Huron Expositor, 2009-02-04, Page 4pbovit 404 42ozi? 1 1t4tirtidn
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Caution needed
as winter continues
Opinio
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Proprietor and Publisher, Bowes Publishers Limited, 11 Main St., Seaforth, ON, NOK 1
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tiffer penalties are heeded
ecrease violence in hockey
Already this year, a number of people have lost their
lives in snowmobile and snow or weather-related
accidents.
Many of these tragedies are the result of careless-
ness, needless daring or adventurous attitudes and,
as is the case on our roadways, proper speed and
respect for the road conditions.
Recently, a snowmobiler was killed in the Huron
County area from injuries sustained in a single ve-
hicle snowmobile crash. The accident occurred late
in the evening on a portion of the trail near Bel -
grave.
For much of this Month, the snowmobile trails in
this area were closed due to poor weather condi-
tions. Recent snowfalls and cold temperatures, com-
billed with proper grooming, have finally improved
the trails for use. Snowmobilers are still reminded
to check the OFSC Web site before heading out to
ride the trails and respect the speed of the machine
and unpredictability of the trails.
The accumulation of snow in town has created
hazards of a different sort. Along town streets,
snowbanks are piled particularly high reducing
visibility, especially for people backing out of drive-
ways and onto the roadway Motorists must exercise
caution on town streets and reduce speed to make
stopping the vehicle a viable option.
Also, the high snowbanks have also attracted the
attention of young children, who love nothing better
tt-lthan to slide down the banks of snow. While adults
may curse winter and the incessant snowfall that
kl.ce-effect produces, children are happy and often
inattentive participants in the winter season.-
Motorigts must pay particular attention at inter.
sections, where snowbanks have reduced visibility
and made it necessary for drivers to cautiously ease
out into intersections before they are able to view
oncoming traffic or pedestrians. Exercising a little
caution can prevent a serious accident and injury.
Thwn crews are doing a good job of clearing snow
from streets on a regular basis, but it still remains
the responsibility of drivers to respect the fact that
the roads are slippery and stopping requires more
distance and less spee
•
Winter has been with us since mi -November an
since it shows no signs of leaving anytime soon, the
shoveling will continue and the driving conditions
will be somewhat difficult and often dependent on
the. weather. Preparation and caution are the opera-
tive words in winter.
So how many days left until spring? It seems like
too many.
Goderzch Signal Star
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L . There's a photograph 'on my
parent's fridge of my older
brother and I as boys.
In the picture, I'm hunched
over with my sweater pulled
over my head.
My brother's fist is drawn.
back.- lA mischievous grin is
smeared across his face.
This traumatizing and brutal act of violence
.::captured on film is somewhat legitimized how-
ever,
4y the hockey gloves and sticks strewn
around us on the growid. • "It's hockey," hockey," my brother could've. :argued.
"Fighting is part of the game."
Hockey players have been able to get away
with. assault and battery for decades ori. the ice
because it's, always beena part' Of Ole game.
If two.goOris did the same thing on the street,
they'd.... be ..charged under Iaw tiOtt probably
locked behind bars.
But .in-hOclOy, some of the best loved players
have been goons.
•
When doing research for this column,
mite :across a recent feature in AskMen.eOin-
ranking the "all-time top ten list ofp.ro hockey... -.-
fighters." '• , .."
The.. list..o0iieit at a time when the issue of
fighting m bocky has attracted considerable t
attention after Don 'Sanderson, 21, died Jan.
2'4ft-6i:his bare head hit the ice during a fight.s
in a senior hockey game in Brantford a monthearher
--:Everyone from .parents to players to sports
writers and super -fans have since been weigh-
ing
on the debate about whether or not
Dan
Schwab
fighting should be allowed.
A recent poll showed that 54
per cent of Canadians want a
complete ban.
Hockey leagues are coming un-
der increased pressure to re-
move scrapping from the sport.
And they have responded. Well,
sort of.
Last week the Ontario. Hockey Association
set forth recommendations designed to pun-
ish players who remove their helmets during
a fight.
They will receive a gross misconduct penalty
and an automatic one -game suspension. - :—
Other rules,expected to come into effect in
the 2009-10 season, will hand out longer sus-
pensions for players who repeatedly get irito
fights.
Seems like hardly a deterrent.
Such influential voices in the game as Don
Cherry don't want to 'see fighting taken out
of junior league hockey, saying it can demon-
strate a player's courage and honour to his
teamIll admit that during the ten years _1 played
minor hockey as a youngster, I respected and
even enjoyed the thrill of watching a fight on
he ice.
There was something engaging to an impres-
ionable boy about the toughness and mascu-
linity of two players going toe to toe, with one
merging with a bloody hp and the other brim-
ming with pride as the crowd went wild.
Now a little older, I agree that legislators of
See WE, Page 6
Ron &
But usually you give me
a sarcastic card making
fun of of tny age, and this
is just one of those standard
"Happy Birthday" cards.
by bavid.Lacey
Well, at your age. those car -i)
are in bad taste. They're
too close to Koine.
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