A10 - the Terrace Standard, Wednesday, October 7, 1998 Red-dot lasers are dangerous STOP PLAYING games with red dot pointers, says a local optometrist. Red-dot lasers are a danger to your eyes, says Victor Hawes. They’re sold in B.C. as cat toys, as a target assist for shooters, instructional pointers and kids’ toys. But Hawes says the laser can be dangerous. ' “If it's stared at long enough it can burn & hole in the retina.”* Hawes said the effect was the same as staring into the sun fora long period of time — it can burn out the centre of your vision. The B.C. Association of Optometrists, to which Hawes belongs, recently put out a press release saying the pointers can cause eye damage if misused, He said the issue came to his attention when Caledonia’s principal got worried about kids who were shining lasers in cach other’s eyes. He confiscated them and ‘called Hawes. Hawes thinks the toys are so dangerous they shouldn’t be sold to anyone under 19 and wants the lasers put in a restricted place in the stores. Which, said Canadian Tire employee Kenny Doucette, is exactly what his store has done. The ones they sell are called Copperhead red dot pointers aud are used as aiming devices on pellet gus. “Our in-store policy. is te keep them in a locked show- GRIME (au! STOPPERS OPTOMETRIST VICTOR Hawes is worried that Te- dot lasers in the hands of young people could lead to tetina damage. Stores are now restricting sales to It’s Time To Start Thinking About Insulated Coveralls. If you work out doors, a nice comfortable pair of insulated coveralls could mean the difference of getting the job done or sitting inside trying to warm up. Availabe in cotton, nylon, demim or canvas. Best Prices In Town, Order Yours Today! case and restrict them to people over 18,’ Doucette said. City bids for SEVERAL city councillors are seeking a seat on the Terrace and Area Community Health Council. Councillors Rich McDaniel, David Hull, Ron Vanderlee, and Olga Power — who is a farmer chair of the Terrace Regional Health Care Society that predates the health council — have all applied. Mayor Jack Talstra said council is dis- satisfied with the essentially undemocratic nature of the health council, which consists entirely of government appointees. That’s led in the past to the accusation the body is loaded with NDP supporters who are less likely to level criticism at the NDP government — possibly to the detriment of local health priorities, Before the new health council system health sea took effect, the health care society elected an executive from its membership and local goverment bodies such as city council and the regional district also sent reps, “Nobody's elected any more,”’ Talstra noted. The city and the regional district have continued to name representatives who sit in on health council meetings as ob- servers, but that’s mestly futile, Talstra Said. “They move even faster into in camera than at city hall,”’ he noted. ‘So we’re ex- cluded from the room, which never used to be the case.”’ _Talstra said council hopes a city council- lor will add an elected voice to the board. Nominations have been called and applica“ tions must be in by Oct. 9. it’s a noisy secret CITY COUNCILLORS met behind closed doors last Friday to debate what to do about continuing noise complaints about a chip- per in the Skeena Cellulose log yard. But mayor Jack Talstra would not say what decision might be taken, adding an ainmoucement could come this week from _ Skeena Cellulose. - Asked why the’ discussions were held in camera, he said he felt council should have an opportunity to discuss the matter pri- vately. “It’s of an extremely sensitive nature,’* Talstra said. “‘We're already in trouble with the farmers market and on the skateboard park.” “We don’t want to run off at ‘the mouth in any direction. There’s still complaints com- ing in and we’ve got to decide what we want to do.” In camera discussions are normally and et matiers. The chipper is operated by Don Hull and Sons Ltd. in SCI’s Poirier yard. Noise complaints in the summer led the company to restrict hours of operation and to surround the thumping machine with large piles of sawdust to muffle the sound. ANOTHER COMFORTING IDEA October is BC Hydro Power Smart month, The perfect time to make your home mora comfortable by adding insulation, so the heat stays in ond the cold stays out. Do it yourself by visiting your home improvement store. Or we’ ‘| explain how improved insulation fits inta your tatal home comfort system and put you together with a Power Smart contractor. Call us at 540-8883 (in the Lower Mainland} or 1-800-663-0431; You'll feel better. And so will your home. people over the age of 18. Superior 4404 Legion Avenue, Linen Behind the Bingo Hall Terrace, B.C. Supply Ph: 635-2838 jolly, good cony bo share fy pour FRCHHOMLCR Le 19 full colour FRAME (NaLUDED : professional quality portraits Package offer: - ° 4-8"x10"* 025° 7" * 16 waliet h ‘ | size (2x2*) $7798 Pakage offer{enterss survsenie ree our salettion (1 pote) & Paid pl tima ot phaing on traditional | ry. Men incledad in meyertined after, hatkgrovad. Limit one special offer per a at sizes approximate, All ages welcome, minars under 18 years musthe accompanied by aparent, = Sat!sfactian quaranteed. Additional portraits available at reasonable prices. Zellers’ skésing Mall, Terrace” Thur, Oct. 15 Fri, Oc. 16 Sat, Oct. 17 11-7 11-7 10-5 Portraits for Christmas! Free photo magnet with portrait purchase Call for appt. 638-1196 BC hydro ROWER SIMCITY POWER 18 YOURS "wan behydraceon ee