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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2013-07-17, Page 44 ' LakMhonadvwICe • Wednesday, July 17, 2013 opmion www.lakeshoreadvance.com Grand Ativaimo PUBLISHED WEEKLY P.O.BOX 1195 58 Ontario St., North Grand Bend ON NOM 1TO phone: 519-238-5383 fax: 519-238-5131 email: lakeshore.advance©sunmedia.ca 5U edia EDIA A Quebecor MCompany NEIL CLIFFORD Publisher/Advertising Manager nell.dlffordesunmedia.ca LYNDA HILLMAN-RAPLEY Editor lakeshore.advance@sunmedla.ca MARK STEPHEN Advertising Sales mark.stephenesunmedia.ca KATHY YOUNG TypesettIng/Classifieds Iakeshore.adsesunmedla.ca www.lakeshoreadvance.com Publications Mall Agreement No. 40064683 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO LAKESHORE ADVANCE CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT P.O.Box 119558 Ontario St. North Grand Bend ON NOM ITO For any non -deliveries or delivery concems: phone: 519-238-5383 e-mail: lakeshore.advancettsun media.ca Changes of address, orders for subscriptions, and undeliverable copies (retum postage guaranteed) are to be sent to Lakeshore Advance at the address Indicated here. Advertising is accepted on the condition that In the event of a typographical error, the portion of the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertise- ment will be paid at the applicable rates. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canadian Periodical Fund (C1'F) for our publishing activities. Canada Aocna Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Ass&clatsan and the Ontario Community Newspapers Assoaahon editorial No time for complacency in Samla-Lambton Those who believe that a train disaster, similar to what occurred in Quebec last week, could never happen in Sarnia-Lambton, should think again. Because it already did happen. Over 100 years ago, two trains collided at Wanstead, just east of Wyo- rning, killing 31 people and injuring another 35. The Dec. 27, 1902 crash was a horrific event and, as with the July 6 disaster at Lac Megantic, gar- nered headlines across North America. Of those who died at Wanstead, several were from Lambton County, as well as many from the U.S. To be sure, the property destruction never matched the scale of Lac Megantic, but the Wanstead collision was con- sidered to be a monumental tragedy because of the sheer number of people who died and were injured. Of course, it's difficult to measure the depth of Canadian tragedies, but most people would agree that the derailment and subsequent explosions at Lac Megantic overshadow anything else in living memory. That said, it's chilling to realize how dependent we are on rail traffic, and it's even more chilling to begin to comprehend the combustible properties of some of the materials that are transported daily through and near communities like Lac Megantic. The July 6 disaster has been an enormous wake-up call for a lot of people. Municipal leaders across the nation are reviewing emergency plans and pondering what would happen if a Lac Megantic-like derail- ment occurred within their community. It is of particular concern in Sarnia. This community is home to the second largest train yard in Ontario, with hundreds of trains serving the Chemical Valley. Mayor Mike Bradley has expressed concern in the past; now, Canadian National officials have already contacted him to establish a meeting to address concerns. That's a great start, but you have, to wonder if federal regulations regarding rail traffic have been loosened in recent years. Sarnia Lamb - ton MP Pat Davidson says they haven't, and even says the complement of rail inspectors has been increased. That may be, but it's no time to be complacent and satisfied with the status quo. An investigation into the Lac Megantic disaster is underway and it may discover complacency on the part of a lot of people. In the meantime, let's hope we never have a Lac Megantic-like disas- ter in Sarnia-Lambton ... or another Wanstead -like tragedy. peter.epp@sunmedia LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Lakeshore Advance welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must include the writer's full name, address, daytime phone number and signature (for verification. Anonymous let- ters will not be published. We reserve the right to edit all editorial submissions including letters for clarification, style and length. Letters must be signed and be in good taste and follow the laws of libel and slander. Bluewater biz Mark Cassidy Ironic ice balls Batman! Last week's hail storm trapped the Bluewater Blooms judges inside the Iceculture building in Hensall for over an hour. Just two minutes before the hail came blasting down Karen Windsor the tour guide had just finished explaining how Icecul- ture makes their famous - you guessed it - ICE BALLS! And for an encore later that evening the guests at Councillor Kay Wise's reception were blown away once again. This time it wasn't by some nasty hail. it vs by colourful and delicious sorbet deserts served in individual cups made of SOLi) ICE by Icecul- ture. The Communities in Blooms judges were impressed by the show of community spirit from our local businesses. Another big bit of the day was the dedication ceremony for the new Doctor Jennie Smillie Park in 1lensall. Jennie Smillie was Canada's very first woman surgeon and she was born in llensall. About a dozen of Jennie's descendants were on hand for the ribbon cut- ting. Some people said it was Jennie who ordered the hail to stop so her park dedication could go ahead on schedule. So will Bluewater win the coveted Five Blooms award this year? With Jennie Smillie on our side it's a good bet. letter to the editor Writer defends position of by-law officers Regarding your editorial dated Wednesday, July 10, 2013, By -Law, Enforcement Officers are hired to enforce by-law issues within the Village of Grand Bend, having been trained before the first long weekend of the summer. It would have been so easy to check by calling By -Law Enforce- ment 519-238-5246. These young men and women go out with a senior By -Law Enforce- ment Officer and ensure that people park in des- ignated areas in order to keep the roadways clear for traffic, citizens and most importantly, f emergency vehicles. Even those business owne ) who complained to you about By -Law are reap- ing the rewards by these young adults keeping the traffic moving so that mor e traffic can replace them thereby ensuring that the replace- ments shop at their establishments. Every noise complaint is investigated and acted upon. By- laws are numerous and if they come across one they do not understand, they will look it up and act upon it accordingly. Cathy Jones Port Franks LET'S MAKE CANCER HISTORY For information about cancer, 1.888.939.3333 services or to make a donation www.cancer.ca Canadian Cancer Society Societe canadienne du cancer