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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2009-09-16, Page 4�. .� .. •--...._ • * 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 The London Free Press w Your Community Newspaper :Y►ce 1860 Publisher - Dave Sykes Editorial and Business Offices -11 Main Street., Seaforth lbiephone (619) 527-0240 Fax (519) 527-2858 Mailing Address - P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, ON, NOK 1Wo Visit our home page at www. sea forthhuronexpositor. eom Canad CMIKOlt MEDIA "WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, THROUGH THE PUBLICATIONS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (PAP), TOWARD OUR MAIUNG COSTS." • 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? SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 38.05 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. SENIORS: - 36.14 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. Foreign: 38.05 a year in advance, plus $195.00 postage, plus G.S.T. 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