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The Citizen, 1992-10-28, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992. Making it happen One of the favourite sayings of those in rural communities, used to do everything from persuading young people to get themselves in gear to justifying cuts in welfare has been : "The Lord helps those who help themselves." Too often, however, rural people don't take their own advice when it comes to revitalizing their own communities. Just what can be accomplished when communities decide to take the future in t heir own hands was illustrated over and over again last week at the Agricultural and Rural Restructuring conference held in Goderich and Blyth. Taking part were people from all across Canada, some professors at universities, but many practical people working in towns and villages, trying to breathe new life into their communities. Some of the stories they tell about what they have managed to make happen in their communities are inspiring. There was the Mayor of Winkler, Man. who in his 25 years in office, has seen his town grow from 2500 to 6400, from two industries to 36 employing 3500 people despite the fact the town isn't in any hot­ bed of growth. Most of that industry came from helping local entrepreneurs make their dreams come true through a local development corporation. There were the people of Cumberland County, N.S. In Springhill, for instance, a town that has seen so many mine tragedies, has turned the old mines into an asset. Water from deep in the mines is at a constant temperature of 62 degrees. This water is currently used to heat a large factory and other geo-thermal applications being explored may mean new jobs in the future. Springhill is famous for one other thing: being the home of Anne Murray. The town has opened the Anne Murray Centre, and two new restaurants have opened to serve the horde of tourists. A 48-unit motel is being considered. The successful communities have realized that things don't happen by accident. They realize, too, that large factories that can change the entire future of a town, don't often locate there. Growth comes mostly from encouraging the people you already have to expand, or to realize dreams they may have. We have the power to improve our communities if we make a concerted effort to do so. Sure times are tough but "the Lord helps those who help themselves".—KR A rejection of leadership In the tumultuous celebration of the Toronto Blue Jays’ World Series victory at the SkyDome Monday the only sour notes came when politicians from Bob Rae to the city and Metro mayors were booed by the boisterous fans. The fans didn’t want any politicians interfering with their celebration. In a way it was symbolic of what was happening elsewhere in the country yesterday: Canadians in saying "No" to the referendum on constitutional reform really said no to their leadership, more than they were to specific proposals in the Charlottetown Accord. Over and over again in talking to people who planned to vote "no" the main reason seemed to be a vague sense of unease that if Brian Mulroney and Bob Rae and Robert Bourassa were all for the agreement, the people had better be against it. The rejection wasn't just of political leadership either. The business community came out in a big way in favour of the Accord, warning rejection could hurt the economy more. But people perhaps remembered the same terror tactics had been used by the business community to frighten people into voting for Brian Mulroney and the Free Trade Agreement in 1988. Since then they have seen the worst recession in a half-century hit the country, despite the glowing promise business had held out for Free Trade. The media was mostly in favour of the agreement but people weren't influenced by that either. Instead people chose to believe people like Reform Party leader Preston Manning who promised that if people would just vote "no", the whole issue would go away. Constitutional reform would be put aside. Words from the premiers and Liberal leader Jean Chretien immediately after the results were known Monday night seemed to indicate that would happen. Yet come next election Mr. Manning will no doubt make a Triple E Senate a major plank in his platform. The Bloc Quebecois will no doubt be pushing for Quebec independence. Indian leaders, bitter at the referendum's loss, warn there may be violence as their people in desperation try to change things themselves. Canadians are naive if they think the problems will just go away if they're ignored. Now it is Canadians, not the prime minister, who have rolled the dice. We'll have to live with the realities the "no" vote brings. Photo by Merle Gunby Looking Back Through the Years ONE YEAR AGO October 30,1991 The Brussels Bulls took sole pos­ session of first place in the Western Junior C loop by taking a two-point lead over the defending All-Ontario Champion Hanover Barons. Charles Regele was elected chairman of the Huron County Cream Producers at the annual fall meeting at the East Wawanosh Public School in Belgrave. The Brussels Legion celebrated its 60th anniversary. THREE YEARS AGO October 25,1989 me Brussels Legion was once again the scene of another break and enter, this time fortunately the perpetrators were scared off by the burglar system before any further damage was done or any thing was stolen. Work began on the Bly th Memo­ rial Hall expansion project. The Brussels Crusaders opened their 1989/90 season at home in a big way when they defeated the Kurtzville Kings 27-0. Idella Wilson, Brussels, Shirley Lyons, Walton, Donelda Charter, Bly th, and Yvonne Martin, Grey were local teachers honoured by the Huron Women Teachers Asso­ ciation for 25 years of service. FIVE YEARS AGO October 28,1987 Brussels Fire Department responded to a call to the home of Ken and Linda Smith on Albert St. where fire completely gutted the home leaving the family of four homeless. Ethel residents gathered together to protest the measures Canada Post was taking to privatize Canada's 5,200 rural post offices. The Brussels United Church cel­ ebrated its 111 th anniversary. CitizenTheNorthHuron P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1 HO 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; $31.03/year ($29.00 plus $2.03 G.S.T.) for local letter carrier in Goderich, Hanover, Ustowel, 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. Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Sales Representatives, Jeannette McNeil and Merle Gunby Publications Mail Registration No. 6968 Serving Blyth, Brussels, Auburn, Belgrave, Ethel, Londesborough, Walton and the surrounding townships..