Huron Expositor, 2001-03-28, Page 4Opinion
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Wednesday, March 28, 2000
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Editorial
Community
will be
strengthened
by hospital's
centre
dor excellence
The efforts of three local women deserve
some strong public support.
Dr. Carolin Shepherd, Faye Murray and
Lynn Devereaux are running in the Boston
Marathon next month; a huge
accomplishment in itself.
But the trio has turned their personal
effort into a public ane by using the
marathon to help raise funds for Seaforth
Community Hospital's proposed centre for
excellence.
The centre will focus on seniors and is
part of the Huron Perth Hospital
Partnership's initiative to create specialized
services at each of the hospitals in the
partnership.
While Seaforth's project is still in the
planning stages, it includes a proposed
swimming pool to aid seniors with arthritis
and in physical therapy.
The centre, part of the hospital, could
feature a range of new services directed
toward prevention and treatment of
illnesses in seniors throughout the area.
The project would further strengthen the
viability of Seaforth Community Hospital
and, in turn strengthen Seaforth and Huron
East.
While there is a break in the fight to keep
the high school open it would be great if
the community could get behind this
project with the same enthusiasm it put
into fighting for the school.
Shepherd, Murray and Devereaux are
seeking sponsorships for the run on April
16. The hospital foundation is heading the
project and has a donation form coming in
the mail. Donations may also be taken to
the hospital.
Scott Hilgendorff
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Letter
Social assistance reforms
may create more homeless
I am extremely distressed
by the newest social
assistance reform policy
that has been handed down
by Mike Harris' office.
Notices are just being
circulated to the
caseworkers .and their
clients.
"Effective September 1,
2001, people on Ontario
Works assistance who
applied for Ontario Works
before January 1, 2001, will
have any interest in property
that is not their principal
residence....included as an
asset in calculations to
determine eligibility for
assistance. If on September
1, 2001, the total value of
your assets, including an
interest in a property that is
not your principal residence,
exceeds the allowable asset
limit you will no longer be
eligible for assistance."
The notice also says that
this will affect those who
have applied for support
from the Ontario Disability
Support Program.
Previously, the guidelines
granted applicants six
months grace to try to
dispose of the property
and/or try to obtain income
from it in the interim. If the
property is successfully
rented there is an automatic
clawback of 60 per cent of
the rental income, irrelevant
of any expenses, including
mortgage and taxes.
In an area such as Huron
County, with lower than
average rental rates, the
expenses above 40 per cent
comes out of the living
allowance of the applicant.
Properties not disposed of
within the grace period have
a lien placed against it equal
to the amount of assistance
received. This policy is
being replaced by the new
legislation.
I have spoken to a
caseworker who added that,
as of April 1, 2001, anyone
who tries to apply for
assistance will not even be
considered if there are two
propgrties involved. Under
this legislation, second
properties include any
property that is not a
principal residence.
Therefore a property used to
operate a small business, a
vacation property or, in my
case, a residence owned by
my husband before we were
married, are now considered
liquid assets. The theory is
that the applicant should
live off of the equity in the
property, but does not take
into consideration that real
estate is not immediately
disposable, therefore is not
"liquid."
Applications are generally
due to dire need resulting
from sudden loss of
employment of separation
or other dramatic changes in
living circumstances. This
new criteria disqualifies
many people seeking
immediate, temporary
assistance to get back on
their feet by referring them
to financial institutions as
their only alternative. The
institutions then deem the
applicants ineligible
because there is not steady
employment or acceptable
collateral to repay a loan
and refer them to Social
Services.
This legislation is
particularly alarming in
depressed rural areas where
economics are more
precarious to start with.
Realtors estimate
properties take about four
years to sell in a small
settlement with no business
section. Huron County
depends on a high
percentage of employment
from the entrepreneurial
sector, meaning more
families would be affected
by this type of prejudicial
legislation in tough
economic times.
Where does this leave the
honest citizens who are just
trying to get by, including
families with elderly and/or
disabled dependents and
young children?
There will be fewer
families receiving Social
Assistance, but more
homeless.
Is this the direction we
want to go in this province?
Valerie Gillies Clarke
Walton, On.
Alzheimer Disease first described in 1906
Dr. Alois Alzheimer first
described Alzheimer Disease
in 1906.
Alzheimer Disease is a
progressive and degenerative
disease that causes the
breakdown of the nerve cells
in the brain. This breakdown
of nerve cells results in
impaired functioning of the
brain including the areas
responsible for memory,
reasoning, judgement, mood,
and behavior.
As the cells of the brain
gradually die through the
affects of Alzheimer Disease,
our loved ones begin to loose
their ability to connect and
communicate with us. Some,
who are effected by this
disease, loose their ability to
speak and understand speech
early on, while others
maintain these abilities until
late into the disease process.
Many of us do not realize
how dependent we are on the
ability to verbally
communicate until we are
confronted with a person
living with Alzheimer
Disease.
All of our skills for
listening, helping others gain
insight, understanding their
story are often useless when
the ,cognitive abilities of the
person with Alzheimer
Disease are lost to ravages of
illness.
The human spirit is both a
source of who we are as a
person - our creativity, our
uniqueness, our intention -
and at the same time our
spirit is reflective of our
infinite nature as persons
living in this world.
Alzheimer Disease also
attacks those faculties
traditionally associated with
the soul; so when the
memory, thoughts, and will
of our loved ones disappear
before our eyes, it is as if
their soul were under siege.
It seems .that the soul is in
some way ill and we become
behaviorally, cognitively, and
spiritually challenged.
Sometimes, people fail to
recognize that the symptoms
of memory loss,
disorientation, and confusion
indicate that something is
wrong, or they mistakenly
assume that such losses are a
normal part of aging, they are
not.
It is not uncommon for
persons to ignore these
symptoms because of fear.
Fear of what will happen to
them and their families: the
fear of the unknown.
In Reaching Out, Henri
Nouwen writes: "Those who
do not run away from our
pains but touch them
compassion bring healing and
new strength. The paradox,
indeed, is that the beginning
of healing is in the solidarity
with the pain.
Fear is also a powerful
feeling amongst the family
and friends of the person who
has Alzheimer Disease. This
fear can cause them to
withdraw from the presence
of their loved one and in
doing so withdraw their
support
When we give ourselves
over to fear, we are no longer
to see our loved one as a
person, but rather only as the
disease. -
We must remember that
though our loved one suffers
from a disease, he or she is
still our mother, father, sister,
brother, wife, husband, and
friend. The disease can not
take that relationship away
from us, only our own fears
can do that.
It is crucial in the struggle
against Alzheimer Disease
that we respect both the
personhood of the afflicted
one and also that of the
caregiver.
As Robert Davis maintains,
"There is still a part of that
vital person living inside that
sometimes helpless looking
body, a person who deserves
to be treated with dignity."
Sixty Mennonites shying it Waterloo this spring
March 31, 1876
Canada: There are sixty
Mennonite now staying in the
County of Waterloo who who
intend emigrating to
Manitoba in the spring.
Hibbert: The residence of
James Campbell, Lot 11,
Con. 12 was burned one night
last week after he tried to
warm the house with cedar
wood for some early morning
visitors.
Brussels: The temperance
people have succeeded in
securing the services of Mrs.
Susannnah Evans, the
talented temperance oratress.
With temperance, as with
other things, "Strike while the
iron is hot," is a good motto.
A team belonging to Mr.
Edward Kirkpatrick of
Brussels hauled 27 barries of
salt from Seaforth to
Brussels. This is considered
to be a pretty good pull.
Huron Notes: Mr. Weise of
Benmiller in the township of
Goderich has had five of his
children die from diptheria.
Big pine log: Mr. F. A.
Tamblyn of Hullet took to the
mill of Auber Bros. a pine
saw log worthy of notice. It
was the second length from
the stump, measured 5 feet 3
inches in diameter at the
small end, and is 14 feet in
length. It will cut 1904 feet
of inch lumber and is equal in
weight to 2910 feet of
lumber, which is certainly a
large load to haul with one
team.
Married: Snowden -
Matheson - By the Rev. Mr.
Cameron of Kippen at the
residence of the bride's sister
on the 22nd. Mr. Newton
Snowden to Miss Annie
Matheson, both of
Tuckersmith.
Town Council: The only
business transacted was the
passing of accounts to the
amount of $984.94 and the
Years agone...
settling of the question
relating to the meat stalls in
the market. It was resolved
that the butchers remain in
the market as formerly.
Stanely: The Duncan farm
between Varna and Bayfield
was sold on Saturday for $5,
420. Joseph Richardson of
Morris being the purchaser.
March 29, 1901
Cromarty: James Campbell
had a wood bee and dance
last week. The roads are in
very bad condition. It is
almost impossible to get
along with either wheels or
sleigh.
Farm Sold: Miss Walker
has sold her farm on the Mill
Road, the west half of lot 30
containing 50 acres to
Messrs. W. and P. McKenzie
for the sum of $1450. It is a
pasture lot and no buildings.
McKillop: McGavin Bros.
Leadbury have secured at a
long figure, Mr. T. J. Berry's
famous Clyde stallion
"Sunlight" weighing 2240
pounds and aged eight years.
Mr. Arther Galbraith of the
9th Concession reciently
purchased from Mr. Thomas
E. Hays a very superior
young thoroughbred
Yorkshire pig. These are the
kind of pigs that are now
required to make old country
bacon and farmers who are
wise will cater to that market.
Staff: Miss Potterfield of
Mitchell spent a few days
with Mr. Iva Campbell in the
village. The Misses Norris
entertained their friends
Friday evening. Mr. George
Butson is at the present time
visiting friends in Walton.
Tuckersmith: Mr.
Appelton Elcoat of the west
end, Tuckersmith reciently
sold McAsh Brothers, Varan,
a thoroughbred Durham bull
calf three months old for
$100.00
Local Brief: Miss McClure,
daighter of the George
McClure of McKillop leaves
here next week for Dekota
where she intends spending
summer with her friends.
Kippen: Miss Ada Harner
of Usborne is spending a
pleasant visit with her sister,
Mrs. John R. McDonald of
Tuckersmith.
Hensall: Miss Bessie
Urquhart spent several days
this week with friends in
Seaforth. Miss Foster is
visiting her cousins Mr. and
Mrs. Thomas Cameron.
Brucefield: Mr. Rathwell
has now settled down on his
farm on the 2nd concession
of Stanely. We give Mr.
Rathwell a hearty welcome to
our burg.
Friday, April 2, 1926
champion Rat Catcher in
Hullett: Mr. Thomas
Livingstone, of this township,
is a strong runner up to Jack
Miner, only his specialty is
rats instead of cows. Since
Oct. 1st last Mr. Livingstone
has caught no Tess then 96
rats, and he is still getting
them.
The young people are
enjoying themselves skating
on the ice in Govenlock's
flats.
The ladies of the C.W.I. are
holding a sale of homemade
dantiesfor Easter, of candy,
Bread, cakes, pies, etc., this
Friday afternoon at 2 p.m.
A social will be held in St.
Columban on Monday
evening April 5th. Hogg's
Orchestra with Eatl Van
Egmond at the piano, will
furnish the music.
Miss Annie G. Downey
spent a few days at the home
ofher cousin Mrs. J. M.
McMillan, Seaforth.
The want of an electric
light was.much missed on
Wednesday afternoon owing
to the heavy ice storm that
broke down the poles as well
as the wires in many sections.
The district was fortunate
in escaping the full force of
the great snow and sleet
storm that caused over a
million dollars worth of
damage over the province on
Wednesday and Thursday this
week.
March 30, 1951
Ernest D. Crowe, manager
of the Regent Theatre, here
for a number of years, has
resigned to accept a similar
position with a theatre in
Petrolia.
Curling was enjoyed to the
full Wednesday afternoon
when about 40 curlers from
Seaforth and Clinton took
part. Winners were: First
E.H.Close, Dr. J.A.Munn,
D.H.Wilson and George
Hays. Second: M.A.Reid,
F.Kling, W.T.Teall, and
A.W.Dunlop.
Mr. and Mrs. John Cardno
and Kenneth were in
Georgetown for the holiday.
Marking the completion of
a years activity, members of
the Seaforthunior Farmers
and Junior Institute held a
banquet in the Seafirth
District High School Friday
evening.
A sucessful sale of
livestock and implements
was held on Monday for
Lavern Wolfe.
The property of 'W.C.
Sutherland on Huron Street,
has been purchased by
R.S.Box, Seaforth with
possession April 1.
Mrs. W.E.Butt, Mrs.
George Hills and Miss Rhia
Hills are spending the Easter
holidays in New York