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The Citizen, 2001-02-28, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2001 Editorials Opinio Wake-up time Canadian nurses now working and living in Texas must find it ironic that this week they're being recruited to come back to Canada. After years of being lured south of the border for work they are now being offered the working conditions that would have seen them stay at home in the first place. More than 20,000 Canadian nurses are working in the U.S. and Texas has been most successful in luring our nurses south. But it wasn't the dream of lower taxes or higher wages that sent our nurses packing, it was neglect bordering on contempt by health administrators in Canada. According to a Registered Nurses Association of Ontario survey, virtually all the nurses migrated south because they were laid off or reduced to casual work. "There's nothing I can say about the w iy you were treated except that is was shameful," executive director of the RNAO told a job fair in Houston this week. "But I'm here to tell you it will never happen again." The nurses' situation is symptomatic of our attitude toward health care in Canada — we just don't know how good we have it and we're in danger of letting it slip away. Taking nurses for granted, hospital administrators treated them like workers in 'a fast food restaqrant who can always be replaced instead of professionals who are invaluable to good medical service. Likewise Canadians, told over and over again that we can't afford our public system, are growing weary of insisting that we can. As the anti-tax campaign of the right-wing, upper-income business lobby continues, we're apt to give up the fight and let the proponents of a private health care system finally win. But those same nurses in Texas tell why we shouldn't give in. Many nurses at that Houston job fair want to come back to Canada. One said that white Americans preach about family values, they do little to support families. She wants to come home to good schools, good health care, parks, clean air and safe streets and doesn't care if she, has higher taxes. Her husband, a Texan, says Canadians don't know what a good life they have. Another nurse pointed out she got no paid maternity leave when her daughter was born and could only afford to take off 12 weeks. We're being brainwashed into giving up what we have by those who dangle a dream of having more money in our pockets. Those nurses in Texas have lessons for us all.— KR ri • nite your tongue With Bernard Landry set to ascend to the leadership of the Parti Quebecois this weekend and become premier of Quebec, Canadians can expect to be subjected to lots of provocative actions in the name of dividing the country. Landry has been a dedicated separatist since he helped found the party 30 years ago. He can not see any future for the province beyond becoming a separate country. He also knows that with public opinion solidly against the idea at this time, he needs something to get people worked up. Another case of people trampling on the flag of Quebec as happened in Brockville would help. That got replayed over and over leading up to the last referendum and almost did the trick. We'll have to turn the other cheek and not respond when he tries to anger us. It's the only way to deny him the victory he wants.— KR Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising Manager, Jeannette McNeil The Citizen is published 50 times a year In Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions ore payable in advance at a rate of $28.00/year ($26.16 + $1.84 G.S.T.) in Canada; $65.00/year in U.S.A. and S100/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 newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are Copyright We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs. Publications Mail Reg. No. 09244 Canadian Publication Mail Agreement No. 1374990 Member of the Ontario Press Council 11111=11111 P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 ocna aurye *CNA E-mail norhuron@scsinternelcom Website www.northhuron.on.ca The Citizen P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 Washing it away Photo by Janice Becker Looking Back Through the Years March 1, 1950 In the old coin collection, three of the 1700s were shown recently. The oldest one, minted in the reign of Georg II, bearing the date of 1749 was brought in to the newspaper's office by Mrs. Wm. Gorsalitz. The others belonged to Mr. M. Wineberg. One was a half penny E.R. 1792, the other a Brittania I penny, dated 1797, bearing the inscription George III. Mrs. Gorsalitz's collection also included a Prince Edward Island one cent of 1871 and a Hong Kong 10c of 1873. Mr. Wineberg had in addition to his 1700 coins, an. American nickel, 1868, an American 1/2 dime 1856, a Russian 10 Kopicas 1906, a Mexican 10 centivas 1884, a Luxembourg 5 cent 1918 and Netherlands 25 cents 1918. He also •had two silver coins that were among, the last silver coins minted in Germany that were taken from German POW officers in 1918. They were five marks from 1876 and three marks from 1912. Mr. Harry Bolger had a Bank of Upper Canada penny from 1857. Mr. Frank Kelly showed an English penny from 1813. In Mr. Richard Alcock's collection there was a gold dollar coin 1851, a Quebec Bank Token 1837, an American one cent 1854 and American two cents, 1864, a Helvetia 20, 1850. The pancake supper held in St John's Church basement on Shrove Tuesday was a decided success, despite bad weather. The sum of $80 was netted. A subject brought up at the last Lions Club meeting was causing a flurry of discussion around town. The question argued was "How far is it by river from Brussels to Wigham2" Lion Tail Twister Jim Armstrong, went out on a limb. He made the statement, based on an old story of some Brussels men who went by boat from here to Wingham, that the distance is 41 miles. One business man was willing to wager $5 that it is not nearly that far. Now, Mr. Armstrong was being urged, on all sides, to prove his statement. Feb. 26, 1986 Bruce McCall of Brussels was named as Vice-chaiman of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority board of directors at the annual meeting. Harold Errington of West Wawanosh Twp. was vice- chairman of the MVCA's land management advisory board. The Brussels Guides and Brownies held their mother and daughter banquet. Head table guests were; Betty Graber, tester; Sherry Souch, Guide leader; Marg Gamiss, Brown Owl; Marian Doucette, guest; Donna Turney, District Commissioner and Debbie Trollope, Tawny Owl. East Wawanosh Public School recently held its public speaking contest. Winners were: Micah Hussey, second in junior division, Lana Thompson, third in junior and Ian Morton, first place. Jenny Chettleburgh, third in seniors, Ben Barnes, second and Melinda Hussey, first. The 4 to 5 p.m. hour Feb. 22, at the Blyth Arena was an exciting one. One hundred and 14 members of the United Church family took to the ice. Melda McElroy began her escapade on blades which bore the patent stamp 1932, and which she had not used in 40 years. Feb. 27, 1991 The Maitland Valley Conservation Authority levy increased 5.9 per cent. Beigrave arena got a $117,66 grant from the province. Slippery roads in the area brought a rash of car accidents Making the most of winter were members of the Brussels community during a snowball tournament. The Brussels, Morris and Grey Recreation committee planned to make the tournament an annual affair. The Toastmaster Club, Maitland Motivators received its charter as did the Blyth Optimists. The debating team from F.E. Madill Secondary School acquired the award for highest points at the Snowbelt Regional finals. Accepting the award from MPP Murray Elston were Ben Barnes, Kirsten Keil, Marlaine Lindsay and Sarah Brophy. Barnes and Brophy were the top two debaters of the day. Feb. 28, 1996 Five busloads of Huron County educators joined a protest in Hamilton against cuts implemented by the Harris government. Cadet Brad Beuermann was the recipient of the Valentine's Draw prize. As well, the Legion donated $750 to the corps for the purchase Of camping gear. The bread-making skills of Ferne Howatt were rewarded when she earned a second at the Ontairo Association of Agriculture Society's District 8, Toronto competition. She was the representative from the Brussels Fair. Katie MacGregor was one of four local girls competing against the Kitchener-Waterloo Y, in a swim meet.