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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-08-31, Page 44 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesda opinion ust 31, 2011 timeshare Adm PUBLISHED WEEKLY P.O.BOX 1195 58 Ontario St., North Grand Bend ON NOM 1TO phone: 519-238-5383 fax: 519-238-5131 email: Iadvance'bowesnet.com SUN MEDiA A (XIebecor Media Company NEIL CLIFFORD Publisher/Advertising Manager ncl Ittordabowesnet. corn LYNDA HILLMAN-RAPLEY Editor Iadvancetivtx)wesnet.cOm STEVE NORTHEY Advertising Sales MARK STEPHEN Advertising Sales JULIE HARRISON Typosetti ng/C Iassitleds KATHY YOUNG Accounts Receivable © wwalalceshoreadvanceicom SUBSCRIPTION RATES ADVANCE: Regular $39.95 (38 05.1 90 UST) Online subscriptions avalktbie•—same rates Publications Mall Agreement No. 40064683 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO LAKESHORE ADVANCE CiRCULATION DEPARTMENT PO.Box 1195 58 Ontario SI. 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ANOCMeon letters to the editor Reader is puzzled about dune opposition Dear Editor, Most weekend mornings, you'll find ale on the beach just south of Grand Beni with my dogs. 'There's something magical about the combi- nation dekal. waters, white sand, and gently blowing grasses. Every time I slake that walk, i thank my lucky stars 1 live here. i suppose that's why I'm puzzled by the opposition to dune grasses on Grand Bend's train beach. To tate, the grass -covered dunes art' simply beautiful. It seems wonderful that even a small sample of that beauty will someday be enjoyed by everyone who visits our community, But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Let's look at the facts: Dunes are %vhat hold sand in place. Dune grasses are what hold dunes in place. No grass, no dunes, no brach. Sand is a non-renewable resource, Once it's gone, it's gone for good. 'the Municipality spends lots of money sweeping up sand that is blown off the main beach into the town, and trucking in new sand to replace it. 'Ihe dunes will help with this problem. Preservation or restoration of the natural environment is one of the key criteria for the Blue Flag designation that Grand Bend is so proud of achieving, 'Ihe dune grass restoration is a big part of that. Having the desig- nation is a boon to local businesses, as it makes (rand Bend a more attractive summer resort. 'ihe natural planting areas were also created to control shifting and blowing sands, making the beach more appealing to visitors Native plants are uniquely adapted to their environment. 'they require less maintenance and water, and therefore Tess taxpayers' money. 'ihe dunes hying developed on (;t'atnd Bend's main brach are "man- aged dunes" -- they create a buffer but their growth is controlled so that they don't take up too much space. 'the "baby dunes" are a wonderful tool for educating residents, visitors and school children about the natter of the rare dune ecosystem. Beaches all across Ontario are tak- ing similar steps to restore their natu- ral dune systems. Experts at the lake f lures (;entre for Coastal Conservation and the Pinery Park were consulted about the original design (tithe plantings and the rocks, and their ongoing tttaintenance. Recently i had the great pleasure of touring the (;rand fiend main beach with two judges from the national Communities in Bloom program, We talked about the dune restoration project and the judges were very enthusiastic. Doth knew of similar projects in other communities and understood their purpose, Later, one of the judges commented on the strong showing of our Municipality in the area of "environmental awareness." Grand Bend is a very special place - one on which Mother Nature lav- ished special care, creating a uniquely beautiful ecosystem. I don't pretend to read her mind, but 1 sus- pect that when she sees us working to restore the natural beauty of our community, she is thrilled. Pat Morden Grand Bend, Ontario Thanks Lambton Shores for continued efforts Dear Editor, We wanted to give a shout out to the young kids cleaning our beach area this year. it has never looked better. 'Ihe gardens and boardwalk look beautiful and according to my wife the ladies washrooms have been spotless. They are already there tire- lessly working before we arrive in the morning and that is sometimes 7 am and they are there after the sunset. We have gone out of our way to thank them individually but this kind of a thank you slight reach all of them anti maybe remind everyone of the important job they have. Well done 1.aunbton Shores crew and our local government for employing them. Keep up the good work and continue to maks' us proud of our beautiful beach. Frank and Linda Beattie Reader agrees with dune grass issue Dear Editor, Bravo to Jim Archibald for asking the obvious in a recent letter to the editor. I too wonder how this ' dune grass ' got elevated to such a sacred status, If it is so special we need to build spe- cial fences and viewing stations around It to protect 1t and let the pub- lic see it , this would mean removing the prehistoric snow fences that now provide a wonderful visual out Lake I luron's busiest public beach. Rob Webb Grand Bend www.lakeshoreadvance.cam Misplaced indignaton Dear Editor, What do we expect of our politicians? Most citizens expect at a minimum that those elected to public office will obey the laws of our land, whether federal, provincial, or municipal; ideally, they will be role models in this regard for the citizens that elected them; hopefully, they will even have a vision as to the future direction for our country, province or local municipality. It is what good parents model for their children. When elected officials fail to meet our expectations, our confidence in governing bodies take a serious hit. 'chert' is Tots of evidence of this among both Canadians and our American neighbours. We should be appalled when those we elected to serve us betray the public trust, whether through influencing direction on platters in which they have a pecuniary conflict of interest or violating Provincial law with respect to following OI)tariofs Election Expense Act, particularly with respect in submitting inaccurate reports. it is my understanding that a candidate is required not only to sign a statement that the report is a complete and trite statement, but also, when submitting the report to the municipal office, to take an oath swearing as to the accuracy it a bit like onefs signature on the statement of income filed annually with the (Canada Revenue Agency. Signing and swearing regarding the accuracy of onefs report is a serious matter, as both federal and provincial laws indicate. iI) it recent li'ttl'e to the Editor, Bev 1 lilt comments about the review of Mayor I)Owsonfs election expense submission. 1 lowever, Mr. 1 lillfs indignation is both misplaced and sadly naive. Should his indignation not be about the report which the Compliance Audit Committee indicated gave reasona ble grounds for the complaint, rather than indignation that a citizen (cared to request a review, a procedure provided for in the Act? Should his indignation not be about a violation of the public trust? Eric Aitken London Grand Bend Residents and Rotary Trail users beware; says reader Dear Editor, I am very concerned for the safety of the users of the Rotary Trail. The reason for this is that most cars that are exiting front 1 luron Woods, Wee Take Estates, Beach O'Plnes, Pinedale, and Southcott Pines are not stopping at the stop sign. This stop sign and the accompanying white bar on the roadway were placed to have drivers stop before the Rotary Trail. In its' wisdom, the highways department ground off the white stop bar and painted a new one nearer a 21 highway. })rivers are used to using the white stop bar - and expect it to be co -located with stop sign as is normal. -lhey are not itt these named exits. 1n discussing this with a OPP constable, the highway traf- fic act is clear. Drivers must stop at a stop sign and the white Stop bait' when it is painted on the road. Not having these co -located is a danger and council is aware of the situation. Until this is resolved please use cau- tion when crossing the Ronny Trail. A fine and points on your licence are not much fun either. Cam Taylor Wee Lake Estates get Mine Iakeshoreadvance.com