Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-02-28, Page 4irt Paga 4 Times -Advocate, February 28,1986 Publlolilr ilk Editor: Jim Beckett Buidneee'Nonagor: Don Smith Proikiotlgll Manager: oet►;t e Bub COR,m, qua Eeay Mart Heather Mir, CMs 8lcaikos, Ross Hattgh, Brenda Burke fin; Alma Ballantyne, Mary McMurray, Barb Robertson Brenda Hem, Joyce Weber, laurel Miner III sa.N Flynn, Al Hodgert Front Offkat & Acear4►tint Elaine Pinder, Sue Rollings, Ruthanne Negrijn, Mita McDonald, Cassie Dalrymple i EEXiteir 7 *hMocsts le. anie rr► 'st Es oli of COininUnite newspapers providing news, advertising and information *Worship. • • More facts needed on PAC's uron Park residents are find- ing themselves in a unique and puz- zling situation as they become aware of a plan by a self -described non-profit, non-government, non -denominational organization affiliated with a company that is trying to purchase their commu- nity. Residents reacted Thursday night at a community meeting when PACS (Partnership in Community Services) organizers tried to explain their goals. Brother James Steele is working under the name of "Steele Semper Fidelis In- corporated" to purchase the communi- ty. While PACS organizers are trying to sell their goals to the community, Onta- rio Development Corporation officials have declined Semper's bid. In fact, ODC spokesman Harvey Glower said the corporation does not intend to ac- cept any offer at the present time. Members of the Huron Park Housing Asociation, who make up about 90 per cent of Huron Park's 361 households, greeted the PACS plan with skepticism. The outreach ministry program will need a great deal more explaining and clarifying before it is accepted. Semper, according to Brother James, has been working with the government for some time. But there are many ques- tions that remain unanswered before the ownership of Huron Park should change. Do PACS and Brother James have any track record so their words and actions can be checked out? Is there a time limit for the government to have this community returned to pri- vate ownership? Does Huron Park really need to be the focus of a ministerial outreach organiza- tion any more than other communities? It is time for the provincial govern- ment to detail what future they see for Huron Park. If the homes are to become privately owned the first step should be to offer them to their present tenants, which according to Brother James, are his intentions? We would expect Huron Park to be an important component of Stephen Town- ship, which is also going to be part of a larger community when annexation takes place. Brother James' attempt to buy Huron Park may be beneficial whether or not his goal is ever achieved. A controversial bid by a company asso- ciated with an unknown group could trigger an announcement on the future of the community. Huron Park residents deserve this much. Fire victims thankful "...Stephen Township is very, very fortunate to be served by this group of volunteers." Dear Editor: After a recent fire in our Stephen Township home, we would like to openly thank the volunteer fire de- partment which responded from Centralia. It was hard to believe the short response time of the firemen and equipment. Their professionalism and consideration for prop- erty and owners was great and certainly a contribut- ing factor Leading to a minimal amount of water damage to the lower level furnishings and other pos- sessions while still containing the fire. The assistance and follow up after the fire was ex- tinguished was unexpected but so very much appre- ciated. We were also appreciative of the manner in which they handled the onlookers - including one which was less than co-operative or considerate of their position. We could just go on and on, but after being on the scene of another unfortunate incident last fall in our neighborhood to which these same firemen respond- ed, and a fire in our own home, we believe this part of Stephen Township is very, very fortunate to be served by this group of volunteers. Our belief is that this group of men consistently do what needs done in a very professional and com- passionate manner. Who could ask for more? Thanks again. Bonnie and Bill McNutt TORONTO -- Has Ontario's own Great Com- municator Lost his touch? Progressive Conser- vative Premier Mike Harris swept an election last year partly by getting across his message that he would reduce spending more effective- ly than his opponents. But now he is now floundering in polls and one has placed him second to the Liberals whom he routed and who do not even have a permanent leader. Harris has said "we have to do a better job of communicating that we're proceeding in the right way and at the right speed." Deputy Premier Ernie Eves suggested the gov- ernment has failed to get its message to voters and they have a misconception of what it is do- ing. Labor Minister Elizabeth Witmer, who has emerged as Harris's most adroit minister in putting through controv . Orion (to help employers in . ; , ; , ittail bitter- ness, agreed that "obviously we have to do a (better job of getting our message out." Harris has demonstrated his communications skills dramatically since becoming leader in 1990. Although he led the smallest party and appeared to have little chance of being elected to government, he constantly injected himself into the public eye. Hams laid out his basic policies for cutting spending a year before the election in a pamph- let called The Common Sense Revolution, which nary in the news media sneered at but in the end everyone knew about. Harris used stunts like bringing "tricks" and "fiats" bags into the legislature at Halloween trying to illustrate the New Democrat govern- ment's financial calculations were trickery and its treats were only for friends. He once brought in a cell phone on which be wanted to question premier Bob Rae, who Was absent often on radio hotlines -- be never got through to Rad, but he got in the papers. Harris's knack for ptpircj himseV helped PuaNcatIona Mali Rrsasha ko tJt�frtber 039e WdtldaU 8 ) ad0iaiaa1 bQlI A d carder addressee $33.00p s $2.111 LOX. Outside 40 relies (05 W.) or any letter carder address' $33A0 this $30.00 (bbd 43,00) ♦ 4.31 O.S.T. Outside Canada 500.00 piss $4.03 5$T (Moludss 5118.40 postage) Published t..Aet 434 Mab lit., Exeter, oetatipo,, NOMlail by LW. Cody Publications Ltd. Tele/MMs�11if,V114. l . • Fax: 7111 T. 111101121011111 Healthy fast food? Research has come out with some interesting findings in- cluding studies that relate the , consumption of wine, especially red.wjAlewith .lower Cholesterol -`leveis and, fewer cases of heart ;.disease. The study was probably conducted in France where cream -laden dishes are a main- stay. I could buy this theory, assum- ing alcohol somehow helps fat pass through arteries without clogging them but more recent information suggesting fast foods can have health benefits is too good to be true. A new study shows foods such as cheeseburgers can reduce chances of breast and skin can- cer as well as lowering LDL or bad cholesterol. The study reported in the Ar- chives of Internal Medicine showed cholesterol levels dropped with limited fast food consumption. The catch is the study was paid for by McDo- nald's although it was indepen- dantly conducted at the Univer- sity of Toronto and Chicago's Rush Presbyterian. Most people would agree the best way to achieve good health is though a well-balanced diet and regular exercise. Enjoying an occassional burger and fries won't do you in but suggesting such food Is actually beneficial seems a bit of a stretch. Researchers conducting the study examined 100 people with high chulsterol and divided them into two groups. One group ate a recommended cholesterol-lowering diet during an eight-week period while a second group followed a similar plan that allowed five meals a week at a fast food restaurant. A typical fast food meal consist- ed of a quarter -pound hambur- ger and a garden salad. While both groups lowered their cholesterol and lost weight, the second group did not do as well as the first group which lowered its LDL by 10 per cent. The fast food group achieved a four per cent reduction in LDL. Some skeptics question the relevance of the study to most people since both groups worked with a nutritionist who monitored fat intake. Research- ers defended the study claiming people are more likely to stick with a diet that allows fast food in small portions. The findings of this new study don't mean you can go ahead and load up on, fatty fast foods. The best wad to lower' chpieste- • rol is by diti inisbing the 'total fat content of your diet, espe- ciall the fat of animal origin. Eating more vegetables and fruits, using skim of one per centmilk and eating cheese (nearly 30 per cent fat) and eggs in moderation are some ways to reduce fat. Choosing fish, chicken and lean meat as well as eating more legumes and pastas will also help keep cholesterol levels in check. Drinking tea, especially green tea popular in Asian coun- tries can help protect the heart. An agent in tea acts as an anti- coagulant and artery protector. Tea drinkers appear to have less damaged and clogged arteries and fewer strokes. Stopping smoking and aerobic exercise are ways to raise HDL - C - good cholesterol. Higher HDL -C levels are protective to your vascular system. Both gar- lic and onions have also been shown in studies to help raise the good cholesterol levels. Harris not getting message across him enter the 1995 election better known than Liberal leader Lyn McLeod, who used to act as if she expected people to knock on her door and ask her what she thought, but in the elec- tion he thoroughly demonstrated his effective- ness in communicating. Harris's message that he would drastically cut spending and income tax and balance the bud- get was one that many were ready and anxious to hear. But he also sounded more decisive and eager to get on with it than the Liberals, who had their own cluttered version of cuts. Harris has not shown any gift of the gab, but h seemed Kt know what appealed to people and• what points to stress and even opponents admired him for this. Harris in government has.more than a public relations problem. He has discovered that mmy who thought they liked cuts have lost their enthusiasm now they are being hurtby them. But Harris has not done all he could to sell his cuts, anyway. He is not seen on.every TV talk show making the argument he should that cuts will hurt, but are essential to reduce debt and taxes in the long run. Far from communicating, he brought in his unprecedented omnibus bill giving government unheard-of powers to make cuts almost secretively and left the opposition parties and news media to pry outits ramifica- tions in instalments so that in the end the public was even more scared. Harris could have provided some reassurance if he had taken the initiative and volunteered that he was taking unusual powers, but they were necessary in the worthy cause of cutting spending and asked people to bear with him. Instead, the premier was not even here, but on trade missions in Asia and Europe for much of the time he should have been defending his contentious legislation. Harris' main problem may be that he is a hawk and more in his element attacking, and it does hot come easy to him to soothe and calm.