Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1993-10-13, Page 13For Honesty, Integrity and Dedication ELECT TONY McQUAIL 44, New Democrats are the ONLY PARTY you can count on to • MAKE JOBS THE #1 PRIORITY WITH THEIR JOBS PLAN • CANCEL THE FREE TRADE AGREEMENT • PRESERVE THE UNIVERSALITY OF MEDICARE & SENIORS PENSIONS • ABOLISH THE SENATE & CUT MP's PENSIONS • SAVE SUPPLY MANAGEMENT & SUPPORT THE FAMILY FARM • TAX THE RICH & CORPORATIONS SO THEY PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE Call for more information or to join our team 1-800-668-1021 60 West St. Goderich N7A 2 K3 CANADA WORKS WHEN CANADIANS WORK - CANADA WORKS WHEN TONY McQUAIL CC z z 0 w U) cc 0 0 z C.) cc 0 co z z C.) z w U) cc C) z z U) 0 3:0 z rn z C) 3:0 z U) z 33 2. Cr 5- THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993. PAGE 13. County asks for change in voting structure Huron County will ask for a pri- vate members vote to be passed in the Ontario legislature, changing the voting structure of county coun- cil to one vote per municipality, but strongest opposition is likely to come from one of its own munici- palities. A motion to ask for the change in voting structure was made by Bill Clifford, deputy-reeve of Goderich, and one of those who would lose his job after the next election if the changes are made. Under the pro- posals, each municipality, regard- less of size, would have just one representative at county council and each representative would have but one vote. The changes are being sought because of the fact that three more municipalities would qualify to send a deputy- reeve to county council after the next election. "Having sat in the 1970s when it was larger (when many municipalities had deputy reeves) it was much more cumber- some," Councillor Clifford said. "The Town of Goderich has more to lose than any other municipality. This is not our first choice. If we can't get our own way, then is it not better to let us all work together in the best interests of Huron." But Exeter Deputy-Reeve Lossy Fuller indicated her municipality will not go along. The voting struc- ture, she said, must also look at population and assessment. Exeter had suggested a system of multiple votes that would give representa- tives of larger municipalities more votes. Some reeves of smaller munici- palities such as Hullett Reeve Tom Cunningham, however, had protest- ed such a system, arguing reeves represented their municipal corpo- rations, not the size of the popula- tion. Goderich Reeve John Doherty, who had two votes under the cur- rent structure, said he didn't like that system. "I, as an individual, never felt important with two votes," he said. "I will support the motion on that basis." The motion passed easily but Councillor Fuller said Exeter would continue to oppose the move. Block Parent marks 25 years of service Block Parent Week is Oct. 25-31. This year the program is celebrat- On Oct. 23 more than 200 people will rise up singing in Goderich with Don Besig, in celebration of the MacKay Choristers' 10th anniversary. Besig, a recognized choral leader and composer, will be in Goderich for a one-day workshop with six Ontario choirs and he will conduct an evening massed Choral Extravaganza. The Port Elgin Centennial Singers, the Middlesex County Singers, the Kincardine Community Singers, the "J" singers of Niagara Falls and the Elderberries of Gravenhurst will join the MacKay Choristers in the concert. The event will beheld at North Street United Church in Goderich at 8 p.m. "The concert is a party. We're inviting people to sing with us and to hear us sing," says Irla Stewart, director of the 70-voice MacKay Choristers. The seniors choir began in 1982 when the MacKay Centre of Seniors sponsored a six week choral workshop under the leadership of Mrs. Stewart with Joan Henwood as accompanist. This project was so popular that the choir became a reality and began to entertain the community and surrounding area. Membership For many people, getting the flu is a minor problem like the common cold. But for others, especially those 65 and more, it can lead to a serious, even fatal illness. About 300 people die each year in Ontario from influenza-related illnesses. The majority — 85 per cent — are over 65. In addition, the flu puts 25,000 people in hospital every year, costing millions of dollars. Prevention is the best medicine, by being vaccinated against the three main strains of flu germs expected to be around this winter. If you're in a "high-risk" group your flu shot is free. These include people over 65 and those who have serious heart, lung or kidney diseases, diabetes or cancer, are infected with HIV or have certain other serious conditions. Also considered at high risk are all residents of Ontario's nursing homes, homes for the aged and chronic care facilities. This year, the flu vaccine is also free to staff of nursing homes, homes for the aged and chronic care facilities who care for patients. "While the majority of seniors in institutions are vaccinated, the same is not true for seniors living at home," says Dr. Monka Naui, a senior medical consultant with the ing 25 years of working with com- munities to help make them safer grew from a mere 16 to 70 voices, with members coming from Goderich, Blyth, Clinton, Auburn, Benmiller, Varna, Bayfield, Port Albert and Point Clark. This year Janet Thomson has joined the group as assistant director and to share accompaniment duties. In the past 10 years the Choristers have distinguished themselves in winning seniors' choral competitions, participating in the Seniors' Jubilee Concerts in Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, and this past June performing at the Ontario Art Gallery in Toronto as part of the Joy of Singing 1993 International Choral Festival. Their upcoming concert has been in the works for more than a year when Don Besig was asked to lead the choirs. "We are very pleased that Don Besig has agreed to be with us, to teach us his music," Mrs. Stewart said. "For anyone who is doing much singing, his work is familiar. His music has a message." Don Besig's name and music is highly respected in choral work. A graduate of Ithaca College, Besig is director of music at Perinton Presbyterian Church in Fairport, New York. He has more than 30 years of experience teaching vocal Ministry of Health. "We are quite concerned that only about 50 per cent of seniors living at home get flu shots. We would like to increase this to 80 per cent in order to provide as much protection as possible. "If more people would get vaccinated, the number of influenza-related illnesses would be greatly reduced. The best time to get a flu shot is from September to November. After that, the flu season is in full swing. It begins some time in November (the actual time varies from year to year) and lasts about six months. The flu vaccine poses no risk to pregnant women or the fetus. However, anyone who has a severe allergy to eggs should not get a flu shot since the vaccine contains a trace of egg protein. A flu shot is needed every year because different types of flu viruses appear each year. The vaccine is changed each year to protect against the strains expected to be circulating. Each year, the World Health Organization and the Centres for Disease Control in Atlanta predict which flu strains are going to be around the next winter. This is based on which ones were most prevalent at the end of the previous flu season. places to live. With figures collected through music in the public schools of Western New York. Since 1973 over 250 of his compositions and arrangements have been published. His enthusiasm for working with singers of all ages has led to numerous invitations to serve as guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator. He has conducted festivals and workshops in 30 States and in Canada. Several of his pieces will be performed at the Choral Extravaganza. "There will be moments of anxiety when you're singing in front of the composer," Mrs. Stewart admits. Since January the choirs have been learning the same six musical numbers and on Oct_ 23, during an all-day workshop, this music will be rehearsed and polished under Besig's tutelage. When the workshop concludes at 5 p.m. the six participating choirs reports sent in by provincial, terri- torial and community programs the will have dinner together at North Street Church. At 8 p.m. the Choral Extravaganza '93 will begin with the massed choir singing Besig's composition, Gonna Rise Up Singin', followed by a Stephen Foster Medley. The visiting choirs will then be given an opportunity to sing individually and the MacKay Choristers will present one number from each of the 10 years of their existence. The evening will close with four additional choir selections, of which two will be Don Besig compositions. What a thrill for the audience to hear 200 voices singing under the direction of the music's composer and performing the music as it was meant to be executed! Tickets for this performance are $5 each and are available from MacKay Chorister members, MacKay Centre or King's Books and Gifts in Goderich. red and white Block Parent sign is now displayed in 300,000 homes in 1,200 communities across Canada. In 1992 those Block Parents helped nearly 1,100 people, mostly chil- dren in situations ranging from cold hands to rape. As this information is sporadic and spread over a lengthy time frame, however, the organization is planning to, in recognition of its anniversary, do a one-time inten- sive data gathering campaign. In Brussels there are now 42 households displaying the Block Parent signs, which has been pretty much consistent with the number of participants since the program began in October 1987. Brussels Clerk Donna White, who played a role in organizing the program says that her goal has always been to have a minimum number of 50 houses carrying the sign, but that has never been achieved. Block Parents are always needed, she says, and anyone interested in becoming one should contact her at the municipal office. Mrs. White also reminds Block Parents to make sure they take the sign out of the window when they leave home or are unavailable. Time for flu shot Choir rises up singing in Goderich