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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-12-28, Page 1616 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, December 28, 2011 Turbine study dismissed Laura Cudworth, QM! Agency S'TRAFFORD - Rural residents who oppose wind turbines aren't buying a report that says the sound they create poses no direct health risks. The study was conducted by noise, vibration and acoustics experts Bowe Gastmeier Chapnick Ltd., which looked at more than 100 reports from Ontario, Alberta and countries around the world, the Ministry of the Environ- ment says. That didn't impress 'l'om Melady member of 11EA'1' (11uron East Against Turbines) and WEPAI' (West and East Perth Against 'turbines). "The consultants doing the 'litera- ture review' cherry -picked the articles that they reviewed, that is to say of all the articles that they reviewed, they did not find any health problems. 1lowever, they did not review all the literature;' Melady said in an e-mail. Ile cites several other studies that conclude the low -frequency noise from wind turbines dot's cause health problems including stress and high blood pressure. 1lowever, Environment Minister Iiia Bradley heralded the report as proof government standards are adequate when it comes to safety. "Our priority is to develop renewa- ble energy in a way that protects Ontarians.'Ihis report finds that we are on the right track by taking it cautious approach when setting standards for wind turbine setbacks and sound limits," he's quoted as saying on the Moaliday Hours: OpenThurs. Dec. 29 4pm - 9pm Wing Night plus Full Menu/Pizza Open Friday Dec. 30 4pm - 9pm Perch Night Plus Full Menu/Pizza CLOSED Sat. Dec. 31 R.gsttltilar WIntor Mowat: Open Thursdays 4pm - 9pm Wing Night plus Full Menu/Pizza Fridays 4pm - 9pm Perch Night plus Full Menu/Pizza Saturdays - Take Out Only (Pizza & Wings) Available for Private Functions & Meetings Saturday - Wednesday • Catering Available Highway 83 at Mitek Ililllt'.I I1,ilI( hili) 1 stiltl'.ti 519-238-8256 ministry website. The minimum setback is cur- rently 550 metres from any resi- dence, school or church with a sound limit of 40 decibels. 'those limits conform to World health Organization standards. However, Melady argues the regulations are not stringent enough. "The (government) in the arti- cle claims to have 'among the most stringent regulations in the world; yet we have proof that 27 other municipalities, provinces and states in North America have greater setbacks than Ontario," Melady said. l le also stressed there's no guar- antee any wind turbine will con- form to sound limitations at all times. Ile said a turbine might produce a certain amount of noise but as the wind force changes it may increase. In other words the noise never stays level. "The (government) has also identified it does not have the capabilities to test for the sound produced by turbines - it cannot differentiate between ambient sound of the natural surrounding and the real sound of the turbine," Melady said. Melady also argued the lan- guage in the report is key. "'This article gets into an analy- sis of terms. 'Direct health effects' means struck by a blade or physically injured by some direct impact from a turbine. There is 'indirect' health effects whereas the vibration of the rotating blade passing by the hollow vertical tube causes a low -frequency noise which causes the vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), high blood pressure. So (the) article is cor- rect, there are not direct but lots of indirect effects," Melady said. 'Ihe provincial government has pledged to phase out coal fired electricity by 2014 and increase wind, solar and biomass production. The Blyth Festival 2012 Season Three world premieres, a fringe presentation, and an exciting creation by Young Company Artistic Director Eric Coates says, "We are kicking things off with the most excit- ing musical the have ever tackled.'lhen we celebrate the anniversary of one of the most successful comedies to take flight in Blyth.'Ihen we add the totally unexpected story of a notorious gangster, and finish with a knockdown-drag'em-out thriller:' Dear Johnny Deur by Ken Cameron, Bused (111 the Songs and Lyrics of FRED I:AGLI ShII'iii (yes, 'l'IIAT Fn'cl l Nils pith) Drivin; shootin; cheatin, schemin; and boozin' ... Just another day on the farm complete with some of Fred Eaglesnnith's biggest hits! Johnny and Caroline struggle to keep the farm afloat and their marriage together. The bills pile higher and The Mau From'loronto wants to put a big of overpass tight through their hearts. What's going to keep it all together? Hint: it's til I IR )( )I W1 I. IIH\t IZ\\l 'i'HI? PERFECi' PLACE TO CELEBRATE TIIE I IO1.i DA1'S! Holiday Hours: 11'nlncu1.1y • Friday 9 am - phi Satunlay ,l Sunday S 3111 •') pin Closed Christmas& liosutg Ina) Open: New Pear's Da) .f.....,ti'ii..a IO antto2pm NOW BOOKING FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE J11111 us for a spectacular four -course meal slenally ptcparct.l by Chef Aup istyn Ntcrkics. Two scoring*: 5:.30 pm h 8:00 pm We will he closed January 2nd - 24th, 2012 Re -opening at 9 am on Wednesday January 25th, 2012 1 ,1 .t, 11 oto 'I4 1 1 1 .111.1.t,1 1111.1 green. And it's a tractor. Having hope at Home by David S. Graig ":..a big hearted comedy that will leave you in tears - tears of compassion and recognition as well as tears of laughter." Robert Reid, Waterloo Record What could be more stressful than hosting Christmas dinner for your infuriating parents'? flow about doing it while you're in labour? Carolyn's got one evening to create the perfect dinner, make peace with her parents, get married, and deliver a baby. What could possibly go wrong? The Lonely Diner: Al Capone in Euphemia Township by 11e'i t'rley Cooper Intrigue in your own backyard... The year is 1927 and someone is stealing Al Capone's whiskey. In a quiet little diner close to the 11.S. border Lucy yearns for excitement and glamour. When a couple of well-dressed Ameri- can gangsters illake an after hours visit, Lucy changes her tune as the stakes get higher. ()r does she just sing louder? Perhaps there is more to this little diner than meets the eye... 'Ihe Devil We Know by (:hexyl Foggo and (I'm Martini We'll sell you the whole seat, but you'll only need the edge... On the edge of Regina in 1944, Ottawa Street is home to a handful of African -Canadians, intent on living with dignity despite hard tines. When teenage twins, Vivian and Verna, are left hoar' alone for the weekend, they share stories of their hard- ships and romances...and tales of murder and hidden treasure right in their own neighborhood. Out on the lonely edge of town...ignored by neighbors and police...where can these girls tun) when evil collies calling...? Finally, the Blyth Festival's Young Company takes to the fields with a re -imagined, updated version of the play that started it all PARK THEATRE " OODERICH 524-7811 Fri 7:30 .:. New Fear's Eve Sun -Thur 7:30 Sat & Wed Mat. 1:30 •11nre www.ntovielinks.ca Dec 30 - Jan 0- F • 1-800-265-3438 in the first place. Inspired by the original Farm Show, the Young Company will explore 1 luron County's unique farming community by meeting, working and talk- ing with our fanning heroes. Like the orig- inal show, the production will be created by improvisations, based on the young actors' experiences on the farms of the region. In addition to the repertory season, the Blyth Festival will present a fringe production in the Phillips Studio as a part of the popular Bonanza Weekend, which is scheduled for the weekend of August 3, 2012. Passes for the 2012 season are available now at the Blyth Festival Box Office: Phone: 1-877-862-5984; 519-523-9304) Seniors keep busy in the Port DEC. 19- DARTS: Team Winners -Jacqueline Dolan and Fred Empey. High Ladies- Marion McKichan 98. High Men's- Fred Empey 101. DEC. 19».E: High- Sien Smits and Betty Drake. Lone Hands- Neil Graham and Murray Looby. Low- Pat Avon and Bob Schenk. Free Admission Jan.2/12 Don Bickell. DEC. 20- EUCHRE: High- Gloria McKay and Alice DeRooy. Lone Hands- Ann Morenz and Judy Minielly. Low- Sien Smits and Mary Capstick. DEC. t1- BRIDGE 1st- Emmie Manders. 2nd- Gord Tadgell. Low- Polly Appel. Next BID EUCHRE Dec.29.