Courageous stand

Dear sir:
I do not wish to use up space in your newspaper disputing what Bill Morrison Jr. says happened at last year’s Rainy River District Municipal Association annual meeting.
I will only say his recollection of what the medical officer of health for the Northwestern Health Unit, Dr. Peter Sarsfield, said is quite different from my own.
The mandate of the health unit is to protect public health. Dr. Sarsfield and his team recognize that second-hand smoke is a preventable health hazard and have decided that it is within their mandate to take steps to eliminate this hazard.
The board of directors of the health unit supports them on this issue.
It takes a great deal of courage to take a strong stand where such a big change is needed. The perceived rights of smokers and business owners is being challenged concerning a very addictive substance.
I’m sure that Dr. Sarsfield and his team knew they were in for a rough ride.
The results have been amazing. In less than one year, most of the restaurants in Rainy River District have gone smoke-free.
I would like to say thank you to the health unit and congratulations to the restaurants and bar owners who have done the right thing.
Yours truly,
Rick Neilson