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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2011-12-14, Page 9o the editor present the voice ogle on wind e, 1 witnessed two local Mem- • ncial Parliament stand and ocracy in the Legislative Toronto. On Thursday, s, MPP Todd Smith for Prince tings presented Bill 10, a bill return the dedsion power ocal municipalities of Green Energy Act passed in moved a great deal of local ower by overriding Acts such Water Act, The Environrnen- ent Act, wherein we have lost ppeal, and the Ontario laming Act. Wherein our local their planning rights. ple's rights are being taken ernment legislation, that is a ! In our communities, the Pro- rrunent is recklessly con- ustrial wind turbines without ing and is ignoring the 8 municipalities for a morato- e completion of health stud - ed by the loss of our local •wer, 1 attended the Legisla- ly to winless the presentation atched proudly as our local ornpson and Randy. Petta- and spoke loudly and clearly ort for Bill 10, a bill that sup- icipal decisions and leader of the opposidon, PPThompson and MPP Pet- •approAmately 20 other PC eeted the audience of 150 ayors from several municipal - t of Parliament. Alter greetings son and Pettapieces PC ak addressed the concern of al decision-making power PC party would support the -ognize that local municipal tmost for communities to tly. Later, every PC member "Yeah" vote in support of the land NDP members chose to ton McGinty's "We know what u" attitude. When people's en away by govenunent, that ip. When a voice is given to at is democracy. Every dd- be concerned when their lked on. Thank you tos,MPP nd MPP Pettapiece. Your per - the Legislative Assembly you represent the voice of the n to you in the last election have the fortitude to speak pport of our democratic right u, Lisa and Randy. Sincerely Tom Melady RR 2 Dublin tr, .4.:•,31,Lig • • ' •-• • Need for destruction takes place in the countryside To the editor, On one hand we have a myriad of destruc- tive aspects to IWTs, and on the other hand we have a perceived need for electrical power and only that. This destruction is upon us because we've been sold on securing more of one resource, which isn't available to us in this form with any consistency anyway. It's Insane to roll the dice on destroying God knows what to feed the greed for electricity. Turn off something, please! - maybe some- thing in brilliant downtown Toronto where turbines won't usurp valuable real estate space. Having argued that there is only one use for IWTs (should they ever become viable), I question how hijacking local democracy, lobbying, and propaganda funded by our own government could have gone so wrong that our entire ecosystem is in danger and for one mass project. Obviously, we have been invaded by interests, international or other- wise, that have had ample resources to lobby government to spread the "green" propa- ganda singularly. Is there anything more injurious to sustaining our living and protect- ing the planet than destroying vital links in our ecosystem? The bestfarmland in the world is going under tonnes of concrete and access roads --4 or more acres per turbine at risk. This alone should require a stop -work order Does anybody realize the area of one acre and all that implies for our environment? Wednesda , December 14 2011 • Si nal -Stiff 7 www.goderichsignalstar.corn A number of Ontarions have already fled . their homes because of the effect of IWTs. When we move, we will leave a lifetime investment of work and persistent devotion -- more than 40 years of building for what could have funded our retirement home --not unlike any other farmer who needs to down- size because of age and who relies on equity from his life's work. If that isn't enough to make one sick, just wait until the industrial monstrosities crop up next year behind our home when nobody in the world will buy our property so that we tnight escape the insanity. Helpless in Huron, Respectfuny, Ruth Stauttener R.R. 2 Godes strange gift for a town that needs ...it most • . Column Gerard Creces Once upon an August in Goderich, a horrible old tornado blew through town. It left houses in ruins, downtown a police state and parks newly bald in its wake. It was a tough time for the people of the town, and even those without faith prayed for help for those left with little or nothing. The first night came and went and a hot sun dawned on the morning after. Sometime through the night, a strange visitor came to town, leaving five big boxes plunk in the middle of the Square. There was a note attached, which read: Open only as needed - a friend. Well, with streets, power and gas all out of commission and friends and neigh- bours stuck or stranded, it was decided that the first box should be opened. A large meeting was held, and all the towns- folk came out to see the opening. inside, wrapped in iron chains an inch thidc, they found strength. That strength carried them through the next couple days, but as the roads were cleared and the devastation now fully apparent it was plain to see that strength wouldn't be enough. So the second box was opened. With a whoosh almost like a flash of blue flame, out came unity. People found that with strength and unity, they could accomplish far more than their shoulders and backbones alone. Houses were emptied, trees were cleared, people came from miles around - to help and before long, there was little left to clean up. Not long after the rush subsided, people began to get restlessbecause they love(' the town and could not stand to see it so weakened. Strength and unity had accomplished the clean up, but what now? So many buildings were being torn down and trees were being cut all over the place. It was a sad time for Goderich. So, another meeting was held, and the third box was opened up. Inside, they found patience, rolling around contentedly among the styrofoam chips. It was not easy to catch patience. The faster one tried, the faster it seemed to slip away. But finally, the townsfolk caught their collective breath, reached down very slowly, and sure enough, patience crept up into their hands. Now people began to realize that all work takes time, be it erecting a building or dismantling it, and that was okay. It was all part-ofthe recovery process. But when all the buildings were taken down, it was a sad sight. People had been patient long enough. It was time to get the stores open and the houses on the mend. So, it was decided to open the fourth box. Remembering the lesson they learned from patience, they opened the box very slowly this time, so that nothing could escape. Inside, in the waxy envelope of a seed packet, they found opportunity. Before too too long, foundations could be seen sprouting from the holes of uprooted buildings People began to talk of shops opening up, of homes being built, of all the good things that ever were and could he again, and how to improve what was. However, there were those who mis- used opportunity for their own gain. Some tried to take advantage of the tor- nado survivors as theywere picking up the pieces of their homes. Some decided it would be an easy time to steal from their brothers with everything in disarray. People's vision was becoming shorting and shortez and the list of demands was growing faster than the list of possibilities. Opportunity unchecked was causing some division. But what to do? The townsfolk thought long and hard about that fifth box, won- dering if they should open it. Opportunity was upon them, and Me air in a balloon, there was pressure in every direction. Until finally, one voice broke through all the rest. "In looking so hard at where we want to end up, we have lost sight ofthe toad beneath us. Let us use that patience, strength and unity together and carefully cultivate our opportunities." So it was decided to keep the fifth box sealed in the centre of the town, as a reminder to all that Goderich was strong and patient and together and that realiz- ing this was the seed of opportunity. At once, a great crack was heard, and the fifth box shattered of itself. Inside was one last note: Hello Goderich, By now, you must have realized there is little you cannot achieve through strength, patience and unity. By not opening this box, you've realized that opportunity also carries with it responsibility and you can decide when you need help and when you need to carry on for yourself. If you continue to use these gifts together, good things will follow. But remember you are responsible for your own opportunities. The strength you have together may he great, but it is nothing if it is used in haste. And if all else fails, relax - it gets better. - a friend.