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The Times Advocate, 2008-03-12, Page 22 Times—Advocate Wednesday, March 12, 2008 Regulations look at "healthy" foods at schools By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE SEAFORTH — Suppliers of vending machine and cafeteria services in Avon Maitland District School Board facilities have been advised to begin the process of complying with proposed provincial legislation limit- ing the levels of hydrogenated vegetable oils — also known as trans fats. In a report delivered to trustees at a regular meeting Feb. 26, business superintendent Janet Baird -Jackson cited a recent provincial government announcement about the legislation, saying "trans fats can contribute to childhood obesity ... Most obese children become overweight adults, putting them at higher risk for dia- betes and heart disease." According to Baird -Jackson, efforts to decrease trans fat levels have been under way for a couple of years in Perth County high school cafeterias. That's because cafeterias in all Perth sites are operated by Chartwells, a Canadian subsidiary of UK -based Compass Group. "It's easier for them to make these types of changes because they already have experience in some of their other locations," Baird -Jackson said, noting the United Kingdom has been aggressive in its regulatory fight against the exposure of young people to trans fats. Cafeterias in Huron County high schools, meanwhile, are operated by one of three independent caterers. "At least two of (those independent) operators were aware of (the proposed legislation) and were beginning to look into it," Baird -Jackson said. Indeed, the Feb. 26 report notes the operator in Goderich and Wingham, K.D. Catering, was "a recipient of the 'Eat Smart' des- ignation, which signifies their efforts to provide healthy food choices in their cafeterias." "Certainly, the intent is there to come up with health- ier choices," Baird -Jackson said. The proposed legislation, which has passed second reading in the Ontario Legislature, would limit trans fat levels in margarines and spreads to two per cent by this June, and cut the total trans fat levels in all food offerings to five per cent by March 2009. There would be exemptions for foods which naturally contain trans fats, and for foods — such as pizza — sold during "spe- cial" fundraising events. "Compliance to the new standards will not only depend on our con- tracted cafeteria operators but also on the co-operation of food suppli- ers for their ingredients, condi- REGIONAL WRAP UP 40 Aid program criticized HURON -BRUCE — The Huron County Federation of Agriculture's Members of Parliament meeting was March 1. Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell was thanked for helping give aid to the pork and beef farmers, but complaints were also addressed regarding certain deficiencies within the program. Federation director Bev Hill asked Mitchell to "take another look at fine-tuning to reduce significant inequities," reports The Citizen. "A number of hog farmers won't be eligible because of the 50 per cent eligibility rule." At least 50 per cent of a farm's income must come from beef, pork or horticulture to qualify for help from the province's $150 million program to aid under the current financial crisis. Mitchell says the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food officials "wanted to get the money into the hands of people who needed money quickly," adding, "I don't disagree that we could have done it better. Fleeing suspect caught HURON — A -22 -year-old male of Oneida is charged with several offences after sending OPP on a county -wide hunt. On March at around 4:45 p.m. Huron OPP officers were advised that a 2007 Chevrolet pickup truck that had been left running in front of a busi- ness in Exeter had been stolen. Officers were also advised that the vehicle was equipped with "OnStar." The vehicle was in Mitchell and travelling south. Officers found the suspect in the stolen vehicle, but the driver refused to stop for police and fled. Officers followed, but called off the search due to concerns for public safety. While continuing to work with OnStar, it was determined that the vehi- cle was stopped in Huron East on a side road. Officers arrived on scene within minutes, but the suspect had fled on foot, evading officers and a canine unit. At around 12:30 a.m., March 5, police were advised of a second stolen pickup truck from Huron East. The owner saw the vehicle being driven out of his driveway. The truck owner called OPP and followed the stolen truck in another vehicle. Police intercepted and once again, the suspect failed to stop for police when the emergency lights were activated. On London Road, south of Clinton, the spike belt was deployed on the stolen vehicle causing progressive tire deflation. The suspect stopped the truck and fled again on foot. Officers, including the OPP canine unit, contained and began searching the area. The suspect was found hiding hi a farm vehicle at a nearby residence. It was confirmed that the male found hiding at the residence was the same male who had fled from police on the prior evening. The male was arrested and taken to hospital for treatment of environ- mental exposure. He is facing two counts of driving disqualified, two counts of flight from a police officer, two counts of trespassing by night, one count of theft of a motor vehicle under $5,000 and one count of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. G.I.C.'s 450% �1J Gaiser ,Kneale Ins' ar'ker EXETER - 235-2420 GRAND BEND - 238-8484 CLINTON - 482-3401 Business Directory } REPAIRS Sewing Machine REPAIRS TO ALL MAKES Free estimates 90 day Warranty Experienced since 1952 Sew and Save Centre Ltd. 149 Downie St., Stratford Phone 271-9660 ments and prepared food items," the report explains. And the biggest adjustment may be for administra- tors of the high schools themselves. That's because the money from on-site vending machines has typically been used for such things as subsidizing school or ath- letic trips. The challenge, of course, is convincing stu- dents to choose the healthy options instead of heading down the street to the nearest fast food outlet. "One of our independent contractors said she'll do what she can, but she rather candidly said she can't make the kids eat the healthy foods," Baird -Jackson told trustees. After the meeting the business superintendent expressed a level of frustration with the legislative approach, arguing it may be more effective to put greater resources into what school boards are good at: education. "Some of our teachers are doing tremendous jobs in inspiring our students about healthy foods," Baird - Jackson said. She said Paul Finkelstein, a Food Network television personality and a culinary arts teacher at Stratford Northwestern Secondary School, "is having his students educate elementary students about this. And I think that education process, as much as getting rid of the foods, is what's going to determine how well this works." A culinary arts program is also offered at Goderich District Collegiate Institute. Plenty of impaired charges on February court docket EXETER — Several sentences for impaired driving were imposed by Justice R. G. Hunter in Exeter court Feb. 29. David Eberhard of London pleaded guilty to a charge of over 80 mg. Eberhard was given a $750 fine and a 12 -month driving ban. A further charge of ability impaired was withdrawn. Andrew Bryan of Granton pleaded guilty to a charge of over 80 mg stem- ming from an incident Dec. 29. Bryan was given a $750 fine and a 12 - month driving ban. Daniel Campbell of Hensall pleaded guilty to a charge of over 80 mg stem- ming from an incident Oct. 27. Campbell was given a $750 fine and a 12 -month driving ban. A further charge of ability impaired was withdrawn. Dianne Saunders of Strathroy pleaded guilty to a charge of ability impaired stemming from an inci- dent Jan. 6. Saunders was given a $750 fine and a 12 -month driving ban. A further charge of refusing to provide a sample was withdrawn. EXETER COURT ABCA holds flood meeting Continued from front page which he said exceeded Hurricane Hazel in 1954. The latest storm in the area was centered around Dashwood in July 2005, and saw 112 millimeters of rain in 45 minutes. Another point raised by Scott was the desire of the ABCA to col- lect as much information about the cost of flood events as possible although residents tend not to doc- ument the costs of cleaning up ServiceOntario Looking for government information and services? Try www.ServiceOntario.ca Or Ask a Librarian rnaking it easier I want to start a business - what do I need to know? Get fast and easy access to Ontario Government information at www.ServiceOntario.ca Available at all branches of Huron County Library. after a flood. He added by documenting the location and extent of flooding, it allows the ABCA to be more specific about future flood forecasts. UNICIPAUTY VOLUNTARY LEAD TESTING NOTICE lir The Municipality of South Huron is offering free lead sampling to Exeter and Stephen area water customers. If you live in an older home your plumbing could be a source of lead in your drinking water. Lead has been proven to be a health risk, especially for young children and pregnant women. To comply with new Ministry of Environment regulations, regarding lead sampling in drinking water, the municipality is required to sample residences that are suspected of having lead plumbing or built prior to 1990. The Municipality of South Huron is required to take samples at 52 locations in Exeter, 26 in Stephen (Crediton, Centralia, Dashwood) and 26 in Huron Park. The municipality needs your help to complete this testing. Sampling will be done on a voluntary basis and will take approximately 45 minutes of your time. Sampling and analysis is free of charge and you will be informed of the lead testing results. Please note that the test results will become public information and will be provided to the Huron County Health Unit and the Ministry of Environment. Session One: Between December 15, 2007 and April 15, 2008 Session Two: Between June 15, 2008 and October 15, 2008 If you wish to participate in this voluntary program, please contact Ange at the Municipal office at 519-235-0310 ext.230. For more information on health issues related to lead and drinking water please contact the Huron County Health Unit at 519-482-3416 or visit their website at www.huroncounty.calhealth/