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The Citizen, 1996-12-11, Page 4The North Huron Er) C itizen eNA VERIFIED CIRCULATION PAID The Citizen is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $27.00/year ($25.24 + $1.76 G.S.T.) In Canada; $62.00/year in U.S.A. and $75.00/year in other foreign countries. 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 P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1HO Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising Manager, Jeannette McNeil Photo by Bonnie Gropp PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1996 Economic health at stake too The revolution in communications technology and the aging of the Baby Boom generation spells hope for rural communities but the drive by provincial governments to cut rural hospitals could cripple the natural advantages many towns will have, says Toronto author David Foote. Foote studies demo- graphics and the effect the age and numbers within a population have on society. In his book Boom, Bust &Echo, he predicts the generation born between 1947 and 1966, as it moves to retirement, will look to escape the large cities. Modern communications makes it convenient to move to rural areas and still keep in touch. Because of the size of this Baby Boom generation, this has the potential to reverse the depopulation of rural areas. The fly in the ointment for rural areas, however, is that, "You have to have a good rural hospital because Baby Boomers are worrying about getting strokes and heart attacks now," he told Western Producer magazine. • Ontario isn't alone in its apparent desire to close rural hospitals and consolidate services in major centres, Foote says, but it's a move that doesn't make sense given the population trends. "We should be moving hospitals to rural communities, not closing rural hospitals." Take a look at how the options proposed by the task force for the Huron Perth District Health Council fit in with Foote's observation. Only Stratford and Goderich and possibly Seaforth and one of Wingham or Listowel will likely attract people who have decided to get out of the city. With its peaceful lifestyle, with its access to recreational and cultural facilities, Huron County for once seems to have a natural advantage in increasing its population and providing new markets for our local businesses. We could kill this advantage by short-run thinking that looks only at today's bottom line, not the long-term bottom line. — KR Fair farm prices under attack Despite the fact Ontario farmers have gone almost cold-turkey on government grants these days, despite the fact that they are now being asked to pick up the tab for the costs of testing for approving new farm chemicals and for food inspection the government formerly paid for, it became obvious for farmers attending the recent Ontario Federation of Agriculture convention in Toronto that some people begrudge them earning a decent living. Gerry Prins, president of Distribution Canada Inc., a national association of independent grocers, told the farmers that orderly marketing like supply-managed marketing boards, keeps too many farmers in business. He claimed that consumers pay the price, paying double the world price for milk and 20-50 per cent more for eggs and chicken. Conspicuously, Prins talked about the price of U.S. chicken and eggs but not for milk. Recent surveys have shown milk is 20 per cent less in Canada than in cities across the border because the high prices of feed have made farmers drop out of the business in the U.S., creating a shortage. Farmers here, because of supply management, were able to get a small price increase that kept them in business, and kept Canadian prices down. Enemies of supply management, of course, tend to mention price comparisons to the U.S. only when they are unfavourable to supply management. Prins claimed that supply management hurts the poor. "For these Canadians, the price of foods like eggs, milk and chicken can make a difference between having a nutritious meal and going hungry," he said. Apparently farmers are supposed to join the ranks of the poor to help out the poor. No mention of the effect that the near-monopoly status of large grocery suppliers in Canada has on food costs. No mention that food executives should work for minimum wage. Contradicting Prins is a new study by Statistics Canada that shows in the last 50 years since 1947, Canadians have gone from spending 32 cents of every dollar on food to 14 cents. A House of Commons committee studying rural development knows how important farmers' ability to have some control over their market is. The committee intends to support orderly marketing as a key to any rural strategy. Farmers deserve to be rewarded fairly for their work which, after all, is the most essential work in society. — KR E ditorial Letters THE EDITOR, I applaud the action by Huron County Council regarding their position on the recommendations (choices?) by the District Health Council (DHC). County Council decided that ALL five Huron County hospitals are necessary for adequate health care for our citizens. I fully agree. The three choices presented to us divides the citizens of the county where many supporters of the Goderich hospital couldn't care much if other hospitals in the county close. The three scenarios presented are, to say the least, deceiving. If we vote for one of the three DHC proposals, we vote for the closing or diminishing of all Huron hospitals except Goderich. Let's not fall for this ploy and let's refuse to choose any of these proposals. County council wants ALL five hospitals to remain open. This is possible, albiet on a slightly reduced level of operation. The simple remedy would be to cut back the demanded 18 per cent to 20 per cent in provincial support for ALL hospitals. Hospital administrators tell us they can operate on such a smaller budget. It would undoubt- edly cause some hardship on hospital personnel, but less so than if the alternative is implemented. Has the DHC Task Force gathered weather information on how often Hwy. 21, 8, 86 and 4 are closed by the OPP because of winter weather conditions? 1 doubt it, for if they had they would not propose that a half-hour drive (at which speed?) is adequate to get a seriously ill person to hospital. I speak here partly out of personal fear because I have heart disease. I share this fear with any number of elderly people in our villages, townships and small towns (Huronview, Huronlea) and private retirement homes. Regrettably, the Ontario govern- ment has shown time and again that they refuse to listen to the people who elected them, so the only course we can, and must, take is to follow the example of Blyth council who refused to collect an unfair tax on property. When tax paying time comes in the next four months we should refuse to pay taxes if we lose the services of our hospitals. I would welcome letters in this paper that either disagree or agree with my position. Adrian Vos. THE EDITOR, As I sit here about to write this letter, I am so filled with anger and disgust that I can feel the unborn baby inside of me squirm in response to my turmoil. What is it that has me so upset? I have just arrived home, with my son Will, who is 20 months old. He had just started to doze off in his car seat, when I met a carload of people. The driver was not driving erratically, he was wearing his seat belt. What has made me so angry is the fact that sitting in the front passenger seat was a woman, who was also wearing her seat belt, HOLDING A TODDLER ON HER LAP. I am finding it difficult to convey my rage and frustration about this issue in a calm and rational manner. How is it that these people can use proper safety precautions for themselves, then so stupidly and carelessly neglect to do so for this child. We as adults are here on this earth to protect our children from harm. What would cause someone to purposely threaten the well-being of their own baby? I am so appalled by this type of behaviour. I have seen a person driving their car with a child on their lap. You know who you &re, and I can't believe that someone who brings a child into this world, who loves and nurtures their baby could possibly do this. You are deliberately endangering your child's life every time you fail to buckle your child up PROPERLY in a CSA approved car seat, suitable for their size. What excuse could anyone have for intentionally jeopardizing a child's life? Not enough time? Think of all of the time you may have on your hands if your child was killed in a car accident. I'm only going around the block? Most car accidents happen within a few miles from home. We have also heard of the dangers that airbags pose to children as well. Even minor fender benders can set off the airbag, with tragic consequences. Please educate yourself and be intelligent and responsible when it comes to travelling in a car. If your car does have a passenger side airbag, do NOT let your child sit in the front seat. They are NOT designed for the protection of children. The impact of the deployment of the airbag can, and has, killed children. Just recently, a baby was decapitated by an airbag in a mall parking lot fender bender. No one wants to think that it could happen to them, but just for a moment, picture this holiday season without that special little person in your life. Is there really any reason on this earth not to take this precaution for your child? I don't think so. Veronica Stevenson. THE EDITOR, A couple of friends and I are writing in response to a letter to the editor signed "Angry and Upset" in the Dec. 4 issue of The Citizen. We feel that their issue had nothing to do with the seriousness of the accident itself. This letter upset us in various ways. To begin with, we found these people to be rude and not to care about Erin's feelings towards this tragedy. If that's all they have to worry about is the spelling of names .and Continued on page 17