HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2011-08-24, Page 27Spn;l-Stdi WWiinsUlly Auqust 24, 201 i
rovince backs Goderich with $5 million disaster relief
You are not alone":
McGuinty
u' Province of Ontario has a
1e but strong* message to the
le of Goderich:
u are not alone.
said Premier Dalton McGuinty
pedal press conference Mon-
afternoon following a tour of
damage caused by Sunday's
ado. The Premier announced
province has set aside a $5
on special fund for Goderich,
used in whatever way it can be
a nup, restoration, getting fami-
and businesses back on their
The announcement comes on
eels of a special cabinet meet-
eld earlier Monday.
"Job one is to make sure things
are safe and secure," he said.
"When tragedy befalls one of us, all
are determined to help you fully
recover.
McCuinty said in his 21years in
public service this is the worst dis-
aster he has seen.
"It is significant and some of it
overwhelming; he said. "We'll find
a way forward together."
Every new weather tragedy, he
said, brings with it lessons on how
to respond. Where predictability
fails, preparation can make all the
difference.
it Is too premature to know what
the federal government can or will
bring to the table, he said, however,
he again stressed that the $5 million
will help fill the gaps where insur-
ance fails.
"This is one of my favourite com-
munities in terms of how beautiful
it was," he said. "I have a vision of
fully restoring that:'
Both the Premier and Mayor Deb
Shewfelt thanked the einergency
managernent team, and Shewfelt
noted that when the town declared
a state of emergency, their training
helped keep the response running
smoothly and effectively.
The Mayor's words were few but
powerful.
"We will recover."
The emergency control group has
been meeting throughout the disas-
ter management and as of Monday
evening, 40 per cent of the town's
power had been restored - most of
it south of Brittania.
Gas, however, is a slower
process.
Because of the downtown gas
leaks, Town Hall's emergency
management facilities have been
relocated to the Columbus Centre -
"plan two" as Shewfelt referred to it.
The Huron County Health Unit
t‘ II be holding depots to handle
the disposal of food, and electricity
to most of the town is expected to
be completed by the end of the
week, For the most hard-hit areas,
that could be two weeks.
The town's water and sewage
operations are fully operational
and residents can be assured their
water is safe.
The hospital is open and workers
will be focusing on getting hydro
back up and running. The AMGH
has been running on backup power.
Thirty linesmen and 15 crews
from across the region have been
working at getting power restored.
As for gas, residents are discour-
aged from doing any cleanup or
cutting near gas services until
crews can get in to examine the
damage.
Offers for support and assistance
have been flooding in. Shewfelt
said thousands of people are just a
phone call away. CAt) Larry
McCabe said those who wish to
volunteer are being listed, as well
as their abilities and qualifications.
Until all resources are exhausted,
he said, they will wait to call those
on the list.
in the meantime, council will
have a special meeting to deter-
mine the next course of action, as
well as how to administer the $5
million in provincial funding.
Staff Sergeant Shawn Johnson
said police and emergency workers
are doing everything they can to
make sure buildings are safe. Police
from across the province have been
lending support.
He was unable to comment on
the situation at the Sifto mine,
however McGuinty offered these
words of condolence:
"I offer my sympathies and
prayers to the family and friends of
the gentleman who lost his life,"
Gerard Cams
At (east a dozen television cameras are set up for the Premier's press conference outside Colu►bus Centre Monday.