HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2014-01-08, Page 3Wednesday, January 8, 2014 • Lucknow Sentinel 3
Bruce Power to hold telephone town hall meet
Don Crosby
Special to QM! Agency
Bruce Power plans to broaden the scope
of the company's annual open house this
year by holding a telephone town hall
meeting.
"Last year we launched our new Bruce
Power app and this year one of the things
we want to do is to hold a tele -town hall
with our CEO and residents across Bruce,
Grey and Huron counties," company
spokesperson James Scognack said during
his monthly update to Bruce County coun-
cil on Thursday.
In recent years the annual open house
has been held at the Bruce Power visitor
centre. But it's always been at the mercy of
local winter weather conditions.
"This tele -town hall will allow residents
of Grey Bruce and Huron counties to ask
our CEO questions directly right from the
comfort of their own home. It's a new inno-
vative technology that we look forward to
trying out this year and hopefully continue
as part of our core business," Scognack
said.
Callers needn't worry about getting a
busy signal. Scognack said the technology
to be employed is capable of connecting
with several thousand people at a time.
"I think people will be pretty impressed if
they want to connect at just how dynamic
the system is ... we want people to engage
in a meaningful and thoughtful way from
the convenience of their own home."
Scognack explained this latest move to
engage with more residents of the area in
the town hall meeting is also part of larger
focus by Bruce Power this year to develop
what he called "energy literacy" or better
awareness about energy sector in the
province.
"It's a significant issue across the prov-
ince; the energy minister has noted it with
the release of the (government's) long-term
energy plan. There is a lot of education
needed throughout the province, not as
much in our region because people stay
fairly engaged on energy issues because of
the nature of our region ... our view is sim-
ply that the more facts people have about
what we do and our operation in the role of
nuclear, the higher the level of support will
be," Scognack said.
Scognack said he expects to announce
shortly the date for the telephone town hall
meeting, which will take place in late Janu-
ary or early February.
Scognack also told county council of
Health Unit recommends Radon testing
The Grey Bruce Health Unit recommends
winter radon testing for all homes to deter-
mine if you or your family is at risk of radon
exposure.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive
gas given off from the breakdown of uranium
found in rocks and soil. Radon gas can enter
buildings through cracks in foundation floors
and walls, gaps in service pipes, open floor
drains or any other area of exposed soil. The
highest concentrations of radon are usually
found in basements and lower levels of
homes.
Long-term exposure to high levels of radon
increases your risk of developing lung cancer.
The risk from radon exposure is long-term
and depends on the level of radon, the length
of exposure and a person's smoking habits.
Smoking combined with radon exposure
greatly increases the risk of lung cancer.
"Radon is a health concern for Canadians,
but few homeowners understand the risk or
how they can protect themselves and their
family against it," says Dr. Hazel Lynn, Medi-
cal Officer of Health. "Grey Bruce Health Unit
is joining other public health units in a col-
laborative awareness campaign to help peo-
ple better understand this issue:'
A national study by Health Canada found
higher than recommended radon levels in
homes tested throughout the country, which
means the location or the age of your home
cannot be used to evaluate your risk of expo-
sure to indoor radon. The only way to know
the radon level in your home is to test for it.
Testing for radon is inexpensive and easy.
Test kits are available for purchase at local
retailers and online. Health Canada recom-
mends testing during the winter months in
the lowest lived-in area of your home. Test-
ing should be carried out for a minimum of
three months in order to obtain the most
accurate results. Homes that test above
Health Canada's guideline should be reme-
diated. Information about interpreting test
results and household remediation can be
obtained from Health Canada athttp://www.
hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/environ/radon-
eng.php.
For more information about radon, con-
tact the Grey Bruce Health Unit at 519-376-
9420 and ask to be connected to the Public
Health Inspection Help Desk or visit http://
www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.
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several Bruce Power's operational highlights in
2013.
• Bruce Power provided 30% of Ontario's elec-
tricity, up from 15% in 2002.
• 59% of Ontario's electricity is generated by
nuclear power.
• Bruce Power last year reached 15 million
hours worked without a lost time injury, an
accomplishment recognized by Ontario's Minis-
ter of Labour.
• $450 million was invested by Bruce Power in
the Tiverton site's eight units in 2013.
• According to a poll taken by Ipsos-Reid, 74%
of people in Ontario support the refurbishment
of Bruce Power.
. In an online survey of the government's
long-term energy plan completed by 8,000 peo-
ple, nuclear power received the most support as
a supply source.
• Bruce Power's increased electricity output
has resulted in the reduction of 31 million tonnes
of carbon monoxide through the company's
contribution to the phase-out of the use of coal
generated electricity - the equvilant of taldng six
million cars off the road.
• Bruce Power suppliers and employees raised
and contributed $2 million toward community
initiatives and charitable causes in 2013.
Up and down year for MPP Thompson
Huron -Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson had a busy
year in 2013, which saw her holding the govern-
ment to account for outrageous energy prices,
excessive taxation, and crippling red tape that is
preventing Ontario from achieving its full
potential.
"If I had to sum up the main themes of 2013, I
would say it was about standing up for the tax-
payer and the residents of Huron Bruce," said
Thompson.
Another key accomplishment was Thompson's
promotion in the PC Shadow Cabinet. On Sep-
tember 30th Thompson was named PC Critic for
Small Business and Red Tape, while maintaining
responsibility for the Green Energy Act.
Thompson has also seen continued leader and
caucus support on her energy file. On Apri118th
she tabled a Private Member's Bill that sought to
give municipalities their energy project planning
powers back and eliminate the Feed -In Tariff
(FIT) program.
While this act was defeated in the Legislature
upon second reading, Thompson used the
opportunity to continue to call attention to
energy issues in her riding of Huron -Bruce and
unwilling host communities across the province.
"Industrial wind turbines are a huge concern
in my riding. While I have worked to call atten-
tion to this issue, I will continue to work tirelessly
to ensure that the Liberal government takes
action and appropriate steps to address the chaos
they have created in the energy sector:'
Throughout the year Thompson was a proud
advocate of all things Huron -Bruce in the Legis-
lature. Thompson gave statements about various
local issues, including the opening of Maitland
River Elementary School, Community Living
Kincardine, and Huron Bruce Outstanding
Citizens.
"To be honest, 2013 was a frustrating year, but I
look forward to 2014," Thompson admitted.
"The Ontario PCs are the only party with a
solid leader, team and plan to get Ontario back
on to a path of prosperity."
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
The Lucknow & District Chamber of Commerce is asking business owners,
as well as members of the public, to attend an information meeting pertaining
to the 2014 reconstruction work on Bruce Road 86 (Campbell St.) in the
Village of Lucknow. Attendees will be advised of Bruce County's extensive
plans for the 650 metre section from Washington St. at the East end to
Havelock St. This will involve disruption to the residences and businesses in
that area, accessibility to Lucknow Central Public School, and necessitate an
alternate route.
There will also be discussion on the County of Bruce's plans to repave
Campbell St. west of the Havelock St. intersection. The COC would like your
input as to ways to make safer pedestrian use of Campbell St. in the form of
a pedestrian crosswalk(s) and/or bump out areas to slow vehicle traffic speed.
Your comments will be taken to the Huron -Kinloss Township council meeting
on Jan. 13, 2014 at which time the County of Bruce Highways Department
will be presenting this issue to council.
Your attendance would be appreciated on Thursday, January 09th at
7:00 p.m. in the Multi -Purpose Room (ground floor) of the Lucknow &
Distrtict Sports Complex.
Rod McDonagh,
519-528-3406,
Secretary, Lucknow & District COC.
Lucknow & Distract
CrialttEKT of Commerce