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The Citizen, 2000-10-11, Page 4PAGE 4, THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2000 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 $27.00/year ($25.24 + $l .76 G.S.T.) in Canada; $62.00/year in U.S.A, and $l00/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 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-mail norhuron@scsinternef.com jpcna (*cna Member of the Ontario Press Council Let s not be stubborn One of the dangers for politicians is in being so irritated by opposition to your position that you stop listening to the arguments of the other side — even if they make sense. Huron County’s debate over ambulances threatens to become an example of that. The ambulance debate has been bitter from the very beginning when it was suggested the south and centre of the county could be as well served as they currently are with two fewer ambulance stations. Since this suggestion came from a well-qualified consultant, and since it would put these areas on an equal footing with the northern part of the county,^there was little sympathy from many county councillors with the complaints from people in the areas affected. As the opposition continued, politicians supporting the change seemed to dig in their heels. That tendency was in evidence at Thursday’s October meeting of county council when new information was submitted that the current Dashwood ambulance site rents for just $1,000 a month while the county plans on spending $300,000 to build a new station, consolidating Dashwood and Zurich stations. Looking at me cost, even Roy Triebner, reeve of Exeter where the new station would oe located, felt the county1- should do a cost/benefit analysis to see if the move made sense. That idea was voted down by council. The downloading of the ambulance service to the county does provide an opportunity for improvement and cost savings and council may be right in wanting to change the system. When that desire for change becomes so rigid that other options are not even explored, however, it’s the proponents of change who end up looking stubborn. —- KR Defining who we are Many people taking part in that remarkable five-day celebration of the life of Pierre Trudeau last week, repeated the idea that the former prime minister defined who we-are as Canadians. More importantly, in their collective musing on Trudeau’s importance to the country, the millions of people taking part across the country put their own definition on what Canada is all about. The sincerity of the mourners cannot be questioned. There were the thousands standing quietly in line for up to five hours on Parliament Hill, some until 3 a m., simply to see or touch the flag-draped coffin. There was the moving spectacle of the train, carrying his body back to Montreal, slowing at every small station along the way where thousands more lined the tracks. Again in Montreal, there were the files of people waiting to view the coffin, then the thousands more outside the cathedral for the funeral itself. And then there was the quiet applause of the crowds as the funeral procession passed by, both a sign of respect and celebration of a life. But the most important part of all was the reasons people had for being in those lines, and for, in some cases, coming from across the country to be there. Trudeau, they said, stood for a strong, united Canada, not a “community of shopping centres”. He made people who came from other parts of the world feel they belonged here through his multi-cultural policies. He gave French-speaking people outside Quebec new respect for their own language. On and on the reasons flowed out, defining a Canada of compassion and caring and inclusion — putting a stamp on that illusive idea of what is a Canadian. Or was all that just a momentary bow to nostalgia? Not everyone agrees with those ideas of what Canada should be. There are many who think this is exactly what Canada shouldn’t be. We can’t afford social programs that soften the harsh blows of reality, they say. Creating a society that allows people not to be in a constant struggle to accumulate wealth makes us uncompetitive. Will those remarkable, emotional salutes to Trudeau define Canada or will things go back to the tilt to the right? As Justin Trudeau said in his eulogy: “It’s up to us now.” — KR Letters to the Editor You are what you eat! Photo by Janice Becker Looking Back Through the Years THE EDITOR, It is with a great deal of sadness and disappointment that I announce the closing of Linda’s Restaurant. As I was interviewing applicants in April, I thought the people I met were a credit to the community. After working with my staff over the past several months I reiterate that now and sincerely thank them, most of whom> started with and are still with me. My cooks, Dawn Gross and Shawna Stryker, have been excellent. They are competent, dependable, trustworthy young women. I certainly benefitted from their interest and energy. My waitresses, some as inexperienced as myself, did an exceptional job - Joanne Passchier, Amanda Wood, Rachel deBoer, Kristy Blair, Jody VanderVeen, Emily Dow. Also people who generously pitched in on occasions when I found myself quite overwhelmed - Linda Stewart, Debbie Stryker, Julie Wood, Carol Gross. They waitressed, cooked, washed dishes or whatever was needed. Our boat isn’t finished yet, nor have I got a ticket to Spain yet, so I'll still be living in the area for awhile and look forward to seeing you around town. Sincerely, Linda. Oct 13, 1960 Frank Mitchell, senior member of the Brussels School board, and former chairman of the board laid the cornerstone of the new Brussels Public School. The $130,000 six- room school, situated at the south end of the village replaced the building that had been used as a school for the previous 65 years. At McCutcheon Grocery, you could get maple leaf cheese slices, 2 packages for 59 cents, and family sized York peanut butter for 63 cents. You could also get two St. Williams assorted jams 2 for 39 cents, while Tulip Margarine was two for 49 cents. The Young Women’s Guild of Melville Presbyterian Church held a bazaar. Mr. and Mrs. Garvin Smith of South Porcupine were holidaying with relatives and friends in the community. Also, David Davidson from Roberts Creek, B.C., was the guest of his brother Robert, and sister Mrs. W. Rose. The Brussels United Church held a turkey supper at the church. Oct. 15, 1975 Some young people from Blyth were helping spruce up the Blyth arena in the previous couple of weeks. The young volunteers did the painting with the only cost to the recreation committee being for the paint. Belgrave’s largest business and a major supplier for the north-central Huron farm market completed the first phase of a three-phase expansion, necessitated by a phenominal growth pattern in the past five years. In 1970, when Belgrave Co-operative amalgamated with the United Co-operatives of Ontario the branch did $400,000 worth of business. By 1974 the annual sales were up to $1.4 million, and then the $2 million mark was passed for 1974-75. The first meeting of the 4-H'was held at the home of the leader Mrs. Edward Robinson. The meeting opened with the pledge and the election of officers: president, Anne Boyle; vice president, Margaret Foran; telephone girls, Judy Robinson and Cathy McClinchey; treasurer, Joyce Chamney; press reporters, Janice Robinson and Doreen Jefferson. Rena Kolkman was near the top in all categories in scoring in the Clinton-Blyth bowling league. Barb Walsh had the high triple with 647, followed by Mary Davey at 620, and Kolkman at 619. The Gutter Gals and The All Stars led the way with 13 points each while Lazy Susans had 10, Tootie Fruities, nine, Happy Gang, eight, and Ann’s Angels, seven. Playing at the Lyceum theatre was Jaws, Race with the Devil, and the Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour. Oct. 10, 1990 When Rita and Leo Deitner returned to their RR I Ethel home they discovered that it had been hit by a twister. The Deitners who had been at their son’s just a short distance down the road were not aware of the intensity of the storm until they returned home. While many of the clothes that had been hanging on the clothesline were found in a mess of branches, many more were nowhere to be seen. The Belgrave arena was filled to capacity for the annual turkey supper. The money raised from the event, put on by the community, goes to maintain the arena. Precision organization allowed the food to be on the table in minutes despite the huge size of the crowd. The Torchmen of St. Catherines entertained at Auburn Missionary Chapel, including an acappella arrangement of Amazing Grace. Julie Snow of Belgrave showed her dad Peter the Mickey Mouse ears she got while visiting Disney World. Julie was one of 80 children who saw the famous amusement park through the courtesy of the Sunshine Foundation of Canada. Julie’s younger brother Matthew was presented with the Mouse ears as a souvenir upon her return. Eric Naglar showed children the fun of making music in his concert at the Blyth Memorial Hall. This was the second visit to Blyth for the entertainer, familiar through his work on Sharon, Lois and Bram’s Elephant Show and on Sesame Street. Oct 11, 1995 As the first yellow racer sailed through the tunnel at the finish line, it was unceremoniously tossed aside. This was only because 1,100 more plastic ducks were following it across the line during the Brussels Lions’ annual duck race. The winner went to Dana Aiken. Jennie Wildman, a Grade 8 student at Grey Central PS, was page person for the October session of county council. It again took a huge number of volunteers helping with a variety of tasks to pull off the mammoth annual turkey supper in Belgrave. Dozens of turkeys were needed to feed the 1,000 plus who turn out every year for this fundraising event. The Walton students received certificates for participating in their own Terry Fox Run. Walton was the only school in the area to hold its own event to raise money for the Terry Fox Foundation. The students raised a total of $108.