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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-06-30, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, t999.PAG£7. Being ready for an emergency, workshop topic By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff Y2K may have got them in the door, but general emergency pre­ paredness was the bottom line for those attending the district health council's information workshop in Blyth on June 23. The DHC was approached in Jan­ uary to look at internal emergency plans and facilitate discussions among service providers. The keynote speaker, Wednesday was Steve Beatty, area officer, Southwestern Ontario Emergency Measures Ontario, told those in attendance that while the risks of Y2K are slowly going down the need to prepare is there. “I guarantee Y2K risks won’t go away. With Y2K we are in a warn­ ing phase. It's there and we have to do something.” Yet, while Y2K has lit the fire, Beatty notes that municipalities need to be prepared for any emer­ gency. “Look at your community and be prepared to deal with the emergency that is most likely to happen.” Drawing attention to statistics, Beatty noted the likelihood of some type of emergency occurring here. In Ontario during the 1998 ice storm there were 243,000 cus­ tomers with power outages. Sixty- six communities declared an emergency. Some, Beatty said, had used their winter supply of salt and sand in a few days.” Ontario has 40 per cent of the Canadian population and Canada’s longest coastline. Fifty per cent of its power comes from nuclear gen­ erators and 50 per cent of Canada’s chemicals are manufactured in Ontario. “The odds are against us. Something is going to happen — and has,” he said, adding that in 1996 there were 368 railway acci­ dents involving dangerous goods. Weather is also a contributing factor. In addition to the many snowstorms, Ontario also has 25 tornadoes per year. “We have Canada’s tornado alley.” For these reasons, Beatty cau­ tioned, “Even if the Y2K problems get solved and nothing happens, don’t let this die.” “It’s going to happen. You know that somewhere five minutes into the year 2000 some drunk is going to run into a hydro pole some­ where. When the lights go out at the New Year’s Eve party people will be thinking Y2K did happen. Then, it’s Martha get my shotgun.” Referring to self-induced Y2K, Beatty said people have got to be reasonable or “we’re going to be in a lot of trouble.” He mentioned three movies being made about Y2K. “They’re not about good news. It’s armageddon. What is that going to do to the pub­ lic? It will send them right to the moon.” Thief to make appearance in Wingham court, July 15 Continued from page 1 stolen cigarettes, power tools, candy bars and some foods inside the vehi­ cle. The occupants were arrested and taken back for questioning. The one male then admitted to doing five break-ins in the Huron Perth area and also three thefts. The man co-operated in leading the offi­ cer’s back to the location of the stolen property. The Huron OPP have recovered the garden tractor and snowblowers stolen from the Grey Public School The first step for people involved in emergency planning is to have their family’plan in place. “So that you as community leaders can go to work.” Beatty explained several key points including what constitutes an emergency and the components of an emergency plan. He peppered his talk with actual situations and human interest stories. In putting together a plan, he cau­ tioned that it not be made “a beast. Look at key things you need and don’t make it too thick.” He recommended speaking to other communities and agencies. “Wouldn’t it be nice if communi­ ties could dovetail their plans. Let’s work at this together.” “The aim of an emergency plan is to protect and look after health, safety and property.” Beatty concluded his talk by reit­ erating that while he believes Y2K will only be responsible for some minor hiccups, emergency pre­ paredness should not come to a grinding halt. “It will happen.” Following Beatty’s talk the par­ ticipants broke into groups to work on an emergency preparedness sce­ nario. After this had been dealt with, they were handed an update, because, as one DHC representa­ tive noted, “just when you think you have an emergency figured out, the rules change.” Robin Dunbar, reeve of Grey Twp., which has just recently com­ pleted a review of its emergency plan, said after the workshop he feels they are headed in the right direction. “The main thing is that people know what they need to do. We have treated all emergencies the same with that regards. Get the key people together and decide what is to be done.” Writer asks, ‘Is this the way to celebrate seniors’ year?’ Continued from page 4 providing many invaluable services to their clients. Due to a recent request by the Huron County Council to the Ministry of Health of an additional $65,000 for arrears for building rent, the programs at the Huron Adult Day Centre will be greatly affected if not discontinued. I ask you, is this the way to celebrate the year of the senior citizen by closing established programs that they so dearly need? Your input would be greatly appreciated. Yours truly, Margaret Gruber, Former employee of Huron Adult Day Centre. break-in along with some of the items stolen in the bowling alley theft. Also recovered was a trailer stolen from Gorrie that the thief used to haul away the items from the school. Charged with five counts of break, enter and theft, three counts of theft under $5,(M)0 and three counts of Possession of Stolen Property is Steven Ash, 26 of Listowel. He was released on a Promise to Appear with conditions to attend court in Wingham on July 15. Be prepared Health providers, municipal administrators, security people and other interested individuals were on hand in Blyth on Wednesday to learn about emergency preparedness from Steve Beatty. The day was organized by the district health council. Dancing Brussels students of the Lydia Laine School of Dance and Theatrical Arts gave a recital in Walton on Sunday afternoon. Jaren Johnston, Brooklyn Vercruyssen and Sadie Chalmers (not pictured) were telling their story Daddy Wouldn’t Buy Me a Bow-Wow. Blyth seeks quote for road work There were no objections from Blyth council to the Howson, Blyth Storm and Rum Runners ball teams applying for a special occasions permit to hold a beer garden in a tent located between the two ball diamonds at Thresher’s Park. Approval was given at the June 22 session. *** Clerk-Treasurer John Stewart was authorized to contact Lavis Contracting to obtain a price for the final lift of pavement on King Street. *** Bills and accounts totaling $50,673.15 were approved for pay­ ment. *** There were no objections to Epilepsy, Huron-Perth-Bruce sell­ ing glads in the municipality from Aug5-6. *** Reeve Mason Bailey was autho­ rized to sign, on behalf of council, an agreement to contract out the services of Stewart to the Town of Wingham. Board names student trustees By Susan Hundertmark Special to The Citizen Student trustees for the 1999- 2000 school year were appointed at last Tuesday’s meeting of the Avon Maitland District School Board. The 10 student trustees were chosen through elections which have recently occurred at the district’s 10 high schools. They include Lesley Grieve, from Stratford Central Secondary School, Diana Nguyen, from Stratford Northwestern Secondary School, Beth Ann Hern, from South Huron District High School, Sarah Agar, from Seaforth District High School, Julie Weston, from St. Marys District Collegiate and Vocational Institute, Victoria Burlingham, from Mitchell District High School, Dan White, from Listowel District Secondary School, Gillian Hubick, from Goderich District Collegiate Institute, Crystal Semple, from F.E. Madill Secondary School and Steve Jankowski, from Central Huron Secondary School.