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The Citizen, 2007-07-19, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2007.Editorials Opinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie GroppAdvertising, Ken Warwick & Lori Patterson The CitizenP.O. Box 429,BLYTH, Ont.N0M 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152,BRUSSELS, Ont.N0G 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca Looking Back Through the Years 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 $32.00/year ($30.19 + $1.81 G.S.T.) in Canada;$92.00/year in U.S.A.and $175.00/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: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40050141 PAP REGISTRATION NO. 09244 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. PO BOX 152 BRUSSELS ON N0G 1H0 email: norhuron@scsinternet.com July 19, 1961 Members of the Blyth Agricultural Society were excited to learn that they would have a special guest present on opening day of the Blyth Fair. It was announced that MPP Charles McNaughton would open the fair along with emcee Harold Jackson. In preparation for the traditional parade for the fair, the Society was also asking local businesses and clubs to enter floats or participate in some way in hopes of making this year’s parade better than ever. On a slightly larger scale, another special guest was being expected at an agriculturally-related event. The right honourable prime minister John G. Diefenbaker, accompanied by his wife, were scheduled to attend several events in connection with the annual anniversary of cattle breeders convention. The Waterloo Cattle Breeding Association was celebrating its 20th anniversary, and was hosting not only the prime minister but several other prominent MPs and MPPs. A severe electrical storm was thought to have caused a massive fire on a farm belonging to Mr. and Mrs. James Scott. While the family was away, lightning struck their barn and flames were noticed by near neighbours, who immediately called the fire department. By the time Blyth and area fire brigades arrived, any chance of saving the barn had been lost, and instead firefighters focussed on saving a nearby shed from the flames. After spending hours dousing both the shed and the fire with over 2,500 gallons of water, the fire departments determined that things had been extinguished fully, and were able to return home. However, it was noticed a few hours later that flames were sparking again in the rubble, firefighters were called out again to spend an additional four hours soaking the rubble and any remaining flames with another 1,500 gallons of water. Lost in the blaze was a year’s worth of hay, several tonnes of grain, 20 pigs, forage wagon, binder, forage blower, milk cooler, milking machine, other milking equipment, and an electric roller. No one was injured however, and the family was able to save nine calves and two cows from the fire. The damages were mostly covered by insurance, but the Scotts were undecided as to whether they would try to rebuild or not in the aftermath of such loss. July 19, 1972 Morris Twp. council was busy finalizing plans for the construction of a brand new bridge to replace an existing relic. At a cost of over $95,000, the Clark bridge at the intersection of the centre side road and the fifth concession was to be replaced, since the existing bridge had been built over 60 years prior, and as such was beginning to dangerously deteriorate. Work on the bridge, which was to be three spans and 160 feet in size, was to commence immediately, with the completion date set for November, a mere four months away. The Brussels Legion and Brussels Lions Club experienced enthusiastic participation in a joint swimming lesson program being held at the Seaforth Lions Park outdoor pool. The program had received so many registrations that a school bus was hired to shuttle the one hundred children to and from lessons, with costs being split by the Legion and Lions Club of Brussels. July 20, 1988 Blyth Council found itself in a heated debate over the rising issue of loose dogs in the village. These loose dogs had been causing problems for several residents by barking, terrorizing children, and even disturbing a Seeing Eye guide dog. Council members debated over how to deal with the issue, but it was eventually agreed that if the dogs’ owners were not responsible enough to keep their pets in check, the animals would be seized, and possibly even put down. This was not a favourable solution but it seemed to be the only way to get through to these careless owners the importance of properly caring for their pets. Goderich was expecting a special visit in honour of the official opening of new harbour developments at the lakeshore. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney was expected to make an appearance at the opening, the event being his first visit ever to Huron County as Prime Minister. The new developments at the harbour were part of a $17 million federally-funded project which saw the construction of a new warf on the north side of the harbour near the salt mines. Playing at Brownie’s Drive-In Theatre in Clinton was Arnold Schwarzenegger and John Belushi in Red Heat. Also playing was 80’s favourite Judge Reinhold as well as Fred Savage in Like Father, Like Son. July , 1988 Although no injuries occurred, a local man was charged in a vehicle accident which took place in East Wawanosh at County Road 20 and Sideroad 33-34. A Holyrood native struck an eastbound Goderich man while travelling north on the sideroad. After an OPP investigation, the first driver was charged with failing to yield. THE EDITOR, I would like to begin by saying thank you to all of you who helped to support and promote the English as a Second Language program at The Centre for Employment and Learning in Goderich – Avon Maitland District School Board. We had a very successful spring term and were able to support about 20 newcomers and locals in the area. For these individuals, ESL, as well as other Settlement Services play a crucial role in helping them to feel more a part of our community, instead of isolated and alienated. Often, newcomers are unable to communicate in English/French and experience great difficulty in adapting to living in our very rural communities. They are usually unaware of our community services and groups, sometimes because they are unable to read or even speak our languages. Your support is what makes all the difference. I am pleased to announce that we are now extending our services beyond Goderich to The Centres for Employment and Learning in Exeter, Clinton and Seaforth. It is my hope, that we can help people from all over Huron County to feel ‘at home’. I have attached a small poster that I am asking you to post in your business or to pass on to others who you feel it may be of benefit to. Anyone with questions or concerns, can contact me. Sarah Cieslar The Centre for Employment & Learning Goderich 519-524-2515 ext. 216 Exeter 519-235-0471 ext.22 Clinton 519-482-1700 Seaforth 519-527-0305 openmindesl@yahoo.ca, saracies@fc.amdsb.ca We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs. We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright Two lives: what a difference Two Canadian millionaires were in the news last week, and it’s hard not to compare and contrast both the men, and the reason they made news. Former Canadian media tycoon Conrad Black was hard to avoid with the television networks and newspapers going overboard (nearly an entire CBC National devoted to one story?) with coverage of his conviction for fraud. A couple of days earlier “Honest Ed” Mirvish died after a long and fascinating life. Mirvish started in poverty but built a fortune providing inexpensive goods, often to people who could afford little else. Stories are legion from immigrant families of finding the kinds of foods they were used to from their native lands at Honest Ed’s at a time when these foods were unavailable. He adopted an outlandish, self-promoting persona, yet operated humbly as a businessman. He never had a secretary. He knew the staff at his store by name. He stopped and talked to the customers because he knew they were the key to his success and he needed to know how they thought. With his newly-gained wealth, he rescued and refurbished the historic Royal Alex Theatre, and with his son David, helped turn Toronto into a major theatre centre. He went on to buy and repair London, England’s famous Old Vic theatre as well. His death was mourned by many thousands. Conrad Black started rich, got richer and then crashed to earth. He took a few million inherited from his family and maneuvered his way into control of the Argus Corporation, then the most powerful corporation in Canada with names like Dominion stores and Massey- Ferguson farm equipment. Soon, both of these iconic companies were sadly reduced and no longer Canadian-owned. From the scrap-heap, he built Hollinger International, creating an empire by buying up newspapers in small towns and large cities like London, England and Chicago. He used these to build his prestige, hobnobbing with the rich and famous like Margaret Thatcher and Henry Kissinger. He wanted to be a British lord and when Prime Minister Jean Chrétien said he couldn’t be a lord while being a Canadian citizen, he stopped being a Canadian (if he ever really was, in his mind). He created one new newspaper. Determined to persuade Canadians that they should adopt a more conservative, pro-American point of view, he started The National Post. He lost millions upon millions keeping the paper going. Many of those who worked for him during those years remain loyal and were among those who staunchly defended him throughout his trial. One senses they will be shocked at the trial’s outcome. His appetite for wealth and luxury grew greater and greater. So did his sense of entitlement. Despite the fact he had shareholders in his companies, he managed them as if he was sole proprietor — like an Honest Ed, if you will. He disdained the shareholders who complained about his management at annual meetings, as he increasingly did anyone who disagreed with his point of view. So it probably seems, for him, wholly justified that he arranged side deals when he sold newspapers that paid him money directly for agreeing not to start up new newspapers to compete with those he sold. It was this that could send him to jail. The lives of Conrad Black and Ed Mirvish show that money is not the root of all evil — it is the individual’s use of their fortune that is for good or evil. — KR & Letter to the editor