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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-01-13, Page 1The Citizen Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 21 No. 2 Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005 NET NORTH HURON PUBLISHING COMPANY INC Inside this week Changes needed for Blyth Library Huron East gets infrastructure funds Hullett students collect for Asia Busy weekend for Atom Girls Educator writes memoirs System costs Canada-Ontario Infrastructure program county Huron-Bruce MP Paul Steckle, left, and MPP Carol Mitchell, right, flank Twp. of North Huron Reeve Doug Layton and Morris-Turnberry Mayor Dorothy Kelly following the announcement of funding for the upgrading of water systems in the two municipalities under the Canada- Ontario Infrastructure Program. (Jim Brown photo) By Keith Roulston Citizen publisher A complicated billing system that sees the county provide ambulance service while hospitals bill for the service is costing the county, the director of the ambulance service says. David Lew told county council, Jan. 6, he’d been thwarted in attempting to set up a system where his department would bill patients directly for ambulance calls instead of the system worked out nearly 40 years ago in which hospitals bill. Under the system the hospital keeps $30 of the fee and passes another $15 on to the province. “We provide the service. They collect the money and keep part of it,” said Dave Urlin, South Huron councillor and a past warden, who estimated this system costs the county $300,000 a year. Goderich councillor Deb Shewfelt "said that the system “galls me” and suggested a meeting with the Ministry of Health to get it changed. “You wouldn’t get away with this locally or at the county,” he said. But Bernie MacLellan, Huron East councillor, suggested proposals for change wouldn’t likely get a welcome hearing from the province. Noting the level of provincial support is much lower for the ambulance service than for hospitals, he speculated the province would rather have the hospitals keep the revenue from the billing fee rather than see improved fees for the ambulance service. Urlin agreed. “If they take it (the billing fee revenue) from the hospitals and give it to us they’ll have to pay more to hospitals,” he said. Still, councillors approved a motion to try to meet with ministry officials to seek permission to do their own billing. Belgrave water system gets infrastructure funding By Jim Brown Citizen staff Three levels of government can work together. That was evident Jan. 5 as Huron- Bruce MP Paul Steckle and MPP Carol Mitchell, along with officials from the Municipality of Morris- Turnberry and Twp. of North Huron gathered at the Morris-Turnberry municipal office to announce funding for the Belgrave water systems. With the funding, the residents of Belgrave, on both sides of London Road, will benefit from cleaner, safer drinking water through this investment under the Canada- Ontario Infrastructure Program. Morris-Turnberry Mayor Dorothy Kelly and North Huron Reeve Doug Layton represented their respective councils at the news conference. The three levels of government will each contribute $326,030 for the Morris-Turnberry project for the upgrading of the Jane Street and McCrae Street water works systems in Belgrave. The upgrades will improve the quality of drinking water for 68 households and will include the construction of a new pumphouse that takes water from the existing McCrae and Jane wells, and inter-connects with the McCrae Street, Jane Street and Humphrey subdivision distribution systems. North Huron’s Humphrey Subdivision well will be decommissioned. North Huron will upgrade the well supply system, which will improve the drinking water quality for 1,737 households. Upgrades at Blyth will include the installation of flow measuring devices and water quality analyzers, modification of the treated water reservoir to increase the retention time, sealing of the well casing on Well #2 and the provision of standby disinfection equipment. The upgrades at Wingham include the installation of flow measuring devices on Well #3 and water quality analyzers on Weils 3 and 4, provisions of standby chlorine pumps, and the raising of the well casings. The township will also jointly construct a new pumphouse, with Morris-Turnberry, which will take water directly from the existing McCrae and Jane Street wells and connect the three distribution systems. The three levels of government will each contribute up to $382,249 for this project. This represents a $320,010 increase over the initial joint investment announced in April 2004. North Huron will invest the balance of the project’s total cost estimated at $1,146,747. Layton said the funding covers the cost of both the decommissioning of the Humphrey Subdivision well and the upgrades to the water system in Belgrave. “This is a good example of two townships working together for a solution to a common problem,” he said. “It shows how the two municipalities can work with the two (higher) levels of government.” According to Layton, it is through the funding that the municipality is able to provide safer water for its citizens. The North Huron reeve added this investment ensures the township is able to attain its objectives of improving water quality and meeting the provincial regulations. Kelly indicated this project ensures safe drinking water for its residents and Morris-Turnberry was happy to work with its neighbouring community under this partnership program. Mitchell said that upgrading essential infrastructure is an important part of the McGuinty government’s rural plan, which charts out a course of action incorporating the voice and perspective of rural Ontarians. “These improvements to water systems in Morris-Turnberry and North Huron demonstrate how we are working with our federal and municipal partners to build strong rural communities,” she said. The Huron-Bruce MPP said without these funding partnerships, the cost of improving rural water systems to the local taxpayer would be exorbitant. She added some of these projects are paper-intensive. These upgrades are required to bring the municipal water system into compliance with the Ontario Drinking Water Systems Regulation. “Green” municipal infrastructure is a top priority for the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program. Steckle said these projects are an excellent example of not only how three levels of government can work together to benefit the quality of life Continued on page 6 Clubs aid Easter Seals By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor The perfect event is one that offers entertainment and supports a worthy cause. And in winter there’s no better entertainment than snowmobiling and no where is there a more worthy cause than children. That’s why Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids has proven to be such a huge event over the years. On Feb. 26, the Blyth Snowtravellers, St. Helens, Colbome and Clinton and District Snowmobile Clubs are hosting a ride to raise money for disabled children. There are approximately 50 youngsters in the area who depend on Easter Seals funding. “And as it has always been, the money raised here will stay here,” said Jennie Christian, district manager of the Easter Seal Society for Oxford, Elgin, Huron and Perth Counties. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids. Christian said “In recognition of this 30th year we wanting this Snowarama to be a great success.” The event began in 1975 when pro wrestler Whipper Bill Watson was looking for a way to help disabled children and their families. In the years since, events around the province have raised more than $15.2 million for children with physical disabilities. Christian said that caring for a child with a disability can cost over $40,000 a year. “It can be a huge challenge for families.” Funds from the Snowarama are distributed to pay for essential equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs, to offer summer camp experiences and fund recreational choices like art classes or swimming. Of the monies raised only eight per cent goes to management and administrative support. Christian said interest for this year’s North Huron run began after an event sponsored by the Clinton club in 2004. “They had done a small fundraiser and wanted to do more so contacted me. After a presentation others came on board. I met with their representatives and it just started to happen.” To participate, snowmobilers must have a trail permit. Day permits will be available at the registration desk. Participants can enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting out from the Huron Fish and Game Club, Clinton to start the run. Registration will be held from 9 a.m. until noon. There will be a kick-off at 10:30 a.m. as this is the first fundraising event for Easter Seals of the year. Continued on page 9