Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-10-15, Page 66 Times -Advocate Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Opinion Forum News Re: telemarketers I noticed the comments in the seniors column regarding telemarketers. I too was getting irked at getting calls, especially the one that offered me a free Caribbean cruise. In spite of me hanging up as soon as I identified them, they called at least three times a month. I decided that the next time they called, I would hang on until I could speak (yell) at a human. After pressing the prop- er button to express inter- Le est, the computer voice Letter said I had to first complete tO the a short survey. "If you Editor are female, press one; if male, press two. I pressed three. If you are between 18 and 30, press one; if between 30 and 45, press two; if between 45 and 60 press three, if press four. I pressed six. Three words into the next question the connection was broken at their end. I have not had a call from them in almost two months. All's fair in... ROBERT DRUMMOND, Exeter Back the first of September, the Exeter Times Advocate reported some figures that suggested base rates between Stephen, Exeter and apartment resi- dents differing by as much as $30 quarterly. To me, that doesn't sound right. Why should there be a differ- ence at all? I have to agree with at least a part of Robert Drummond's comment in last week's paper, that he will be paying 2.4 times more per cubic metre than his neighbour with the revised bylaw. The part he said about his neighbour using more water really is not the issue. To me, water coming out of a tap in Exeter is no different than it is coming out of a tap in Centralia. Water going down a drain in Crediton is no different than it is going down a drain in any other residence in Stephen that's on the system. A connection is a connection and over 60, Water numbers confusing Over the last few months, I've read numerous arti- cles and letters talking about a new water rate bylaw. From what I've read, I have to say I'm confused, to say the least...not only by the numbers, but by the lack of logic in the process. one house is no different than any other house or an apartment for that matter...the difference should only be in the consumption of the water. And isn't the water usage calculated over and above the basic rate anyway? Wouldn't it make sense to have every residence on the system metered and charged the same base rates? Unfortunately or fortunately (depending on where you live) separate calculations and billing is now a thing of the past. Wasn't that the reason for amalgamation in the first place? To combine everything? To simplify things? To keep thing fair? Or maybe council is revis- ing this new bylaw "their" way on purpose to keep everyone confused and in the dark? I feel sorry for those living in apartments who have gotten off kind of easy over these last few years with a separate low, flat rate, water bill that offsets the owner's expense or maybe it was already included in the rent. I also feel sorry for those in Crediton and Centralia basically being forced into the new water sys- tem the way they were. But whatever the reason, amalgamation has forced us all to work together on this, and again fortunately or unfortunately, on future issues that are important to our community. If we are all benefiting from this new water system, then we should all be paying equally for it. Why not install a separate meter at every residence, that includes each individual apartment unit, divide the total debt and sewer base charge by the total number of connections and make it fair. To save time, the numbers already being considered by council could be averaged out. What could be easier than that? Maybe we should use Hydro One as an example. They have a meter at every residence. You don't see them charging someone in Elimville one rate and someone else in Dashwood another rate - charge everyone a base rate, a base debt charge, and a base sewer charge, then so much a cubic metre for their usage. If you want to encourage conservation, charge those that use more than a certain amount more per cubic metre over that amount, just like Hydro One. That way people like Robert Drummond won't be upset about their neighbour not paying their fair share. Do we need another public meeting to make a final decision? If council doesn't see this as a logical solu- tion and needs to continue to juggle numbers, I guess the answer is "Yes," however, if this seems viable and they have enough information already then I guess the answer is "No." Whatever council decides, I would appreciate a response, if nothing else but to un -baffle my confusion. It should also be laid out in writing (in layman terms) either by mail or in our local paper for everyone else to see. The simpler the better. JO -ANN MIDDLETON, Exeter Don't let anything get between you and your health TORONTO - Screening saves lives. Many studies have shown that regular mammograms for women aged 50- 69 reduce deaths from breast cancer by up to a third. Close to 63 per cent of Ontario women are being screened for mammograms every two years but we need to do better. In an interview with Dr. Verna Mai, Director of Screening at Cancer Care Ontario we dis- cuss some common reasons why women don't get screened and explain why they should. Many women feel healthy and don't think they need a mammogram, should they get screened? The best time to go for breast screening is when you feel fine and you do not have any breast problems. Going for regular mammography can help fmd small breast cancers years before you would notice any signs or symptoms. When breast cancer is caught early, the rates of successful treatment are much higher. What if a woman's doctor hasn't suggested Women aged 50-69 can make an appointment at their local Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) site without a doctor's referral. If a woman has ques- tions about the benefits of mammography she should talk to her doctor. Do most of the women who develop breast cancer have a family history of the disease? No. Having a family history of breast cancer (a moth- er, sister or daughter who has had breast cancer) is a risk factor, but only 11 per cent of women who get breast cancer have a strong family history of the dis- ease. We know mammography works and is the most effec- tive tool for detecting breast cancer early in most women, but in order to save more lives from this dis- ease, more women need to get screened. Is there anything women can do to make their mammograms more comfortable? When you have a mammogram you will feel some pressure on your breast. It feels similar to a tight blood pressure cuff. A few women experience some pain but it lasts only a few seconds. If a woman feels pain during the screening, she should tell the technologist. The technologist may be able to adjust the pressure. The two of you can work together so you are as comfortable as possible. Women may also want to consider that many women's breasts are tender the week before and after their period, so booking your mammogram for a time when your breasts are not so tender could help. Some women take a mild pain relief pill, such as the kind you would take for a headache, about one hour before the appointment, but you should only do this if it will not affect any other medicines or any health con- cerns you may have. There has even been some suggestions by other experts that having less caffeine for two weeks before the appointment can help reduce tenderness. What else should women know about breast screening? Women should be familiar with how their breasts look and feel. If you notice any changes, such as a lump or dimpling, changes in your nipple, or fluid leaking from your nipple, skin changes or redness that doesn't go away or any other changes, talk to your doctor. Keep in mind that most changes are not cancerous, but should be checked right away. As part of a regular health checkup women should have a physical breast exam by a doctor or nurse and if you are 50 or older, have regular mammograms at the Ontario Breast Screening Program. Should women be getting screened for other cancers? All women who have ever had any sexual contact need to have regular Pap tests to find cell changes in the cervix early, before they become cancer. With regular Pap tests and the HPV vaccine, it is pos- sible to prevent cervical cancer. Both men and women 50 and over should be screened every two years for colorectal cancer using a Fecal Occult Blood Test or FOBT. People at increased risk for colorectal cancer (i.e. with a parent, sibling or child with colorectal can- cer) should be screened for colorectal cancer by colonoscopy starting at age 50, or 10 years earlier than the relative's age at diagnosis, whichever comes first. Make sure to talk to your doctor to determine if you are at increased risk for any of these diseases. For more information on breast, cervical and colorec- tal screening please visit: www.cancercare.on.ca To book an appointment at the Ontario Breast Screening Program Site nearest you call: 1-800-668- 9304. October is pastoral care awareness month HENSALL — October is desig- nated Pastoral Care Awareness month and in acknowledgement of the important role local clergy play in helping meet the spiritu- al needs of our residents, Queensway hosted the South Huron Ministerial Meeting and luncheon Oct. 7. Members of the ministerial and all ministers that provide services and support at Queensway were invited. Retirement residents had creat- ed some wonderful bath/shower gel and moisturizing cream under the direction of Susan of Village Craft and Candles in St. Marys, which they had pack- aged as a gift for each church office administrator who are so important in keeping the minis- ters' schedules organized. We are very thankful for all the clergy who lead church ser- vices at Queensway. Perfect sunny weather smiled on us Thursday for the fall colour tour which had been rescheduled from Wednesday due to rain. Residents traveled the back - roads throughout the county enjoying the beautiful fall colours, stopping in Benmiller by the river to dine on a picnic lunch. Thank you to our won- derful Bus Driver Charlie Browning for choosing the per- fect route for our tour. Volunteer Auxiliary/Family Council meeting took place Tuesday with upcoming October events discussed and volunteers scheduled where needed. The second half of the meeting was devoted to family council with members requesting to invite Lois Thiel, director of care to address next month's meet- ing, educating them regarding the Alberta Classification system used in Long Term Care. Everyone is looking forward to learning more about the process. Volunteer Millie Hoggarth traveled the corridors with the tuck/library cart Friday after- noon assisting residents with their borrowing and purchasing needs. Throughout the week resi- dents benefited from exercises with Mandl, massage with Lori Burt RMT, music with Lisa Stewart, baking group, bingo, church, helping hands, and walks outdoors. Residents are looking forward to exercising their right to vote Tues., Oct. 14 at the Mobile Poll onsite at Queensway in the morning. Coming events Sat., Oct. 18 Family Thanksgiving Thurs., Oct. 23 - 7 p.m. Birthday Party with Rural Roots Sun., Oct. 26 - 2 p.m. Gospel Music with the Fellowship Singers Tues., Oct. 28 - 7 p.m. Lakeview Singers Thurs., Oct. 30 - 2 p.m. Halloween Party with music by "The Goldie's"