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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2015-02-04, Page 9Help fight Alzheimer's disease during the final winter Walk for Memories Residents of Huron County are stepping forward on Sat., Jan. 31 to support people affected by Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Over the past 19 years, Huron residents have raised more than $530,000 for programs and services for the more than 1,100 individuals living with dementia in our county, and for other critical activities like education and public awareness. The Alzheimer Society Walk for Memories, locally presented by Investors Group, is the most important fundraising activity for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias in Canada. Huron is one of 65 communities in Ontario to raise funds and awareness, a movement expected to gather thousands of Ontarians taking steps towards a world without Alzheimer's. Supporters can donate or register to walk and collect pledges at www. wallcformemories.ca. "I've know for years, there was something seriously wrong with me. I just didn't know what it was. Finally, I had a diagnosis to this terrible thing. My emotions have ranged from disbelief to anger to sadness," said Mary Beth Wighton in a blog post on alzheimersocietyblog. ca. "The one thing that has remained constant from the start is my desire to live life to its fullest and with dignity. At the bottom of my calendar page, I have written the well- known line, 'Live each as if it's your last.!" Alzheimer's isease is the most common form of dementia, affecting men and women of all races, religions and socioeconomic backgrounds. No one is immune, and changes in the brain that lead to dementia can begin more than 20 years before symptoms appear. Today, one out of 10 Ontario seniors is living with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia. But Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging. "Age remains the biggest risk factor to dementia. With huge numbers of baby boomers now entering the years of highest risk, if they live long enough one in three will eventually develop Alzheimer's disease" said Cathy Ritsema, executive director at the Alzheimer Society of Huron County. "When you walk, you send a message of hope to the more than 1,100 people living with dementia in our community, and to the thousands who love and care for them. When you fundraise, you make them the promise that help is available now and will continue to be for the future:' Walk forMemories is also a great way to stay healthy and lower the risk of dementia. Regular physical activity, like walking, gets the heart pumping, which benefits the brain by encouraging the development of new cell connections, a process the brain is capable of doing at any age. Walk for fun, fitness and raising much-needed funds and awareness. This will be the final Winter Walk for Memories, as the Alzheimer Society's across Canada prepare to launch the national springtime event as the society moves forward in its fight against dementia. There are five indoor Walks locally in Clinton, Exeter, Goderich, Seaforth and Wingham. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Welcome ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. To join the Walk, donate to the cause, or for more information about the Walk for Memories, visit www. alzheimer.ca/huroncounty or call 519-482-1482. The Goderich Walk for Memories will take place at the Goderich YMCA, 190 Suncoast Dr. E. Draft Huron County budget unveiled Dave Flaherty Goderich Signal Star County council received its first glimpse at the 2015 budget last week. The draft budget was presented at the Jan. 14 committee of the whole meeting. Treasurer Michael Blumhagen said with the draft budget, the county is looking at 5.47 per cent increase on the overall tax levy. "It will be a challenging budget year with decreases in Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) alloca- tions," Blumhagen told council. Blumhagen said that mandated pay raises for county staff would have an effect on the budget. The county pays out $45 million in salaries and benefits every year, which Blumhagen said accounts for more than 50% of the overall budget. He noted that every one per cent pay increase for public employees rep- resents a 1.2 per cent increase on the tax levy. "It does make it chal- lenging to mitigate increases on the levy." Blumhagen noted while the draft budget contained the 5.47 per cent increase on the tax levy, the effected on the actual tax rate would be minimal, likely less than one per cent. He warned council that although the county has $42 million reserves, its infrastructure is aging and will need to be addressed in the near future. It is estimated that $26 million worth of work needs to be performed on county bridges by 2030. Blumhagen advised that dipping in county reserves to fund ongoing operational costs is not a path he would recommend. Central Huron Deputy Mayor Dave Jewitt ques- tioned whether the county "could plan ahead" for further reduc- tions of OMPF funding. Blumhagen said, if he had to guess, that there will be likely be no "tran- sition funding" such OMPF for upper -tier gov- ernments five years from now. Huron County is one of the few upper -tier gov- ernments that receive OMPF funding. There will be further discussion on the budget at upcoming meetings. Wednesday, February 4, 2015 • Huron Expositor 9 Huron County Library in search of new mascot Could you be the one with the winning design? Huron County Library is holding a contest to find for its new mascot. We've nar- rowed it down to being a superhero and now we need your help. Your mission is to design an original superhero just for the people of Huron County and their library. Keep in mind all your favourite things about the library. Think about the library's special qualities, programs and services while you cre- ate your design. The contest is open to any- one under 18 years of age. All work must be original and only one entry per person will be accepted. Submis- sions will be accepted at your local library from January 27 -February 28, 2015. Judg- ing will take place on March 9. We'll be announcing the winner on International Chil- dren's Book Day, April 2. The winning entry will receive a $50 iTunes card. Entry and consent forms are available at all the branches of the Huron County Library or online at www. huroncounty. ca/library/ IMAGINE THE DIFFERENCE A WISH CAN MAKE. ME CHILD RE[ I`5 WIS1`1 OU N DAT I ON OF CAI ADA trovi i17g /?Op t if Or f?ii JTif1 WWW,C[ 11LIDRENSWI S]-I.C.A 1- 00-2. 7 -w I s H LChiWrn's Ar1 Helping Protect What's Important to You MCKILLOP AUTO • HOME FARM • COMMERCIAL Julie Campbell, CIP Agent 43535 Sawmill Road, Walton, ON NOK 1Z0 Phone: 519-527-2798 Cell: 519-525-9759 Fax: 519-527-1127 julie@mckillopmutual.com Proud to Serve Huron/Perth Counties SC:ItAPI:IZ DAVE: SC:I1AI, MIETAI. WASHERS' DRYERS' OR ANY SCRAP METAL•FREE PICKUP PHONE DAVE at (519) 525.2671 or (519) 527.0724 WEST COAST KITCHENS Linda Reaume Designer Visit Our Showroom 50 West St. Goderich 519-440-0352 And Much More • Kitchens • CustomVanities • Entertainment Units • Home Offices PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATIONS CUSTOM DESIGNS & COUNTERTOPS www.westcoastkitchens.net Email: westcoastkit@hurontel.on.ca