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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2016-04-13, Page 5Environmental Commissioner please join us hears concerns about turbines Dea,.d,o,. Wednesday, April 13, 2016 • News Record 5 www.clintonnewsrecord.com letters to the editor Special to the Clinton News Record When it comes to renewa- ble energy procurement in Ontario, there are key aspects of the process that just don't seem to be working, said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron - Bruce in a meeting Monday, April 4 with Ontario's Environ- mental Commissioner Dianne Saxe. Municipal rep- resentatives and citizens groups were also on hand to share their experiences with Industrial Wind Turbines in Ontario communities. "At a time when our prov- ince is selling power at a loss to other jurisdictions, there is no need for further projects that seemingly serve propo- nents at the expense of tax- payers," said Thompson. Earlier this week, the Minis- try of Energy announced that it was launching a new Request for Qualifications process for renewable energy projects, with the goal of encouraging the selection of projects with local support. Contracts awarded in March however, show that this has not always been the case. The municipality of Dut- ton/Dunwich, a participant in Monday's meeting, is slated to see a 58MW wind farm devel- oped in the area, despite hav- ing declared itself an unwill- ing host community. Heather Stauble from the City of Kawartha Lakes was also on hand to share a similar story, and highlighted for the Commissioner the challenges her municipality has been fac- ing with regards to access to information and the redaction of expert testimony during Tribunals. Additionally, Warren How- ard of Wmd Concerns Ontario highlighted the fact that there have been 2,700 noise com- plaints filed with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC), and asked the Commissioner to look into Ontario's noise regulations under Section 61 of the Envi- ronmental Protection Act. "Clearly something is bro- ken. Mechanisms such as the Environmental Bill of Rights are failing Ontarians, and proper consultation processes are not being undertaken by this government," said Thompson. "But there are opportunities. We have an Environmental Commis- sioner that can look into these issues, and I hope we can con- tinue our dialogue." In her concluding com- ments, Sherri Lange of the North American Platform Against Wmdpower (NAPAW) reminded the Commissioner of her own words, "You can- not manage what you do not measure. Also, take your impact as seriously as if a per- son you love were the one most affected: ARE PRIEVEIPMON SMARTS At least 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in home fires. Here are some smart Fire Prevention tips for protecting yourself and your family: V Never leave candles burning unattended, and keep matches out of reach from children. ✓ Keep space heaters away from curtains and other flammable materials. V Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside each bedroom, and test batteries monthly. Here is another impor- tant event to share with all. Maybe other commu- nities can organize a bus? Support Jim Wilson's Private Member's Resolu- tion to rescind approval of eight wind turbines dangerously close to Collingwood Airport runways. Come to Queen's Park, Toronto on April 21 from 2:30 p.m. -4 p.m. A coach bus will be departing from Colling- wood Regional Airport at 11 a.m. sharp to travel to Queen's Park. Cost is $30. A box lunch will be pro- vided. Donations are wel- come. To make reserva- tions on the Collingwood bus contact Lou Cun- ningham 705-606-5552. Thank you to all. Kevin Elwood Thank you to volunteers Dear editor, It's unfortunate but true: In today's hectic world, we don't always say "thank you" enough. National Volunteer Week is April 10 -16 and I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to our wonderful team of volun- teers at Huron Hospice. Volunteering is a choice and without volunteers our agency would not exist. Hospice volunteers are very special people, giving their time, hearts and compassion to those facing a life threatening illness. For over 20 years Huron Hospice Volunteer Service has been provid- ing support to Clinton, Goderich, Seaforth, Wingham and surround- ing area. We have over 50 trained volunteers that provide support free of charge to families, friends and caregivers through illness, death and bereavement. Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers for your service, empathy and compassion and for your dedication to our patients and our mission. Constance Russo Manager of Volunteers Huron Hospice Volunteer Service FROM THE ARCHIVES 15 years ago... • A meningitis scare after the death of a toddler is over, says Huron County Health Unit. A young child from Vanastra and a user of the Tuckersmith Day Care Centre died after contracting what was sus- pected as a less serious form of the disease. Shirley Chalmers, a public health nurse, said the form of meningitis the area child is suspected of having was not as dangerous as other forms such as the one that led to recent mass inoculations of children and young adults in London. However, it can be fatal to people in certain instances such as if they have a weak immune system. Cheryl Nuhn, director of the day care facility said it was reported to the Health Unit immediately and that they personally contact all of the parents who use the facility. No other children have been sick. • Farmers and the farm community need to be better informed and prepared for the chance that Canada may someday face a potential Foreign Animal Dis- ease outbreak such as the Foot and Mouth (MD) out- break currently affecting the United Kingdom and Europe. For this reason, the Huron County Pork Pro- ducers, the Huron County Milk Producers, the Huron Federation of Agriculture and the Clinton office of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) have joined together to host an informa- tion meeting set for April 25 at the Seaforth Agri- Plex. The meeting will feature Dr. Jim Clark of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Dr. Ernie San- ford of Boehringer Ingelheim and a representative from OMAFRA. Discussion will focus on how produc- ers can take steps to protect themselves and their farms against an outbreak. Eradication procedures and the compensation program will be highlighted as part of the program. 25 years ago... • Vague wording and inadequate communication between the Huron County Board of Education (HCBE) and parents of Hullett Central Public School has caused some anxiety about a motion regarding stu- dent transfers and bus routes. In an April meeting HCBE carried a motion which begins a five-step plan to handle overcrowding in schools. Over 65 people packed Hullett Central Public School's auditorium for a parents meeting on April 11. They were there to voice their concerns over the issue. During the eve- ning, parents came forward with concerns and asked questions about possible boundary changes, student transfers and transportation changes. • Vacant downtown stores are getting a face-lift thanks to art students from Central Huron Secondary School (CHSS). The students are busy painting designs on windows of the vacant stores. "We were asked by the Business Improvement Area (BIA) if we could do something decorative on the vacant store windows," said CHSS Visual Arts Subject Chairman Ron Walker. "The paper in the windows looks like an eyesore, and we were asked to do something so the stores don't look so vacant." 35 years ago... • The old '49 Chevie has served the Clinton Fire Department well, but it's time for a new truck. The Clinton Fire Area board has agreed to replace the old truck and will purchase a new $50,590 pumper. According to the fire board secretary Bill Crawford, the board already has a reserve fund of $24,000 and the rest of the purchase price will be shared between the five municipalities that the area serves: Clinton, Goderich Township, Hullett Township, Tuckersmith Township and Stanley Township. Mr. Crawford also noted that the fire board will be buying a used van, estimated to cost $11,000. The van will be used to transport firemen. No decision has been made on the future of the 1949 Chev truck. Its pumping mecha- nism is worn out. The truck can't be sold to another fire department since regulations prohibit the resale of any fire equipment over 15 years of age. • The shifting economic climate is affecting most businesses and industries in the country, and Clinton area firms are no exception. One firm, Hearn Whole- sale Ltd., a wholesale outlet for plumbing and elec- trical supplies, will be closing its doors at the end of the month after 28 years of business, but he space will be occupied by Epps Manufacturing, a small manufacturing company which occupies the same building. Bill Hearn, president of the two companies said that the four employees from the Hearn division will be absorbed by the Epps company which spe- cializes in high pressure washer and valves and parts for drinking water pumps. Hearn Wholesale was started in 1953 by the late Cliff Epps and Bill Hearn.