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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2006-03-01, Page 4Page 4 March 1, 2006 • The Huron Expositor Opinion Proprietor and Publisher, Bowes Publishers Limited, 11 Main St., Seaforth, ON, NOK 1W0 gill needs more public input When healthcare workers are protesting across the province and municipalities such as Huron East are afraid to donate towards their local hos- pital, it's time to table the third reading of Bill 36 and welcome more public input on legislation cre- ating .Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs). Insisting that plenty of public consultation has already occurred during the past year, the province introduced the Bill for third reading last Tuesday and was expected to bring it to a vote either yesterday or today. And, while those in the healthcare field, such as the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance board and its local advisory committees, have been kept abreast of developments towards the new system to administer Ontario's healthcare services, many of the 250 attending a public meeting in Seaforth last week were hearing about LHINs for the first time. And, many weren't liking what they heard. While most would probably agree that health- care costs are rising out of control and that inte- gration of services is necessary, communities need assurances that a public process will be fol- lowed before any changes to their existing local services. - Insisting the "public will be engaged," is .not half as reassuring as a section in the legislation outlining how many public meetings must be held and what timeframes must be followed if politically unpopular decisions - like hospital clo- sures or the transfer of services - must ever be made. We can derive some measure of comfort from the fact that Alliance representatives feel local hospitals are well-positioned to receive full fund- ing from the new South West LHIN. - But, when the Alliance board is still struggling to find savings to meet a $5 million deficit that will not cut into services, questions remain about how the LHIN board will solve that problem. Change is never comfortable. But, change that occurs without the utmost effort to involve and inform the public is always suspect. First-ever World Baseball Classic sure to be exciting If you're as big a sports fan as I am and are left wanting more internation- al competition now that the Olympics have fin- ished, and most impor- tantly, you love baseball, then I think you are in for a real treat. The first ever World Baseball Classic tour- nament, featuring 16 countries and the best baseball players from around the world, including players from Major League Baseball,. begins this week. - For any baseball fans, this is an unprece- dented, and much anticipated event. What better. way for Canadian sports fans to put the disappointment from the men's Olympic ice hockey team behind them, than by cheering on the Canadian men's baseball team. The Canadians will do battle in a division with the powerhouse United` States, a sound team from Mexico, and: an .unproven squad from South Africa. Other perennial favourites have to include Japan, Korea, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Each of the teams, grouped into four divi- sions, will play a round-robin, with the top two teams advancing to another round-robin, and then the final four teams competing in a single game semi-finals and finals. Games will be played in Japan, Puerto Rico, and three different parks in the U.S. According to the tour- nament's website, the pur- pose of the tournament is to. increase worldwide exposure to the game of baseball. And, for anyone who watches baseball and is familiar with the sight of half -empty ball parks, baseball could use the exposure. My fondest memories with baseball go back to the early '90s, when the entire family would pack into the old station wagon for a trip to Toronto for an afternoon game at tht Skydome. Those were the days when the ball park was near a "sellout every game, and win or lose, just the buzz in the crowd was enough to leav- ing you feeling satisfied. Just look. at the excitement the 2002 Olympic men's hockey tournament stirred up for the game in North America (which has been subsequently destroyed by the lockout). Could baseball shine in the world spotlight • as well? For baseball fans, the possibility of this tournament raising the sport's popularity is maybe the greatest benefit of all. But, even if it doesn't, we'll still be watch- ing. Ron & �If we work really hard maybe some- day we could be on the Olympic bobsled team! e This is the biggest~ hill in town. If we, can conquer it we can do anythi .1 by David Lacey Okay, maybe something a little less intense. Is there an Olympic Curling team? %eV Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 E-mail us at seaforth@bowesnet.com Visit our home page at www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com Canada :o OUEII'ECoift MEDIA "We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs." SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 35.85 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. SENIORS: - 33.85 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. . - USA & Foreign: 35.85 a year in advance, plus $83.26 postage, G.S.T. exempt Published weekly by Sun Media at 11 Main St., Seaforth. 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Box 69, Seaforth, ON., NOK 1 WO Member of the Canadian Community Nes r Association & the Ontario Comrnunity Newr spapeAssociation Tom Williscraft Susan Hundertmark Publisher Editor Jeff Heuchert Reporter Bernie Pugh� Dianne McGrath Marcie Riegling Advertising / Office Front office Composing Editorial and Business Offices - 11 Main Street.,Seaforth Telephone (519) 527-0240 Fax (519) 5a7-2858 Mailing Address - P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ontario, NOK 1 WO