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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.