Editorials - Oct. 31, 2025
The art of the steal
P.T. Barnum once said that there’s no such thing as bad publicity, and a family-run German business has taken that advice to heart. Bӧcker, the company that manufactures the furniture lift that was used in the brazen, daylight heist at the Louvre, jumped into action once the now famous Agilo lift was splashed across the international news.
Within a day, its new tagline, “When you need to move fast”, was spreading across social media touting its equipment that “carries your treasures up to 400 kilograms at 42 metres/minute - quiet as a whisper.”
Being connected to a robbery that saw eight of France’s priceless crown jewels stolen could have created a negative brand for the company but, by jumping out in front with humour, the company has now received more free advertising than it could have ever imagined. Clever and quick, and apparently created in-house, this is one of the most memorable reactions to a tragic story in recent memory.
As of this writing, French authorities have detained four suspects through DNA left at the scene, although they are sure that this is the work of many more than the thieves who were on scene. The complexity of the plan and the speed of its execution seem to indicate an entire network and police are racing against time to find the jewels to return to the Louvre in their original state. – DS
Use your voice
All too often, lofty dreams, acts of revolution or the prospect of changing the world die on the vine because people - either on their own or in a small group - wonder what exactly they can do to change the world. They’re not a prime minister or a president, nor rich and powerful nor world-famous athletes, actors or musicians, so, with all that being said, how are they supposed to make their mark?
It can all be quite daunting and, in some cases, the average Joe (or Jill) can lack the heft to make a difference from their small corner of the world. Not always, however. There are many times when all it takes is some effort and a clear path of action to make a difference.
Just last week, a battery storage project proposed for prime agricultural land, directly across the road from one of the county’s top conservation areas, quietly pulled up stakes citing, predominantly, a lack of support from area residents who viewed the project negatively.
At an early public meeting in the summer, questions were many and answers were few, largely due to the infancy of the project and projects like it on a whole. Residents expressed concerns about safety and taking even more prime agricultural land out of circulation.
This is not to necessarily cast aspersions on this technology or the specific project itself, but it stands as an impressive example of locals using their voices to speak up for their community.
Rank and file residents, especially those in rural areas, often lament their lack of control when decisions are made in Toronto, Ottawa or beyond. And yet, it’s amazing what can happen when a few residents use their voices in unison to protect their community. – SL
Now accepting applications
In the Oct. 3 edition of The Citizen, The Chaff dubiously examined a silly concept: the possibility of a township selling its naming rights to a corporate partner to fund improvements. In jest, the column imagined North Huron rebranding itself as “North Hyundai” as a way to generate revenue for infrastructure projects. Ha, ha, ha! Ridiculous!
Recent developments in Saskatchewan suggest that ideas once thought to be farfetched or questionable can enter serious discussion in reality. The community of Duck Lake is reportedly considering selling the naming rights to its town to help fund local improvements.
The Chaff’s suggestion was never meant as policy advice or “how to” instructions for government administration. The closest resemblance The Chaff has to a “… for Dummies” guide is the “for Dummies” part.
Changing a community’s name, even in part, involves a range of considerations. Names carry legal, historical and cultural significance. Implementing a corporate branding approach would require updating signage, maps, official documents and digital platforms, and also involve extensive and rigorous consultation with residents and other stakeholders to ensure community support. The administrative, legal and financial implications are significant, and an agreement would need to be carefully structured to protect municipal governance and long-term interests.
The connection between The Chaff column and the current discussion in Duck Lake illustrates an interesting point: unconventional ideas, even those that begin in the realm of absurdity, can manifest into actual consideration in the real world. They encourage leaders, decision makers and residents to examine potential solutions from multiple perspectives and to evaluate the balance of benefits, risks and community impact.
Perhaps the most curious lesson is this: if you read something in The Chaff that seems foolish, weird, stupid or outlandish, it may only be a matter of weeks before the rest of the world catches up. – SBS