10 • OPINION
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2012 - SOOKE NEWS MIRROR
www.sookenewsmirror.com
Cont’d from page 9 I am opposed to the communications tower application 6631 and 6633 Sooke Road for health reasons and others. My understanding has been that the District of Sooke wants to create high density in the downtown core where I live. Mariners Village Phase 1 is high density and is only metres from our property line. I am concerned that Mariners Village property owners, as well as tenants and workers, within the 100 metre distance of the proposed communications tower have not been properly notified or are even aware of the health issues related to this proposal. I have called and spoken to people and they know nothing about it. There is strong evidence that electromagnetic radiation from cell phone towers is damaging to human (and animal) health. Over 100 scientists and physicians at Boston and Harvard Universities Schools of Public Health have called cell phone towers a radiation hazard. The damage from radiation exposure
LETTERS accumulates over many years, but the breakdown in health happens only after all body defenses and repair mechanisms have been exhausted. For some people, short term effects from cell tower radiation exposure may include headaches, sleep disorders, poor memory, mental excitation, confusion, anxiety, depression, appetite disturbance and listlessness. Sufficient information has not been given to those living and working near this proposed tower. A study performed by doctors in Germany have found that those living within 400 metres of a cell tower had a newly-diagnosed cancer rate three times higher than those who lived further away. Breast cancer topped the list, but cancers of the prostate, pancreas, bowel, skin melanoma, lung and blood cancer were all increased. (Naila Study) I am surprised and shocked that our city planner would even consider this application. I am also curious
to know the amount of money Alcatel-Lucent has enticed the property owner with.. Does the property owner live at the address of the proposed tower? What amount of money is worth putting our health at risk? We are talking about our downtown core where people live and work this is a very serious issue that will require responsible governing. Real estate in the area is at risk as no one with knowledge would buy near a cell tower. Tourism will be affected as a 40-metre tower (132 ft) in the middle of our town does not beautify Sooke in any way. Our community has always attracted travelers because of its unique natural environment. We have clean air beautiful views, gardens and an opportunity to show the world we are respectful and responsible people living here. I have lived in Sooke in the same house for over 32 years. I had a Teahouse and B&B in my home for 25 years. I have guest books with hundreds of signatu-
res from people from all over the world with comments about how beautiful it is here. Two of my grandchildren live adjacent to our property within 50 metres of this disastrous proposal. What chance has my onemonth-old grandson against this radiation. Why should the people living and working in downtown Sooke be put at risk? I request that council do what they can to stop this. Sylvia Hallgren Sooke
Ideas only being explored In the June 13 edition, you reported that Shirley will be receiving a CREST antenna, the Juan de Fuca office will be moving and the Royal Marine Search and Rescue is moving to East Sooke. I hope you will allow me to assure my constituents that these ideas are being explored and just that. I am sorry if I gave you the impression that these were a done
Cont’d on page11
2205 Otter Point Road, Sooke Phone: 250-642-1634 Fax: 250-642-0541 email: info@sooke.ca website: www.sooke.ca
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING A Public Hearing will be held in the Sooke Council Chambers at 2225 Otter Point Road, Sooke, BC on Monday, June 25, 2012 at 7:00 pm to hear presentations on the following proposed bylaw: Bylaw No. 521, Zoning Amendment Bylaw (500-4) The intent and purpose of Bylaw No 521, Zoning Amendment Bylaw (500-4) is to amend the zoning of 6837 Talc Place, formerly known as Talc Place Park, and now legally described as That Part of Section 23, Sooke District shown as Closed Park on Plan VIP 89409 from Public Recreation Zone (P1) to Medium Lot Residential Zone (R2) for the purpose of creating one additional lot and selling the remainders subject to consolidation with an adjacent property. SUBJECT PROPERTY MAP BYLAW 521: Copies of the proposed bylaw, and relevant background documents, may be inspected at the offices of the District of Sooke Planning Department, 2205 Otter Point Road, Sooke, BC, between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays), commencing from June 11, 2012 to and including June 25, 2012. All persons who believe their interests in property are affected by these proposed bylaws shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard or to present written submissions before Council on the matters contained in the proposed bylaws at the above time and place. If you are unable to attend the hearing, we ask that written submissions be provided prior to the close of the public hearing. Please be advised that submissions to Council will become part of the public record. If you have any questions regarding this application, please contact the Planning Department at 250-642-1634.
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The Pastor's Pen FATHER’S DAY So I looked up the de¿nition of “fatherhood” in the dictionary and I found the word “father” between “fathead” and “fathom,” “fatigue”. I thought the dictionary was saying more than I really wanted to know. There are a lot of models out in society claiming the true example of fatherhood. The macho model, mask model or milk-toast model. But these men are often “fatheads”. Sometimes it is dif¿cult to “fathom” the responsibilities of being a father which can lead to “fatigue”. Our culture is suffering from a manhood identity crisis. Are there any alternatives to help men? We have to go no further than our Bible. In God’s Word, we ¿nd God’s model for manhood. In fact, if men choose to follow God’s values for Biblical manhood, men are promised success and satisfaction in life. A man’s greatness should be determined less by the value of their wealth than by the wealth of their values. The Apostle Paul gave special commendation to two men whose values modeled what God expects of men. The two men were Timothy and Epaphroditus. In the Letter to the Phillipians he comments on their COMPASSION, CONSISTENCY, COMMITMENT and COURAGE. Dads are you man enough to live sold out for God as you model godly values? Pastor Dwight Geiger
CHRISTIAN LIFE ASSEMBLY SOOKE HARBOUR
6851 West Coast Road Pastor Eduardo Aristizabal SUNDAY SERVICE 10:00am 250.642.4822 HOLY TRINITY Anglican Church 1962 Murray Road | 250-642-3172 HOLY COMMUNION SERVICES Sunday & Wednesday 10am Saturday 5pm Revs Dr. Alex and Nancy Nagy www.holytrinitysookebc.org
KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2110 Church Rd | 250-642-4124 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:15 am Pre-Service Singing 10:30 am Family worship Rev. Dr Gordon Kouwenberg Parents Room and well equipped Nursery
SOOKE BAPTIST CHURCH 7110 West Coast Road | 250-642-3424 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:00 am Children, youth & adult ministries Pastor Dwight Geiger Email sookebaptistchurch@telus.net
ST. ROSE OF LIMA Roman Catholic Parish 6221 Sooke Rd. | 250-642-3945 | Fax: 778-425-3945 Saturday Mass 5pm | Sunday Mass, 10 am Thursday Mass 10:30 am Children’s Religious Ed: Sat. 3:45pm Office Hours: Tue-Wed 10-2, Thurs 2pm-4pm Rev. Fr. Michael Favero