The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-09-09, Page 7Godench Signal -Star, Wednesday, September 9, 2009 - Page 7 0 inp. Homeowners search for property solution To the Editor; We are writing in the hope of warn- ing other property owners on the local river watersheds of changes which were made to the powers of the Letters opinion Conservation Authorities. If you live in a Natural Environment Zone, this affects you. In 2006, the province Call for help answered To the Editor; Our area has once again stepped up to the plate and responded beautifully to a call for generosity. Earlier this month a letter to the editor was published in the paper setting out the details of a farm accident which left' Mike Munro from Embro paralyzed from the waist down. His wife, Rhonda, is the daughter of Tom and Karla Hogan of Kingsbridge. Rhonda was born and raised in this area. Friends in the Embro area held a very successful fundraising event for Mike, Rhonda and their two sons on Saturday, August 22. We are very happy to report that our call for donations to help support this young family also met with an overwhelm- ing response. It was truly heartwarming. The funds raised will help to make necessary modifications to their home and vehicles and around the farm. We want to thank all those who contrib- uted. Everyone benefits from such a great- hearted spirit! Betty VanOsch, Francis & Barb Hogan and Paul & Anita Frayne Farmers need environmental advice To the Editor; Gerard Creces' August 28, 2009 article entitled "No chance for Blue Flag in Goder- ich after stormy July" quotes Goderich En- vironment Services Technologist Jennette Walker's advice on what things residents can do to lessen their impact on the amount of contaminants going into Lake Huron. However, there is no mention of what farm- ers can do to reduce our harmful impact on the lake. Since it has been shown that most of the e - coli contamination in the lake is due to farm animal waste [See http://www.betterfarm- ing.com/online-news/agriculture-fingered- e-coli-source=lake-huron-study-2140], we farmers would have appreciated advice for methods to improve manure management_ and reduce the detrimental effects of some common farming practices on the health of our beautiful lake. Perhaps Mr. Creces would be willing to report on this aspect of environmental stew- ardship in a future article? Thanks! ,J. Stewart. Zurich passed Bill 164. This gave the CAs new powers to regulate development in or near watersheds, shorelines, watercourses, valley lands and flood - plains irregardless of what is currently in existence. Property owners were never notified of these new guidelines let alone their impact. It is only as the Townships update their bylaws that people may become aware of the prob- lems this has created. There is no such thing as being grandfathered in — we have lived here for 15 years and the home has existed here for 37 years. We have been trying to work with the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority for the past 14 months to protect the value of our property on the Maitland River and to obtain reas- surance that our home can be replaced if necessary. Thus far, we have been unsuccessful. Any attempt to meet with our local MPP Carol Mitchell over this past year has met with a dead end. The council of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh has been very helpful, especially councilor Barry Millian, but they have no power over the CAs. We are currently dealing with the Ministry of Natural Resources in an attempt to find a satisfactory solution. We know we are not alone. I strongly advise you to check with your local building inspector to see if MVCA has first say over any permits which you might need. Then you need to find out what the floodproofing levels are for your area. I can azure you, you will be shocked. Sincerely Ron and Linda Stewart Passport thieves brought to justice To the Editor; Busted ... Our local OPP cops got the job done again. Hats off to Provincial Constables Steve Beasley, Dave Prevett and Sergeant Pollard for their immediate response and successful police work in their arrest of "the knuckleheads." These Mensa midgets were the ones who burglarized my vehicle and a num- ber of others a couple of weeks ago. 1 didn't get names or numbers, nor do 1 need to, but hopefully, the punishment will be a bit more penal that "no television for week". In the opinion of this victim, the justice sys- tem needs to heartily empathize with victims and transfer that empathy to the thugs and thieves who grossly underestimate, (or could care less about) the costs and stress they cause innocent people. Again I offer my appreciation to the dedi- cated service of our Goderich and area based OPP detachment and specifically to the offi- cers who tracked down the goons and goods. Great job! John Weese Welcome to the NFL (National FLea ers Biren Ealy and Kolomona man with his car while dru Kapanui were charged with lewd The frequency with which NFL players conduct for being drunk, urinating in land in jail is underlined by the fact that public and exposing themselves. Plaxico Burress has hired himself a "prison Saints? I don't think so. coach." It makes sense. The NFL employs So what does the National Felony lots of coaches — for the offense, for the defen- League ... sorry, National Football sive, the special teams — and now coaches for League do to change their image as players in prison. exclusive club of thugs? They wel- Other ideas the NFL should consider to come back the man who massacred accommodate their growing roster of crim- inals: •Get a federal law passed that would permit all NFL felons to serve, their time during the off season. *Allow a limited number of defensive players to carry concealed weapons on the field. •Have the two teams with the most criminals play in the San Quentin Bowl for The Johnny Cash Trophy. •Have the referee who flips the coin to start the game read both teams their Miranda Rights. •A half-time quick draw and peeing con- test at center field. •Have the Jacksonville Jaguars change the name to the Jacksonville Jailbirds and wear black and white striped uniforms. The NFL — thugs, goons, gunslingers and dogfighters — are you ready for some football? 1 was willing to bet my house that Michael Vick would get his job back as a National Football League quarterback after serving 18 months in prison for running an illegal dog- fighting ring in Suny County, Virginia. It took only 85 days for the Philadelphia Eagles and the National Football League to kiss and make up with the man who strangled, electrocuted, shot and drowned dogs that either refused to fight in the Vick pit or lost. Why would a professional sports organiza- tion welcome back a sicko like Michael Vick as a member in good standing? Because as quarterbacks go, he's got a great arm. When sold -out stadiums and huge revenues are at st ake, it does not matter that as a person and role model for young American football kids, Michael Vick is a degenerate. - "Herm • " go, Jimmy, a football autographed by the gra t Michael Vick. And remember, he tortured, mutilated and murdered dogs for a hobby so the next time Sparky here doesn't do what ya tell him ... maybe a little muscle will do the trick." If the National Football League banned players with criminal records they would be forced to employ men of good character but perhaps of lesser talent. That would break the Wile of 'win at all costs' That would mess with their bottom line profits. A small sampling of recent NFL arrests would include Dallas Cowboys Anthony Spencer — assault, New Orleans Saints Jonathan Vilma — reckless driving, resisting arrest, Minnesota Vikings Carl Eiler — assaulting police, Cleveland Browns Donte Stallworth — drunk driving, vehicu- lar manslaughter, Buffalo Bills Marshawn Lynch — four felony gun charges, Oakland Raiders Cornell Green - aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (on the mother of his two children), Buffalo Bills Donte A Circus... Whitner — tasered and arrested for aggravated assault and resisting arrest, Buffalo Bills Travis Henry — trafficking in cocaine, Buffalo Bills Marshawn Lynch — hit-and-run, San Diego Chargers Shaun Phillips — assault- ing a security guard, Tennessee Titans Steve McNair — shot to- death by girlfriend, Indianapolis Colts Marvin Harrison — accused of shooting -a man in Philadelphia, Tampa Buccaneers Aqib Talib — battering, resisting arrest. Hey, who do these guys think they are? Rap stars? That's just 13 of approximately 50 criminal charges brought against players of the National Football League this past year alone. And hey, there's four more months to go. Former Bills star Bruce Smith was con- victed of drunk driving in July and enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame in August. And in a kind of tag team offensive, New Orleans play - All the World's dogs. I think the reason Charles Manson will never be paroled is that once he's free he could apply for the job of commissioner of the NFL ... and after a public apology for his past behavior, be wel- comed by team owners. (Finding God in jail helps speed up the forgiveness process.) Last week New York Giants Plaxico Burress was sentenced to two years in prison on a weapons charge in which he shot himself. Apparently he was in a Manhattan nightclub carrying an illegal gun in his waistband and in a move that would make a gang leader laugh out loud, he shot himself in the leg. The think- ing here is who needs a gun license when they're only used in bars and domestic strug- gles. (Odd, but if O.J. Simpson shot himself it would be considered justice.) Burress's New York teammates are out- raged at his .sentence of two years because Cleveland Brown's receiver Donte Stallworth only served 30 days in jail for killing a Miami