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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2004-04-15, Page 6Going, going... Ron Stevenson holds one of the items for bid, while auctioneer Kevin McArter, in back, does his best to get the right price at the annual Brussels Optimist auction on Saturday night. (Vicky Bremner photo) Are Drugs or Alcohol Affecting Your Life? We can help. If you are concerned about your own, or someone else's use of alcohol or drugs, the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Infoline (DART) can guide you to the help you need. Call us 24 hours 'a day, 7 days a week. 1-800-565-8603 or visit our website at www.darten.ca 0 Ontario: Need help finding a lawyer? Call the Lawyer Referral Service HERE'S HOW IT WORKS • Call our 1900 number. • A LRS Representative will give you the name and phone number of one local LRS member lawyer who is able to deal with your issue. • Call a LRS member lawyer and receive up to 30 minutes of free consultation • A $6.00 charge will be applied to your phone bill 1-900-565-4577 TTY: (416) 644-4886 Toll Free Crisis Line 1-800-268-8326 Bbrreau Tnr, Law Society of du Haul ,Canada Uppe, Canada _ PUBLIC NOTICE FOR CANADIAN FARMERS The Government of Canada is investing $995 million to help farmers make the transition to the new Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program. The Transitional Industry Support Program (TISP) includes a direct payment to cattle producers and a general payment to all farmers. Direct Payment for Cattle and Ruminants The direct payment to producers of cattle and other ruminants is a per head payment based on inventories of eligible animals as of December 23, 2003. Producers of cattle, bison, sheep, goats, elk and deer are eligible. To apply, farmers need to complete a form reporting their inventory as of December 23, 2003. Payments will be made within 30 days of form receipt. Application forms are available online at www.agr.gc.ca/tisp or by calling 1-866-367-8506. Note: Some program details may be subject to change. General Transition Payment Farmers will receive a payment based on their income history. Cheques will begin to be mailed in late April. Individuals, corporations, trusts, co-operatives and communal organizations reporting farming income (or loss) for 2002 for income tax purposes are eligible for the transition payment. Status Indians farming on a reserve are also eligible. Note: supply managed commodities are excluded. NISA participants and producers who received a Risk Management Funding payment in the last two years will automatically receive a payment. Others must apply. Application forms are available online at www.agr.gc.ca/tisp or by calling 1-866-367-8506. Canadian Farm Income Program (CFIP) The federal government is providing an additional $65 million to farmers for final payments under the CFIP 2002 program. Farmers who applied for and received a payment under the 2002 program will automatically receive a cheque. Farmers who have questions or would like more information are invited to call 1-866-367-8506. III '1 AziTolloudre Canada nd Al rnocauilitmu Agriculture tea t ire Canada Canadig PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2004. Student volunteers making a difference with OSAID By Elyse DeBruyn Citizen staff For the first time in six years, several students from F.E. Madill Secondary School have volunteered their time to try and save the lives of their fellow students. About 15-20 students have come together to recreate the Wingham branch of Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) and make their fellow classmates aware of the dangers of impaired driving. Leonie Vandekolk of Wingham, president of the Wingham OSAID branch, attended an OSAID conference last May after a Madill teacher informed her of it. asking if she was interested. "I didn't know what it was all about, then I • heard the details and thought if I could make a difference in one person's life it would be worth it," said Vandekolk. Vandekolk, with her friend Ingrid Vloet of Teeswater, attended the OSAID conference at Talisman Ski Resort in Collingwood together and said they had a great time. Vandekolk, a Grade 12 student from Madill, said the Wingham branch of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) sponsored them to go last year. The conference taught students how to create an OSAID at their school, or how to improve an existing group. "We heard amazing guest speakers that attended, evening dances and enjoyed several activities. It was a fun atmosphere." she said. This year. members of the VVingham OSAID have raised enough money to send nine of their fellow members to attend a similar conference at Sheridan College in Oakville, in hopes of getting more ideas to make OSAID more effective next year. Vandekolk said Wescast Industries in Wingham donated $250 towards the conference trip and the Wingham OPP made a $200 donation after she and Vloet gave presentation to the officers. She said they have also had' good support from local businesses who have made generous donations. Vandekolk said after attending the conference 'she wanted to continue with the group because she wanted to make a difference in peoples lives. "If I can prevent one person from drinking and driving then I've done my job." she said. Vloet, vice-president, is also a Grade 12 student at Madill and said she too enjoyed the conference and thought bringing an OSAID to Wingham again would be a great idea. "There are way too many teenagers dying of drinking and driving and we need to make people in the school aware of it," said Vloet. The girls agreed that it is also important for them to raise awareness in the community as well as the schools. "Our goal is to get younger people, boys and girls, involved in OSAID. We have some students that are really active and will continue on with it next year," said Vandekolk. Britta Hallberg, a Grade 12 student from Teeswater, is also a member of the Madill's OSAID and she became involved because she also thinks it is important to raise awareness in the community about how bad drinking and driving is and how it affects people. "You never know if it is going to happen to you or the effects of drinking and driving and it (students drinking and' driving) could get really bad if someone doesn't make a difference now," said Hallburg. Vandekolk said they have to do a lot of fundraising because they are a new club. She said MADD made a $100 donation when the club first began and the students' council also gave them some money. She said they plan to hold a garage sale at the school, chocolate sucker sales, monthly pizza parties and a beer goggle contest where students wear goggles that give the feeling of being impaired, then race down the halls. They also entered a float and participated in the Wingham Christmas parade last year. Hallberg said the fundraising in the community has "really impressed people that we are trying to make a difference." The money the students raise will go towards guest speakers, OSAID advertisements around the school and help pay for the conference trips. . Vandekolk said the fundraising is a joint effort for the whole group. "We split the tasks among everyone. Some put more time in than others, but that is sometimes necessary," she said. Every Wednesday during their lunch period they meet in Ms. Metcalf's (the group supervisor) classroom for their weekly meetings where they discuss activities they can do to make the students more aware. Vloet said she hopes next year that the younger people will keep it going. Vandekolk also said they plan to make a logo. She said it is important for the Wingham OSAID club to be successful this year. "if we do one screw-up then people might think we're a joke and stop respecting the club," Vandekolk said. She said a lot of students are having a hard time understanding that OSAID isn't trying to lecture them. "We're not telling you not to drink, we're asking you not to drink and drive," she said. Vloet said they are just asking people to think before acting. "I've seen too many times when friends drink and drive and I say something to them, but it is hard when people ,don't back you up," said Vloet. • Now she said she gets more support from friends when asking people to hand over the keys. She said they have tried different techniques to make students aware of the dangers of drinking and driving. On the back of the semi- formal and formal tickets this year, the OSAID club put the message "have a good night" and "don't drink and drive" with the number for a taxi service. They have also had excellent guest speakers who, Vandekolk thinks, have had a positive effect on students. "If we constantly remind them it will hopefully refresh- their memories, but some people you can help and others you can't. It doesn't matter what you do, they'll either listen or not," she said. Vloet said posters always work because they are a constant reminder and guest speakers have a good impact on students, "but it only stays in their minds for so long." Hallberg said speakers are an excellent way to get the message across to the students. "It's the best way because the speakers relate to the students. Sometimes if you say "don't drink and drive" too much, it loses it effectiveness," she said. She said she really enjoys being part of OSAID. "I really enjoy it. It feels good to belong to an organization that betters the community. I feel that we are helping to make a difference and preventing people from being hurt or killed," said Hallberg.