Wednesday, May 2, 2007 · Page 22 Emergency Preparedness Week announced May 6-12 is the 12th annual Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada and this year's theme is '72 Hours Is your family prepared?' During Emergency Preparedness (EP) Week, Ontario residents are encouraged to identify and learn about risks in their communities and how they can protect themselves. Knowing the potential hazards and risks you face, planning ahead and being prepared are the best steps to ensure that you and your family will survive an emergency or disaster. "Knowing the risks and developing practical plans can help reduce fear and aid in recovery from an emergency situation," said Jay Hope, Ontario Commissio-ner of Community Safety. "EP Week also carries messages for business owners, municipal officials and utility operators. Ensuring business continuity, protecting information and updating emergency plans are all crucial in assuring community preparedness." "All levels of government have an important role to play in emergency preparedness and response," Hope said. "But emergency preparedness starts with the individual. EP Week is designed to encourage individuals and families to plan ahead and respond confidently during and after a disaster. "Emergency preparedness is everyone's responsibility. Prepare your emergency survival kit today for a safer tomorrow." Emergency preparedness information is available at the Town of Essex Administration office at 33 Talbot South Essex, Police Station at 44 King East Harrow and Building and Fire Administration 2610 County Road 12. This data will also be available at the Canadian Tire Store in Essex on May 12 as the firefighters in conjunction with the store are promoting "Fire Safety Day". The Town Emergency Plan, Business Continuity Guide, Preparedness Guide and Pandemic Guide can be found on the Town of Essex Web site at www.townofessex.on.ca/fire.htm SUN PARLOR JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS Name change ends client confusion The confusion experienced by some Sun Life Financial clients when searching for a local phone number is about to come to an end, a company representative said last week. The clients are currently serviced by Clarica, which is about to adopt its parent company's name and logo. As of June 25, Clarica will be Sun Life Financial. Since 2001, Sun Life has owned Clarica but this has proved to be confusing for some clients who considered them separate companies, said Clarica financial planner Jim Augerman. "There has always been some confusion when they are trying to contact someone locally," he said. "Having one brand and one logo will be easier." Augerman said the change will not affect staffing and the majority of clients won't see any immediate differences. Policy and account holders will receive notices in the mail this month. For the first time in several years, the company will be "spending significant dollars" for advertising in print media and TV, he said. Augerman said while many corporate mergers end with Canadian companies being "swallowed up" by bigger U.S. firms, this isn't the case with Sun Life-Clarica. Both companies have head offices in Ontario. "It means a lot to me to work for a Canadian company that understands small town Ontario," Augerman said. Clean up promotes civic pride The local Operation Clean Sweep will be taking place Thursday at 9 a.m. in Essex. The nation-wide campaign took place last week but was postponed locally because of rainy weather. The Essex Business Improvement Association is spearheading the event, which will include a barbeque lunch at Zehrs at noon. Operation Clean Sweep is part of the Pitch-In Canada event that involved 3.6 million volunteers across Canada this year, picking up litter and sweeping up sidewalks. We had a number of Earth Week Activities at Sun Parlor to encourage our students to become more environmentally conscious. We had litterless lunches, a scoolwide cleanup, collected used batteries, had an inspiring Earth Day Assembly that was put on by the grade ones, and members of our Eco Team gave us daily "Enviro tips" over the PA system each day. CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER Why miss work or school for court? Impaired... assaults... threats... traffic tickets Criminal Pardons at a reasonable cost. CHRISTINA SWEET Weekend and evening appointments in Essex Barrister-at-Law 519 253-0140 Res. 519 776-8983 Volunteers needed for invasive plant removal Volunteers from Camp Cedarwin and the Friends of Cedar Creek will be gathering to remove Garlic Mustard plants from the Camp Cedarwin grounds on Sunday, May 6 between 2 and 5 p.m., rain or shine. This is the second annual effort to remove this invasive plant. Much of it was Throw someone in jail for charity!! Has someone played a practical joke on you and you have not had the right opportunity to get them back? Crime Stoppers Bail or Jail will give you that chance. The Bail or Jail fundraiser being held May 17 and removed last year, but some plants were missed and a new patch of the plants was found later in the year. Camp Cedarwin is a camp facility owned and operated by Scouts Canada. It is located on Arner Town Line just south of County Road 20 alongside Cedar Creek. 18 is quite simple. Captain Crime Stopper, with the aid of Bail or Jail bobbies, will pick you up (or someone that you recommend) and drive to Devonshire Mall where you will be placed in our imitation jail cell. A judge may convict you of any one of a number of humorous crimes. You will be given a cell phone to call friends, colleagues, acquaintances or family for bail-out money. For more information contact Ron Funkenhauser, Events Coordinator, at 2556700 ext. 4497 or ronf@catchcrooks.com. "Rehab With A Personal Touch." MEET THE STAFF DAVID MCCORMICK B.A.Sc., M.Eng., P. Eng., Business Manager Dave graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in engineering. Dave is a lifelong resident of the area and is the Business Manager at Erie Shores Rehab. 35 VICTORIA AVENUE, ESSEX 519.776.7222 375 MAIN STREET EAST, KINGSVILLE 519.733.4008