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The Times Advocate, 2006-05-31, Page 66 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, May 31, 2006 Opinion Forum News Seniors' perspective Continued from page 5 Ten digits telephone dialing is just around the corner. Starting June 17 telephone users will be required to dial a 10 -digit number, which includes area code and the even -digit number being called. It will be a trial period leading up to the official launch of the new system on October 14. Those dialing the regular seven digits will hear an explanation of the new dialing system and a request for them to dial the 10 -digit number. Callers dialing the (7) seven digit number after October 14 will find their call will not go through. The June start will give phone users time to adjust to the new system. The system is being brought to accom- modate the increasing sales of wireless phones and spe- cialty phone service being offered by cable companies. Dialing of long distance calls will remain the same. Safe Cycling Is Not Just For Kids! Cycling is popular with Canadians of all ages. Most Canadian children 12 and under ride bikes and in addi- tion many adults ride bicycles to keep fit, for recreation and for transportation. Overall bicycling is a safe and enjoyable activity for riders of all ages who respect the rules of the road and keep a safety conscience attitude. Bicycle crashes have gone down in traffic fatalities. Statistically, a cyclist is safer than a motor vehicle driver or passenger plus cycling offers health benefits. In 2001, there were 60 bicycle fatalities. Of these 36 per cent were age 19 and under, and 64 per cent were over 19. Helmet use is one key factor in the decreased injuries for young people and the increase among adult cyclists. Among those 19 and under, all but one of the 21 fatalities was not wearing a helmet. Nonetheless, adult cyclists must always put safety first and buy and wear a helmet. Garage Sale Advice: Every year, garage sales are held in towns and cities across Canada. People often shop for bargains at these sales; however, these bargains could be dangerous. Everyone holding a garage sale is legally responsible for ensuring that products sold, whether new or used, are safe and meet safety standards. It is important to only sell items that are in good condition. Damaged articles should be discarded. The Hazardous Products Act is administered by Health Canada. It has safety requirements for certain consumer products, many of which are intended for use by children. Under the law you cannot import, sell or distribute products that do not meet the requirements of the Hazardous Products Act. The next time you are planning to hold a garage sale, think safety. The following is a partial list of products that must meet safety requirements under the Hazardous Products Act: Baby Gates - Baby gates that have large diamond- shaped () or large "V" openings at the top are not allowed to be sold in Canada. Baby Walkers - Baby walkers are illegal to sell as of April 2004. Anyone with a baby walker is advised to destroy it so that it cannot be used and to discard it. Car Seats - Car seats must meet the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard and carry the compliance label stating the height and weight of the child for which the seat is designed. Cribs - To meet the regulations, cribs must be accom- panied by information that identifies the manufacturer, model number, and date of manufacture and assembly instructions. Cribs made before the fall of 1986 do not meet current safety standards and are prohibited from sale under the law. Children's Sleepwear - Loose -fitting sleepwear (including nightgowns, bathrobes, baby -doll pajamas and loose pajamas) burn more easily if made of cotton or cotton blends and should not be offered for sale. Protective Sports Equipment - Hockey helmets and face protectors sold in Canada must meet safety stan- dards set by CSA International. If the CSA sticker is not present discard the product. Playpens - Some older playpens may have protruding bolts that can catch on a child's clothing, or may have worn or faulty mechanisms on the folding sides of the playpen. Strollers -Carriages and strollers made before 1985 may not meet current safety standards. Proud of SHDHS band To the parents of the SHDHS Senior Concert Band — I had the privilege of accompa- nying the senior concert band on their recent trip to the MusicFest Canada National Competition in Ottawa. If you are the parent of one of those 62 students you have good reason to be proud. The students on that trip were unfailingly polite, considerate of those around them and respectful of their environment including the hotel, perfor- mance venue and the city itself. They were kind to each other with nobody on the trip feeling like an outsider yet they kept each other in line when the need arose. The com- petition performance was wonderful and I felt enormously proud as they went through their paces under what must have felt like a pressure cooker to some. Each and every day someone approached either Mr. Robilliard or one of the chaper- ones to compliment us on the behaviour of our students. As a parent I know we often wonder if our children hear a word we say! This group has heard every word and you can be proud of them. They should be proud of themselves. Anyone who gets a chance should thank Bob Robilliard. He is so clearly the heart and soul of the music program at SHDHS but his influence extends far beyond the band room. His students are so very lucky to have him. If you've never heard the SHDHS bands perform, the last chance this school year will be June 13 at 7 p.m. It's just a lovely way to spend a couple of hours. KAREN L. BROWN, Exeter A work of fiction With 40 million copies of "The Da Vinci Code" sold, there are millions, including Christians, being sucked -in by curiosity - an eager desire for knowledge or something novel or unusual; that which excites interest by strangeness or rarity...thus the `curiosity' factor is too strong for people to ignore this book and this film. "The Da Vinci Code is fictional -entertainment, not a theology lesson for Christians", said Ron Howard, the director. "This is supposed to be about entertainment, it's not theology"...the study of religion. Anything that harms the body or mind is not acceptable for a Christian. Discernment and judgement walk hand - in - hand; you can't have one without the other and that doesn't mean that you are judging some church or some individual...but you are `judging" for yourself...whether something be "of God" or something be of Satan...whether "good" or evil. God never wastes time...He always has a "message" with a "purpose"...with "spiritu- al facts". (1 Cor. 2:13) "Which things also we speak,not in words which man's wis- dom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." Comparing "spiritual things" (facts) with "spiritual"... not with fiction! Discernment will keep you out of trouble. You know "right" from wrong when you are to judge and discern what the Lord God has "planned" for you and your family. As Christians, we should "obey" God's word. We do not need to watch or read...fiction (garbage) to be able to "talk about Jesus". Bottom line: (Phil. 4:8-9) "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think (talk) on these things." "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." The Da Vinci Code? (2 Cor. 6: 1-18) (17) "...touch not the unclean thing..." KEN AND JUNE CAMPBELL Constant criticism unwarranted This letter is in response to the many letters your paper has received from Dean, Wally and friends. I agree every council needs a watchdog and if you feel this is your calling in life so be it. However I do object to the constant criticism and negativity com- ing from your letters. Does nothing good ever happen in South Huron? Why should our elected officials be subject to your constant abuse? They do make mistakes but what about yourself? Is it any wonder there are so few people willing to stand for pub- lic office when they are constantly being put down and criticized in public and in the press by people like you? I have lived in South Huron my entire life and am proud of the progress we have made. Where else did amalgamation go more smoothly than in South Huron? Does council not deserve some credit for this? Also, the many downloads from the Harris government made their work very challenging. I have had occasions over the past several years to work with Warden Morley and past Warden Urlin and have found them to be most willing to work with us in any way they could help. Both these men are highly thought of by their peers. I have known both Coun. Ratz and Coun. Dietrich personally for many years. They are intelligent men of integrity doing the best they can to serve the ratepayers. Councillors Oke, Robertson and Armstrong are also good men doing what they can for the betterment of our community. I am proud to be a resident of South Huron and am pleased with the performance of our council. How about a few words of thanks instead of constant criticism. JACK SCiADE, Dashwood Happy Mother's Day Well, Mother's Day is over. Somebody's mum, I do hope you enjoyed your green gazing ball and stand, or your dressed -up goose. Life must be tough when you have to steal your gifts! Furious Senior, LORNA STUART, Riverview Estates, Exeter Fight provincial downloading The following resolution was passed at the May 23, 2006 regular council meeting of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie, Chesley, Ont."Moved by: P. Eagleson Seconded by: M. Daviswhereas the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie, in particular, and the rural region of Grey and Bruce Counties, in general, have largely been unsuccessful with applications for infrastructure under the Canada -Ontario Municipal Infrastructure Renewal Program (COMRIF);and whereas it has become apparent that the criteria for assessing the relative merit of municipal COMRIF applications is weighted in favour of larger municipalities with larger populations, higher property tax assessment bases and associated higher taxing, revenue -raising and debt -paying capabilities, as evi- denced by the successful applicants in the first and second rounds of COMRIF applications; and whereas the costs to meet the requirements to submit COMRIF appli- cations range from $30,000 to $50,000, which Lettersare particularly onerous and costly to those tO the small municipalities which are most in need of federal and provincial assistance; and whereas Edi tor the eligibility criteria arbitrarily imposed by the federal and provincial bureaucracies support the bias towards larger municipalities at the expense of small municipalities whose infrastruc- ture needs are just as valid and important to the future well being of those municipalities as those of larg- er, more affluent urban municipalities;and whereas Arran- Elderslie's unsuccessful `score' in round two of COMRIF was higher than another suc- cessful applicant for approximately the same level of funding;and whereas Arran- Elderslie's unsuccessful applications in rounds one and two were for the purpose of complying with Ministry of the Environment's issues regarding the overflow of sewage into a river, a system approved by the said Ministry; now therefore, we conclude that the overflow of raw sewage into a river is acceptable to the federal and provincial gov- ernments; and we further conclude that the federal and provincial governments are not committed to treating municipalities with respect for local decisions about local needs; and further that, if we submit an application for round three of the COMRIF grant program, no new costs for the application will be incurred; and further that we trust future assessments of COMRIF applications will result in fairly awarded grants. Carried Mayor Ron Oswald" Why was South Huron council in such a hurry to pass a resolution to go ahead with a Centralia -Crediton sewer collection system without a grant? The chief administra- tive officer for the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie told me their council is standing firm that they will not accept any provincial downloading. As a result, they passed this resolution. I would recommend South Huron council rescind the resolution they passed to pro- ceed with the Crediton -Centralia sewer project without a guaranteed grant. Instead, they should follow the lead of Arran-Elderslie and pass a resolution which sends a message to the province, "No Provincial Downloading to Municipalities!" (WALLY) PETER FYDENCHUK, Crediton