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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2012-06-13, Page 7Fireflghters Wednesday, June 22, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 15 Susan Hundertmark QMI Agency The PRiSM 911 system got a few more participants during a recent Firemen's Breakfast at the Hrucefield It'ltehall, Coun. Bernie Maclellan (Huron East) told his fellow council- lors at the June 15 committee Of the whole meeting of Iluron County council. Maclellan asked if all of the fire departments in I luron County would be approached to promote the PRiSM 911 (Protective' Response interactive Services Management) system at all of their breakfasts this summer. Only 43 per cent of Huron County households have signed up for the emergency notification system, which sends out mass telephone message's in the event of an emergency or dis- aster. The PRISM system can also work as an Amber Alert system in the event of a missing person. Coon. Bili i)owson (Hluewater) said promoting PRISM at the Bruc•efteld firemen's breakfast was very successful. "A lot of information was handed out so people c'an't say now that they dont know anything about it the service is there if they want to use it." he said. Maclellan said he talked to a lot of people who didn't understand what Zurich area hears about wind turbine issues CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 13 And If health issues are not enough, says Johnston, the general public should also be aware there are a number of other associated problems connected to turbine projects, includ- ing their impact on the migratory path of birds. As one example, Johnston says her community used to be stopping point for thousands of tundra swans but those days are long gone. "I'd hate to see some of you suffering the way our community is, says John- ston. "People all over Ontario need to say 'enough is enough." John Laforet, the head of Wind Con- cerns Ontario and a former campalipi worker for the federal arm of the Lib- eral Party, says his foray into the debate began almost by accident several years ago when he learned about plans for an expansive IWT development in his home community of Scarborough Bluffs. Now, he says, Wind Concern Ontario has grown to include dozens of grass- roots -based group that have been suc- cessful In leading more than 80 Ontario municipalities to call for a moratorium on wind development until more research Is conducted on their impact upon human health, among other issues. As of the present day, Laforet and supporters are conducting a 36 - municipality Truth About Turbines' tour in order to ensure "the citizens of Ontario are well informed; Laforet also took time out to criticize Ontario Environment Minister John Wilkinson's recent press conference where he sat in front of two piles, the markedly smaller one ostensibly from anecdotal evidence with regard to wind turbines' impact on health with the other, much larger one, from the scientific community. "It is a ridiculous notion that the value of science is about the size of the paperwork," says Laforet to applause from a supportive crowd. In reporting his tour spans from as far south as Amherstburg to northwest in Thunder Bay and east to Ottawa, Laforet contends, "No place in Ontario is safe from Industrial Wind development." Harkening back to his own experi- ence, Laforet says IWT projects have been pushed through since the begin- ning. In referencing the situation in Scarborough Bluffs, Laforet says alann bells started to clang for him when he attended Toronto Hydro's first consulta- tion session on the issue where the meeting room was not large enough to allow those on hand to have a seat. 'the more research he conducted, the more convinced he was that there was "very little merit to what was being pro- posed in the first place." Worse yet, says Laforet, anyone who criticized the proposal was immediately painted as a NIMBYist. The introduc- tion of the Green Energy Act, says Laforet, only further supported the idea that something was wrong with allow- ing IWT projects to move forward. So far, argues Laforet, the Liberal Government has turned its head to any criticism of Wilt or the GRA. Concerns about what was being called Wind Tur- bine Syndrome were also summarily dismissed, "We don't believe their computer models and they don't seen to believe in the human experience," says Laforet, who suggests an epidemiological study is the only answer. Courthouse clock to erepaired CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 12 or hold hack our funding," he said. hall added she is helping Iluron Sands reduce their bad debts from four per cent to the county level of three per cent. Courthouse clock to be repaired The clock at the Huron County Courthouse will be repaired. Huron County's committee of the whole, which met on June 15, agreed to award a $16,5(11.88 contract to repair both the clocks and the chime "Factors must be In place to stop the ongoing deficit position and this may be obtained by increasing the bench- marks where appropriate and working with Huron Sands to reduce unneces- sary expenditures," she said in her report. Hall gave the example of a $4,900 _*expense for a conference that was addressed immediately. "'They have agreed to find every measure possible to eliminate their deficit," she said. Shewfelt asked if it would make more sense financially for the county to take over the facility but Social Services Administrator Dave Overboe replied that Huron Sands Is a private corporation which the county can't "simply take over," "'ihe only thing we can da is reduce EST G.LC. Rate 3.05 96 Iwls. M/aN ma, WM,) • 1 EXETER 2.1.5-2420 Dalser c:>t isToN Knoalts 482.34°1 I, s..r k.s Mo. system in the courthouse building. Harkes Industries, of (Gentle, will do the work, Wut Coact kitchens . . And Much More J 1 in414 Ile,, „u I k d,me i • Atlktwit% • (•n\hontVtI1tI e.. • Nitrttatnnxnt Unit% • Home Ottike% Paon%IONAL ItirtAl maxi Currom Own & Counwoe Visit Our ShoH'mim 50 West St. Goderich 519.440.0352 liookrkk & l►lurr<v e'Aambrr of l'„mm,rr, Mummy of Mr rral.4rgrd %INM Fnatlt vmktemoitklIbthurmilehbect• M 911 the emeligency notification system) did. "Now that they understand it, hopefully we can get this system populated," he said. John Ilorseman, deputy chief of the county's Emer- gency Medical Services, said he also attended the (;oderic•h Home and Garden Show to talk about the PRISM system. ,We are attending where we can," he said. Ambulance located in Clinton An ambulance will be posted temporarily at the new Clinton fireball, Iluron County council's committee of the whole agreed at its June 15 committee of the whole meeting. "Now that the Clinton firehall is up and operational, we want to make the half step to Blyth," said John 1lorseman, deputy chief of Emergency Medical Services. While' the county EMS department decided last August to add three ambulance posts in Iluron County to reduce overall response times, the Clinton post will he moved to Blyth, where a new firehall is currently under construction. "flow long will this go at the Clinton site?" asked Coun. Bill 1)o vson (1ilue'Water). "You've' got one there' and one. four miles down the road." f lorseman said the ltlyth firehall is expected to be com- pleted in the fall but Coon. Neil Vincent (North Huron) said completion could actually he done in the next three weeks. "That date inny move forward," said Vincent. Coun. Bernie Maclellan (Iluron East) said he was con- cerned that the report mentioned a $500 per month lease would still have to be negotiated with Blyth and Central Iluron. "It's a benefit to have an ambulance station on your doorstep and I'd he concerned if we negotiated to pay more than everyone else is paid," he said. i(orseman said $500 is what the. department has budgeted. "'that would be our intent,' he said. NIMIMIUMF Postal Strike In the event of a mail strike, you can pick up your copy of The Lakeshore Advance at our office. 58 Ontario St., N. Grand Bend NOM 1TO PH: 519-238-5383