The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

VERN TOWNT'W ILO SMILTON )ON CURRIE IMETROLAND WEST MEDIA GOUP NO SHORTAGE 0F HORSEPOWER: Neil McPhail of the recently-estab- lished Halton 4-H Pullers - sponsored by Halton Turf and Tractor - pulls 'The Anchor' during the recent Ali-Colour Antique Tractor and Toy Show at Country Heritage Park, Plants toxic sap can even cause blindness w.downtownmilton.comU- e from MILTON on page Al The danger lies in the clear, watery, toxic sap that, if touched, sensitizes skin to UV rays and the Sun and can cause everything [rom mninor spots 10 severe blisters, burns and even blindness. "It's important to avoid any con- tact with it, Basit said. "The effects of this can be quite devastating.- Resîdents who find giant hog- weed on their properties - most often rural land - should contact an expert to gel rid of it, Basit said. The weed thnives in damp areas, which explains ils presence along the Sixteen Mile Creek. This sum- mer's cool, wet weather is t0 blame [or it llourishing this year, Basit said. Itfs invasive, which means it grows and spreads very quickly; locally, seeds travel along the Sixteen Mile Creek and eati cover quile a distance. Basit recommends that residents who sec the plant report it to CH, which is mapping the locations and hopes 10 comne up wîîh a control plan. The -Provinces Ontario Weeds website (www.ontarioweeds.com) lisîs five Milton locations where the presence of giant hogweed has been verified, most of which is privale land. Spots include along îhe Sixteen Mile Creek, behind the Grand Chalet banquct centre on Steeles Avenue, near Steeles Avenue and Martin Street, along Derry Road west of Ontario Street, and at Britannia Road and Regional Road 25. Readers- also reported it along the east side of Peru Road and iii the overgrown arca beside the Milton Sports Centre. In addition, it was found - and quickly removed - by CH staff at Mountsberg Conservation Area in front of the Discovery Centre a few weeks ago, Basit said. Paul Cripps, the Towns director of engineering services, said one plant was discovered this summer in Melanie Park and removed. Since the majority of giant hog- weed is on private property and flot on the Provinces list of noxious weeds under the Weed Conîrol Act of Ontario, the Town can't fol-cc landowncrs 10 get rid of it, Cripps said. Mike Cowbrough, a weed spe- cialist wiîh the Province, explained giant hogweed isn't on the noxious weeds list because the list focuses on plants that pose a danger 10 agri- culture. Stephanic Hounseil can bc reached at sthiessen&mýilioncanadi- anchanipion.com.