Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-10-18, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2000. Staffing resurrects old debate The issue, at the October meeting of Huron County council, was ambu­ lance service staffing when the coun­ ty takes it over in January but most of the debate was on the old issue of moving ambulance stations. Jon Hambides, the county’s con­ sultant on the ambulance service, gave a long presentation on the sta­ tistics surrounding use of staff time on ambulances, resulting in the adoption of four staffing recommen­ dations but the most heated debate went back to the proposal to amalga­ mate the Dashwood and Zurich ambulance stations and move the new station closer to Exeter. The staffing changes approved dealt with reducing the number of ambulance crews on standby in off- hours for the amalgamated Clinton and Seaforth station and Zurich and Dashwood stations. Hambides pointed out that current­ ly there is one ambulance on standby at each of the four stations. When the stations are combined, the call num­ bers suggest one ambulance on call at each of the two remaining stations would be sufficient. When paramedics are on standby they receive $2.25 per hour. If they are called in they receive time and a half for a minimum call time. Having fewer ambulances on call will reduce costs without hurting service, Hambides said. Though the saving is not large it will help with the cost of improvements like more training for staff, he said. But Bob Szusz, reeve of Hullett, wondered why the recommendations to cut standby time in the south and centre of the county are being imple­ mented but other expenditures in providing 24-hour on-duty coverage for Goderich on weekends is being left for a further trial period. No signs please THE EDITOR, The winds of a fall federal elec­ tion seem to be reaching gale pro­ portions. I, like many others in this riding, would be glad if they sub­ sided but should they not and a fed­ eral election be called shortly I would like to invite the other politi­ cal parties in the riding to wait until after the municipal elections are completed on Nov. 13 to start sign campaigns and major advertising efforts. We have elections in many municipalities across Huron-Bruce and I think it would be respectful of the efforts of our local municipal candidates to wait until after they have finished their campaigning to put up federal signs and ads. Should there be a federal election the timing may not permit the delaying of federal all candidates meetings until after the municipal elections but I think it would be best if it could. Yours sincerely, Tony McQuail President, Huron-Bruce NDP Riding Association. Bd. gets credit THE EDITOR, It was most impressive to be in the Cranbrook Cemetery last week and see the great improvement in its appearance. The board is to be commended for the great amount of hard work and effort that has been put into repairing the grave markers. This labour of love has been a most fitting tribute honouring the pioneers and early settlers of the area. May the Cemetery Board be enabled to continue the excellent upkeep of this very special trust that has been placed in its care. Rev.James Perrie, Kerwood. Hambides had earlier shown fig­ ures that despite the 24-hour week­ end staffing in Goderich, there were actually fewer calls on weekends than weeknights when it was felt standby was sufficient coverage. Still, the recommendation was to continue the 24-hour service for six months to explore the issue further. “Logic tells me to reduce Goderich and leave the other stations the same,’’ said Szusz. Hambides responded that he had been told by council not to reduce staff but there was the potential for savings in the south and central Huron stations since there is no sig­ nificant use of a second standby ambulance crew. Some councillors worried about the delay in ambulance response times if ambulances were on stand­ by. Hambides said the normal expec­ tation is that crews on standby must repor. to the station within eight min­ utes of getting a call, though some feel they can do it faster. Paramedics know that if they are on standby they must be where they can respond within that time, even if they live far ther from the station, he said. Some paramedics in Huron live as far away as London, he said, but stay close to the station if they are on call. But the hottest issue was over the potential savings of combining the Dashwood and Zurich stations and moving the station closer to Exeter. Rob Morley, reeve of Usbome, said the potential savings of the move seemed to be in the amalgama­ tion of the two stations, not from moving them to Exeter. Hambides said the most calls for the ambulance in the south come from Exeter so it makes the most sense to have the ambulance based Szusz seeks deputy-reeve chair Continued from page 1 McKay. Hullett Twp. Reeve Bob Szusz will compete against John Bezaire and Bert Dykstra for deputy-reeve and Hullett Twp. council members Bruce Bergsma, Doug Hugill, Marg Anderson and Tom Duizer will run for Ward 2 councillors. Three candidates, Ashfield Reeve Ben Van Diepenbeek, Bonnie LaFontaine and West Wawanosh Reeve Doug Miller, will seek the post of reeve of Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh. Running for councillors in the Wawanosh ward are incumbents Kevin Shiels, Deputy-Reeve Walter Elliott and Neil Rintoul. Acclaimed to the Avon Maitland District School Board trusteeship for District 2, Central (Clinton, Seaforth, Blyth, Bayfield, and the Twps. of Hullett, McKillop, Stanley and Tuckersmith), is Charles Smith of Seaforth. Bloom chair says big thanks THE EDITOR, We narrowly missed the Blooms title this year. That’s all right because it makes us want to com­ plete a few more projects before we enter the National Communities in Bloom contest again next year. It has been a great year and a com­ munity to be very proud of. To be a part of a community that reaches the Nationals is a tremen­ dous experience. Our committee was very proud of Blyth as the competi­ tion was extremely tough at the award ceremony in Edmonton. While in Edmonton we had the opportunity to tour other municipali­ ties and compare notes with others like ourselves. With 97 municipali­ ties competing the “Civic Pride” was tremendously evident. Our committee has put together a there and save on time and gas run­ ning back and forth. But it will cost an estimated $300,000 to build a new ambulance station in Exeter while the former ambulance operator in Dashwood had been paid only $l,000 a month for housing the ambulance there. “You can buy a lot of gas for the dif­ ference on the interest costs on $300,000,” he said. Noting it was the first time he’d heard the $1,000 a month figure, Exeter Reeve Roy Triebner said he felt a cost/benefit analysis should be done by the county administration. “There’s a new element here,” he said. Lynn Murray, county clerk-admin­ istrator, said .this was the first time she had heard the rental costs the Dashwood operator had received. She’d been informed the rental was a private contract between the province and the operator but now she could ask the operator for the figures, she said. An attempt by Morley and Jim Love, reeve of Hay, to have the Dashwood situation re-examined was defeated in a recorded vote. Council did approve a motion by Goderich Reeve John Doherty that Alexandra Marine and General Hospital be invited to discuss the possibility of providing a station for the Goderich ambulance. Earlier a site north of Goderich had been dis­ cussed because the hospital hadn’t indicated interest in upgrading its current ambulance station but the hospital had indicated in an Oct. 3 letter that it would be discussing the matter with its architect next week to discuss possible inclusion of an ambulance facility as part of a major capital development. County page Laura Armstrong, centre, a Grade 8 student at Grey Central Public School, was page at the October meeting of Huron County council in Goderich. The daughter of Brian and Elaine Armstrong, RR1, Ethel, she was introduced by Grey Twp. Reeve Robin Dunbar, left, and thanked by Warden Carol Mitchell. Elect DOUG LAYTON For Reeve Township of North Huron s November 13, 2000 WeddingAnnouncement Ray “Butch” Desjardine of RR 5, Goderich, was acclaimed to the school board for District 1, Northwest (Goderich and the Twps. of Ashfield, Colborne,- Goderich, East and West Wawanosh. In District 3, Northeast (Wingham, Brussels and the Twps. of Grey, Howick, Morris and Turnberry), incumbent Colleen Schenk will face off against James Floyd of RRl, Seaforth. The two local trustees to the Huron-Perth Catholic District School board were acclaimed. Vincent Mclnnes of RR2, Wingham will return to represent Seaforth, Brussels, North Perth, Perth East, and the Twps. of Howick, Grey and McKillop. Mary Catherine McKeon of RR3, Goderich will be trustee for Clinton, Goderich, Wingham, Blyth and the Twps. of Huilett, Turnberry, Morris, East and West Wawanosh and Ashfield. Wish List and would like to share it with you on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Bainton Gallery. Please join us and bring your ideas and questions. Last Saturday, Oct. 14 was a glori­ ous day for the Greenway guided walk. On behalf of everyone there, I would like to thank the Greenway committee, Lions Club for the hot dogs and cider, Murray for the wagon ride out to the Bailey’s apple orchard and the sampling of apples and pears. Your dedication and your contri­ bution are proof that you have put your heart into beautifying this part of our village. Congratulations! Yours truly, Bev Elliott Chair of Communities in Bloom. Photo by Edith Rock On Saturday, August 26, 2000 Kathy Fraser, daughter of Randy and Lorna Fraser and Ron Abell-Rinn, son of John Rinn and Theresa Abell-Rinn all of Blyth were united in marriage in a beautiful afternoon ceremony at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Clinton decorated in white roses. Best man was Joe Schmidt, cousin of the groom and groomsmen were Mark Nesbit, Tim Lantinga, friends of the groom, Justin Rinn, brother of the groom and Joe Fraser, brother of the bride. Jordan Rinn, brother of the groom was ringbearer. The maid of honour was Kristy Caldwell, cousin of the bride. Julie McNichol, friend of the bride, Sandra Van Lammeron, Karen Procter, cousins of the groom and Jenna Rinn, sister of the groom were beautiful bridesmaids. Angie Fraser, cousin of the bride was flowergirl. Julie McCall, friend of the couple sang two beautiful solos during the ceremony, accompanied by Louis Van Lammeron, uncle of the groom. Grapevines and white roses decorated the auditorium of the Blyth arena where everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner and reception. Guests traveled from St. Catharines, Bramalea, Stratford, Walkerton, Blyth and Brussels. Special guests were Clara Rinn, Dorothy Scott, Gladys Caldwell and Cenetta Bainton. Kathy and Ron honeymooned at Benmiller and Niagara Falls before travelling to the Bahamas for seven days. We want to thank everyone who helped in the preparation of our wedding and to everyone who helped us celebrate. A special thanks to our parents and the wedding party for everything. We are residing in Bryanston. — Ron & Kathy Abell-Rinn