The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1993-05-05, Page 16Page 16 Times -Advocate, May 5,1993 Grand .Bend Chamber of Commerce asks council for $20;000 GRAND BEND The Grand Bend and Area Chamber of Comm brought a wish list to council Monday night, which, '. the village $20,000. In a letter from president Randi Downs Ivey, the for financial assistance which would help cover the costs of -se items. Those include province wide advertising, implementation of an nomic Development Officer, repairs to the Tourisrn Information Booth > and possible relocation, help to continue to pursue new membership and help in all village promotions undertaken by the Chamber as year round projects. "This council is in strong support of the business community," said Mayor Tom Lawson. •• Council was going to take a look at the request during this week's budget session but also suggested the village match a financial contri- bution dollar for dollar with the Chamber. "I'm concerned where the village commitment is," said councillor Bill Uniac. "There should be some incentive on the Chamber's part, I can see matching funds." >A Beaver's Tale, a book of environmental information •pre- pared by Bluewater Recycling, was presented to South Huron District High School by Lynda Rotteau (centre), one of the book's authors. •At left is science department head Joe Jan- kowski, and.at right is school librarian Charlie Mountford. Recycling book launched GRAND.BEND - The Bluewater Recycling Association has launched its new book "A Beaver's Tale", which is a curriculum guide for secondary schools. The book, started over a year ago, is aimed at becoming a user- friendly resource guide on environ- mental issues. Lynda Rotteau, one of the book's authors, explained that .the binder format of the volume allows the book to be easily updated with new environmental information as it be- comes available. Local schools areamong the -first to receive , copies of the book, which incidentally basbeen printed on recycled paper. "It will really be used," said South Huron District 'High School .. librarian Charlie Mountford upon j receiving a copy Mopday. "I know we do a lot of stuff on environmen- tal issues." Science department head Joe Jan- kowski agreed. "We will certainly make use of the material. It's a very pertinent -topic." H -P Lung Association offering seminar on asthma GODERfC4i - The Lung Associ- ation, Huron -Perth counties is sponsoring a seminar on Asthma and its Treatment on Wednesday May 12 at 7 p.m. This program aimed at adultasthmatics as well as parents and care -givers of asth- matic children, will be held at The Livery 'Theatre, Goderich. Co- sponsor of the seminar is Profes- sional Respiratory Home Care Ser- vice Corp., Clinton. The speakers are Dr. Ted Eccle- stone, pediatric respirologist at the Children's Hospital of Western Ontario, and Mark Aitken, a phar- macist at Rieck's Pharmacy in Goderich. There will be lots of time for questions. Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by wheezing, short- ness of breath, chronic cough and chest tightness. Acute asthma is the most common medical emer- gency in children and is responsi- ble for increasing hospitalization and death rates. It seems that asth- ma therapy works best when par- ents and patients are well- informed and confident in:asking an active role in prevention and. treatment. There is no charge for this ma seminar. For further info tion call The Lung Association at 271-7500 or Pro Resp at 482- 7405. J Letter to Editnr Condom machines give students a choice Dear Editor: 1 am writing in response to an article in last weeks paper entitled, "Sending Mixed Messages to Teens". ,Being in my twentieth year and a university student, the trials of teenage life remain still fresh in my mind. The issue pre- sented in this article, regarding the placement of condom machines in high schools, is indeed a topic which requires a great deal of thought and discussion. As such, it is essential that this dilemma is viewed objectively and realistical- lyThe author of last weeks article indicated her personal belief that by installing condom machines in high schools, that "we, as adults, are :d in students the message iliallit4110K for them to have sex, as long as they follow the safety rules". She also indicated that by making accessible these machines, we are encouraging students to view sexual intercourse as a form of recreation. Although it is under- standable that as a parent, the au- thor would like to protect her chil- dren, it seems in my opinion, that the reality of teenage sexual activi- ty has eluded her. Although one would like to be- lieve that teens will accept the ab- stinence standard, research has shown that less than one-fifth of teens are willing to do so (Hobart, 1979). Also according to these sta- tistics, the trend toward greater permissiveness is increasing. Thus, it is evident that as much as one hopes that his or her child will conform to traditional morality, this is not the case of reality. It is the opinion of this writer, that by placing these machines in schools we are not encouraging "free -love", but rather we are counselling students that if they choose to engage in sexu- al activity, they do so safely. This means the use of latex condoms, as they are currently the most effective form of protection against sexually transmitted diseases, and when used properly, can also prevent pregnancy. It would be incorrect for me to suggest that all teens are engaging in sexual activity. However, it would also be ignorant of me to as- sume that nOne will. Installing con- dom machines in high schools does not undermine a students ability to possess high morals and good judgement. One the contrary, plac- ing condom machines in schools signifies to students that we have not given up on them to make the right decisions regarding sex. , It is time to stop treating teens as if they were toddlers and incapable of making decisions. It is ludicrous to compare the reasoning abilities of infants with those of young adults. This is not to say that teens no longer need guidance and sup- port from their parents. I merely suggest that all teens should be ful- ly Informed of their choices and the consequences of sexual activity. This does not mean simply employ- ing scare tactics in the vain attempt to promote abstinence. I do, howev- er, recommend that all teens be openly taught about the possibility of sexual diseases and pregnancy, and informed of the strong emo- tional commitment that should ac- company sexual intimacy. Ms. Thomson further suggests that the embarrassment and fear at- tached to purchasing condoms from the drugstore, is due to the fact that premarital intercourse is "legally or morally wrong". It is, in fact, the obsolete social stigma of indecen- cy attached to purchasing con- doms, that leads to embarrassment even among fully grown adults. li is time to quit hiding human sexu- ality from teens and start teaching that sexual intimacy between twc loving, consenting individuals should not be entered into lightly and that if the couple chooses tc engage in sex, the proper precau- tions should be taken. In the article, "Sending Mixec Messages to Teens," the author ad. mits of teens that "we can love them, educate them and set gooc examples, but sometimes they wil. still go astray. After we've dont our best, it comes down to their judgement, we can hope and pray . they will make the right choices.' On this point, I concur. However in order to make an informed deci- sion the teens should be provides with as many facts as possible, thu includes making condoms avails ble and instructing teens in thein proper use. Indeed, abstinence is the only sure way to avoid sexually trans mitted diseases and pregnancy. Bu • realistically, we cannot close au] eyes to the fact that teens are no choosing this option. As such, it ii the responsibility of the communi. ty to provide prof ction and guid. ance for today's youth. It is espe. cially important for parents u inform their children about all as pects of sex. For although I, myseli am not a parent, I wonder hov, many parents, (who refused to be lieve that their child may be sexu. ally active) could stand to watcl their child suffer and ultimately die of a disease, such as AIDS, know- ing that the use of a condom coulc have saved their child's life. Sincerely J.K. Becke, Treat Mom This Week 10 Pcs, Of Chicken Salad, Fries, Gravy 11 • Pius Taxes 1111111 KFC AT. ,MAY 8th 9:00 a.m. to :00 p.m Feature Aftractions Winder The Big Top .. . l PLUS A DOZEN MORE COMPLIMENTARY LINES BEARCAT - Chippers • Shredders • Vacuums BEFCO - Finish Mowers • Flail • Roto Tillers BUSH HOG - Rotary & Finish Mowers • Post Hole Augers FARM FLEET - Scraper Blades • Sprayers • Mowers GILL - Landscaping Rakes • Blades • Scrapers MARDI - Estate Sprayers • Hand Sprayers KARCHER - Hot & Cold Power Washers LUCKNOW - Rotary Mowers • Scraper Blades ROBIN - Grass & Hedge Trimmers • Edgers RYOBI - Grass Trimmers VAN EYL - Estate & Dump Trailers WOODS - Finish & Belly Mowers CA1.1. Tlt7AY ABOUT YOUR cliri1O AIOMA .".. Makes the Cut 2 year warranty Establishing exactly what your Isom and garden care roods ars k the fry to buy%'g IM right aW'Wriont Coro in and noel Ino pros who pr'o tlonwNves in *Ong you Iry right product for Yo job, nothing more, noUylp lass. WI vs gel Ifo right P0waMo Ior your yard OVER 40 UNITS IN STOCK CALL JASON TODAY233-2121 ECCIPMER LAWN & GARDEN CENTRE SNAPPER CUTS IT ANY WAY YOU LIKE rusw.rOwas Moa uta"o amus CALL JASON TODAY 21S-2121 NICI‘\ LAWN & GARDEN CENTRE ,i .1 LAWN and HARDEN CENTRE Highway 4 South EXETER • 4