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Times-Advocate, 1979-02-28, Page 1MOH concerned local hospital not 'stressed' Huron County medical of­ ficer of health Dr. Brian Lynch told county council Friday that hospital bed cuts in Huron County could come down to a life and death situation for some people. Dr. Lynch told Council that there was “no sub­ stitute" for hospital beds claiming hospitals were the "most important and most SLEEPY HEADS — Leader Cindy Down and Julia Merner are ready for the Sleepyheads numoer at Saturday's carnival of the Exeter figure skating club. T-A photo Three drivers pay following accidents Three drivers paid fines of $108 or 11 days when they appeared before Justice 'of the Peace Douglas Wedlake on careless driving charges in Exeter court, Tuesday. Margaret I. Foster, Huron Park, was charged on November 8 after her car left the Crediton Road, hit a sign and two trees, resulting in damage of $4,000 to the vehicle. She was given 30 days to pay the fine. A Parry Sound man, Lester James Jackson, was charged with careless driv­ ing on October 21 after his vehicle hit the Main St. bridge in Exeter. Damage to the bridge and car was listed at $1,600. The court learned the road and weather con­ ditions were good at the time of the collision. Jackson was given 15 days in which to pay the fine. The third driver fined for careless driving was Terry D. Luther, Huron Park, who was charged on December 9 after his car went out of con­ trol and hit a hydro pole. Damage in the collision was estimated at $600. Luther Firm to follow planning theme Campbell Jewellers of Exeter announced this week they would undertake an ex­ tensive renovation to their Main St. business. While plans for the project were prepared by the firm’s architect. Jay Campbell told the T-A that the plans had also been shown to the Toronto firm undertaking the planning of the restora­ tion of the Business Im­ provement Area to ensure the project would be com­ patible with the long-range plans being considered for the community. The green and black front which has been characteristic of the store for over 30 years is being removed and the original Victorian architecture is be­ ing restored. Campbell said the retail floor space will be enlarged approximately 40 percent and the repair department will be moved to a mez­ zanine which will be situated at the front of the stpre above the sales floor. It is anticipated that the renovations will take a month to complete and the store will he closed; however the firm has rented the former Independent News/dental office near the corner of Main and Sanders as a temporary location for the continuation of their business. was given one month to pay the fine. Several speeders also appeared on the court docket, the following fines being levied by Mr. Wedlake: Adrian Laurens Bak, Lon­ don, $13 for a speed of 90 in an 80 km zone; Ray D. Middleton, London, $19 for 96 in an 80 zone; Peter J. Overall. Huron Park, $13 for 60 in a 50 zone; Michael B. Dobbs, Exeter, $18 for 95 in an 80 zone; Helen M. Kadey, RR 1 Exeter, $18 for 95 in an 80 zone; Guiseppe Dattalico, Toronto, $40.50 for 105 in an 80 zone. Paying fines of $54 or five days for driving motor vehicles in which liquor was readily available were the following: Perry W. Matt­ son, Hensall; John Wayne O’Neill, Huron Park; Gary James Nash, RR 5 Seaforth; Dwight L. Consitt, Hensall; Peter H. Sutherland, Huron Park. Mattson was also fined $28 for driving a motor vehicle with an improper muffler on October 28 and Frederick N. Campbell, RR 3 Exeter, was fined a similar amount for failing to come to a full stop at a stop sign on January 19. In the only other case heard on Tuesday’s docket, John Thomas McDougall, RR 1 Hensall, was fined $25 on each of three counts of failing to file income tax returns for the estate of the late Alexander McDougall. The court was advised there has been a mix-up between the accused, his solicitors and auditors regarding the 1977 tax return situation. fundamental type of health care there is”. The MOH told council that bed cuts in the five hospitals in Huron County would mean more work and ex­ pense for the county funded home care service. He said the home care, a county operated service offering'some nursing care in people’s homes, could be used to pick up some of the patients that would normal­ ly be treated in hospital but added that there were many things home care could do nothing about. Dr. Lynch pointed out two major areas of health care delivery that may be threatened by bed cuts and cannot be handled under home care. He said obstetrics and caring for people with heart problems could be difficult if there is no room in hospitals to care forthem. He said winters in Huron County could make it dif­ ficult if not impossible for people to get out of rural areas to hospitals in emergency situations. He said many times a doctor will put someone in hospital to avoid the risk of weather preventing them from get­ ting to hospital in an emergency but he pointed out that with limited bed space those people cannot be admitted. Dr. Lynch added that a further problem could develop during peak summer tourist seasons. He said the hospital bed cuts were based on a formula applied to the permanent population of the county with no consideration given to the summer population. He said an already serious shortage of beds could worsen m the summer risk­ ing not only residents of the county but tourists as well. Bill Elston, reeve of Morris township, asked the MOH what council could do in support of hospitals trying to fight the bed cuts. Elston said people in the Wingham area strongly supported a meeting aimed at dealing with the bed cuts. He added that there seem­ ed to be an atmosphere of futility in the county claim­ ing people simply don’t know how to avoid the ministry order to cut beds in local hospitals. Elston was critical of the ministry claiming bed cuts were "one of the last things Exeter pair lose battle Huron County council begrudgingly agreed Friday to pick up a larger chunk of the operating deficit for Sky Harbour airport in Goderich. Council was split on the in­ creased costs for the air­ strip at its last meeting but agreed to take a second look at the issue before turning it down. That second look was Fri­ day and despite strong ob­ jections from some members council voted to extend its share of the operating losses for Sky Harbour from $16,000 to $23,- 000. The request for the money was brought to the county by Goderich town council. The town, which owns the air- stip, reminded county coun­ cil that it was obligated to pick up a share of any operating deficit at the air­ port by virtue of a contract between the county and the Crown. Goderich reeve Eileen Palmer told council that the request for more money from the county should not be looked on as a favor to Goderich but rather as a Please turn to page 3 that should be happening to us". He said the hospital beds were needed adding the move was "one’ of the most dreadful things this province could do". Dr. Lynch said there didn’t seem to be any singular thing that could be done to fight the bed cuts. He said it appeared the ministry was not listening to municipal councils or to hospital boards but he felt certain it would listen to a public outcry. He said a "grass roots” protest sup­ ported by people who elect Delegates chosen Delegates from the local riding were recently named for the annual Ontario Liberal convention to be held in Hamilton on March 9-10- 11. Three of the delegates must be under 25 and three must be women. The riding endedupchoosing fiveladies. Those attending as delegates will be: Sharon Jacobe, Zurich; Elaine Love, Zurich; Brad Oke, Dashwood; Eileen Palmer, Goderich; Karen Pfaff, Ejteter; Agnes Moore, Ailsa Craig; Howard Aitken, Goderich; Don Oke, Zurich; Emil Hendrick, Exeter; Joe Conlin, Lucan; Betty Oke, Zurich; Leone Riddell, RR 1 Hay; E. B. Menzies. Clinton; Robin Gates, Clinton; and Ruth Gates, Clinton. the government would probably get the attention people wanted it to. He told council he had visited the hospital boards of the five county hospitals and had found that each hospital is dealing with the cuts in different ways. He said ministry penalties im­ posed on hospitals not abiding with the order to cut beds left the boards "with little choice but to develop a plan to fit the bed cuts into the operation of the hospitals". But Dr. Lynch did say that two hospital boards, Goderich and Wingham, seemed to be taking a more active stand than Clinton. Exeter and Seaforth. He said the two larger hospitals were attempting to demonstrate to the public that the beds left as a result of the ministry cuts were "not enough to provide ade­ quate medical treatment". He said each board has its own approach to the problem but "Seaforth. Ex­ eter and Clinton do not appear stressed whereas Goderich and Wingham feel their hospitals won’t be able to give adequate service". said Dr. Lynch. The MOH did not say it was impossible to save money in hospitals but did say that the way the minister of health chose to administer the bed cuts was wrong. He said he felt hospitals were already operating on “no fat budgets” but added that with an opportunity to sit Rewards offered In an effort to help solve two vandalism incidents a week ago, the Exeter police department announced this week they were offering a $5Q reward for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the people responsible. The rewards are being offered regarding the slashing of screens at Exeter Public School and the breaking of a large window at the Exeter OPP office. Damage in both incidents was about $500. People with information are asked to call Chief Ted Day at 235-1235. down and plan how to better use hospital facilities the bed cuts could be handled. He said there was no op­ portunity for hospital boards to do that claiming the ministry order was not a "very sensible way" to deal with the matter. Dr. Lynch told council that when the present government was seeking election it promised univer­ sal health care. He said it appeared as though that was only a promise aimed at get­ ting votes. He added that the govern­ ment "should not be reluc­ tant to listen to physicians, who are looked on with suspicion by the govern­ ment, or people who work for hospitals”. He added that it appeared the govern- Please turn to page 3 Rec administrator resigns SH position Recreation administrator Kirk Armstrong tendered his resignation to the South Huron rec centre board at a closed special meeting, Thursday. The resignation becomes effective on March 10 and Armstrong, who was hired with the inception of the board, cited “personal reasons” in his letter of resignation according to board chairman Howard Pym. "We hate to see him go,” Pym commented in an­ nouncing the resignation, "We’ve been happy with the job he’s done and he’s filled our expectation ahd you can't ask for anything more than that”. Pym said the board would advertise as soon as.possible for a replacement. One Hundred and Fifth Year imes - Advocate Serving South Huron, North Middlesex & North Lambton Since 1873 Price Per Copy 25 CentsEXETER, ONTARIO, FEBRUARY 28, 1979 READY FOR ECLIPSE-Grade six students of Exeter Public School were well prepared for Monday’s eclipse of the sun but clouds spoiled their viewing. Scott Bogart looks over the home-made telescope while Brenda Thompson and Steve Gould are ready to peer at the sun. ^-A Photo Town hall group plan celebrity bids Plans for a celebrity auc­ tion were announced by the Exeter and District Heritage Foundation at their monthly meeting Mon­ day. Chairman of the local group Bruce Shaw said the auction would have items from celebrities of inter­ national, national and local significance. Shaw said no date for the auction has been set but that several items have already been received. The foundation is “finan­ cially sound” he said with the foundation having no debts. While the foundation has been pleased with the response they’ve had from the commercial section of the building, the foundation will “embark on a vigorous campaign of promoting the use of the hall by smaller groups,” Shaw stated. He said while the Legion and the rec centre could ac­ commodate largegatherings, the town hall is ideal for gatherings of a hundred peo­ ple or less. Tenants for the building will sec their rent remain the same while there is a possibility that the heritage shop, which is operated by the foundation and features used items may be moved to free up additional commer­ cial space. Plans for an official open­ ing of the town hall with either a late spring or early summer date were discuss­ ed Shaw stated. Only a few decorative items remained to be install­ ed whiie work on clock’s restoration by local jeweller Earl Campbell is continuing. The foundation will in­ vestigate the possibility of recognizing those in­ dividuals who played a key role in the long and at times bitter battle to have the hall restored, Shaw stated. As the foundation’s main focal point, the hall, is under control, the association will welcome ideas for future projects in the South Huron area, he said. The foundation is still looking for members with over 200 people contributing to the group in the past, ac­ cording to Shaw. Ability canvass hits new total The recently completed canvass in Exeter for the Ability Fund showed an in­ crease in givings over last year. Dorothy Pfaff, who has been heading the Marching Mothers for many years said this week that the final total is $1,712. The 1978 campaign brought in $1,610. Mrs. Pfaff said similar canvasses in llsborne and Stephen townships are still underway. Bruce Shaw, who is the co­ ordinator for Huron County for the Heart Funds also reports increases in donations. Shaw told the T-A Monday night, “The Seaforth and Exeter canvasses will be carried out on March L For those areas already com­ pleted returns are higher than they were a year ago.” County reduction. considered again Deputy-reeves may be eliminated from county council if not for efficiency of the elected body then because there is no room left in the council chambers for more politicians. Huron County council was told Friday by its executive committee that a recom­ mendation on representation on county council would be brought to the March meeting for discussion. The executive committee reported to council that several municipalities in the county were close to the status of sending a deputy­ reeve to county council. The committee pointed out that the size of council would probably increase within the two year term councillors are now serving. The committee pointed out that if nothing else council faced a problem finding space in the council chambers for the new representatives to sit down. The committee explained three methods council could use to determine representation at the county level. At present any municipality with 1,000 or more electors sends a reeve and deputy-reeve to council. That figure could be changed so that only municipalities with 2,500 or more electors send a deputy- SUN WATCHERS — Grade six teacher Jim Bishop at Exeter Public School points out the telescopic lens of an eclipse viewer to students Drew Hasselback and Carla Josephson. The class was prepared to watch an eclipse of the sun but they were chedted by the clouds. School photos get second Five photogra phic enthusiasts from South Huron District High School combined their talent to place second in the Western Fair Farm Show competi­ tion for Southwestern On­ tario secondary schools. The competition was held to encourage photography studies in secondary schools, said Bob Young. spokesman for the farm show which opened yester­ day at the Western fair grounds. Each school was required to submit 10 photographs, of which no more than three could be by one photographer. First prize of $100 merchandise certificate from the Snap Shoppe in London went to Sir Adam Beck Secondary School of London. The SHDHS entry won a $75 certificate from Max­ well Camera Shop in St. Thomas. Terry Schwartzentruber and Brad Baynham had three entries each in the SHDHS exhibit, while Stan Christie had two and Pat DeJonge and Richard Helm contributed one each. reeve or each municipality send one representative to council. If council made the cut-off for deputy-reeves 2,500 electors all townships but Stephen would have one representative. Of the five county towns only Goderich and Exeter would send a deputy-reeve to county council. Village representation would remain the same and the size of council would be reduced from 45 members to 29 members. Goderich township reeve Grant Stirling told council there was merit in the plan to reduce the size of council. He pointed out that a time when the population of Huron County is dropping political representation at county council was in­ creasing. Stirling said it was time council took "a good look at it". Morris township reeve Bill Elston argued that if the size of county council was reduced it may be ineffective if the absentee rate was similar to Friday’s. Elston pointed out that if as many members were away from a 26 member council as were away from the 45 member group there “wouldn’t be many mem­ bers here”. Elston went on to suggest that “pretty soon there won’t be any need for county council at all”. Almost record a perfect week Area drivers came very close to marking the first accident-free week in some time. There was only one ac­ cident, it being of a minor nature, On Friday night, an unattended vehicle owned by Alfred Harvey, Huron Park, was struck by an unknown vehicle whiie parked on Highway 84 west of Hensall. Constable Al Quinn in­ vestigated and set damage to the Harvey vehicle at $250. Dispatchers are chosen Although it wasn’t a deliberate attempt on the part of the hiring com­ mittee, the new Huron police communication dis­ patch system will be mann­ ed by a staff with one member from each of the five towns involved. Exeter Police Chief Ted Day released the names of the dispatch personnel, yesterday. One of those named is Lorna Dale, who has operated the Exeter Answering Service for a number of years. She handl­ ed the town’s police and fire calls. The chief dispatcher will be Kenneth D. Anderson, Goderich, while the other three staff members are Phyllis Hoggart, Wingham; Lori Biggin, Clinton; and Barbara Tilley, RR 2 Seaforth, The new system is ex­ pected to commence opera­ tion in April.