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The Citizen, 2003-07-23, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 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 Mail Reg. No. 09244 Canadian Publication Mail Agreement No. 40050141 The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-maii norhuronfescsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca Jkpcna <*cna Member of the Ontario Press Council The high price of saving money As a new school year approaches, the high cost of tuition for students study ing for many professions will prevent many young people from using the talents they have, the National Professional Association Coalition on Tuition has warned. With federal and provincial funding cuts to universities, for instance, annual tuition for the university of Western Ontario’s medical school has soared from $5,000 in 1997 to $14,000. The University of Toronto plans to raise law school tuitions to $22,000 a year by 2006. At University of Saskatchewan tuition fees for dentistry are $32,000 a year and with books and equipment students are looking at $45,320 a year — not the kind of money you can cover with a summer job or even working part time during the school year. The National Professional Association Coalition on Tuition warns fear of debt is affecting students when they (hoose a profession. Heavy debt load is causing graduates to seek out jobs that will help them pay back their loans rather than where they can best serve. It can only make it harder to recruit doctors to rural areas, for instance, if young doctors with heavy debt loads seek high-paying jobs in urban areas instead of small towns where the pay might not be as good. Canada has become one of the best countries to live in because it’s been a meritocracy: those with the best skills have been able to rise to the top. Many of the people who run this country today were able to rise because affordable tuition encouraged them to think big. We have much to lose by being so afraid of higher taxes that we prevent bright but low-income students from reaching for the top for fear of debt. — KR The fine line of journalism The suicide of a British scientist at the heart of a controversial political story in Britain has focused attention on the role of journalism and whether its aim is public service, or sensationalism. David Kelly committed suicide after the British government claimed he was the source for a British Broadcasting Corp, story saying that the government has exaggerated intelligence information on Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction in order to justify invading the country. Kelly claimed he wasn’t the main source of the story because what he said didn’t add up to what the BBC reported. Now the government is blaming the BBC for exaggerating news while opponents of the government are blaming it for hounding the man to his death. Critics of the BBC claim it sees itself as the natural opposition of the government. It’s a claim heard here in Canada too as the media, seeing weak opposition in Parliament, feel it’s up to them to hold the government accountable. It’s an attitude that has come to the forefront of journalism ever since two determined Washington Post reporters uncovered the Watergate Scandal — the attempts of President Richard Nixon’s aides to subvert the electoral process and the subsequent efforts of everyone, all the way up to Nixon itself, to cover up those crimes. Because the political system failed in that instance (Nixon won re-election) and it took the media to uncover the truth, journalists ever since have seen themselves as the protectors of democracy. But who protects democracy from over-zealous journalists? Journalism, as a profession, is neither good nor bad just as politics is neither good nor bad. Each profession is only as good as the individuals who practise it. Just as we need people of good moral standing to lead our political parties, we need journalists with a strong sense of right and wrong to report on what’s going on. If people in either profession get so caught up in the game that they forget the principles, there is the potential for trouble. Did David Kelly’s death result from either the government or the BBC getting caught up in the game? Time will tell, but the tragedy is a reminder to both politicians and journalists that there’s more to their jobs than just scoring points. — KR Letters to the Editor Looking Back Through the Years THE EDITOR, Many thanks for reporter Sarah Mann’s excellent coverage of Rob Larman, director of The War Amps PLAYSAFE/DRIVESAFE Program, and his recent involvement in the Grey Central Public School’s farm safety day at the BMG arena. Larman also co-ordinates The War Amps PLAYSAFE/DRIVESAFE floats, where local child amputees are safety ambassadors, using a kids-to-kids approach to spread the association’s safety message. PLAYSAFE/DRIVESAFE began when The War Amps saw children, who had lost limbs in accidents that could have been prevented, enrolling in its Child Amputee (CHAMP) program. Your coverage will go a long way helping to spread the word. War Amps programs are funded solely through public support of the key tag and address label service. For more information, use E-ZEE ACCESS: call toll-free 1-800-250- 3030, fax toll-free at 1-800-219- 8988 or visit us at www.waramps.ca. Sincerely, Cliff Chadderton, CC, O.Ont., OstJ, CLJ, CAE, DCL, LLD, Chief Executive Officer, The War Amps, Ottawa July 23,1958 Baker’s Convalescent Home in Brussels announced the grand opening after renovations and the installation of modem equipment. More than 100 members of the Cardiff family gathered at the homestead on Lot. 3, Cone. 7, Grey, for a family reunion. The Llashmar Drive-in in Listowel was showing The Ten Commandments while Old Yeller played at the Regent in Seaforth. July 25,1968 The New American Hotel in Brussels re-opened for business and hosted entertainment in the Rainbow Room. The Friday night special was spare ribs and sauerkraut, roast turkey, and giant hamburgers. A one-way white fare ticket for the train to Toronto from Brussels cost $4.60. A blue fare ticket cost $5.30. Thompson and Stephenson Meat Market was selling a pound of large bologna for 45 cents. Smoked cottage rolls were 69 cents a pound and smoked side bacon sold for 73 cents a pound. July 25,1973 A group of Londesborough residents were unhappy about their town receiving Vanastra’s garbage so they presented a petition with 19 signatures to Hullett Twp. council. The garbage was being dumped on privately-owned property. Township council voted to write a letter to Tuckersmith Twp. who oversee Vanastra, to inform them the landowner had no license or permit from local authorities to operate a landfill site on his property. Local children were invited to a free performance of Shortshrift, a play written by Canadian writer Rex Deverell. The Blyth Little Theatre sponsored the appearance by the youth division of the Huron Country Playhouse. Approximately 70 Straughans came together at the Harbour Park in Goderich for their 76th , annual picnic, only three of which had been missed by Auburn resident William Straughan. Stewart’s Red and White Food Market in Blyth was offering Bayer 100’s asprin tablets for 69 cents, a two pound package of margarine for 69 cents, and a 128 oz. jug of white vinegar for 79 cents. Larry’s Radio and TV was selling a Hitachi colour T.V. for $690 (with trade). July 27,1988 Gertie Kellington and Bruce Hahn became Brussels councillors replacing Betty Graber and Neil McDonald. Blyth received word it had been approved for a $150,000 grant under the provincial government’s Program for Renewal, Improvement, Development and Economic Revitalization program. Blyth Legion Branch 420 baseball team A won the Lucknow slo-pitch tournament. Members of the winning team were: Chris Courtney, Fran Cook, Debbie McDougall, Crystal Taylor, Bob Hillis, Dave Cook, Wayne McDougall, Brian Riehl, Gary Courtney, Steve Howson, Bamey Stewart, and John Stewart. The team donated their winnings to the Brussels Legion building fund. Brussels village council thanked residents who conserved water during the shortage and said the dried up lawns were a badge of honour. Bush Whittard, Gord Cowman, Danny Pearson and Clarence McCutcheon were cooks at the annual St. John’s Anglican Church pork chop barbecue. The double bill at Brownie’s Drive-In theatre was Crocodile Dundee II, starring Paul Hogan, and Planes, Trains and Automobiles, starring John Candy and Steve Martin. Scrimgeour’s Food Market was selling a 4 litre basket of tomatoes for $3.49, bananas for 49 cents per pund, and cantaloupes for 99 cents each. July 21,1993 Al Doerksen, director of the Canadian Food Grains Bank visited Blyth to meet with representatives involved in the local project. Members of the Blyth United Church and village residents attended an open house to say goodbye to the Ramirez family who were leaving for London. Rev. Ramirez was pastor of the United Church for six years. Carla Freeman, daughter of Jim and Dona Knight of Brussels, became one of five women in Canada to earn a pilot’s license for a balloon. Safe Haven, by Mary-Colin Chisholm, and Cez/z House, by Colleen Curran, were playing at the Blyth Festival. July 22,1998 The exceptionally hot, dry weather remained stationary but the Blyth PUC issued a release saying that the water shortage crisis had passed. Watering restrictions were left in place as they had not yet recovered to full capacity. The watering of lawns remained prohibited but new grass, gardens, and flowerbeds could be watered on certain days. The Ark in Brussels conducted a babysitting course. Graduates were Richard Goetz, Troy Back- haus, Kate Aitchison, Amy Bridge, Ashley Keffer, Rachael Speers, Elyse Wilkinson, Candice Ross, Corey Passmore and Michelle Smith. Canadian legend Stompin’ Tom Connors delighted some 1,200 people in Blyth on July 13.