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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1996-12-18, Page 1Opinion More letters on DHC& health care in Huron. See pages 4 & 5 Dear Santa: Christmas is just one week away! We begin our letters today. See page 18 Christmas Seaforth Legion holds its 44ttt annual Christmas concert. Photos on pages 3,16 Story on page 7 t Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 --- Seaforth, Ontario Briefly DHC Update ExL6nsion pssibte for preferred option This past Monday, the DHC task force spent all day housed upstairs at the Crosswinds Restaurant in Mitchell listening to seven additional options. Thc task force was expected to meet yesterday (Tuesday) and today before deciding to ask for a delay. DHC Executive Director Fraser Bell said yes- terday morning that an exten- sion is possible. "We haven't talked about a delay....hut there is some interest in re -working our work plan," he said. "I wouldn't be surprised to take a couple of weeks extra." Bell added that he person- ally "isn't as focused on time as some arc", suggesting that 60 or 90 days is too long, and the task force could decide to take as much time as they, feel they need. At the same time, "a number,of task force' members are inclined to pro- ceed [on schedule] with thc study." Yesterday's meeting with the entire task force was the first opportunity to do so since the open houses started, he noted, leaving them with a lot of information to study. , Four charged with $55,000 jacket, heist Four men have been charged after about 138 mod- ern winter jackets with an estimated value of $55,000 were stolen last Wednesday in a break and enter in Bayficld at thc Davidson West Trading Co. The Huron County detach- ment of the Ontario Provincial Police says entry was gained. by prying open the front door. "Stolen were approximately 130 mcns and women's `Far West' Gortex jackets in colours light hluc, dark blue, purple, green, yellow and rcd," a police press release states. "Most jackets had hoods. Also eight 'Drizonc' jackets (made by Far West) in colours green and blue." All have `Far West' or `Drizone' embossed on a label in thc breast area in contrasting colour stitching. Police say the following have been charged: •Stephen Kirk, 20, of Ushorne Twp.with break, enter and theft, possession of stolen property and breach of recognizance. •Christopher McClinchey, 19, of Exeter with hrcak enter and theft, possession of stolen property, breach of recognizance and possession of a narcotic. •Mark Morgan, 20, of Centralia with hrcak enter and theft, possession of stolen property and breach of probation. *James Wein, 21, of Huron Park with hrcak cntcr and theft and possession of stolen property. December 18, 1996 — $1.00 includes GST Waiting for the chips to fall BY DAVID SCOTT Expositor Editor Now it's just a matter of waiting to see where Seaforth fits into the future picture of local health care. Arca residents were given a chance last Tuesday from 4 to 9 p.m. to voice their con- cerns and give their input on the three possible options for hospital restructuring at the Huron Perth DHC's Open House held at the Seaforth and District Community Centres. The task force was sched- uled to meet yesterday (Tuesday) to decide on the final preferred option. That option was to be made public by today (Wednesday). Unfortunately, it wasn't released in time for this week's press deadline. A steady stream of resi- dents filed through the infor- mation display that recapped the efforts of the task force and broke down the numbers of responses received and surveys conducted. Specifics included the number of acute care beds needed in Huron - Perth (220-225) compared to what we have now (346). The first 45 -minute session of the day began with a pre- sentation on the task force's fact-finding procedures given by Chair Janet Hook and Kelly Gillis, DHC health planner. Only 10 minutes were allotted for questions and answers before the group moved into the final cor- doned off area where more specific information was PHOTO BY DAVID SCOTT WHAT WILL HAPPEN? - DHC Task Force Chair Janet Hook shows an overhead to the first open house group last Tuesday at•the Seaforth Community Centres. The projection reads: What will happen if we don't restructure? • Hospital funding cuts will occur • Hospital staff will lose jobs • Each hospital will address funding cuts individually • Huron Perth residents will have unequal access to health services available on all three options. "There was a need to plart for a high quality, accessible, coordinated system for Huron Perth;" said Hook. "There was no preconceived solution when we began." The task force chair also cautioned "the preferred option may be a variation of one." "We're open to other options which may be pre- sentcd from other groups," she said. Top Two Challenges The top two challenges to health care in Huron -Perth were identified by the DHC task force as, I) financial, and 2) attracting and keeping physicians and other profes- sionals. Seaforth hospital's good recruitment record is well known. Not only is health care being challenged locally, said Hook. but larger centres Iikc London arc facing cuts at their hospitals. As well., Grey -Bruce and 'Lamhton counties are presently con- ducting studies on their sys- tems. .The task force chair says there are advantages to local health cart planning and that Some Survey Numbers: • 368 hospital staff surveys returned • 300 telephone interviews with residents • 277 people attended 31 com- munity focus groups • 517 surveys were returned • more than 700 telephone calls and letters received (and that total continues to climb) • 28 community groups spoken to by DHC speakers' bureau formed in late September if we don't restructure the government could step in and "cut jobs and cut service." Hook admitted under local restructuring there would also be job losses. Three Common Comments According to Gillis, three comments from the public that arose frequently during the survey process were.: I) What we have is good, don't change it, 2) Don't close the hospitals that operate in the black, and 3) leave the rural hospitals alone, they're only a small part of the provincial budget. The health care planner said these three things were "heard but we can't build on them." She explained that all hospitals already operate in the black; they're mandated to. And all areas, rural and urban, are presently going through the .restructuring process. Hook said following the open houses, the last of which was held on Thursday, CONTINUED on page 3 LUCKY MAN - A 39 -year-old Dublin area man survived with non life-threatening injuries early Friday aftemoon when the car he was driving collided with a train trailing two cars, each loaded with 110 tons of fertilizer, at a level crossing east of St. Columban. James Mowat's car was hit broad -side on the driver's door. Driver survives collision with train BY GREGOR CAMPBELL Expositor Staff A car was carried about 300 feet along the tracks after col- liding with a train, square on thc driver's side door, at a level crossing south -cast of St. Columban early Friday afternoon. But the driver, 39 -year-old James Mowat of RR 2 Dublin, has non life-threaten- ing injuries and the operators of the train wcrc not hurt. Thc Schringvillc detach- ment of the Ontario Provincial Police says the west -hound train, run by the Godcrich/Exeter Railway Company Ltd., was carrying two cars each loaded with 110 tons of urea fertilizer. Mowat's car was south- bound at approximately 1:15 p.m. It was dragged west .of Perth Road 181 (Hibbert sideroad 20/21), just south of Highway 8, by thc train. Cross bars marked thc cross- ing. OPP say an ambulance and the Mitchell fire department assisted at thc scene. Mikc Stcrma and Ray Elgie were operating the train. Units reopen after riot Units closed after recent disturbancq at thc Blucwatcr Correctional Centre have re- opened. Georgian House, damaged in a four-hour riot last February that caused $145,000 damage, re -opened Dec. 3 when 10 young offenders were admitted.