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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-05-24, Page 5GODERICH SIGNAL-•ISTAR, THURSDAY, MAY 24, 1979—PAGE 5 province will bantwo herbicides for -trial period BY .IACD RIDDELL, M.P.P. The Provincial Government has decided to ban temporarily the use of two controversial herbicides (2,4,5-T and 2,4,5 -TP) which contain minute quantities of dioxin. _eyQn,.though. 4 - government government appointed committee and the federal departments of Agriculture and Health and Wel1are have recommended that use of the chemicals be allowed. In an interview following his an- nouncement of the two year ban, the Minister of the Environment, Harry Parrott, stated that the herbicides are being banned cj fe to public anxiety over dioxin - the most toxic of man-made chemicals, traces of which have recently been fpund in two Lake Ontario fish. Both the suspect herbicides are known to be contaminated by small amounts of dioxin, and U.S. researchers have stated that a mere 1- 1,200th of a drop of pure dioxin would prove fatal. To replace these two herbicides (which are d -nom iiia �a 1 I�r u -s ed to control vegetation on – Hydro rights-of-way and along highways), the government will allow the use of 2,4-D, other phenoxy herbicides and picoram• These are considered less toxic, though less effective, and contain no detectable levels of dioxin, but can control vegetation. In the Cobourg- Campbellford area, the Northumberland and Newcastle Board of Education has angered parents by voting to continue spraying weed killer on school grounds, in spite of parents' pleas for a moratorium until You and your health (unit) BY DR. BRIAN LYNCH Remember all the waffling about the date of our present federal election? Most of us knew what was coming but our good Prime Minister tried to make it a surprise. There is a sure sign though, more reliable than your pet groundhog in February, that may help you determine the next election, federal or provincial. When you see this sign,, you know without a shadow of a doubt, that there is hot stuff soon to gush forth from Parliament. It's called, "Doctor Hammering". Effective and simple. Just continually manufacture legislative debate, editorial comment, and irate statements to tell the people in this country and province that the only ones responsible for the demise of our socialized health care system are the doctors_,.,:,..__ I have heard that most people like and are satisfied with their own individual physician, but, as a group of people, we suspect that there might be some truth to what we read and hear. This is to be expected, because if something is said and written repeatedly, year after year, it usually ends up being accepted. Now, why Doctor Hammer? The most obvious reason to me is that there are some 15,000 doctors in the province of Ontario which means only 15,000 votes. There are about four or five million other votes in the province. Once any service comes under the protective wing of government, it then becomes a numbers game. No politician in his right mind would want to make 15,000 voters happy'^'when.he can excite the other four or five million. There are, of course, many other reasons : greed, envy, scape-goating and political power, but I think the main reason is that 15,000 doctors simply don't count: Why would a Medical Officer of Health stick up for doctors? All elements of health care delivery have only one purpose and that is to aid people. In doing this the various kinds of health services are com- plimentary to one another. Public health does not work in isolation but with hospitals,physicians, nurses, and all sorts of other health related groups and individuals. Public health concerns itself with the delivery of health services to various population groups. In Huron County, the population group is around 56,000 residents, and I am concerned, and have a right to be concerned, that physician services to the people of this county don't deteriorate. The next time our elected friends begin Halo Polishing and Doctor Hammering, you will be able to recognize this activity for what it is. My doctor is the best in the world but yours is a scoundrel and you think yours. is the best in the world and that mine is a scoundrel. Crazy, isn't it. Brian Lynch, M.D., D;P.H., Medical Officer of Health, County of Huron. CUiuncoait mall \ Pre ll4lahed Demur BELL BOTTQI4S 1St Quality Most Sites 26.38 $115?9 SALE STARTS WED. MAY 23 Our Prices Are The BEST. questions on the safety of the herbicide 2,4-D have been settled. This confrontation arose over an incident last year, when a con- tractor hired by the board sprayed the grounds at Percy Centennial School in War-kw-or-th while children were playing outside during. recess. The spraying contractor arrived 10 minutes before recess, and despite parents' calls to the board offices,- the prin- cipal was instructed by board officials to allow the children outside for recess while the spraying continued. After hearing from a Provincial Ministry of Environment official who said he felt sure the herbicide would be found safe regardless of some reports questioning it, the board has voted to go ahead with the spraying. X-RAY RADIATION A team of three physicists and an engineer have released a report stating that ex- cessive radiation from X- ray machines is causing some 20 leukemia cases a year in Ontario. The University of Toronto's Dr. Kenneth Taylor and his colleagues, who have been working on this problem, believe that these 20 cases' can be reduced to two. Dr. Taylor has been awarded $300,000 over the next three years for a program to minimize radiation levels. Based on a survey of 20 hospitals during 1977 and 1978, some 5 percent of hospital X-ray machines emit exceptionally high doses of radiation because they are not adjusted properly. This figure is a statistical estimate based on preliminary findings. In addition, the president of the 2,700 member Ontario Society for Radiological Technicians has stated that in this province anyone is permitted to run an X-ray machine without specialized training or a licence. She also stated that Ontario was warned at least ten years ago that some hospital patients were being exposed to dangerously high Dear Editor.. • • from page 4 farmers immediately whether or not they can expect your support on the development of agriculture in Eastern Ontario. Yours -impatiently, Peter Hannam, President. radiation levels when having X-rays. MEDICARE Provincial medicare continues to be a widespread topic of discussion. The Federal Minister of Health has stated that Ontario's contribution to health costs has "dwindled down to close to nothing" - a statement denied by the Provincial Treasurer, Frank Miller. Meanwhile, the Provincial Minister of Health, Dennis Tirnbrell, has said that Ontario residents don't have to worry about a reduced standard of health care due to the federal threat to cut health care payments to the Province. He considers the threat an election move, while his colleague, the Provincial Treasurer, says such a cut in funding is un- thinkable. The United _ Auto Workers union has said it may ask for a private -health plan in contract negotiations if doctors continue to drop out of OHIP. - POLICE WEEK ' Each year at this time "Police Week" is celebrated all over Canada. This special week to promote police - public co-operation is traditionally the week which includes the 15th of May, running from Sunday to Saturday. This practice was established in 1969, ound'n' About Election Day and sunshine - should be some kind of an ,omen - by the time you read this, I hope it was a ggod one for you! It is great to be home even if the cold weather is still jabbing at us. We had a good winter, very little cold but hated to turn our backs . on the wild panorama of colors of the trees and bushes of the Sun Country. The Jacuaranda Trees - large trees of blue to mauve flowers and the Gold Tree - like purest gold, are just breath- taking. They're unreal. Then, there is every color of the rainbow, but much more vivid, in the lower growth. My poinsettias, including a beauty from my Sorority Sisters at Christmas, were still blooming bright and colorful - outdoors. I hated to leave them, but they will probably still be nice in the fall. largely through the ef- forts of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. There are opening ceremonies, special exhibits (for the most part in plazas) and the public are welcome to tour police stations. It's a wonderful op- portunity to pay tribute to our police forces, and to become more knowledgeable about their work and their problems. APPEAL BOARD Harry Parrott, the Minister of Environment, introduced a bill in the Legislature that will eliminate the Pesticides Appeal Board and in- corporate its respon- sibilities with those of the Environmental Appeal with Martha It was wonderful to see the lilacs when we arrived in Windsor. I've not seen lilacs in Florida, but they certainly have lots of flowers. •This seems to be the big year for the fruit and ornamental trees. They're just gorgeous wherever you look. Outdoor activities are officially on the go - especially digging and raking. The Lawn Bowling Club is raring to go and all you folks who have talked about coming out, had better start coming out. They have the lawn bowls on hand - you don't need to buy your own, now - and there will be someone there most every af- ternoon and evening. This is a great game for everyone from 16 to - well ANY age - it is not just a "seniors" game any more, there's just more seniors- who realize what a great game it is. You are young - this will keep you young and you'll be glad I said so! In case you don't know - the greens are on Picton St. just off Waterloo St. (near Britannia Road). The weather will be nice now to go painting our great countryside. Goderich area has SO much to offer those who like to paint. Get your stuff ready - and your camera and if you don't want to paint alone, call me - I'm usually in the mood and want to do some scenes - ANY time. Don't throw away those papers ANY paper. Some people are very faithful in tying up their bundles - or putting papers in a large -brown grocery bag for the Rotary Club pick up. In a small way, we can ,Turn to page. 14 • Board. The members of the Pesticides Appeal Board will be appointed as members of the Environmental Appeal Board. Under this amendment, the Environmental Appeal Board will hear appeals -from decisions of the director under The Pesticides Act, , which normally relate to matters of licences or permits concerning pesticides. The procedures for these appeals will remain unchanged, at least for a period of time. At some future date, these procedures may be amended to parallel other appeals to the Environmental Appeal Board. ' D.B. PALMER DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC Is pleased to announce the opening of a SECOND OFFICE For an appointment please call... 523-9321 ® Blyth OR 524®4555 ® Goderich 11111 ANTI-PERSPIRANT ARRID SPRAY .. 225 ML. 11{I{Ill $1.49 1 ,CAUifON,• KLEENEX TOWELS 994 2 ROLL PKG. $149 DEODORANT 71 ML. BAN ROLL-ON• FACIAL TISSUE KLEENEX BOX OF200 TOILET TISSUE DELSEY Q -TIPS 180's SHAMPOO 4 ROLL PKG. 100 ML. 594 994 83a 894 NAKAMURA PHARMACY GUARDIAN DRUGS Suncoast Mall, Goderich OPEN MON.-FRI. 10-12, 12:30-6 WEEKDAY EVENINGS 6:30 P.M. -9 P.M. SATURDAY 10-6 524-2195 ru'rCD11111 W.J. HUGHES REALTY LIMITED EDUCATION FOR EMPIOYMENT Conestoga College Certificate Programs Would you like to upgrade your job skills? Getback in the work force? Or move ahead in the work force? You can do it...in Clinton Conestoga College, Clinton Campus, offers -the following Programs on a continuous entry basis throughout the year. Academic Upgrading English, Mathematics and Science to College entry/level *Programs are offered on a continuous intake basis throughout the year. *Contact the Clinton Campus for the date of the next openings. *Testing and counselling are available to help you select a program. Certiticate *Funding assistance may be available. Check to see if you are eligible. Call or write to arrange an Interview, or drop in to the Clinton Campus on Vanastra Road, 482-3458, for more information on these or any of our other programs. Conestoga College of Applied Arts and Technology We've got a lotto share. BRITANNIA RD. tit 4 41110. SOUTH ST. BENNETT ST. 1- tit m 2 0 BAYFIELD ROAD 21 SUNCOAST -7-STRIP merchants Associa DfTOUR ALL MERCHANTS IN 21 SUNCOAST STRIP AREA, . ARE OPEN, AND WILL STAY OPEN, DURING CONSTRUCTION The mop shows the present state , of construction of Hwy. No. 21 (Bayfield Road), ddtails of detours around site, and easiest access to Suncoast Strip Merchants in affected area 4. 12. 4 E 17. 0 BENNETT ST. SUNCOAST MALL INDUSTRIAL PARK 6. This Informative message brought to you by the following 21 Suncoast-Strip Merchants Association 1. Argyle Marine _ 2. Bluewater Market 3. Gord's Sport & Cycle 4. Bedford Arm's Motel S. Goderich Fina 6. Art's Landscaping 7. Mac's Milk 8. Squire Gifts 9. Discount Dave's 10.Candielight Restaurant 11.Standard Auto Glass 12.Llttle Joe's 13.Suricoest Mall Association 14.Culligan Water Softener 1 S.Gardinor's Motel 16.Z lebart (Huron Auto -Truck Rustproofing) 17.BIuff.'s Motel him