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The Citizen, 2000-11-22, Page 17THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2000. PAGE 17. Over 400 attend Clark rally in Listowel With the candidates Making a point at a large rally held in Listowel on Saturday, federal PC leader Joe Clark is backed by four candidates from rural ridings. From left: Gary Schellenberger, Perth- Middlesex; Michael Chong, Waterloo-Wellington; Ken Kelly, Huron-Bruce; Allen Wilford, Bruce-Grey. The Listowel rally was said to be the biggest crowd to hear Clark during his Campaign. (Listowel Banner photo) By Marion Duke Listowel Banner Between 400 to 500 people attend­ ed the Joe Clark rally held Saturday, Nov. 18 at Carson Farms & Auctions Services Ltd., just east of Listowel. Urban residents of Listowel rubbed shoulders with their Perth- Middlesex riding rural neighbours and Progressive Conservatives from the neighbouring ridings. The crowd included people from toddlers to the elderly, many of them carrying blue and white PC signs. Also turning up to support Clark were a number of former Tory MPs and two sitting Ontario Tory MPPs, Bert Johnson (Perth-Middlesex) and Ted Arnott (Waterloo-Wellington.) Johnson introduced Clark to the enthusiastic audience and Clark made a point of noting the presence of both Johnson and Arnott. In this election a number of Harris government MPPs have been cam­ paigning on behalf of candidates for the Alliance Party. Standing on the platform behind Clark throughout his speech, which lasted well over half an hour, were PC candidates from surrounding rural ridings including: Gary Schellenberger, Perth-Middlesex; Michael Chong, Waterloo- Wellington; Ken Kelly, Huron- Bruce; and Allen Wilford of Bruce- Grey. There were also a number of signs in the audience for PC candi­ date Dave MacKenzie of Oxford rid­ ing. Another Dave, this one CKCO TV’s popular weather man Dave MacDonald, drew considerable attention when he arrived, carrying a sign for Waterloo-Wellington PC candidate Michael Chong. Arriving about 40 minutes late for the 10 a.m. rally, Clark’s bus did not leave Carson’s parking area until noon. ROUSING SPEECH Clark gave a rousing speech which lasted well over half an hour, hitting a number of hot campaign issues, as well as criticizing the Chretien gov­ ernment’s lack of support for the nation’s farmers and agriculture. He also drew laughter with a num­ ber of barbs aimed mainly at Alliance leader Stockwell Day. Saying that usually during election campaigns candidates don’t want voters to look too closely at their opposition, Clark said he wanted voters to look very closely at the “Reform-Alliance leader.”’ Clark said on the way to Listowel he’d read news reports of Day’s speeches the previous day. “He actually said something quite interesting. . . He said if you can’t trust me, you can trust the people around me,” Clark said to the amuse­ ment of the crowd. Then listing a number of key Alliance candidates, Clark noted their support, or lack of support on a number of issues. “Trust them?” he asked?‘In a pig’s eye.” INVESTIGATION Clark saved his toughest criticism for Prime Minister Chretien and the most recent charge of wrongdoing — that of the Prime Minister person­ ally contacting the president of the Business Development Bank to assist in securing a $615,000 loan for a hotel for a friend in his riding. Clark said Chretien previously had owned a share in the hotel. Had the prime minister not closed down Parliament for the early election, the matter would be questioned in the House of Commons, or through a special inquiry, Clark said. But because that isn’t possible, he has written to both the RCMP and the ethics commissioner about the mat­ ter. The prime minister’s conduct in personally contacting the head of the bank, a Crown corporation, and then inviting him to dinner at 24 Sussex Dr., “is simply not acceptable,” Clark said.- WEAK MINISTER In dealing with the matter most important to most of the crowd, Clark said the current federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri­ Food, Lyle Vanclief, is the weakest Minister in the history of the portfo­ lio. Lauding the efforts of previous ministers of agriculture, Clark even paid tribute “to that man in the green hat — Gene Whelan,” saying that when the famous Liberal Minister of Agriculture in the Trudeau govern­ ment saw action was necessary, he succeeded in persuading the Cabinet to get things done. Clark broadened the scope of fed­ eral neglect of rural Canada beyond the lack of support for farmers. When natural disasters strike, they strike rural Canada, he said. And it is in rural Canada the lack of health care and facilities for the elderly are most keenly felt. To loud applause, the federal PC leader said it is time agriculture and farmers and rural Canada were put back on the agenda of the federal government. “My party will do that,” he prom­ ised. Taking more than half an hour to get to his bus following his speech, Clark paused to talk to many, includ­ ing a group of farmers carrying signs that read, “Equity with U.S. Grain Farmers PLEASE!” One person holding such a sign was Barb Elg of RR 4, Listowel. She said Clark has answered their ques­ tions frankly and she was impressed. A number of farmers in the crowd expressed the opinion the PCs are the only party paying attention to farmers and that could make a differ­ ence to election outcomes in south­ western Ontario. Alzheimer Soe. keeps memories alive By Alexandra Beasse Public Education Co-ordinator for the Alzheimer Society of Huron County Storytelling is a natural activity. As people converse about their life experiences, interests, and families they increase their opportunities to stay connected to the community around them. Telling life stories is an especially powerful tool for remem­ bering: remembering our past, pass­ ing on traditions, and connecting one generation to another. On Nov. 11, Remembrance Day, we set aside time to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives to maintain our freedom. How many of their stories have been forgotten and/or lost because they were not recorded or because younger generations did not value them or pass them on? Far too many is the answer. It does not however need to be this way. Take the time to write down the stories of your family, label those old photographs, involve younger gener­ ations with the elders of your family in sharing the stories that have shaped their lives. These life stories become even more meaningful if a member of your family develops Alzheimer dis­ ease. Memory loss is one of the symp­ toms of Alzheimer disease, especial­ ly forgetting things that have hap­ pened recently. As the disease pro­ gresses, more and more of the per­ son’s long-term memory is lost as well. But a collection of memories can help the individual with Alzheimer disease stay connected to the rest of their family. Such collections are also helpful for younger generations to continue to build relationships with a grandparent who may no longer remember them. At the Alzheimer Society of Huron County, books and activities in the lending library encourage reminisc­ ing. For more information about our resources, Alzheimer Disease, or caregiving please contact our office at 317 Huron Rd. in Clinton at 482- 1482 or 1-800-561-5012. To the voters of Morris Turnberry Ward M THANK YOU for your support Neil Warwick Wingham and District Hospital Announces Flu Immunization Clinics Everyone Welcome - No Charge Wednesday, Nov. 22' Thursday, Nov. 23rd Friday, Nov. 24th 5:00 p.m. ■ 9:00 p.m. ’ 8:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m 8:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m at the Sacred Heart Church 220 Carling Terrace, Wingham CHRISTMAS CHEER HAMPER APPLICATIONS The Salvation Army, Wingham will be taking applications for Christmas hampers on Monday, Nov. 27th 1 ~ 4 p.m. & Friday, Dec. 1st 1 ~ 4 p.m. at 292 Edward St. (Church), Wingham if you need more information please call our Director of Family Services Mrs. Captain Edna Rowe at 357-3757 or the church office at 357-1951 Authorized by Eugene Bender official agen. lor Paul Steckle IIIMjibeial Remember, on Monday, November 27th, vote for your future, vote for Paul Steckle. On Monday, November 27th, you have an important decision to make. You must decide who will best represent you in Canada s Parliament. Since 1993, Paul Steckle has been an effective voice for you in Ottawa. When you are deciding who will represent your interest most effectively in Ottawa, in the future, consider what others are saying about Paul Steckle... ♦ "Paul Steckle is a hard working Member of the Liberal Caucus. He is dedicated to the people of Huron-Bruce and he is respected by his peers in Ottawa." • Hon. Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and National Liberal Campaign Co-Chair (Tiverton - October 19th, 2000) ♦ "M.P. s such as Paul Steckle deserve our support. The courageous men and women in Parliament who have fought on behalf of life and family must be returned to Parliament where their expertise and dedication are sorely needed." • Campaign Life Coalition Canada (CLC News - November 2000) ♦ "In recognition of the special dedicated commitment that you have shown in areas of justice reform and public safety, we are pleased to provide this official letter of endorsement from the Canadian Police Association." • Grant Obst, President, Canadian Police Association (official endorsement letter - November 16th, 2000) ♦ "He's (Paul Steckle) an honourable man who believes in representing his constituents." - Stockwell Day, Leader of the Official Opposition (Goderich Signal Star - June 23rd, 2000) www.psteckle.com Toll Free: 1-866-STECKLE Local: (519) 524-2874 Fax: (519) 524-9527 46 Victoria Street North, Goderich, Ontario, CANADA N7A 2R6