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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-04-28, Page 44 -TME HURON EXPOSITOR, April 28, 2004 Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 Tom Williscraft - Publisher Susan Hundertmark - Editor Dime McGrath • Subscriptions/Classifieds Bernie Pugh - Office/Advertising Jason Middleton - Reporter Anne Roden - Distribution OUEBECOR MEDIA E-mail us at seaforth@bowesnet.com Visit our home page at www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 35.85 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. SENIORS: - 33.85 a year, in odvance, plus G.S.T. u§,6,./kEgggn: 35.85 a year in advance, plus $83.20 postage, G.S.T. exempt Published weekly by Sun Media at 11 Main St., Seaforth. Adve tising is accepted on condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographical error, advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. The Huron Expositor is no responsible for the Toss or damoge of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproduction purposes. PUBUCAT)ON MAIL AGREEMENT 40029693 PAP REGISTRATION NO. 7605 RETURN UNDEUVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO Circulation Deportment P.O. Box 69 Seaforth, ON., NOK 1 WO e-mail: seaforth@bowesnet.com 4P#:404, q Wednesday, April 28, 2004 Editorial sed Nslwess OMRcos - 11 Mate 8ttreet.,ieaforlls lblspwee (119) 527.0240 Pau (119) 127.2888 Mog11ap Address - RO. Ilex 69, foster*, Oetsrle, NOK 1 WO Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association & the Ontario Community Newspapers Association 'We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs.' Canada Editorial New provincial regulations make future of rural halls uncertain Small municipal councils are learning that rural communities have only just begun to comprehend the high cost of life in a post - Walkerton world. Huron East is in the midst of expensive upgrades to the municipal water systems with $1.39 million spent so far on upgrades in Brussels, Vanastra and Brucefield. 'In Seaforth, upgrades have not yet begun but costs are expected to range from at least $1.7 million to $11 million if a pipeline proves to be necessary. And, council recently learned that its rural community halls will be the next to take a hit. Even though water used at Huron East's five community, halls is already treated, since it comes, in some cases, from wells on neighbouring properties, new provincial regulations are forcing the installation of ultraviolet systems where the water enters the hall. Because the UV systems cost $1,000 each and the frequent maintenance and water testing will raise annual costs to more than $6,000 each, Huron.East council is wondering if the municipality can afford to keep the halls in operation. Shutting off the water supply for everything other than washroom use and posting signs that forbid the use of drinking hall at rural halls is an option council is exploring ,in an attempt to keep them operational. But, as one councillor pointed out, the move which would ask users to bring their own bottled water for drinkingand cooking seems to send the municipality back .100 years to the days before indoor plumbing. And because no one really knows what the Ministry of the Environment will approve before they're, presented with each municipality's planof action the future of the only local meetingplace for many small villages in Huron Easis uncertain. Of course, it's all about water quality and the safety of the population that uses each .of these municipal facilities. But, in a society that increasingly demands a no -risk life, using a sledgehammer to kill flies seems to be the order of the day. How to access us to the Editor and other submissions can r. to us by noon on Mondays at: rth@bowesnet.com and submissions must be signed and :by a day -time telephone number. lire subject to editing for both t. check out Our homepage uronexpositor.co STI 1 1 Opinion First....youII have to sign this waiver to protect the community against any lawsuits. ird..There's a user fee to help pay for a new pipeline to the lake Letter There's no need for landfills, says Green Party leader 1b the Editor, The legislation banning the dumping of garbage into the Adams Mine is welcome, but the new goal of 60 per cent waste diversion by 2008 is not ambitious enough_ Landfills are not "a reality," as Ontario Environment Minister Leona Dombrowsky said recently in the Legislature. The Adams Mine landfill ban announcenfent should have been accompanied by a plan to end landfilling in the province. There should be no such thing as garbage Sas LANDFILLING, Papas ritlh with Dr. Dan Rooyakkers Dan Rooyakkers is a family physician in Seaforth. He lives in Tuckersmith with his wifc Lauren and children Molly and Andrew. 1. What was your first job and what did it pay? I delivered the St. Thomas Times Journal in 1974-1975. I made around $12 per week. I ended up spending all my income on junk food. In fact, my parents had to pay the newspaper $30 to cover my losses. 2. What other jobs have you done? I have picked strawberries, detassled corn, baled hay, primed and sorted tobacco, worked for a landscaping company, delivered pizza, bartended, was a camp counsellor and a lab technologist. 3. What is the most pleasant thing you do on your present job? I love meeting all the children who come in for an appointment. 4. Least pleasant? I do not like being up past midnight. 5. What is your greatest accomplishment? My greatest accomplishment (which is a work in progress) is parenting my children, Molly and Andrew. 6. Where do you go to think? I do my best thinking when I am outdoors. 7. What do you do to relax? I go fishing. 8. What is your favourite movie? My all-time favourite movie is "The Field of Dreams." 9. Whom would you choose to portray you in a movie? The actor, who would do the best job of portraying me, would be Kevin Kline. 10. What is your biggest indulgence? My biggest indulgence would have to be chocolate. 11. What is your favourite thing about living in Huron East? My favourite thing is the quietness of Huron East. 12. Least favourite? I have an aversion to Huron East when chicken manure is being spread on the fields. 13. If you could do anything to improve your community, what would it be? I would like to see a Huron East Wind Power Project be implemented. 14. When and where would you like to retire? I would like to retire in 15 years to a place with good pickerel fishing. 15. Describe your perfect day. My perfect day is ice fishing up north on a sunny, windless, -20 C day. 16. With whom from history would you most like to dine? I would like to dine with Tecumseh. 17. What is your favourite food? I love any kind of Indian food. 18. If you could be a superhero, who would you be? I would like to be Aquaman. 19. What Ls your greatest fear? I hate heights. 20. What is your happiest memory? My happiest memory is a family vacation on Vancouver Island. In Tofino, we had a beautiful room at the Wickaninish Inn over looking the ocean. At Campbell River, we saw a pod of orcas travelling down the strait between Vancouver Island and the mainland. Once the pod entered open waters, they were breaching, spy hopping and slapping their tails. It was a wonderful experience! Turn offthe Screens Week saved my kids from TV zombie land Whenever the television is on in my house, my children become zombies. Any attempt at conversation, any enquiries about their day, are met with silence or the occasional grunt once it sinks into their consciousness that somewhere outside of that all -compelling TV screen, a live human being is addressing them. But, the sound and motion on the screen is somehow so seductive, they cannot bring themselves to look away. And, unless I actually walk over and click the screen to black, I usually end up talking to myself. Even if the house were burning down and I was yelling, "Fire!" at the top of my lungs, I'm certain it would take several attempts to win my children's attention if the television happened to be on at the time. That's why I was thrilled - no ecstatic - to participate in last week's Turn Off the Screens week, sponsored by the local health unit. Although the contest offers a prize - first prize is a $250 gift certificate towards sporting equipment - winning that would be secondary to the true prize - two kids who are emotionally and intellectually present and ready to be engaged by real life. Of course, when I announced we'd be participating in the "No TV" week, my kids did not see it as the same opportunity as I did. Five whole days without cartoons, sit-coms and televised sporting events loomed ahead of, them like an eternal void of tortured boredom. How would" they survive it? Susan Hundertmark •r But, I'm happy to report that the basketball hoop, bicycles and skipping ropes received a good workout during the week. And, that was a real physical workout, not a virtual one! I was amazed to come home from work and find my two engaged in a board game, for the first time since the Christmas they received it. Homework was done without procrastination or complaint, often before I asked. It's amazing how focussed you can be when there are no distractions. And, I was amused to have two avid participants in a crossword puzzle sitting by my elbow one; day. I even received complaints when I came home the next day without a newspaper that contained that day's crossword. Best of all, books were being read every day, both before and after school - for enjoyment, not homework! With the TV off, my kids were back from zombie land - that place where their bodies are still in my house but their minds are far away. Alas, it was not to last. Of course, the TV was back on Saturday morning for a hefty dose of cartoons. (And, I must admit, I missed the TV too, if only for a weekend movie or the occasional soap opera.) But then, the incredible happened and the kids actually turned off the set and headed outdoors with bicycle helmets in hand. With Turn Off the Screen week, maybe an addiction has been weakened (if not completely broken) and a balance can maintained in our lives.