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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1996-12-11, Page 1s Sports A look at Seaforth broomball action. See page 11 Utilities Public Utility ' Commissions in Huron -Perth look at restructuring See page 8 Education Despite objections foundation will be poured at St. Anne's. See page 2 .Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 — Seaforth, Ontario Briefly No 90 -day sus sions in Hurd County No immediate; 90 -day ` d admin •trativc drivers licen , uspcnsions were issued Huron County the ' first week ofthe new drink- ing and driving law. There were 1.119 vehicles stopped at RIDE checkpoints in Huron County from Nov. 29 to last Thursday, Dec. 5 and one I 2 -hour suspension issued :according to the Godcrich detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police. This compares to 3.223 vehicles checked and four 12 --hour suspensions for the same week last year. - No persons were charged with impaired driving, over 80 mgs. - or refusal this year compared to three in 1995,_• and none were otherwise charged (ie. Highway Traffic Act) as a result of the Huron RIDE initiative this year, compared 1015 last year. ' Other OPP statistics for the week (with 1995 figures in brackcts)wcre: total -colli- sions 17 (16): personal injury collisions 3 (4); and, persons injured 3 (8). - Blue box changes -Since Christmas falls on Wednesday or regular blue box collection day. in Seaforth this ycar that day's .collection of recyclables will take place on thc following Saturday, Dec. 28: There will be no blue box collection the following Wednesday, New Year's Day, according to information briefs from the Blucwater Recycling Association. The cost of "Garden Gourmet" composters went up to $30 each beginning this December, another brief notes, "due to the fact that grants are no longer available for composter purchases." . "This cost is still minimal compared to the cost of dis- posing of waste at the dispos- al site," Bluewater says. - More than 1,500 show support for. Clinton hospital An estimated total of more than 1.500 people attended two gatherings in Clinton last week concerned with changes that could occur at thcir local hospital. It is not a major player' in any of the three options recently made public by thc hospital and related health services task force of thc Huron Perth District Health Council. An editorial of the front page of the Clinton New Record described the DHC's Clinton open house as "ridiculous." Protests also continue else- where, particularly nearby at St. Marys. Exeter and Wingham. Correction Seaforth Canadian Tire Corporation dealer Brian Cunningham is going to Essex in January. not Exeter as was incorrectly stated in last week's story in The Huron Expositor on the stores closing. We regret the error. Seaforth may be selected in final option but:• December 11, 1996 — $1.00 includes GST Hospital service will likely change BY DAVID SCOTT Expositor Editor. Although Seaforth Community Hospital is included in all three options for future health care in Huron -Perth by the DHC task force, changes to the way :ser- vices are now delivered look inevitable. Hospital CEO Bill Thibert was pleased by the full hous- es at both of last week's information nights held Tuesday in Brussels and Wednesday in Seaforth. For the,number in atten- dance at Seaforth, Thibert said, "My guess would he 500 to 600. We're very impressed with the turnout and very grateful for the sup- port." One of the main purposes of the meetings was to supply participants with information on the three options and encourage the health con- sumers in attendance to let their views be known at the DHC open houses held yes- terday (Tuesday) from 4 to 9 p.m. in Seaforth. From simi- lar open houses held through- out the two counties, infor- mation will be gathered to help make a decision on a. final option for local health care which will be made.pub- fic next Wednesday, December 18. A particularly difficult question to answer seemed to be that of human resources and how staff levels would change or who would remain in the new system. Because thereare still three options, and within them plenty of room for interpretation and alteration, a definite answer cannot yet be given. No Preference Seaforth hospital's CEO PHOTO BY DAVID SCOTT THE MEAT OF THE MEETING - Seaforth Community Hospital's chief financial officer Rick Cooper shows an overhead of the "issues" discussed at last Wednesday's informa- tion night at Seaforth Community Centres. It mentions surgery restricted to two sites, obstetrics. at four sites - but full surgical back-up needed; financial reduction of $15 million plus and selection of.a preferred option which might not be one of the three presented. says there is no preference for one of the three options over another. "From our hospital's stand- point. we would support any of the three options. All three options reflect Seaforth as being a primary hospital with acute chronic beds. a 24-hour emergency (department). We do believe we should he allowed to do day surgery and the whole obstetrical ser- vice." said Thibert. CONTINUED on page 3 'Could not spend money we did not have' Future uncertain for HOMEtown BY GREGOR CAMPBELL. Expositor Staff HOMEtown Community Network is in turmoil, with an uncertain future.. The hoard of directors of the non-profit. area Internet access provider. which announced a partnership agreement with the Huron- County Board of Education last March, decided to "stop incurring expenses" at its last meeting. "We could not. in all good conscience. spend money that we did not have." states information downloaded from HOMEtown's site. dated a week ago Monday and signed by president Trevor Cuthbert. "Consequently, the HOMEtown Community. Network can no longer oper- ate in its present form and service may he interrupted in some areas." Some services "will cease almost immediately" the message announces. "if you are lin Huron (or Perth) County service.will contin- ue." ,The community computer network. that originated at a . backyard barbecue from a group of librarians in the summer of 1993. announced various changes in in Middlesex. Oxford and Elgin Counties. "HOMEtown's vision of 'universal and affordable access' was. and still is a great idea - perhaps ahead of its time." another down- loaded document to members CONTINUED on page 2 firm' r1" ...__ • • - 1444° '.#,:• ,{ . PHOTO BY bAVID SCOTT DRIVER FREED FROM TRUCK - A -19-year-old Walton area youth was listed in fair condition at noon Tuesday in the intensive care unit at University campus of London Health Sciences Centre after an accident Friday. The Goderich detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police says Mark McNichol was extricated from his pick-up truck by the Seaforth Fire Department after a collision with a truck at about 1:35 p.m. at the intersection immediately east of the golf course on Conc. 2/3 of Tuckersmith Township at sideroad 5/6. He was taken to Seaforth hospital with major injuries, then airlifted to London's Victoria hospital and transferred to UH. The other truck was canying chemicals that became dislodged on impact. The driver, 17 -year-old Bruce Buurma of RR 3 Watford, had minimal injuries. Police say several plastic barrels ruptured in the truck he was driving and contents spilled into a ditch and field west of the sideroad. The Ministry of the Environment was notified. Chlorine, peroxide and detergent soap were contained and a clean up of the scene was completed. Police say both vehicles were 'severely damaged" and an Ontario Highway Traffic Act charge has been laid.