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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-10-18, Page 23Wednesday, October 18, 2006 TIMES—ADVOCATE 21 MPP Carol Mitchell visits Mount Carmel school Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell visited Our Lady of Mount Carmel school Friday, talking to stu- dents and answering their questions. She also presented an Ontario flag to the school's student council, represented above by president Josie McCann. (photo/Scott Nixon) By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF MOUNT CARMEL — Students at Our Lady of Mount Carmel had a glimpse of provincial poli- tics last week as Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell stopped at the school for a visit. Principal Mike Bruneel toured Mitchell through the school Friday. She stopped in several classrooms and met with the school's student council, pre- senting them with a new Ontario flag for the school. Noting this year is the 50th anniversary of Mount Carmel, Mitchell described it as a beau- tiful school and said she was impressed with what she saw. It was her first visit to Mount Carmel and she said visiting schools in her riding is some- thing she likes to do two to three times a year. "It's fun listening to the kids," she said. Members of student council told Mitchell they'd like the school to have more sports equipment and social events, such as dances. When asked if they had career plans, Jaron Van Osch said he would like to pursue a career in the military. Mitchell told the students about her background in municipal and county politics, adding, "The only position I did- n't get in was student council." She said she has a tough job and noted her riding is large, stretching from Grand Bend up to Southampton, over to Walkerton and down to Exeter. "I love my job," she said, adding she will run again in next year's provincial election. She said she was pleased to see so many female members on Mount Carmel's student council because it can be tough to convince females to enter politics. Speaking to teacher Carrie Ducharme-Ivatts' Grade 5/6 class, Mitchell described herself as "the accidental politician." When she owned businesses in Clinton and Bayfield, she had issues and concerns and made presentations before council. Safe schools meeting at Lucan Centre By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN — "It's time to take a stand," said Lucan OPP Const. Doug Graham who has been a Community Services Officer in Lucan for 16 years Graham was speaking at a Safe Schools meeting at the Lucan Community Centre Oct. 11 put on by the Lucan Biddulph Parent Advisory Council and St. Patrick's School council. The focus of Graham's talk was the looming problem of methamphetamine which he described as a coming problem in the area. While Graham said Perth County is a "hotbed" of methamphetamine activity, he said the drug has not yet arrived in Lucan in force. "We should be concerned but we have an opportuni- ty," said Graham. "It's here, but not like it will be here." The drug was big in the '70s said Graham, but was made in labs rather than the methods now where it is being made in barns, homes and vehicles. Graham said information both good and bad about the drug has to be made available to kids or else credi- bility is lost. While the use of methamphetamine brings an incredi- ble sense of energy, Graham said the effects of the drug are rapid and severe including open sores, rotten teeth, rapid aging and dropping eyes. "I can show them what they'll look like in nine months," said Graham about informing students about the risks of using methamphetamine which he described as a "chemical cocktail," using ingredients such as rubbing alcohol, lye, drain cleaner and iodine. As well as the dangers of using the drug, Graham said methamphetamine is a risk to those making it as well as neighbours and police and firefighters who have to enter homes where it is made. While police and firefighters are getting more training on dealing with methamphetamine labs, which Graham described as "haz-mat sites," he said they are not always in a position to take precautions. Another danger from the production of methamphet- amine is the amount of waste material created that the makers discard wherever they can. Some of the symptoms Graham said parents should look for are decreased appetites, irritability, anxiety and lack of desire to sleep. Graham compared the problem to bullying and said people have to make the decision not to be bystanders. He added students who aren't doing drugs can solve drug abuse problems by giving information to police. "Let's work together...your information could be crucial." Congratulations to The Little Inn of Bayfield Inn Keeping Since 1832 Ontario's Finest Inns Your Bayfield Business Friends Extend Best Wishes for Your 175th Anniversary & Many Years to Come Leslie's of Bayfield The Turner Gallery Jungle Jane's Jems Micheline's Jewellery Rosie's Ice Cream One of a Kind The Shipping Store Davidson West Cammie's of Bayfield Chameleon's Harry's Bar Emporium Black Dog P'Iovers The Croft Moulin Rouge The Village Bookshop Bayfield Village Inn Peak Boomer Realty Clair on the Square Bayfield Marine Services Bayfield General Store Clinton News -Record Pineridge Country House Later they suggested she run for council, so she did, and spent 12 years in municipal pol- itics. When asked by students what she does in her spare time, Mitchell said she loves jazz music and cooking. She said the McGuinty gov- ernment has put a lot of effort into education and health care. Mitchell, a member of the women's caucus, said she has worked on poverty issues, hous- ing and economic development. She said much work needs to be done on roads, bridges and waterlines in Huron -Bruce and Lake Huron needs to be cleaned up. She told students she does a lot of travelling in her job and the toughest part of her job is being away from her family. Mitchell said one trip she'll remember forever was a visit to a number of aboriginal commu- nities along James Bay, where she saw first hand the poverty problems. Mitchell told students most groceries there were about three times the price they are here, although junk food is really cheap. Asked about her thoughts on the prime minister, Mitchell said her boss is Premier Dalton McGuinty and noted she and Prime Minister Stephen Harper are in different parties. "You probably don't want to hear what I think of Mr. Harper," she said. THE CONSERVATION ZONE ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING IPeter Love Chief Energy Conservation Officer of Ontario Every Light Bulb Counts Did you know that energy efficient lighting... • uses less energy? • produces just as much light? • lasts longer than standard bulbs? • saves you money on your energy bill? Energy efficient light bulbs may cost slightly more than traditional bulbs, but they last eight longer and use much less energy. This makes them very cost efficient in the long run. When you shop for energy efficient light- ing look at labels to find bulbs with the desired light output (lumen9 with the lowest wattage (amount of electricity used to produce Iig)it New technologylights the way Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are a great choice for energy efficient lighting. They provide the same light as higher wattage incandescent bulbs but use less than a third the energy. Recent advances in CFL technology mean you can use them almost anywhere. 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