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thm 400 words and must Include I daytime telephone number, name and address. The Sun-1mm the Mn to publleh or no! bush end to edit r clar- It’s where my kids played tag as children and where they now socialize with their friends as adults. It’s where my wife and I hold family barbecues and din- ners in the summer. And, it’s where my fatherâ€"in-law gets down on his hands and knees to pull weeds and tend to the St. John’s Wort and tulips. Our pet dog. Huckleberry, was even buried in the back yard when he died. lETTERS POLICY The back yard isn't just my own private place of refuge in the sum- mer. It's a sacred place for my fam- ily as well. The Stm-Trlbunc welcomes your letters. All submissions must be less The house I have lived in for decades in Vancouver is not just a property to me. My home, espe- cially the back yard, means so much more. real estate agent once visited me at home and oflered to sell my house. I was tempted for about a nanosecond before turning him down cold. What is even more disheartening is the continuous display of complacency in n1}; one drink to destroy While some blew under the legal limit, let me remind you it only takes one drink to imPair your judgment. mm That means during that weekend in York Region, you and I and our loved ones were at risk of death or serious injury a minimum of 41 times. And those are only our reduced risks. What about those drunks who were not stopped? Over the Easter weekend, York police stopped 1,018 vehicles and tested 41 sus- pected drunk drivers. Impaired drivingis still our nation's No. l cn'minal cause of death. It is also lOOâ€"per-cent preventable. Although the awareness is continuously out there, the OPP and York Regional Police are still having to lay an unacceptable amount of charges. Wake up, folks. I am disappointed with many of our citizens inYork Region. While I realize many of you are, indeed, involved with important issues and causes, many others of you do nothing outside yourselves. Residents don’t seem to (are about drunk driving I wouldn't trade any of my WMSt. Dangers of using pesilicides in your yard lETTERS TO THE EDITOR [mm MEDIA Dawna Andrews dandng mm ION In 2003, the Ontario College of Family Physicians published a scientific literature review that showed “consistent links to serious illnesses, such as cancer, reproduc- tive problems and neurological diseases" associated with chronic pesticide exposure. There has been a tremendous amount of interest in green spaces. And with good reason. Many of the private yards and public parks we enjoy are coated with toxic chemi- cal pesticides to kill weeds. The problem is they work too well and exposure to them can damage our health. They’re the public commons where we can throw Frisbees, play Volleyball. read a book or (my favorite) take a nap. memories that have taken place on that small stretch of grass for anything in the world. I know I’m not alone in my passion. Our yards and gardens are a symbolic zone, a private sanctuary. Our public parks are also treasured spaces. Withbut you would be dead. tion caused by impaired driving, we will continue to strive to be here, when you are maimed or when your child is killed on a public roadway. Many thanks to all those volunteers who continue to work tirelessly in the face of adversity. Regardless of public pleas and invita- tions for you to become better informed as to how you can help, I am saddened to the fact not one new person attended our recent public information meeting. Perhaps you just can't read or perhaps you just don't care. Regardless, as volunteers who know far too well the preventable pain and devasta- such a highly populated region. Impaired driving can affect us all. People, you are not immune to the car- nageanddevastationthatcanbecausedby such a selfish and irresponsible act. b What do you think of this issue? E-mail inmome Ann Campbell ammphellfiyrmgay Anvmmsmc HAVE YOUR SAY SW-Tribune PUBLISHER Ian Proudfoot MARGARET WILLIAMS PRESIDENT; MADD YORK REGION CHAPTER doubt 6290Maln8t. smmmnw 167 So what exactly are we spray- ing on our lawns? At least 50 active pesticide ingredients registered for use in Canada have been banned Children are also more vulner- able to the health effects of pesti- cide exposure because their young boclies Eire still developing. It stands to reason children and pets are often more exposed since they’re the ones most likely to be found rolling playing on the glass during the summer months. more Assistant Classified Bonnie Rondeau bmndaauOyrmg.oom Pnonucnon caused by ‘ it. ‘ 1d invita- informed V ldened to nded our g- o ' perhaps know far i devasta- ;, we will n you are Hed on a eers who 8 face of 8 people ILLIAMS VT. MAD!) CHAPTER David Suzuki Bonu- m Cum Debora Kelly Robert lazurlco (ilmified: 1-800-743-3353 Despite the clear evidence against chemical pesticides, more than 30 per cent of Canadians with gardens still use them, but there is evidence this practice may be coming to an end. Many cities Another report, published by my foundation, showed that more than 6,000 cases of acute pesticide poisoning occur in Canada each year. Even more frightening, half of those poisonings involve children under six. But don’t look for it in Denmark Norway or Sweden. The herbicide 2,4-D is no longer sold in Scandi- navia because of health and enviâ€" mnmental concerns. in other countries due to health or environmental concerns. One popular lawn herbicide, 2,4-D, can be found in products lining the garden care section of your local hardware store. Fu D Go to davidsuzuki.org to take the Suzuki challenge. 905-640â€"261 2 Fax: 905-640-8778 DISTRIBUTION 905-640-2612 ADVERTISING 905-640-2612 EDITORIAL 905-640â€"8778 Bob Dean A York Region Media Group community newspaper The Sun-Tribune. published every Thursday and Saturday. is a (1le of the Metroland Medla Group Ltd, a whollyoowned subsldlary ofTorstar Corporatlon. Metroland is comprised of 100 oommunlty publicaqu across Ontarlo. The York Region Newspaper Group Includes The Uberal. sewing Richmond Hill and Thomhlll, Vaughan ChlzenJhe Era-Banner (Newmarlret/Aurora). Markham Economist Sun. Georglna Advocate. York Region Business Tlmos, North of the Clty, yorkregloncom andYorlr Reglon Prlntlng. DIIICIOI. Cutcuumou Syn-nus Lynn Pashko KEV-Tribune Provincial action is important because, while cities and towns can restrict the use of these chemiâ€" cals on public and private property, provincial governments have the power to ban the sale of cosmetic pesticides. I hope that residents across Canada, especially in Ontario and PE], make their voices heard on this issue. Now, the Ontario govemment is proposing similar legislation. PEI also held hearings on a potential provincewide ban. In 2003, Quebec banned the use and eale 9f many lawn pesticides. That day may be just around the comer, at least in some parts of Canada. have passed bylaws banning the use of these lawn and garden pes- ticides. We can look forward to the day when a neighbour applying these chemicals to their yards will seem as out of place as a smoker lighting up a cigarette on a transatâ€" lantic flight.