Loading...
The Times Advocate, 2005-11-30, Page 66 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, November 30, 2005 Opinion Forum News Seniors' perspective Continued from page 5 to the maximum loan on eligible units and bed units. Landlords must enter into an agreement stating that the units will continue to be affordable to tenants. In the case of rental units, landlords must also agree to limit new occupancy to households with incomes at or below established income ceilings. Eligible Repairs: The assistance is available for eligi- ble modifications to improve the accessibility of the dwelling unit for occupants with disability. Ineligible Repairs: Work carried out before the MAP loan is approved in writing is not eligible. For More Information: Other programs are also avail- able to assist in undertaking major repairs to standard housing occupied by low-income households or minor home adaptations to meet the needs of seniors with an age-related difficulty. In some areas of the country, the Government of Canada provides the funding for these or similar pro- grams jointly, and the Provincial Housing Agency may be responsible for delivery of the program. Program variations may also exist in these jurisdictions. To obtain more information about these programs or find out how to apply for financial assistance, please contact your nearest CMHC office or call toll free at 1- 800-668-2642. You can also visit the website at www.cmhc.ca Note: RRAP uses the World Health Organization defin- ition of disability. Under this definition, disability means any restriction or lack (resulting from an impairment) of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being. Next week: HOME ADAPTATIONS for SENIORS' INDEPENDENCES Legion News: NewYears Eve Dance; At the Legion, Sat., Dec. 31 - 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Music by Don Harvey and you will be served a delicious late buffet. Tickets are $15 each or 2 for $25 a couple. Call the legion at 235-2962 or 235-1167. Seats will be reserved. For a great evening of fun and dancing, plan ahead and reserve your tickets. A Soldiers Cry: Their lives flash before their eyes, Bombs dropping from the skies. The taste of dust in their mouths, They move quietly towards the south. They trip; they fall, feeling the pain. Wondering what more the enemy has to gain, I hear a rustle up ahead, "I'm going to die," is what I dread. I take my position, ready to fight, Unable to aim in the dark of night. The rustle is louder, and I hear a cry, I start to run, afraid to die. As my friends drop down in the dirt, A bullet goes through my shirt. I fall too, about to die, I am a soldier, hear my cry. Meth IsWorseThan Any Of Us Realize: A young girl who was in jail for drug charges, and was addicted to crystal meth wrote this. She wrote this while in jail. She fully grasped the horrors of the drug, as she tells in this simple, yet profound poem. She was released from jail but true to her story, the drug owned her. They found her dead not long after, with a needle still in her arm. Please keep praying. This is worse than we realize... Dee Liefso, Child & Youth Counsellor, Stratford. I am "meth" I destroy homes, I tear families apart, I take your chil- dren, and that's just the start. I'm more costly than diamonds, more precious than gold, the sorrow I bring is a sight to behold. If you need me, remember I'm easily found, I live all around you - in schools and in towns I live with the rich, and I live with the poor, I live down the street and maybe next door. I'm made in a lab, but not like you think, I can be made under the kitchen sink. In your child's closet, and even in the woods, if this scares you to death, well it certainly should. I have many names, but there's one you know best, I'm sure you have heard of me, my name is crystal meth. My power is awesome, try me you'll see, But if you do, you may never break free. Just try me once and I might let you go, but try me twice, and I'll own your soul. When I possess you, you'll steal and you'll lie, you do what you have to - just to get high. The crimes you'll commit for narcotic charms will be worth the pleasure you'll feel in your arms. You'll lie to your mother, you'll steal from your dad, when you see their tears, and you should feel sad. But you'll forget your morals and how they were raised, I'll be your conscience, I'll teach you my ways. I take kids from parents, and parents from kids, I turn people from God, and separate friends. I'll take everything from you, your looks and your pride; I'll be there always - right by your side. You'll give up everything - your family and home, your friends, your money, and then you'll be alone. I'll take and take, until you have nothing to give, when I'm finished with you, you'll be lucky to live. If you try me be warned - this is no game, if given the chance, I'll drive you insane. I'll ravish your body, I'll control your mind, I'll own you completely, and your soul will be mine. The nightmares I'll give you while lying in bed, the voices you'll hear, from inside your head. The sweats, the shakes, and the visions you'll see, I want you to know, and these are all gifts from me. But then it's too late, and you'll know in your heart, that you are mine and we shall not part. You'll regret that you tried me, they always do, but you came to me, not I to you. You knew this would happen, many times you were told, but you challenged my power, and chose to be bold. You could have said no, and just walked away, if you could live that day over, now what would you say? I'll be your master, you will be my slave, and I will even go with you when you go to your grave. Now that you have met me, what will I do? Will you try me or not? It's all up to you. I can bring you more misery than words can tell, come take my hand, let me lead you to hell. Judy West SIGNS OF WEAR You may be getting older: When your sweetie says, "Let's go upstairs and make love," and you answer, "Pick one, I can't do both!" When your friends compliment you on your new alli- gator shoes and you're barefoot. When a sexy babe catches your fancy and your pace- maker opens the garage door. When going bra -less pulls all the wrinkles out of your face. When you don't care where your spouse goes, just as long as you don't have to go along. When you are cautioned to slow down by the doctor instead of by the police. When getting a little action" means you don't need to take any fiber today. When "Getting lucky" means you find your car in the parking lot. Open rletter to McGuinty Dear I would like to remind you of your comments to me in a letter dated Sept. 30, 2005. "Thank you for writing to follow up on your previous correspondence regarding the ownership of Huron Industrial Park. I appreciate your concerns. "I understand that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal has received your correspondence and is preparing a response. Once again, I would like to assure you that our government recognizes the vital contributions made by small business to Ontario's economic growth and prosperity. "Thank you again for keeping me apprised of the concerns of Huron Park's tenants. I value your input." In a Nov. 14, 2005, letter to me, PIR Minister Caplan states, "I have been advised that you attended a meeting of the Huron Park Industrial Tenant Association (HPITA) on Aug. 24, 2005. Also attending the meeting were Ms. Mitchell, ORC representatives and Ralph Eades, Senior Policy Advisor at the Realty Relations Branch of my Ministry. Following the meeting, my staff were advised of the discussion and were told that a number of your concerns were addressed. "I have also been advised that staff will make every effort to ensure better communi- cation with HPITA." Mr. Premier, I would like you to know that my concerns with Ontario Realty Corporation's handling of Huron Industrial Park negotiations/sale have not been addressed. As I previously stated to you and PIR Minister Caplan, during the Aug. 24, 2005, meeting, I asked ORC representative Charlene Dey Armond when a public meeting would be held to allow public input into the planning/development of Huron Industrial Park — in particular the former college campus. Ms. Dey Armond stated it was too early for a meeting. Also, as previously mentioned to you and PIR Minister Caplan's staff, I contacted Ms. Dey Armond on another occasion to ask for a public meeting and she proceeded to terminate our conversation by hanging up on me. Since that date, Labour Minister Peters has visited Huron -Bruce riding and stated that there is a need for training programs for youth in Huron- Bruce. Also since that date recently it was announced that the federal government is fund- ing a program ($233,809) to deal with appalling statistics showing Huron County among the highest levels in the province of drinking and driving and binge drinking (more than five drinks on one occasion). Huron County also has the highest level in Ontario of motor vehicle deaths and hospitalization of people between the ages of 16 and 24. In the past few years, J.A.D. McCurdy School, located in Huron Park was closed by the Avon Maitland Board of Education. Soon after, young people set fire to the school resulting in the destruction of the gymnasium. The remaining facility has been aban- doned and become property of the local municipality. The Recreational Building/swimming pool located in Huron Industrial Park has been converted to industrial use leaving the residents of Huro n Park without any communi- ty recreational facility other than the arena. I would like to know when I can expect Ontario Realty Corporation to address these concerns by organizing a public meeting. The public needs to have input into the plan- ning/development of Huron Park and an opportunity to develop a proposal to possibly utilize the former college. I also feel it is in the best interest of Huron -Bruce residents for industrial tenants now in negotiations with ORC to be able to waive the "gag order" imposed by ORC allowing them to express any concerns they may have with negotiations. As a local resident, I want assurance that job retention/economic development is being taken into consideration during the negotiations. With the current "gag order" local resi- dents will not have an opportunity to offer support for any business which may decide to move from Huron Park should negotiations with ORC fail. I find it quite interesting that the province will provide $70 million to support skills training and infrastructure at the new Toyota Woodstock plant yet at Huron Park an industrial anchor/potential college for Huron -Bruce is tossed into the hands of ORC for "disposal" under a "gag order." Mr. Premier, please assure me that ORC's handling of the Huron Industrial Park sale is in the best interest of economic growth and prosperity for Ontario and Huron - Bruce. Sincerely, Wally Fydenchuk Crediton, Ontario Keep the fire lit Dear Editor: At the council meeting on Nov. 21 Mayor Morley was questioned by Coun. Ratz about the progress of the negotiations regarding the industrial side of Huron Park. The mayor's response was that he was "not being kept in the loop". This is quite a change from our mayor's position only a couple of months ago. It seems that a fire needs to be kept lit at all times to maintain action. Yours truly, DEAN DucHuR[vIE, Huron Contractors Inc. Thank you to communities Dear Editor: On behalf of the children we serve, Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron would like to thank all of our supporters and guests who made our 4th annual Taste of Huron fundraiser a big success! This was our most successful year, raising almost $24,000 before expenses. The proceeds of this event will support our mentoring programs provided to children in the Exeter, South Huron, Northern Middlesex and Grand Bend area. This community support is vital as we receive no government funding to provide service. Special thanks goes out to our sponsors and donators, to our many hard-working volunteers, to Kim MacLachlan and her amazing mentor for the hugely successful silent auction, and to the 2005 chefs: Steven Bland of the Red Pump; McKenna Lavis of Bistro 437; Kate Craig of Lakeview Cafe; and Barbara Bloch -Gower of Catering by Barbara. A complete listing of the event donators, supporters, and volunteers is posted at www.shbbbs.on.ca. A big thank you to the communities we serve for your continued support! THE BOARD AND STAFF OF BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS