Silence is lonely
I am hearing impaired. If you meet me in the street and speak to me, and I don’t answer, I am not being a snob, or rude, I just didn’t hear you. If my mind and thoughts were far away I probably didn’t see you either. Just tap me lightly on the shoulder to get my attention. I love to chat.
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August 21st to 28th is “Hearing Awareness Week”. There are hundreds of hearing impaired people in our area, and this is often the hidden disability. Look at us when you speak. Don’t cover your mouth with your hand.
Don’t turn your back or walk into another room while you are speaking to us. Sound doesn’t travel well through the back of your head or through walls. Speak clearly, but you don’t need to shout. And for those with good hearing, protect your ears from excessively loud noise. Once lost, hearing can never be completely recovered.
A silent world is a lonely world. Be kind.
Pat Legge
Laurieton
Fluoride debate
Residents will be electing a new council on September 8.
Council’s water fluoridation dosing facility costs ratepayers around $272,000 annually. Can this significant cost be justified?
The Drew Council was duped into fluoridating through scaremongering and deceptive behaviour by NSW Health. Residents were denied an opportunity to vote again on this issue (71 % voted against fluoridation in 1991).
To its credit, the current council has sought assurances of “safety” from NSW Health and the federal NHMRC. Both of these bodies endorse fluoridation as “safe” for general health and “effective” in reducing tooth decay. PMHC has not received a satisfactory assurance of safety to date.
Mainland Europe is unfluoridated. The International Academy of Oral Health and Toxicology (2003) condemns water fluoridation as posing unacceptable health risks. Fluoridation promotes dental fluorosis but does not reduce tooth decay.
We need a majority of informed councillors who acknowledge fluoride’s health risks. Council can then progress towards stopping this madness.
John Lusk (Citizens Against Fluoridation Inc.)
Port Macquarie
Support tidal pool
I write to you from Ballina. I have been a Councillor on Ballina Shire Council for the last 8 years and feel honoured to be involved with our Ballina Ocean Pool Committee. It has come to my attention that the community of Port Macquarie is also looking to build an ocean pool which is fantastic news.
Ballina’s committee is progressing through the hoops and obstacles to bring about such a wonderful project for our own Community.
I’ve grown up swimming in ocean pools in Sydney and Newcastle and think they are a great asset for any costal community. I believe that Ballina’s Ocean pool will be the first of a new wave of ocean pools to be built up and down the coast. With all the negative news stories about the increasing threat and fear of sharks, an ocean pool is the perfect solution. They also allow children and the elderly to have an ocean experience without the risk of getting caught in a rip or being dumped by a wave.
I have been informed that there is a Mayoral Candidate, Peta Pinson who is supporting the push for a Tidal Pool in Port Macquarie and offer her and the Tidal Pool for Port Macquarie committee my support and will provided them with any information I can as to how we are progressing with an Ocean Pool for Ballina.
A Tidal Pool would be a major drawcard for areas such as Ballina and Port Macquarie which are enjoyed by tourists all year round and I wish the community of Port Macquarie much success in its endeavours.
Councillor Jeff Johnson
Ballina Shire Council