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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2006-05-04, Page 6a Of. Mouth-watering norpac Strip Loin Steaks also available: - All Beef Franks Striploin & Ribeye Steaks - Bear Claw Beef Patties - Smoked Pork Chops & more Brussels Agri Services Ltd. & The Cowboy Loft 1 km East of Brussels on Newry Rd. 519-887-9391 Toll Free: 1-877-887-9391 Issue raises differing views Continued from page 1 concluding with "Mr. Speaker, this letter is even more poignant as the next Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan was Mr. Dinning's own son." Steckle rose on a Point of Order that afternoon asking for unanimous consent that respect be shown to Canadian Forces and other government personnel who are killed while serving by lowering the flag on the Peace Tower to half mast for one day as a "remembrance of their important service to Canada and Canadians." Marg Bennett, wife of veteran Ross Bennett, doesn't feel it's necessary. "I still believe it should be done just on Nov. I I. It's pretty hard to pick and choose. But if local people want to do it that's good." A Brussels girl who was close to the Dinning family doesn't agree however. "It is about respect," said Sadie TenPas. The young girl has endured a difficult week with her family, remembering the young man who once babysat for the family. "It's an obvious choice to lower the flag for people who have died doing things for our country." TenPas said when they heard the news she told her mother that they had to lower the flag on their property right away. "Matt was a great guy, full of life. It upset me that they didn't lower the flag to honour him?' Thelma Johnston, president of the Blyth Legion said she was at a convention when they heard of the soldiers' deaths. "There was a heated discussion about the government's decision. Many there were pretty upset. However, we came to a consensus that each area make their own decision." "I can see why the Remembering a friend government went the way they did. I was more concerned that the Legion was going to make the same decision. I'm glad it's been left to each Legion to choose when they lower the flag." SADIE TENPAS CANADA ONTARIO \\Its.;%MKNIIItricA777,01,i4AMMONAPXO SHOULDN'T EE AS PAINFUL AS GIVING BIRTH ITSELF 06 -05 -301001 08-000000-001 Now you can get a Birth Certificate online, and -receive it in 25 'tYasiness days or it's free. ServiceOntario.ca making it easier Paid for by the Government of Ontario. PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 4, 20Q6. Letter to the editor `What would a skate park do for Blyth?' THE EDITOR, What would a skate park do for Blyth? As a skateboarder of eight years, I have been asked this question a number of times. It is often hard to see the good in something that has been given a bad name, but through the eyes of an experienced skater, here is what I see. Skateboarding is accepted worldwide anti is a televised sport that happens to be one of the most popular sports in the world. Since there is no facility to accommodate this sport in Blyth, kids are skating on the streets where they are impeding and endangered by traffic. They are not allowed to skate anywhere: so skaters feel unwanted, and in order to skate, they have to break the rules, hence; they are given a bad name, and they respond accordingly because they are expected to be rebellious. Skating can damage properties around town, which costs money and creates friction in the community. Streets are not controlled environments, nor are they designed for skateboarding, so they are more prone to generate skateboarding injuries, and less prone to provide adequate first aid response to these injuries. The nearest skate park worth driving to is an hour's drive away from Blyth. Rather than spending time, effort, and money on policing the sport why not spend it on accommodating skateboarding like other sports are accommodated in the community, such as hockey, soccer or baseball. A skate park will give kids a safer place to skate, with first aid equipment on site. A skate park will allow skaters to maintain a good reputation within the community because they will not have to bother anyone in order to engage in their sport of interest. The town will maintain its aesthetics because the skaters will not damage property by skating. A well designed, built, and maintained skate park will draw from a large area and can be used as a revenue generating operation. This can be done by means of membership fees, fundraisers, donations, competitions, events, demonstrations, etc. Since the nearest quality park is an hour away, a good park in Blyth will draw from all surrounding towns, and people will be willing to pay for such a service.. Having a proper facility will enable skaters to take the sport to a competitive level, giving them a possible focus on pursuing the sport professionally. Having athletes represent Blyth will give the town a good name as well. This will also give kids an alternative pastime and focus as opposed to mischievous acts and behaviours. Micah Loder.