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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-10-19, Page 11No scares at Van Egmond House for second straight year Jeff Heuchert 411011.1 The Van Egmond Society will not be holding a Halloween tour at the Van Egmond House this October, for the second straight year. According to Van Egmond Society treasurer Jean Fox, competition has negatively affected their turnout. "Competition is fine, but if it's on a bigger scale, it can kick you in the butt," she said. The competition over the past few years has come from the Central Huron Secondary School's student council, who held a Halloween Fun House two years ago, the Seaforth Optimist Club, which held Halloween Is For Kids in the park last year, and the Vanastra Recreation Centre, which held a family Halloween party last year as well. Fox, who has been on the Van Egmond Society board since 1982, said she still brought up the idea of running the tour back in the summer, but said only three or four of its 12 members seemed interested. "They thought it was too much work for what we were getting out of it," said Fox. For a tour through the dimly-lit historic house, the Van Egmond Society, by charging $1 per person, made around $250 its first two years they ran the event. But two years ago they only made around $50, said Fox. "We did what we could to promote it, but it was a fail- ure." With the cost of heating and lighting the house, Fox said the board has to keep their finances in perspective. We're (the board is) small enough, so we have to watch what we spend our money on. As with all the Van Egmond Societies events, they look for vol- unteers to help. Fox said over the last two years they ran the tour, the number of volunteers diminished, to the point they couldn't find any for their last year. "Many of the volunteers were grandparents, who would bring their grandchildren," said Fox, but they began attending other Halloween events. Fox said she will continue to bring up the idea each year, and hopes kids can tour the house one October down the road. The Huron Expositor • October 19, 2005 Page 11 News Huron Perth Hospital Alliance plans. meeting with Ministry of Health to discuss balancing $6 million deficit Susan Hundertmark Huron Perth Hospital Alliance CEO Andrew Williams will be meeting with the Ministry of Health within the next four weeks to discuss how to balance the Alliance's bud- get. "We know we have to sign an accountability agreement with the government in November or December. We have to balance our budget," he said last Friday. The Alliance is still facing a $6 million deficit . And, while the Alliance board is in the process of "identifying efficien- cies," Williams said it will not be releasing a variety of scenarios out- lining a number of cost-saving options as it did last fall. "We've been asked to go through the same process as last year," he said. Last October, more than 300 Seaforth people trooped past dis- plays outlining the funding chal- lenges faced by the Huron -Perth Healthcare Alliance at an open house at Seaforth's Agriplex. Four scenarios outlined savings ranging from $2 million to $3.5 million. Williams said the Alliance budget's direction will be determined by what direction is received by the province. "Our goal is always to provide as much care as we can afford with the resources we have. We're moving through an important time during the next two months," he said. Hospital workers from the Sarnia area marched on Queen's Park last week in protest of 169 job cuts announced over the summer by the board of Bluewater Health to counter a $14 million deficit. The Get a flu shot! Protect yourself and those around you Attend one of the following community clinks to get your free flu shot. Royal Canadian Legion, 123 Main Street South, Seaforth Thursday October 27 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 140, 95 Kirk Street, Clinton Tuesday November 1 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Remember to wear short sleeves. For more information contact the Huron County Health Unit Tel: 482.3418 or 1.177-8374143 Weblike: www.huroncounty a thuntt isat dis las - Mos rirrselfawlI O Amid Yird cuts will also mean closing operating rooms, labs and imaging departments. Williams said the Alliance has not yet received any direction from the province to cut costs that would also cut services. "I can't comment on their situation in Sarnia but there are more hospitals in Southwestern Ontario than not with deficits," said Williams. --NOTICE HYDRANT FLUSHING WILL TAKE PLACE IN: * Seaforth * Egmondville and Brucefield during the day and night the week of OCTOBER 24th. 2005 Thank -you AMERICAN WATER SERVICES Phnnar 15191 527-1004 1 4016-16. Seafor"th 401 4.40. mb ., •:,Quality `Wine (. . 'Beer. wits4.soutilje". 5272244:er Custom Labels Available Brew on Premise or Brew at Home - The Choice is Yours! Hours: Wed. , Fri: 10a.m. - 7p.m. & Sat. 9a.m. - 2p.m.