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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-05-05, Page 2E-THi HURON EXPOSITOR, MAY 5, 2004 wierneeimmosommounaiiiiiidnia SEAFORTH INSURANCE BROKER LTD. 527-1610 • Home • Commercial *Auto • Farm • Out of Province Travel Insurance 41 Main St. S. Seaforth Ken Cardno, Joanne Williamson, Chrism O'Neil and Barb Wait Pamper Mom this Mother's Day with 6 74eZtrated<. 1,1 $25 plus GST for 1 application an N 1! t <., ;Y1 If you purchase a bottle of I'egance - The Natural Facelift your application is absolutely free... GIFT CERTIFICATES.AVAILABLE FOR ALL OF OUR SPA SERVICES The Spa in Bayfield 13 Clangregor Square Bayfield, Ontario 519-565-2123 www.spa-in-bayfield.ca "Want FREE oil chang Join the TMP Oil Change Club! Buy 3 oil changes and you'll get the 4th oil change Free! With each service 011 Change Club Members also receive... 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He said "farm power" could become a major commodity, which could lead to a 15 per cent hike in farm income over the next 10 to 15 years. James Murphy, of the not- for-profit Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA), said communities along the lake are likely to see a notable change on the landscape in the years to come. "We're here to help you and try to face this change," he said. Murphy said OSEA's vision is to see the introduction of small wind turbine projects, which are cooperatively owned, across Ontario. He said a locally operated wind farm is ideal because it helps the economy, creates employment and avoids the costly quagmire of energy transmission. Considering statistics show 75 cents of each dollar spent on energy leaves the community, Murphy said it only makes sense for groups to take a look at wind energy. He noted some communities, including The Hearthmakers in Kingston, are already working on wind -farm projects. Murphy said a wind -power cooperative would be a logical choice in Huron and Bruce Counties. Regardless of whether community-based organizations take that route, Murphy believes change is OSEA representative James Tuesday night. on the horizon in the form of gigantic wind turbines. You will see a lot of turbines; there is just no doubt about it," he said. "I'd rather have a large wind turbine in the ground than one nuke plant." He said though a large- scale wind farm is not aesthetically pleasing, it is nonetheless a clean form of renewable energy. "You need to investigate, you need to explore your options." Paul Gipe, a California-based wind energy expert and executive director of OSEA, said Canada could learn a lot from Germany and Denmark where wind farms currently supply more than 20 per cent of each nation's energy. "It's not quick and it's not cheap," acknowledged Gipe, noting research to ' see whether a site is feasible takes a year. Each large-scale wind turbine costs $1.2 -million and, like any type of farming, some years are more productive than others. Still, wind energy is a feasible, renewable solution, he said. He noted Ontario has an energy supply problem that, Tike his home Murphy addresses the 200 -plus crowd at Holmesville hall on state of California's, must be addressed. He reported that, after a period of wildly fluctuating prices since the state privatized the sale of energy, Californians have learned the value of conserving energy and have cut consumption by 20 per cent. The introduction of new energy sources, including wind farms, has also stabilized the system so residents now pay between 12 to 15 cents per kWh. Gipe also pointed to statistics that reveal while the state of Texas is one of North America's worst energy hogs at an average usage of 14,000 kWh/year, Ontario is close behind with a 10,000 kWh average. Another problem with Ontario's system is it is brittle, specifically, all transmission lines lead to the coal and nuclear plants that fuel them. If either of those systems go down, it is lights out for all of those on the grid. In contrast, noted Gipe, wind energy is not susceptible to natural disasters or mass blackouts. Wind farms are not susceptible to terrorist attacks either. Gipe said there is a lot of money to be made in the wind energy market and, he added, the government underestimates the power of wind. Still, said Gipe,the time to capitalize is now before some other part of Canada corners the market. "We're going to have to act quickly because Quebec is doing the same thing," he said. Gipe also strongly urged area residents to petition Ontario Energy Minister Dwight Duncan and federal Agriculture Minister Steve Peters for Advanced Renewable Tariffs (ARTs). The tariffs essentially allow farmers to connect their wind turbines to the grid without a lot of paperwork. The tariffs would also guarantee a fixed price for a fixed period of time. Gipe echoed the sentiments of other speakers by noting he is not necessarily a fan of large- scale wind farms. He added part of the challenge facing farmers who would like to use wind energy is the bureaucracy that makes it extremely. difficult to do so. Trust investigates audible traffic signal By Susan Hundsrtmork Expositor Editor Installing audible traffic control signals at Seaforth's main intersection for blind and elderly residents is being researched by the Seaforth Community Development Trust. "I think we should be proactive and accessible for the handicapped," says trust member Maureen Agar, who brought the idea to the committee. Team Vincent's Riding Lawn Mower & Garden Tractor SPRING SERVICE SPECIAL Ir1;pIudes: • 10 pt. inspection • Change oil & filters • Grease all bearings •Complete cleaning X89 9 9 Parts 1.1 Extra it Lawn Mowers 7 point inspection 49?8 or Chain Saws 6 point inspection 39? • We Service All Makes & Models t\IIL FARM EQUIPMENT elthasdart Just North of Seaforth 527-0120 www.tsamvIncent.com Agar says she got the idea from an older woman in town who told her it was difficult knowing how long she had to cross the street. Because the audible signals repeat a sound until the light changes, Agar thought they were worth investigating after listening to them at an intersection in Toronto. Trust chair Joe Stefflcr says that both the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) and thc Ministry of Transportation (MTO) have to be consulted before moving ahead with the project. "We can't have it up and running next week because there's still a lot of hoops to jump," he says. Agar says the cost of the audible signals is close to $6,000. Open House The Seaforth trust will he holding a public open house on Saturday, May 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. "A lot of people have been worried and want to know what's going on with the trust. We'II be there to answer questions and provide a list of things done by thc trust," says Agar. The issue of openness in the Seaforth trust became a municipal election issue last November when an annual financial statement came late to council and minutes from trust meetings were not shared with council. The trust recently agreed tp share minutes and monthly financial statements with council. A tour will he offered of the post office building and thc trust's board office on the second floor. "We hope it's a beautiful day and we can sit outside and talk," says Agar. Sterner says members of the public will also have access to the trust's financial statements at thc open house. Property manager sought by Seaforth trust The Scaforth trust is advertising for a property manager to maintain its two properties - the Scaforth post office building and the Community Care Access Centre's new head office behind the Scaforth Medical Clinic. "The buildings have come to completion and we need someone to maintain them. Those buildings were a sizeable investment and looking after them is a job," says trust chair Joe Sterner. Stefflcr says the trust hopes to fill the position by the end of May. Trust donates to economic development projects The Seaforth trust recently agreed to donate $4,000 towards a study on Huron East signage and $3,500 towards the design and implementation of a Seaforth website. Huron East's economic development officer Ralph Laviolette sent letters and made a presentation to the trust outlining thc proposals that would "broaden Huron East's presence as a Southwestern Ontario tourism destination." Elliott: community policing can increase sense of safety in town From Pao. 1 police," she said. "The whole idea is watching out for your neighbours when you're out taking your fitness walk." ' Elliott said the police have noticed a decrease in crime in Brussels and Vanastra where community policing groups have been operating for more than a year. "It's amazing how the word gets out to criminals that people are watching. There's no reason why we can't have the same positive results they've had in Brussels and Vanastra," she said. Elliott said getting vs;... involved in a community policing group can increase a feeling of safety in town. "This could bring the community closer together. We have a really nice town and we want to keep it safe for everyone," she said. The May 17 meeting will he held at the town hall council chambers at 7:30 p.m.