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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-04-20, Page 1IN SY Clinical Systems DR. ROBERT SHEPHERD Practice in Psychology 148 Goderich St. W, Seaforth Phone Toll Free Fax 519.527.2669 800.352.3963 519.527.2588 Visit www.inpsyt.com for more information. v. . _ .....aarss011111r- In brief Wednesday, April 20, 2005 $1.25 indUdes GST ALBERTSTREET DENTURE CLINIC Denture Specialist Dean R. McTagg it D.D. Complete and Partial Dentures Denture Repairs Relines & Additions 482-1195 50 Albeit st., Clinton Walton Hall getting $38,300 facelift Walton Community -Hall is getting a facelift thanks to a $38,300 grant from the Trillium Foundation and donations from, the surrounding community. The renovations planned for the hall include a new heating system, new exterior siding, new windows and insulation. "The hall is a valuable asset to the community and some new siding will really spruce up the place. It's such a centre point of the village," says Chris Lee, 'a member of the Walton hall board. Lee says the hall board was faced with a number of expenses when it was discovered a new furnace was needed and the board initially wondered how the needed renovations could be funded. But, a suggestion to apply for Trillium funding has paid off and the renovations will keep the hall going. "They should make it a little cheaper to heat and could increase the hall's use a little more. It's fairly busy now but it's not booked solid," he says. Lee adds that members of the Walton community have contributed about 25 per cent of the costs of the renovations. Users of the Walton hall include 4-H clubs, Girl Guides, card parties and private family parties and weddings. A press release from the Trillium Foundation says the grant should help "increase safety and comfort, reduce operating costs and ensure the centre's- viability as a focus for community social, recreational and cultural activities." The Walton Community Hall was built in 1873 for $2,000 and originally used as a Methodist Church for 50 years, says an article written by Jeanne Kirkby. In 1927, it was bought by the Orange Lodge and then sold again in 1938 to the Walton Community Club. In 1975, it was sold to its current owners, the Walton Women's Institute for $1. Agriculture and Water Festival held in Seaforth... Local girls try out for Canadian Idol... page 8 Seaforth gets family health team Seaforth site of one of first 52 FHTs announced by province Friday By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor Seaforth is the site of one of the first 52 family health teams announced across Ontario last Friday. "Yippee," said Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance recruiter Gwen Devereaux, who led the effort to write Seaforth's proposal, as she responded to the news at a press conference last Friday. Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell made the announcement at the Community Care Access Centre in Seaforth. "I can't tell you how pleased I am. Your proposal was very well-written and you should be congratulated for the cooperative attitudes in your proposal. I'm so proud of the work you have done in a few scant months," said Mitchell. The Seaforth proposal was written in February and submitted to the province, which was expected to respond sometime in March. The Liberal MPP sang the praises of the province's plan to implement family health teams, which will bring doctors together with other health professionals such as nurse practitioners, dieticians and pharmacists, saying that under the new system, family doctors should be able to see 52 per cent more patients. "All of my riding is underserviced and under this plan, you start to see the scope of what can be done when doctors are not working alone. I always felt we could work more cooperatively together and bring more disciplines Susan Hundertmark photo Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance recruiter Gwen Devereaux gives Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell a big hug after Mitchell announced Seaforth has been chosen as a site for a family health team. together," she said. Seaforth's proposal was one of 213 throughout Ontario, one of five throughout Huron and Perth Counties and one of two in Huron County - the second was proposed by Goderich which was also successful. . Devereaux said the acceptance of Seaforth's proposal will make "quality health care more accessible" and is "the beginning of an exciting change in the delivery of primary health care." Seaforth's proposal plans to serve orphan patients throughout Huron County, beginning in Seaforth and eventually expanding into satellite offices throughout Huron, said Devereaux. While no details were announced about how much funding the family health team proposal in Seaforth will be receiving, Devereaux said she expects to have a better idea about funding by the end of the week. Quoting figures in the daily media from Health Minister George Smitherman, she said $300 million is supposed to be spent on 150 FHTs by 2007/08. Devereaux read from a fax she received from Smitherman informing her of the approval of Seaforth's FHT and stating it is now eligible for developmental funding and "you move to the project refinement and development stage, where you will be expected to develop a business case and implementation plan for the development of your FHT." The fax also said primary health care team staff will be contacting Devereaux to discuss next steps and finalize "particulars such as governance, funding, resource planning and, numerous other administrative details." "This is a very exciting time for health care in Ontario andI am delighted to have you on board," said Smitherman in the fax. Devereaux said she hoped that family health teams will begin to take the pressure off of overburdened family doctors who are "becoming weary of accepting new See DOCTORS~ Page 2 Schools, wildlife area celebrating Earth Day By Jason Middleton Expositor Staff With Earth Day happening on Friday, local residents have a whole weekend to help clean up the environment and help make their homes more energy efficient. But, before you go out and clean up your yard thinking that it will be helpful to Mother Earth, you might want to think twice. "Too often people think cleaning up is removing brush and natural vegetation and make it look like a park," Steve Bowers, a member of the Huron Stewardship Council, said. "That isn't nature friendly." He explained that nature is not always clean and that organic matter, like sticks. twigs and vegetation, all have a function. "People should make sure that it is actually environmental." said Bowers, adding that people could plant trees in their backyard to celebrate Earth Day. At home. Bowers said that people could make Earth Day resolutions which would help make their household more environmentally friendly. He suggested that people switch to lower flowing shower heads and toilets to help conserve water and maybe think of cleaning out their septic tanks to prevent leaks. "There are many things people can do." Bowers said. In your yard, Bowers suggested that you could start cutting your grass less, or even reduce the amount of space your lawn takes up by putting a perennial garden in. A way to help reduce cooling costs in the summer and heating costs in the winter, Bowers said, is to put shade trees in front of the windows. The Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area will be hosting an Owl Prowl at the marsh on Saturday to coincide with Earth Day. The walk will start at 8 p.m. at the Hullett's Sugar Bush which is located at 80602 Wildlife Line. Both of Seaforth's elementary schools will be celebrating Earth Day with their own events. Students at Seaforth Public School will be doing a yard clean up as well as participating with a special project. The peace garden will be wheelchair assessible and have a spot where students can sit in the shade and rest. Grade 5 teacher Bill Farnell said that he would love to have the garden also used as an amphitheatre for classes. "Right now, it's a patch of grass. We have big plans for it." said Farnell. Although the idea originated three years ago, Farnell said that it had to be put on hold when the school moved to its present location. Farnell said that the plans for the garden were supposed to be released at an Earth Day assembly See EARTH, Page 3 Beach Party 2005 April 25 - April 30 TANNING SESSIONS Check out our Great Specfa from 52.00 each on Tanning Sessions TOTAL IMAGE II illirwkervice Salon ..._ 59 Main St., Seaforth 527-0780 Enter our Great Daily Draws! Brlanne Higenell and Zach Scott help clean up the yard at Seaforth Public School.