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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-12-18, Page 15- -v 'MSI THE CITIZEN, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1990. PAGE 15. Dr. Wong opens Brussels practice BY BONNIE GROPP It has taken time and discussion, but a need was seen and now in Brussels the doctor is in. Dr. Walter Wong, a Wingham physician for the past eight years, opened his Brussels office in the Medical Centre on November 19. While there have always been doctors in the village with esta­ blished practices, Clerk Donna White said, the results from the recently conducted Economic De­ velopment Survey showed resi­ dents in the village wanted a doctor in Brussels every day during the day. With the influx of people from larger areas moving into the com­ munity the demand was increasing as well, Mrs. White said. Dr. Wong indicated a willingness to divide his time between his Wingham practice and Brussels so measures were taken to make it possible. Now entrenched behind his desk in the Medical Centre, Dr. Wong says his hours in Brussels are “weekdays from three until New practice Dr. Walter Wong, who has had a practise in Wingham for eight years opened his off ice in the Brussels Medical Centre on November 19. Dr. Wong will be in the office every weekday afternoon to look after the medical needs of the people in the community. Reserves spent Klopp told Continued from page 1 taxes a hefty, and unpalatable percentage,” she said. Graeme Craig HCBE trustee informed the MPP that the board had been forced to spend part of its reserve fund the last two years in order to meet government initia­ tives. “In 1990 we were confronted with over $1.5 million in additional costs as a consequence of these initiatives,” said Mr. Craig. He stated that capital funding is fragmented and uneven, and para­ lyzes the planning process at the local level. Making the problem worse is the age of the buildings, which are, Mr. Craig said, in constant need of repair or updating to accommodate new programs. Mr. Allan said the board has been restrained in its ability to request funds so is dealing with a “bare bones” budget. Mr. Craig also noted the county’s schools are experiencing overcrowding and the capital pro­ jects that have been completed were at a significant cost to the board. “Facility funding under the cur­ rent Ministr of Education proce­ dures is totally inadequate and particularly unfair to Huron Coun­ ty. Our new facilities such as the science laboratories were not fund­ ed provincially. Neither are we experiencing significant assess­ ment growth. Our existing assess­ ment base is being eroded to support the local separate school,” Mr. Craig said. “Skyrocketing costs and public dissatisfaction are not,” he added, “totally of our making. They are a direct result of circumstances largely dictated by the province.” The committee also expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of consultation between the ministry and the boards, saying they tend to learn in the Toronto Star or the Throne Speech what has to happen in the schools. Nancy McLay, representing Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation told Mr. Klopp that a process in which the provincial government announces initiatives without consulting first with its educational partners is “totally unacceptable, arrogant and inex­ cusable.” They cited de-streaming, junior kindergarten, day care in The Jamaican-born physician re­ ceived his education in schools in the United States and the United Kingdom. His medical certificate is from the University of London. Coming to Brussels, he said, presented an opportunity for him to set up the kind of clinic he wanted. Having received most of his educa­ tion in England, he sees himself more as a primary care practitioner describing his practice as a small family clinic, not a doctor’s office. He believes in immediate treat­ ment, on the spot, if possible, without unnecessary trips to the hospital. Patients come for physical exam­ inations and other regular office procedures, but can also have EKG’s, blood work, cha^t readings and suturing done. “It’s going back, in a way, to the old family doctor,’’ he says. schools and teacher supply as current issues for the new govern­ ment to look at. Mrs. Van den Broeck suggested that it is time to “take education” out of the political arena and stabilize its agenda.” She said that school boards should be allowed to change at a pace that guarantees effectiveness and not by demands from the province, for changes which they can not afford. “We believe that it is irresponsi­ ble for the government to pass down the cost of its actions to local property owners. This is an abdica­ tion of the province’s responsibility to live within its means,” she said. In response, Mr. Klopp told the committee he agrees that it is time to work together to get the money to go further and be used smarter. He urged the committee to bring their concerns to him or to the Minister directly and promised to bring the issues listed in their presentation to her attention. He reminded them that things can’t be changed overnight, but says the minister is aware circumstances are unique in counties like Huron. He assured them that he would ask the minister to send them a written response regarding their concerns so they would know where they stand. “It’s going to take time for changes,” he said later. The board was open and up front with their presentation. Now, we will see in time how things evolve.” Blyth ’s Sunshine UCW Unit celebrates Christmas The Sunshine Unit of the Blyth United Church women met Dec. 13 for its Christmas meeting. Soft Christmas music and lighted candles on the table added much to the Christmas spirit when 18 members sat down to a delicious pot luck dinner. Later a meaninful candle-light­ ing service was conducted by Vera Badley and Mary Wightman. Many Christmas carols were sung throughout the service with Phyllis Boak as pianist. Scripture passages from Luke and Matthew were read, telling the Christmas Story. Read­ ers were Erma Cook, Dorothy Daer. Lenora Davidson, Mary Walden and Feme McDowell. The Groups’ projects won’t be on Pride list That shopping list that various Blyth groups had put together if the village should get a Pride grant, will go empty. After asking if groups had pro­ jects that they would carry out under a possible Pride grant from 1992 to 1994, the village decided it would need all the money itself for improvements connected with main street reconstruction. The total project, if the village was to receive it, would be $400,000, $200,000 of which would be from a provincial grant and $200,000 to be raised locally. After looking at all the requests for money, however, the village decided that the money would be required if and when the reconstruction of Highway 4 and the Blyth main street takes place. Storm sewer reconstruction would take up $135,000; water and hydro offering was received by Vera Badley and they closed with pray­ er. President Bea Chambers opened the business portion asking every­ one to repeat the U.C.W purpose. She also read a religious poem with the deceiving title “Santa Claus”. Roll call was answered by a favourite Carol. Feme McDowell read the minutes of the last meeting. Lenora Davidson gave the correspondence report. Mary East gave the treasurer’s report and Gene Snell the birthday report. Some business was discussed and Bea closed by reading a poem “God’s gifts upon your Christmas Tree” and the U.C.W. benediction. Dr. Wong has strong feelings about health care today. He says people are overtaxed by OHIP and under serviced and in the end the- patient gets short changed. “The availability of good medical ser­ vices in Canada is limited because of the facilities. Patients don’t always get as good a care as they do in other countries.” He gives England as an exmple where a cardio-crew is dispatched with the ambulance to treat heart-attack victims. “They take the medicine to the people. Doctors shouldn’t be here to get rich. They are here to serve the public.” Dr. Wong has never been afraid to fight for what he believes in. “I get hot under the collar sometimes when I see things aren’t as they should be. If I see a lot of questions 1 won't stop asking until I get some answers. We as doctors should remember we are looking after the people. They, and what is best for them, comes first.” Dr. Wong says his first aspira­ tion was to teach medicine, but in 1980 he found himself in Jamaica where things did not go well. Without going into detail he stated simply that it became difficult for him to remain there, but not before he built a clinic, one of the most modern you will find, he said. Working with CUSO as medical advisor brought him then to Canada. Now a resident of Wingham, he is presently in the midst of reno­ vating a 147-year-old home. His family is scattered. His eldest daughter is studying law at Berke­ ley; the second, languages at Cambridge; the third architecture in Tulsa and the fourth psychology at Trinity. He also has a son, Walter. “I have always told my children to sip from the cup of knowledge but never become so intoxicated you become a bore or think you’re lord and master.” Dr. Wong is willing to share the improvements, $100,000) sidewalk reconstruction, $65,000; and $95,000 would be divided between core area lighting and sanitary sewer improvements. A further $5,000 would go towards admini­ stration costs. The village had planned on including some of the improve­ ments in its current Pride grant but delays in the Ministry of Transpor­ tation’s rebuilding of Highway 4 from Blyth to Wingham meant the project couldn’t be completed with­ in the time frame of the grant. Meanwhile the groups that had offered to take part in the Pride program will be contacted to let them know the council will seek other funding to help them com­ plete their work. Council also discussed the possibility of helping out the groups if a grant paying only one-third of the money is received instead of the Pride grant which pays 50 per cent. NOMINATIONS ARE BEING RECEIVED FOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FOR THE TOWNSHIP OF HULLETT Kindly submit name or names to the Township Office, P.O. Box 226, Londesboro, Ont. N0M 2H0 Reeve & Council, Township of Hullett knowledge he has garnered as well. “I want to be of assistance to the community of Brussels in whatever way I can.’’ Dr. Wong says that in his capacity as medical advisor for the Cancer Society he is glad to talk to groups or individuals on the subject. AIDS is another area he would discuss with interested par­ ties. “I see the young people and I would be glad to talk with them. “Let’s talk prevention rather than cure. I don’t care if it’s two or 20. 1 don’t want to dictate, but what little knowledge I have 1 am willing to share.’’ He said as well, the hours don’t matter. “I intend to become active in the community inside or outside office hours.’’ When not discussing his passion of medicine and concern for people, Dr. Wong is an affable man, who likes to joke and tease. “But,” he emphasizes, “when I work I work. Anyone who knows me, will tell you that. I don’t fool around when it comes to the practice of medicine. DECEMBER SWINE SPECIAL 90°1 DAYS— Pre-mix 1 BAG FREE with every 10 purchased l/DAUPHINJ^'FEEDA SUPPLY LTD. Walion, Ont. 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