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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-09-09, Page 6Page 6 - Godench Signal -Star Wednesday, September 9, 2009 Editorial • www.goderichsignalstar.com Proprietor and published by Bowes Publishers, P.O. Box 220, /20 Huckins Street, Goderich, Ontario N7A 4B6 EDITORIAL Technology must be safe before it can be widely used It's really quite easy to dismiss opponents of wind farms as suffering more from the "not -in -my -backyard" (NIMBY) syn- drome than any particular health problems. Wind farms are the cleanest form of energy we have, consum- ing no fuel and emitting no pollution. They are just one part of the comprehensive solution to wean the world off its depen- dency of fossil fuels. And they are being built as quickly as the turbines can roll off the assembly lines, especially in the area of southwestern Ontario where the wind coming off the Great Lakes and the relatively flat landscape provide optimal conditions. But for the Ontario government to dismiss what appears to be growing concern about potential health problems generated by wind farms is folly, reeking more of political desperation than science. On the surface, the fact there have been no full-blown envi- ronmental studies on any of the 31 projects approved in the last four years should not be a surprise. Wind turbines are not new technology. They have been operating around the world for decades. Exactly how many studies do we need? In recent years, however, there is growing concern and anec- dotal evidence that the turbines may, in fact, be causing some health problems for people living nearby, including sleep prob- lems, headaches and heart palpitations, which some health experts suspect may be caused by the ever-present low frequen- cy noise and vibration from the rotating blades. Not unlike many new technologies, it can sometimes take time for problems to surface, for connections to be made linking the technology to the problems. Look no further than pesticides such as DDT and its impact on wildlife, such as bald eagles. As history has shown, business has little interest in uncover- ing the negative impacts of its products or technologies, espe- cially when they are dealing with a government desperate to find solutions to a growing shortage of electricity, growing pub- lic concern about global warming and an economy searching for new industries unrelated to the automobile. It would be folly for the province not to listen to the concerns about wind farms and consider taking some action such as a major health study. To ignore it only to later discover there are serious issues could deliver a serious blow to an industry this world desper- ately needs to succeed. (D.S.) NEIJS ITEM: DISNEY euYS MARVEL Cori t CS Fog 4 BRA -KW WHAT THE .. ?• • ? Festival visitor sends card of thanks To the Editor, During the recent Celtic Festival we, like many other Goderich residents listed our home with the Tourist Centre as a possible location for any extra tourists who might require accommodation that week. As it turned out, we had a lovely lady from Ann Arbour Michigan who stayed with us that week- end to take in the festival and the many tourist at- ' tractions in and around Goderich. She was most impressed with the town and its people, and upon returning home, she sent us a lovely card of thanks. Here is a short quote from that card that sums up what I am sure is a common impression that visitors have of our friendly and pretty town: "Needless to say, your hospitality and gracious- ness were most appreciated during my stay. It cer- The Goderich Signal -.Star, published every Wednesday at Goderich, Ontario Ls one of The Signal -Star Publishing Group of Community Newspapers. a division of Roses Publishers. The Goderich Signal Star shall not he liable for failure to publish an ad for typographical errors in publication except to the extent of the cost of that portion of the ad in which -the ermr occurred. The Goderich Signal -.Star reserves the right w reject or edit any advertisement. The Goderich Signal -Star is a prr,ud member of the Canadian Community Newspapers Association (CCNA) and The Ontario Community Newspapers Assn cialirm (OCNA). aauwunsN Editorial Deadlines... All Advertising Deadlines... Entertainment, Births, Deaths, In Memoriams... Classifieds... Display Advertising... • Letters opinion . . tainly takes flexibility for a couple to open their home for sew_ ral days to a complete stranger!" The fact that some residents of Goderich are will- ing to do so during the busy Celtic Festival attests to the basic friendliness one feels there as a visitor. Thanks again for your kindness." I am sure the same words of thanks apply to the many residents who make their homes available as billets or extra tourist accommodation during the Celtic Festival week. Congratulations, Goderich! Sincerely, Doug & Lou Bundy Goderich Classifieds & Subscription... Friday at 2 pm Accounting... Te1ephdne Fax.... Publisher... Reporters... Friday at 2 pm 519-524- 14 519-524-5145 Dave Sykes Dominique Milburn Gerard Creces Denny Scott Office Manager... Display Sales... Advertising Manager... 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