HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2007-01-10, Page 11The Huron Expositor • January 10, 2007 Page 11
News
Steckle wants Canadian soldiers' deaths to be
hon�uredwith hflag on Peace Tower
- though not for any
Canadian soldiers,
according to Steckle. It
was to honour the
death of former U.S.
president Gerald Ford,
who died Dec. 26 at 93
years of age.
"I would never seek
to suggest that former
president Ford is not
worthy of the respect
being extended to him
and his family," began
Steckle in a Jan. 2
press release. "In my
opinion if the flag can
be lowered for former leaders of for-
eign nations then it can and should
be lowered when our children are
lost in the defense of this country."
Traditionally, the Canadian flag is
Gerard C r e c e s
Re -energized from his holidays,
Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle is
once again after the Harper govern-
ment to publicly honour Canadian
soldiers and peacekeepers who die
overseas.
On Apr. 25, Steckle put forth a
motion to lower the Peace Tower
flag to half-mast to honour
Canadian Forces who are killed in
the line of duty.
On Apr. 26, he reiterated the
motion to the prime minister during
question period.
The question remained unan-
swered and the flag remained at
full mast. as Cgnada's death toll
climbed.
On Jan. 2, the flags on
Parliament Hill did fly at half mast
Huron -B
Paul St
ruce MP
eckle
lowered following the
deaths of VIPs and for-
eign dignitaries and
Steckle believes the gov-
ernment should extend
this same courtesy to the
overseas soldiers and
peacekeepers.
On April 7, 2006, a
letter was sent to Prime
Minister Stephen
Harper from the father
of Cpl. Matthew
Dinning, who was sur-
prised the flags were not
lowered for Canadian
soldiers killed in duty.
"I would suggest there is no more
important VIP than a Canadian sol-
dier who gave his life in the service
of this country," Dinning said.
Sadly, the next soldier to die
Mandatory inspection for septic
systems coming in Huron
Cheryl Heath
A mandatory septic system inspection pro-
gram is likely just around the corner in
Huron County.
That news was delivered to county council,
Wednesday, via Coun. John Bezaire (Central
Huron), chairman of the health, ambulance,
and social services committee.
Bezaire, who was speaking on the commit-
tee's most recent discussion about the health
unit's voluntary septic system reinspection
program, said the voluntary route is at the
end of the line.
"The next step will likely be a mandatory
program," he said.
Warden Deb Shewfelt said the mandatory
aspect of the septic system inspection pro-
gram is most likely to be delivered by the
provincial government.
"That will be another hot potato, I guess,
for the county to deal with," said Shewfelt.
Coun. Ben Van Diepenbeek (Ashfield-
Colborne-Wawanosh) wondered how the
mandatory program will be implemented and
which county department will have the
responsibility for it.
Bezaire said committee members have not
yet been told how the inspection program will
be administered.
"Certainly, the mandate will come from the
province," said Bezaire.
Penny Nelligan, director
of the Huron County
Health Unit, said the
province might provide the
county with the opportuni-
ty to decide which depart-
ment handles the program.
The voluntary septic sys-
tem inspection program
was handled by the health
unit.
Police warn against false 911 calls
Children playing with telephones
and misdialed numbers have result-
ed in a large number of false 911
calls, says the Huron OPP.
A large majority of the 7,858 911
calls made in 2006 were not emer-
gency calls, says a recent Huron
OPP press release.
The same goes for the nine 911
calls already received in 2007.
When a call is placed to 911 it is
treated as an emergency call for
help. If no information is available
on what services are needed, as is
the case if the caller hangs up or
says nothing, police will be dis-
patched to the location where the
call originated to ascertain if help is
needed.
The call will result in two officers
being dispatched and becomes a pri-
ority call.
"False calls could result in a delay
of service to someone who is in actu-
al need," says the press release.
"Parents, please explain the
importance of using this number to
your children, and lead by example
and take the time to ensure you are
calling the proper number; it may
be your life you save."
would be his son.
Rather than keep Canada's mili-
tary losses out of the public eye,
Steckle said Canadians need to be
more informed about not only our
military role in Afghanistan, but
the rebuilding efforts as well.
"Canadians need to open their
eyes to what's happening in the
world." he said."So much has been
destroyed that has been rebuilt."
He also stressed that Canada is
not only there to oust the Taliban
but to offer humanitarian aid in the
wake of years of oppression.
"We need to be more engaged," he
said. "I support our men and women
there but let's take our time."
Steckle said he will raise the issue
again when the House meets in
March.
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