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The Citizen, 1991-05-01, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1,1991. Editorials Weird priorities Il seems like only a short lime ago when Premier Bob Rae tried to signal his would be a government with a difference by firing a cabinet minister for doing something that wasn't wrong, but was politically incorrect Two resignations later Premier Rae seems to have lowered his standards when he defends Solicitor-General Mike Famon in what really is an indiscretion beyond forgiveness. The Premier demanded the resignation of Peter Kormos after Mr. Kormos appeared as a fully-clothed "Sunshine Boy" in the Toronto Sun and when he didn't get the resignation, he fired Mr. Kormos. While Mr. Kormos had thought the whole thing was a kind of a spoof, many NDP supporters thought the whole thing promoted sexism. But things changed along the way as Premier Rae found his lough standards hard to live up to. First came the problem of Health Minister Evelyn Gigantes who inadvertently gave out the name of a recipient of OHIP assistance, thus breaking the secrecy laws. She had no choice but to resign. Meanwhile another cabinet minister had been accused of having a conflict of interest. Il was beginning to appear that Premier Rae might not have any cabinet ministers left if things kept up. So when accusations arose that someone in Mr. Farnon's constituency office had written to a justice of the peace about a constituent's parking ticket, the Premier sprang to Mr. Farnon's defence. Mr. Famon, he said, could hardly be held reponsible for the actions of someone in his constituency office even if that person did sign the letter on his behalf. But the opposition rightly wondered how ignorance could be an excuse in such a situation. It has long been accepted practice that justice ministers and solicitors general do not do anything that might be seen as interfering in the administration of justice. When former Solicitor General Joan Smith visiled a Lucan police station to inquire about a friend's son, she was forced to quit If, the opposition said, a solicitor general had only to have some junior clerk sign his riame and could then plead innocent, it could lead to huge abuses. One can sympathize with cabinet ministers who are hurt by the actions of people on their staffs but how anybody working for a solicitor general couldn't be impressed with the knowledge you don't tamper with the justice system is beyond understanding. Even if you accept Mr. Farnon’s claim he is innocent, he is guilty of a stupidity far worse than Mr. Kormos' in not making sure his staff knew what was going on. Mr. Rae has picked the wrong time to defend his ministers. Another Arrow? Canada may lose a big chunk of what's left of its areospace industry if the government allows the sale of deHavilland to Aerospatiale, the European aviation giant. We may prove again we haven't learned the lesson of the cancellation of the Avro Arrow 35 years ago. The Arrow was one of the world's most advanced fighter aircraft when the government of John Diefenbaker became concerned about the plane's cost and convinced itself that the day of the fighter plane was over because of intercontinental rockets. It cancelled the production of the aircraft throwing thousands out of work. It was one of the biggest gifts Canada ever gave the U.S. Not only did we then go out and buy American aircraft for the next four decades, but we handed over the fine minds that had been developing the aircraft who went on to be leaders in the U.S. space programme and other U.S. aircraft plants. deHavilland isn't nearly as advanced in the aerospace industry as Avro was but it does remain one of the few Canadian high-tech companies in existence. If it's sold to Aerospatiale it will become mostly a manufacturer of components for the European company, not a developer of its own aircraft. It will go from an innovative company to a branch plant, losing the fine engineering minds it has employed. The Mulroney government doesn't think government has any place in private industry but it is ignoring what is going on everywhere in the the world. Aircraft manufacturers are either directly owned, as in the case of Aerospatiale and other European companies, or heavily government-supported through defence contracts as in the U.S. If we want a Canadian aerospace industry we can't afford a hands-off attitude. The old log Looking backward ONE YEAR AGO MAY 2,1990 Carmen Klaus of Brussels brought home the District 60 (covering most of Ontario) trophy from the Toast­ masters International speaking con­ test in Markham. She won for her speech in French on "The Children — Our Future". Elizabeth (Betty) F. Cardno retired as Director of the Huron County Home Care Program. Ms. Cardno began her employment in 1950 and has guided its development from a single program to a multi-service agency. Katrina Somers, a Blyth-area resi­ dent and former student at F. E. Madill S. S., Wingham, is the recipi­ ent of the Most Improved Player Award in women's varsity soccer at Red Redeemer College, Ancaster, Ontario. THREE YEARS AGO APRIL 27, 1988 One of the highlights of the Spring Variety Concert held at Grey Central Public School was the presentation of a gift to teacher, Freda Crawford of Cranbrook on the occasion of her upcoming retirement after 19 years on the school's staff. Long-time school caretakers, Isabelle and Bob Bremner, were pre­ sented with a gift on the occasion of their retirement. Mr. Bremner has worked at Grey Central School since 1973, when he took over the job from his father. At a meeting, Morris Township Council passed a motion to enter into an agreement with Kincardine Coun­ try Cable for the installation of cable TV in Belgrave. FIVE YEARS AGO APRIL 30, 1986 Hugh Hanly, 26, of Goderich began work at the Brussels Municipal office. Mr. Hanly filled the vacancy as clerk-treasurer and manager of the Public Utilities Commission. Members of the Brussels Lions Club celebrated 40 years of fun and service to the community at an anniversary banquet. Cal Krauler, former reeve of Brussels and Warden of Huron boun­ ty was chosen as "Citizen of the Year" for the Brussels area. Joan Smith from Ethel, a grade 12 student of Listowel District Sec­ ondary School was one of five cho­ sen to compete in a Safety Contest to be held in Mississauga. From the Editor Continued from page 5 eyed from staring at a computer screen too long. But we can see progress. We can begin to get a hint of what we can do when we really get to know these machines. We can see that the company will be leaner and meaner to help survive the 1990's because of our struggles and we can see that by not using so many chemi­ cals as in the old days, we're helping the environment All we've got to do is survive learning the whole thing. The Citizen. P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 The Citizen is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of S2O.5O/year [$19.16 plus $134 C.S.T.] for local; $41.73/year [$39.00 plus $2.73 G.S.T.] for local letter carrier in Goderich, Hanover, Listowel, etc. and out-of-area [40 miles from Brussels]; $60.00/year for U.S.A, and Foreign. 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. We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Serving Brussels, Blyth, Auburn, Belgrave, Ethel, Londesborough, Walton and surrounding townships. Editor & Publisher, Keith Roulston Production Manager, Jill Roulston Advertising Manager, Dave Williams Second Class Mail Registration No. 6968