Lakeshore Advance, 2011-03-23, Page 44 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, March 23, 2011
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letters to the editor
Residents refute councillors' claims
Dear Editor,
'Ibis letter is in regards to comments made
by Rluewater Councillor Kay Wise in the
article, Illuewater debates 1 Iensall landfill
contamination, in the March 9 issue of'lhe
Clinton News -Record.
'1he drain indicated in the article, known
as the Black (;reek, is a valuable creek to our
natural resources as well as residents of the
community. The stream is home to both
rainbow and brook trout and is indicated as
a coldwater fishery. The stream in some
places may only have six to 12 inches of
water; however, there are many pools with
water depth of two to three feet that exist.
Wise indicates in the article that the only
existing trout in the creek are minnows.
1lowever, this is false and misleading. All fish
at one time in their life start their life cycle as
an egg, to a minnow -size trout, and grow to
be an adult -size fish. 'Ibis same process
applies to most animals, including humans,
as part of their life cycle. Wise must be blind
to this reality as I have caught brook trout six
to 12 inches in length and witnessed 24 -inch,
four to five -pound rainbow trout spawning
in many areas of the creek. 1 can't speak for
Coun. Wise, but my family originated from
1 Iensall, and my father and I have fished this
creek many times since my childhood. l have
brought my son to this creek many times
over the years and hope to do the same with
my two -and -a -half -year-old grandson as the
fourth generation to the creek, to have the
same experience that we all have had.
1 used to be a I Iensall Boyscouts leader
and am still aware of other llensall children
that paddle their bikes to fish the creek at the
Big Boys Railway Bridge, south of 1 Iensall, as
well as all parts of the creek upstream from
Belle's 1)tun. 'Ibis creek is not only providing
a healthy fishery for the residents to enjoy,
but it is also getting children active and into
the outdoors, rather than in front of the
television or the computer.
As far as Coun. John Becker's belief
indicated in the same article that tine leach-
ate contamination does not affect our drink-
ing water and that this issue has been a thorn
in his side for the last number Of years, that is
completely wrong. Water that flows out of
this creek into lake I luron is then taken into
drinking -water facilities that supply many
area residents with the same water at their
drinking taps. Not to mention the many
wildlife, including deer, turkey, ducks, geese,
etc., as well as the cattle that drink from this
creek. 'the creek is also home to many
aquatic animals, including turtles and frogs.
With respect to our valued resources, 1
would not want counsellors with misleading
information looking after my affairs. Kay
Wise and John Becker, you need to rethink
your thoughts before you put your
comments out to the public. A public
apology for this misleading information
needs to be heard by the community. 'these
small, but healthy, coldwater streams are far
and few between, and it would be a shame to
see another one disappear. Our environment
and its resources is everyone's responsibility
for our future generations to enjoy.
Frustrated reader wants accountability
Dear hditon
!low tun 1 doing today?
I'm frustrated.
I'm frustrated because, despite my
education, despite knowing how to read,
think critically and do the math, despite
being well informed as to how our systems
of government are supposed to work, L you,
and our elected representatives are being
shut out of decisions that affect us all.
Ihe prime example of this exclusion is the
decision to buy the F-35 jet fighters.
We and our demo2•rati"ally elected repre-
sentatives have had no input into this deci-
sion. We have not been told why these spe-
cific aircraft are required. The documents
that would have explained the requirements
of the air force have been denied to the
I louse of Commons defence committee. 'this
action is a display of outright contempt for
Parliament and, thus, for all the rest plus.
lie parliamentary budget officer, Kevin
rage, has reported that the estimates of the
actual prices involved are unrealistic. Mr.
I larger was quoted, when questioned about
this report, "I'm not going to get into a
lengthy debate on numbers." Ile Is disdainful
of those who question him by calling it , "...
nothing more than political opportunism."
Apparently, we can't handle the truth.
The projected costs are huge. Is the Con-
servative caucus going to pay them? if ft's me
and you, as usual, shouldn't we have some
say in the matter? Why has there been no
Friends looking for photos, memories
Dear liditor,
'Ihe "Friends of flay Township Hall" are
looking for old photos and as many
memories as you can muster up of the
historic flay Township !fall in Zurich.
Here is a great example!
"When i was a youngster in the late 1940's
1 accompanied any parents one evening to a
community event at the Town Hall featur-
ing a speaker on health issues. 1 was young
and impressionable, and 1 remember the
speaker was expounding on the potential
harmful health effects of cooking in
aluminum utensils, It was also quite warm
that evening and the hall was packed with a
full audience. Perhaps both of these factors
led to my taking a fainting spell from which
1 soon recovered with no apparent long
term ill effects."
We are sure there are many such stories out
there. You may not think they are significant,
hut, when all put together they tell the story of
the community life and historic importance of
our 1 lay Township !NIL
Please feel free to jot down your memories
and drop them off to A.B. Printing in Zurich or
e-mail them to klopps@thay.net Photos
(original or copies) will be added to our
collection to help complete the story. We are
especially interested in seeing a photo with
the original cupola on top!
if you would like your mune added to our
Larry Moir
Seaforth
tendering process established? What deals
have been reached behind closed doors?
I low much longer are we going to allow
this kind of paternalism? 1f we do nothing
now to stop the taking of unrestricted control
of decision making, we only have ourselves
to blame. Passivity today will doom our
children to authoritariatnism. Let's take back
our democratic rights before it becomes too
difficult.
Make your Member of Parliament and
your Prime Minister accountable to you. Get
involved. Demand answers. Vote to remove
those who have proved their lack of
responsiveness.
Annette Lindsay
Wingham
e-mail list, please also let us know at the
address above.
Sincerely,
Friends of Hay Township Hall
Canadian
Cancer
Society
a
Societe
canadienne
du cancer
LET'S MAKE
CANCER HISTORY
For information about cancer,
services or to make a donation
1.888.939.3333 • www.cancer,ca
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