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The Times Advocate, 2008-08-13, Page 44 Times–Advocate Wednesday, August 13„ 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 0 Scott Nixon – Editor 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 Where were you when the lights went out? It was late afternoon on a sultry summer day five years ago, Aug. 14, 2003, when the lights went out across most of eastern North America. Initially most of us assumed the problem was local. In this part of the world a summer thunderstorm can knock out power, as can an automobile colliding with a hydro pole, a raccoon with a death wish getting into a transfer station, or someone who should have called before they dug. It soon became obvious this blackout was much more widespread than we had thought. One thing that travels faster than electricity is rumours. A possible terrorist attack was on many minds. This was, after all, not that long after the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Centre, and hydro systems were vulner- able to sabotage. As it turned out, our hydro system was vulnerable, all right, but not to a terrorist's bomb. What caused the great blackout was a combination of hot weather, overuse, inadequate equipment and error. In a way, a deliberate attack would have been reassuring - the dan- ger would have ended with the capture of the culprits. As it was, we were grimly aware even after the lights came back on that the same thing could happen again. Our governments responded on a number of fronts - by beefing up and modernizing our electrical system, by encouraging us to reduce our use of electricity, and by promoting emergency preparedness. All three have been fairly successful, but we still have a long way to go. As individuals, we are trying to curb our wasteful ways. For example, gone are the days when stores would chill the air to glacial temperatures while keeping their doors wide open. Most individuals and businesses try to keep the air conditioner set to a modest level in the mid-20s. We are slowly but surely switching to more energy effi- cient light bulbs and appliances, and turn off electrical equipment when we are not using it. In the area of emergency preparedness, most of us are at least paying lip service to government recommenda- tions. However, it is a safe bet we were better prepared a few months after the great blackout than we are now. Our stash of flashlight batteries and non-perishable food has undoubtedly disappeared by now, except for the tinned stew no one likes. Do we still gas up well before the tank hits "empty"? We did while memories of trying to find a working gas station were still fresh in our minds. Do we still have the package with copies of per- sonal identification, prescriptions, important papers and a supply of money in small bills? The papers likely could use an update; ditto for the prescriptions. More to the point, how many of us have enough bottled water on hand to meet the needs of every member of the household, including pets, for three days, as is recom- mended? While much has changed in five years regarding the safety of our electrical system, a lot of work remains to be done. We can be part of the solution, or part of the problem. NE SAYS IT'S JUST LIKE BEING THERE„ - Dist ibutecl by Canad anAr sts Synch c ate Another rodeo saddled up This past weekend marked the 12th Annual Exeter Rodeo, which draws thousands of people to its huge live action rodeo show. It's quite the annual event for Exeter, featuring many local and provincewide cowboy and cowgirl participants. The hard work, dedication and discipline put into these challenges is undeniable, and the determination to win is obvious. I've covered the rodeo before, a few years ago. It was hot. It was humid. My camera wasn't working properly, and I was in a bad mood. The show was definitely entertaining, the circumstances not so much. This year, the weather was breezy and beautiful. — well, for a while. I covered the rodeo on Sunday, thinking later that I probably should have gone Saturday too. The weather's been extremely unpredictable this summer So, I arrived in time for the show, a two- hour non-stop, thrill seeking performance. About halfway through it poured, and poured and then poured some more. That's when I made my quick escape. But what I saw in the first half, definitely impressed me. The challenges this year included team roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling, junior steer riding, ladies break -a -way roping, bareback riding, tie down roping, saddle bronc riding and bull riding. Yes, bull riding. I've done that once before, although the circumstances were slightly differ- ent. I rode a mechanical bull at a bar, after a few drinks and I sucked. Well, I thought so. It's tough, a little scary and being called the world's most dangerous sport (not the mechanical bull riding), the real bull riding. But it's also thoroughly entertaining and some- thing I will probably never try in this lifetime. I was also pleased to see that the women par- ticipants were kicking some serious cowboy butt. It was awesome. And again proves that us women can come out and play with "the big boys." The local talent was also obvious, and something Exeter and area should be proud of. I know I was, and I don't even live in South Huron. In fact, the only aspect of the rodeo that I have trouble with is the steer wrestling and the calf roping chal- lenges. I'm not a big fan. I personally have trouble watching these events. I find them cruel and pointless, but I'm no cowgirl, so maybe someone can enlighten me? All in all though, another successful Exeter Rodeo. The Exeter Rodeo committee should also be commended for its continued dedication to this community event. Giddy up Exeter! 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 Jennifer Skonieczny ext. 102 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 Marg Pertschy ext. 108 Heather Clarke ext. 111