Fireworks and fat are unwelcome in Surrey

The City of Surrey and the Surrey school district deserve dual kudos this week as they take on difficult issues in our community.

Surrey council is preparing a bylaw that would limit the sale, possession and use of fireworks to owners of the paperwork that says they actually know how to use pyrotechnics safely.

Council is already feeling the heat for its progressive thinking from the retail fireworks sector. But the argument is weak: there were no serious injuries as a result of fireworks in 2004.

Still, firefighters were called to 55 fires caused by fireworks that same year, costing $157,000. Any one of those fires could have caused serious injury, so don't criticize council for taking preventative action.

Meanwhile, the Surrey school district is spending $500 on fitness equipment in each of its 99 elementary schools to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity. The equipment includes balance boards and agility ladders.

Each school will also receive $2,000 to spend on physical education or fine arts equipment.

It's a fact - kids today are fat, spending too many hours at the computer, in front of the TV and in the drive-thru lineup at the local fast food franchise.

And sadly it's fallen on our already burdened education system to teach young ones about reading, writing, arithmetic and proper nutrition and exercise.

The school district's well-rounded approach to student learning is encouraging. Hopefully, the program succeeds and students will be well-rounded in mind, but not in body.

posted on 04/25/2005