the meeting because it was scheduled the same night as Stephen Central School's graduation. Their voices were missed. The fact is, I'm facing my fear I don't remember exactly when it started. I must have been young, because I've never remembered liking this particular thing. For as far back as I can remember, I've had a huge fear of the deep blue sea. I'm told since I'm a water sign I'm sup- posed to love the water, but — that's a crock. You would have thought that after travelling to Hawaii last year I would have gotten over this, but not so much. The first time I made my way out into the water I ended up practically black- ing out. I was in the water, minding my own business, when some guy on a boogie board decided to steer that thing right into my head. I fell down and I remember closing my eyes and my body going weak. Then I remember my survivor instincts kicking into gear, and saying to myself, "Get up, get up." I got up and ran so fast and hard to shore, and when I reached my towel, I was shaking and I already had a huge goose egg forming on the back of my head. That was my first water experience in Hawaii, leading me to believe that we're just not a good fit. I did, however, brave the water again and try "surfing," consisting of me sitting on a surf board stiff for 45 minutes, then some random surf instructor grabbing my surf board and insisting I "catch my first wave." I flew across that water so fast, I thought my clothes fell off. Actually, I'll admit, it was a lot of fun, but getting me to do it again might be a different story. I'm not exactly sure what it is about water that I don't like. I like most water activities, I just don't like the deep water. I'm not afraid of sharks or anything else that may be in there. I just don't feel com- fortable in the deep blue. I'm not the strongest swimmer, so that probably has something to do with it. So this summer I've made an exec- utive decision to face my fear. I had a good start this past week- end, as I went swimming in the nice cold water. And I thought, since I'm the type of person who likes to push the envelope, I might con- sider taking up surfing or some other water sport. It'll be tough, but I refuse to let some stupid fear stand in the way. The fact is, I'm facing my fear. 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, 20¢ 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, Deb Lord's e-mail address is dlord@southhuron.com Our general e-mail address is ads@southhuron.com. The Times -Advocate Team MANAGER Deb Lord ext. 103 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 COMPOSITION Nikki Cyr ext. 101 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 101 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 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 Marg Pertschy ext. 108 Heather Clarke ext. 111