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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-06-16, Page 1ETE'S 'ER C 'n St., Seafo 7-1681 Alliteteotibt In brief More • nursing funding welcome, says Cardinal A recent provincial announcement giving an additional $60,000 each for nursing staff to the hospitals in Seaforth, Clinton and St. Marys is "very welcome," said Seaforth Community Hospital site leader Mary Cardinal. "Any additional money is always welcome and very appreciated," she said. The announcement was made in a press release by Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell who said the additional funding for nurses is the first step in the Ontario government's Plan for Change budget to create 400 new, full-time nursing. positions. In the press release, Mitchell said the $60,000 will fund one full-time nurse. Along with the Huron - Perth Alliance hospitals - which also includes a $300,000 grant for nursing at Stratford General Hospital - the announcement gives $60,000 for the hospitals in Exeter and Wingham, $120,000 to the hospital in Goderich and $180,000 to the hospital in Kincardine. While Cardinal said local hospitals are still waiting for specific information about whether the funding applies to registered nurses or registered practical nurses or both, she said it's unlikely the $60,000 will cover one senior nurse's salary. "In a unionized environment, new hires are not offered full-time positions. It's usually senior nurses who are offered the full-time jobs. But, that doesn't mean we wouldn't top it up with existing funding," she said. Cardinal added that the additional funding for nurses will also help rural hospitals with the issues of recruitment and retention, which are a "constant challenge." Mitchell's press release said the funding is aimed to "getting more full-time nurses working in hospitals." Walton has qualifyiing races OW weekend... page 14 Wednesday, June 16, 2004 Jason Middleton photo From Teff, Melissa Snyder, Katie Teall and Margaret Whitmore singtheir hedrts out during a 20th birthday celebration at Northside, United Church last Tuesday. Harmony Hi -Cites celebrate Zoth birthda By Jason Middleton Expositor Staff When Seaforth's Harmony Hi-Lites celebrated their 20th Birthday last Tuesday it was a mix of fun, laughter, fellowship and old memories. A crowd of more than 100 people joined the birthday party at Northside United Church which celebrated the anniversary of the all women's barbershop group. Twenty years ago, the group formed after a few wives of the Seaforth Harmony Kings attended a competition in St. Thomas. The women talked to some wives of a competing team who asked if Seaforth had a women's barbershop group. They decided to try and form a group in Seaforth and on the first night the group held practice they were overwhelmed. "The public school room was filled with people and when we first started we had 44 members," said long-time conductor Margaret Whitmore. In their first year, the group came I2th out of 21 teams competing for the international championship. Since then the group has won various awards including in 1990, top chorus in the arca. "Over the yCars we have held shows and dances and have sung in most of the churches and nursing homes in the arca," said DelVecchio. Right now, the group is made of 26 women aged 14 to "1 Netter not say" as president of the Hi-Litcs, Shirley Snell said. Si. H1-1.1TES, Page $1 .25 includes GST AfPNIRMINIea Tony Arts CFP, yauu. cH F pc. Cmjur�ictr Daily Intectat Savings Actosmt 2.55%' 2 45:4% •Inas alutral un Jwh clueing • GIC rt km 15, 3.04 j�vwrr.�.�e 15 Main St. Seaforth 527-0794 Local voters split on choice for June 28 By Jason Middleton Expositor.Stoff With less than two weeks until the federal election, the opinion of local voters is split on who they would cast their vote for if the election were held today. On Main Street in Seaforth people expressed their opinion on which party they will be voting for on June 28, but one thing was certain. It's a tough choice. "I'd be awful careful I didn't vote for somebody that would make it worse," said John Turnbull of Seaforth who is leaning towards a vote for the Liberals. Courtney, Fisher, of Egmondville, is choosing who she's going to vote for based on an election promise that would benefit her. "I think I'd probably vote NDP because this little commercial said he (Jack Layton) would cut, tuition by 10 per cent. I'm pretty much a broke student so that would be kind of handy," said Fisher a student of Brock University in St.Catharines. ' Co-owner of the Lager House, Donna,Ellis, of Oshawa, said that she will vote for whomever supports health care. "1'm just hoping for someone that will work with the health care program. Whoever's going to be working with that, that's the person I'm going to be voting for," said Ellis. Bob Warner, of Seaforth, said he's not sure who he is going to support this election.. "I'm still not decided completely but Paul Steckle is the Us VOTERS, Page 2 Huron -Bruce returning office prepares for election BySusan Hundertmark Expositor Editor With seven people on the phones at all times, the Huron -Bruce returning office is trying to make voting in the June 28 election as smooth a process as possible, says returning officer Graeme Craig. "The phones are constantly ringing and it's busy. It's very difficult to keep an accurate national voter's list but we've got a good staff here," he says. Craig' says Huron -Bruce voters have been casting their ballots at the returning office since May 25, two days after the election was called and can continue to vote there until next Tuesday. June 22. The address for the returning office is 44264 S.. HURON -TRUCE, Page 2 St. James principal retiring, for now, after 33 years Fran Craig, of Egmondville, says she's 'changing lanes on the highway of life' By Susan Hun de_ rtma rk Expositor Editor While St. James principal Fran Craig is retiring after 33 years of teaching, don't count on her to sit still for long. Although she's moving to a winterized cottage at Sauble Beach this July, she's already received two job offers from principals at the Bruce -Grey Catholic school board. "Somebody recently told me I'd be back in a school in six months but I'm going to try to say no. I still have lots of energy but I need time to reflect," she says. "I'm still going down the highway of life. I'm just changing lanes. And, at breakneck speeds as usual, as (my husband) Terry would Fran Craig and Audrey O'Rourke Bright Lights & Big Excitement at SIOts at Clinton Raceway! With 100 thrilling 5¢ and 25¢ slot machines, live Harness Racing & Simulcast Racing featuring your favourite tracks - you're sure to find something for everyone at Slots at Clinton Raceway) Call 519-482.7540 today for more information! 1.0 111.111* let Open Sun. to Thurs. 9am -lam • Fri. 8 Sat. 9am - 3am Located at 147 Beech Street, Clinton, Ontario Canada Mutt ba H ysin of etre or older. GewgM,NA blued photo IArneHutlon may be riquwed M woof of ,a - Ur :11111 Clinton •RACETRACK SLOTS say," she laughs. Craig says it really hasn't hit her yet that she's retiring and leaving St. James School, where she taught from 1987 to 1991 and returned as principal in several years ago. "There are so many things yet to finish. I don't think it's going to hit me until I find myself on the golf course on the first day of school in the fall," she says. Before she finishes up the school year this June, Craig wants to see a few of her projects completed, such as the renovation to the school library, and the completion of the new soccer fields on St. • James property along Highway 8. "l'vc got a major,push on S.. MEMS, Paps