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The Citizen, 1994-08-31, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31,1994. C itizenTheNorthHuron P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont N0M1H0 Phone 523-47$ FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1 HO Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Sales Representatives, Jeannette McNeil and Julie Mitchell 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 © Copyright. Publications Mail Registration No. 6968 E ditorial i . .I Can rural and urban co-exist? The current debate over tougher controls on firearm ownership raises the question of whether the same government can serve the needs of large urban areas and rural areas at the same time. While calls come from police and urban residents for gun controls, huge rallies were held across the country on the weekend not only arguing against more controls, but complaining that the current roles have gone too far. It's hard to feel sympathy for those in urban areas who complain about the growing red tape involved in owning a gun. These are people who don't need guns. Gun ownership is a privilege and something they choose to get involved with. It can be a different story for people in rural areas. There are people in northern Canada who need a gun to eat. Farmers need a gun for protection of vulnerable domestic livestock against predators. Even those who may not believe in owning a gun themselves are very glad to have a gun-toting neighbour arrive to do in a rabid fox or raccoon spotted in the neighbourhood. For these people, the added bureaucracy the federal government wants to load on to gun ownership will be a real headache. The problems of gun ownership are nearly all in large urban areas. The growing crime threat is mostly in the inner cities and mostly from hand guns not rifles and shotguns. The federal government, however, passes laws for the whole country, not one set of laws for the cities and one for the rural areas. Similarly the provincial government is proposing changes to the Planning Act which will try to make up for the blunders of the past by penalizing rural communities. The changes proposed by John Sewell of the Sewell Commission would increase the difficulty of having development in rural areas at the very time the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is trying to stimulate rural development. John Sewell is a former Toronto mayor who knows little about life in rural Ontario yet is making recommendations that will affect the lives of all rural people. Keeping the countryside pristine and unpopulated so it looks pretty for Torontonians when they venture north of Steeles Ave. may suit urbanites but it leaves rural people without jobs. As the urban population continues to boom in Canada and the farm population continues to dwindle, one must wonder if rural people will have any power over their own lives or will they have decisions made for them by city dwellers who don't even know the effect their decisions will have. — KR Photo by Janice Becker Find the birdie Letters to the editor Writer expresses gratitude Sport as it should be With the high-priced spoiled baseball players taking lime off for a strike, Canadians got a chance to watch what a wonderful spectacle sport can be as the Commonwealth Games were held in Victoria this past two weeks. Aside from the pathetic continuing story of a few athletes who use steroids to enhance their performances, these games had nothing but positives. With the Commonwealth Games not having a high profile, there was little to gain for athletes in the way of endorsement deals for winning. They ran and jumped and swam and wheeled for the thrill of competing, of doing their best, not with an eye on how much money they'd make if they won. These are known as "the friendly games", and although there was spirited competition, that sense of friendship came through. Australians loaned a wheel to a Canadian cyclist Canadians came forward to provide clothing and equipment for the impoverished team from Sierra Leone to compete. The games provide a great lesson for youngsters in that each sport requires its own body type. The powerful body needed for sprinting would not succeed in the 1,500 metres, the slimness of the rhythmic gymnast wouldn't suit in the swimming pool. These games showed that athletes with disabilities can bring a crowd to its feet with the excitement of their sports just like other athletes. The courage of the marathon for runners and wheelers is one and the same. There was room for the power of weightlifters who could hoist more than 400 pounds above their heads in the same games as the ethereal beauty and grace of the ribbon-twirling rhythmic gymnasts, for the speed of the 100-mctrc sprint and the endurance of the 50 km walk. There were stories of courage everywhere, the kind of courage that can inspire the rest of us, in our everyday lives, to try just a little harder, work just a little longer, to be the best we can be. Sport, commercialized as it has become, has gotten a dirty name lately. The Commonwealth Games was refreshingly different. — KR THE EDITOR, We all know the TV show Rescue 911 and most of all the rescues on this program are from fire departments or rescue squads. We sit in front of our TVs and agree with William Shatner on their heroic efforts and we praise these people we do not know. Then we have our own fire department/rescue squad, our own local heroes, from the people who receive our hysterical phone calls to the men who respond to them. I wonder if we really understand the personal commitment these men have each time they get sent out to a call. They leave their jobs, their homes, their families to whatever awaits them at their point of destination. And each time that destination gets their fastest response, even if it turns out to be nothing more than a situation resolving itself before they get there. Our family cannot express any words in the English language to describe our joy, our appreciation, our thanks over their personal commitment in our personal situation regarding our niece and cousin. To those men in the emergency van who responded so quickly to our plea (and you know who you are) Thank You. We will never forget. Peter and Linda Uyl and family. THE EDITOR, This is in response to a movement by some who are out to discredit the pro life movement. As in any group, we should not blame or taint an organization by the negative action of a few. Love is the key. Love: the beautiful word, the great commandment and the most important law of God. If obeyed and lived by man, life would be beautiful. For where there is love there is no hatred, no destruction, no envy or selfishness. Love is positive. Love is giving. Love is constructive and, therefore, love is life most beautiful. My energy is directed towards the promotion of the dignity and sanctity of God-given life. Pro-life means much more than a fight against abortion, although it is at the root of the violence that follows. Disrespect for life has resulted in a dramatic increase in child abuse, pornography, violence in schools and in society. Thousands of pro­ lifers join hands every year in solidarity for peace'by forming a life line. Please join us and learn that peace and not violence is what we are promoting. Adrian Keet, Bluevale. THE EDITOR, This year has been busy for the 25 volunteers of Wingham and Area Palliative Care Services. Palliative care and bereavement follow-up have been provided to 27 clients and families. Over 200 visits have been made to our local nursing homes. This year also saw the move to our new offices on the second floor of the Clinic Building, 273 Catherine Street, behind Wingham and District Hospital. It is donations which allow us to enhance the quality of life for those suffering from terminal illness and to continue support for the family during the bereavement period. We are a volunteer organization. We depend on your financial assistance to continue this service to our community. Thank you for being a part of what we do. Lorraine Poulin, Chairperson.