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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-04-22, Page 10Page A10 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, April 22, 2009 Local filmmaker defends Canadian presence Dave Bvkas signal -star staff As Canadian soldiers continue to be involved in the country's longest war effort in Afghanistan, documen- tary filmmaker and citizen journalist, Richard Fitoussi of Bayfield, presents a compelling case for the country's con- tinued intervention. While Canadian soldiers have been involved in the battle against Taliban insurgency since November 2001, his ground -level look at the contribution that Canadian soldiers are making to the quality of life for millions of people in Afghanistan is powerfully evident in his documentary film, Waging Peace: Canada in Afghanistan (2009). Aired before an appreciative audi- ence at Goderich and District Colle- giate Institute (GDCI) Thursday, April 15, the film made its Canadian debut at Central Huron Secondary School, Clinton, April 1, the school where Fi- toussi developed a passionate interest in filmmaking and international poli- tics. His powerful look at the effect Cana- dian soldiers are having on Afghani- stan society, served to illustrate the de- gree of commitment of our troops that belies the cynicism of the continued op- eration. Thank You to HOSPITAL All Our F01No, TION We would like to thank all of our volunteers who give so selflessly of their time and energy to help us deliver the best possible services to our patients, their families and the entire community. TOWNSHIP OF As►a; u, • u oolts4t - as wvx,e, TOWNSHIP OF ASHFIELD-COLBORNE-WAWANOSH MUNICIPAL CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR REPLACEMENT OF RIVER MILL LINE BRIDGE NOTICE OF COMPLETION THE PROJECT: The Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh is planning to replace River Mill Line Bridge (designated as municipal bridge #45), which spans Boundary Creek immediately south of Hawkins Road (as illustrated on the accompanying key plan). Recent engineering inspections of the structure have identified deterioration with several components of this single-lane.bridge, including the guiderails and deck. To resolve these problems, the Township is proposing to replace the bridge with a structure capable of accommodating two lanes of traffic. The approach roads would also be re -graded in conjunction with this work. At this time, it is anticipated that the bridge replacement would be completed during the 2009 construction season. The affected rood section of River Mill Line would be dosed during the construction period and traffic would be diverted around the project site onto adjacent roads. Project costs would be partially funded through a grant provided by the Build Canada Fund - Communities Component (BCF -CC). THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING PROCESS: The planning for this project is following the environmental screening process set out for Schedule B activities under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment. .The screening process has been completed. There were no negative impacts identified with the proposed project that could not be mitigated. Subject to any comments received as a result of this Notice and the receipt of necessary approvals, the Township of Ashifield-Colborne-Wawanosh intends to proceed with this project. PUBUC INVOLVEMENT: For further information on this project, please contact the consulting engineers: B.M. Ross and Associates, 62 North Street, Goderich, Ontario, N7A 2T4. •Telephone (519) 524-2641. Fax (519) 524-4403. Attention: Scott Allen, Planner (e-mail: sallen@bmross.net). A Screening Report documenting the environmental assessment process to date is also available for public review at the municipal office (82133 Council Line) during normal hours of operation. If environmental concerns arise regarding the project which cannot be resolved in discussion with the Township, a person or party may request that the Minister of the Environment make an order for the project to comply with Port 0 of the Environmental Assessment Act which addresses individual environmental assessments. Requests must be received by the Minister at the address . below within 30 calendar days of this Notice. A copy of the request must also be sent to the consulting engineers of the address above. If there is no request received by May 22, 2009, the project will. proceed as planned. Minister of the Envfronm.nt 135 Sf. Mir Av nw 10* Floor, Toronto, ON M4V 1P5 This Notice issued April 22, 2009. Brion Von Osch, Public Works Superintendent Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wowanosh "This is Canada's longest war and we've lost under 150 soldiers in the nine years we've been in Afghanistan," he said. "That's still a tragedy. But the troops are educated, they know the mis- sion and they know they can die for it. "We can debate the issue of being in- volved in Afghanistan all we want but they (Canadian troops) have embraced it. The media focuses on the return of soldiers killed in land combat and not on the success our troops have in build- ing schools, roads and hospitals. If we walk away, we have another Cambo- dia," he said. Embedded with Canadian ground troops on two different occasions, Fi- toussi experienced the security and peace -keeping effort over two months in 2004 before returning for a three-month stint in 2006. It was in April 2006 that he filmed the last moments of Wingham native Mathew Dinning's life. "The film captures the last moments of Mathew Dinning and the local con- nection is powerful,' he said. "People are afraid to talk about Afghanistan as in Afghanistan the bodies come back and are afraid that it will end up a quagmire like Iran and Iraq. I saw what was going on and I can understand what will happen if we (Canada) leave." In a previous interview, Fitoussi stressed that it was important for Ca- nadians to separate the war in Afghani- stan from •the Iraq war adding that a long-term commitment is necessary in providing peace and security for the Af- ghan people. Waging Peace: Canada in Afghani- stan has been shown at high schools in Wingham, Clinton, Listowel and Goder- ich and Fitoussi reports that DVD sales have been strong. He hopes to make a second film from his travels to Cambo- dia, a country where the proliferation of land mines parallels the situation in Afghanistan. While mainstream media and news outlets, such CBC, CTV and Glob- al show limited interest in Canada's ground efforts, Fitoussi hopes to return to Afghanistan and also make a trip to Chechnya. Photo by Gerard Creces Blyth Festival Orchestra welcomes spring TheBlyth Festival Orchestra, with conductor and organist Sean Kim, played some medleys for the season with their show, Music for a Spring Day, on Sunday April 19, at St. George's Anglican Church.