The Citizen, 2008-01-03, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2008. PAGE 19.
The Huron County Health Unit is
urging drivers and adult passengers
to keep their vehicles smoke-free
when heading out on the road with
children.
Second-hand smoke in a vehicle is
up to 23 times more toxic than in the
home because of the restricted space.
Infants and children are more
severely affected by secondhand
smoke than adults because their
small bodies have higher respiration
rates.
Exposure to tobacco smoke puts
youth at a greater risk of developing
bronchitis, pneumonia, colds, ear
infections and asthma. Infants have
an increased chance of dying from
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
A province-wide campaign
currently underway encourages those
who smoke to take it outside and
away from children. The Huron
County Health Unit is handing out
ice scrapers reminding everyone to
take the smoke outside. The ice
scrappers will be given out at
prenatal parenting classes, car seat
clinics and by the Ontario Provincial
Police during their Ride Program.
They are also available at the health
unit.
“Children can’t choose who they
travel with or how safe the trip will
be,” said Sherri Bezaire, public
health supervisor. “We know that
parents want to keep their children
safe. Adults who continue to smoke
around kids may be unaware of the
risks, or are unable to quit because of
a heavy nicotine addiction. We want
to let smokers know that options are
available to keep the vehicle smoke-
free and protect children.”
Bezaire says research shows that
opening vehicle windows does not
diminish the risk, and smoking only
when children are not passengers is
not a safe option.
For more information about
protecting children and others from
second-hand smoke and tips to help
you break the nicotine addiction, call
the Huron County Health Unit at
519-482-3416 or visit their website at
www.huroncounty.ca/health.
Special nightLeft: Tyler Stewart holds oneof the items on offer at theauction held Friday night inBlyth. Right: former NHLerBob Probert, who was aforward for both the Chicago
Blackhawks and Detroit Red
Wings, took a minute for a
photo op with Carson
Richmond, son of Michelle
and Darren of Blyth. The
athlete was present at the
Blyth fundraiser to sign some
autographs and to suit up as a
member of the 1972 OMHA
Blyth PeeWee champs in the
game against the 1995 OMHA
Bantam champs, also from
Blyth. (Vicly Bremner photos)
Health Unit urging parents
to keep vehicles smoke free
Huron East council voted to
amend their budget at their Dec. 18
meeting based on the
recommendation of treasurer Brad
Knight.
The amendments came as a result
of projects that didn’t happen or to
cover major purchases that occurred
over the course of 2007.
The first is the withdrawal of
$159,000 from the bridge reserve.
This money was not used as it was
intended to be used, on three
structures in McKillop. The projects
will be a high priority in 2008 and
will be budgeted for accordingly
next year.
The withdrawal from the
equipment reserve will be reduced
from $730,000 to $670,000. This
reduction comes as a result of the
municipality’s 1989 Case backhoe
fetching $17,000 at the Huron
County auction and the Seaforth fire
truck, the grader and the new
backhoe all coming in slightly under
budget.
A withdrawal from the Brussels,
Morris and Grey Community Centre
reserve will also be reduced. Just
$9,987 was withdrawn, not the
intended $29,987. The remaining
$20,000 will be kept in the reserve
as recommended by the BMG
committee.
A withdrawal of $125,000 for the
construction of Robert Street in
Seaforth will remain in reserves
until 2008. The project did not
develop in 2007 and will commence
soon into 2008.
There will be $300,000 withdrawn
from the Seaforth/Egmondville
water reserve that was not planned
for. The system is still in the process
of upgrading to meet the new
OSTAR standards and there will be
expenditures of $329,000 just to
balance the budget. The withdrawal
will cover the shortfalls to date.
Looking for local heroes
There are so many people out there who do
so much to improve their community.
Now you have a chance to say thanks.
Nominate that special person for the 23rd
Annual Citizen Citizenship Awards.
Each year a committee chooses an outstanding citizen from each of the Blyth and area
and Brussels and area communities to receive an award for contribution to the
community. If you know someone you think should be honoured, please fill in the ballot
and send it in. You may attach a longer explanation of why you think your nominee
should win, if you like. If you have nominated someone before and he or she didn't win,
please feel free to try again.
I nominate
as Citizen of the year for
I feel she/he deserves this award because
Nomination Deadline March 31, 2008.
Name and phone number of nominator
❑❑Blyth
& area ❑❑Brussels
& area
HE amends
budget