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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2004-01-08, Page 24mana-ke 03hop Make Your Own Beer, Wine, Coolers and Fruit Wine v-or here or a howl) Rai> 84 Kingston St., GODERICH 524-2323 MATCHES &LIGHTERS DANGEROUS Teach young children to tell a grown-up when they find matches and lighters. PUBLIC NOTICE Re: BY-LAW TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONTROL OF NUISANCE COYOTES The Draft Nuisance Coyotes By-law will be presented for deliberation and consideration at the January 20, 2004 Committee of the Whole meeting and County Council Session at 9:00 a.m. on February 5, 2004, Council Chambers, Court House, Goderich, Ontario. Barbara A. Leaman County Clerk The Corporation of the County of Huron 1 Court House Square Goderich, Ontario N7A 1M2 (519) 524-8394 PI MATERNAL/CHILD • ''), PROGRAM "A new way of providing service at Clinton Public Hospital" CLINTON PUBLIC HOSPITAL MATERNAUCHILD PROGRAM c1 "BABY AND I" PROGRAM DAYS - WEDNESDAYS 10-11:30 a.m. WHERE - CLINTON PUBLIC HOSPITAL CONFERENCE ROOM (Second Floor) WHEN ATTENDING FOR THE FIRST TIME PLEASE REGISTER IN ADMITTING NO FEE PROGRAM TOPICS: Wednesday, Jan. 14 - Feeding Your Baby Wednesday, Jan. 21 - Crying, Sleeping & Your Baby Wednesday, Jan. 28 - CANCELLED For more info call Veronica Farquhar - 482-3440 Ext. 304 PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2004. Wingham hospital approaches NH council for funds By Bonnie Gropp Citi:en editor Margret Comack, chief executive officer of Wingham and District Hospital and Verna Steftler of the board of directors attended the Monday night meeting of. North Huron council to update and implore. Sterner explained the steps currently being undertaken by the hospital board. The primary one has been strategic planning. "There has been so much turmoil over the past few years we haven't been able to do much long-term planning." The time is finally here to come up with some priorities, such as diagnostic services, oncology By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor North Huron is reminding everyone that there is a substantial reward being offered for information on who might have damaged the Blyth signs. At the Monday night meeting, program, surgical services and technological development. A consultant has been hired to develop a master program from which a master plan will he created. "We have a fairly large hospital which now has a lot of vacant space. We need to look at the programs that will be required-over the next 15-20 years." The consultant's report is expected in April. While it's difficult to plan so far ahead, Steffler said the report will give them an idea of the community the hospital serves, the population and what services will be needed. "It gives us an idea of where we're going." Along with this comes health clerk-administrator John Stewart told council that police are waiting for the final piece of the puzzle in order to make an arrest. He said he would like to post the ad in the paper once again offering the public up to $1,000 for any information that would lead to an arrest. any, sleds to insure. The cost of general liability insurance for OFSC clubs, volunteers and landowners has increased by 1,000 per cent over the past three years. Without this insurance, all OFSC snowmobile trails would be closed. Under the OFSC user-pay system, a portion of the liability premium increase, is passed along to snowmobilers through a higher trail permit fee. As a result, riders are being hit with a double whammy of premium-related increases for both types of coverage, and snowmobiling is becoming too costly for many, including families and seniors. "Other tourism and recreation sectors are also suffering the hardship of unaffordable or unavailable liability insurance coverage," noted Burns. "If this crisis is not addressed immediately by the Province, it will hurt not only recreational snowmobiling, but also many rural municipalities and small tourism operators," The SOS campaign marks the first time in recent memory that key players in the snowmobile industry have united to address such a crucial human resources said Comack. "We are challenged to keep physicians here." she said, adding however, that Wingham had welcomed one new doctor in 2003. However, they are still two down from their under-serviced designation. She estimates total costs for recruitment in 2004-2005 could be $35,000. Other councils in addition to North Huron are being approached for support. Comack noted that 30 per cent of the hospital's patients are from North Huron and added that the board does not see physician recruitment as entirely the hospital's responsibility. "The bottom line is we are really "I believe the police would like to think they are close to solving this. The same three names keep coming up (in tips) but they are not quite ready to lay a charge." While an arrest' would be good, Stewart said he'd be just as happy at -this point to have the guilty party make restitution. issue. Snowmobilers can join in by sending an SOS to their own MPP on line at one of the following web sites: www.ofsc.on,ca www.ontariosnowmobiler.com www.snowtraxtv.com www.snowmobilertv.com www.snowgoercanada.com www.supertraxmag.com To communicate to Minister Bradley, SOS is asking snowmobilers to send in a mailer card which will be included in the spring issues of most snowmobile magazines and at many snowmobile dealers. "We are counting on the individual snowmobilers, who are also taxpayers and voters, to rally behind SOS and to help us deliver an unequivocal message that organized snowmobiling needs help now," concluded Burns. The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is dedicated to providing strong leadership and support to member clubs and volunteers, to establishing and maintaining quality snowmobile trails which are used in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, and to furthering the enjoyment of organized snowmobiling. imploring you to help us with the financial demands and give consideration to us at budget time." Reeve Doug Layton asked about the incentives offered: Currently, new physicians are given one year of free rent at the clinic, a $24,000 forgiveable loan if they stay for four years, plus other assistance and support in relocation. Compared to other municipalities these incentives are at the low end, said Comack. "We really have wanted to sell the community," she said. Comack added that the - new provincial government is promising to revamp the under-service designation because it has created such competition between municipalities. "They have already "Insurance does not cover this. The $5,000 will have to be raised through taxpayers' dollars." Asked by councillor Archie MacGowan if it was true that the police had approached certain parties suggesting they simply "do the right thing",-but were rebuffed, Stewart replied, "yes," Councillor Ralph DeVries recommended that the information regarding the insurance be included in the advertisement. started to look at these issues so you can believe that. they are going to. live up to those. promises." Asked about who else the hospital serves, Comack said 30 per cent come from South Grey Bruce, .another 30 per cent from Lucknow and 10 per cent from an area more to the south of North Huron. Councillor Arnold Taylor asked if the consultant's report would mean major change at the hospital such as the loss of certain deparments. Comack assured that the report would simply be a demographic to determine populatiOn needs around the existing core services. Soaring insurance premiums are threatening recreational snowmobiling in Ontario. So the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC), the snowmobile' media and the sled manufacturers are sending an urgent SOS to the provincial government. Dubbed "SAVE ONTARIO SNOWMOBILING" (SOS), the public • awareness and lobbying campaign launches— this week and runs through March. SOS will - mobilize individual snowmobilers to express thrir insurance concerns by contacting their MPP and the Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Jim Bradley. "Each winter, $1 billion in snowmobile-related spending provides jobs, revenues and new business opportunities in rural, snowbelt communities and drives the winter tourism season too," said OFSC president Dennis Burns. "These benefits are in serious jeopardy if insurance premiums continue to escalate or even remain at current levels." Thanks to rising rates on both personal sled insurance and OFSC general liability insurance, snowmobilers are paying more to ride. Because personal snowmobile insurance is part of the auto insurance sector, this coverage is often considerably more expensive and less available than previously, and some companies are even blacklisting certain models. Consequently, riders are being forced to shop very carefully and make tough decisions about how many, if Snowmobilers send an SOS to province about insurance VICTIM SERVICES OF HURON COUNTY Is Seeking VOLUNTEERS Victim ServiceS of Huron County is a volunteer based organization that provides emotional support and practical assistance to victims of crime, trauma and tragic circumstance. If you are looking for a rewarding experience and the chance to give back to your community this may be the position for you. Requirements: • 18 yrs. of age + • A valid driver's license and access to a vehicle • Ability to handle crisis situations • Can commit to 40 hrs. training session and 2-3 on-call shifts per month Application forms may be found on our website at www.victimserviceshuron.ca Please feel free to contact us at our office for an application to be mailed to you or to answer any questions or comments you many have. Shelley Dorey Coordinator of Volunteer Services 1-519-524-4108 vshcvolunteer@ belinet.ca We are accepting applications for our March training 'til January 23, 2004. N. Huron reminds public about reward