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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-09-20, Page 8Page 8 Times -Advocate, September 20, 1995 CGMMl INITY Craig Ivatts of MacLeans Source for Sports in Exeter displays two bicycle helmets. A new law making helmets mandatory will come into effect Oct. 1. New designs make helmets lighter, cooler and more comfortable. Cyclists reluctant to wear helmets as deadline nears New law makes bicycle helmets mandatory on October 1 Heather Mir T -A staff EXETER - Despite reluctance by many to wear bicycle helmets, a law will conic into effect in Ontario Oct. 1, making helmets mandatory for all cyclists. The new law, issued under the Highway Traffic Act, is based on a private member's bill, originally in- troduced by London North MPP Dianne Cunningham. "No person shall ride on or oper- ate a bicycle on a highway unless the person is wearing a bicycle hel- met that complies with regulations aiu; thechin strap of the helmet is securely fastened under the chin." The Exeter OPP told the T -A the law will he applicable to children over the age of 12. The adult guar- dian for children under 12 will be held responsible if the child is not wearing a helmet. Although the OPP has not re- ceived further instruction, they said tines will be similar to the charge of not wearing a seatbelt. The OPP prefers to promote compliance through education without the use of fines but will enforce the law fairly and equally. The safe operation of a bicycle entails mandatory use of safety equipment including a working bell or horn. A light and reflective tape are required from one half our be- fore sunset and one half hour after sunrise. Craig Ivatts and Dave Partridge of MacLean's Source for Sports ex- plained the importance of good fit and the correct way' to wear a -hel- met. In order to properly protect the head, a helmet should be worn on the brow, just above the eye- brows. - - "It is important to have a snug fit and not have excess room," said Ivatts. Partridge added helmets should be replaced if they are cracked or damaged. Because of plastic faiigue, most man- ufacturers rec- ommend replacing helmets every three years. Some companies offer a discount off a new helmet if the owner returns a - helmet which has been through an accident. This provides the man- ufacturer with important in- formation about how well their product stands up in an accident. Helmets are available in three size categories including child, which are deeper, youth and adult. They can range in price from about $20 to over $ 100. The more expensive designer hel- mets have "more bells and whis- tles" according to Partidge, such as Coolmax padding and low profile ilnpor have a ft at have r design. But as long as the helmet meets minimum standards it will help protect the head from injury. According to the Canada Safety Council there were 84 bicycle fatal- ities in Canada in 1993. Ap- proximately 75 per cent of all deaths among cyclists were due to head injuries. Eighty-five per cent of these head injuries could have been prevented if the cyclist had been wear- ing_a helmet. Look for proper cer- tification such as the ANSI -Snell rating which should he placed on the inside of the hel- met. - Manufacturers have improved the design of helmets since they first appeared on the market. They are now lighter. cool- er and better looking.. Bicycle ac- cessory companies try to appeal to everyone including children by making helmets in different shapes and colors. Some helmets even have NHL team logos or come complete with a flashing Tight at the hack. Like motorcycle helmets Par- tridge and [vatts agreed bicycle hel- mets may meet resistance in the be- ginning but will eventually, he adopted as part of the usual apparel for riding a bike. "It is tant to S11ug id not excess oom." Release of MTO pit requires purchase USBORNE TOWNSHIP - Correspondence from the Ministry of Transportation to the Usborne Council indicates that in order to get a full release of conditions on the old MTO pit in Kirkton, the Town- ship will be required to purchase the Ministry's 50 per cent interest in the pit. The township solicitor advised council no further action be taken on this matter. Council agreed with this advice. Bylaws and Agreements Bylaw 17-1995 was carried by council at the last regular meeting held on Sept. 5. Bylaw 17 is a provisional bylaw to provide for re- pair of the Scott Municipal drain. Hibbert and Fullarton Townships have advised they have no objection to the work. Bylaw 18-1995, amending bylaw 1-1995 by adding a rate for ma- chinery rental when used for construction, was passed by council. Bylaw 19-1995, prohibiting the taking of recyclable materials within the township was deferred until the next meeting pending the com- pletion of changes. Bylaw 20-1995 authorizing the acceptance of the Bluewater Recycling Association bylaw relating to a waste re- duction program was passed by council. Correspondence The Ministry of Natural Resources advised council the owner of Lot 10, Concession 10 has submitted a plan of rehabilitation for an abandoned gravel pit on this property. Council confirmed they have no concerns or comments regarding this plan. Council received cor- respondence from J.C. Enterprises regarding a proposed use for property at Part Lot 32, Concession 1. The owner of the property in- tends to sell trees this Christmas and is looking into nursery stock for the spring. Council advised in their opinion, and to the best of their knowledge, the plans are in keeping with the 50 per cent ag- ricultural use regulation. A bill received from Rowe Electric in the amount of $2,016.84 to cover the lightening damage at the Kirkton-Woodham swimming pool will be submitted to the townships ,insurance company, Jardine ()ME Ltd. The insurance deductible is $1,000. The resignation of Daniel Verbekc as Kirkton Landfill Site super- visor was accepted by council effective October 28. The position will be advertised. L Lung Association gives donation or Continued from front page would have a direct benefit to the community. "The blood gas analyzer is a de- vice that plays an integral role in the monitoring and treatment of cardio -pulmonary disease. Having this unit at South Huron Hospital will ensure that area residents ben- efit from this technology," said He - [ley. The Lung Association is Can- ada's oldest not-for-profit health agency, formed at the turn of the century to combat tuberculosis. Today, it is concerned with all lung disease. The association is funded totally by voluntary dona- tions, with most money being raised through the annual Christ- mas Seal Campaign and special fundraising events. Huron -Perth Counties Lung Association Past President Clayton Hefley presented a cheque to Sandra Burtch, medi- cal lab technologist. The donation funded the purchase of a blood gas analyzer for South Huron Hospital in Exeter. Welcome Week A grade 9 S. H. D. H. S. stu- dent spins around in the Dizzy Relay during the school's Welcome Week activities Friday afternoon. At right, the Fruit Loop Relay was one of the more challenging activities for grade 9 students during Friday's Welcome Week activities. Your Views Letters to the editor Teens need a place Dear Editor: This letter is actually a wake up call and it also goes out on behalf of all the teenagers who know exactly what I'm talking about. who arc in fact pretty decent people. 1 am a mother of one of these teenagers who is age 17, like most of his friends (male and female). 1 sec at least 12 if not more, of these kids every day at my house because they have nowhere to go. or even an acknowl- edged place to meet. 1 am really tired of hearing all the rude remarks about them and all the negativity they receive. Of all the kids that hang out at my home. I have found them to be level-headed kids tall in school), with nowhere to go and nothing to do. What's more maddening is that if our town has a pothole we fix it, if one of our street lights burn out. we repair it. My reason for this letter and my question is, we definitely have a problem. why isn't anyone doing any- thing to fix and repair this? Melanie MacDonald, Exeter Spirit of the community "a worthwhile project to donate to..." Dear Editor: I would like to use your media to express our gratitude to those individu- als who have seen the warmroom at the South Huron Recreation Centre as a worthwhile project to donate to. The project was initiated by a pledge by Tom McCann and followed up by a matching pledge by Exeter Minor Hockey. In recent days the family of Aubrey and Grace Farquhar have made a donation in remembrance of their parents. In addition to this. Tom and Cathy Seip held a cruise night at their valu-mart store with proceeds going to the warmroom. Eclipse Hair Salon and Darryl McCann provided the entertainment. It shows the spirit of our cominunity and 1 expect that I will have many more persons to thank before we are finished. 1 am sure i speak for all members of the South Huron Recreation and Community Centre Board. Sincerely, Mike Solden, Chairman South Huron Recreation and Community Centre Board. Panther Profile By Anita Wein Every year a new group of students enter high school. it's a big transition from being on top at public school to the bottom position of grade 9 at high school. The tradition of Welcome Week was upheld once again this year. beginning on Monday with an assembly where each grade 9 home room had to do an activity in front of the school. Tuesday was Dress -up Day and Grade 9 Apprenticeship Day which continued un- til Wednesday at lunch. The week finished up Thursday with a dance and as an added bo- nus Friday, lunch was made by G.S.T.(Guidance Support Team) and then in the afternoon, the grade 9 students participated in an activity afternoon planned by G.S.T. Most of the grade 9 students I talked to enjoyed most of the activities even though they were a bit messy at times. Many people disagree with Welcome Week (initiation) but I think when it is kept under control, it gives the new students time to meet new people and have some fun. Most of the grade 9 students i have had the opportunity to speak with really seem to be enjoying high school and most of them liked Welcome Week. The grade 9s bring with them a lot of spirit and energy. it's a good group this year. Now that the first few weeks of school are over and Welcome Week is finished, the grade 9 students become an official part of the school. Upcoming Events: GAWOR (Group Activities with Outrageous Results) - Exeter Fall Fair - Sunday afternoon