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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1976-07-21, Page 4Page 4-Citizeais News, July 21, 1976 1 Y• "So what's the word on the Habitat conference?" There is too much garbage lying around the streets of Zurich and it looks terrible. The worst offenders, believe it or not, seem to be the so-called adults. Quite a number of these seem to take delight in emptying ashtrays and cleaning out their cars in the side of the street leaving an unsightly mess' behind when they depart. There are even a few so bold as to dump their week's garbage beside one of the few existing garbage cans. The cans, few and far between as they might be, were meant for casual not organized garbage. The village definitely needs more garbage cans, perhaps chained in position as the one in front of Heimrichs is not chained and has a habit of disappearing for days on end. If we are going to be proud of our village, we are going to have to pay some attention to what we do in it. Don't litter, or some night you might find the litter will be on your property and then you'll find out how much fun it is to clean up. VieMion Time This summer when you head for a care- free vacation in a provincial park, not all of your problems will be Left behind. You may be packing the world's most expensive garbage. Every year the 2,900 square miles of Algonquin Park attract more than 12 million visitors including one -and -a -half million campers. Its wilderness trails and isolated lakes make it one of the most popular of Ontario's 122 provincial parks. While getting to a remote campsite may be half the fun for the vacationer, getting out his garbage is three times the expense. At $100 a ton, park officials say refuse collection from remote areas of Algonguin is three times as expensive as collection in even large urban centres. Park staff transport the garbage by canoe to designated locations where float planes pick it up and fly it out. The price of the one- way tickets add up to a staggering $100,000 a year. But that's a small part of the total bill. Another $100,000 goes to refuse collection from the nine campgrounds and the litter containers strung out along the 37 miles of highway 60, the park's main artery. In fact, park officials say that half of the more than 2,500 summer staff are involved in litter control or general maintenance. An overflowing garbage can, they are quick to point out, is as much a pollution problem as any that offends the eye. Of course, not all the litter can be seen. Thoughtless campers and boaters some- times try to hide their garbage on the bot- toms of unspoiled lakes, Volunteer scuba divers try to undo some of the damage. And garbage out of sight on your camp- site may be out of mind but not out of sniff- ing range for bears up to two or three miles away. If disposal is required, officials urge campers to carefully burn their garbage instead of burying it. They also instruct campers to bury their human wastes in shallow pits at least 100 feet from the shoreline tq minimize pollu- tion effects. 'But the precautions they encourage most strongly begin before the trip even starts. When chdosing supplies, avoid items that are overpackaged. When a package finds its way into a garbage can the cost and the nuisance of getting rid of it are not over. They're just beginning. And that's true whether you're in your own home or in the wilderness of Algonquin or any other provincial park. You don't have to be reminded by the world's most expensive garbage that your interests are behind the efforts of the Ont- ario Ministry of the Environment to reduce this province's production of solid waste through the Ministry's 15 -year Resource Recovery program. The cost of disposing unnecessary gar- bage is always too high a price to pay. The RW Wed by Cathy McKinley There was a large crowd on hand to greet Joe Clark and his wife Maureen at Vanastra Monday night. I was impress- ed by the man, he seems very honest and straight forward. He perhaps could use a little more practice in his public speaking, but he has two years before an election and practice'makes perfect they tell me. At least he realizes that in order to win the confidence and support of the people of the area he must first meet them and convince them he is worthy of that support. From the reactions I saw Monday night, that support will. be forthcoming if the man really means what he says. At any rate, he's off to a good' start, and Maureen obviously a bit pregnant certainly doesn't hurt the irnage any. There is a craft show on display in the Zurich public library which is certainly worth taking a look at. The works were acquired from entries for the Canadian Guild of Crafts Annual Juried Canadian National Exhibitions from the past three years. They illustrate the variety of craft movements in Canada today, and who knows, they may inspire you to do great things on your own. Even if you just dream a little of being so talented, the show is sure to give you some enjoyment. .So far it seems the Zurich fair parade is going to be a suc- cess, but let's not slack off because we think everyone else is doing everything. There is always room for one more float, bike or tricycle and when it can take such a little bit of effort to make the parade just that much better, let's not hesitate. There is still room for some local talent in the talent show Friday night so don't be shy. You don't know how good, or bad, you are until you try. For myself, I'm just hoping my luck is better on this weekend than it was during the Bayfield Centennial. Krazy Days is changing a little and while there are no Krazy days this weekend due to the fair, it might be worth- while mentioning the main change. Instead of having hourly specials, the participating stores will have one special on all weekend as long as supplies last. In other words, do your shopping early on those weekends. The Business Association is also sponsoring a free street dance August 6 for the family which is a good idea I think. If anyone wants to indulge in any alcoholic beverages they can always go over to the hotel. Meanwhile, the dance will start early enough to allow the children to have a good time before it gets too late. It's about the litter lying all over the town streets. I realize garbage cans are few and far between, but that is no excuse for throwing garbage around. If you can't control this impulse, perhaps you • could organize a group to buy garbage cans for the village in the hopes you at least might be close to one the next time you throw some garbage on the street. �acrio©h PLI(Dwyo Published Each Wednesday By J.W. Eedy Publications Ltd. Member: C,,(SNA Canadian Weekly. Newspapers Association Ontario Weekly , Newspapers Association Manager Betty O'Brien News Editor - Cathy McKinley Second Class Mail Registration Number 1385 Subscription Rates: $6.00 per year in advance in Canada; $8.00 in United States and Foreign; single copies 200