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Huron Expositor, 2000-01-05, Page 44—Ti IE HUNON EXPOSITOR, January 5, 2000 Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 Terri -Lynn Hart - Publisher Pat Armes - Office Manager Scott Hilgendorif - Editor Diem WcGraih - Subsaicion/flossilieds Susan Hundertmark - Reporter Bowes Publishers Limited S,•"Irn ' Sa Abe. (.iwt+. - A Q.i"> C.0m E-mail us at seoforth@bowesnet.com SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL • 32.50 a year, in advance, plus 2.28 G.S.T. SENIORS - 30.00 o year, in advance, plui 2.10 G.S.T. USA 8 Foreign: 28.41 o year in odvonce, plus $78.00 postage, G.S.T. exempt SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Published weeldy by Signal -Star Publishing at 100 Main 5t., Sedorth_ Publication mail registration No. 0696 held at Seaforth, Ontario. Advertising is ooxpted on condition that in the event d o typographical.ertar, the advertising spot• occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance For signature, wilt nor be charged, but the bolonce of the advertisement will be paid for a the applicable rate. In the event of o typographical error, advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an oiler to self and may be withdrawn of any time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited monuscnpts, photos or other materials used for reproduction purposes. Changes of oddness, orders for subscriptions and undeliverable copies are to be sent to The Hixon Expositor. Wednesday, January 5, 2000 Editorial wad susiwass althea - 100 Meir atns•R,Soaforl6 Utopians* (319) 527.0240 Pao (319) 327-2010 Maths Address - P.O. U z 69, aodortl , Owed*, NOK /coo Member of the Conodian Community Newspoper Association, Ontario Community. Newspapers Association Publication Mail Registration No. 07605 Editorial One way or another, we're all neighbours • On Dec. 8, The Huron Expositor undertook a special project to document a day in the life of this community. Staff went into the community from sunrise to sunset capturing images of the community to be run in this edition, the first in 2000. While issues and events take precedent in community news coverage, this is an opportunity to take a look at the regular people and situations that make this a community but don't normally make the headlines. And while it's a chance to look at aspects of this community that are normally overlooked, it's also a chance to remind ourselves of how important each person is who lives and works here, making this a community. While so often they are just faces passing in the street, without each man, woman and child, there would be no community. Even in a town as small as Seaforth, it's easy to become lost in the crowd. .But one person's neighbour is a friend to someone else and that friend's neighbour is your neighbour who helps canvass for the Cancer Society. The bank manager down the street goes to church with a man whose neighbour's house burned down. The bank manager learns of this and collects donations for the family at the branch. Each one of us contributes in some way, no matter how small, to another person's life through the daily contact we have with people. There is an intricate fabric that makes up each community and somehow links each one of us together, sometimes when we least expect it. With the holiday season at a close, lets remember how much we need each other and that one way or another; we're all neighbours. Scott Hilgendorff Opinion Letters MPPs need to stand up against wrongheadedness of province The following letter was submitted How you can serve, without protest, to MPP Helen Johns with a copya rural riding as a member of a sent to the Huron Expositor. government that is so single-mindedly devoted to the disintegration of rural communities is well beyond my comprehension. Incidentally, this same question applies to my own conservative MPP here in Northueberland. • The tune has come for you and other rural MPPs to stand up for the communities you were elected to serve. Randy Banks Port Hope, On. To Helen Johns, MPP Although I no longer reside in Huron County, my two children attend two of the schools recommended for closure; namely, Seaforth Public School and Seaforth District High School. Both also attended Walton Public School which I also understand to be on the chopping block. I strongly protest the wrongheadedness of these decisions and the nickel and dime criteria by which they are being made. I am astounded by the daily examples of short-sighted, number -crunching, expediency -driven policy decisions of the Harris government of which you' are a part. I further object to the underhanded, divide -and -conquer approach with which such decisions are made be they with respect to hospital closures, municipal restructuring, or school closures, resulting, as they do, in generating hostility and animosity between communities. johns' actions political Dear Editor: Your headline "Helen Johns lends her support" in your December 22 issue caught my eye. The Seaforth school may be forced to close due to the impact of they provincial funding formula. It seems ironic that Ms Johns is trying to save the Seaforth high school from the cuts her own government has imposed. It would be much more useful if she tell the truth about the impact of the provincial funding formula and then try to change it. Her actions, so far, are nothing more than an attempt to save her political career. Joe Simpson Winter driving demands different techniques for handling ice, snow Winter driving demands certain techniques if motorists are to steer clear of trouble. When snow and ice cover our streets and highways, driving skills are, taxed to the maximum. "Drivers need to approach winter driving with the right frame of mind," says Claudia Palucci of CAA Central. Ontario. "Many of the driving habits , that we become accustomed to during the summer months need to be sharpened and adjusted .to the road conditions that wintercan throw our way." "Studies indicate stopping distances are increased three to nine times on ice or snow and vehicles take twice as long to stop on melting ice or snow than on hard surfaces," Palucci added. "This makes defensive driving techniques - especially important in winter weather." CAA Central Ontario offers drivers the following refresher on winter driving strategies: • Slow down. Posted speed limits are for ideal conditions. It's alright to drive slower than the speed limit. It's the smart and safe thing to do In winter, even r, .. half the posted limitmay be too fast. The real speed limit is your good judgment. • Back off. Increase your margin of safety. Don't tailgate. Maintain a minimum of eight to 10 seconds following distance. • Look ahead. Focus your attention as far ahead as possible - at least 20 to 30 seconds. This buys you some time to react. • Learn the temperature traps. Air moving over and under the surfaces causes freezing to occur first on overpasses, under passes and bridges. They may be slippery when the rest of the roadway is dry or wet. Ice and snow ate twice as slippery at 0 C as they are at -18 C. • Watch out at intersections. Heavily travelled intersections can become "polished" by repeated slipping and sliding of tires creating more slippery conditions. This condition is more likely to occur at sunrise and sunset when temperatures change quickly. • See and be seen. Clear the snow and ice from the entire car -- hood, roof, trunk, turn signals, tail lights, A ggood winter survival kit is essential for travelling'in rural or remote areas headlights, windows, mirrors and fender wells. Low. -beam headlights provide better road illumination in snow and fog than using high - beams. • Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt lane changes, sharp turns or hard braking which can put you into a spin. Accelerate carefully so car wheels don't spin. From a stop, try accelerating by shifting to second gear with a manual transmission or Drive 1 or 2 with an automatic transmission. Use the proper braking technique depending on whether you have ABS or conventional brakes. • In a skid, ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want to go. Don't brake -the front wheels must be kept rolling in order to steer. • Get a "feel" of the road before entering busy traffic. Try a light speed increase and test braking to determine the available traction. • Get in a rut. On uncleared roads, the safest place to be is in the tracks of other vehicles. But take it slow and easy if you have to steer out of the tracks. • Always keep the gas tank at least half full. Ice crystals can form with condensation and clog your fuel lines. • Stay home. Why drive in bad storms? When the going gets tough the smart stop going. Don't take chances with severe conditions this. winter. Plan to stay put and avoid driving if possible. • If you must drive, stick to well -travelled routes and main roads. Listen to the radio for weather warnings. Ensure you have .enough fuel. Let someone know your route and intended arrival time, so you can be searched for if you don't turn up after a reasonable delay. • Don't drive after drinking alcohol and don't drive if you're feeling drowsy. Buckle up at all times. Properly secure small children in child restraints. • Carry a winter emergency kit in your car at all times. Include items like: shovel, traction aids, snowbrush, ice scraper, candles. matches, booster cables, blankets, •extra clothing. non- perishable food and beverages, flares and first-aid kit. • A good winter survival kit is essential for cold -weather travel, especially if you're driving in remote areas or at night. "Fully prepared motorists always keep essential emergency supplies in their cars at all times," says Claudia Palucci of CAA • Central Ontario. "A driving emergency can happen to anyone, day or night. The other part of Murphys law tells you .that this will usually happen at the most inconvenient times, either when you're not at home, in a hurry or when you have the children with you." A winter survival kit CAA recommends the following supplies. for your winter car care survival kit: • Shovel or axe to dig your vehicle out of heavy snow and to clear the tailpipe. • Traction aids such as sand, kitty litter or traction mats if you become stuck in snow. • Booster cables for battery charging. • An inflated spare tire and jack. • Ice scraper and snow brush to keep windows clean. • Extra windshield washer anti -freeze and gas line anti- freeze, • Survival blanket for .warmth and shelter from moisture. • Extra clothing and footwear: hats, gloves and boots. • Beeswax candles and matches for light and heat. • A "survival" candle in a deep can to warm hands, heat a drink or use as an emergency light. • A flashlight with spare batteries. • Flares or reflective triangles. • Road maps. • First-aid kit in case of injury. • Non-perishable, high energy foods like granola bars, chocolate, nuts and raisins . • Non-alcoholic beverages. • Names, addresses and phone numbers of people to be called in an emergency. • Cell phone with fully - charged battery or "Call Police" sign. • • Fire extinguisher. • Other items include: rope, aerosol flat fixer, roll of paper towels, compass and tool kit. Stranded or stuck in snow? If you find yourself and your vehicle stranded in a rural area the survival strategy will be different than if your car breaks down in a city or urban area. Unless you know the area very well, have only a short distance to go and have the proper clothing, do not try to walk to safety. Stay in your car, use your emergency kit to stay warm and hydrated and wait for help. "You're safer in your car in bad winter weather than you are trying to go somewhere," notes Palucci. "Out in the cold elements you can get cold very quickly and suffer frostbite, hypothermia or become disoriented." CAA recommends the following survival strategies if you become stranded in your vehicle: • If you're stuck in a snowbank or deep snow in a remote area, keep calm. This is a dangerous situation for the unprepared motorist. Avoid over-exertion and exposure, as shoveling and bitter cold can be a deadly combination. • Stay in your vehicle. You'll be better protected from the elements and easier to spot. If you do happen to break down or hit the ditch, stay with the car. Don't try to walk to safety. • Staying warm is your first priority. Staying warm is easier when you cover your head to preserve up to 60 per cent of your body heat. Light a candle for extra warmth. • Run the engine sparingly. "We recommend you don't keep it running all the time, especially if you don't know how long you'll be there," added Palucci. "Just run it enough to keep a bit warm." • Before you start the engine, make sure the tailpipe isn't blocked with snow or theexhaust fumes might kill you before the cold does. Open the window slightly on the side away from the wind to ensure no carbon monoxide is getting in. • if you don't have a cell phone to call for help, put on your four-way flashers, tie a'cloth to your antenna (white is commonly recognized as a distress signal by truckers). display a "Call Police" sign or set out flares to let passers-by know you need assistance. • You can keep the dome light on. It doesn't take a lot of energy away from the battery and it lets people know you're there and need some help. • Remain active by exercising limbs, hands and feet to keep the blood circulating. Do not fall asleep and allow your body temperature to cool. • Always keep the gas tank at least half full.