Loading...
The Citizen, 2003-12-03, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2003. Editorials & Opinions Bridging the great divide Two of the biggest generators of economic activity in Huron County are agriculture and tourism but with lakeshore residents’ groups airing their complaints about Lake Huron water quality in national news media, it’s hard for local governments to keep the two groups at peace these days. Huron County officials are frustrated with stories in The National Post, The Ottawa Citizen and The London Free Press which made it appear swimming in the lake was little better than swimming in a cesspool. The stories sprung from a press release circulated by the Ashfield-Colborne Lakefront Association which warned of dangerously high E. coli readings in the lake and claimed to have proof the E. coli came from animal sources, not human. At a meeting hosted by the Huron County Health Unit in Clinton, Friday, an underlying tension between lakeshore ratepayers' groups and farm groups now and then edged to the surfac when lakeside residents or business owners claimed they were doing things tc, clean up the water but didn't see farmers doing much. Farmers, faced with huge changes in their farming practices and expense for new facilities because of the Nutrient Management Act were a bit touchy at such claims. The many scientists at the Clinton meeting and at a nutrient management conference in Shakespeare a week earlier, make it clear this is a much more complicated issue than many on both sides would like to believe. Some farmers, by no means a majority, would like to think there is no problem and they can keep on farming as they have in the past. Some lakeshore residents have the simplistic view that farmers shouldn’t be allowed to spread manure on land at all. Meanwhile the scientists are studying how bacteria react with different soils, what happens to drugs used to treat humans when biosolids from waste treatment plants are spread on land, and how nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus move through the soil. All these things defy the simple answers many would like to hear. There are other unknowns. As one speaker at the Clinton meeting pointed out, many cottages along the lake have been turned into year- round residences with washers and dishwashers making a much heavier demand on septic tanks that may not have been upgraded. On the other hand, non-farmers see big new barns going up and think animal populations are increasing while farmers point out animal numbers have actually declined because many other barns are empty. The changing factor, however, is that liquid manure is now essential for those large modern operations. Liquid manure acts differently in the soil than solid manure and scientists don’t understand all the consequences of this switch. People are impatient and want simple solutions. County officials have been trying to convince people not to point fingers, that all of us could be contributing to the problem. It’s easier to blame someone else than to be patient and hope scientists can find real solutions.— KR Not all Canadians innocent It’s a strange quirk of human nature that we can find fault with our fellow Canadians here at home but when a countryman gets in trouble in a foreign land, we assume the person is likely innocent. Abdurahman Khadr played that card this week, claiming he is being persecuted because he’s an Arab. Even though he attended an al-Qaeda training camp, he says he’s really just an innocent victim. Perhaps he is innocent but just because he holds a Canadian passport doesn’t prove it. Letters to the Editor THE EDITOR, Once again the Salvation Army in Wingham is gearing up for another Christmas season, whether it's from Mildmay to Blyth. or Ethel and Fordwich to Ripley and many places in between. The Salvation Army endeavours to meet the needs of those who arc hurting. Twelve months of the year the Salvation Army is there to assist lonely, hungry, struggling families and individuals. At Christmas time the need is usually the greatest, whether it's the meal on the table, the presents under the tree, or maybe even the tree itself, the Army endeuvours to make Christmas a special time. Unknown to many the Salvution Army also distributes its "Sunshine Bags" in area nursing homes, and hospitals endeavouring to brighten up the lives of residents. Candles for Kids trees sponsored by the local Optimist Club are located at Windham Advance 'Times and the Salvation Army Thrift Store, both on Josephine Street. Get Behind the Shield is the theme the Army is using because people know that when they see the red shield of the Salvation Army no matter what time of the year, or circumstances people find themselves in. there is hope and comfort. Households and businesses within the area will have already received the Christmas mailers in their mailboxes with information about making donations to The Salvation Army. Box 610. Winghum. ON. NOG 2W0. Donations cun be mude through the fami+iur Christmas Kettle al Dean's Vulu-Murt. Captain Nell Voce, Corp Officer, 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 $30,00/year ($28.04 + $1.96 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 thdt 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 Ws acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs, Publications Mall Reg. No. 09244 Canadian Publication Mall Agreement No. 40050141 Member of the Ontario Press Council ■■ZCBM Looking Back Through the Years Dec. 3, 1958 The 1OOF held its annual Grand Masters banquet with a turkey dinner served by the ladies to over 100 guests from Stratford, Teeswater, Wingham, Blyth, Seaforth, Brussels and Clinton. Dec. 5,1968 James Knight of Brussels was elected president of the Huron County Soil and Crop Improvement Association. He succeeded Robert Grasby also of Brussels. The 21st annual Huron County 4- H Achievement Night was held at Seaforth District High School. T.W. Clapp was appointed associate agricultural representative for Huron County. Rev. Eric LeDrew began his ministry of Brussels United Church. Another prize, $10 for best horse druwn vehicle, was offered for entries in the Suntu Claus parade. Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Machun left Brussels for Lucknow where they purchased a hardware business. Al 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1. 1969, the new Ontario Employment Standards Act became a law. which stated it would provide minimum standards for overtime pay. holiday pay and vacation pay. protect employees against long hours, ensure equal pay for equal work for women workers and set higher rates for minimum wages. Dec. 5, 1973 A survey was conducted in Blyth and surrounding ureas to determine the need for u senior citizens housing project in Blyth. The Blyth village council mude the first move in prepurution for the C entennial of the incorporation of Blyth in 1977. Blyth firefighters were called to a farm on Hwy. 4 after u truelor caught fire when a starter stuck causing the engine compartment to ignite. Many friends and family were present at Hullett Central School for the Talent Night. Ontario Pork hostess for 1973 was Adrienne VanRaay of Huron County, a first-year recreation student at the University of Waterloo. Two new super eight sound movie cameras, two new sound movie projectors and magnetic prestriped sound movie films, that eliminate the need for a separate tape recorder or movie light, were introduced by Kodak Canada Ltd. After weeks of intensive study by the Huron County Board of Health chaired by Gerry Ginn, deputy-reeve of Goderich Twp. and members of county council, turned down the proposed plumbing inspection bylaw. Gordon Hill of Varna, was re­ elected president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. Nov. 30, 1988 Firefighters from Blyth joined forces with both Wingham and Howick Twp. departments to battle a stubborn blaze which destroyed a pig barn in Morris Twp. The damage was estimated at $30,000. More than 300 elementary school teachers staged a peaceful demonstration in Clinton in an effort to get the Huron County Board of Education to resume negotiations from the teachers' II- month contract dispute which was coming to an end. Unconfirmed reports said Klaus Henschel, former owner of the Brussels Stockyards, arrived back in Canada und was preparing to surrender himself to the OPP. Marg Black of Brussels proved how much you cun stuff into u shopping curt during her one- minute shopping spree ut the first Brussels Mercbunts Christmas Shopping Spree. Thirty seconds were spent rushing through The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1 HO Phone 623-4792 FAX 623-9140 E-mall n6rhuron@scslnternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca P.O. Box 162, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 Brussels EMA and Brussels Village Market with a total of more than $200 spent at each store. Jeffery and Jamie Lewis got an early chance to visit with Santa when he met them during the Blyth merchants Walk-A-Bout. Junior poster winners for the Blyth Canadian Legion branch's Remembrance Day poster contest were April Bromley, first place, Marie Cronyn, second place, and Kimberley Richmond with third place. Dec. 1, 1993 Dicky and Marg Dean, former teachers of Walton Public School, performed a magic show for students of the school. A delicious Christmas dinner, catered by the Blyth Legion Ladies, was enjoyed by 53 Blyth Swinging Seniors at Memorial Hall. Miranda MacDonald of Auburn was a big winner at the Huron County 4-H awards night in Clinton when she accepted the High Point Junior Exhibitor award from Peter Roy. Conrad Bos of Blyth accepted the Huron Holstein Club award at the 4-H awards presentation. Dec. 2, 1998 Brussels Beavers were busy around town accepting canned goods from residents of Brussels during u food drive. On Dec. 7, John Stewart, clerk­ treasurer of Blyth. assumed duties in Wingham’s municipul office on a shared basis with Blyth’s office. The Blyth Pathfinders. Guides und Brownies joined the Spurks in eelebruting the nutionul Spark organization's 10th birthday. Christina DeWit of Ethel, received the Murray Cardiff award, presented ut the annual 4-H achievement night which wus held in Clinton.