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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-12-08, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2011. Continued from page 1 supported by Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson that proposed to restore municipal control over renewable energy affairs, Bentley said he is aware of those who want to stop the production of wind turbines and solar panels, but each municipality deciding for itself is not the answer. A patchwork approach, Bentley said, would “simply stop investment.” Smith’s proposal was voted down on Dec. 2 by a vote count of 45 votes against the bill and 32 votes for the bill, with the Liberals and NDP voting against. “I hear the arguments,” Bentley said of opponents of wind energy who claim to suffer adverse health effects. “But we have to maintain a strong provincial approach.” Bentley says he’s very open to hearing the concerns of the people, but not at the cost of a provincial approach. “I don’t want to put an end to the jobs,” he said. Bentley said it is important to him to have as much information on the topic as possible and have as many contributing viewpoints as possible. Bentley says there is no category of the Ministry of Energy that is closed for comment and that he is open to suggestions and that local involvement is encouraged with projects like wind turbines and solar panel installations. “There are people who want them to happen,” Bentley said. “I’m open to suggestions. I’m anxious to hear them.” Bentley said that as a result of numerous projects, a large amount of money is flowing through the province and that rural Ontario is not being forgotten when those cheques are being cashed. “A lot of money, a lot of investment and a lot of jobs are coming to rural Ontario as well,” Bentley said. Reporters raised questions about health studies surrounding wind turbines, to which Bentley said there have been studies conducted all over the world and Ontario has been found to be in compliance. “Our siting criteria is as strong as you’ll find anywhere in the world,” he said. In addition to the studies he cited, Bentley said the regulations set up in the Green Energy Act have been cleared by the Medical Officer of Health who has said the turbines are “not a health and safety concern.” In addition, the Ministry of the Environment, Bentley says, has a research chair at the University of Waterloo who has also cleared Ontario’s wind turbine regulations. Reporters voiced their concerns to Bentley about Ontario’s power productions and whether or not the province is producing too much power and putting citizens at risk to produce it. Bentley said the supply and demand of power can fluctuate and Ontario was a power consumer for a long time, rather than a producer. The concern, however, was that Ontario was producing too much power at a time when the province was not getting paid enough for the power it was selling. “We don’t want to be short,” Bentley said. “We try to err on the side that we have what we need.” Bentley said the global recession of 2008/2009 caused a change in the world of power production because “nobody” saw it coming and power buyers and sellers were all out of joint, making the process more difficult. “It’s not an exact science,” he said. A last minute gift idea! Buy a 1-year subscription to The Citizen for only $36.00 A gift that keeps on giving 50 times a year! Please clip & return to "THE CITIZEN" P.O. Box 429, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 or P.O. Box 152, Brussels, ON N0G 1H0 ❑ Enclosed is $36.00 To: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Address:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . From:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date Subscription to start:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Citiz e n Gift subscriptions come with a Christmas card to send to the recipient. Call for rates to U.S. and overseas ~ 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 ✄ ✄ ✄ ✄ Ending provincial approach could cost jobs For Christmas I want... Area children had the chance to get some face time with the big guy on Sunday as the Auburn Lions hosted a community breakfast featuring Santa Claus. With only a few weeks until Christmas, time is getting tight so the meeting couldn’t have come at a better time for six-year- old Olivia Allen of Goderich. (Jim Brown photo) Club gives quilts to manor On Nov. 21, seven members of the Walkerburn Club met at the home of Dorothy Schneider. Deanna Snell was president of the month. She opened with readings “Joy Cometh in the Morning” and “Christmas Spirit” and followed with prayer. Eileen McClinchey read the minutes of the last meeting. Ila Cunningham gave the treasurer’s report and gathered the birthday and lunchmoney. Roll call was “Something we would like to achieve in the month of November”. There was a vote on whether members would have the hostess supply both the home and lunch and the majority were still in favour of continuing on as before. In future, meetings will be held on the third Monday of the month with the exception of May, due to the holiday weekend. There were seven lap quilts the club made on display during the meeting. It was moved by Mary Elder and seconded by Deanna Snell that we give them to Anfield Manor in Clinton. The club will also be buying Christmas and birthday gifts for four residents at the Manor. The next meeting will be held at thehome of Betty Archambault on Jan.16. Mary Elder will be president. Betty will supply lunch and Vera will decide the program. Deanna Snell was a very successful auctioneer for the recent bake and miscellaneous sale. As a result a donation was made to the Salvation Army and the Christmas Bureau. Dorothy served a delicious lunch of oatmeal cake and ice cream. On Nov. 24 five members of the club went to Anfield Manor in Clinton and sang Christmas carols with the residents. They really appreciated the visit. After some carolling, cookies were served and members had a social time with the residents. By Koreen Moss 519-526-1060 kandkmoss@ sympatico.ca PEOPLE AROUND AUBURN School begins to celebrate Advent By Madelaine Higgins This week at St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School in Clinton, the community began the season of Advent, a preparation to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas time. The school also began the annual coat drive in spirit of the snowy season, encouraging students to bring new or gently-used toys and coats to the front lobby to give to families and children in need in our area. This project will end on Dec. 19 and will be celebrated in the Advent mass. Beginning last week, Grade 12 students struck poses for the flashing lights of LifeTouch Canada for their graduation photos. Senior students also continue career and post-secondary planning with guidance counsellors at the school in preparation for application deadlines due in early 2012. On Wednesday, Nov. 30, the Specialist High Skills Major participants in the school took part in CPR and first-aid training courses to enhance their qualifications. These certifications will be essential in the workplace and in upcoming co-operative education placements this year. Thursday, Dec. 1, elementary students from Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Precious Blood schools were welcomed to St. Anne’s to experience the high school environment for a day. Thursday also marked International Aids Day, a day of action giving people a chance to come together and fight against HIV through spreading knowledge and awareness. African Culture Night will be celebrated on Dec. 8 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. featuring dinner, entertainment and a silent auction and celebrating agriculture in Huron County and in Kenya. Tickets are available through St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School at 519- 482-5454 or through visiting at www.africanculturenight.com All proceeds from the event will go towards building an agricultural school in Kenya. Student Cabinet continues to plan this year’s semi-formal dance, with the theme of “Neverland”, and are also preparing for the Christmas assembly where they will be challenging staff members to a friendly holiday competition. NEWS FROM AUBURN