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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-12-01, Page 2Maureen Wlldtong ries 519-527.1118 MULTIPLE USW SERVICE` www.mts.ca Culligan REAL ESTATE LTD. 8 Main Street, Seaforth 519-527-1577 office Linde DzIoba Res 519-522.0221 www- 111ngse ifor-tt' -corgi 2 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Dec. 1, 2004 THANKS TO YOU ALL! The Seaforth Lions Club would like to thank all of those who participated in the Seaforth Santa Claus Parade on November 26th. Special thanks to: Municipality of Huron East Seaforth Agricultural Society Seaforth BIA Merchants Royal Canadian Legion Branch 156, Seaforth wee, a rilede DOMINION DRIVER TRAINING & CAROL BLAKE are offering you a Ministry Approved Driver Education Course Provider 8 WEEK COURSE beginning December 1 4 DAY COURSE beginning December 20 to be held in Clinton Driving is a life skill Give the gift that lasts a lifetime. Call to book space. 1-800-665-3027 or 519-527-1891 or www.dominiondrivertraining.on.ca Community Care Access Centres of NIJROIN PERTH counties Seeking Community Volunteers to serve as Board Trustees The Community Care Access Centre Perth County and the Community Care Access Centre for Huron are responsible for providing information on community health services, purchasing in-home care for eligible clients, arranging referrals to community support services, and arranging for long-term care home placement. The CCACs are 100% funded by the Ministry of Health' and long -Term Care, and serve people of all ages with all conditions. We invite you to visit our website at www.ccachuronperth.ca for more information. if you are interested, contact us for a Board application package. Inquiries should be directed to: Shirley Smith, Executive Assistant Phone: (519) 273-2222 or 1-800-269-3683 Want a FREE oil chang Join the TMP Oil Change Club! Buy 3 oil changes and you'll get the 4th oil change Free! With each service Oil Change Club Members also receive... FREE 25 Point Inspection FREE Exterior Wash FREE Interior Vacuum KER OIL CHANGE CLUB MEMBERS OIL CHANGE $2495* Includes chassis lube, oil replacement with up to 5 litres of Quaker State 10W30 premium motor oil, oil filter replacement. 'For most domestic cars and light trucks (excludes diesel engines) LIMITED TIME OFFER TEATER .74, MOTOR PRODUCT AUTOMOTIVE SALE$ & SERVICE 220 Main Street S. Seaforth 5 News Huron County council takes first stens in 2005 budget By Jennifer Hubbard Goderich Signal -Star Staff And so it begins. Huron County's 2005 budget process took its first step forward recently as departments received their first draft budget. County treasurer David Carey asked the committee of the whole for direction in this year's budget process earlier this fall. During the Nov. 24 meeting council told Carey and senior staff to work towards scenario three of the 2004 budget plan, which would call for a county levy increase of 20 per cent in both 2005 and 2006. Council passed the 2004 budget on April 1, showing a 9.3 per cent tax rate increase, using $2,922,226 of reserves. "In leading up to this motion, much discussion took place regarding the appropriate levels of expenditure," Carey said in the Sept. 16 report. "In reviewing the minutes of the budget meetings, it was expressed that the county needed to take 'two hard hits in a row' to get the county back on track for regular inflationary increases." The departmental draft budgets will be further examined at the December committee meetings of the agriculture, public works and seniors, health and planning, social and cultural services and committee of the whole. Last year's debated highways budget could be a hot topic again this year. More than $2.2 million in road, bridge and culvert maintenance projects were cut from the 2004 highways budget, accounting for nearly half of the overall $4.5 million in cuts. With the highways budget currently sitting at a $2.4 million surplus, council approved a motion to set aside any excess money — with the exception of maintenance or operational items — into a reserve account for capital projects in 2005. County engineer Don Pletch said a significant portion of the surplus can be attributed to a number of projects the department was unable to complete. However, these projects will have to be included in next year's plan, he said. Long-term facilities in Huron close to meeting provincial rules By Jennifer Hubbard Goderich Signal -Star Staff With a new list of requirements from the provincial government regarding long-term care facilities released Nov. 16, Deb Shewfelt (Goderich) questioned the status of the county's compliance at council's Nov. 24 meeting. "The Ministry of Health and Long -Term Care has released a new list of requirements that are more stringent on nursing homes," he said. "Can we meet those five or six requirements? "Do we have the manpower, or is this another example of them pushing out a wish list that we need to comply with?" Even though the original Jan. 1, 2005 deadline has been extended, acting homes administrator Nancy Kalbfleisch said Huron's two county -owned long-term care facilities — Huronview in Clinton and Huronlea in Brussels — are well on their way to meeting the province's demands. "Right now we don't know when the implementation dates will be and we can't say anything for sure because everything is still in draft form," she said. "We don't know the actual standards, but out of the six (recommendations) we are doing the majority." According to a recent press release, Ontario long-term care facilities must: — post a copy of their most recent inspection reports in a prominent, easily accessible place — have a registered nurse on site, 24 -hours a day, seven days a week — give each resident at least two baths or showers per week — have all planned food menus and menu cycles reviewed and approved by the home's dietician at least once a year The Nov. 16 announcement also included the launch of a new public reporting and information website at www.health.gov.on.ca for seniors and their families. Retiring Justice Donnelly expresses interest in updating county history By Jennifer Hubbard Goderich Signal -Star Staff Justice James M. Donnelly may be retiring from active duty _next February, but his service to Huron County will continue. In an Oct. 29 letter to county chief administrative officer Larry Adams, Donnelly expressed an interest in updating the county's history books. Donnelly was a member of the 1954 county council that commissioned The Settlement of Huron County, by Professor James Scott, of Seaforth. However, the book was published until 1966. "To give perspective to the march of history, I was first elected to county council in 1957," Donnelly said in the letter. "During the years 1957-2004, 10 of Canada's 21 prime ministers have served — St. Laurent, Diefenbaker, Pearson, Trudeau, Clark, Turner, Mulroney, Campbell, Chretien and Martin." The lifelong Huron County pe-sident volunteered to update H uron' s history within approximately two years. D onnelly requested no remuneration, besides the use of an office within the county system and the occasional support of secretarial staff. "The last history of Huron County was recorded almost 20 years before I was born. We should be thankful that Justice Donnelly offered to complete these services," John Bezaire (Central Huron) said. "It's not an easy task." Council agreed to support Donnelly's proposal and make suitable arrangements. Donnelly said he would like to begin the project in February 2005, or soon after. " T h e county has bestowed many benefits upon me. Any contribution that I could make in return would be gratifying," he added. Council to consider laptops In an effort to reduce —ant— `The last history of Huron County was recorded almost 20 years before I was born. We should be grateful Justice Donnelly offered to complete these services,' - John Bezalre of Central Huron paper waste, Huron County is investigating the benefits of purchasing laptops for its councillors. Looking at Central Huron and Simcoe County as examples, councillors agreed that laptops and e-mail, funded 50 per cent by the county, could be a more organized and affordable means of distributing council's packages. "It's a very efficient way to do business," John Bezaire (Central Huron) said. "My office is a lot less cluttered now." Bert Dykstra (Central Huron) agreed. "I feel it's working exceptionally well. It's our way of reducing paperwork, plus additional items can be mailed out the day before." Council agreed to further discuss the idea and related costs in the new year. There's still time to get a flu shot, reminds Huron County health unit There is still time to get a flu shot, says the Huron The Huron County Health Unit began offering free flu County Health Unit. shots at school and community-based clinics across the Anyone who has not yet had a flu shot is encouraged County starting the week of Oct. 25. to go the health unit's final community clinic on This year, concerns were raised about perceived Tuesday, Dec. 7, at Goderich District Collegiate shortages of influenza vaccine for Ontario residents. Institute, 260 South Street, Goderich. The Huron County Health Unit continues to monitor The clinic will be open from 3:30 to 7 p.m. the vaccine supply with the province; however, to date "To date, there have been no confirmed cases of there are no identified shortages. influenza in Huron County", says Laura Farrell, Public Residents who still need a flu shot but are unable to Health Manager, Huron County Health Unit. attend the community clinic, are encouraged to visit their According to Health Canada, to date there have been family doctor or to contact the 16 cases of influenza A in the province of Ontario. Huron County Health Unit to make an appointment to "Fortunately, this year's circulating strains of get a flu shot at Health Link. influenza are well matched to the strains covered by the Make an appointment by calling 482-3416, or if flu vaccine", says Farrell. "The flu shot should provide calling long distance, dial 1-877-837-6143. good coverage for vaccinated Huron County residents." Public meeting will discuss findings of close to 400 hospital questionnaires From Page 1 their experiences at SCH, sometimes up and down the margins of the page and sometimes attaching letters as long as four pages. "The letters are very heart -wrenching, mostly with stories about how the hospital has saved a lot of lives," says Spittal. The questionnaires came from Seaforth, Mitchell, Dublin, St. Columban, Staffa, Exeter and Clinton, as well as from former townships in the area. "The long, hard part is going through them all and finding the common concerns," she says. The public meeting will include the presentation of the questionnaire's findings and an opportunity for members of the public to discuss their concerns. Rodney adds that Bridges of Seaforth developer Bill MacLean is also an expected speaker at the meeting.