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Home My WebLink AboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-05-18, Page 44 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesda , Ma 18, 2011 opinion www. Inkeshorendvance.com esiloro Advanco' PUBLISHED WEEKLY P.O.BOX 1195 58 Ontario St., North Grand Bend ON NOM 1TO phone: 519-238-5383 fax: 519-238-5131 email: Iadvanceebowesnet.com SUN MEDIA A Quebecor Media Company r NEIL CLIFFORD Publisher/ Advertising Manager ndittordObowesnet.com LYNDA HILLMAN-RAPLEY Editor IadvanceGbowesnet.com STEVE NORTHEY Advertleing Sales MARK STEPHEN Advertising Sales JULIE HARRISON Typesetti ng/Classifieds KATHY YOUNG Accounts Receivable SUBSCRIPTION MTES ADVANCE: Regular $3995(3805+1906S1) One subscriptions avalleb e --•came Ma PubIcations Mall Agreement No, 40064883 RETURN 11ND€LNERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO LAKESHORE ADVANCE CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT RO.Box 1195 58 Ontario St. North Grand Bend ON NOM 1TO For any non -deliveries or delivery concerns: phone: 519.238.5383 e •math: ladvmceobowesnet.00m Changes of address, olden for subscriptions, and undeliverable aoplee (retum postage gam) are b be sent to WreehorsAdwnce et the address Indicated here. Advertising Is accepted on the condlbon that In the event of a typographical error, the portion of the advertising space occupied by the erroneous Item together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertise- ment will be paid at the **able rates. We acknowledge the ft:tendal support of the Government of Canada thiou6lt the Canadian Periodical Pund (CPP) for our publishing activities. Canada Mentor a In. carneYn Communtty zkoCna N.wrpepsrAssouwai.na the Ontario Conant* t easpaoen Ambito editorial Dalton McGuinty sucks, blows on gas prices Asn the Ontario election approaches this October, Dre- ier Dalton McGuinty's pmb- lem is he's running out of fibs. And that he can no longer keep track of them. When he introduced the I larmo- nized Sales Tax July 1 — adding 8% to the pump price of gasoline — McGuinty insisted businesses would quickly pass along their cost savings to consumers because of the red tape eliminated by harmonization. In their March budget, the Liberals boasted about a study showing within six months of the HST being added to gasoline and hundreds of other goods and services, "about two-thirds of business savings from the (tax) has passed through to consumers." But Wednesday, when McGuinty was asked why he won't reduce or eliminate the 8% HST on gas to give consumers a break, he replied: "What I am very confident of ... is any gov- ernment that removes any kind of level of taxation from their gasoline, finds their space is immediately filled in by the gasoline companies." So, as Sun Queen's Park columnist Christina Blizzard observed, the pre- mier wants to have it both ways. On the one hand, he's says the oil business and other industries passed along their cost savings to consumers, when he brought in the HST, July 1. But on the other, he claims if he was to remove the HST from the price of gas, the industry would increase their retail prices by an equivalent amount. This is what happens when a politi- cian tells so many fibs, he starts con- tradicting himself. McGuinty's argument that speculators, not the HST, are responsible for high gas prices ignores the reality that however high specula- tors push up the price, McGuinty's HS'1' adds another 8%, raked in by his cash -starved government. I-le's not the only politician doing nothing while gas prices continue their roller coaster ride. Federal Industry Minister Tony Clement's announcement Thursday a committee of MPs will investigate gas prices is window-dressing disguised as action. If the feds want to get serious, they can lower Ottawa's taxes on gasoline and rewrite our price-fixing laws so they have teeth when it comes to how Big Oil operates. As for McGuinty, he needs a fib -o - meter so he'll know when he stops making sense. column Donating businesses deserve more recognitlon Lynda Hillman -Replay Lakeshore Advance Summer activity planning is upon us and that means it is donation season. This is a time where our local businesses are inun- dated with requests for donations for tour- naments and other special events. While they do love to support your event and appreciate the thank -you at the end, many businesses have voiced their con- cern, that support is not brining people into their establishments. A suggestion by one business is that maybe the organizers make a special effort, in the speech section of the event, to give those contributors some verbal recognition and send those in attendance to their businesses. It could be an onerous task, as some events have hundreds of donated items - but having said that, our small businesses are asked to give and give and give with lit- tle return. You can control your asthma Pamela Wilton, RN, CRE Grand Bend Community Health Centre May is World Asthma Month. The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) narks May 3rd each year specifically to raise awareness about asthma. Approximately eight percent of adults in Canada have been diagnosed with asthma, but the percentage climbs to 15 percent in children. Studies have suggested several risk factors for the development of asthma includ- ing: a family history of asthma and/or aller- gies, high exposure to airborne allergens in early childhood, exposure to tobacco smoke, frequent respiratory infections In early life and a low birth weight. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes inflammation and constriction of the small airways in the lungs. Symptoms, including cough, chest tightness, wheezing and diffi- culty breathing can vary from season to sea- son and from day to day. Symptoms are often triggered by exposures to allergens, changes In the weather, fumes and viruses (colds). Symptoms can also be triggered by exercise. When a person's asthma is poorly control- led it can lead to decreased quality of life, lost days at work and school, frequent emergency department visits, hospitalizations and even death. Effective asthma management can pre- vent symptoms from occurring in response to triggers and can control symptoms once they occur. With proper diagnosis, education and treatment, most people with asthma can work with their health care providers to achieve and maintain control of their asthma. How do you know if your asthma is controlled? If you have symptoms (shortness of breath, cough, wheeze, chest tightness) less than four days per week, if your asthma does not wake you, if you require your reliever medication less than four tithes per week and if your activities are not disrupted or limited due to your symptoms, you have your asthma under control. If you think your asthma is not controlled, you should talk to your doctor. Evidence - based guidelines have been developed in Canada to help doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and pharmacists work with you to get your asthma under control and to monitor your symptoms so you maintain good control. GINA suggests a strategy of four interrelated components to achieve control: develop a good working relationship with your doctor; identify and reduce your exposure to asthma triggers; assess, treat and monitor symptoms; and take action quickly to manage exacerba- tions (flare up). Under the provincial Asthma Plan of Action there are several programs to help Ontarians with asthma management, including the Primary Care Asthma Program (PCAP). PCAP services are offered by a certi- fied respiratory educator who works with your primary care team to provide spirometry test- ing (breathing test), assessment, education and follow-up. PCAP is available through many primary care sites across Ontario, including the Grand Rend Community I health Centre. The Lung Association and The Asthma Society have excellent resources available through their offices and on-line. You can control your asthma. Please join us for an Asthma Education evening lune 14th at 7 p.m, at the Hensall United Church to learn more.