Huron Expositor, 1999-12-16, Page 11e -TME HURON EXPOSITOR, D.consb.lr 15, 1999
News
County will create its own
ambulance service for Huron
By Amy Zoothout
Goderich Signal -Star Staff
The future of ambulance
services in Huron County was
decided last Thursday as
county council voted to create
a county department
responsible for the delivery of
the service.
A motion that the county
pursue in principle the request
for proposal (RFP) option,
that would have essentially
privatized ambulance
services, was defeated by
council who then gave its full
support to running the service
themselves.
Paramedics throughout the
county have strongly
condemned the RFP option
stating it could create job
instability for the paramedics
as well as an emergency
system based on making a
profit.
"Paramedics get into the
profession not to make
money...they get into the
profession because they want
to help people," said
paramedic Mark Borrmann at
Thursday's meeting. "We
want to see the best service
being delivered in Huron
County."
In 1997, the provincial
government announced that
the county would become
responsible for ambulance
services, both financial and
managerial.
In 1998, the county
assumed 100 per cent of the
cost of providing land
ambulance services.
Management responsibilities
will be assumed by the county
On Jan. 1, 2001.
Based on recommendations.
from a consulting firm. the
county faced three possible
options for delivering the
service,- which included
contracting with the five
existing ambulance operators,
providing the service
themselves making
paramedics county
employees, or making a
request for proposals to select
an operator.
At Thursday's county
council meeting, area
paramedics made
presentations to the council
expressing their concerns that
the county was heading
towards an RFP ambulance
service.
Paramedic Gary Renaud
stated that the RFP process is
expensive. He noted that
private providers are in the
business to make a profit -
some profiting over $300,000.
Renaud added that a front-line
ambulance costs $85,000.
"That's a lot of money
going out the window," said.
Renaud. He also added that
some of that money could be
used oh equipment /rid
increased training of the
paramedics.
"We as paramedics feel a
county run system is hest for
the -patients and the
taxpayers," said Ben Driscoll,
paramedic with the
Clinton/Seaforth ambulance.
County councillor Lin
Steffler, of Seaforth. noted
that this was one of the most
complex issues she has had to
deal with in the last year.
"Ultimately. we have to do
what is best for the residents
of Huron County." she said.
"If I have to he responsible
for the cost of the system and
I have to he responsihle for
the delivery of the system.
then I want to have more then
an arms length responsibility
and control of this system."
Steffler noted that the
consulting firm indicated it
may take more ambulances
and staff to provide a proper
service in the county "and if
extra dollars are. needed to
provide that. then I'd rather
spend that on equipment and
staff then on a profit margin."
Mayor doesn't want council. to be known for losing schools
By Scott Hilgendorff
Expositor Editor
Mayor Dave Scott doesn't
want the current council to be
forever known as the one that
lost Seaforth District High
School.
"We don't want to be
known as the council that let
our schools close without
doing anything," he said at
council's Nov. 30 meeting
where he appealed to the rest
of council for advice and
direction in which to take the
fight to keep the schools open,
The cluster of three
Seaforth and area schools,
including the high school,
have been listed for possible
closure by the Avon Maitland
District,School Board and the
community has until February
to come up with possible
money saving alternatives to
keep the schools open.
"Taking a high school out of
this community is devastating.
It really ties your hands with
what you can bring in." said
Reeve Lin Steffler.
She suggested the school
could close down wings,
rather than shut • down
completely. similar to
hospitals that have downsized
but 'remained in . the
community.. She also
suggested the museum could
be located to a closed wing.
Coun. Heather Robinet
warned if it was made an
smaller, the students would go
elsewhere anyway for better
course selection.
She reminded council of an
agricultural program that was
proposed for the high school
that would see students from
other areas billeted here to
take part in an intensive
agricultural curriculum. But
she said it was turned down
internally before it reached the
board • level for possible
approval.
'She asked council if. it
would be willing to put money
forward to help keep the
school open. ,
Scott was frustrated that
hoard administration would
reject the•agricultural school
and refuses to look outside
their immediate resources for
ways to improve enrollment
rather than just .shut schools
down. • ..
He suggested they need a
motion of support from
county council.
Deputy Reeve William
Teall also said they need to
send a letter to the hoard and
MPP Helen Johns pointing out
the town was not solicited for
information regarding the
possible closure .ot any
schools the_way other regions
within the hoard Were
consulted. •
Steffler. said they have lo
put a strong position together.
Rash of break-ins causes concerns about visibility of police
24-hour policing with a four-
hour period each day in
which there are no police
assigned to the town. While
county officers may patrol
here during that time, the
business community
expressed concern last spring
because of a number of
break-ins to businesses
during the hours police were
not on patrol.
Police recently altered
their schedule so Elie hours
no one is assigned to the
town may vary each day in
hopes that would reduce the
By Scott Hilgendorff
Expositor Editor
A "rash" of break-ins
prompted Coun. Heather
Robinet to express concerns
from the public about a less -
than -visible police presence
in town.
"People don't see police
like they used to. I. for one,
bet I haven't seen the police
go down our street unless it's
been to a break-in," she said.
She told- council there had
been several break-ins
including one where the
residents were home at •the
time.
"They were told it was
professionally done. And
they're doing it in the hours
police are here" she said,
adding there had also been an
incident where some firearms
had been stolen.
Deputy Reeve William
•Teall, who represents the
town of the police services
hoard° said there have also
been several to
outerhuildings like garages
and sheds.
The town does not have
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number of crimes from
people aware of the former
policing schedule.
Teall suggested council
write a letter to Staff
Sergeant George Lonshary
since there isnot a hoard
meeting until January to
otherwise bring up the issue.
Reeve Lin Steffler said
with only up to two officers
on patrol. there aren't enough
eves to watch the community
and that .neighbours need tit
help keep a better eye oul for
each other as well.
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Seaforth Business
Improvement Association
WINNERS
of 5100. in BIA BUCKS
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Jenna Pletsch
Thanks to all for
entering!
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Very Merry Christmas