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The Citizen, 1991-06-05, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 1991. Opinion Who's causing problems? The fuss over Prime Minister Mulroney's comments in Japan on the Ontario budget deficit last week would be funny if it wasn't so sad. Once again the Prime Minister showed he just doesn't know when to keep this mouth shut and once again he tried to fend off criticism of himself by blaming the whole mess on the media. The point remains, however, that a Prime Minister has no business playing internal politics when he is on an international trade mission, supposedly drumming up business for the whole country. The reaction of his Conservative colleagues at home was equally interesting. Finance Minister Don Mazankowski defended the PM claiming he didn't say what he had said, then turned his attack on the Ontario NDP, saying that, in fact, what the Prime Minister said he didn't say was true anyway. The Ontario deficit is a disaster that threatens the whole economic health of the country, he said. For the federal government, which seems unable to get its deficit under control despite huge tax increases, to complain about the provincial deficit seems a little like the pot calling the kettle black. Right or wrong, the NDP thinks taking on a deficit at this time is the way to fight the recession that has been crippling Ontario. The policy does fit the theory that you spend when times are tough, then pay back when the times are good: the problem is that in Canada we never seem to pay back no matter how good the times get More to the point, however, is that Ottawa has helped its own deficit problem by dumping additional costs on the provinces. Cutbacks in big-budget areas like health-care and education have left the provinces with the tough choice of either cutting services or spending more. It's rather smug of the federal government to blame the provinces for deficits that the feds helped cause in the first place. Short-sighted thinking? The mournful sound of the diesel train horn will be heard no more in this neck of the woods after the middle of June. The National Transportation Agency has ordered the CN Rail line through Brussels be abandoned. When the rails come up it will be the end of nearly 120 years of history in which railways played an important part in the development of the county. Back in 1871 the excitement was that the railway was on its way (both the present CN line through Brussels and the former "Butter and Eggs" north through Blyth). Optimistic community builders of the time felt the railways were the key to future prosperity in their communities. Today the railway is a sign of the past, not the future - at least here in Canada. Prime Minister Mulroney road the bullet train in Japan last week but here in Canada, neither the government, nor the railways themselves, seem to believe in trains anymore. It’s ironic that a country that was built on the railway is the first one to abandon it. The strangest thing about the whole abandonment of branch lines across the country is the attitude of the railway companies. They have left no stone unturned to get out of the railway business. They have in some cases purposely discouraged business. They have made no attempt to improve service (or even maintain the level they had) in order to keep business. The government, in its fight against subsidies, has backed the railways in the abandonment process, changing the National Transportation Act to put the onus on users of rail lines to prove they can be profitable. But there are subsidies, and there are subsidies. While closing the rail lines makes short-term economic sense, what is the economic result in the long term. While trucks are moving freight cheaper than railways right now, what happens with heavier and heavier use of the highways? Already our provincial road system is showing considerable disintegration and the province is finding it hard to provide the funds for repairs. Is the subsidy to the railways to maintain the branch line any more than the increase in costs to the province from additional truck traffic? Back in 1871, people knew the way of the future and it was the railway. Today the powers that be are sure they know that the way of the future is not the railway. If they’ve guessed wrong, they've made a costly mistake. Taking the plunge Looking Backward ONE YEAR AGO JUNE 6,1990 Marilyn and Peter Verbeek of RR 1, Belgrave fulfilled a long-time drcam when they launched the Glen Yukon in Goderich Harbour for the first lime. The pleasure craft was built by the couple at their home and has been eight years in the making. The days of cars travelling along the abandoned CP Rail right of way have ended. Crews working for the railway dug trenches across the road accesses of the right of way and piled the dirt in a ridge across. Paul Kerr, president of the Blyth Lions Club presented a cheque for $5,000 to Carol Irwin, President of the Blyth Festival to help pay for installation of a lift for the handi­ capped in Blyth Memorial Hall, which will provide them with access to all levels in the building. , Greg McClinchey of Londesboro received the Chief Scouts Award, the top award in Scouting. Greg has spent eight years in Scouting and also serves as a patrol leader. THREE YEARS AGO JUNE 1,1998 The sister and brother team of Audrey and Wayne Bos of RR 3, Auburn were the second and third place winners respectively in the Senior Judging category at the Huron County 4-H Judging compe­ tition held in Brussels. First place winner for the CIL Agromarl tro­ phy was Paul Coulles of RR 5, Brussels, who also won the UCO trophy as Top Overall Judge. The new $190,000 McKillop Township Public Works Centre cel­ ebrated its official opening. Graduates this year honoured in the paper were: John J. Verburg, RR 1, Aubum, Wayne Wheeler of Walton, both from Ridgetown Col­ lege of Agricultural Technology. Timothy David Webster, Blyth, from University of Waterloo, and Jeffrey Wittich, formerly of Blyth, graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University. FIVE YEARS AGO JUNE 4,1986 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stretton were hosts to a foreign traveller last week, as Stephan Wrobel of West Germany arrived in Brussels. He left the next morning for Sault Sle. Marie making his way to Vancou­ ver. He just wanted to see the country. Winners from Brussels Public School track and field meet were Sharie Jacklin and Gerald Devries and Lori Willie winning the Ban­ tam division. Letter to the Editor Information wanted The Editor, This letter is intended for any adult living in Huron County who is physically disabled in any way, regardless of the cause. We are wondering how many people there are in Huron County who are physically challenged. Would it be useful to get everyone together to share success stories, needs and concerns? Any meeting would be open to families, couples and unclaimed treasures. We could exchange information on services, agencies, etc. which have proven useful. We could also share information on services such as: - transportation needs (do you have any?) - the new attendant care program - Residential Rehabilitation Continued on page 12. The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Phone 523-4792 t-AA 5ZJ-314U 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 $20.50/year ($19.16 plus $1.34 G.S.T.) for local; $19.16 ♦ $1.66 for each month after March 31/92 ♦ G.S.T. for local letter carrier hi Goderich, Hanover, Llstowel, 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 © Copywright. Serving Brussels, Blyth, Auburn, Belgrave, Ethel, Londesborough, Walton and surrounding townships. Editor & Publisher, Keith Roulston Advertising Manager, Dave Williams Second Class Mail Registration No. 6968