Editorials - Jan. 6, 2023
A complicated proposition
A recent story in The Telegraph in Britain indicated that the Barbados government was seeking reparations from famed actor Benedict Cumberbatch for his seventh-great-grandfather’s participation in slavery on the island. David Comissiong, Deputy-Chairperson of the National Task Force on Reparations, has denied the report, but clarifies that the government has sought compensation from six European governments (including the U.K.) and has also levied claims against existing companies and institutions that were historically implicated in or profited from slavery. Although the task force has not yet sought any compensation from any individual families or persons, there may be cases in which a claim could be sought.
What a difficult concept this is. The one fact that everyone can agree on is that slavery and colonization is a terrible reality of our history. But the idea that someone can be financially responsible for something that an ancestor did four centuries ago is hard to fathom. How and when do you draw the line? Yet, there are families who are still enjoying the wealth accumulated generations ago through abhorrent practices and perhaps an argument can be made for a claim against assets that accumulated during that period. – DS
Dug out
The holiday blizzard of 2022 will not be soon forgotten. As most sheltered in place, celebrating Christmas with whomever they were with as of Dec. 23, wherever they were as of Dec. 23, snow poured from the skies in one of the biggest and most persistent storms in recent memory. As the inches of snow piled up, some of the older Huron County residents drew comparisons to the great blizzard of 1971.
While many embraced the time at home, with nothing to do and nowhere to go, many were hard at work. Emergency responders were out helping people to the degree that they were able and public works staffers worked overtime upon overtime to clear roads and sidewalks in the days after Christmas when the snow finally tapered off. Huron County Warden Glen McNeil was quick to thank the county’s first responders and public works crews who worked to dig out the county in the wake of the storm. Neighbours were helping neighbours and farmers were busy plowing and digging out on the rural routes, while others were deemed holiday heroes delivering Christmas miracles.
Huron Area Search and Rescue, for example, was able to use its SHERP vehicle, operated by Jamie Mitchell and John Groves, to transport an infant to London (by way of a transfer in Exeter) for emergency surgery, in addition to rescuing stranded drivers throughout the county and beyond. Between Brussels and Ethel, volunteer Grey firefighter Steve Boyer and his wife Emily (an off-duty paramedic) aided a woman who had suffered an allergic reaction.
And while most stories are of intelligent behaviour, given the poor driving conditions and weather, there were still those who felt they could beat the snow, with many reports flooding in of people stranded on the side of the road, cold, hungry and without any other options.
Thank you to the heroes - both professional and amateur - for keeping us safe and healthy, sacrificing your own holidays so that we all might enjoy ours by the side of our loved ones. – SL
The future is bright
As the clock struck midnight and 2022 turned into 2023, many were content to send the year that had been packing, never to return. The same can be said for much of 2020 and 2021, as the world changed for many.
As we look ahead to 2023, there are many reasons to be optimistic in our community. The Blyth Festival, for example, is planning a lavish, expansive season that will tell seven stories across two stages, hopefully welcoming tens of thousands of people to the village. In Brussels, the foundation has been laid by generous governments and even more generous residents for the renovation and expansion of the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre.
Most notable, however, is the return to normality promised by 2023. Sure, it will be the “new normal” that some have decried, in which some will wear masks if they’re immunocompromised and we’ve learned to stay home if ill, for fear of infecting others, but sporting events, concerts, family gatherings and the celebration of a birthday, anniversary or marriage can go forward with confidence and ease. Talk of lockdowns and sweeping events cancellations appear to be a thing of the past and it is now accepted that you can reliably mark your calendars for annual fetes like the Brussels Fall Fair, the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association reunion, the Huron County Plowing Match and others, knowing that they will go ahead and be everything you remembered.
We inched closer to the world we remember before March of 2020 last year and this year promises to be even more of a celebration. Surely, it won’t all be puppy dogs and ice cream, but there are plenty of reasons to look forward to the year ahead with anticipation and excitement. – SL