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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-06-02, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011. THE EDITOR, After waiting nearly six months for North Huron to install new stop signs it agreed to in Blyth, vandals cut down two of the all-way stop signs at Dinsley and Mill streets. The reason the signs were requested by petition was to help curb speeding down Dinsley and promote improved safety for children around the Blyth Public School. I was initially taken aback by the brazen disregard for safety and the law. If these pathetic cowards disagreed with the signs they should have shown up at council to dispute their installation. It was not that many years ago when a similar act of stupidity in Mississauga resulted in the death of an innocent person. I would like to thank Kathy Adams and the men from the works department who took time on their holiday weekend to fix the situation and for their timely response. Unfortunately this will also be an unnecessary financial burden for North Huron taxpayers. After some thought, I realized that I should not have been so surprised by this act of vigilante law. I have been debating in my mind what sort of community we have here since Ralph Campbell, the Public Works Manager, suggested similar lawless behavior at the last Committee of the Whole meeting. When I broached again the topic of what was being done or could be done to stop the dangerous and reckless use of the Greenway walking trail by ATVs, Campbell suggested that perhaps the answer was for me to go down and put a 2x4 between their wheels. I was very bothered by this irresponsible and juvenile comment and especially so since several councillors laughed and no one seemed the least bit bothered by this type of talk in what is supposed to be a place to conduct the business of the township. The two councillors who we elected in Blyth to represent us sat there and did nothing and said nothing. This is especially bothersome, since David Riach is the Deputy-Reeve and chair of the meeting and therefore responsible for the conduct of the meeting. If this is the way he conducts meetings and this is indicative of the tone of discussion that goes on there then perhaps we had better start looking for someone else to fill the position. I have nothing against ATVs operated safely and responsibly. However the conduct of a few, spoils it for everyone and so it is time to clarify things. ATVs are not legal on public property or roads unless these are specifically identified by law for their use. The law is very specific with regard to licensing, insurance, age of operators and speed limits. The trail is not one of these and should not be so identified. Currently there are riders who seem to think it is their private drag strip and drive at speeds far in excess of what is safe. Is the memory of the people so short that they forget it was not that long ago that an underage rider was killed in Blyth? The failure of the township and the police to do anything gives a sense of acceptance for this behaviour not only on the trail but on the streets of Blyth. We have a tremendous theatre here but during the summer months when the doors are open and the play is disrupted by ATVs tearing down the street do you want to return? If the type of attitude and disregard for public safety and the law shown in both of these events is an indication of the direction being taken by your new council and staff then North Huron better look out. I, for one, think that Campbell should apologize to the people of North Huron for his disrespectful and reckless comment. Accepting this by council shows an unacceptable disregard for the rule of law and the people of North Huron. They appear to be condoning this type of behaviour and that it is acceptable to take the law into your own hands. Don’t like something? Just go tear it down. Don’t like what your neighbour is doing, just whack him with a 2x4. Tell him Ralph sent you. Bill Knott, Blyth. This is the fifth in a six-part series by Jessica Sparling of Blyth entitled “Good For You!” The series will highlight the impact of nutrition and lifestyle choices on physical and mental health and general wellness. Jessica is a second-year student in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University in New York, majoring in Human Biology, Health and Society. The fifth instalment, “Be Oxidant Savvy” focuses on antioxidants, their health benefits, where they can be found and what exactly they can do for us. This week Jessica is reporting from Mysore, India where she is part of an eight-week global health initiative through Cornell University. In recent years, consumers have heard a lot of chatter about antioxidants. They are now a much- discussed food component, but unlike many nutritional fads, antioxidants possess multiple health benefits. But what exactly are antioxidants and what do they do? Antioxidants, as the name suggests, are compounds that stop or prevent oxidation reactions from occurring within an organism – like human body cells. In large amounts, these oxidation reactions may result in harmful levels of free radicals in the blood stream, and these free radicals are what can cause cellular and tissue damage in our bodies. Free radicals are uncharged molecules that are highly reactive. Antioxidants are able to prevent the formation of these harmful free radicals by reacting with them through cellular processes within the body. However, according to the National Cancer Institute, the effects of free radicals are inconclusive, as the cellular damage they cause has been associated with some cancers in laboratory studies, although not in clinical trials. Meanwhile, studies performed by the Cleveland Clinic have found that a diet rich in antioxidants “has been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease”. Fortunately, when we eat a balanced and complete diet, none of us has to rush out and buy specialty antioxidant products. These components occur naturally in food products, and include compounds such as vitamin C (citrus fruit, berries, dark green vegetables, tomatoes), vitamin E (vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, whole grains, brown rice), selenium (oatmeal, eggs, dairy products, garlic, seafood) and beta carotene (broccoli, kale, spinach, sweet potato, apricots). Simply by following the recommendations of Canada’s Food Guide to plan and select meals, each of us should be meeting all nutritional requirements and get enough antioxidants without requiring a supplemental vitamin. Nutritional requirements vary with gender and age, so consult Canada’s Food Guide on the Health Canada website for specifics for a particular demographic. For example: men and women over the age of 51, the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables is a total of seven servings per day. The Food Guide also recommends that you vary your choices of fruits and vegetables to ensure that you have adequate sources of all vitamins and minerals (different ones are present in different foods). As for as serving sizes, one serving of fruit and vegetables is equivalent to: ½ cup fresh, frozen or canned vegetables 1 cup leafy vegetables ½ cup fresh, frozen or canned fruits ½ cup 100 per cent fruit juice Be antioxidant savvy and make conscious food choices. Choose whole fruits and vegetables more often than juices and always strive to have a variety of fruits and vegetables on your plate. It’s like having a rainbow of food colours on our plates for lunch and dinner. If you’re willing to work to meet these Food Guide recommendations – or if you already do make an effort to eat healthy, balanced meals on a regular basis, “Good For You!” You’re well on your way to a healthier, happier you. BLYTH PRINTING INC. BLYTH 523-9211 PRINTING IS OUR BUSINESS • Colour • Business Printing Forms • Posters • Brochures • Letterheads • Flyers • Envelopes • Carbonless • Business Forms Cards • Labels WE CAN DO IT ALL! Good For You! By Jessica Sparling Letter to the EditorStop signs vandalized, writer disappointed