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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2007-11-21, Page 4Page 4 November 21, 2007 • The Huron Expositor Opinion Proprietor and Publisher, Bowes Publishers Limited, 11 Main St., Seaforth, ON, NOK 1W0 Creating better accessibility just makes sense The phrase "walk a mile in my shoes" could just as easily be "ride a mile in my wheelchair" when it comes to issues of accessibility. While the able-bodied overcome the obstacles of traffic, stairs, signs and various other barriers without thought or much effort, community mem- bers in wheelchairs or using white canes find the urban terrain a much more challenging place. Steps higher than one inch can present an impassable barrier to a wheelchair while sidewalks that are level with the roadway can lead the visual- ly impaired right into traffic. And, it often takes the effort of trying to make it around town with a blindfold and a cane or a wheelchair to bring the difficulties of accessibility to our awareness. While accessibility issues are not at all new to anyone who's been grappling with them for decades, it seems they're getting more attention lately with the increasing role of the Huron County accessibility advisory committee and the response of at least some municipalities to the provincial aim of making the province barrier -free by 2025. In Seaforth, the municipality has been listening to local people with accessibility challenges. A number of street signs have been raised to prevent anyone who can't see them from walking into them. And, after walking Seaforth's Main Street with expert assistance from members of the accessibility committee, other chtmges are in the works to relo- cate handicapped pking spots, improve access to sidewalks and reduce the slope of curb cuts to make the transition onto a sidewalk easier. As well, the Seaforth community development trust recently funded automatic door openers at the Seaforth post office. While Seaforth and Huron County are far from completely accessible to those with disabilities, places like Frankenmuth, Michigan can inspire us (see story on page 3) to make the changes that will eventually become necessary, even on private prop- erty. As our already large seniors' population increases and we attempt to become a tourist destination for even more seniors, creating greater accessibility locally only makes sense. Susan Hundertmark What's up with the animal tracks painted on the sidewalk? As commonly happens with cub reporters in the job I cur- rently hold, I'll be moving on shortly. This isn't a goodbye column though. That'll come next week. This is something else. Really, it's an excuse to exer- cise some idle curiosity. I've been told that a good reporter doesn't leave an assignment (meeting, sports event or whatever) without getting all the questions they have answered. I got thinking recently and realized I have some important questions about Seaforth and Mitchell that I've never taken the time to ask. For example, why are there animal tracks painted on the sidewalk in Seaforth? Or why does the Thames River in Mitchell periodical- ly spew a jet of water at the heavens? And finally, mystery of mysteries, what happens if there's a fire call at 1 p.m. on a Saturday - when they test. the siren? So, for this week's column I'm going to tack- le those questions for your reading pleasure and my everlasting satisfaction. Forgive the Seaforth and Mitchell focus. I live in one place and work in both; it's only natural I'd be most puzzled by things in those places. If it's any consolation, I'm sure I'd be just as baffled by stuff in Monkton or Vanastra or any of the other communities served by the Advocate and Expositor if I spent all my time there. Aaron Jacklin I called Huron East clerk - administrator Jack McLachlan about the animal tracks. He told me what most people in Seaforth must already know. "They are walking trails," he said. "You follow them around." The trails were painted in the spring of 2005 by the recre- ation department as a part of a campaign to improve the fitness levels of Huron East resi- dents. There are three trails each in Seaforth, Brussels and Vanastra. The Expositor's archives told me the Seaforth trails are one kilometre, three kilo- metres and five kilometres long. McLachlan said maps of the trails are avail- able at the arena. Oddly enough, I don't think I've seen any- body follow the trails. Though I guess that doesn't mean they aren't used. Over in Mitchell, I was curious about the water that spews up out of the Thames River at seemingly random intervals. An official at the municipal office pointed me in the right direction on that. She said that the fountain anchored in the Mill Pond is a project of the dragonboat committee. It moves water around upstream of the dam, in addition to being attractive. A virtual trip to the Advocate's archives told me the fountain was purchased in 2005 for $59,000. See SEAFORTH'S, Page 6 Ron de Dave ..and this...and that... and that...then this... oh..one of these...and another one of those... ....and a couple of these ....and a couple\ Doing yourYeah and a few of those...and of these Christmas " ' wo of that...mmmm...and 41 and a bunch of wish list? How'd you it another one of those... those 0, zir, .. 741 know? 1 r* , 1 /' * i by David Lacey Oh.. just a hunch. Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 E-mail us at seaforth@bowesnet.com Visit our home page at www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com CM) ouuEcolt MEGA 'We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs." Canada SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 36.18 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. SENIORS; - 34.17 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. 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Box 69, Seaforth, ON., NOK IWO Miation d the � Comm Nowa aCommunity Auioc/afion Susan Hundertmark Editor Aaron Jacklin Reporter Bernie Pugh_ Sharlene Young Bolen Advertising / Office Composing Publisher - Dave Sykes Editorial and Business Offices - 11 Main Street.,Seaforth Telephone (519) 527-0240 Fax (519) 527-2858 Mailing Address - P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ontario, NOK 1 WO Maxwell Bickford Advertising Rep Dianne McGrath Front office