Loading...
Huron Expositor, 2001-12-19, Page 4Opinion Commentary Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 Tom Williscraft - Publisher Scott Hilgendorff - Editor Dianne McGrath Subscriptions/Classifieds Bernie Pugh Office/Sales Susan Hundertmark - Reporter Anne Roden - Distribution owes Publishers Limited Suit dwr) of Sun 34,44 Cayarawa - A Ql MNYr Cowfanl E-mail-mus at seaforth@bowesnet.com Visit our home page at www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 33.50 a year, in advance, plus 2.35 G.S.T. SENIORS: - 31.00 a year, in advance, plus 2.17 G.S.T. USA & Foreign: 29.44 o year in advance, plus $78.00 postage, G.S.T. exempt Published weekly by Signal -Star Publishing at 11 Main St., Seaforth. Publication mail registration No. 0696 held at Seaforth, Ontario. Advertising is accepted on condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rote. In the event of a typographical error, advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproduction purposes. Changes of address, orders for subscriptions and undeliverable copies are to be sent to The Huron Expositor. Publication Mail Registration No. 07605 Wednesday, December 19, 2001 Editorial and Business Offices - 11 Main SMeet.,Soaforth Telephone (519) 527-0240 Fax (519) 537-3858 Mailing Address - P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ontario, NOK 1 WO Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association, Ontario Community Newspapers Association "We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs." Editorial Rough few months makes holiday more important The past few months have been rough. The world was changed Sept. 11 and, because of modern technology, we were able to watch live, some of the most horrific images people in mass numbers have ever seen. Most of us know someone who was directly affected by what happened; and most of us were touched deeply by the events. In our own backyard, Seaforth faces losing its high school again and in Brussels, Jan. 1 sees the closure of its medical clinic. We continue to hear talk that we are in a recession and corporate downsizing continues. It can all add up to a lot of personal stress on people being worn down by tough issues and, as employees, being called to do more work with less support. But the Christmas season is here and it will be gone again before we realize it. For at least a couple of days, let us all take whatever moments we can to enjoy all that is good around us. And for those we know are having a hard time finding those moments or who are down on their luck and not able to see something good in their lives --let's try to be that for them. It can be a simple gesture from sharing some homemade cookies to just simply visiting someone and letting them know you care. This has been a rough year. Let's remind our friends and neighbours that there is still a lot of good out there. It's cliche to say that we need to make the good feelings last more than just at Christmas but it really is something we need to try and do. But even if it's not something we can hold on to in the coming months, let's make the most of it while the Christmas season is here. Maybe one of those simple gestures toward a neighbor or a friend can be enough to help them get through the next year, even if we can't hold on to the spirit past New Year's Day ourselves. If we all do just a little bit this holiday season, it really can make a difference, no matter how small it may seem. Scott Hilgendorff How to access us Letters to the Editor and other submissions can be made to us by noon,on Mondays at: seaforth @ bowesnet.com All letters and submissions must be signed . and accompanied by a day -time telephone number. All submissions are subject to editing for both length and content. Don't forget to check out our homepage at: ww w.3eaaforthhurr Huron East faces challenges but positive changes have occurred Each year at this time, we look back over the past twelve months and assess our strengths and weaknesses. It is with great pride the Council of Huron East finds it has many strengths. We're one of the first municipalities to complete our Emergency Plan. As the Province mandates its requirement, ours is already in place. We are in the process of combining the five Official Plans from each Ward into one for the Municipality as a whole. Public meetings have been held and ratepayer comments are being digested. When complete, this document will serve as the vision for land and services usage across Huron East. There is still much to be decided, but a great deal of work has already been done. Nutrient management is an on-going issue that affects 'our rural Wards. We're pleased and fortunate to have Brad Knight on staff in Huron East. Of all the people in the area, Brad is probably the one who best understands the good and bad of nutrient management. Through his involvement, the County agrees Huron East has the most stringent requirements. Our water and sewer systems will require some work, but certainly not the extent of other Municipalities. We continue to provide safe, clean drinking water to our residents. Water from the Seaforth Ward was extended this year to include Egmondville residents. We're working diligently with the engineers to ensure practical solutions to storm water management problems during flood situations. We've worked together with the Seaforth Creamery to develop a mutually beneficial agreement for the disposal of their waste. They have made a significant capital investment Mayor, Huron East in their operation and have proven themselves responsive to the community and its needs. We're pleased to see their commitment to Seaforth and wish them much success in 2002 and the years beyond. The Ward of Brussels has seen the addition of three new businesses this year. That's quite an accomplishment and one we should all be proud of. A well-deserved pat on the back to those responsible for this in Brussels. Seaforth's Main Street continues to be a viable business district. We will all have to work hard to ensure, in this economic climate, that all our Huron East businesses are given the opportunity to expand and grow. The Vanastra Recreation Centre has seen considerable improvements this year. We've still got a way to go, but we are making progress. We've built roads in our rural areas, and streets and sidewalks in our urban areas. We've done all this and been able to keep tax rates within reason. Where increases occurred, especially in our rural areas, those increases were a result of Provincial changes to farm assessments. But all this aside, I believe our largest accomplishment comes on the personal level. One year ago this Council came together as twelve individuals. Today, more and more, we're working together as a team. Representatives still look after their own individual Wards, as they were elected to do. But I'm also seeing a commitment to the future of "Huron East" as a whole. That makes me very proud. We're dealing with some pretty thorny issues at the present time. Seaforth High School is slated for closure at the end of June, 2001. The Municipality has committed an amount up to $20,000 to be used for legal fees to save schools in Huron East. I can assure the ratepayers the money won't be spent unless there is a reasonable expectation that a court case could be won. Our legal counsel will have to give us that direction. The Brussels Medical Clinic will close at the end of this year. We had asked to meet with the physicians before any final decision was made; however, the signs were posted without our knowledge in advance of any such meeting. When the Medical Clinic was first in operation, I'm told there were nine physicians available. At the present time, there are three. The problem is obvious — there's a •shortage of manpower. And no amount of money the Municipality might give to the physicians will change that. Council now has to decide what course of action it wishes to take to address the needs of the residents of Brussels. But, as I sit here at the keyboard looking to 2002 and the future, I have confidence that we will make it. We will survive amalgamation. And we will survive the decisions others are taking which have direct impacts on our residents. I see the areas where things are starting to come together and I see the areas where improvements are still needed. There will be times when we will come to you, the ratepayers, for your advice on our future direction. I was given some valuable advice when See STEFFLER Page 4 McKillop farrn.sold for $2,500 in 1876 December 22, 1876 A tea meeting under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church, Walton, will be held on Dec. 30th. John Crozier of McKillop has sold his farm on the 12th Concession of McKillop to Mr. Palterman of Clinton for $2500. At the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Kinburn cheese factory all the directors and officers were re-elected. Robt. Jamieson was appointed treasurer and, W. S. Robertson, salesman. December 20, 1901 Robert Winter has purchased from Henry Smith of Hay, the two year old heifer which carried off the first prize at the fat stock show at Guelph. She weighs 1680 pounds. The Separate School building here, is nearing completion and it will be ready for occupancy by the New Year. The heavy rains did considerable in the way of supplying water, but the farmers say, there is not enough yet, as many wells are still low. M. C. Dickson of Toronto, the genial and efficient passenger superintendent of the Grand Trunk Railway was in town looking after business. the good people of that burg are anxious for a flag station at St. Columban. Miss Nettie Wilson, daughter of Mayor Wilson, has returned home after spending a year with her grandparents in Indianapolis. David Chesney, who has been a resident of Egmondville for some time has removed his family to Seaforth. E. Latimer Jr. who has been in the employ of S. Mullett for a great many years has made an engagement with the electric light company. • Major J. A. Anderson and George E. Henderson of the Years agone... Commercial Hotel, took in the last day of rabbit hunting, and in five hours bagged 15 hares. The Seaforth Engine and Machine Works, recently shipped a carload of saw mills two engines to Ottawa; a double edger to St. Johns, Newfoundland; and one of their high speed self oiling engines to Forest, Ont. Mrs. Rance of Clinton and an aunt of Mrs. R. S. Hays of this town, died in Clinton. She was 60 years of age. The skating rink will be open for the first time on Friday evening. Manager McDougall, has a good sheet of ice. Charles Sher has started a new enterprise in town. Having purchased the Coleman office property , at the railway, he has opened a yard and warehouse for the purchase of scrap iron. A number of Constance attending Guelph fair E. L. Farnham went to see the Stone stock herd of Hereford Castle and made the Companies purchase of two heifers. December 24, 1926 A shocking and fatal accident occurred at the farm of Emerson Snider, north of Drysdale, when he was working in connection with a gasoline engine and in some way his arm was pulled into the fly wheel. He was 40 years old, and had lived his lifetime on this farm. Workmen are busy finishing up the work on the Lutheran Church in Zurich. The many friends of Mrs. Wm. Nesbitt of Brucefield regret to learn that she had the misfortune to fall on the ice and fracture her wrist. Thomas Welsh and staff of Hensall are very busy in connection with the saw mill, while John Passmore and his staff keep things lively at the chopping mill. On Thursday of last week the pool room of E. H. Close was broken into and $30.00 taken. Many in Seaforth regret to learn of the death of Mrs. Strausser, which occurred in Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. Strausser conducted a restaurant business here. Many friends extend congratulations to T. E. Hays who celebrated his 89th birthday. W. C. Bennett of Winthrop took one and a half tons of dressed poultry to Kitchener last week. D. F. McGregor of Tuckersmith, township clerk, traded his farm on the 2nd concession to T. J. Webster for Mr. Webster's farm on the Kippen road. Miss Ella Turnbull and Arnold Turnbull of Toronto and Miss Mable Turnbull of Huntsville are spending the Christmas holidays at their home here. The Curling Club at the rink has been recently improved by a new floor and a new stove and members are now living in comfort. December 21, 1951 An overheated furnace was the cause of a fire in the basement of the home of Earl VanEgmond in Egmondville. Another land mark disappeared from Seaforth's Main St. with the removal of a gasoline pump in front of Daly's motors. According to Edmund Daly, the garage has been retailing gasoline for over 40 years. Lorne Dale Jr. lost the tip of a finger on his left hand when he got it caught in a saw at J. Boshart & Sons. C. H. Addicott of town has in his possession a piece of a meteorite whkh is about 5 inches in diameter, and 1 1/2 inches thick. It is shaped like a round bun. Murray Tyndall, Brucefield has another addition to its list of gladiolus achievements. Lee Desch of Hensall has received the appointment as special constable for dances for the village of Hensall. R. K. McFarlane received word of the sudden death of his nephew Gordon McFarlane, son of David McFarlane, a former resident on the North Road. A shower was held in Mitchell Town Hall, where Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Elligson were made the recipients of useful articles, such as a floor lamp, desk, and several other gifts. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Daymdn assembled in the Town Hall, Hensall. Largely attended funeral services were held at St. James Church for Elizabeth Downey, widow of the late Wm. Devereaux. December 23, 1976 Northside United's Junior Choir were featured performers when the Seaforth Lions Club entertained at their annual Christmas party at the Huronview on Sunday. The Lions have been a Christmas tradition at the Home for about 50 years. Murray Reid of Londesboro bought about $23 in tickets on the annual Optimists Christmas shopping spree and his 'extravagance' paid off. He won the five minutes spree, held this year at Roth's and charged around the store, getting baskets full. Retiring Reeve Elgin Thompson of Tuckersmith was presented with a gift from the township by reeve - elect Ervin Sillery at a party in Reeve Thompson's honor Friday night at Vanastra. A large crowd attended the appreciation night for the reeve, who retires this year after 15 years in Tuckersmith's top job.