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The Citizen, 2003-10-29, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2003. Editorials & Opinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising, Jamie Peters and Alicia deBoer 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. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1 HO Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.caX°cna@NA & Member of the Ontario Press Council MZEW Turning against ourselves American rural philosopher Wendell Berry says there is a time in the development of modern rural economies when communities turn against their own best interests in an effort to be like their city neighbours. According to news reports this week, a group in North Huron has collected 3000 signatures and will present a petition to North Huron Twp. asking council to recruit Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire and other big box stores. Perhaps Berry’s prediction is coming true. Speaking on the radio, a spokesperson for the group said getting these big stores would actually help local merchants, not hurt them, by drawing people to the area. The arrival of big box stores has sucked the life out of the main streets of towns and villages across Ontario. One2 main streets were vibrant centres of the community where people met and visited while they bought their daily needs and in doing so created a business class that supported the local arena or hospital. Today huge national and multinational companies take all the decision-making out of the local community as well as the profits. Where once there was a sense of responsibility and loyalty to the community now there’s a sense a town or region is just a profit centre. But the effects of embracing such companies goes far beyond the repercussions on small towns. Led by Wal-Mart’s drive to reduce costs, much of the consumer-product manufacturing has now been driven out of North America into Third World countries. If companies want to price low enough to win business from Wal-Mart, they have to shift their production to countries with lower wages. The U.S. has lost 2.8 million manufacturing jobs in the past two years. Wal-Mart alone accounts for 10 per cent of U.S. imports from China. Last week news broke that Wal-Mart stores in the U.S. are being investigated for hiring firms that used illegal immigrants to clean the stores. Wal-Mart faces 40 lawsuits in the U.S. from workers who claim they were forced to work overtime without compensation. Even pro-business Business Week magazine recently worried that Wal- Mart’s “methods of squeezing out its low prices — paying salaries below the poverty line, building superstores that crush local mom-and-pop shops and pushing manufacturers to the wall for savings — are generating a strong backlash.” Wal-Mart shoppers want the privilege of living on First-World wages and salaries and enjoying prices made possible by Third-wWorld low labour rates. But how long can high North American incomes last when the trend is to export jobs to low-cost countries? There’s no free lunch, whether it’s having the big box stores locate in our formerly self-supporting communities or buying cheap imported goods in those stores. Eventually there are consequences and we will pay the piper, perhaps with our own futures. — KR Stuck in an ideological rut The two sides in the ongoing debate over U.S actions in Iraq are so predictable. Last weekend demonstrations took place across North America demanding the U.S. pull out and let Iraqis rule themselves. Which Iraqis? While there’s plenty of room to debate whether the U.S. government should have been so gung-ho to invade Iraq, now that Saddam Hussein has been deposed it would be criminal for the U.S. and Britain to pull out and let the cruel dictator return to power. There’s a responsibility now to try to rebuild the country and give people the freedom they so badly need. But President Bush himself is worried about the political cost ongoing turmoil and deaths of Americans is causing on the home front so he has asked the rest of the world to help out. But here he is stuck in his own ideological rut. Though he wants the rest of the world to help with the burden, Bush insists on remaining in complete control of all efforts in Iraq. Rightly, few countries are willing to write a blank cheque with the lives of their troops and give control to the Americans. All countries should help the Iraqi people but until President Bush is ready to allow those countries some control of their own efforts little help is likely to come to the desperate people of Iraq. — KR Letters to the Editor NOW, THEN: WHAT EXACTLY LED YOU TO ASSUME THAT OUR LUMBER WAS TOO GREEN ? |.A. ‘1,1^ tigs Looking Back Through the Years THE EDITOR, The Huron/Bruce Chapter of Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada) wants to highlight an important message to our community. During this holiday season, tie on a Red Ribbon and don’t Drink and Drive. The Huron/Bruce Chapter of MADD Canada will be launching the local Red Ribbon campaign Nov. 5 at I p.m. on Durham St. W. at Yonge Street in Walkerton (near the Community Centre). As president of the chapter, I have asked all members of our community to tie a Red Ribbon to their vehicles as this will serve as a message to drive safe and sober. Our hope is that there will not be any tragedies this holiday sea­ son. Sincerely, Laurie Dinning, President MADD Huron/Bruce Chapter. Oct. 31,1968 The Brussels C.N.R station was broken into through a smashed window. Nothing was taken. Work for the Huron County roads and bridges was on schedule and nearly completed costing $1.9 million. The annual Father and Child Night of the local Lions Club was held at the Brussels United Church. The 32nd annual convention of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture had a new format and deeper drive of purpose when it opened for three days in Toronto. When J.C. Hemingway’s barn burned down, his son came home from school at Centennial College in Toronto to help rebuild it. He brought friends from all over the province including nurses, teachers, high school and university students. Oct. 31,1973 Darcy Andrews of Auburn had a big ball of cotton which he grew in his parent’s garden. The fall meeting of the Huron Unit of the Superannuated Teachers of Ontario was held in the Blyth elementary school. Former Huron County warden Glen Webb of Dashwood, was elected president of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Associa­ tion, riding of Huron. The annual banquet of the Huron County Road Superintendent’s Association was held at the Memorial Hall in Blyth. Members of Huron County Council gave their approval in Goderich for the Lake Huron Parkway Committee comprising presentatives from Huron, Lambton and the City of Sarnia to make a feasibility study of the area. According to reports from the government in Ottawa, unemployment insurance payment in August totalled $145 million. which is down from the previous month. Canada’s exports for September were $1.73 billion an increase of 14.3 per cent over the year before. Doug and Marjory Fraser celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Jack Riddell, Liberal MPP for Huron, spoke in the Legislature on behalf of his own bill designed to improve the safety of the students who travel by school bus. The bill involves the school bus driver, and the school bus itself. The bus driver would have to pass a test and have a clean driving and police record. Gail Seers graduated from the Intemation Career Academy in the Medical Assistance program. Oct. 26,1988 The Christian Heritage Party of Canada fielded a candidate for the new riding of Huron-Bruce. Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Complex held a benefit dance staged by the community to help get the Brussels Legion back on its feet. It had more than 500 people attending. More than $10,000 was donated to the cause. Catherine Battye graduated from Aylmer Police College. The Hullett Recreation Committee recognized 13 people for their contribution to the minor ball program. Gerrie Bos and Sandra Kykstra were honoured for their volunteer work with Children’s and Family Services at a banquet in Blyth. Shelley Lynn Wilkins was the new clerk-treasurer for Colbome Twp. Apple Day in Brussels was a big success with $280 raised for Scouting. It was a mob scene in Londesborough Hall when the Bums United Church Women held their annual bazaar. Oct. 27,1993 The Blyth Optimists hosted a Halloween party at the public school. Murray Cardiff, former Conservatives MP for Huron-Bruce was defeated in the 35th federal election by the Liberals. Nineteen members of the Brussels Lions Club were presented with perfect attendance pins. Sheila Richards, a representative from the board of The Citizen, presented Howard Bernard with the Brussels Citizen of the Year award. Eight boys participated in the Beaver investiture at Blyth Public School. They received their ties and repeated a pledge to the Beaver leaders. Carey Elliott and Becky Archambault, students at Hullett Central Public School received medals for their performances during the annual corss-country run. Oct. 28,1998 Paint and elbow grease were used by members of Blyth Guiding to give a facelift to the school’s playground equipment. Gerrie Bos of Auburn, was honoured for her 15 years of volunteer services with the Children’s Aid Society. Betty Battye received the Citizen of the Year award. Glenna Stephens celebrated her 100th birthday. Carrie Fortune was back in Huron County after spending two years teaching English in Japan. Jeremy Kresky and Evan Wilkinson joined the Brussels Cubs. G&M Auto Parts in Brussels faced an attempted robbery, but thanks to an alarm, the culprits were scared away. Nothing was found missing.