HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2012-01-04, Page 4- 4 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesda ,
5, 2011
opinion
www, Iakeshoreadvance.com
Moro Ailvanco
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
Publisher/ Advertising Manager
ndittordebowesnet.com
LYNDA HILLMAN-RAPLEY
Editor
Iadvance@bowesnet.com
STEVE NORTHEY
Advertising Sales
JULIE HARRISON
Typesetting/Classifieds
KATHY YOUNG
Accounts Receivable
SUBSCRIPTION RATES ADVANCE
Regular $39.95 (38.05 41.90 GSI)
Online subscriptions available—same rates
Publications Mail Agreement
No. 40064683
PAP REGISTRATION NO. 7594
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO
LAKESHORE ADVANCE CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT
P.O.Box 119558 Ontario St. North
Grand Bend ON NOM 1 TO
For any non -deliveries or delivery concerns:
phone: 519.238.5383
e-mail: ladvance.bowesnet.com
Changes of address, orders for subscriptions, and undeliverable copies
(return postage guaranteed) we to be sent to Lakeshore Advance at the
address Indicated here. Advertising Is accepted on the condition that In
the event of a typographical erns, the porton of the advertising space
occupied by the erroneous Item together with a reasonable allowance
for signature, wii not be charged for, but the balance of the advertise-
ment will be paid at the applicable rates.
'We adolootadg • Whawk* I support athe
eawnrns tofCam" trough tr AdVoleorWAllsbOnc+e Pavan,
(AV) board OW Mang COM'
Canada
jocna arc
editorial
2010 in review
Lynda Hillman-Rapley
Lakeshore Advance
WbAping paper in the
luebox, turkey bones
boiled for winter soups and
stews. Now is the time to reflect on
2010 -the year of laughter and sorrow
and life lessons for so many people.
in January a fire ripped through the
core of Clinton- causing the
near -demise of that communities
core business sector of In February
we watched Canada skate, ski, and
hoard to gold at the winter Olympics
in Vancouver. It was a proud time
that brought the country together.
When young'li)ri Stafford of
Woodstock went missing everyone
did what they could to help police in
her search. Unfortunately the nine
year old was sundered, a sadness
felt by the entire country. Stimulus
money was still dowing with the
Pinery Park and neighbour contmu-
nities getting infrastructure dollars.
Many of our youth made headlines
in 2010. Ryan Watson, Dashood and
Ryan and Matt Rupert, Grand Bend
made headlines for being signed by
the Windsor Spitfires and London
Knights. Emiliy Mussio, Grand Bend
represented Canada with karate in
Portugal and double amputee Cole
Martin, Zurich, became the face of
Waramps and Tyler Merner, Zurich
wrote his way to fame. Close to
home beach volleyball and sewers
dictated the headlines for much of
the year. Purdy's fish market
celebrated ten years in the Bend,
110 on Iake Huron and Dashwood
celebrated 150 years. In the
entertainment world, not only were
Lance Bedard, Blue's musician Rick
TaylorBrian Dale and Andy Maguire,
Michael Valli -level, Paul Ciufo, Dave
Scott and Rick Hundey making their
mark but this area saw Jim Belushi,
Ronnie I Iawkins, Fergie Jenkins,
Cynthia Dale, Red Green, John P.
Allen Great Lake Swimmers up close
and personal.
A lot happened in 2010 within our
conlnlunity. '1 he municipal election
took centre stage in the fall resulting
in two new mayors and one
acclaimed for Lambton, South
I luron and Bluewater. 'Ihe year
ended with Snow, SnOW and more
SnOW as much of the area storm
stayed- showing us yet again how
small communities rally aid pitch in
the help each other,
Raise your glass and welcome
2011 with high hopes, dreams and
patience for a happy and prosperous
new year.
letters to the editor
MPP thanks her constituents
/)ear Editor,
As 1 write this we are just a few days
away from Christmas and winter has
descended on Southwestern Ontario
with a vengeance, but we are surrounded
with abundant warmth. I was never so
proud to represent the residents of
Lambton-Kent-Middlesex as I was last
week when municipal staff, emergency
services personnel, volunteer and
charitable organizations and citizens
came together to aid stranded motorists.
Your kindness also assisted residents of
Lambton County who were without
electricity for extended periods of time as
well due to the snow storm.
In times of emergency and greatest
need, we recognize our collective
strength and our ability to organize very
quickly. 'Ibis was the example set last
week in Lambton County, Middlesex
County and parts of Chatham -Kent. You
were recognized nationally and
internationally for your rapid response to
what could have been disastrous
consequences for stranded motorists on
our roads. You exemplified exactly what
is meant when we talk about rural
hospitality.
On behalf of the Premier and the
Government of Ontario, l congratulate
you and thank you for what each and
every one of you did to help last week.
You made our guests feel welcome and
you worked around the clock to get them
back on their way as quickly as possible.
We are all feeling the pride and the love
you displayed last week.
1 wish you all a very Merry Christmas
and a healthy and prosperous New Year.
Sincerely,
Matta Van Bommel, M.P.P.
Lambton-Kent-Middlesex
519-245-8696; 1-800-265-3916
letters to the editor
Warden thanks county
Dear Editor,
On behalf of Lambton County Council, l wish to -
send our most heartfelt thanks to every resident in
Lambton County who in some way helped in our
response to the severe winter storm that plagued
our community the week of December 12, 2010.
While declaring a state of an emergency in a
community is not a decision to take lightly,1 felt it
was a necessity upon learning of the hundreds of
stranded motorists left in the cold and snow along
Highway 402 and area roadways. This declaration
allowed for extra resources, including the use of
military helicopters and personnel, who were
invaluable to the rescue efforts and were able to
ensure that stranded motorists in the most
secluded of areas could be reached.
Our local lambton OPP officers were
instrumental in providing the advice necessary to
declare the emergency, and worked tirelessly to
ensure that every stranded motorist made it out of
harms way. Local volunteer fire departments were
very visible throughout the rescue mission, greeting
[motorists at warming centres, and providing any
assistance that was required. Additionally, Para-
medics from the County of Lambton Emergency
Medical Services Department braved treacherous
road conditions to provide medical assistance at
warning centres, and when necessary, provided
transportation to local hospitals.
In addition to the outstanding work of our
emergency responders, I wish to extend a sincere
thank you to I.ambton's 11 municipal partners.
While some municipalities were working diligently
to set-up and staff warming centres, call out all
available personnel and equipment to dear roads,
and deal with a variety of requests, other
municipalities not affected by the storm called in
with offers to help out in any way possible.
The response from the public during this
response was overwhelming and heart warming. i
cannot thank enough, those who stepped forward
to serve as volunteers at reception centres, those
who volunteered their homes and took in stranded
motorists, those who donated blankets and
supplies to warming centres, those who operated
businesses and donated meals and those
businesses and residents who called with offers of
equipment, space, and other resources. We wish to
especially thank the Warwick Snowmobile Club
who participated in the rescue effort and
contributed to the successful outcome.
Finally, we wish to thank our members of the
media, who also worked around the clock to help
us deliver important messages, advising motorists
to stay with their vehicles, describing where to find
warming centres, encouraging residents to stay off
the roads, and telling the 'good news' stories of our
caring residents and how they helped out and
opened their homes.
All of you, collectively, have shown to the world,
that Lambton County is truly a caring and
hospitable community. A community filled with
professionals who work around the clock when
necessary to ensure a successful outcome. A
community that goes out of its way to help friends
and strangers equally. A community that we ate all
fortunate to call home.
Again, on behalf of Lambton County Council, we
offer our deepest thanks to everyone involved in
this large-scale response effort. Each of you made
our successful outcome a reality. Thank you.
Steve Arnold, Warden, Lambton County