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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2002-11-06, Page 11News Manure flows from woman's shower, spreader fined $io,000 in court By Sarah Caldwell Goderich Signal -Star Staff Taking a shower in her own home the morning of December I, 2000 quickly became a horrifying experience for a Brussels - area woman; before she was done the water turned brown and foul smelling due to pig manure contamination. Every time the toilet was flushed it refilled with pig manure. "It was exactly like having pigs in the house," said Valerie Watson in a victim impact statement. The statement was read as evidence during a Ministry of the Environment hearing in Goderich provincial offences court on Nov. 15. The charges being heard were against Raymond Rammeloo, a custom -manure applicator, working for Cranbrook Swine Inc., owned by Charles Terpstra. She said the contaminated water caused her family, including four young children, undue stress in the months following the incident. Rammeloo pled guilty to three charges laid by the MOE under the Environmental Protection Act, and the Ontario Water Resources Act. He was fined $10,000 in total for discharging pig manure on the Watson property and causing an adverse effect, discharging pig manure that impaired the groundwater and for not notifying the MOE of the discharge, which occurred on Nov. 30, 2000. Notification was made to the MOE on Dec. 1, by Michael Watson. 0 n November 5, 2000 Terpstra informed Rammeloo that the corn was harvested off the fields and that spreading could now take place. Rammeloo was able to spread on one field on Nov. 7 but stopped after that day due to rain. For the next three weeks adverse weather conditions - rain and snow - prevented Rammeloo from finishing the spreading. He decided to resume spreading manure on Nov. 30 because the weather forecast was for snow within the next few days. He took it upon himself to return to the field and was not directed to do so by anyone at CSI, according to the agreed statement of fact reached by the two parties. In a submission in court on Nov. 15, Rammeloo's lawyer said Terpstra had threatened her client on previous occasions that he would be fired if he did not spread the manure. Rammeloo chose to spread the manure for this reason on Nov. 30, because 40 per cent of his custom manure application business was Quoted 'It was exactly like having pigs in the house,'-- Valerie Watson. Brussels, In an impact statement read In Nov. 15 court. done for CSI and he was worried about the financial and economic impact of losing this large contract. He started spreading manure on Lot 25, Concession 7, Morris Township and moved across Cranbrook Road to spread on Lot 24, Concession 6, Morris Township. At about 3 p.m. on Nov. 30, the sun started to shine, causing the snow to melt. The drainage tiles that run under Cranbrook Road from the south to north, started to flow on to Lot 24. The runoff, now containing pig manure, then crossed the property line to the west and flowed onto the south half of Lot 23, Con. 6, Morris Twp. - The Watson property. According to Blagy Novakovic, a hydrogeologist with the MOE, the pig manure run off impaired the groundwater at the Watson well. Michael Watson arrived home at about 3:30 p.m. and observed the pig manure runoff flowing onto his property and ponding in a low area about 60 feet from the well that supplies the water for the Watson family and their animals. Rammeloo's lawyer said in court on Nov. 15, that her client talked with Watson and decided to construct a berm, a high embankment, to prevent additional manure from crossing the property line. As a result of this discharge, the MOE issued a Provincial Officers Order on CSI. The order required the company to provide a potable water supply to the Watson property, hire a consultant with expertise in hydrogeology and have the consultant determine the cause of the well contamination, delineate the extend of the contamination and develop a groundwater remediation program. Watson did note that Rammeloo was remorseful and even helped the family get a water tank to have a potable water supply. Justice of the Peace G.L. Obokata took this into consideration when making his decision and commended Rammeloo for his actions. "You're the only person that has shown concern," said Obokata, to Rammeloo. "I'm glad you took the step on your own." The Ministry of the Environment originally laid six charges on Wednesday, Sept. 26 in Connection with the incident. Three of the charges were withdrawn by the MOE. Rammeloo's first court appearance was in Wingham provincial offences court on Thursday, Oct. 4. Transportation for seniors an issue to be resolved for seniors' wellness centre By Scott Hilgendorff Expositor Editor How to get seniors to the facility and its programs was one of the issues identified at a community forum to gather input about Seaforth Community Hospital's proposed seniors' wellness centre. "I think that is a key issue that needs to be addressed," said Selena Anderson who is coordinating the hospital's efforts to develop the "centre of excellence." All the hospitals in the Huron Perth Hospitals Partnership are developing areas of expertise in addition to their regular programs. For Seaforth, a specialty in treating the elderly was selected largely because of the area's high senior population. "Seaforth itself has the third highest population of seniors per capita in Canada," said Anderson. The vision for the centre is to make Seaforth "one of the Agricultural society hosts annual toy, doll, craft event The Seaforth Agricultural Society's annual toy, doll, craft show and sale will be held on Dec. 1 and 2 at the Seaforth AgriPlex, Seaforth and District Community Centres and the Seaforth District High School. The event draws crowds from across Ontario as it collects together a wide range of gift ideas with crafters featured at the high school, dolls and collectibles featured at the arena and farm toys and hundreds of other toys and gift ideas in the AgriPlex. The agricultural society will also be hosting free public skating on Sunday. Dec. 2 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Bring the whole family to the show and then enjoy a skate at the rink. foremost communities in Canada" that combines senior living with medical care. While the centre itself would be located at the Seaforth Community Hospital site, the overall concept looks at the community as a whole with the hopes of encouraging further development of senior housing and services within the community. A series of community meetings was held in Brussels and Seaforth with the last taking place Nov. 22 at the Seaforth Golf and Country Club, near where a senior condominium project will be located when it receives soon -expected final county approvals so it can proceed. Ideas already on the table and contributed from community members include fitness programs and for the centre to be a resource directing seniors to many of the services and programs that already exist but that they may not be aware of on their own. Anderson said programs at the centre would have a spinoff for the community. For example, fitness programs would mean a need for instructors trained in programs for the elderly, in addition to increased medical staff at the facility. Fitness programs would in turn mean a need for appropriate footwear which would help create a need for a new shoe store in town. But community members in a working group at the Nov. 22 meeting were concerned a lack of transportation in the area would have to be addressed before seniors could take advantage of the program. Right now, they said many people rely on family, friends and neighbours to help get them to doctor's appointments and to pick up their groceries. Anderson said a seniors' wellness centre could include a small therapeutic pool or a large scale indoor pool that could be open to public use. She said public input has been indicating a desire for a pool but further study on any of the ideas and suggestions from the community meetings would have to researched further before a final concept for the centre is brought forward. Anderson said the immediate focus has just been on gathering ideas for the centre and that no official model for how it should operate are in place. "Right now, we're trying to raise community awareness of this project," said Anderson. She stressed the project would not take away from any of the services already available at the hospital. Anderson said another concern for the project is the lower than average income in Huron County that suggests a need for affordable housing for seniors as well. All the centres across Huron and Perth Counties, in the hospital partnership, would include education components as well. Anderson said partnerships would be formed with medical schools such as The University of Western Ontario in London, that would see medical students take part in specialized geriatric training in Seaforth. Research opportunities could also be in place for doctors and with strong programs, Anderson said she believes the centre can help attract new doctors to the area and prevent existing doctors from leaving. Saturday, Dec. 1/01 9 a.m-4 p.m. Come and see the 2002 sleds before they're all sold Saks - Service - Parts 1 mile west and 1 mile south of Hensall BONARBEB A%! RR 2 Hensall, 72521 Airport Line RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS yr" 263-6142 THI HURON EXPOSITOR, Novpnbor 16, tool -i these area chwetws First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W. Sealonn Rev. Nick Vandermey Worship Sunday 11:15 am Sunday School du r Wo St. Thomas Anglican Church Jarvis St. Seaforth Rev. Michael Atkins Sunday Service at 9:30 am. Parish Office 482-7861 Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth Sunday Worship Hour 11 am Youth Groups Tuesdays 7:15 pm Adventure Club for Kids Wednesdays 7 p.m. r:nmA meat .lm Catholic Church Saturday - 5:15 pm St. James Parish, Seaforth Saturday - 7:15 pm St. Joseph's Parish, Clinton Sunday - 9:00 am St. Michael's Parish, Blyth Sunday - 11:00 am St. James Parish, Seaforth Father Lance Ma ' ' ziak E9mondville United Church Worship Leader - Rev Kathi Urbasik-Hindley 'Dec. 2-7 p.m. Holy Communion 11 a.m. service cancelled Sunday School for all children 10 a.m. Please bring a green garbage bag for your Christmas Pageant Costume NORTHSIDE - CAVAN UNITED CHURCHES Rev. Sheila Macgregor - Minister 527-2635 or 527-1449 54 Goderich St. W. Cavan 9:30 am Northside 11:00 am Sunday December 2 Advent 1- Communion Northside - Session, Stewards, Board Tonight Wednesday Nov. 28''. P.A Day for Kids - Friday November 30th Shop at Keating's Pharmacy this Christmas andy ou could WIN ONE OF 4 SHOPPING SPREES! Draws to take place December 1, 8, 15 and 22 Ask for our "Holiday Wishes" catalog. Ws filled with great Christmas gift ideas! Exclusive Offer FREE Receive a Gift ,Boxed Exquisite Wine Server with a minimum purchaserei $25. excluding lazes from our Holiday Gift Book. Wine Server sold separately for $9.99 ea. While supplies last. Excludes bottle of wine. s KEATING'SA ,� , Guardian PHARMACY 67 Main St., Seaforth 527-1990 4. • _HEALTH ON THEHILL_ A Review of activities at SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL THERE IS STILL TIME.., did you miss the community consultation meetings concerning the proposed Comprehensive Seniors Health Centre? Do you have some ideas or concerns about the project that you wish to share? Would your group or organization prefer a presentation about the proposed Centre? If any of these questions apply to you, please leave a message at 527-3020. Your ideas are welcomed. TREE OF LIGHTS the blue spruce Christmas Tree on the Hospital lawn has been lit and is lovely! Many thanks to all who organized, decorated, participated, attended and purchased tickets. Tickcts arc still available up until Christmas as a "Gift To" or, "In Memory Or at the Hospital Switchboard or from Auxiliary members at the cost of $5.00 each. A TREASURE CHEST OF CHILDREN'S DELIGHTS with Christmas gift giving in mind, why not Icnd your support by the purchase of tickets on a locally made lovely, wooden toy chest which comes completely stocked with toys for girls and boys of all ages (valued at $600). Tickcts are available in the Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop and at Switchboard at a cost of $5.00 each. Draw to be made December 11, 2001. Proceeds towards purchase of needed items for Ccntcr of Excellence. CHRISTMAS $HOPPING? our Hospital Auxiliary GIFT SHOP has an extended new inventory line including Battenberg and Christmas nighties, Dagoli leisure clothing, decorative candles, wheelchair cushion covers, novelty cotton boxer shorts, jewellery and numerous other items arriving daily. Auxiliary Volunteers welcome your visit. HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS a service to help the bereaved deal with loss at Holiday time will be held in Seaforth at First Presbyterian Church Sunday, December 2, 2001, 4-5 p.m. Everyone welcome. Sponsored by Huron Hospice Volunteer Service and supported by local Clergy and Funeral Directors. For further information, please contact Huron Hospice Volunteer Office at 527-0655 or Local Clergy. AUXILIARY DECORATIONS special thanks on behalf of the patients, staff, visitors to the Hospital Auxiliary and Student Volunteers for "decking the halls" for the holiday season. The new Christmas tree is casting a radiant glow in the Patient Lounge. Appreciation is extended to the Employee Relations Committee for the beautification of the flower bed at the lower level hospital entrance with the planting of shrubbery.