HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-06-10, Page 8•
Page A8 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Up, up and away
Lt. Col William Halton's World War II -era P-51, the "Slender, Tender & Tall" gets
ready for takeoff after undergoing restoration at Sky Harbour last week.
Farmers call for turbine safety
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signal -star staff
Wayne Black from the Ontario Fa per's
Association addressed Ashfield-Colborne-
Wawanosh Council about submissions made
to the Green Energy and Green Economy
Act.
Black suggested that council become in-
volved, because ACW is a primary location
for wind turbines, which are coming under
question by the World Health Organization.
"We aren't against wind turbines," Black
prefaced. "We just want to ensure that proper
safety, proper construction, and proper health
concerns are met."
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Black said human and farm animals are af-
fected by the wind turbines, adding the OFA's
focus was the health hazards, not the aesthet-
ics.
The submissions from the OFA suggest set-
backs be increased 50 metres for wind turbine
placement, to ensure safety. Black explained
that these setbacks are scientifically based,
with studies done on how far away effects can
be empirically recorded.
Black suggested these tests and setbacks
should have been researched and enforced
with scientific data since day one. He ex-
plained that issues such as stray voltage and
health problems are linked to higher watt-
age turbines, like those in Huron County.
Lower wattage turbines in higher density
areas aren't recognized as causing the same
problems.
A NEW FACE FOR THE SUMMER
Visitors to Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh
may see a new face when they drop into the
Township offices. Tess Van Osch, a student of
the University of Ontario's Humber College
Media Foundations program has been hired
on for the summer as part of ACWs summer
student program.
Van Osch explained that she loves the op-
portunity to do the job, even if it isn't exactly
in line with her program.
"It's a great learning experience," she said.
"And it's a great job, evenoif it doesn't fit my
area of expertise."
The time and effort put into helping the resi-
dents of ACW is something Van Osch wasn't
aware of before, but she said her first two
weeks on the job have made it fairly clear.
"Tve learned a lot about the system, and
how much it takes just to be there for people,"
she said.
The summer student position, according to
ACW's Chief Administrative Officer, Mark
Becker, is similar to being a Jack-of-all-
trades.
"Tess helps out," he said. "She does jobs
that have built up, answers phones, does filing
and administrative work, and is just a general
helping hand."
Some of the tasks that Van Osch will be
tackling in the near future includes things that
the township just can't get around to due to
work schedules.
"She'll be doing anything that needs done,"
Becker explained. "Including painting . and
cleaning.flower beds."
"It's all about experience," Van Osch said.
"Fm testing the water, getting to know the sys-
tems, and I love the rural setting. You get to
meet people, and know what's going on in the
community."
Becker said this is the third year for the pro-
gram,, and he is sure that, like her predeces-
sors Van Osch will do a "ob.
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viva be la atilimmilsomesi
Seodle Sags for the FIi.t S Cis
Li�RtItellrealkutents-Lots of Fun!
Photo by Denny Scott
Media Foundations student Tess Van
Osch works away as ACW Township's
newest summer student.