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Goderich Signal Star, 2017-01-04, Page 12Wednesday, January 4, 2017 • Signal Star 11 Canadian government launches drone safety website, snitch line John Miner Postmedia With thousands of people expected to get their first drone under the Christmas tree, the federal government has launched a safety campaign that includes a website where people can report reckless drone use. "We want people to be aware of the safety concerns with drones ... we know a lot of people aren't using them as safely as they should," Kate Young, MPP for London West said Wednesday. "We are very aware it is something people need more information about." Young announced changes to some of the rules for drone operation on behalf of Trans- port Minister Marc Garieau. Additional regulations are expected to be enacted in the new year. The new online tool allows Canadians to report drone incidents from their mobile phones. The link is-http:// www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilavia- tion/opssys/drone-incident- report-form.html Young said Transport Can- ada officials will use the reports to investigate incidents. Anyone who operates a drone in a reckless and negli- gent manner or endangers the safety of an aircraft could face fines up to S25,000 or prison. The government recognizes there is a huge interest in drones, both by enthusiasts and for commercial applica• - tions. The goal is to increase safety but not stifle the indus- try, Young said. Transport Canada's Do's and Don'ts for drone operators Do:• • Fly your drone during day- light and in good weather. • Keep your drone where you can see it with your own eyes - not through an on- board camera, monitor, or srnartphone. • Make sure your drone is safe for flight before take -off. Ask yourself, for example: Are the batteries fully charged? Is it too cold to fly? • Respect the privacy of others. Avoid flying over private property or taking photos or videos without permission. Don't: • Don't fly in clouds or fog. • Don't fly closer than nine km (five nm) from any aero- drome (i.e., any airport, heli- port, helipad, or seaplane base). • Don't fly higher than 90 m (300 feet) above the ground. • Don't fly closer than 150 m (500 feet) from people, ani- mals, buildings, structures, or vehicles. • Don't fly in populated areas or near large groups of people, including at sporting events, concerts, festivals, or firework shows. • Don't fly near moving vehicles, highways, bridges, busy streets, or anywhere you could endanger or distract drivers. • Don't fly within restricted and controlled airspace, including near or over military bases, prisons, or forest fires. • Don't fly anywhere you may interfere with first responders. Family Day WinterFest South Huron schedule announced Pay it Forward delivers The 2017 Family Day Win- terFest South Huron com- bines the return of popular events along with exciting new additions such as inter- active fencing, instructed by Canadian Olympic athlete Melanie McCann. Also new in 2017 is fun with martial arts for youths ages 4 to 12 with Sensei Peter Becker. McCann was born in Clin- ton and Mount Carmel is her hometown. She made her Olympic debut at London 2012 and her 11th place fin- ish there was the best -ever Olympic result by a modern pentathlete representing Canada. She finished 16th at the Rio 2016 Olympics and was in third place heading into the combined event. WinterFest chairperson George Finch said the sched- ule of events for the Holiday Monday in February is grow- ing and changing but cur- rently planned events are now posted online at family- daywinterfest.ca. The wide range of Family Day events is only possible because of local businesses and service clubs and other generous donors along with volunteers, according to Finch. He encourages people to support the businesses and organiza- tions listed on the event web- site. For the current schedule of events including registra- tion details, and to find out which events are free and which.events have prices, visit familydaywinterfest.ca. Events are to take place in Exeter and some surrounding South Huron communities. At Stephen Arena in Huron Park, Healthy Kids Commu- nity Challenge Huron is offer- ing skating and other fun and active events for children and youths, includirfg healthy snacks. 4 About five miles east of Exeter, popular horse-drawn wagon rides are returning, sponsored by Miller's Coun- try Store. Exeter -based events include the Exeter_ Lions Club Family Breakfast Face painting; children's activities; a demonstration from Dance Techniques; free family snowshoeing; instruc- tional darts and free billiards; Pickle Ball; Indoor Archery; a big -screen G -rated movie at Exeter Elementary School, and more. Some events are at South Huron Recreation Centre and some events are at Mac - Naughton Park as well as other Exeter and area loca- tions. Most events are free. Visit familydaywinterfest.ca to find out about new events as they are added, to find out times and locations, for regis- tration details, and to find out which events are free and which ones require admission. From left, Brian Barrette, Cathy Barrette and Shawn Barrette. Friends of the South Huron Trail volunteers brave the cold temperatures each year to provide free family snowshoeing at Family Day WinterFest South Huron. The intrepid volunteers include Past Chairperson Linda Wilhelm; Carol Rideout; ChairpersonDave Frayne; Terry Wilhelm; and Lome Rideout. STRATFORD AIR SERVICES CallToday! 519-271-4881 www. stratfordairservicesltd. ca Registered as a Private Career College under the Private Career Colleges Act 2005 to residents of Pinecrest Manor for a third. year Stacey VanLeerzem recently put together the third successful 'Pay it For- ward Christmas' for resi- dents in Pinecrest Manor in Lucknow. VanLeerzem had a few drop off locations this year between Lucknow and Kin- cardine and recognized the local communities for their support on facebook. She said her "fellow elves" that were involved with 'Pay it Forward' at Pinecrest Manor helped make it a success. Lucknow Travel/Post office in Lucknow and The Saltbox Shoppe in Kincardine had drop off locations for all the dona- tions that were "generously provided" by the local com- munities and VanLeerzem added it couldn't have been done without support. "This is the third year and I'm very pleased to say it was another success," she said, recognizing those who helped. "The smiles on the residents faces on Christ- mas morning will make every kind gesture worth doing." Donations came from as far as Texas, she said, giving a nod to Dawn Pepper- Lenci and family. GODERiCH Canada's prettiest town Council of the Town of Goderich are seeking interested individuals to sit on an Economic Development Committee for the current term of Council or until appointments expire. The mandate of the Committee is to oversee the implementation of the Goderich Economic Development Strategic Plan and advise Town Council on matters related to economic development, marketing and business attraction/retention. Draft Terms of Reference of the Committee are available at the Town Hall. Interested individuals can submit their interest in writing to the undersigned by January 13, 2017. Dwayne Evans Clerk/Planning Coordinator 57 West Street, Goderich, Ontario N7A 2K5 Or via email to both addresses listed below: devans@goderich.ca and afisher@goderich.ca Dated the 21st day of December, 2016.