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The Citizen, 2001-05-02, Page 4, *4 ,'t* 4 * .1*t • t "' ikt • p • 4.• A gathering place Photo by Janice Becker PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2001 Editorials & Opinions 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 are 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 $100/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 C 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 The Citizen PO. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, BLYTH, Ont. BRUSSELS, Ont. NOM 1H0 NOG 1H0 Phone 523-4792 Phone 887-9114 FAX 523-9140 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norharon@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca ocna ENA Member of the Ontario Press Council INKi=1111 Ask the obvious question Premier Mike Harris last week said Ontarians shouldn't be afraid of private providers of health care if they can do it better and cheaper than the public system. The obvious question that people should be asking is how and why private providers would be cheaper? International calculations show that Canadians spend less on medical care than Americans do, and everyone in Canada has coverage, not just those lucky enough to have private insurance coverage. Our publicly- funded system saves money because there is no profit for the companies that build the hospitals and provide the insurance. There also isn't the need for duplication of services. Where then are the savings to come from if private companies take over providing services like MRIs and even hospitals? Is is that our current hospitals aren't being run efficiently? If so, it would seem smarter to fix what's wrong than create, an entirely new system. Or is it that the premier's ideology is getting in the way of his clear thinking? Privatization•is the buzzword of the Harris government and is becoming more so all the time. Recently an eight per cent increase in Ontario Hydro rates was announced, in part to make electricity prices high enough that private companies might be interested in generating power. If rates have to go up so private companies can make money, how inefficient can the public system have been? The premier is right in that we should never be so closed-minded that we don't look fairly at the alternatives. Neither should he when it comes to the consideration that maybe a public system can be more efficient than a private one. — KR The two sides of borders Potatoes from Prince Edward Island finally began to flow across the border to the U.S. this week, months after everyone but U.S. farmers and trade officials concluded there was little danger of spreading potato wart disease to farms other than in the original location. P.E.I. potato growers have lost millions of dollars since discovery of a handful of potatoes in one corner of one field that had the wart. As time went on and the U.S. refused to listen to reassurance that 10,000 tests showed there was no widespread infestation, suspicion grew that the fungus was an excuse to protect American potato growers from imports. In such cases, the idea of true free trade and open borders seems welcome. But then comes something like foot and mouth disease and the idea of a borderless world seems frightening. With the outbreak of the virulent disease in Britain, other countries were able to quickly impose restrictions on the movement across borders of animals, meat and dairy products that might carry the disease to new victims. Protected by an ocean and legal borders, Canadian and American farmers hope to avoid the same fate as their old world cousins. Like everything else, there are two sides to borders. — KR Looking Back Through the Years. May 3, 1950 Three vocal pupils of Mr. L. D. Thompson competed in the Huron County Music Festival at Goderich last week: Douglas Leach, 84 and 79: Graeme MacDonald, 84; Mietek Skowronski, 82. The choir of Melville Presbyterian Church held a farewell party and presentation for Mietek Skowronski, a valued member for two years. He was taking on new employment in Tillsonburg. Mietek, a native of Poland arrived in Canada three years earlier knowing no one and unable to speak the language. He spent a short time near Listowel then moved to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Graham Campbell. One year later he went to work on the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Sweeney. Members of Brussels Branch No. 218 Canadian Legion planned a memorial for their fallen comrades of the second world war. A drive was underway to raise funds. Each person donating $5 had the chance to win a 1950 DeLuxe Coup. Contributing were: Mrs. H. Gibson, Mrs.Wm. McNair, Alex Anderson, Will. Perrie, Bruce Smith, Ross Thuell, Win. Blakely, J.H. Steinhoff Russell Currie, Albert Densmore, V. Densmore, S.C. Rowcliffe, Wm. Fleischauer, Bill Graham, Chas. Nelson, James A. Armstrong; Robert Bennett, Glen McKercher, B. Moffatt, Jack Willis, W.E. Willis, Ralph Pearson, G.R. Morrison, Bob Johnson, Leonard Bok, Allan McKercher, Stewart Lowe, J.W. Fischer, R.W. Kennedy, J.M. McDonald, Jack Bowman, Alvin Logan, George Bridge, R.J. McLauchlin, John Logan, Hugh Pearson, M.C. Oldfield, Wm. Little, C.L. Workman, Mary Willis, Ken Cornish. L. Atchison, Harry Workman, Neil Montgomery, Ken Bennett, Ronald Bennett, Cassie Thompson,.Geo. A. Baeker, Alvin Gregg, Geo. Turnbull, James Adams, Elmer Sellers, Mrs. Graham Campbell, H.R. Shaw, John Riley, Alex Johnston, Dr. C.A. Myers, Reta Sellers, P.E. Pooley, John Spivey, Ross Turvey, Fraser Mustard, Cameron Mustard, James Turvey, R.G. Nichol, Alex Pearson, Carl Israelson, R.J. Bowman, R.B. Cousins, Moe Wineber, Mrs. S. Winberg, Wendy Rutledge, George Elliott, Carl Jacklin, Mary Thompson, Orrie Elliott, T. L. McDonald, Richard C. Elliott, Chas. T. Davison, Borden Cook, Lorne Vodden, Earl Bowes, Clair Michael, Ross Lawless, Donald Currie, Lloyd Alcock, Fred Ohm, Bert Johnston, Cameron Adams, foe Baker, O.A. McKehmic, Mrs. W.E. Willis. Samson and Delilah with Hedy Lamarr, Victor Mature and George Sanders was playing at the Capitol Theatre in Listowel. April 30,1986 Dozens of Huron County business were represented at the seventh annual Brussels Tradefest Robert Brak of Blyth received first prize in the trout category at the Maitland Valley Anglers annual fishing derby in Goderich. Hugh Hanley, 26, became the new clerk-treasurer in Brussels. The Brussels Lions club celebrated its 40th anniversary. Cal Krauter was named Brussels Citizen of the Year. The first Brussels Cubs helped the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority plant trees at the conservation area in Morris Twp. The championship playoff team for the Bluevale Mixed Bowling League were Marj Adams, Mary Ross, Mike Darling, Jeanne lrelend, Steven Johnston and Herb Kenyon. The championship team was Caroline Greenaway, Eluned McNair, George Fischer, Carl Freiburger, Pauline Dickson and Kevin Hickey. May 1, 1991 Brussels tennis courts were being relocated to the arena from Elizabeth Street. Students form Brussels Public School planted 2,100 trees for Earth Week. The event was organized by parent Don Armstrong. East Wawanosh residents faced a 5.15 per cent tax hike while taxes would increase 5.6 per cent in Morris. Corey McKee was named Most Valuable Player in the Brussels Bulls playoffs. Once again Marty Rutledge was awarded the trophies for top scorer and Most Valuable Player on the Brussels Bulls season. He returned to the team that year as an over-age player. Steve Fritz was the recipient of the Mike Vincent Memorial Award for the Most Dedicated Player. Top defencemen were Jamie Gibbings and Joe Walker. Six people from Central Huron Secondary School received awards at the Excellence in Education banquet. They were: longtime health nurse Ruth Linton, students Vivienne Stephens, Angela Reide, Fayanne Love, Paul Jewitt and Rick Howson, Blyth Festival was given a special award for its efforts to involve high school student in drama. May 1, 1996 Dr. Daniel Rooyakkers joined the .staff at the Seaforth-Brussels Clinic. A small but dedicated group turned out to see the unveiling of the plan for the development and beautification of the stretch of land along Blyth Brook and the abandon edrail line. The Walton WI executive was: program co-ordinator, Berva Watson; PRO, Brenda Perrie; first vice-president, Ruth Axtmann, past president, Marjory Humphries, president. Margaret Mclnroy and secretary-treasurer, Helen Craig. Blyth teacher Cheryl Cronin received a certificate of recognition for her dedication to the Peacemakers project at the school. F.E. Madill's Drama Guild was rehearsing Guys and Dolls with Grade 9 students, Melina Hussey of East Wawanosh" and Craig Fair of Bluevale in the lead roles.