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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-01-20, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1999. ‘Small Talk’ begins in Huron,Perth Counties Speech and language problems are the most common handicap facing children, affecting one in 10 of those preschool aged. Research shows that left untreated, these children are at high risk of lifelong problems including poor achievement in school and increased school drop-out rates. "These problems are costly to society and are more common than we realize," explains Mary Louise Laberge, speech and language pathologist working with the Huron-Perth Speech and Language Writer says roads THE EDITOR, Have your roads been plowed? This is the first winter since the Harris government downloaded thousands of kilometres of highways to the municipalities. So what's it like in your area? Until now, the province cleared the highways. The cost was spread among all the taxpayers. Now your property taxes are picking up the tab - whether it's a road that serves your community or not. The highway network should be just that - a network which links Amalgamation concerns reader THE EDITOR, I would like to take this opportunity to address some concerns regarding the report, that Blyth was endorsing the amalgamation plan to join with other rural municipalities and the town of Wingham, instead of an earlier consideration of joining municipalities to the south. Having lived almost all of my adult life in Blyth, whenever there is something that seems to be a movement that perhaps will affect me for the rest of my natural life. I feel prompted to respond. My concern arose from a turn around in the direction of Blyth council, if reported with any accuracy by The North Huron Citizen. I have waited since the report; in hopes that perhaps there might be some explanation as to why the direction had been changed. As there was none, other than a tie vote was broken by the stroke of a pen, I feel that I must respond. I wonder in all innocence, has there ever been any appraisal of assets and liabilities tabled by any of the intended municipalities, when thinking of amalgamating with any other municipality? This is common practice in business, when maneuvering to either join with other businesses, or like the several mergers of our major Writer argues column and God’s existence THE EDITOR, In regards to Rev. Cecil Wittich's column (Citizen Jan. 6) "Faith sees the invisible", to compare the "invisible" air to the existence of a god, (he, she, or it), gods, or any other illusion of the imagination is like comparing apples to oranges. The air is a clear colourless gas which can be broken down into its various components, compressed into their liquid forms, and does become quite visible. It simply Initiative. "Early identification and early treatment can make a big difference. Even young children under two years of age can be helped with speech and language development." 'Small Talk’, a, Huron-Perth preschool speech and language phone line, is up and running today. Parents from Huron and Perth counties can call to ask questions about how their preschooler talks, or how they can help their child develop strong speech and language skills. The a public service communities together into a larger whole. Snowfalls don't recognize municipal boundaries. That's common sense. Snow clearance shouldn't be limited by the boundaries either. More common sense. Safe, well-maintained, cleared roads, are not an evil sign of "big government". They are an essential public service. Premier Mike Harris doesn’t understand that basic difference. Leah Casselman, President, Ontario Public Service Employees Union. banking institutions to assess what assets and liabilities may go along with the marriage. Or to put it in plain rural ianguage - is anyone going to be buying a pig in a poke? I am not suggesting that each municipality has not done this kind of prudent examination of other partners in any marriage of other municipalities. I just wonder! I do wonder, if any formal document of what each partner is tabling as a contribution or indeed a liability towards this upcoming marriage, has been examined, or has any such report been even printed and made available to any municipality considering being a suitor. I just wonder. I would suggest, that in any exchange of vows; that it might be prudent to have an independent evaluation or appraisal if you will, of just what each partner might be expected to bring into this marriage, who might be considered liable for the viability of empty businesses or properties, if this joining were to come to pass. Rumour has it that plans are being considered for the erection of a humongous-sized complex in Wingham. It is said that it might cost between $6 and $8 million to erect this complex. Furthermore an estimate has been publicly stated that the complex could run at a $125,000 dollar deficit annually. can't be done with something that does not exist. Children have imaginary or invisible friends. Mature adults are supposed to have outgrown that sort of need and dependence. There are a few medical terms for the delusions and illusions of those who hear or see the invisible and things that go bump in the night, schizophrenia is one that comes to mind. Douglas Trollope. line also allows parents and those who provide services to children such as doctors, early childhood educators, and counsellors to refer a child to a speech and language pathologist for assessment. ■> "It is often hard for parents to know if their child has a speech and language problem," states Heather Kane, a public health nurse working with the initiative. "Parents should trust their instincts and call 'Small Talk' if they think their baby or child is not learning to talk well." The number to call is (519) 273-2222 or 1-800-269-3683 and ask for 'Small Talk'. "The 'Small Talk' program is all about making sure that preschool children are given the best chance to reach their speech and language potential," explains Kane. "The program focuses on prevention, finding children with problems early and making sure they get the treatment they need quickly." 'Small Talk' is working with parents, providers of service to young children, speech language pathologists and other professionals to give young children in Perth and Huron County the best possible Whoa, Nelly, who is going to pick up the tag for that kind of deficit financing. I wonder! One of Blyth's council members has been quoted, "Once the municipalities have amalgamated there no longer will be several municipalities - there will be a melt down into one total municipality." . That certainly concerns me as a resident taxpayer in what is now Blyth. Does it concern you also? I wonder! Perhaps there are other concerns also. I wonder about rumours of watermain construction slated for partners in this amalgamation. Also, further concerns, and certainly one of serious consideration. I wonder what has become of the intended construction of a hospital clinic to Wingham Hospital. Would it make you wonder? During a marriage, there are words used in a solemn part of the ceremony, "For better or for worse" -1 Wonder! William A. Manning. smokers who want to quit for good Finally..K i i > i* ProgramsVv smokers who enjoy smoking ^stop the program at any time Jno meetings or lectures ^no gimmicks J easy to use To receive the program that is right for you, call 482-3416 or 1-8OO-265-5184. (If after 4:30 p.m. leave a message in mailbox 721) ---------------------------------------------One Step at a Time is brought to __, llfApl you by Take Heart Huron through | the Huron County Health Unit I speech and language services. The program builds on resources, programs and services already in place. 'Small Talk' is part of a province­ wide initiative to improve preschool speech and language services. Huron and Perth community agencies and parents, together with a partnership between the Stratford General Hospital, Perth District Health Unit and Sorry, our mistake! There was an error in the story "Blyth 'boy' tells his story", printed in last week's issue of The Citizen. A copy of the book was actually donated to the Blyth Library by Ernie Robertson, who gave it to Gordon Elliott to present on his ■behalf. We apologize for lhe error. <B> Medic Alert SPEAKS FOR YOU 1-8DD-668-15D7 www.medicalert.ca the Township of Morris requests the cooperation NOTICE ■HP OF of the ratepayers regarding the parking of cars and other vehicles and the depositing of snow on Township Roads during the period in which snow clearing operations are necessary. It is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act, Section170 (12) to: "PARK OR STAND A VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO INTERFERE WITH THE MOVEMENT OF TRAFFIC OR THE CLEARING OF SNOW FROM THE HIGHWAY" and also Section 181 states: "NO PERSON SHALL DEPOSIT SNOW OR ICE ON A ROADWAY WITHOUT PERMISSION IN WRITING SO TO DO FROM THE MINISTRY OR THE ROAD AUTHORITY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE ROAD". Neither the Township of Morris nor the "Snow Plow Operators" will be held responsible for damage done to vehicles or mailboxes on the the Township Road Allowance. YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. Lloyd Michie Road Superintendent Township of Turnberry Township of Morris Community Care Access Centre Perth County, provides direction to the development, support and delivery of this program with funding from the provincial government. 'Small Talk' is free and available to all preschool children living in Huron and Perth counties. For more information or to refer a child to a Speech Language Pathologist, call (519) 273-2222 or 1-800-269-3683 and ask for 'Small Talk'. PEOPLE WHO READ NEWSPAPERS ARE BETTER AND MORE EFFECTIVE PARENTS It all starts with Newspapers