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Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, May 16, 2007 7 Residents encouraged to report dead bird sightings Firm gets $52,000 to design park's next phase Sernas Associates of Mississauga will be paid $52,470 to do engineering consulting work to design the next phase of the Trafalgar Rd. Sports Park-- a baseball diamond, parking, lighting and grading. The whole project, $515,000, is being completed as a joint venture with the Georgetown Slopitch League, which contributed $100,000. Region begins West Nile program With the weather getting warmer, the impact in helping to safeguard the health of Region is kicking off its West Nile virus our community." (WNv) control program for the season. Standing water that has been sitting for The health department started its dead bird seven days or more can create an ideal breedsurveillance Monday, (May 14). and is asking ing ground for mosquitoes. It often collects in residents to help track the presence of WNv in objects like birdbaths, old tires, toys, plant Halton by reporting dead bird sightsaucers or clogged eavestroughs. ings. Residents are encouraged to ensure This can be done by calling the water doesn't accumulate in these health department at 905-825-6000 or types of objects or remove them when e-mailing wnv@halton.ca. When possible. reporting a dead bird, it's important to The Region will begin its mosquito provide as much of the following larviciding program when staff has information as possible: identified mosquito larvae in catch · Type or description of the bird basins or areas of standing water. · Address or closest intersection to Notices regarding the start of surwhere the bird is located face water larviciding will be placed DR. BOB · The length of time the bird has in local newspapers before it begins. NOSAL been there. In addition, signs will be posted at Dead crows and blue jays may be the sites when larvicides are applied. collected by staff and submitted for viral test- The locations will be listed at ing if suitable. If the bird isn't going to be www.halton.ca/wnv. picked up, staff will give instructions on how "Bird and mosquito surveillance activities to dispose of it safely. and larviciding are all parts of our compreThe health department says while it's inter- hensive control program," said Halton ested in sightings of all dead birds, it won't be Medical Officer of Health Dr. Bob Nosal. collecting every one. He noted that the health department has "We encourage residents to do their part by consistently found WNv activity in Halton's reporting dead bird sightings and removing bird population since 2001 and the mosquito standing water from their properties," said population since 2002. Regional Chair Gary Carr. "By doing these There was only one case of WNv diagnosed things, Halton residents can and do make an in a Halton resident last year. Region will donate unwanted computers Computers no longer needed by Region staff will now get a second chance in the community through a program recently started by the municipality. Through the new initiative, desktop and laptop computers that have been deemed surplus by the Region will be donated to non-profit groups in Halton. "The real winners in this program are students and people in need right here in our community who can use technology to learn and enrich their lives," said Regional Chair Gary Carr. Educational charities and not-for-profits in Halton will be given priority for the receipt of the refurbished computers. The computer donation program is being delivered in partnership with Renewed Computer Technology (RCT), a not-for-profit, charitable organization. "We commend Halton Region for further leveraging their technology investment to help strengthen not-for-profits and provide youth with valuable hands-on work experience through our programs," said RCT Executive Director Shauna L. McCaffrey. "Reusing technology not only benefits communities but protects the environment from harmful electronic waste." To find out more information or to request computers visit RCT's website at www.rcto.ca. ·Less Radiation Digital X-rays ·Intra-oral Camera Exams ·Free 2nd Opinion