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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-03-26, Page 2Capsule Comments by Ernie Miatello It seems that many recent health reports are emphasizing the importance of limiting the eating of red meat to about 500 g per week. That's a little more than a pound. Doing this simple thing will reduce our risk of cancer. This limit doesn't apply to chicken or seafood. The red meat portion size? About the palm of your hand. Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract. It poses a serious health risk to young infants and it is entirely preventable. Ensure your child gets vaccinated on schedule. It's never too late to start exercising. Six months of endurance exercise could reverse 30 years of inactivity. However, start slowly and work up to 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5-7 days per week. It is a good idea to check with your doctor when you make the decision to start an exercise program. There's a new type of vaccine being developed to reduce blood pressure. Early trials have shown it to be effective and someday it might replace the use of daily medications to keep the blood pressure under control. Huron Apothecary Ltd. Phone 235-1982,-- 1 440 Main St. Exeter "YOUR HEALTH CARE PHARMACY" j 2 Times–Advocate Wednesday, March 26, 2008 United Way executive moves on seniors' info By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF GODERICH — Kimberley Payne says she'll miss her role as executive director of the Huron United Way, but this was the right time for her to move on to other things. As reported in last week's Times -Advocate, Payne is leaving the United Way to become executive director of the Stratford Chefs School. And she won't have much of a break between jobs — Payne's position with the United Way ends April 4, while she starts her new job April 7. In the meantime, Payne says the United Way will be "thoughtful" about hiring her successor, and a hiring committee will begin the process of looking for a new executive director. Payne says the Huron United Way will remain a healthy, viable organization after she leaves. Payne has twice been the executive director of the Huron United way — first from 1997-2000 and from 2004 until her recent deci- sion to move on. Of her most recent time with the United Way, Payne says she is proud of the collaboration that has taken place in the county with various organi- zations. She points to the Community Matters project as well as the warden's eco- nomic development task force as highlights of her time with the United Way. And Payne points to the "Noted!" CD as "probably the most important thing I've done in my life." The "Noted!" project saw 17 Huron County women come together to record a musical CD featuring a broad range of musical styles. Only 10 spots were originally available, but the talent pool was so strong, the number increased to 17. In the "Noted!" project, par- ticipants took part in a two- day training session of workshops on a variety of music industry topics including songwriting, voice production and marketing. They later went into the studio and recorded their songs with a professional producer, recording engi- neer and studio musicians. Payne says the project was "phenomenal" for her and it brought the humanity into the work the United Way does. The CD is being mastered now and its launch will be held in Exeter May 8 at 8 p.m. at South Huron Rec Centre. Tickets for $10 each are available at the T -A or for more information call 524-7900. Payne said she expects the event to sell out. One of the reasons the launch will be held in Exeter is because financial support for the project was provided by the Mildred Grimes Trust. The United Way "Mayors and Reeves Dinner" was another success, Payne said, as it brought local leaders together. Leaving the United Way was a tough decision, Payne says. "This was a real passion for me." But, she adds, it was the right time to leave and she's ready to hand off the lead- ership to somebody else. Payne said the executive director position is "a com- munity -driven position," and her replacement will need fundraising and com- munity development experi- ence. She explains fundrais- ing has become more chal- lenging over the past years as there have been a num- ber of major capital cam- paigns in the county, such as those for hospitals. "It is difficult," Payne said, adding she hopes the gov- ernment will "step up" and support some of the non- profit organizations who need assistance. The United Way is plan- ning a farewell celebration for Payne, who says she is confident in the organiza- tion's future. S h e looks for- ward to her new job as executive director of the Stratford REGIONAL WRAP UP Over 100 dogs found mistreated MIDDLESEX — The Sarnia Police, with the assistance of the Middlesex OPP executed a criminal code search warrant at a property on Napier Road in Adelaide Metcalfe Township March 19, discovering over 100 dogs and other animals mistreated. The officers encountered a large number of animals in conditions that varied from very poor to satisfactory. Most were in poor condition. The London Humane Society was contacted to conduct an investigation into the welfare of the animals. Five large breed dogs were removed from the property by the Humane Society to allow the police officers to conduct their search safely. On March 20, the London Humane Society executed a warrant on the property to check on the well being of approximately 103 dogs, a large number of fowl, sheep, goats and cats. This investigation is expected to take several days. The mistreatment of animals is becoming a re -occurring event during many investigations, reports the OPP. If members of the public observe or have information regarding the abuse of animals they are urged to contact the London Humane Society or their local Police Service. Steckle backs imprisoned woman HURON -BRUCE — A jailed Canadian woman with ties to the Huron - Bruce area is receiving support from Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle. Brenda Martin, who has been in a Mexico prison for two years, charged with money laundering and gang -related activities, has an uncle and aunt, Doug and Gail Currie, who live hi the area, reports the Clinton News - Record. Martin denies the charges against her. Steckle issued the following statement: "I am asking each and every resident of Huron -Bruce to provide me with a letter calling upon the Harper government to stop sitting on its hands on this matter. "I am asking that every resident in Huron -Bruce, regardless of age, pro- vide me with a simple letter that I can formally present to the prime min- ister when the House returns. "Hopefully, 105,000 letters will help convince Mr. Harper that urgent and decisive action is needed." Letters, faxes and e-mails can be directed by hand to 30 Victoria St. N., Goderich, or via Canada Post to Room 484 Confederation Building, House of Commons. Ont., K1A 0A6, Att: Help Brenda Martin, faxed to (613) 995- 6350 or e-mailed at steckp@parl.gc.ca (include "Help Brenda Martin" in the subject line). Information for seniors — Jim Bearss of the South Huron Seniors Group, centre, recently presented an information booklet,"Tri-County Senior Information," to Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle, right, and South Huron Mayor Ken Oke, Ieft.The I 94 -page book contains a variety of information on many topics of interest such as emergency phone num- bers, local churches, agencies, financial information, bed and breakfasts and medical information from across Canada.The book was made possi- ble, in part, from a New Horizons grant from the federal government. About 300 copies will be printed. Steckle noted that his office makes fre- quent use of the book, while Bearss noted many seniors in the area are getting copies. (photo/Scott Nixon) Relay for Life granted exemption Continued from front page front lawns. "It isn't a perfect situation," Oke said of the compromise. "It never will be." In addition to making a delegation before council Feb. 4, concerned residents attended an open house about the proposed reconstruction Jan. 24. Other council notes: Web overhaul Council gave chief administrator Roy Hardy the go-ahead to enter a contract with "iWeb," a website Internet company that designs and hosts websites. "iWeb" is provided by Canadian company iCompass Technology. The cost of the program is $15,200 for the first year and $7,500 in the subse- quent years. The municipality will enter into a three-year term with the company. Hardy said the product is used by nearly 350 municipalities across the country. According to Hardy's report the product "supports the many clerical and infor- mation management systems that are critical to a municipality." Among its func- tions are: the streamlining of the creation, approval and distribution of council agendas and minutes; the tracking of meeting decisions, correspondence and pub- lic requests; the provision of storage, search and publishing capabilities of docu- ments such as agendas, minutes, bylaws and reports; and allowing the municipal- ity "to manage the content of a user-friendly website application." Hardy said the application is used widely in municipalities similar in size to South Huron and it will be localized to meet South Huron's needs. Pricing is based on population. The cost of the project has been included in the municipality's 2008 budget. Hardy, who has used "iWeb" in the past, said the product is cost effective and revamps the municipality's website. Relay for Life approval Council once again approved a noise bylaw exemption for South Huron District High School's Relay for Life, an annual cancer fundraiser that sees music played overnight as teams of 10 people take turns walking or running around the school's track over a 12 -hour period. This year's event, June 13- 14, is the fifth anniversary of Relay for Life at SHDHS. Student chairperson Toni MacPherson wrote to council requesting the noise bylaw exemption. Oke was complimentary towards the event and the organizers and said in the four previous years it has been held there have been no complaints from the public. Council voted in favour of the noise bylaw exemption. Building report Only three building permits were issued in South Huron in February, for a permit value of $45,300 and permit fees of $908. So far in 2008, nine permits have been issued at a total value of $1,024,075 and fees of $7,073.60.