Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-03-05, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2003. Letter to the editor Writer gives reason for shortening bench THE EDITOR, In response to the letter to the editor of Feb. 26, there are many reasons a coach chooses to shorten the bench in hockey. The team could be playing for an All-Ontario banner and every game is important. At that time, the weaker players may find themselves spending more time on the bench, but giving those stronger players the relief they need to continue in the game (an important and necessary role). The team is no longer playing for themselves at that point but for their town - the same way in that an athlete may play for their country at an Olympic competition. HU responds THE EDITOR, We would like to take this opportunity to respond to some of the concerns that the Pub and Bar Coalition of Canada (PUBCO) has raised concerning the 100 per cent smoke-free bylaw. According to Dan Taite, PUBCO’s membership co­ ordinator, “No one can believe that a 100 per cent smoke-free bylaw will stop people from smoking”. To clarify, the intent of Huron County’s proposed bylaw is to protect the health of all Huron County citizens by reducing levels of exposure to secondhand smoke. The health of both smoking and non-smoking patrons, bar and restaurant employees, and food service workers is at Another reason a coach may shorten the bench is to make a point to players that they missed practice and are not as prepared for the game as the rest of the team. Older kids especially have responsibilities to the rest of the team to be prepared as best they can. If your child misses practice, they are missing one hour of ice time where they get to be in the play every minute. All season, most coaches play the team evenly but by the time playoffs or final games of a tournament come along, the coach makes a decision to shorten the bench. The coach has a responsibility not just to the weaker players but to the stronger players as to concerns one non-smoker will die from exposure to secondhand smoke. The bylaw is not intended to stop people from smoking; it is intended to protect people from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke by making all public places and workplaces 100 per cent smoke-free. If you have any questions about the ETS bylaw, please do not hesitate to contact Craig Metzger at the Huron County Health Unit by calling 519-482-3416. Sincerely, Dr. Beth Henning, Medical Officer of Health, Penny Nelligan, Director Huron County Health Unit. well. The coach cannot let down the strong players on the team - they deserve a chance to win. Parents of skilled players have usually spent more money on their child than just the price of registration over the years. They have given their child the opportunity to hone their skills through Tested With skating almost over for the season, these Blyth Skating Club girls went out to another test day held in Brussels on Feb. 27. In back, from left: Kyle Middegaal, preliminary free skate and 14 step; Nicole Meier, Harris tango; Jenna Rinn, 14 step. Front: Jasmine deBoer, preliminary free skate and 14 step. Absent: Kelly Cooke, Dutch waltz; Courtney Bos, baby blues; Brittany Bos, 14 step. (Photo submitted) hockey school, power skating and extra skating all along - at a price to them. When a disgruntled parent suggests that we all pay the same price, he/she needs to consider other costs that parents meet along the way. On a personal level, both my husband and myself have spent years volunteering as executive members, fundraising (don’t be fooled that registration pays for all of minor hockey fees), trainer, coach, running the clock, working at the door, putting on tournaments etc. I get very upset when I hear of anyone putting down a ^Can’t way k If you are concerned about your own, or someone else’s use of alcohol or drugs, the Drug and Alcohol Registry of Treatment (DART) can guide you to the help you need. Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Drug and Alcohol Registry of Treatment Drogue et alcool • Repertoire des traitements 1-800-565-8603 www.dart.on.ca The Drug and Alcohol Registry of Treatment (DART) acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Ontario, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. coach who volunteers his/her time. If your child is still playing the sport and you are not helping in some way, are you still sure you are paying the same price as everyone on the team? Laurie Chapman. see a J risk. Regarding bar and restaurant employees, did you know that: • bar and restaurant employees have higher rates of lung cancer than almost all other occupations, including firefighters and miners. • smoke from the burning, non-filtered end of the cigarette has higher concentrations of hazardous substance than the AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM ELECTIONS ONTARIO AND ELECTIONS CANADA Elections Canacla WE MAY BE VISITING YOU BETWEEN MARCH 1 & MARCH 9 Elections Ontario and Elections Canada are working together to gather data to use in compiling our voters lists. mainstream smoke inhaled by the smoker. Of course, smokers are exposed to both. • bar and tavern employees who are working hard in a busy establishment will inhale even more secondhand smoke than usual because their breathing rate is increased. • the Ontario Health and Safety Act lists 15 substances that have no safe level of exposure - six of which are found in tobacco smoke. All bars and restaurants in the state of California prohibit smoking. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (1998), less than two months after the implementation of the smoking bylaw, both smoking and non-smoking bartenders reported improved respiratory health and showed improved lung function. Secondhand smoke is the third preventable cause of death. For every eight smokers that tobacco kills, A team of revising agents may visit your home over the next few days to ask for your co-operation. They want to be sure that information about you and other eligible voters living at your address appears correctly on both provincial and federal voters lists. This means that whenever an election is called, you will promptly receive information about when and where to vote. We would appreciate your assistance. If you are not at home when they come by, they will leave a notice on your door with a telephone number you can call to arrange to have this information collected at another time. REVISING AGENT AGENT REVISEUR NAME/NOM : YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THE REVISING AGENTS BY THEIR IDENTIFICATION BADGES. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact ELECTIONS ONTARIO toll free at 1-866-771-6315 OR info@electionsontario.on.ca OR TTY 1-888-292-2312 ELECTIONS ONTARIO and ELECTIONS CANADA are the non-partisan agencies responsible for administering provincial and federal elections, by-elections and referenda.