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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2016-06-15, Page 66 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, June 15, 2016 Ratepayers and Tuckersmith Coun. not impressed with Seaforth's traffic lights Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor A few ratepayers' com- plaints relating to Seaforth's only traffic lights led a ward representative to perform an investigation of his own. Larry McGrath is com- monly known for a number of employment titles includ- ing plumber and councillor, of recent, he had to play the role of a detective. To get a first-hand look at the situation during his free time, one of the two Tucker - smith district representatives decided to drive to Highway 8 (Goderich Street) and County Road 12 (Main Street). McGrath like the people who came forward to tell their story of the stresses of the juncture, waited at the corner of the town's busiest intersection. With the end result of him not going any- where for three red lights in a row. Aldn to McGrath, the CAO of Huron East, Brad Knight is There are times where people don't feel the lights turn from red to green," — stated the CAO of Huron East, Brad Knight aware of the condition relat- ing to the stoplights on the connecting crossroads. "There (are) pucks in the pavement that sense when there are vehicles, so if there (are) no vehicles, say going east or west, the lights may stay green or red for a longer period of time," explained Knight about the sensors that derived their name for their resemblance to hockey pucks. "There are times where people don't feel the lights turn from red to green," stated Knight. "It's because of the smart lights:' At the June 6 Huron East council meeting, McGrath recounted his experience to the Public Works manager, Barry Mills and asked if he was aware of the status at the location. To his knowledge the lights are working prop- erly. It just so happens, Mills and a co-worker attended the cross -way earlier in the day. "It all depends where you are in the intersection," he said. Mills offered to take McGrath to the alleged defaulted stoplights, so he could show him the wait time at the lights. He went on to tell the Tuckersmith coun- cillor that there is currently a traffic layout in place. "Well your traffic layout sucks buddy," verbalized McGrath into the ea orthhuronex.ositor.co Shaun Gregory Seaforth's only traffic lights is pictured here. According Tuckersmith Coun. Larry McGrath the lights are not to par and the lines need to be moved back for larger vehicles. conversation. He then said sorry to council for the interruption. After, the two joked back and forth, followed by some gig- gles in the chambers. "As far as sitting through three red lights, you are the first person (to say that), if it happened I cannot deny that," stated Mills. In addition to the lights, McGrath requested the painted lines that indicate where vehicles are expected to stop while waiting for the appropriate direction to flow through traffic be moved back farther. "There are trucks coming up Main Street, more often than not, if there is a line-up of traffic, they can't get around the corner," McGrath said. "They should be able to paint that stop line back, so the trucks coming up can make a bigger turn." Mills informed council that Public Works must first sand blast the current faded lines and the "stop bars" will be added to County Road 12 and Highway 8 will follow suit if it's approved by the Huron County council. New acting MOH at Huron Health Unit Justine Alkema Postmedia Network Dr. Maarten Bokhout, a physician at Clinton Public Hospital, will be the new act- ing Medical Officer of Health (MOH) at the Huron County Healthy Unit. This tempo- rary position is from June 16 until October 18. Dr. Miriam Klassen pre- viously held this position on a two month contract from April until June after Dr. Janice Owen was let go in April. Dr. Klassen only signed onto a two month contract because she is already the MOH for Perth County. The Huron Health Unit is also considering an amalgamation with the Perth Health Unit, so if that merger happens, it would be difficult for Dr. Klassen to negotiate both health unit sides in an amalgama- tion discussion. There are several reasons why Dr. Bokhout's position is temporary. First of all, Dr. Williams, who is the Provin- cial Medical Officer of Health, advised against hir- ing a permanent position. One reason for this is the possible amalgamation. Since each health unit only needs one MOH, they would assume Perth Coun- ty's MOH, who is Dr. Klassen. Since an amalgamation is possible, it's difficult to find someone to accept a Safe lcN Storage Inc. www.safelockstorage.ca „Call/text: 519-441-8711 Email: info@safelockstorage.ca 24 Winnipeg Rd, Clinton, ON J 1 :: IWr11 permanent MOH position, as that job would not be long term in the case of a merger. Representatives from the Huron Health Unit are going to meet with Dr. Williams in the next couple weeks to ask for guidance for the future. Tyler Hessel, who is the mayor of Bluewater and the chair of the Board of Health, said there's talk of changing models and finances on the ministry level, so there's a lot of change going on. They are meeting with Dr. Wil- liams for advice about the MOH but also to make sure they're in the loop for what's going on in the ministry. The ministry has also been hinting at mergers, so Huron Health has picked up on that. Hessle noted that things are getting more costly all the time, and they want to maintain a high standard. While an amalgamation is not a sure thing by any means at this point, they are exploring the possibility to see if there is efficiency and opportunities in that. "Our ultimate goal is to provide better service for both communities," said Hessel. UOJRC'H IR CORY You are invited to attend these area churches ST. THOMAS ANGLICAN 21 Jarvis St., Seaforth Church Office 519-527-1522 holyspirit@tcc.on.ca Rev. Shaun Eaton - Deacon -in -Charge Sunday June 19 Worship at 9:3Oam followed by Coffee Hour Everone Welcome Y EGMONDVILLE UNITED CHURCH Worship Leader Theresa Kolkman June 19th 10:30am Youth Sunday School 10:30am with Steve Hildebrand Kids in the Kitchen - Aug 15-19, 9am-noon Fee $20 per child, only 18 accepted Contact Theresa Kolkman • tess.1972@tcc.on.ca Everyone Welcome For more information view our website En www.egmondvilleunitedchurch.com BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982 Interim Pastor: Rev. Laurie Morris June 19-11 am "The Church as God's Building" June 26 —11 am Guest Speaker — Barry Hawkins Wednesday June 15 Bible Study — 7 pm Friday June 17 Youth Group 6:30 — 9 pm • Surprise Night L� EVERYONE WELCOME FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 59 Goderich St. W. Seaforth 519-527-0170 Lorrie Mann -Organist Sunday Worship June 19 - 11 am Guest Minister: Rev. Dwight Nelson Happy Father's Day • Sunday School �� Nursery Provided as Needed ALL WELCOME ea orthhuronex.ositor.co Shaun Gregory Seaforth's only traffic lights is pictured here. According Tuckersmith Coun. Larry McGrath the lights are not to par and the lines need to be moved back for larger vehicles. conversation. He then said sorry to council for the interruption. After, the two joked back and forth, followed by some gig- gles in the chambers. "As far as sitting through three red lights, you are the first person (to say that), if it happened I cannot deny that," stated Mills. In addition to the lights, McGrath requested the painted lines that indicate where vehicles are expected to stop while waiting for the appropriate direction to flow through traffic be moved back farther. "There are trucks coming up Main Street, more often than not, if there is a line-up of traffic, they can't get around the corner," McGrath said. "They should be able to paint that stop line back, so the trucks coming up can make a bigger turn." Mills informed council that Public Works must first sand blast the current faded lines and the "stop bars" will be added to County Road 12 and Highway 8 will follow suit if it's approved by the Huron County council. New acting MOH at Huron Health Unit Justine Alkema Postmedia Network Dr. Maarten Bokhout, a physician at Clinton Public Hospital, will be the new act- ing Medical Officer of Health (MOH) at the Huron County Healthy Unit. This tempo- rary position is from June 16 until October 18. Dr. Miriam Klassen pre- viously held this position on a two month contract from April until June after Dr. Janice Owen was let go in April. Dr. Klassen only signed onto a two month contract because she is already the MOH for Perth County. The Huron Health Unit is also considering an amalgamation with the Perth Health Unit, so if that merger happens, it would be difficult for Dr. Klassen to negotiate both health unit sides in an amalgama- tion discussion. There are several reasons why Dr. Bokhout's position is temporary. First of all, Dr. Williams, who is the Provin- cial Medical Officer of Health, advised against hir- ing a permanent position. One reason for this is the possible amalgamation. Since each health unit only needs one MOH, they would assume Perth Coun- ty's MOH, who is Dr. Klassen. Since an amalgamation is possible, it's difficult to find someone to accept a Safe lcN Storage Inc. www.safelockstorage.ca „Call/text: 519-441-8711 Email: info@safelockstorage.ca 24 Winnipeg Rd, Clinton, ON J 1 :: IWr11 permanent MOH position, as that job would not be long term in the case of a merger. Representatives from the Huron Health Unit are going to meet with Dr. Williams in the next couple weeks to ask for guidance for the future. Tyler Hessel, who is the mayor of Bluewater and the chair of the Board of Health, said there's talk of changing models and finances on the ministry level, so there's a lot of change going on. They are meeting with Dr. Wil- liams for advice about the MOH but also to make sure they're in the loop for what's going on in the ministry. The ministry has also been hinting at mergers, so Huron Health has picked up on that. Hessle noted that things are getting more costly all the time, and they want to maintain a high standard. While an amalgamation is not a sure thing by any means at this point, they are exploring the possibility to see if there is efficiency and opportunities in that. "Our ultimate goal is to provide better service for both communities," said Hessel.