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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-01-12, Page 5Wednesda , Janua 12, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 5 Community letters to the editor Liability ►)ear Editor, 0 'Ihe real liability of industrial wind turbines has never been proven. Using comparables, here is a simple analysis of the situation: • If we become injured or ill we all look for a reason. If we can find a cause, then the owner of the cause becomes responsible (liable). That seems to be simple reasoning in law. In those cases, case law exists and will prevail. • But here is where the problem starts with industrial wind turbines, because of the new fangled terns "green" that has been given to them. We do not look at the real problem here, and 1 don't mean whether those things are really green or not. This is not the point at this time. We are discussing What happens if someone gets injured or becomes ill due to wind turbines. 'Then the question becomes, who is liable? Currently, it seems to be fashionable to call anyone who claims illness from industrial turbines "a lunatic or crazy': 'hnt cnn and will not last. It used to be fine to use DDT or asbestos. 1t used to be safe and fine to smoke in the presence of non-smokers. 'Ihe court will decide otherwise regarding the health effects of industrial wind. •'Ihe industrial turbines that are being built are for the most part built by companies who lease the land from the landowner. 'Ihe landowner has a contract in place with the industrial wind turbine company to lease the land to these companies to build turbines. If I get injured or ill because of turbines, then 1 have the right to start legal proceedings. My question is, Why would I sue the industrial wind turbine company? After all, the wind turbine is only a tenant. It could be that proceedings should start against the landowner. Let him deal with his tenants. 'Ihe landowner is liable for property taxes. We know that the wind company will compensate the landowner for property taxes, but the landowner has to make sure that they get paid. 'therefore, it could be reasoned out that any legal proceedings should start with the landowner. •'that is why I have made calls to the insurance industry. On my own farm, 1 carry a sizeable liability policy; no one can take on the liability risk on his/her own anymore. After talking to many of the insurance companies, it became clear that the landowner in question who leases his land to the wind company has absolutely no coverage inside his normal liability policy. Secondly, it can he argued that those claims are environmental claims (stray voltage, vibration, flicker, etc.).'Ihen I went back and said, "What about coverage under my environmental policy that I have as an extension of my liability policy?" 'the answer was again very clear; absolutely no coverage for leased land with industrial turbines. 'therefore, the farmer who leases his land to industrial wind companies has no liability coverage. Ile has a farm policy, not industrial wind turbine coverage that specifies industrial turbines on the land he leases out. That by itself is very dangerous in terms of liability exposure. Here are some things to think about: • !low much trust do I put in anybody who is potentially not liable to begin with? • If wind companies are potentially liable, it could cost so much that the wind company might run if and when lawsuits are filed. But the landowner's livelihood is on the line. 'this is a person or family that has everything it owns on the line, including assets other than the leased land. We have listened to the wind industry telling us not to worry; they guarantee that the sun will rise again. 'they are our new friends who are well guided by fancy lawyers located far away. The landowner who leases the land to industrial wind companies has old friends who do not count anymore, because those old friends could get sick. • 'Ihe precautionary principle should he practiced as recommended by independent experts and not the attitude that is out there that people with health effects from turbines are crazy, and health effects are inadmissible. 'there will come it time that the courts will decide the proper liability. It might be sooner or later, but those wind leases are in place for a very long time and the courts have time to prove the truth. • Current political support can and will change. Your land is at stake; your family's wellbeing is at stake. Please practice the precautionary principle and don't trust that lawyers from the wind companies are going to protect you when you already have signs out there that they do not. No one can ignore forever that there are no health effects from wind turbines. 1 thyself think, and would like to warn, that any land that has a wind lease on it could he classified as "environmentally polluted land" and might potentially have very little or no value until the wind lease runs out. In most cases, those leases last for as long as it is beneficial for the wind company (eternity). Luke Schilder Member of C.H.A.T New yws starts off with a bang at Stephen Stephen Central Baylee and Emily We are back with breaking news from the Stephen Central Tiers. We have had a delightful first week back to school, but with all our beautiful snow melting some kids are finding it hard to play at recess. On our first week back, our grade 7 and 8's have started with basketball tryouts which brings a lot of excitement. Also we had the South Huron Sen- ior Band come in to let us witness their amazing talent, and show the grade 8's what the opportuni- ties and potential skill that is in our futures. The way the instruments played was like the way the sun shines on a summer day. They did a fantastic job and we hope that some of our students look forward to band in high school. Some of the students got to volunteer to help the band play a couple songs. Also one of our grade 8 students had the opportunity to conduct the band in playing 'Billie Jean' by Michael Jackson. After the show our grade 8 students are welcom- ing Ms. Foran from the South Huron District 1 Iigh- school into our classroom to talk about course selection and about what paths we need to take to get to college/university and make for a better future. Along with that our grade 8 teacher Mr. Hundey started up the years intermurals with some intense indoor hockey. Us Tigers are also welcoming in a new secretary in 3 weeks by the name of Ms. Kelly. We are all very excited to meet her and look forward to having her as apart of our school. We look forward to writing to you again next week. Bye for now Stop dieting! Start living! Grand Bend CHC Lakeshore Advance First Step: Healthy Lifestyle Weight Management. In weight management, many factors are out of your control, Genetics, age, medical status and previous weight history affect how much, and how quickly you might lose. Sometimes weight mainte- nance is an appropriate goal! Narrowly focusing on the scale or mirror, means staking your happiness and satisfaction on things you can't control. That sets you up for emotional eating and feelings of failure. Additionally, health benefits can be achieved through lifestyle changes alone - without losing weight! Dieting is external. la's about numbers: on the scale, and calories eaten and burned. Success depends on how closely you match the numbers. Underlying issues with food aren't addressed but this internal aspect of weight management is cruciaL'lhe self-discovery of how and why food is used, and what you really need is life changing, Simply counting "calories in / calories out" is not. Dieting is tempo- rary. When done, you return to "normal," the underlying issue's remain and weight returns. If interested in this unique program or others offered by the Grand Bend Area ('1 IC, please call. "We Can I !Ap!" Cheryl Ashick-Englert, B.A., M,Div,, Healthy Lifestyle Counsellor, GBA Community Health Centre Bluewater Family Health Team: Hoaliky advlce for 2011 BWHT Lakeshore Advance PART 1 OF A SERIES ON EXERCISE Why exercise Is the best medication you'll ever take: A recent editorial in the medical journal Canadian Family Physician was entitled "The Miracle Drug". 'Ihe author went on to describe the benefits of exercise - yes, exercise "the Miracle Drug", 'Ihere is no other treatment that does what exercise does: • reduces the risk of diabetes and lowers blood sugar in diabetics •reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke • reduces blood pressure • reduces "bad" WI, cholesterol and raises "good" IIDI. cholesterol • reduces the inflammation of osteoarthritis (the commonest kind of arthritis) • improves depression (some studies suggest exercise outdoes medication in mild to moderate depression) • reduces risk of dementia/Alzhehner's disease • reduces risk of osteoporosis and related fractures • decreases the symptoms of menopause - including hot flushes • improves sleep • reduces the risk of breast cancer and through weight loss cnn reduce the risk of other cancers • reduces the risk of injury in the workplace In spite of overwhelming evidence for the health benefits of exercise the majority of adults "just don't do it" Common reasons that I am given over and over again in the medical office are these: "I don't have tithe" "I can't afford a gym membership" "I'ni already pretty active ...1 walk my dog...or 1 have a physical job" or 1 just don't like to exercise" All of us have our own reasons and we are not alone - over 75% of the adult population in North America are classified as sedentary': Over the next 3 weeks this space will be dedi- cated to helping people "get started" on a daily, personal plan for health through exercise. Dr Lori Teeple MD CCP (EM) FCFP Associate professor of Medicine University of Western Ontario Staff Physician Bluewater Family Health Team (Zurich/Dashwood)