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The Citizen, 2005-04-07, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2005. Editorials Opinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising, Heather Armstrong & Capucine Onn 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: $85.00/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. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40050141 PUBLICATIONS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM REGISTRATION NO. 09244 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. PO BOX 152 BRUSSELS ON NOG 1H0 email: norhuron@scsinternet.com Canada We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs. The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca Xocna®»A > Member of the Ontario Press Council We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright Making farming profitable The federal and provincial governments came up with money last week to help farmers weather the current financial storm but all involved, politicians and farm leaders alike, admit something more must be done to solve the long-term problems. Ultimately it comes down to farmers getting a fair share of the consumer’s food dollar but it’s much easier to see the problem than try to solve it. Those farmers in the dairy and poultry sectors have made sure they are first, not last, in line to get a fair return for their products by adopting supply management, where farm-gate prices are based on the cost of production. Expanding supply management, however, is out of the question in these days of international trade agreements where, even if you’ve found a system that works, there’ll be pressure to get rid of it, not spread it, if the rest of the world has a different system. For a decade farmers have been told, and have accepted, that the future is in exporting more of their products. Farm exports doubled, and farm incomes have seldom been worse. Producers of export products have also seen what happens when borders are blocked, as in the halt of trade in live cattle with the U.S. or beef to many countries in the world after the BSE outbreak or the trade action by U.S. pork producers to levy tariffs on Canadian hogs. Any solution must reshape the reality of a market place which provides more reward for food processors or retailers than for the creators of the'food. That’s why a recent resolution of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture called for farmers to take their battle to the doorstep of urban food stores owned by the two large conglomerates that control food retailing in Ontario and to the premises of food importing companies. Government and farm leaders must find an equivalent to the complete rethinking of the marketplace that created supply management 40 years ago. Finding the new solution in these days of international trade rules will be much more difficult but until a way is found to get farmers a share of food prices that reflects their real costs, we’ll continue to lose farmers, see the rural countryside depleted and throw government money down the drain trying to keep farmers afloat. — KR High gas prices: good or bad? Gas prices have been soaring in some parts of Canada with predictions things will get much worse this summer. Already consumers are complaining but if we care about clean air, high prices might be the best thing that can happen. Even as talk about global warming has spurred concerns about greenhouse gases like those created by motor vehicles, the size and number of gas guzzlers on our roads has multiplied. It’s obvious by now that only by changing the culture that says bigger is more fashionable in vehicles will air quality improve. The fastest way to change that fashion is make it too expensive to afford. — KR Letter to the editor Looking Back Through the Years THE EDITOR, I’m writing this letter to express my sincere disgust regarding the condition of Moncrieff Road in Morris Twp. that I had the misfortune of travelling on Easter weekend. The potholes were so bad, it was impossible to get around them. Winter is not easy on roadways 1 am aware but if it is not sheer neglect then there must be something that the township is doing wrong. The road in Grey Twp. directly across from Moncrieff Road, (east of the Walton/Brussels highway) is completely fine. I do not live in the area and feel sorry for the poor people who do. If I had to pay taxes there and was expected to put up with such horrendous road conditions, I would refuse to send the next payment. Let’s get real! What are the tax dollars used for? Are there no funds to fix the roads? This is a very important issue as people's lives are-at stake. Not only do you have to swerve to try and miss the holes but the mud on the road also pulls the wheels of the vehicle to the point of almost being uncontrollable. Meeting another vehicle could be disastrous. Is it going to take a tragedy before the township realizes the necessity of keeping the roads in good condition? The way they were that weekend is completely unaccep­ table! With road equipment from the 21st century, why do our roads appear to be stuck in the 1800s? It’s almost as though someone’s tried to grade the road with a log tied behind a horse! Even driving at 20 kmh to try and miss the potholes, my vehicle still shook to bits and as a result, it now needs a new water pump which requires many other parts to be removed in order to get at it; thus costing several hours of labour. I have sent a bill to Morris for the repairs and feel that 1 should be compensated for the damages that were incurred while driving on Concession 8 and 9 of Morris Twp. I’m sure there are many other people whose vehicles also suffered damages from driving on this road. I believe that it would be a lot wiser for the township to pay for some good gravel or else pavement to fix the roads as opposed to paying out unnecessary tax dollars to fix people’s vehicles. 1 hope this issue can be resolved before anyone gets hurt or other vehicles are damaged. Bernardo Orozco, Ilderton. April 7, 1948 The Barn Dance in Blyth was spnsored by IOOF No. 355. The Lodge's net share of the proceeds were turned over to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Fund familiarly known as the cancer, polio and tuberculosis fund. The WI elected its executive: president. Mrs. L. Scrimgeour; first vice-president. Mrs. H. Phillips; second vice-president, Mrs. Wm. Johnston; secretary, Mrs. J.A. Cowan; treasurer. Mrs. S. Chellew. William Bannerman and Robert Hepburn were the new employees at the Blyth Farmers' Co-op. One was employed as head cheese maker and the other as butter maker. Mother Wore Tights with Betty Grable. Dan Dailey and Mona Freeman was playing at the Roxy in Clinton. At the Capital in Goderich it was Deanna Durbin. Adolphe Menjoy and Ned Sparks in 100 Men and a Girl, the first of a double bill. The second offering was Ruth Nelson, Gloria Holden and Ernest Cossart in The Girl of Limberlost. There was also a double feature at the Regent in Seaforth. Edmund O’Brien, Ella Raines and William Bendix starred in The Web while Penny Singleton, Aruthur Lake and Larrie Simms brought back the Bumsteads in Blondie’s Holiday. Vera Ralston and William Elliott were the stars of Wyoming, playing at The Lyceum in Wingham. Customers at Stewart’s General Store were saving their coupons for free dinnerware. Specials included two large boxes of Grape Nut Flakes for 29 cents and a one-pound tin of Maxwell House for 57 cents. A photograph asked “How’s your water supply? The importance of pure water and the terrible dnagers of pollution are strikingly illustrated in a new film board picture Out Beyond Town.’’ April 5, 1950 There was a daffodil tea and bake sale in the Brussels Library, • Rev. G. A. Milne and family were honoured at a large gathering at -Melville Presbyterian Church. The Mtines were leaving for their new home in Merrill. Oregon. Henderson’s Orchestra was playing at an Easter dance in the Town Hall. Admission was 75 cents and dress was “optional”. A 1947 Stylemaster four-door sedan was selling for $1,525. Robert Young, Shirley Temple and John Agar starred in Adventures in Baltimore, playing at Seaforth’s Regent. At the Capitol in Listowel it was Dick Powell and Evelyn Keyes in Mrs. Mike, a story of the Canadian north west. April 5, 1972 A Brussels restaurant was sold to Mr. and Mrs. James Small. Murray Gaunt, MPP for Huron- Bruce announced approval of a provincial grant in the amount of $5,525 for the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority. The funds were for a preliminary engineering study on a proposed weir in the Falls Reserve Conservation Area. The Brussels Novices won the Zone 2 trophy. Team members were Robert Demaray, Scott Wheeler. Doug Cousins, Leslie Williams, Brian Deitner, Kevin Pennington, Kevin Hergott, Brian Armstrong, Gary McCutcheon, Brian Scott, John Richmond, Gary McWhirter, Tim Prior, Bruce Amrstrong, Darwin McCutcheon. Mike Pfieffer. March 29, 1973 A new' service of the Belgrave Branch of United Co-operatives was opened. Although inclement weather cancelled most of the outside ceremonies to open the new bulk­ blending fertilizer plant, a large crowd was on hand for the inside portion of the day’s activities. Severa area farmers attended the annual meeting of the Ontario Pork Producers marketing board in Toronto. Representatives were: Adrian Vos, East Wawanosh; Allan Miller, West Wawanosh; Wilfred Shortreed, Morris; Jim Williamson, Grey and Lloyd Stewart, Hullett. Mary Davey, Blyth; Gerry Harris, Holmesville; Trudy Hill, Varna; Brenda Brooks, Blyth and Medie Elliott, Clinton, were members of the bowling team that won the zone championship in Collingwood. Earl Johnston of Londesborough, 10, was saleman of the week after the first week of The Standard’s subscription drive. Earl topped all other salesmen with 11 new subscriptions. April 9,1986 Winning entries in Blyth Public School’s science fair were Rick Howson, Tammi Medd, Kim Medd and Sarah Allan. Advancing to the county fair were Kim Medd, Jennifer Allan, Jennifer Roulston, Rick Howson, Arthur Bos, Scott Cronin and Karrie McClinchey. Blyth Festival Singer received a grant of $669 to purchase music for their repertoire. April 8,1998 The Huron Perth Wild Turkey Association held its annual banquet on the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre. Two special guest on hand for the event were Toronto Blue Jays Paul Quantrill and Alex Gonzales. Cardiff and Mulvey Real Estate and Insurance Ltd. became Sholdice Insurance Ltd and Mulvey Real Estate Ltd. It was a great season for local hockey teams as attested to by The Citizen’s winter sports section. Achievements were: Blyth Bantam and Midgets were OHMA champs, Brussels Juveniles and Novice Houseleague, Blyth PeeWee Reps and Belgrave Junior Girls capped their season with the WOAA title.