HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-09-16, Page 4�. .� .. •--...._
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* Pith 4 September 16, 2009 • The Huron Expositor
Opinion
Proprietor and Publisher, Bowes Publishers Limited, 11 Main $t., Ssaforth, ON, NOK IWO
Wind co
rns must
be addressed
It's really quite easy to dismiss opponents of wind
farms as suffering more from the "not -in -my -back-
yard" (NIMBY) syndrome than any particular health.
problem.
Wind farms are the cleanest form of energy we
have, consuming no fuel and emitting no pollution.
They are one part of the solution to wean the world
off fossil fuels.
And they are being built as quickly as the turbines
can roll off the assembly lines, especially in South-
western Ontario where the wind coming off the Great
Lakes and the relatively flat landscape provide opti-
mal conditions.
But for the Ontario government to dismiss what
appears to be growing concern about potential health
problems generated ;y wind farms is folly, reeking
more of political desperation than silence.
On the surface, the fact there have been no full-
blown environmental studies on any of the 31 proj-
ects
roj-ects approved in the last four years should not be
a surprise. Wind turbines are not new technology.
They've been operating around the world for de-
cades. How many studies do we need?
In recent years, however, there is growing concern
and anecdotal evidence that the turbines may, in fact,
be causing health problems for people living nearby,
including sleep problems, heada*es headachesand heart pal -
tions, which some health expel suspect may be
card by the ever-present low frequen, y noise and
vibration from the rotating blades.
Not unlike many new technologies, it can some-
times take time for problems to surface, for connec-
tions to be made linking the technology to the prob-
lems. Look no further than pesticides such as DDT
and its impact on wildlife, such as bald eagles.
As history has shown, business has little interest
in uncovering the negative impacts of its products or
technologies, especially when they're dealing with a
government desperate to find solutions to a growing
shortage of electricity, growing public concern about
global warming and an economy searching for new
industries unrelated to the automobile.
It would be folly for the province not to listen to
the concerns about wind farms and consider taking
some action such as a major health study.
To ignore it only to later discover there are seri-
ous issues could deliver a serious blow to an industry
this world desperately needs to succeed.v?0' ,oaf
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Seaforth Fall Fair is an enduring
celebration of local ties to agdcutture
In this technological age
where' communication is in-
creasingly made through cell
phones, email and social net-
working websites, it's encour-
aging that an enduring form of
communal interaction such as
the Seaforth Fall Fair can still
attract hundreds of people.
When the local fall Bair was first held here in
1845, there was no electricity or automobiles
and it would be 30 years before Seaforth was
officially incorporated as a town.
Now, '164 years later, the core themes of the
event, celebrating agriculture through live-
stock shows, meat auctions and presenting
ribbons for the best -grown vegetables, have
remained virtually the same.
The need to highlight the importance of agri-
culture is more relevant than ever, as now for
the first time in the history of the world, more
people are living in cities than in rural areas,
as first reported last year.
While Seaforth is still closely tied to its ag-
ricultural roots, the family farm, which has
helped fuel the growth of the community, has
become increasingly threatened by transna-
tional agricultural corporations and a lack of
support from provincial and federal govern-
ments.
But it was clear to anyone who attended the
livestock shows on Friday that a passion for
farming is still alive among dozens of young
4-H Club members, who proudly displayed
their prized animals around the ring at the
fairgrounds to applauding audience members.
That evening's 4-H pig auction also earned
e
Good Morning pupils>
I'm Mr. Harvey. I'll
be your new teacher
significant dollars for the group,
further encouraging young peo-
ple to remain engaged in agri-
culture.
But even locals who didn't grow
up on the farm found ways to
enjoy themselves at the fair,
from feeding cute and exotic
animals on display to riding
the spinning carousel and other midway rides
— sometimes three or four times.
From the parade and pet show to the air
band competition and mad science exhibit,
kids were a part of it all, creating an atmo-
sphere of fun and excitement.
The chuckwagon races on Sunday were a
welcomed addition to the fair this year and
seeing grown men dressed in costumes for the
Roman chariot races had to have been one of
the most unique sights I've seen in my time as
a reporter/photographer in this town.
Perfect weather allowed for huge crowds to
attend the fair's grand finale event —. the sec-
ond annual demolition derby.
With a general admission being charged for
both the chuckwagon races and the car derby,
the proceeds will be split between the two or-
ganizations that help keep the fair going every
year — the 4-H Clubs and the Seaforth Agricul-
tural Society.
The money raised may even help the Ag So-
ciety to soon fix up the 100 -year-old Round-
house, an enduring landmark of our town.
After 164 years, the fall fair's diverse sched-
ule of events continues to attract the support
and curiosity of young and old alike.
Before I became a teacher
I was an army drill instructor.
buring the war I was a
commando behind enemy lines.
I know 53 ways to kill a man
with my bare hands.
ANY QUESTIONS?
Yeah...What's a
guy gotta do to
get transferred
outta this crummy
outfit?
by David Lacey
Wow. You really
said that?
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