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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2007-12-05, Page 44 Times—Advocate Wednesday, December 5, 2007 zkocna =CNA TIMES ADVOCATE Editorial Opinion PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER 07511 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs. Canada Jim Beckett — Publisher Deb Lord — Production Manager Scott Nixon — Editor CN 2007 BLUE RIBBON /\ Si ft The Times -Advocate is owned by Metroland Media Group Ltd. Metroland 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Media Group Ltd. Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • 519-235-1331 Doug Rowe -General Manager, Southwestern Ontario Division EDITORIAL Donate to the Bureau ith Santa Claus parades being held throughout the region over the past couple of weeks, including a frigid Lucan parade last Saturday followed by a ridiculously wet Zurich parade Sunday night, the Christmas season is in full force. The trees are going up, the decorative lights are on, shoppers are hunting for bargains and we're all planning family get-togethers. But the one thing we shouldn't forget is that Christmas is the time of year to help others who need it. While it's clearly a fun time of year, it's also a time when some families simply can't afford to make ends meet. That's why donating to the Huron County Christmas Bureau is so important. Started in 1967 and rim by the Children's Aid Society and local churches, the Christmas Bureau makes sure that families with children have food and toys. There have already been several pictures in the Times -Advocate of local groups donating to the Christmas Bureau, proving that people know that Christmas is about helping others. The five 2007 Christmas Bureau locations will be open the week of Dec. 10 to receive your donations of food, new clothing and new toys. Locally, the Exeter United Church is this year's Christmas Bureau location. The other locations in the county are Northside United Church in Seaforth, St. Paul's Anglican Church in Clinton, St. George's Anglican Church in Goderich and Wingham United Church. Last year the Christmas Bureau helped 992 children in Huron County, a significant number that shows that by donating, you can really make a difference in a child's life. Donate to the Christmas Bureau and help out a local family. About the Times -Advocate Lets take this seriously The annual OPP Festive Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) season is under way, with the Huron OPP already checking nearly 400 vehicles in more than a dozen different check- points across Huron County. Two 12 -hour suspensions have been issued after three separate roadside Alcotest demands were made. A 53 -year-old Goderich man was charged with driving with over 80 mgs in 100 ml of blood, after entering a Suncoast Drive checkpoint in Goderich Dec. 1. The Festive RIDE continues until Jan. 2. Impaired driving remains the leading criminal cause of death in Canada. Not only is it the leading cause of death in Canada, but it's quite the issue here in the Exeter area. I just recently began covering Exeter Court, and have noticed that alcohol is a part of many of the charges brought to court. Whether it's impaired driving, fighting intoxicated or theft to pay for alcohol or drugs — in almost all cases alcohol is a factor in one way or another. And going back to mixing alcohol with driving, 74 people have died in crashes where alcohol was a factor this year. According to commissioner Julian Fantino, "That's an increase of 25 per cent over the same period last year." Last year, during the five-week OPP Festive RIDE Initiative, officers stopped 814,536 vehicles at roadside checkpoints; 339 persons were charged with Criminal Code alco- hol-related offences and 802 people received 12 -hour license suspensions. Officers also issued 365, 90 -day adminis- trative driver's license suspensions. Chief Superintendent Bill Grodzinski, commander of the OPP's Highway Safety Division says, "Ontario roads are among the safest in North America," but he adds there is always room for improve- ment. Drivers are also reminded to be extra cautious during the winter months, which often brings limited visibility and slippery road conditions, and to continue keeping their eyes open for deer. Statistics show Huron OPP officers have inves- tigated at least 15 confirmed car/deer collisions and at least 12 collisions due to poor weather conditions in the last little while. NINA VAN LIESHOUT KICK THIS AROUND while Address & Office Hours Times -Advocate, 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Holidays. Contact Us By Phone or Fax Classified ad & subscription sales 519-235-1331 24-hour automated attendant 519-235-1336 Fax number for all departments 519-235-0766 Subscription Rates One year rate for addresses in Canada: $42+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $75+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada:$160+GST Call 519-235-1331 to order a subscription. Classified Rates Word ads: $12 for 20 words, 20(t for each additional word+ GST. Notices (births, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $15 + GST for up to 50 words, All ads must be pre -paid. The classified ad deadline is Monday at 10 a.m. Display Advertising To place a display ad, 519-235-1331 weekdays 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. or evenings 519-235-1336 (leave message) or toll-free at 1-888-270-1602. Deadline: Fri. 2 p.m. E-mail Us Web site: www.southhuron.com TA e-mail addresses consist of the person's first initial and last name followed by @southhuron.com. For example, Jim Beckett's e-mail address is <jbeck- ett@southhuron.com> Our general e-mail address is ads@southhuron.com. The Times -Advocate Team Publisher Jim Beckett ext. 109 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 EDITOR Scott Nixon ext. 105 REPORTERS Pat Bolen ext. 113 Nina Van Lieshout ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Jennifer Skonieczny ext. 102 PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord ext 103/114 Nikki Cyr .ext. 103 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 MargPertschy ext. 108 Heather Clarke ext. 111