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.