Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-03-19, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2009. Huron County welcomed a visitor from Sweden on a tour of some of the most ambitious projects the area currently has to offer last week. Lars Larsson, who is working with the research division of Dalarna University in Sweden, came to Huron County for one day as part of a three-week study tour for the European Union. Larsson, who toured the Regional Equine and Agricultural Centre of Huron (REACH) as well as the Gateway Rural Health Research Institute during his time in Huron County, was researching Canadian economic policy and projects to bring back to a European Union panel for discussion on their Rural Development Plan. Immediately after the tour of REACH, Larsson asked Harding, “Why hasn’t anyone done this before? It seems like such a perfect fit.” Larsson was impressed with REACH, saying he could see it flourishing in Clinton. “A centre like this looks very obvious, but you need someone to take charge with the idea and that has happened with this centre,” he said. “This is an ideal place for something like this.” Larsson said the area of Sweden he is from is very similar to Huron County. It is a rural part of the country, central Sweden, and many of their issues are ours too. “[Larsson] is from central Sweden and we’re in central Ontario, so we share a lot of issues,” said Paul Nichol of the Huron Business Development Corporation who was along for the tour. “They have the same problems we do, with youth leaving to urban areas, transportation concerns and rural healthcare.” The second part of the tour was where Larsson began to pay particular attention, due to his strong background in rural healthcare and his familiarity with the issues surrounding rural healthcare in Sweden. However, Sweden has an institutesimilar to Gateway, specializing inrural healthcare, that was built in the early 1980s. Larsson said there may be opportunities for partnership and co-operation with research and data collection. Larsson left the members of Gateway with some contact information for the institute in Sweden and said he will put them in contact. One interesting comparison Nichol made, he said, between the job Larsson does and the job he does, which are very similar titles, is that economic development in Sweden is named community development and the government stays out of developing businesses, unlike in Canada and specifically with the Huron Business Development Corporation. Community development in Sweden, Larsson said, is mainly for the betterment of the people of Sweden, focusing on improving healthcare, providing facilities and programs in recreation centres and adult learning centres. Swedish visitor toursGateway, REACH Touring Lars Larsson, left, of Dalarna University in Sweden was in Canada for several weeks after working with the University of Guelph on a study. Paul Nichol, middle, of the Huron Business Development Corporation hosted a tour for Larsson around some of Huron County’s bright projects in development in Larsson’s field, which is similar to Canada’s economic development field. Central Huron clerk-administrator Richard Harding showed Larsson around the Regional Equine and Agriculture Centre of Huron in Clinton before Larsson continued on to Seaforth to see the Huron East Health Centre. (Shawn Loughlin photo) An Affinity system for any home, anywhere 262 Bayfield Rd., Clinton 519-482-7062 Heating - Air Conditioning - Electrical OO uu rr BB uu ss ii nn ee ss ss ii ss bb uu ii ll tt oo nn SS EE RR VV II CC EE It’s the same concept that makes hybrid cars so efficient: Relying on a combination of two energy sources can save on overall cost and usage. York’s groundbreaking hybrid heating technology uses both electricity and gas in an all-new, money- saving way. • Utilizes cost-efficient electricity with Affinity Heat Pump technology to keep your home warm and comfortable during mild winter months. • Automatically switches to the Affinity Furnace in extreme, cold weather for stepped-up heating. • The result: high-efficiency, effective heating while cutting winter energy bills by as much as 40 percent. Take advantage of these incentives Take comfort in Affinity efficiency Affinity YP9 and YP8 with variable-speed ECM motors use less energy than a 100-watt light bulb* Standard blower motors, on average, consume nearly 500 watts. * When in continuous fan operation Retrofit Program save up to . . . . . . . . $1,800. Cool Savings Rebate save up to . . . . . . . . . . $550. Spring Program (limited time) save up to . . . . . . . . $1,700. Tax Credit save 15% up to . . . . $1,350. Home Renovation By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen 7 STEPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY • Be a non-smoker and avoid second-hand smoke. • Eat healthy food and limit your alcohol consumption. • Be active on a regular basis. • Be sensible in the sun. • Follow cancer screening guidelines. • Report changes in your health. • Use caution with hazardous materials. For more information, please contact us at 1 888 939-3333 or visit www.cancer.ca.