Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2016-01-20, Page 88 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, January 20, 2016 MPP Thompson celebrates remarkable citizens at New Year's Levee Special to the Expositor Recently, MPP Lisa Thompson recog- nized Huron -Bruce's Remarkable Citi- zens Diane Lieber (Goderich, formerly of South Bruce), Clarence Kieffer Jr. (Walk- erton), Walkerton), Bob Kellington (Brussels), James Rice (Tiverton), Heather Frook (Munici- pality of Brockton), Donald Farrell (Ripley), Cathy Pennington (Kincardine), Jean Culliton (Teeswater), Jeff Roberts (Walkerton), Geneva Rowe (Exeter), Dr. Chandra Tripathi (Kincardine), Roger Lewington (Bayfield) and Vicky Culbert (Goderich).The highlight of the evening was hearing about their personal stories and perspectives on community involvement. INDIAN RIVER DIRECT CITRUS TRUCKLOAD SALE SEAFOR Mon., January 25 - 3:OOpm-4:OOpm Seaforth Agricultural Society �20LB BOX OF FLORIDA SEEDLESS NAVEL ORANGES OR RUBY RED GRAPEFRUITS = $35.00 PER BOX , www.indianriverdirect.com Snow tire insurance discounts now offered provincewide Galen Simmons Postmedia Network As part of its ongoing effort to reduce insurance prices by 15 per cent - announced two and a half years ago - the Ontario gov- ernment mandated that insurers in the province offer a discount to drivers who use snow tires in the winter, beginning on Jan. 1. While nearly half of Ontario insurers have already been offering the snow tire discount, Jason Uniac of J.P. Uniac Insur- ance in Mitchell says the idea originated from Quebec, where drivers are required by law to install snow tires on their cars between Dec. 15 and March 15 to improve road safety in the winter. While the provincial govern- ment has not yet created a law that forces drivers to install snow tires, Uniac said he thinks the mandated snow tire dis- count will likely entice more drivers to take that extra precau- tion before the snow flies every year. "It leaves it up to the client where if they want to reduce their premium they can get snow tires," Uniac said. "I would agree that it helps with the amount of accidents (in the winter):' Uniac, an insurance broker, says he works with about 10 insurance providers in the prov- ince. Among those 10 providers, the snow tire discounts range between 2.5 and five per cent. "It varies between companies, but they all have to offer some kind of discount," Uniac said. "Each company is supposed to reduce their overall premiums, so this is one thing that they can do is add this discount at any- where from that two -and -a -half to five per cent - the province must have said they can pick any amount of discount at all." To qualify for the discount, drivers have to have all four of their snow tires installed before the winter months - although when that time period starts has not been stipulated. Uniac and his fellow brokers suggest driv- ers install their snow tires by Nov. 1 to be on the safe side. They also tell their clients to keep those snow tires on their car until April, depending on snow conditions. "No companies are asking for any kind of proof that (the snow tires were installed). We are where we say if you got them installed, take a picture of the invoice and send it to us so we can show it to the company, but it's not required," Uniac said, adding that if a driver gets into an accident and it turns out he doesn't have his snow tires on but has been claiming the snow tire discount, his insurance pol- icy may be considered void. "That's where we like to have all the I's dotted - it could be a potential situation where the insurance company doesn't have to pay," Uniac explained. Since drivers who renewed or purchased their vehicle insur- ance policy just prior to Jan. 1 may not have received or been offered the mandated discount, Uniac said most insurance pro- viders would be willing to revise their policy to include the dis- count now that it has come into effect. "I think it's safer to drive with winter tires, so I'm glad to see that little bit of incentive for peo- ple to get winter tires. I would say that they check with their broker because they may read some general information, but you should really find out what exact company you're with and what the rules are with them," Uniac said. Alexandra Marine and General Hospital CEO resigns Karen Davis, Alexandra Marine and General Hospital CEO, has resigned from the hos- pital effective immediately. The hospital board has accepted the resignation. During her time as CEO Davis contrib- uted to the development of a new strategic direction and clinical services plan. `Alexandra Marine and General Hospital is a strong and well- established organization, in large part due to the development of our strategic direction and clinical services plan and also because of the strong commitment of our hospital physicians and staff;' said board chair, Barb Major-McEwan. "We are poised for continuing growth and development and to deepen the capacity of the hospi- tal to respond to the needs of our patients' The Board of Directors will work closely with the hospital's executive leadership team to manage the transition and a search for a new permanent CEO will be launched shortly. In the interim William R. Thibert MHSc, CHE (Hon) will assume the posi- tion of acting CEO effective Jan. 18. Contributed photo Karen Davis (seen here at Hometown Heroes with Larry Jeffrey) has resigned as CEO of Alexandra Marine and General Hospital. In the interim William R. Thibert MHSc, CHE (Hon) will assume the position of acting CEO effective Jan. 18.