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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2016-03-30, Page 22 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, March 30, 2016 Ramps to assist strollers According to press -release, Liberals `cherry pick' science on neonics, wheelchairs and walkers ignore Health Canada findings II Two years ago, Allison Dekroon informed the Huron East council about a plan to help people maneuver in and out of stores in Seaforth Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor In the midst of some shop- ping in Seaforth, two years ago, Allison Dekroon was having troubles getting in and out of certain business establishments with a stroller. She could only imagine what people with wheelchairs and walkers were forced to do, so she decided to do something about it. The former McKillop Coun., who took over Bill Siemon's spot after his death said because of how old most structures are in town, there is not much to com- pensate for people carting kids or those who use walkers and wheelchairs. After noticing the use of portable ramps in Strat- ford Ont."So why don't we do this in Seaforth," she remarked, The organization that first launched the wooden slopes is a Toronto group known as the StopGap Foundation. They vol- unteer their time to build ramps for local businesses. Contributed Photo Cherry Hoste, left, branch manager at Meridian Credit Union in Seaforth, and former McKillop Coun. Allison Dekroon stand with the ramps. "I guess the town was built with these barriers and it's stop- ping people from accessing some of the stores, stated Dekoon referring to the steps in front of several businesses on Main Street in Seaforth. "It's not the perfect solution, but it's something that is temporary:' Making the project a reality financially, Meridian Credit Union in Seaforth stepped in "huge" to help the cause said Dekroon. Recently, RONA in Seaforth also helped out by donating screws and lumber for the safety strips on the side. Vanden Heuvel Structures Ltd. has built 22 ramps to date and currently there are about 14 being utilized around the community. If there are any others inter- ested in having one installed (as long as the owner of the business approves it) you can call Allison Cattrysse at 519-301-1126 Seeing that Meridian Credit Union donated such a substan- tial amount of funds, Dekroon mentioned that she will be looking at potentially bringing the projects to Brussels and Vanastra. ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! DEADLINES rOur Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm OFFICE HOURS: Mon. - Thurs. 9am - 5pm • Fri. 8am - 4pm CLOSED TUESDAYS A Seaforth 8 Main St., Seaforth PH: 519-527-0240 r www seaforthhuronexpositor.com JILII'on Exposito QUEEN'S PARK - The Liberal Envi- ronment Minister is cherry picking science to support the government's neonic ban while ignoring the findings released by environmental experts and regulators in both Canada and the United States. Which show the use of a certain pesticide for seed treatment poses no potential risks to bees, Huron - Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson said. "Will the Minister - who is not a sci- entist - please explain why he thinks he knows better than a team of scientific experts at Health Canada and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency?" Thompson asked Mr. Murray in ques- tion period. The Environment Minister responded, saying, "You don't cherry pick science," even though the Liberal government will not acknowledge the findings of a joint report released ear- lier this year by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of California. The report found that the neonicoti- noid, imidacloprid, poses no potential risks to bees. "When presented with scientific evi- dence released by Health Canada that challenges the foundation of this Minis- ter's neonic ban, he has chosen to ignore the facts;' Thompson said. "The Minister's refusal to review this evi- dence is frankly anti -science." The Ontario PC Caucus has long advocated for a science -based approach to neonicotinoids. Instead, the government has taken a heavy- handed approach with the agricultural sector by implementing its neonics reg- ulation, which reduces neonic use, including the use of imidacloprid, by 80% despite the findings of Health Can- ada's report. Contributed Photo Shown in photo from left to right, Bob Radtke, chairman of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation; Brian Horner, general manager and secretary -treasurer, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA); Tracey McPherson, GIS / IT coordinator, ABCA, and Vice -President with Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron; and Ian Jean, ABCA forestry and land stewardship specialist. Ausable Bayfield Conservation donates to dress down Some employees at Ausable Bay- field Conservation donate money each pay cheque to support charities, in doing so they get the privilege to dress down on Fridays. The Staff Dress -Down Day Fund donations were presented to local charities at the annual Conservation Awards evening held on March 17. The Conservation Foundation received $750 in staff donations towards the South Huron Trail Pedestrian Bridge project. Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron received $750. The Carbon Footprints to Forests program (foot- printstoforests.com), to plant trees locally and capture carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, received $750 for local tree planting. The staff also donated $700 towards the cost of sponsoring two youths to attend the Ontario Nature Youth Summit.