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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-04-16, Page 1Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 19 No. 15 Wednesday, April 16, 2003 75 Cents (70c + 5c gst) i NH I NORTH HURON PUBLISHING COMPANY INC~ Inside this week Pg-3 Pg-9 Egg hunt on Greenway trail Many questions remain with Bill 81 Pg. 10 Women’s self- defense course in Ethel Dn IQ Play 20 years inrg.making Pg. 28 Hospitals form alliance HU corrects ‘Star’ story The April 11 edition of The Toronto Star contained misinformation about West Nile virus and the County of Huron according to Linda Stobo of the Huron County Health Unit. The news article entitled “Gear up to fight the bite” which appeared in the health section contained a map and chart both of which contained misinformation. The map showed the number of human cases of West Nile Virus to date reported in each provincial health district and that Huron County had 13 human cases; in fact, there have been no human cases to date (probable or confirmed) in Huron County. The chart outlined the various measures planned for the provincial health districts and Huron County showed no plan. In fact, the Huron County Health Unit will be monitoring, identifying and trapping mosquitoes in 2003. Johns to represent PCs again By Mary Simmons Student writer In an uncontested nomination, Huron-Bruce MPP Helen Johns told a group of more than 150 Progressive-Conservatives that she is going to represent them and the needs of the rural community in the next provincial election. The nomination meeting was held at the Blyth Community Centre on April 10. In a show of family support, Johns was introduced by her son, Brent, who will be 14 years old in a month. He said that when he was asked if he wanted his mom to run again, he said yes without hesitation. Brent was just six years old when his mom first ran for the provincial seat in 1995 and admitted he doesn’t remember what family life was like before she entered politics. “We don’t remember a time when Mom wasn’t involved in a lot of events and dragging us along,” he said, speaking for himself and his younger brother Jarrett. “We don’t remember a time when Dad didn’t Suspected SARS case in Listowel hospital By Janice Becker Citizen staff A Wellington County woman with a suspected case of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is stable, but still in isolation at Listowel Memorial Hospital (LMH) while the number of cases province­ wide continues to creep higher. The woman had been with a tour group travelling through the affected area in Asia and had shown symptoms prior to her return. Contact with others had been limited and an official from LMH believes the risk to hospital staff, other patients and the community is very low. Meanwhile, other local hospitals, while maintaining vigilance, are slowly easing back into the regular slate of services. Dr. Shawn Edwards, chief of staff at Seaforth Community Hospital said the restrictions are the same as in the past weeks, but some outpatient services were reinstated Monday with a few more to be added later in the week. “Some elective clinics have returned but visitors are still markedly restricted. It has been very difficult on the chronic care patients for several weeks. It has been disconcerting to some.” Following provincial directives, entrants to hospitals are still restricted to staff, including physicians with valid identification and visitors on the basis of compassionate grounds such as palliative care, critically ill and children, or attendance by partner for the birth of a child. Emergency departments are open to urgent emergencies only. Others are asked to visit their family doctor. In a press release issue April 11, Seaforth hospital had re-opened do most of the cooking - and these days we’d rather he did.” He spoke of how his mother makes a difference not only in his life and that of the remaining members of their family, but also to the lives of everyone in the province. He introduced her as cabinet minister, MPP of Huron-Bruce and great mom. After hugging her son, Johns spoke of how excited she was to be nominated to represent the riding of Huron-Bruce for the third time and how different it was from her other two experiences, since this time she was uncontested. She said she has grown and learned a lot since her naive days back in 1995, when she ran without any political experience, worrying about everything but what she would do if she won and actually had to campaign in an election. “I have a lot to be thankful for tonight,” she said. “This is a new quest.” It’s important to have a strong team around you, she said, indicating that the team she has been fortunate enough to work with on paediatrics and internal medicine facilities as well as outpatient services for diabetes, rehabilitation and x-ray. Beginning this week the SmallTalk and clinical nutrition services were to return. Clinton Public Hospital last week saw the return of general surgery, internal medicine, gastroenterology, outpatient labs, x-ray and physiotherapy. Specialty clinics were to be reinstated this week. Margret Comack, CEO for Listowel Memorial Hospital and Wingham and District Hospital said the facilities are slowly getting services back with electives starting last week. With new provincial directives coming soon, Comack said they expect to be at full service withing seven to 10 days. However, she noted things will probably never go back to the open door policy prior to SARS. “The screening will still be maintained and we will have to find a balance between the numbers coming in and the screening process. We will always monitor this disease and other communicable diseases. This was a wake-up call.” Rick Bedard from Alexandra Marine and General in Goderich said the hospital relaxed visitation restrictions Tuesday. Two close family members at a time will be allowed a two-hour visit. While screening remains in place all clinics are up and running. The public is asked not to call the hospitals regarding the reintroduction of services as patients will be contacted directly regarding procedures and surgery. Information on restrictions can be heard by calling the answering service for Seaforth, Clinton, St, Marys Memorial and Stratford General Hospitals by calling 519- 272-8219. past campaigns and the people she will be working with in this election are what will sustain her to victory. She admitted she had doubts about running again, but after sitting and thinking about it and discussing the matter with her family and friends, she decided she had to take the opportunity to make sure Huron- Bruce was represented at the cabinet table on agricultural and rural issues. “I will look at the issues through Huron-Bruce glasses,” she said. Former cabinet minister and MPP Chris Hodgson was also on hand and spoke of her tenacity and commitment at the cabinet table. He spoke of her position as minister of agriculture as one of the toughest since it covers huge issues and comes with a lot of pressure. Agriculture is the second largest industry in the province, he pointed out and there is a lot of competition from the U.S. due to that nation’s policies to aid farmers. “She never forgot who she was and who she represented,” he said. “She was able to bring it (the issue) back to the community.” Theatre lovers can enjoy some homegrown entertainment April 23, 25, 26 and 27 as drama students at St. Anne’s Secondary School in Clinton present The Solid Gold Cadillac, by Howard Teichmann and George S. Kauffman. From left: Sarah Cooper, Beth Brudnicki, Eric Finlayson. (Vicky Bremner photo) Grey firefighters rescue man from Maitland By Andrea Hruska Special to The Citizen Grey Twp. firefighters responded to an emergency call Saturday afternoon after a canoe carrying a father and his two sons capsized, tossing the family into the frjgid waters of the Maitland River. Fire Chief Calvin Semple stated that when he arrived, firefighters Don Baan, Chad McCallum and Jeff Finch were already attempting to rescue the father. “A tree had fallen across the river,” Semple explained, “and Chad was out on the tree holding him from being swept away until we could get him out.” A firefighter was able to get into the water and secure a rope around the man. Semple credits the Rob Miller family for rescuing the two boys who were on dry ground when firefighters arrived. Esther Buck, community education technician, Maitland Valley Conservation Area can understand the attraction for canoeing at this time of year. The balmy weather and the higher water levels “make for nicer conditions” but water temperature and current speed can be extremely danger­ ous. “I definitely can see why people would be drawn to the Maitland at this time of year,” she offered, “because later, as the weather warms up the water level often drops too low for canoeing.” Both Buck and OPP Sr. Const. Don Shropshall agree that hypothermia is one of the biggest concerns. “At this time of year water temperatures remain within a few degrees of freezing,” Buck explained. According to Shropshall, there can be only a couple of minutes before the effects of hypothermia set in. “Fatigue and numbness throughout the body cause the individual to slip into unconsciousness.” “The MVCA has an educational program currently available to schools that reinforces how dangerous bodies of water are at this time of year. We teach the children ‘Stay safe, stay away’.” Buck stressed. The Grey Twp. Fire Department rarely receives emergency response calls necessitating water rescue. Semple praised the actions of the first three firefighters on the scene. McCallum was quick to respond oy saying that there were “no individuals in my eyes. It was a team effort and it worked out.”