Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-02-04, Page 8r (*YAMAHA���ilncar FOR ALL YOUR SNOWMOBILE NEEDS! Y L598 Lorne Ave. E., Stratford 271 -011� W • W Ct FREE ESTIMATES r' y PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION 11111 I INV-"' D e5\$ c'sadOeirVV1 190 THAMES ROAD EAST EXETER, ONTARIO 1-866-285-5516 235-1652 Hardwoods $ Laminates Ceramics $ Carpets $ FIs tyle era SAVINGS or ALL TORLYS UNICLIC LAMINATE BEGINNING FEB. IST UNICLIC INM SIM by TORLYS H r 101 1 m SIS 11—THE HURON EXPOSITOR, FEBRUARY 4, 2004 News Tinkering with gun registry not enough: Steckle By Matt Shuffle Special to The Huron Expositor Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle continues to call for major changes to make Canada's gun registry more effective. "We know there's things that can be done and we're recommending these things," Steckle said. "How much of it will be done I'm not sure but I've said from the beginning if we're just going to tinker with this then basically we're going nowhere with it. That is not satisfactory." "There is only one thing that's going to satisfy the sportsmen of this country and the firearms owners and the only thing that's going to encourage those who are now living outside of the law is if we bring in a mechanism that completely abolishes the long gun registry." Recently Prime Minster Paul Martin told reporters the gun registry is under review as his government looks for ways to cut costs. "We are committed to gun control and we are committed to the registration of weapons," Martin said. "But at the same time, common sense dictates that there have been a number of problems. They will be looked at and dealt with." First introduced in 1995, the federal government's gun registry was estimated to cost the public $2 million once fees were paid. To date it has cost taxpayers close to $1 billion. "The storage part is basically where we have failed," Steckle said. "We have not put in place measures or devices in which we can measure the storage of firearms because we don't have enough officers to go checking doors. "Had we done this the way it was recommended by our own caucus we would have gone out to the firearms community and put our attention towards storage. We would have accomplished so much more at a fraction of the cost because people know they have to store their firearms safely but there's no one monitoring it." Steckle has long been a critic of his Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle own government's legislation especially in the area of long gun registration. He pointed to other countries such as Australia, New Zealand and England where attempts to implement long gun registration failed. "We know today when there are firearms offences they're not using long guns," Steckle said. Research project to improve By Sara CampbeN Expositor Staff The Huron County Health Unit hopes to learn more about the experiences of low- income and isolated families with young children in the county through a new research project. "This research project provides parents with an opportunity to talk about their experiences raising children in Huron County," said Penny Nelligan, health unit director. "We want to hear directly from the parents about what they need and whether or not the county service providers are offering appropriate "Survey results will provide programs and services to meet insight into what needs are not those needs." being met and how local The health unit, along with health and child care agencies Rural Response for Healthy could better plan and provide Children, Pathways to Self- appropriate services and Sufficiency, and the Huron- programs," said Kim Ross, Bruce Ontario Early Years public health promoter. Centre, will conduct the Ross said thc health unit research project through the received funding in 2002 Centre for Research and from the Ontario Ministry of Education in Human Services Health and Long -Term Care (the Centre). for survey initiatives that The Centre, on behalf of address information needs in Huron County health and support of early child child care agencies, hopes to development. interview 40 families from That year, she said the across the county, who have at health unit conducted a least one child six years of monthly random telephone age or younger. survey of 100 county SAFE ROAD CROSSINGS by Craig Nicholson (02003 by Craig Nicholson. All rights reserved.) Last winter, two snowmobilers were killed in separate incidents where a trail crossed the same remote logging road. After picturing those messes in my mind, my next thought was how anyone could miss seeing an oncom- ing logging truck? Then I got to reviewing my own road crossing habits and decided I wasn't being sharp enough either. Snowmobiles and roads don't mix, especially when the asphalt is barc. Snowmobiles simply don't steer, brake, accelerate or turn well on pave- ment, gravel or dirt. However, when you've been riding for several hours on a packed trail, where sleds do handle well, it's an easy mistake not to adjust to a sudden road surface quickly enough. Anyone who has had thc handle bars cranked all the way over in the desired direction, only to have that stubborn sled insist on travelling the wrong way, understands this frus- tration and fear. Anyone who has had to dismount in the middle of a road- way to tug the rear around so it's pointed properly can share this concern. Common sense says to stop before all roads (and railway) crossings. look both ways, then proceed when the way is clear. Unfortunately, all snowmobilers don't stop at every crossing. It's much easier to coast up, take a quick look without stopping, then accelerate across. Most of thc time, they make it. Each time they do reinforces this behaviour. until riders start to be choosy about which roads they'll even slow down for and how much. Where do you think a remote logging road fits in this inventory of choices? As frequent leader, 1 used to stop, look and go, waving those behind mc on as I crossed. Several riders down the line, no one was even bothering to look for themselves anymore. Suddenly, I realizedwhat a responsibility I was assuming by waving anyone on. So I stped doing so. Now my advice is for each rider to come to a full stop, look both ways and proceed when clear, regardless of what the rider ahead has done. I emphasize that each rider is responsible for their own road crossing safety, and not to assume that just because the rider in front goes, that you should too. 1 don't want to have to tell a friend's loved ones about a tragedy resulting from any wave of mine. So pow I come to a full stop before each road, creeping ahead and rising if necessary so I can see properly. The first thing 1 do is check the other side to see if there are any oncoming sleds in sight or already waiting to cross. At the same time, 1 determine exactly where the trail entrance is on the other side, because if it's to the right or left, that means I'll need to reangle my sled to point in the right direction before 1 enter the roadway. Many folks make the mistake of simply turning the handle bars in the direction they want to go, but all you'll end up doing if raking your car- bides sideways across the road without turning much. Aside from being hand on the runners, you also may end up stuck in front of a snow bank, instead of at the trail entrance — and that's scary when your sled is still on the road and a car suddenly appears! Once assured that the angle of approach is right, I look left into the first lane(s) 1 will cross, and if it's clear, then right into the far lane(s). Before starting, I look left again, then check right as I cross the left lane. At the other side, I travel a ways down the trail to leave room for those crossing behind and to warp oncoming riders that there are sleds crossing. So far, I've made it across each time, but admit to several close calls, especially when the oncoming vehicle is an older one, with no day time running lights. My brain is looking for car lights and a dirty car without them really disappears into the pavement. So far, I've seen every logging truck... ' For the Tour Planner and Trail Condition Reports check out www.ofsc.on.ca and look under trails. O Craig Nkholson is a contributor to Snow Goer, Canada's Snowmoblling Magazine. The opinions expreued art solely those of the author. ( USE TRAIL AT YOUR OWN RISK ,11) mn =t kn ', 71',C ,)k J EVERYBODY'S DOIN' IT Engineered For The Way You Ride •SALES •SERVICE *ACCESSORIES (.4.3 POLARIS' SNOWMOBILES ACCESSORIES SALES & SERVICE POOLS & SPORTS 234 Main St., Seaforth 527-0104 Your ARCT1C CAT Sledquarters Snowmobiles & ATVs Sales & Service Parts & Accessories ARC'11C CAT What Snowmobiling's All About.' PERTH COUNTY UNE 44 SNOWMOBILE COUNTRY Steckle applauded Martin's have a firearm," Steckle said. "We're announcement that Albina Guarnieri, not different than anyone else. You the minister of state for civil don't send a guy out on the street to preparedness, would review Canada's drive to Toronto who has never drive gun registry. Steckle said he's already a car before - you train him fust. The been in contact with Guarnieri in problem with the gun registry is too hopes of reaching an ideal solution. much effort has been spent on the "I'm recommending that we just firearm. squash the whole issue of long gun "The problem lies not in the gun registration because it doesn't work," but in the lack of having a cabinet for Steckle said. "It's ineffective and it that firearm and more that the person doesn't save any lives. should be licensed and is not "It's time to get serious about this licensed." business of putting more officers on To date only one person has been the streets, stopping the sale of convicted of failing to register a contraband firearms, preventing weapon and most provinces and handguns coming across the border in territories have said they won't places where we know they're prosecute offenders. coming across and put in place Steckle said as the government pepalties for those people who do not looks to fulfill a $2 billion properly store their firearms." commitment for health care its time Steckle said one of the public's to make necessary cuts inside the gun main misconceptions is that gun registry program. owners don't support gun control - a "In order to meet the commitment sentiment that couldn't be further we have to find some contingency from the truth. monies," Steckle said. "I think there's "All gun owners support gun places where we can find $1 billion control - there's no one that doesn't and I think the gun registry is not a agree that we need to be licensed to had place to start." support services for families respondents called Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System. "The purpose of the study was to obtain information on various lifestyle behaviours a n d attitudes as well as identifying barriers that may impact the health of low- income and isolated families with children aged six years and under." said Ross. Nelligan said a member of the Centre will conduct the 60 -minute interview and it could occur in the participant's home or at a quiet and confidential location in their community. "Often, those families who could benefit most by participating in local research are not able because of transportation or child-care barriers," said Nelligan. " B y offering 'kitchen -table' interviews as an option, we hope to overcome those harriers; we need to hear from those parents who are feeling Quoted 'Our overall goal is to find how we can better support families in Huron County through the role of parents,' -- Kim Ross, public health promoter isolated and alone to find out how we can better support them in their important role as parents." Participant names will not be attached to any interview notes; no personal information or information that could identify the participants will be shared. Participants will receive $10 to thank them for their time. "From the research project we hope to expand on our current services or create new ones," said Ross. "Our overall goal is how we can better support the families in Huron County, through the role of parents." For more information or to become a participant, contact Ross at 482-3416 or 1-877- 837-6143. Or contact Kristen Roderick, at the Centre, at (519) 741-1318. -