The Citizen, 2004-04-22, Page 4'DIFFE,WfTLY: FARKPLE 27
50, WHAT SIZE OF DRAIN HOLE DO
YOU WANT ME TO DPW- IN THESE
FLOWER POTS — 11/3.9... 3/8... 31/64 ?
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sefweeN THe size OF MY
LITTLE FINGER AND RING FINGER.
PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2004.
Editorials
Opinio
Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp
Advertising, Jamie Peters and Alicia deBoer
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The Citizen
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S
Looking at alternatives in energy
As the Ontario government moves closer to setting a course on how to
replace the electricity currently produced by those polluting coal-fired
generating stations it has promised to shut down by 2007, there are
decisions to be made that will shape the future of the province. Will the
government choose huge-scale generating stations like new nuclear plants,
or will it look at true alternatives?
The most cost-effective way to solve a potential energy crisis, of course,
is to improve efficient power use. Ontario has a long way to go to be as
efficient as other areas of the world, Paul Gipe, acting executive director
of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, told a standing-room-
only meeting of farmers in Stratford recently. A typical Ontario home
uses I0,000 kwh per year, compared to 6,500 kwh per year in California
and only 3,000 kwh in the Netherlands. California solved its energy crisis
by conservation Gipe said. For instance if every one of the 10 million
homes in California replaced just two 100-watt light bulbs with energy
efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, they would save enough energy to
replace three nuclear reactors at the Pickering nuclear plant.
But there's no doubt Ontario wilt need new generation and the route the
government takes can do much to shape the future, especially in rural
areas. Former federal finance minister John Manley has advised the
government to look at new nuclear power plants, even though Ontario's
current plants have been a drain on the province's finances.
But Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell is currently looking at
alternatives on behalf of Ontario Minister of Agriculture and Food Steve
Peters and Ontario Minister of Energy Dwight Duncan. She's exploring
the rules that have to be put in place to encourage development of wind
power; the use of digesters to turn farm manure and packing plant wastes
into methane gas to power generators; and the development of more
biodiesel manufacturing facilities to turn soybeans into diesel fuel.
Gipe and Ted Cowan, an advisor on alternative energy with the Ontario
Federation of Agriculture, say the key to encouraging ordinary people to
go into the electrical generation business through wind power or
electricity from methane is "advanced renewable tariffs" — a stable,
guaranteed pricing structure. If the province chose this route instead of a
"bid" system which would favour large corporations, Ontario would see
many smaller-scale energy operations, the men argue. In Germany, for
instance farmers, homeowners and co-operatives have invested $7 billion
in large wind turbines similar to the one in use .at Port Albert. Denmark
produces 17 per cent of its electrical needs from wind power, much of it
produced by small, community-owned. companies. Denmark is also a
world leader in producing methane gas from hog manure.
Given the right stable price structure, Gipe and Cowan see the potential
for small-scale electrical production spread across the province, a move
that would improve efficiency because currently nine per cent of
electricity produced by, a few gigantic generating stations is lost during
long-distance transmission. Gipe also claims the Ontario system would
be less vulnerable to paralysing blackouts such as the one that happened
last August because the system would be more flexible.
The direction the electricity market takes in Ontario, however, will
depend on what policies the government chooses. Will it encourage
small-scale, diversified production or will it turn electricity over to big
business? That decision could determine whether ordinary people have a
chance to be involved in production or remain simply consumers. — KR
When rights are hard to defend
More than two centuries ago French philosopher Francois Voltaire
declared: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your
right to say it." Free speech can be just as difficult today when people like
the Khadr family express views most Canadians find abhorrent.
There have been strident calls in the past week for the government to
revoke the citizenship of this family whose children were sent to terrorist
training camps. Still, a citizen is a citizen. Plenty of native-born Canadians
do nasty, hateful things yet they remain citizens, even if they're in prison.
It may be frustrating that people we don't agree with have the right to
say the things they want, but the alternative is that anyone can have their
citizenship revoked for saying things others don't want to hear — maybe
even you and me. — KR
Letter to the editor
THE EDITOR, with our law enforcement. _
I cannot express enough my But as someone who found
gratitude to members of the Huron themselves a victim, I can only say
OPP for their efforts in recovering that even had the ending not been
the ATVs which were stolen from happy, I was impressed with
my home at noon last Friday. the way they handled the
The officers responded quickly investigation.
and used every method available to Their swift actions -and tireless
them to apprehend those efforts on behalf of myself and my
responsible. family are greatly appreciated.
Too often it's easier to find fault Jeff Josling
We acknowledge the financial
support of the Government of
Canada through the Publications
Assistance Program (PAP) toward
our mailing costs.
We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or
photographs. Contents of The Citizen are i Copyright
Member of the Ontario Press Council IILIMMA
the Brownies were busy with -
deliveries for their annual' Cookie
Day,_
A delegation from the Huron
County Board of Education was in
Toronto for a meeting with the
education minister and two of his
senior grants people.
The delegation was regarding the
board's protest to the new grant
ceilings on ordinary expenditures in
the schools.
Huron Liberals nominated Grey
Twp. reeve Charles Thomas as
Liberal candidate for the coming
election.
The Salvation Army's Red Shield
appeal .for funds began in Brus-
sels.
Outdoor education was the topic
for the final afternoon presentation
to the Huron County Board of
Education for the school year. A
committee asked the board to
consider the possiblity of
establishing a centrally located base
camp for conduction of overnight or
prolonged field trips for school
students in Huron.
April 23, 1986
The wonder of a heartbeat amazed
the students at Blyth Public School
when local veterinarian, Dr. Lavern
Clark let the Grade 1 students use
his stethoscope to hear their
hearts.
McKillop Twp. ratepayers faced a
five per cent increase in millrate as
a result of the budget approved by
township council.
The Huron Board of Education
reaffirmed its position that public
schools be given full support and
that independent schools be offered
co-operation in using facilities
already available in the public
sector.
A fire destroyed a Walton-area
barn and nearly spread to nearby
buildings before the Blyth and
District Fire Department was able to
bring the blaze under control.
It was a remarkable performance
for students from East Wawanosh
Public School at the Huron County
Science Fair in Clinton when three
of the four prizes for best in fair
went to students of the school.
Among the winners at the
Midwest Majorette Fest in
Wingham were Brussels twirlers
Dianne Hall, Cherida Garniss,
Michelle McNeil and Krista
Hastings.
Steve Michie of East Wawanosh
Public School placed third in the
open computer class at the Huron
County science fair.
Parishioners of St. Mark's Church
in Auburn were the first to welcome
Rev. Patricia Nunn as the new rector
of the Auburn-Blyth-Brussels
Anglican parish.
The staff for the Brussels
swimming pool for its first summer
of operation were Karen Phillips,
Karla King, Bonnie Evans, Cindy
Evans, Sharon Scott and Kim
Fritz.
April 20,-1994
With an accumulated net revenue
for the year of $29,607, village
councillors were anticipating no
increase in the mill rate for general
purposes for Blyth ratepayers.
Peggy Cudmore was honoured
with the presentation of a 50-year
members pin during the Majestic
WI meeting.
Rev. Charles Swan returned to
Duff's United Church in Walton
after 14 years, to visit old friends
and introduce his book No Turning
Back Now.
Kate Lucas of Kent, England was
busy teaching students at Grey
Central Public School. Lucas was in
Huron County taking part in a
teacher exchange program.
Bird lovers gathered at the Hullett
Provincial Wildlife Area for some
bird watching. •
Looking Back Through the Years
April 20, 1927
It was reported in The Brussels
Post that Robert Work of San
Benito, Texas, brother of William
Work, had a son, Stewart, die of
pneumonia at Port Said Egypt on
March 9. Stewart, 32, was born in
Cavalier County and was travelling
to Nairobi, British East Africa to
take up his new duties with the
International Harvester Co.
April 23, 1952
The stage show, Variety Review,
was held in the Brussels Town Hall,
under the auspices of the Brussels
Lions Club in aid of welfare work.
The chorus line included Marie
Elliott, Esther Raymond, Madalon
Ryan, Gwen McCutcheon and
Geraldine Stretton.
Brussels council thought it would
be too expensive to hire another
police officer, but agreed to
investigate the matter further and
deal with it at a later date.
The clerk for Brussels was
instructed by council to write letters
to two persons who were being
"nuisances" in Brussels.
April 24, 1969
Over 125 members of Lions
International assembled at the
Zurich Community Centre, for the
annual spring rally of Region 3 of
District A-9.
The District 8 Convention of the
Brussels Horticultural Societies had
100 registered guests.
The Farm Products Marketing
Board announced plans to establish
marketing quotas and increase
license fees in the Ontario turkey
industry.
April 26, 1972
The Huron-Perth Roman Catholic
Separate School Board approved the
1972 budget of $2,400,780. This
was an increase of 6.7 per cent from
the previous year.
Although weather conditions
weren't the best, local members of