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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2017-05-24, Page 22 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, May 24, 2017 Photos by Kathleen Smith/Goderich Signa! Star Members of the Canadian military from Huron County, assisted in the liberation of Holland during WWII, which created a strong and enduring relationship between Canada and the Netherlands. Princess Margriet and her husband Professor Pieter van Vollenhoven were greeted by Mayor Kevin Morrison, Jim Rutledge, Veteran William Anderson and Sid Bruinsma. Princess Margriet in Goderich Dutch -Canada Remembers As One Kathleen Smith Goderich Signal Star Her Royal Highness Princess Mar- griet of the Netherlands, accompa- nied by her husband, Professor Pie- ter van Vollenhoven, paid an official visit to Goderich on Sunday, May 14. The Princess, who was born in Ottawa in 1943, was on an official visit to Canada in its 150th anniver- sary of Confederation, visiting Brampton, Stratford, Goderich, Hamilton, Burlington and Toronto. During the quick visit to Ontario from May 13-16, the Princess and her husband visited several cities to not only pay homage to the special Dutch -Canada relationship, but to commemorate the Canadian sol- diers who lost their lives in the Sec- ond World War. Last Sunday, on Mother's Day, Princess Margriet and her husband Pieter attended a veterans' parade in Liberation Memorial Park. "It is a great pleasure, for my hus- band and I, to join you today in the Liberation Park, to commemorate the liberation of the Netherlands and the pivotal role, Canada played in giving us back our freedom," stated Princess Margriet to the crowd on Sunday. According to Princess Margriet, the Netherlands celebrates their liberation every month of May. Each May, Holland recognizes the heroic deeds of the Canadian military, including those from Huron County, as being decisive in the liberation of Holland and assisted in bringing the war in Europe to an end. "My husband and I hold Canada very dear to our hearts. For us, it is all the more special to be here in a commemorative year, such as this. The tensions in today's world make us realize that freedom and peace cannot be taken for granted," Prin- cess Margriet said. Following the parade, the Prin- cess unveiled a memorial plaque commemorating the Canadian Casual ndustrify MANUFACTURERS - DISTRIBUTORS DIRECT TO YOU A COMLPETE LINE OF CASUAL FURNITURE TO COMPLIMENT ALL AREAS OF YOUR HOME For outdoors, patios, garden areas, sunrooms. We also manufacture cushions & umbrellas. Monday - Friday 9:00 - 5:00 Saturday 10:00 - 4:00 Highway 83 E. (?1 -Grand Bend 519-238-2110 www.gocasual.ca BEST PRICING ALL YEAR LONG! soldiers who lost their lives in the Netherlands during World War II. Huron County veterans, Mayor Kevin Morrison, MP Ben Lobb and other dignitaries were in attend- ance to receive and welcome the Princess to Goderich last Sunday. "This is an exciting day. We have a wonderful relationship since the war, we have a significant Dutch community here in Huron County, and I think it's a great day to have her Royal I-Iighness, Princess Mar- griet visit with us. It's a beautiful day here, great crowd and I was honoured to welcome her to Goderich," Mayor Morrison said. The quick visit to Goderich con- cluded with a concert performed by the Royal Regiment of Canada and the 48th I lighlanders of Canada at the Trinity Christian Reform Church. In addition to the concert, the Princess also signed a scroll mark- ing their visit on May 14 that also contained the names of the "Huron County 20", those who lost their lives in the Second World War. The scroll is an original piece of artwork by artist Mihail Murgoci. Commenting on the commemo- rative plaque in Liberation Park, Princess Margriet stated that, "It rep- resents the close ties that have been developed between our two coun- tries. I hope that when people linger in this park, they will give the plaque a moments thought, as to why it was named Liberation Park - To remember." Princess Margriet and husband Pieter have worked to maintain the close relationship between the Netherlands and Canada over the years and this visit was the latest in that endeavour. BP Dust Control • Farm lanes • Campgrounds • Driveways • Horse Riding Arenas Contact Brent Pryce 519.525.6295 ea orthhuronex s ositor.co 80 students from Huron County could face suspension for incomplete immunization records Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor Each year, by law etiquette, the Huron County Health Unit reviews its student's records simply to make sure that eve- ryone has their required vacci- nations up-to-date; as it stands there are 80 students poten- tially facing suspension due to incomplete immunization records. This obligation is in accord- ance to the Immunization of School Pupils Act, which requires students enrolled in either primary or secondary school to be properly immu- nized against designated diseases. As of May 5, when the Health Unit first tackled the subject publicly, there were 150 stu- dents who would potentially be suspended if certain requests were not met, how- ever by May 17 those numbers have dropped to roughly 80 students. If those specific families do not provide the Health Unit with proof of immunization by May 30, a suspension will be handed down to the student and it could last for up to 20 school days. Roughly 95 per cent of the 9000 student population in Huron County usually com- plies with the immunization schedule said Christina Taylor, Public Health Manager at the Huron County Health Unit. "We have maintained that in Huron County, though there are a few parents that choose to exempt, it remains low," stated Taylor in a recent phone interview. In the instance when a par- ent/guardian chooses to waive immunization, they must obtain a legal affidavit from an approved list of commissioners. They are then requested to submit this information to the medical officer of health. Taylor said this would be marked in the student's records and if health concerns such as an outbreak happens in the future those students will be removed until the occurrence is dealt with accordingly. "Some of these diseases carry a long time to be out of school," stated Taylor while mentioning that whooping cough (pertussis), measles and mumps are what the health Unit are seeing scratch the surface lately. For the selected few who do not want their children immu- nized, Taylor said their views are sometimes influenced by such social medias as Face - book or the Internet. ii It's a journey, people need to understand it is their choice to immunize or not," "We often see and hear in the media that people are not choosing measles vaccinations because of autism, (it) has been scientifically proven that there is not a Link."` — said Christina Taylor, Public Health Manager at the Huron County Health Unit. "It's a journey, people need to understand it is their choice to immunize or not," she said. "We often see and hear in the media that people are not choosing measles vaccinations because of autism, (it) has been scientifically proven that there is not a link." Taylor went on to say that the Health Unit does not hand out many suspensions; it's usually a misunderstanding between them and the parents. In some cases, students may be properly immunized, but the Health Unit may not have the records. There is no channel from student's personal doctors and the Health Unit, she said. It is a parent or guardian's responsibility to inform the Health Unit of any immuniza- tions. Healthcare providers do not automatically share that information. If your family has received a suspension notice, please con- tact the 1lealth Unit at 1-877- 837-6143 ext. 2025.