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OPINION z o ,Three cheers!. z It has been a long urne coming but we applaud Halton >, Regions forward-thinking stand when it cornes to banning 2 smoking in public places. S On February 15 - appropriately Farnily Day - Halton parents will no longer be able to puff away in front of public *hockey arenas and facilities such as pools and public I libraries. The ban states that no one can light up within nine -metres, or about 30 feet, of mnunicipal facîlîties. IThe prohibition applies to ail buildings owned or leased by Halton Region or any of the four Halton rnunicipalities. Along with recreation facilities, the list also includes mnunicipal offices, comrnunity centres, rnuseurns, art gaI1- leries, police stations, fire halls, ambulance stations and pub- Slic washrooms. It would impact about 150 municipal facili- ties, according to Regional staff. While we are sure there will bc sortc resiclci-. wbii i i bernoan this pulicy, we believe the majurit> of people using these facilities will be pleased they no longer have walk through clouds of nicotine as they make their way inside - especially if they have children in tow. Halton Region bas yet to decide on what dollar figure the ticket sbould be, but said it would be in line with fines issued under the Provinces Smoke Free Ontario Act. However, you can't put a price on someones health. The Region is also consulting the municipalities and con- servation authorities for feedback on a proposed ban on smoking in parks. Council sought that feedback last faîl, fol- lowing a motion by Burlington Councillor Rick Goldring, who requested such a ban be investigated. Imagine that concept - smoke-free parks. Again, this is ail positive for Halton residents who sui desperately want to get away from cigarette srnoke. The rnost recent cancer incidence and mortality statistics for the region should be of concern to ail of us. -Fhe 2000-04 statistics reveal that despite lower incidence and rnortality rates than the provincial average, lung cancer continues tu be the third-rnost common cancer in both men and wornen in Halton and the No. 1 cancer killer. That's certainly something srnokers should contemplate the next time they fumble for a cigarette lighter. CHAMPION TRACKS: Valerie and John Melaney of Fiorida and Miltonian Jacqueline Flack enjoy the warm wveather in Aruba. Take your communlty newspaper on your next vacation and send your 'Champion Tracks' photos tu edîtuîîal©rniltoîcanadianchamiî- on om. Be sure to incude destination information and everyonpes narnes Readers Write- Emaii icoaers to eWitonai@rnitorîcanachanchampio,o i'o Lstrs, which may b)e WRùt W rn m olude Cie wriwer s ncsne, address and phorne numr- Peanut allergy indeed a real concern DEAR EDITOR: In last Thursday's, Chiampion, a read- er wrote in asking for informnation un peanut allergies. She noticed that times have changed over the past 20 N'ears, frorn peanut butter being a typical sandwich spread to a product that kilîs. Ive heard a few thecories explaining thc reasons for this, tncluding the immune system changing where li nu longer had to fight diseases fcor which we now have vaccinations and altcring reactions in the fetus and the overindulgence of peanut butter sand- wiches frorn the previous generation hiaving causcd tcodav's reactions. Almu'nî cverv school has children who cati die froni eating or urmelling peanuis. Ifs not socieiv thats sca ring todayis children. lin. thle actual life- thrcatcuing experiences that parents and their children hiave suffered lrorn that's causing the legitimaie fear. Tcoday"s children are arnaztng:. thcv are willing tro sacrifice their favourite sandwich for the health and lives of their peers. Remnerrber, its this coin- pansicnate generation ihai will bc tak, ing care of us une day SHERRIE RAIN MILTON Upftrnt Ideal Urne, W offer thanks to Miltonsl sports volunteers Tbey may be far rernoved frorn the sport- ing spotlight, but they're the unes who keep our minoir sports scene running. Theyîre the coaches, managers and vani- nus other parent volunteers - those who give so mucb of thernselves and often get very littie in retum. This Saturday represents an ideal time to change that, as our country us once again set to celebrate Hockey Day in Canada. Airing from. Stratford starting at noon, CBC will fea- ture a number of inspiring profiles about the passion we have for our beloved pastime. But ifs not just those with intriguing sto- ries to tell wbo deserve our recognition and gratitude. Chair Lynne Fuller and hier supporting staff deserve major kudos for running last months Beaver Tournarnent. At a time when most peuple relish a few days off to relax and spend time with fatnily, those dedi- cated volunteers put dawn-to-dusk stints at Milton Sports Centre su that our areas youth could enjoy another holiday hockey bash. And this isjust the tip of the ice- berg. How about guys like Gerry Moynagh, who works the dlock for countless Hurricanes games and has always met your local sports scribe witb a friendly, belpful air. Speaking of making my life easier, theres a small group of minoir hockey contacts wbo are especially reliable aboti getting me detailed reports in a regular aind tirnely fash- ion. Think the kids are the only unes whio appreciate this? Think again. Throw iin a h» riad of other hehind-thc scenes jobs andI 9, theres nu shortage of peuple tu thank on the local hockey front -or Milton's entire sporting cornrunity, for that matter. Su when you'rc taking junior to the arena this week- end, how about offering a quick - thanks tu sorneone who - in a big or ismaîl way - helps make bis or bier sports experience an enjoyable one. A lîttle appreciation can go a long way, iraneian(tampon Miltons Community Newspapet Sînce 1860 555 IndustrialDr., Milton, Ont. L9T 5E1 905-878-2341 Editorial Fax: 905-878-4943 Advertising Fax: 905-876-2364 Classified:905-875-3300 Circulation: 905-878-5947 www.mültoncanadiancampion.com V.P. - Group Publisher Neil Oliver Regional General Manager David Harvey General Manager Dehbî Kopp)e)an Editor in Chief Jîli Davis Managing Editor K, . I' Production Manager Tim Cules Circulation Manager Charlene Hall Office Manager Sandy Pare The Canadian Champion, published every Tuesday and Thursday, is a division of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Atiuertisinq is accepted on tise condition that, in tise event of a typograpica error tisai portion oi the adoeris- irg space occupied by tise erronieous. item, together wuts a reasonabe alossance for signature. wuil flot te charged for, but tse balance oi tise adventuseert wuili be paid for ai tise appicablie rate. Tse puisier reterces tse trih to categorize aituertisements or decirne. CCAB Audited t5i'sogttizcct foor exr-elteiucn by C CvA1 i Oaniann Cnmmunlity L'I3Newspapers Association I < iSuburban Newspapers nI o Amerîca t'he (.anai an ,hattiýpucti ns Harn Heaitncare LCOM1O% ingle Bell Fond MILTON SANTA CLAUS PARADE UNITED WAY AsOtrv ~ THENA .Onards Th Oki*ý G-A IA Awardr M hm' 1, ý e abri jý,,