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The Citizen, 2003-02-05, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2003. Editorials & Opinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising, Alan Young, Patty Van der Meer 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 ($26.17 + $1.83 G.S.T.) in Canada; $80.00/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 © Copyright We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs. Publications Mai) Reg. No. 09244 Canadian Publication Mail Agreement No. 40050141 The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG I HO Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca A°cna®“ > Member of the Ontario Press Council ■BWBB How to get the message through Pardon ordinary Canadians if they feel frustrated this week in watching politicians play games with the future of their medicare system. If the vast majority of Canadians were at the federal-provincial meeting this week they’d tell the prime minister and the premiers to smarten up and fix the system, not bicker over which level of government might win or lose. The provinces want federal money, but they don’t want the federal government to attach strings. The federal government wants to set the healthcare agenda, but as it balanced its budget in the 1990s, it downloaded more and more of the health care tab to the provinces Now it wants to take back some control in return for new funding while the provinces argue any money the feds give will only help make up for past cuts and therefore shouldn’t require more accountability to Ottawa. There’s no doubt that the federal government’s cuts during the past decade undermine its credibility as the champion of universal healthcare, but most Canadians would probably still lend their support to the feds rather than the provinces in these issues. Older voters, for instance, recall that the federal government in the 1960s had to force universal, government-supplied health care down the throats of provinces like Ontario. Now some provinces are using rising costs and reduced federal support as an excuse to turn back the clock to the days when private health care providers played a big part in the system. While the federal government’s reputation has been tarnished by reduced support, the provinces’ own credibility is called into question when they plead poverty for health care, yet continue to cut taxes, as Ontario Treasurer Janet Ecker did last week. Ask the vast majority of Canadians and they’ll put that money into health care instead of tax cuts. But the frustrating thing is that nobody seems to be asking ordinary Canadians. How do we get politicians to listen when we get to vote only once every four or five years and there are so many issues to cloud the decision. The current provincial government, for instance, could win the next election because voters don’t like the looks of the leaders of the oppos­ ition parties, but could claim to have a mandate to privatize health care. All we can do is try to make our voices heard. If you care about healthcare funding, make sure you write or telephone the offices of both local representatives: federal MP Paul Steckle and provincial MPP Helen Johns. Don’t give them the excuse to say they didn’t know that people really considered a first-class public health care system was a top priority.— KR Will trade determine policy? In a strange way, free trade will be on trial as Canada prepares to decide whether it will join the U.S. in going to war with Iraq or to insist on a United Nations sanction before invading the country. There are those who claim that Canada must back the U.S. if it decides to attack Iraq whether the UN agrees or not. Dependent as we are on trade with the U.S., these people argue, we dare not upset the Americans by going against them on this issue. This is exactly the kind of argument that worried opponents of free trade 15 years ago. There’s no doubt the Canadian government, if it listens to public opinion, will not go to war, at least not without a UN sanction. The govern­ ment’s careful diplomatic dance, however, gives credence to those who claim we can’t afford to oppose our largest trading partner on this. But if, indeed, concerns over trade cause us to enter a war we think is wrong, then we have sold our souls for the right to make more money. Only by making a decision supported by the majority of the Canadian public will the government prove we still have our independence. — KR Letters to the Editor Looking Back Through the Years THE EDITOR, I am writing to request your support for police auxiliary/volunteer/community police involvement in the Arrive Alive Bottle Drive hosted by Ontario Community Council on Impaired Driving (OCCID) and The Beer Store. This year’s bottle drive event will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2003. For five years, we have teamed up with this alcohol retailer to promote sober driving, and to raise funds for our activities and for those of local community groups with similar aims. We have found that our presence at The Beer Store outlets has been a very effective way to reach people who purchase/consume alcohol, and that it offers an important opportunity for us to share information about why and how to prevent impaired driving, by handing out arrive alive passports, and other relevant materials. The bottle drive raises funds directly from the community and attracts media coverage, arranged by ourselves and communication staff at The Beer Store. The funds are split 50/50 with the community where the funds were raised: in 2002 we raised over $40,000 provincially ($27,000 from bottle drive communities) and returned just under $13,500 directly to communities where the funds were raised. The participating community groups have only one restriction - that the funds be spent on an impaired driving awareness project or activity. Sincerely, Stacey Mooney, Bottle Drive Co-ordinator. Feb. 5, 1958 Wilfred Shortreed was elected president of the East Huron Agricultural Society. The Western Star Lodge 149 of the Independent Order of Oddfellows presented 25-year pins to Bros. Roy Kennedy and D.A. Rann. Playing at the Capitol Theatre in Listowel was Gunfight at the OK Corral starring Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas. At Seaforth’s Regent Theatre it was The Delicate Delinquent starring Jerry Lewis and Martha Hyer. The Brussels rink committee had made tentative plans to cement the ice surface in the hopes it would make the building more serviceable to the community, and could be used during the summer months for roller skating, dancing or tennis. An estimate of $2,000 was set for the job. On sale at Rutledge Grocery were two 20-oz cans of Clark’s pork and beans for 37 cents, the I6-oz jar of York peanut butter for 41 cents, two pounds of Beehive com syrup for 31 cents and two tins of Campbell’s tomato soup for 23 cents. Bad drivers were targetted in a number of advertisements. One from the Department of Transport - Ontario showed a car wreck and carried the message that “Speed caused this fatal accident. The driver of this car was travelling at an estimated 70 mph when he pulled out to overtake another car, lost control and rammed into a bridge abutment. (The driver) was crushed to death on impact. Before you tramp down on that accelerator, remember two things: (I) The faster you travel the less control you have, (2) this photograph.’’ Children’s three-piece winter sets were on sale at Wood’s from $6.75 to $10.99. Feb. 1, 1968 Men's leather sole oxfords were on sale at Miller’s Shoe Store in Listowel for $8. Women’s flats' were selling for $2.99. An ad from the Huron County TB Association stated, “Smoke it... or throw it away. The lighted cigarette between the lips of six million Canadians represents in the opinion of many doctors, the greatest health problem in the country today.” Admission to the dance at the Brussels Legion Hall, sponsored by the Brussels Bowling League, with music by Desjardine Orchestra was $1 Feb. 7, 1973 The Belgrave District Credit Union celebrated 20 years of service to the community. Ann Snell moved on to the county public speaking contest. Memorial Hall was to be probed from top to bottom following meetings of the Blyth recreation committee and Blyth village council. Feb. 3,1988 Walton’s United Church Women celebrated 25 years with past presidents Annie Reid, Phyllis Mitchell, Vera McDonald, Grace Roe, Jean Bewley, Marie McGavin, Edith Wey, Marilyn McDonald, Viola Kirkby, Helen Craig and Marion Godkin present for the day. Grey Twp. assistant-clerk Rhonda Fischer was one of the first two people to ever complete the course in municipal government through the Brussels extension of Conestoga College, taught by Brussels Councillor and former clerk­ treasurer Ruth Sauve. Feb. 3, 1993 A decision to ban smoking in the Blyth arena was rescinded after local organizations vented their anger. Betty Graber was named president of the Huron Perth Presbyterial of the UCW. Doug Hemingway received the Brussels Agricultural Society service award. Hans Boonstoppel was named president of the Ontario Jersey Club. The Huron County Board of Education underspent itself by over $1 million. The board aniticpated an 1992 surplus of $1,317,312. Bob Szusz bought the Londesboro Seed Plant. Desiree Hall was named president of the Walton Area Sports Club. Michelle Freiburger received the horse club award at the Brussels Agricultural Society banquet. Feb. 4,1998 Blyth firefighters were once again on the forefront of providing the best care for those in need, with the rescue van being newly equipped with a defibrilator. The talents of Josie MacDonald of Blyth Public School won her a Walkman as she was one of 25 children across the province to capture honours in the Create A Reading Song contest sponsored by Troll Books. Josie wrote a song about reading to the Aiannis Morissette song You Learn. Hullett school’s senior boys team won the volleyball tournament. Players were Jeff Carter, Chris Rooseboom, Mike Bean, Rob Archambault, Daryl Overboe, Eric Jarrett, Billy Finlay, Thomas Bolinger, Greg Bechtel, Andrew Schaefer, Chris Lammerant, Jeremy Blake. The competition to provide accommodations for the new Avon Maitland District School Board had begun to heat up. A fourth candidate, Seaforth made a presentation to the board detailing the benefits of locating the head office in the community. Earlier presentations had come from Stratford, West Perth and Clinton.