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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2012-03-28, Page 20Wednesda , . 113, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 5 Cimrnuillty column From the countryside John Russell Lakeshore Advance One day back in 1963, I was heading uptown with a friend on our bikes to pick up our papers from the Beacon -Herald, As we crossed the CN tracks on Downie, we spied a huge crowd at the train station. Being ten and curious, a quick detour was made down to the station hill Leaving our bikes we squirmed our way as close as we could get to the centre of attention on the tracks. 'There on the back of a passenger was our Prime Minister, John G. Diefenbaker holding forth. Now 1 know my mind's eye makes that scene maybe bigger and better than it was but two things are vivid. One, that the crowd was bigger than any 1 had seen outside of the arena and two, how quiet they were. Everyone stood in rapt attention as old Dief played the marionette. Applause was loud and raucous and then silence. Ile soared from one peak of oratorical splendor to another. It wasn't until I saw Stephen Lewis, 25 years later that I wit- nessed a performance that grand. And that brings us to our current federal campaign. 1 wonder if I would he allowed to approach any place where our current office holder is laying it out, Firstly, they don't seem to be public which foregoes any exuberant youth from discovering something new and special. Secondly if l was identified by the secret staff policiat of the party apparatus that sanctions all human c'ontac't, as a young (aisle of dubious nature, especially with contacts to radical groups such as Liberals, l would prob- ably be asked to leave. Such a pity to not be able to see and hear the grandiose plans that are promised five years from now when we are out of debt. I know its a promise but c' 111011! I wonder where we have got to when the parties and their leaders impress on such a scale that we put more credence in the poll that tells us how mulch we like them than in their policies. Is it because the likeability quo- tient is more in tune with our fast intellectual digestion rate of public affairs? ()ur ability as a society, to over simplify every thing to the point that the parties now cater to that sim- plicity by offering us the fast food of advertising,attuck ads. 1 don't know what is more insulting those or the continual ads that personify scot males as idiots. Either way, enough! I think we should demand more Of our leaders, their candidates and their explana- '1on of where they will lead us. Enough with 'Mlle photo -ops and the pre-packaged pablum. I am sure I and not alone in wanting clear,articulate policies and direction, in wanting leadership on not what will keep you in power or obtain it but what will sustain and nurture our future. Give me a practical vision and maybe I will become that child in awe again, Until that time 1 might remain a bit sceptical of them all. And that how 1 see it this week. C.O.P.D Grand Bend Community Health Centre Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)or Chronic Obstructive lung Disease ((:OLD) is a disease that causes the airways of the lungs to be'coine "obstructive" or blocked, meaning that for a person with COPT) getting air in and out of the lungs can be difficult. COPT) includes two major diseases: Chronic Bronchitis and or Emphysema. Peo- ple with COPD may suffer from one of those diseases or a combination of both. Each dis- ease snakes breathing difficult and causes breathlessness. So, what are the differences between the two? Chronic Bronchitis is all inflamillation of the lining of the airways which causes a build up of mucus blocking the flow of air. Emphy- sema causes a Toss of lung elasticity. Normal lung tissue can expand and snap back like a rubber balloon allowing air to exhale easily from the lungs after you have inhaled. With emphysema, air becomes trapped in large pockets in your lungs, causing breathlessness and fatigue. COPD is on the rise in Canada and World- wide. More than 750,000 Canadian suffer from ('OPi) and hundreds of thousands remain undiagnosed. 1 low can you tell if you have COPD? COPD is the type of disease that's sneaks up on you, You may have a cough that doesn't go away, or you get short of breath walking up stairs. Here is a quick test if you are worried about your lung health. ■ Are you a smoker or ex smoker 40 years of age or older? ■ Do you have it cough with raucous that doesn't go away? ■ Do you get a lot of chest infections? • Do you get short of breath with simple activities? If you answered yes to yes to being a smoker or ex-smoker and one of any other question, you could be at risk for COPD. Ask your 1)r. about further testing for COPD. Early diagno- sis allows patients to stabilize the disease and begin to manage their health. COPD is known as a smoker's disease. Reader thinks council members should grow -up Municipalities (cast' in point Blue - water council) should pass a bylaw that would not allow babies on coun- cil, at least they should be out of dia- pers and on training wheels, because babies don't have much common sense. Caucus meetings with the sante select group of councilors should not be held to set private agendas. Coun- cilors should be allowed to think for themselves, and speak for the people they represent, not as they are coached. Sure councilors should bring up and argue for ward issues. Alen sane councilors vote on the issue and move 00, and yes often you may be disappointed, but if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Resign. it's obvious that ward is being pit- ted against ward. Amalgamation created larger municipalities, it was not designed to create municipalities tvithin munici- palities, shake your heads. At the writing of this letter, BIuewa- ter council is ineffective, votes are often deadlocked (tied). Never before have 1 heard of the head Of council's selection of coun- cilors to committees not be accepted ( by a majority Vote). 1 can only Say grow up. I believe we, the electorate of Blue - water, should ask Ontario Municipal affairs to assume or appoint caretak- ers to assume council and adminis- trative duties until a grown or mature council is formed or the present council can resolve their differences. Bob Fisher Although there are other causes of COPT), smoking is by far the greatest risk factor. It inay be hard to quit smoking but it is the hest wiry to prevent and slow down the progression of COPD. (:OPD treatment: Although there are many therapies to help patients with COPi) the Canadian Lung Association strongly recom- mends educational programmes for (:()P1) patients. It has been found that COPD patients who are informed about their disease have fewer hIl visits and hospital admissions. E low - ever, only 1.2 % of patients with (;OPI) can access these educational programmes. 'The (rand Bend Area Colmiuulity 1 lealth (:entre offers a C()PE) management program starting April 29th 2011 every Friday for four weeks from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the Community Room at 69 Main St East. 'The session will include speakers on Oxy- gen 'therapy, Medication, Exercise and Energy conservation plus many other strategies to help yott manage your COPD. Ian McCrae is a Certified COPD educator and Physiotherapist at the Grand Bend Area Community 1 lealth Centre. For further infor- mation call 519-238-1556 ext. 238. Stephen back with more action Stephen Central By Baylee and Emily Back with more action! 'this past week on Tuesdny our 'Ks, SKs and grade 1, 2, 3 & 4's made their way to Exeter Public School for an aboriginal presentation by the Metis Fiddlers Quartet. They had such a blast. On 'Thursday our grade 3/4 and 4/5 went to the Baron -Perth Water and Agriculture Festival which is full of excitement and great fun. 'This week, our grade 3/4's went to Vanastra for a swine in the sea. Okay, maybe not in the sea but in a pool without sharks. We would never put our students in a harmful situation. 'they also go Tuesday April 19th and 26th for yet another day of fun! On Thursday our grade 4 and 5's head to Exeter Public School for a French concert performed by iuli Powers. Next Friday we also have a day off of classes due to Good Friday! 'talk to you next week. Enjoy your week! Inspiration and excitement at St. Anne's Mikkena Lane Put>licationName,Lakeshore Advance This past week at St. Anne's was enriched with inspiration and excitement. 011 April 5th, 2011 the getup Me to We organized the moti- vational speaker Spencer West to Join the stu- dent body in an assembly regarding the impor- tance of contributing to the global good. Spencer West is an advocate for the organiza- tion Free the Children, where students help other students in need. The group Me to We has achieved amazing goals over the past three years that they have been a school club. St. Anne's Me to We have inspired the student body to become active and with the help of our lluron County community, have raised over $58 00) to help build schools in developing countries. St. Anne's also recognized the giving students of the Kingsbridge Youth Group who ventured to Costa Rica over the March Break. The Youth Group donated their time and efforts into building a play ground for the chil- dren of Costa Rica in hopes to provide a sense of security, safety, and happiness, 'she grade eleven French Religion class lead by their motivator and teacher Mrs. Glavin also contributed to the global good this past Friday April 8th. The students organized the annual lhinkfast, where students spent the night at St. Anne's and fasted for 30 hours. The fasting raises awareness regarding the need to end pxwerty and to severely reduce the use of plas- tic water bottles and end the privatization of water. In addition, St. Anne's student cabinet organ- ized the hi -annual Coffee I louse which took place on April 6th, 2011. At Coffee I louse, stu- dents and their friends from the community are given the opportunity to share their talents with a supportive crowed while enjoying the decadence of cookies, brownies, and hot chocolate. On Wednesday, April 13th, St. Anne's will he pmucily participating in International Pink Day to take a stand against bullying. Also on Satur- day, April 16th we are hosting an All Girls Dance for girls aged 15-21. Come out, have fun with your sisters and support an All Girls 1 ligh School in Kenya! An educated girl can end the cycle of poverty.