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Times Advocate, 1999-09-22, Page 6OWES -ADVOCATE Weihiesday., Seponaber 2L LAW Agiiik PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER 07511 jirn Beckett Publisher and Editor Don Smith Deb Lord General Manager Production Manager PublisheiU y J.W. Eedy Publications Limited 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • (519) 235-1331 EDITORIAL Local goveninient should be more accountable - not less anada's brand of democracy may not be C perfect, but it still stands near the top. It doesn't reman there on its own; it requires constant vigilance. Ironically, the greatest threat to democracy often comes from the politicians themselves. From time to time, politicians at all levels entertain proposals to consider changes which would result in less accountable, more secretive government Perhaps that reflects the basic element of human mature - that infor- mation is power and those who have the power want to keep it to themselves. As newspapers whose role it is to convey such infor- mation to the public, we often' face struggle in our attempt to access such information. Newspapers are also one of the most effective forums for the expression of public opinion. Never has there been a public outcry demanding less open, more secretive government. Yet, less open, local government is what Ontarians will receive if the province proceeds with proposed changes to the Ontario Municipal Act. The Municipal Act sets out the powers and limitations of our local .municipalities and was enacted back in 1849. Granted, an overhaul to a 150 year old piece of legislation is commendable, but some sections of the act were taken too far. The current act allows councils and municipal bodies to go in -camera, or behind closed doors, to make deci- sions related to specific issues that are best discussed in private - the security of property,; personalpersonnel matters; acquisition of land, labour relations, litigation, and legal . matters of solicitor -client privilege. Before going in -camera, the municipality or local board must state that they are going in -camera and disclose the gen- eral nature of the matter to be considered. A number of municipalities have suggested that the current list of subjects is too restrictive. As a result the proposed new Municipal Act would allow municipalities to write their own bylaw spewing out any other reasons for them to go behind closed doors to make decision that effect their communities. This could create a wide vari- ance of in -camera rules across Ontario and be subject to constant changes at the whim of local councils. Community newspapers believe this would only further erode the public's confidence in the democratic system. We need greater accountability from our government, not a free reign to hold secret meetings. We need our elected representatives to stand in front of their con- stituents and speak Loud and clear on the issues that deal with the health and well-being of our communities. As your local community newspaper, we don't think we need changes to make a more secretive government; rather we need to institute penalties for those who con- travene or stretch the current restrictions too far. Furthermore, clear and specific definitions of what con- stitutes thoserestrictions. need to be spelled out. The current list is far too open to abuse. We also believe the act should contain penalties for offending councils. Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley was concerned enough about this proposed legislation that he wrote then -minis- ter Al Leach saying this amendment was a "step back- wards in making local government open and account- able". He suggested the minister review the State of Michigan'sact which holds members of councils, board and conunissions personally responsible and subject to fines for violations of the act. ' This newspaper is a member of the Ontario Community Newspapers Association which represents 265 newspapers. The asso1iation, on behalf of its mem- ber newspapers, has raised these concerns with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and its new minister Steve Gilchrist. To his credit the new minister has been listening to the concerns and has indicated his vvi llingness to listen. It's not tpo late... If this concerns you, and we believe it should, please contact your MPP as well as your maijor and council to ask them to speak out on the dangers that these changes will have to our open and democratic Wim. Do you want my fob? •. It seems every week someone wants to either be me or my editor. We get questions and comments on why some- thing made the paper or why something didn't. We also get told what should or shouldn't be in the paper. • Like: "How come; my 500 word expose didn't make it on how wonderful my minor sports team played all season up to the end when we were crowned the 'B' champions?" Or: "Our team lost 10-0, so it's not news worthy. Don't publish that." Did everyone go to journalism school overnight? No, they didn't, but they have an Interest in what appears in their community newspaper. That's good • LxRlti 7 +'iAk%# f,q•.4axiN41 Not every reporter in the biz hag gone to school to learn their craft, but almost all reporters under age 30 have gone to com- munity college or university to learn how Io be a journalist: I graduated from a jour- nalism program and I have the diploma to prove it. I have been trained to know news when I hear it and the means to share what I learti with the rest of the communi- ty. That's what I have been doing in com- munities like Exeter for 10years, • So please understand that .I do get, miffed now and then when someone other than my boss tries to tell me how to do my job. It would be like me -trying to tell a mechanic how to repair my car's fuel injection. Some people ask why the paper publishes 'bad' news. Here's the reason why. This newspaper should act as a mirror reflect- ing the community. Remember, we have a respon- sibility to print not only that thousand dollar cheque presentation to the charity of the month, but we also have a responsibility to tell you there is a criminal in our midst. about i An old saying in the news business 'goes (and I'm paraphrasing here) all news hurts someone down the line. One successful business means another not getting business. One hockey' team's glory means another's mediocrity. -Zi-s1141€ It would k e= terrific i1 we all viewed the world through rose coloured glasses and the world, turned out that way. The reality is the world is a wonderful but dangerous place, full of good and evil. 4t+aa"3lkg}r4:,,, It is not our •intention to hurt the '_community; through publishing news that may be conveyed as showing the community in a negative light. We. are that mirror. The problems are there. It is our hope that whatever problem we are exposing can be dealt with and the com- munity can learn through its mistakes. Turning a blind eye to 'bad' news doesn't make it go away. It just lets it fester. Continue to tell us how we're doing and whether you like what we print or not. You have input into what goes into your newspaper. But remember it's our job to deliver what you and your neighbour needs to know. CRAIG BRADFORD /SAND PASSINGS About the Times Advocate Address & Office Hours Times -Advocate, 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Contact Us By Phone or Fax Classified ad & subscription sales ....(519) 235-1331 24-hour automated attendant (519) 235-1336 Fax number for all departments (519) 235-0766 Subscription Rates One year rate for addresses in Canada: $35#GST Two year rate for addresses ;in Canada: $63+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada: $102 Call (519) 2354331 to order a subscription. • Here mouse -y mouse -y... Exeter town hall has some new residents who are leaving their, um, mark. It seems relatives of a'recent famous vial itor to Goderich must have travelled through Exeter on their way to the big Disney parade and liked what they saw. That's right, Mickey Moue's cousins have taken up residence at town hall. Wye know they have moved in since they left behind some 'refuse' on CAO Rick Hundey's desk much to his disgust. Deputy et rk-treasurer Laurie Dykstra is town hall's official mouse catcher and was on the hunt when last we heard. Classified Rates Word ads: $9.00 for 20 words, 154r for each additional word+ GST. Notices (births, deaths, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $11.00 + GST for up to 30 words, 10t for each additional word. All ads must be pre -paid. The classified ad deadline is Monday at 10 a.m. Display Advertising To place a display ad, (519) 235-1331 weekdays 8:30 to 5 p.m. or evenings (519) 235-1336. (leave message) or toll-free at 1-888-270-1602. Deadline: Friday 4 p.m. E-mail Us TA e-mail addresses consist of the person's first initial. and last name followed by @ta. eedy. com . Forexample, Jim Beckett s e-mail address is <jbeck- ett€ta.eedy.cor Our general e-mail address is edi- tor@South Huron.com.