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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-07-23, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2015. Agreement addresses concerns MTA’s Procter recounts G2G Trail history, process The redevelopment project encompasses the renovation and equipment replacement in six hospital departments including oncology, day surgery, sterilization, ambulatory care and pharmacy. Renovations will create a new accessible front entrance, accessible shower for the inpatient unit, new space for rehabilitation services and the replacement of digital imaging equipment. The campaign will also support the creation of a new primary care clinic for physicians and the North Huron Family Health Team within the Community Health Campus being created in the former public school. In 2014, the Wingham & District Hospital had 38,131 patient visits. 1,650 of those patients visited the oncology department for cancer treatment which represents a 30 per cent increase in oncology visits over previous years. A focus on expanding cancer care is one of the many improvements planned as part of the redevelopment plan. An outstanding team of community members have stepped up to lead the “Our Hospital, Our Future” campaign. Mark Foxton, owner of Foxton Fuels, is heading up the team as campaign chair with Bruce Telecom CEO Bart Cameron as deputy-chair. The remainder of the leadership team is rounded out by Jenny Hogervorst of Britespan Building Systems, Mark Leslie of Leslie Motors, Wingham District Hospital Foundation Director and Lions Club member Andy McBride, former North Huron Councillor Bernie Bailey and Scott Miller of CTV News. The community campaign will complement the committed provincial funding and is essential to realizing the full potential of the redevelopment project. A successful campaign will enable the Wingham & District Hospital to remain a high quality, highly functional healthcare facility well into the future. Residents can expect to hear more about the “Our Hospital, Our Future” campaign in the coming months and are encouraged to visit www.wdhfoundation.ca for more information. By Kate Procter Volunteer Liaison between the Maitland Trail Association and G2G Inc. Lou Holz, a retired American football coach, once said, “When all is said and done, a lot more is said than done.” I love that quote. Many of us think that applies to other people and not to ourselves. We love to pick apart the federal and provincial government for being slow to act, creating useless reports that no one ever reads and just generally not getting things done. But every once in a while, we have to sit back, take a breath, and realize that in a democracy, “the government” is us. WE are the government. And a lot of those reports, regulations, and red tape are in place because WE demanded them. Or our behavior made them necessary. I think the Goderich-to-Guelph (G2G) trail discussion reveals a lot about us – and should make us pause before being too critical of “the government”, who, let’s face it, has a tough job. So many interests, so many people convinced that their concerns trump everyone else’s. Society, in general, is increasingly becoming more complex. In many issues, the level of discourse becomes discouragingly negative and polarized. In order to keep the peace, we write more reports and take less action. Let’s clear the air and get a few things out of the way. I have read some strange things in the paper about G2G lately. First of all, I read that G2G Inc. is a “rogue organization” that seems to have sprung up from nowhere to surprise a few of our local politicians. They seem to have no idea of who G2G is and what it is about. They refer to a “closed” process and wonder what the heck is going on. Here is a brief summary of the facts. You may find it boring. That is probably why people seemed to have missed it the first time. • 1988: The Canadian Pacific Railway sold the railway stretching from Guelph to Goderich in entirety, to the Province of Ontario – that is to say, to me, you and everyone who lives here. The Province of Ontario decreed that the railway would be preserved in the form of a recreational trail for everyone to enjoy. But the Province of Ontario did not want to do the work – they must have figured that a multi- million dollar donation of land was an adequate contribution. The Province has never wavered from the intent that this land is public space, destined to be a recreational trailway. • 1990 – present: The province drafted the original work plan for trail. Various groups volunteered to take on maintenance of the trailway so that people can safely enjoy this public resource. This includes the Goderich to Auburn Rail Trail (GART), the Blyth Greenway Trail, and the Kissing Bridge Trailway, which now extends 45 kilometres from Millbank to Guelph. These groups have signed leases with the province, agreeing to maintain the trail to be used by all. The Maitland Trail Association, the Menesetung Bridge Association, and the North Huron Snowmobile Club have maintained the GART for 17 years. This is a well-used section of the G2G, and is more accessible than the more rigorous Maitland Trail. It is used by hikers, geocachers, cyclists and snowmobilers of all ages and abilities. • 2010: The G2G Trail Advisory Committee was born - made up of a group of hiking and biking enthusiasts – not public relations specialists. Many of them live or were born in Huron County. They are volunteers who speak of having safe places to ride bikes and hike for their kids and grandkids. G2G’s vision statement reads as follows: “Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail Inc. strives to enrich the quality of life for all people. We promote the development, preservation and enjoyment of diverse, high-quality trails and green ways that connect our southwestern Ontario communities.” • February 13, 2013: The Huron County Committee of the Whole heard a presentation from a representative of the G2G Trail Advisory Committee. G2G presented the vision statement, core values, volunteer board members, resources, and a “request for the County to pursue a lease of the rail bed in order for a trail to be developed and maintained by volunteers. Discussion included costs, leasing, passive and motorized uses, bridges, economic development benefits, liability and impact on agricultural uses.” As a result of this meeting, Huron County Committee of the Whole passed a motion to have staff complete a report on G2G. • March 7, 2013: G2G began holding public meetings in Huron County. Today, G2G has a website, a Facebook page, and a Twitter account. G2G sends out press releases, but it is up to the people who receive the releases to decide what to do with them. It is not a secret, private organization. • Fall, 2013: Community consultation on active transportation. The public was consulted using a variety of methods, including facilitated group discussions, paper and on-line surveys, and key informant interviews. • May, 2014: Active transportation report was finalized -“A Call to Action – Active Transportation Plan for Huron County”. The report was presented to and accepted by the Board of Health on June 5, 2014, and received by Huron County Council on July 2, 2014. This report was the result of extensive community engagement in 2013 - the public requested that the county support G2G, and this support is documented in several areas of the report. You can read it for yourself Continued from page 1 industrial land. “The project will have the land close to shovel ready with as many basic studies done as possible,” he said. “It’s important that servicing is worked out.” Mayor Paul Gowing of Morris- Turnberry said that he felt the entire situation was good for all involved. “I think the benefit this will provide to the two municipalities speaks for itself,” he said. “It’s something we’ve been trying to get in place for quite a period of time. I think it’s all good all around.” Vincent said that he felt the move had created an amicable relationship between the two municipalities where, before, negotiations had created a tense atmosphere. “It certainly has created a certain amount of goodwill between the two municipalities,” he said. That said, future development could result in other agreements, as the policy calls for review with each new connection. As for when that will happen, Vincent said he wasn’t sure. “We haven’t discussed that at council,” he said. “The arrangement is for the existing lines and we can probably look at letting some development happen without any reviews in the future.” Gowing said that the services are North Huron’s and the council there can do as they see fit, however, he feels development will be in everyone’s best interest, so any future agreements should reflect that. Switching to the soft service funding options was something that Morris-Turnberry Council had hoped to see for some time, according to Gowing. “This is really what our council members have had in their minds for a number of years,” he said. “It’s just finally got realized on paper and that’s good for everyone.” Retirement and Welcome Reception The Community of Central Huron Clinton Family Health Team Clinton Family Physicians Clinton Public Hospital Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance Clinton Public Hospital Foundation Help us say thank you to Dr. Keith Hay And welcome to Dr. Irram Sumar at a Meet and Greet Reception Wednesday, August 12, 2015 5:00pm – 7:00pm Central Huron Community Complex Wash & Fold Services Blyth Laundromat 191 Westmoreland St., Blyth 519-523-9687 Hospital launches campaign Our Hospital, Our Future The Wingham and District Hospital has launched the Our Hospital, Our Future campaign, which will encompass a number of different initiatives at the hospital. The campaign team is, from left: Karl Ellis, Bernie Bailey, Jenny Hogervorst, Mark Foxton, Bart Cameron, Andy McBride, Nicole Jutzi and Scott Miller. Not pictured is Mark Leslie. (Photo submitted) Continued on page 18