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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-08-24, Page 44 Lakeshore Advance • Thursday, August 24, 2011 opinion www.iakeshoreadvance.cam tesIuorofiAdvance PUBLISHED WEEKLY P.O.BOX 1195 58 Ontario St., North Grand Bend ON NOM 1 TO phone: 519-238-5383 fax: 519-238-5131 email: Iadvance@bowesnet.com SUN MEDIA A Quebecor Media Company NEIL CLIFFORD Publlsher/Advertising Manager nd IffordObowesnet. com LYNDA HILLMAN-RAPLEY Editor ladvance6bowesnet.com STEVE NORTHEY • Advertising Sales MARK STEPHEN Advertising Sales JULIE HARRISON Typesetting/classlfleds KATHY YOUNG Accounts Recelvable wvintiakeshoreadvancacem SUBSCRIPTION RATES ADVANCE Regular $39.95 (38.0!, r 1.90 GS1) Online subscriptions avallable—same rates Publications Mall Agreement No.40084883 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO LAKESHORE ADVANCE CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT P.O.Box 1195 58 Ontario St. North Grand Bend ON NOM 1TO For any non -deliveries or delivery concerns: phone: 519-238-5383 e-maN: IadvanceOboweanet.com Changer (il address, cyders for subscriptions, and undel/verable copies (retum postage guaranteed) are to be sent to Lakeshore Advance at the address indicated We. Advertising Is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical erns, the portion of the advertising apace occupied by the erroneous Rem together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged tor, but the balance of the advertise- ment will be paid at the applicable rates. We acknowledge the Anancial support (Atha Government of Canada through the Canadian Periodical Pund (CPP) for our publishing activities. Canada AAs.0Cfla. pommy Iwocwa, one the Ontario Community Nswspapsrs Association letters to the editor Reader confused about dune grass plans Dear Editor, 1 ant confused/concerned with the last article 1 read concerning dune grass. While! understand that it has been planted to control erosion - i guess would I would like to know is how did the beach last all this time without it? 'there is talk of actually adding MORE species of grass to what is already there? 'that just does not seem; the right path to go down in my opinion. Maybe dune grass has its place - but I would argue that In the center of a busy beach is not the best place for 1t. If you look at what is down there now - I think perhaps an argument can be made to keep a 'smaller' ribbon of grass to the north and south of the bath- house along the board walk. But do we really need those chunks of grass in the center of the beach - I think not. And why would we consider taking the boulders out? Why would you spend $30,000 to take something out that is nice to sit on when watching sunsets and events - and actually performs a valuable function In holding some of the sand back while really being much more aesthetic than the grass could ever he - while nicely compli- menting the boardwalk. And if the sand is burying the boulders and you take them out - does not logic dictate that it is now going to bury the board- walk instead? I think we have intruded on this public space enough. Why wouldn't we look at youth Job creation projects that have more students maintain this area rather than just resort- ing to hauling boulders away because there is sand on them? We have beach space being usurped at a significant rate and we have planted and invasive species that is allowed to grow wild where humans used to lie. Somewhere up there - I think Mother nature is saying - "1 am ok with the 20 linear miles of dune grass along the coastline that has allowed about a 20 foot ribbon of usable beach in Horny areas - so I ant cool with a few acres of beach in town for public use" 1 am all about conservation but all 1 am saying is that the beach is a valuable asset, a social space and a commercial space as well. t am concerned about how we have continued chip away at is sire. Cause at the end of the day what good is a beautiful beach full of dune grass and no place to sit don't people count too? Jim Archibald Archies Lack of attention to detail contributing factor; reader I )ever Editor, I found the letter to the editor regarding the election expenses of Mr. Dowson of Bluewater very interesting. According to the author this issue is symptomatic of the Bluewater problems between the " takers" and the "makers, and that Bluewater should be de -amal- gamated to the citizens benefit. It seerns to the that the issue is about rules, regulations and the law. If Mr. Dowson has violated any of these, then he should be subject to an audit and judged accordingly. According to the articles in this newspaper, he seems to be indicating that the filed election expense report was prepared incorrectly by some other person and that he paid little or no attention to the details. Whether it was inten- tional or not, is not the issue. I le is responsible for the reports accuracy. if this is his method of reviewing data then maybe this carries into his governance of the financial affairs of Bluewater. The author correctly speaks about the huge increases in the operating costs since amalga- mation. One common factor in the ten plus years in the history of Bluewater is the mayor, Mr. Dowson. Maybe his lack of attention to details is a contributing factor. Don Bulloch Bluewater From the tower Scott Ruddle Lakeshore Advance "I low do I help my young kids stay safe at the beach?" When you come down to the sand from the parking lot the first thing to do is orient your children to their location. Point out landmarks to the kids that will help them find you if they get separated. "Okay gang we have the three blue lawn chairs beside the Lifeguard 'rower close to the pier." But, please don't park directly in front of the tower. We need a clear path when we come down for a rescue. Remember sun safety. Slip, Slop, Slap! Slip on a sun shirt. Slop on the sunscreen. Slap on a hat. You can always pop onto YouTube and watch "Dear 16 -year-old Me'; if you want to learn more about why we should be sun smart. But, make it fun. Let your kids pick out their cool sun -swimming hat. Now that you're set up, greased up, and ready to enter the water head down and (.O SLOW! First time in the water, every time you visit, go slow. Walk in and see what the bottom is like. 1las the sand bar shifted, is there a rock, broken sunglasses, or a water logged stick to step on'? Sprinting in and cutting your foot on the first swim of the day really ruins a beach day. Diving into a sand bar and cracking your neck can really ruin a life. Walk in and check the bottom. Our beach has many different bottom profiles across its length. If you want a shallower spot with a gentle slope ask the Beach Patrol and we'll help you find a location that suits the size of kids you have. Swint between the red and yellow flags and close to a lifeguard tower. In front of the tower is safest because we can get to you the fastest. Also set limits for your kids. "You can't go any deeper than the letter S on your Spidertnan sun shirt." Little children should be within arms reach of an adult or an older child strong enough to pick up and support the smaller child. This means you have to put down the book, get out of that lawn chair, and ge into the water. Sitting twenty feet up on the sand glancing up betwet pages of a magazine doesn't count. Water wings, lifejackets, ancr swimsuits with sewn in floatation do not absolve you of this responsibil- ity either. 1f the waves or current are too much to safely handle, enjoy the splash pad and playground equipment. Last suggestion i'll make, parents you're not a super hero. Don't try to swim out with one or, worse yet, two kids around your neck. Each year we rescue adults who are surprised when a small child over powers them on a swim in deep water. The quickest way to deflate your hero status in the eyes of your kid is to take them out over your head, get in trouble, and both of you need rescuing. So enjoy your day at the beach. Be sun safe, beach safe, and water safe. Let the kids have fun and whatever you do, don't mention anything about back to school shopping. Summer is short enough. Stay close and stay safe. Any comments, questions, have you enjoyed the articles so far? Please e-mail the Lakeshore Advance and let me know.