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We are all survivors - Bring on spring
by Michelle Minnoch

Last Monday, the County of Simcoe almost came to a standstill. With over 125 vehicles tangled in the north and south bound lanes of Hwy. 400, the Simcoe County District School Board cancelling busses in the early afternoon, and with blinding white out conditions, the County almost came to a stop.

After the County had issued a weather advisory press release and the school busses were cancelled, it became more apparent how serious the road conditions were.

Many parents were frustrated with the school board making the decision to cancel the busses during the school day. Many were asking why did they get on the road in the morning if by the afternoon it was going to be parents responsibility to get their children home? As I was listening to the frustrated callers phoning into Rock 95 (which is the best station on a stormy day as their listeners call in from various areas with reports) while I was on the road, one gentleman said it didn't make sense that the County was telling people to get off of the road, the OPP were warning of terrible conditions, but the School Board wanted parents to claim their kids.

There were some situations, although not many, of children and parents staying overnight in the schools. In New Tec, a student, their mother and a sibling, principal and standard motorists, who were incidentally teachers from the Scarborough Board, ending up staying the night.

In Bradford, the Bradford Council Chambers were opened up for anyone who needed off of the road.

At council on Wednesday night, council discussed the issue of allowing emergency openings of Innisfil schools for occasions such as this one. What a great idea!

Kudos to our Fire and Rescue Department, as well as the South Simcoe Police Department, who had to be on the road, assisting with numerous situations in un-ideal conditions. Thanks!

If that is the worst of it for this winter, hallelujah! If we have to deal with fluctuating temperatures for a while until spring finally settles in, that's fine by me.

Remember folks - get your ice huts off of Lake Simcoe by tomorrow (Thursday). Although the season may have been short for some, it has been long enough for others.

Spring is coming. Gentlemen, start your engines. Ladies, get those pedicures.

Pretty soon this will all be a memory.