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The Citizen, 1996-12-18, Page 7C The news from ranbrook P. Hagedoorn 887-6270 and M.Saxon 887-9287 Skating duo takes gold at competition 140TH SOUVENIRS T-Shirts, Golf Shirts, Mugs, History Books, Hats, etc. and The Disney Collector's Plate Available at the Morris Township Municipal Office 887-6137 or Collector's Plates at Stitches by MJ, Blyth Plates have been sent to the Disney Family THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1996 PAGE 7. DHC identifies top challenges The Western Canadian Figure Skating Championships concluded in Saskatchewan on Sunday, Dec. 15, with the gold medal in Senior Dance going to local skater Peter MacDonald and partner Jennifer Boyce of Calgary. The duo dominated the event, placing first in each portion of the competition. The couple decided to join forces six months ago, and train at the Glencoe Club in Calgary, with coach Marilyn Symko. The combined experience of the The HMS of Cranbrook Presbyterian Church was held on Dec. 10, at the home of Eleanor Stevenson. This was the annual noon meal and the members of the society brought pot luck. Eleanor had her house and recreation room beautifully decorated for the season. This year members are twinned with the women of North Morning- ton Church so they had the honour of entertaining Margaret Dowd, Margaret Allen and Marion Henzel of North Momington Church. At Christmas the associate members of Cranbrook HS are entertained. Those attending were Jean Dunn and Ethel (Campbell) McMaster from Listowel. From Brussels was Elunid McNair and Laura Strickler and from Cran- brook, Fern Dickinson. In total there were 16 women around Eleanor's table. The leader for the worship service was Brenda Perrie, who read scripture from Luke chapter 1, vs. 1-19 and Matthew, chapter 2, vs. 1-12. Interspersed with the verses was the singing of ten familiar carols and hymns. Mrs. Perrie brought a Christmas capsule to ponder. When families are together for a happy celebration they must not forget the less fortunate, especially the children who will not wake up to a full stocking on Christmas morn. Be mindful of blessings and pray for a two skaters has made for a rapid rise to prominence of this partnership. Peter attended his first National Championships as a competitor at age 13 and was a triple gold medalist at age sixteen. Jennifer has represented Canada at many international competitions and is a former World Team member. The next competition for Peter and Jennifer will be the National Championships in Vancouver, Feb. 5 - 10. brighter future for all. Mrs. Perrie closed with prayer. The treasurer's report was given. There was a total of 15 get well cards and six visits to shut-ins in the last month. Minutes were read and approved and the roll call was answered by 16 women giving a Christmas story or poem. They heard an interesting account of holidays many years ago when travelling to the grandparents was accomplished with horses and sleigh. On these cool trips the kids were covered up with buffalo robes and were kept warm with heated blocks of wood. The fowl for those festive meals was roasted goose. The gifts for the children were quite small, an orange or a new pencil and maybe a book. In those days the meal was the highlight of the day. A romp with cousins was also enjoyed. The next meeting will be in January at 1:15 p.m. at the home of Mrs. Jack Knight. The meeting closed with the Mizpah Benedic- tion repeated in unison. Family gathers The Evans family held their Christmas party in the Cranbrook Community Centre on Dec. 15. Forty-three members of the family attended, and Santa made a surprise appearance to the children's delight. Continued from page 1 specific information was available on all three options. "There was a need to plan for a high quality, accessible, co- ordinated system for Huron Perth," said Hook. "There was no preconceived solution when we began." The task force chair also cautioned, "the preferred option may be a variation of one." "We're open to other options which may be presented from other groups," she said. Top Two Challenges The top two challenges to health care in Huron-Perth were identified by the DHC task force as, 1) financial, and 2) attracting and keeping physicians and other professionals. Seaforth hospital's good recruitment record is well known. Not only is health care being challenged locally, said Hook, but larger centres like London are facing cuts at their hospitals. As well, Grey-Bruce and Lambton Counties are presently conducting studies on their systems. The task force chair says there are advantages to local health care planning and that if there isn't restructuring the government could step in and "cut jobs and cut service." Hook admitted under local restructuring there would also be job losses. Three Common Comments According to Gillis, three comments from the public that arose frequently during the survey process were: 1) What we have is good, don't change it, 2) Don't close the hospitals that operate in the black, and 3) leave the rural hospitals alone, they're only a small part of the provincial budget. The health care planner said these three things were "heard, but we can't build on them. She explained that all hospitals already operate in the black; they're mandated to. And all areas, rural and urban, are presently going through the restructuring process. Hook said following the open houses, the last of which was held on Thursday, a detailed analysis would be done on information gathered and a selection of the preferred option would be made. Following that there would be "further consultation, implementa- tion and reinvestment planning as well as governance issues." Question Period Dr. John Longstaff of RR 2, Seaforth led off the questions of the first session. He stated that it was an "impossible task to solve the problems in Huron-Perth." "With the exception of Seaforth and Clinton, all others (towns) are on the periphery of the counties." He suggested expanding the zones. Longstaff said the senior population will increase in the next decade or so because of the aging baby boomers. As well, there's a trend for people in the cities to take up residence in rural areas in retirement. "We've figured out how many beds we need but haven't decided how to distribute them," answered Gillis. "We have been kept abreast of what's happening in other areas. The restructuring committee will have the provincial perspective," she added. One member of the audience asked if the DHC would consider moving back the deadline to decide the preferred options. "We will consider (delaying the decision) if we have to. But we have done a lot of public consultation," said Hook. "Difficult decisions won't be made easier by extending the process," she added. "The last open house (Thursday) is three days before the meeting (to decide the final option). Is that enough time to decide?" asked one resident. "We go through the information following each open house," answered Gillis. Rent Out Beds "Let's do something with the 70 beds in Huron that aren't being used," commented one audience member. "I've talked to people in Perth. There's a six month to two years wait for old age homes. You could make $1,200 a month for each bed. If you do that it would keep every ER open. "The DHC does have the long term care committee looking at it," answered Hook. Ruth Hildebrand, administrator of the Seaforth Manor, said there are some empty beds in Huron's long term care facilities. There was a comment that in five years there's going to be a shortage of beds in Perth. People were encouraged to put their suggestions on the feedback form. The form asked participants to "please indicate the strengths and weaknesses" of each of the three possible options and "any thoughts or advice that can help the task force make the challenging decisions that lay ahead." The second question stated: "Please indicate if you have a concern that something has been overlooked or not considered in the above options." Hospitals in Huron and Perth had an opportunity Monday to make presentations to the DHC in Mitchell. Alternatives to the three options were presented. Some Survey Numbers • 368 hospital staff surveys returned • 300 telephone interviews with residents • 277 people attended 31 community focus groups • 517 surveys were returned • more than 700 telephone calls and letters received (and that total continues to climb) • 28 community groups spoken to by DI-IC speakers' bureau formed in late September 16 attend HMS meeting Union Gas is "Going Mobile" in the North Huron area! Last year, Union Gas extended natural gas service to thesiNorth Huron area. Since then more than 350 homes and almost 80 businesses have switched to natural gas in the communities of Blyth, Brussels, Belgrave and Londesborough. When we started construction in the North Huron area last year, we opened temporary stores in Blyth and Brussels, as well as in the neighbouring communities of Wingham and Teeswater. These stores were set up to provide the residents of your community a place to get information and ask questions with regards to natural gas and the natural gas pipeline system. Since construction of the natural gas pipeline in the North Huron area has been completed and operational for some time, the number of people visiting our stores in Blyth and Brussels has slowed down considerably, and more time is being spent by our staff out visiting customers or potential customers at their homes or businesses. In order to respond to the changing needs in your community, Union Gas is changing our current stores into a new "mobile office!!" Our new mobile office will travel throughout the communities of Blyth, Brussels, Belgrave and Londesborough and provide you with the same services our other stores did. However, our new mobile office will allow us to serve you better! Instead of having to come to our office for any information or questions, we will come to you! This will make getting any information about natural gas easier and more convenient for the residents in the North Huron area. The new Union Gas mobile office will be open in your area on January 6, 1997. The current Union Gas stores located in Blyth and Brussels will be closing as of Friday, December 20, 1996. John Latham, who has been working at the temporary stores in Blyth and Brussels for the past few months will continue to be our representative in this area. You will be able to either call John in the mobile office to ask any questions or set up a time for him to visit you, or simply wait for him to come to your area and approach him with any questions or requests you may have. The new Union Gas mobile office (pictured) will be located in a white Chevrolet Lumina Van with Union Gas clearly marked on the outside. The office will be open from Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or call anytime and leave a message. The telephone number for the mobile office will be: (519) 357-6648 If long distance, please call our London Office (toll free) at: 1-800-895-7193 Union Gas would like to thank you for letting us supply your energy needs. Correction: The mobile once telephone number published last week was Incorrect. The number listed above Is the correct one.