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The Citizen, 1992-10-07, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7,1992. E ditorial i : Old ideas never die While Huron County is taking its first tentative steps toward a district health council in asking that a steering committee be set up to examine the idea, the province may already be moving far ahead to the next step in the process, a step Huron county should think seriously about before getting involved. Bill Mickle, head of the the Huron County Board of Health, told Huron County council Thursday that even if Huron decides it wants a district health council to help co-ordinated health services in the county, the move may be redundant because the report of the Comprehensive Health System Planning Commission is looking at the idea of a super body that would allocate all health resources for an area stretching from Windsor to Georgian Bay. This body, he said, would receive an "envelope" of funding for the whole region from the Ministry of Health. The body would then decide which health facilities should get how much money. It's another example of an old idea that won't go away. It must have been nearly 15 years ago that a similar idea was proposed when the first idea of district health councils was broached by the province. A meeting was held in London to discuss the idea of a body that would control health spending and co-ordinate facilities over most of Western Ontario. It came about the same time the province was trying to close hospitals to save money, about the same time there was a rebellion against the idea of imposing regional governments. Given the backlash, the whole idea was played down. Those district health councils that were formed were much smaller in scope. There was no attempt to strong-arm reluctant areas like Huron into the system. But some ideas stick in the minds of provincial bureaucrats and keep coming back. Like regional government, later termed restructuring of counties, this one has returned. But if Huron County got involved in a body that controlled funding for all health facilities in the western part of the province, how good are the chances of Huron's small population getting good service in the long run. There would be severe politicking in the allocation of scarce resources and much needed funding for major facilities in London or Windsor, even Stratford, Owen Sound and Sarnia are likely to get a higher priority than Clinton or Wingham Hospitals. There seems little to gain and much to lose for rural areas in such a scenario. Huron will have to tread carefully in its dealing with the Ministry of Health over the idea of a district health council and the possibility of regional council. What may be in the best interest of the Ministry bureaucrats may not be in the best interest of Huron residents.—KR A nation of plenty It's strange that people can think so little about food as we do in Canada that there must be an Agri-Food Week declared just to try to remind people of the sector of our society that provides one of two essential elements of life . Yet in Ontario we are celebrating Agri-food Week, though many people probably haven't noticed. This weekend we will celebrate Thanksgiving, though few urban people will likely pause to think much about the people who raised the turkey or grew the pumpkin for their pie. Benmiller-area's Shirley Hazlitt gave an insight into how different the world can be Friday night when she showed slides of her trip to China at the annual meeting of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture in Brussels. In China, every square foot of arable land is utilized, including small plots we consider too small to think about. Mountains are terraced to provide a few extra acres to grow food for a population multiplying by 17 million a year. It's back-breaking, manual labour for farmers, each of whom has about half an acre to manage (we have some lots in town that big). The average yearly income for a Chinese farmer is $150. People in the towns and cities have a pretty nondescript diet because there is so little variety in food grown. There is none of the plenty we see in Canadian stores and markets. Yet despite the fact we have more food of better quality and variety than anyone ip the world, few Canadians feel much gratitude, even at Thanksgiving. We've come to take it for granted. Those close to the soil know how fragile our food supply is. They can see that when the weather is bad, as it has been this year, the margin between plenty and shortage can be thin. But too many of us are too isolated from nature to know the realities so that even in Agri-food Week we still think milk comes in cartons and vegetables from the produce counter.—KR River view Photo by Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot Looking Back Through the Years ONE YEAR AGO October 9,1991 There was shock and concern in Grey township when it was learned that four of six candidate sites for a Huron County landfill site were located in the township. The Brussels Bulls had a banner weekend picking up road wins against the Goderich Sailors and the Orangeville Crushers. The Belgrave Pre-Mite team cap­ tured the Tri-County "A" Champi­ onship. THREE YEARS AGO October 4,1989 The Brussels Bulls' debut in the Western Jr. C. League ended in a 6- 6 tie against the host Walkerton Blackhawks. After a slow start in the regular season, the Brussels Pee Wee boys captured the "B" Championship playoffs. FIVE YEARS AGO October 7,1987 Donald Young of Auburn was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, the highest form of recognition awarded to a volunteer. Long-time Ethel postmaster Lothar Weber was honoured on the occasion of his retirement with the presentation of a certificate from Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, in recognition of his 23 years of ser­ vice to Canada Post. The Walton Bantam Girls cap­ tured the "A" Tri-County champi­ onship. Long-time Morris Township grader operator Jim Casemore of RR 4, Wingham was honoured on the occasion of his retirement after 25 years of service to the township with a plaque and an engraved watch. C itizenTheNorthHuron P.O. Box 429,P.O. Box 152, BLYTH, Ont.BRUSSELS, Ont.Publisher, Keith Roulston N0M1H0 NOG 1 HO Editor, Bonnie Gropp Phone 523-4792 Phone 887-9114 Sales Representatives, FAX 523-9140 FAX 887-9021 Jeannette McNeil and Merle Gunby 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; $31.03/year ($29.00 plus $2.03 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 © Copywrlght. 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