The Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-05-27, Page 7Opinion
Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - Page 7
Revisit dedication planks during next bridge hike
To the Editor;
Many of you will remember, a cou-
ple of decades ago, purchasing a plank
for the Menesetung Bridge, so that the
old train trestle over the Maitland river
could become a pedestrian walk -way.
The bridge is a major attraction in
our town, and is used by hundreds of
visitors and locals every year to walk
over the picturesque river and continue
on the Maitland trail towards Tiger
Dunlop's Tomb.
Most of the planks have become
somewhat scuffed from all the traffic,
and many of the names are difficult to
read. If you would like your name (Or
the name you dedicated the plank to)
preserved, and made readable again, I
suggest you take an indelible marker
along on your next walk, and darken in
the name so others can read it.
And the graffiti artists (who think
that defacing the bridge structure is a
neat thing) should think again about
Careless scooter driver shows lack of responsibility
To the Editor;
Today I was witness to a very unfor-
tunate incident on the streets of
Goderich. As 1 was heading east along
Britiannia Street, there was an elderly
gentleman on a motorized power
scooter moving faster than a brisk
walk. He passed me just before I
turned onto Britannia. He continued to
proceed down the sidewalk at full
speed.
Coming toward him was another
man walking his dog with two small
girls' in tow .a few feet behind him. The
man in the scooter never even slowed
down as he thundered towards them.
The roan with the dog side stepped
into the grass and the scooter driver
ran head-on into the two girls. One
was easily thrown several feet, the
other thrown to the side. I was so
dumbfounded at this blatant lack of
responsibility of the driver that I just
stood there. The grandfather with the
dog did not see the impact and turned
around and picked up the crying girls.
The man had stopped the scooter and
got off, but was gone not long after the
girls were in the arms of Grandpa.
When he continued walking down
the street towards me with the crying
girls it was then that I told him of the
head-on impact that he did not see
occur.
He said the man on the scooter stat-
ed that he did not even see them.
Sure mistakes happen, but here is
the problem. First they were wearing
bright colors and were clearly in the
middle of the sidewalk. Second he
never even slowed down to give the
people a chance to move out of the
way, never mind expecting a small
child to figure out the danger coming
on so fast. Third he should never be
driving that speed in the first place or
using the scooter at all if he cannot see
what's right in front of him. I have no
issue with the scooters as they provide
much needed mobility independence,
but that gives no right to terrorize the
side walks at break -neck speeds with
little consideration for others who use
the sidewalks.
M. Black
Goderich
the beautiful and historic structure
they are spoiling!
Doug R. Bundy
Menesetung Bridge Association
Join in the
walk for CF
To the Editor;
On May, 31 join us at the Kinsmen
Centre on Keays Street for Taking Great
Strides to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.
Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. and the
walk starts at 10:00 a.m. There will be a
barbeque for everyone following the five -
kilometre walk. Registration forms are
available on line at www.cysticfibrosis.ca
or call (519)440-0937.
Together, we can help the Canadian
-Cystic' Fibrosis Foundation find a cure or
an effective control for Cystic Fibrosis.
Sincerely,
The Alcock Family
Goderich shows generous support to conservation cause
To the Editor,
On behalf of the Maitland
Conservation Foundation, I wish to
express our thanks for the generous
support the Goderich community gave
to our recent fundraising dinner and
auction. The event was held on April
17 and raised over $24,000.
The Maitland Conservation
Foundation is a registered, charitable,
non-profit organization that works to
support environmental programs being
undertaken by the Maitland Valley
Conservation Authority.
Funds raised at the dinner and auc-
tion will be used to support conserva-
Alzheimer's statistics expected
to soar in iCounty
osity of the people of Huron County.
We are in the process of scheduling our
annual tag days and are in need of vol-
unteers for Exeter, Goderich, Seaforth,
Wingham, Clinton, Blyth and
Brussels.
If you would like to join our list of
wonderful voluntzers and be part of the
team that is bringing "Help for Today
and Hope for Tomorrow." Please call
519-482-1482 or 1-800-561-5012 and
ask us how you can help out so that the
Society can continue the work that is
desperately needed.
To the Editor;
In Huron County almost 10 per cent
of the populaton over 65 has Alzheimer's
disease or a related dementia. With
that number expected to quadruple
over the next 20 years, it is vital to
maintain and grow programs for fami-
lies and individuals of people afflicted
with this disease. The . Alzheimer
Society of Huron ,County currently
runs six support groups as -well as pro-
grams for those with Alzheimer's dis-
ease or a related dementia. We also
deliver education in long-term care
homes, hospitals, day centres, clubs
and organizations throughtout the
county.
In order to keep our programs free of
charge we depend on our fudnraising
events. It is impossible for the society
to run these events without the gener-
11
Karla Crocker
Office Manager/Volunteer
Coordinator
Alzheimer Society of Huron
County
tion education programs at the
Wawanosh Nature Centre and across
the watershed at schools and commu=
nity events. This year over 8,000 pro-
gram participants will benefit from the
generosity of everyone who supported
our event.
This was the 21st time we've held the
dinner and auction and all the volun-
teers involved in making it happen are
amazed by the generous spirit of local
residents and businesses. Plans are
underway for 2010, see you there!
Sincerely,
John Chippa, MCF Chair