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The Citizen, 2015-09-24, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015. Editorials Opinions Publisher: Keith Roulston Editor: Shawn Loughlin • Reporter: Denny Scott Advertising Sales: Lori Patterson & Amanda Bergsma The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Ph. 519-523-4792 Fax 519-523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. N0G 1H0 Phone 519-887-9114 E-mail info@northhuron.on.ca Website www.northhuron.on.ca Looking Back Through the Years CCNA Member Member of the Ontario Press Council The Citizen is published 50 times a year in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $36.00/year ($34.29 + $1.71 G.S.T.) in Canada; $160.00/year in U.S.A. and $205/year in other foreign countries. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Mon. 2 p.m. - Brussels; Mon. 4 p.m. - Blyth. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40050141 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. PO BOX 152 BRUSSELS ON N0G 1H0 email: info@northhuron.on.ca September 26, 1979 Attendance at the Brussels Fall Fair was said to be higher than even the previous year’s fair, which was one of the highest in recent memory, as over 2,000 people took in the exhibits, livestock shows and races, as well as other fair attractions. Students from Grey Central Public School were one of the event’s best attractions, as the school sent a full-blown cheerleading squad to the parade. The Brussels Post was in the planning stages of producing a Christmas cookbook and was asking readers and community members to submit recipes they thought might make the holidays a little more tasty. September 25, 1991 The Blyth Festival reported that attendance for the 1991 season was down seven per cent from the previous year. Festival Communication Director Jane Gardner said that the recession was likely a contributing factor to the lower attendance, as attending theatre shows seemed to be an unintended victim of the recession. The Huron County Board of Education and its 300 secondary school teachers ratified a new agreement after a lengthy dispute. The new agreement between the board and the teachers called for a 5.5 per cent salary increase over the previous year. The Belgrave Bantam Boys team was triumphant in the Western Ontario Athletic Association’s year- end tournament, defeating Wellesley for the title. The team featured players such as Keith Todd, Brandon Coultes, Scott Rintoul, Peter Gusso and Todd Machan. The staff at the Callander Nursing Home marked the end of an era as it closed its doors for one last time, moving residents and some staff members to Braemar Home for the Aged in Wingham. Jim Kerr of James Kerr Construction was in Brussels to cut the ribbon on his latest project: the Maitland View apartment building in the village. Also on hand were Reeve Gordon Workman and former Reeve Cal Krauter. September 20, 2000 Huron-Bruce MP Paul Steckle was acclaimed as the Huron-Bruce Liberal Association’s candidate once again for the upcoming federal election. Stan Eedy nominated Steckle for the position, saying he had a proven record and would do the association proud once again, calling Steckle a “proven leader” who wasn’t afraid to stand up and state his views, no matter who he was speaking to. Local municipalities were also staring an election in the face as nomination papers continued to pour in to local municipal offices. Morris Township Deputy-Reeve Keith Johnston had put his name forward to be reeve of the township, saying that he wanted to see it grow in the future. Johnston also said that the election should have an environmental component to it, especially considering how agricultural of an area Morris Township was. “We have to look after the water and the environment, but agriculture still has to go ahead,” he said. “There may have to be more regulation and more policing of nutrient management plans.” Dave Bowles of Grey Township, who had recently undergone a stem cell transplant to help treat multiple myeloma, was named the Team Terry Member for the upcoming Terry Fox Run in Brussels. The Blyth Festival was in the process of seeking local talent for its Christmas production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The local show would be a fundraiser for the theatre that also gives local community members an opportunity to get up on the Memorial Hall stage. September 26, 2013 An emergency meeting was called as the Ethel Community Centre faced a volunteer shortage and potential closure. Huron East Councillor Alvin McLellan, who lives just down the road from the hall, said the situation was dire and that there needed to be some real talk about the situation otherwise the hall didn’t have much of a future. Peter Smith, who had been artistic director at the Blyth Festival two different times, was named project director for Campaign 14/19, an ambitious plan to revitalize Blyth’s Memorial Hall and create a school for the arts in the village. The announcement came just ahead of the creation of the campaign’s board of directors, which was underway. Smith was in the process of bringing consultant Pru Robey to the village for her input on the project. Smith said that Robey, as a respected name in the Toronto community, was just the person the campaign needed to get it off the ground in its infant stages. In a special ceremony involving the Brussels Lions Club, the Brussels Leo Club received its new charter, making the club official. Seth Nichol, the first president of the revived Leo Club, accepted the charter at the ceremony from Lions Club president Paul Mutter. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright Local candidates matter While all the attention goes to the leaders of the parties contesting the Oct. 19 federal election, the only person you get to vote for directly is the person who will represent you in Ottawa after Oct. 19. Often it’s hard to even recognize the name of most of the candidates other than the sitting member. The Citizen will help introduce you to all the local candidates in the weeks leading up to the election but there are also opportunities to see and compare the representatives of all the parties in person. One such all- candidates meeting is coming up Wednesday, Sept. 30 at the Holmesville Community Centre at 7 p.m., hosted by the Huron County Federation of Agriculture. No doubt there may be other such meetings. Take the time to know these dedicated individuals who are putting themselves forward for your choice. They deserve your attention. — KR It’s not that simple As Canadians approach the Oct. 19 federal election we face many complex issues, but you’d never know it through the media – whether the old-style legacy media of newspapers, television and radio or social media. If it can’t be captured in a headline, sound bite or Tweet, most issues are ignored. Perhaps people are so disengaged from the political process and have such short attention spans that only a simple phrase or slogan can make its mark these days. Commentators covering last week’s leaders debate only seemed interested in which leader might make a gaff or score a knockout blow, and which leader “won” the debate, not the candidates’ substantial policies. In the search for the 10-word headline, 20-second sound bite or 140- character Tweet, issues get ridiculously simplified. So the Syrian refugee crisis became about either showing Canadians’ humanity or about endangering our security by welcoming in terrorists disguised as refugees. In the economy, leaders were cast as either against government deficits or being in favour of reckless spending. Is the media to blame for this extreme simplification or is it just giving people what they want? Once, television and radio were blamed for underestimating the public’s intelligence through the use of sound bites but as the legacy media compete with new social media platforms, it seems people want even quicker, simpler explanations for everything. As you prepare to cast your vote, don’t play the game. Take the time to dig into issues. We need a government that’s elected by an informed public. The good thing is modern media means there are plenty of opportunities to become deeply informed. Don’t be someone who votes on the basis of sound bites or Tweets. – KR Ordinary folks step up If there’s any positive side to the refugee crisis in the Middle East it’s watching so many volunteers step forward to help, sometimes in opposition to their own governments. On the Greek island of Lesvos where many refugees come ashore after a perilous journey by boat, it’s actually against the law to give any of these people a ride in your car or show other acts to kindness, yet many people continue to help. In Budapest, capital of the country that has been harshest in its treatment of refugees by erecting a razor-wire fence to keep them out, volunteers have undertaken many altruistic activities from running soup kitchens to offering temporary housing. Germany, meanwhile, Europe’s most accommodating country, has seen many people travel into neighbouring countries, where refugees face roadblocks, so they can help these desperate people complete their journey to safety. Here in Canada crowds have been marching in the streets to call for more refugees to be brought in. Mayors of some cities have joined groups hoping to sponsor refugees, if they are allowed in. Ordinary Canadians have been far in front of their government in wanting to help. In all these countries, including Canada, ordinary citizens want to help those in trouble, if only their governments would help instead of hinder. – KR & Letters Policy The Citizen welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed and should include a daytime telephone number for the purpose of verification only. Letters that are not signed will not be printed. Submissions may be edited for length, clarity and content, using fair comment as our guideline. The Citizen reserves the right to refuse any letter on the basis of unfair bias, prejudice or inaccurate information. As well, letters can only be printed as space allows. Please keep your letters brief and concise.