Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2006-04-26, Page 13News Council stands by decision to deny hospital $2,000 grant Susan Hundertmark A letter explaining Seaforth Community Hospital's use of an annual municipal grant of $2,000 to the hospital only convinced councillors further that denying the grant this year was a good idea. Site administrator Mary Cardinal's explanation that the $2,000 went to operating costs instead of the hospital foundation led Grey Coun. Mark Beaven to remark that the municipality shouldn't be paying for the healthcare sys- tem. "The last time I checked, healthcare is a provincial responsibility and to me, the province should be paying for operating costs at the hospi- tal," he said. Tuckersmith Coun. Larry McGrath responded that he stood by the decision since the combined income of 10 Huron -Perth Healthcare Alliance employees is over $1.4 million. "That's one amalgamation that really didn't work," he said. When it withheld the $2,000 grant, Huron East believed it went towards the Seaforth Community Hospital (SCH) Foundation for new equipment. The issue arose when McGrath , circulated a Canadian Press story quoting Conservative Leader John Tory that the Local Health Integration Networks legisla- tion gives the Health Minister powers to transfer charitable donations from a hospital that's being closed to another hospital and council decided to withhold its grant in protest. McGrath said he wants to see a policy created reverting donations back to the munici- pality if the hospital ever needs to be closed. Council also passed a motion requesting a meeting the representatives of the SCH Foundation to discuss its annual grant of $2,000. Raccoon flips switch and leaves Zurich Hydro customers in the dark Cheryl Heath In the end it proved to be a masked bandit that flipped the switch on energy for hun- dreds of Zurich -area Ontario Hydro customers but at least one Bluewater resident is nonetheless asking, "Where was Ontario Hydro when the lights went out?" Indeed, that is the question Bluewater councillor Bill MacDougall is asking after an approximate three hour- long power outage on April 9. In addressing the situation at a special council meeting held Tuesday, MacDougall suggested it is unfair for Hydro customers to have to tolerate repeated outages — especially given the region is the last in the province to receive required upgrades and that customers recently learned rates are on the rise. MacDougall, who noted the cause of the outage turned out to be a raccoon that had climbed the tower and flipped the switch, said Ontario Hydro should at the least have an alternative energy supplier at the ready for such situations. Ross Fisher, public works manager for the municipality, confirmed the zone is the last in Ontario that is in need of upgrading. Council sided with MacDougall's argument and plans to send a letter to Ontario Hydro requesting that the problem be addressed forthwith. First Aid Kits at arenas To provide First Aid kits or not proved to be the question Tuesday night at a special meeting of Municipality of Bluewater council. • Coun. John Becker's sug- gestion that stocking munici- pal arenas and properties with a full complement of First Aid kits was met by a battery of concerns by facili- ties manager Tom Dickins who noted that more often than not the kit's contents are swiped by visiting hockey teams and passersby. Becker in recounting an incident at an arena earlier in the month, said a hockey player was cut fairly badly and tracking down bandages proved to be fairly challeng- ing. Bluewater Mayor Bill Dowson said he also bore wit- ness to an incident at the Stanley Complex where find- ing bandages was difficult. Dickins was asked to fur- ther investigate the issue and Dowson noted there might be a day when municipalities will be asked to stock up on defibrillators — used in heart attack situations — at $3,500 apiece. Bluewater locking council chambers When the seats are full, the doors will lock. That is a new policy being put into effect at Municipality of Bluewater council meet- ings following an April 10 incident at council chambers in the Stanley Complex when Bayfield Councillor Dave Johnston required EMS attention and clearing a path proved difficult since the chambers were packed with Bayfield -area residents eager to speak out on the proposed Bayfield Meadows subdivi- sion. Facilities manager Tom Dickins says. that in the future, fire code regulations and occupancy limitations must be observed, which means if all of the gallery's seats are full, the doors to the meeting area will be locked. Bluewater Mayor Bill Dowson said public meetings will be held in the accompa- nying hall, but council meet- ings will continue to be held in chambers. Meanwhile, Coun. Bill Martin says perhaps the municipality could collect more money for its coffers by charging admission to council meetings. "What reserve would you put it in?" joked Dowson dur- ing a meeting heavy with talk of reserve accounts. The sole person in the gallery that night joked that he appreciated the seating capacity in the gallery and added, "I'd pay any price to get in." The Huron Expositor • April 26, 2006 Page 13 Brian Melady, of Seaforth, presents a $2,775 donation to Caroline Simons, executive director of Epilepsy Huron - Perth -Bruce Friday night during the association's volunteer appreciation night at the government building in Clinton. The money was raised during the Drownin' Dog canoe rally held recently in Seaforth. Of the total, $675 was donated from rally winner Gerry O'Reilly who donated his prize money back to the event's charity of choice. H. REID ALLEN ILR\III RE IZI.:SI'OIZ.VI ION & REFINISHING SEAFORTH 527-2717 • Weed Control b b e rs .Pest Control •Fertilizer Applications Turf Care •Turf Aeration Backhoe Service � :Power Broom Service Cluster Fly Spray .Septic Systems and General Bacidwe Work • Spider Spray •Farm Drainage Repairs and Maintenance Jack Lubbers (519) 527-0582 HURON. PERTH HEALTHCARE ALLIANCE HURON PERTH HEALTHCARE • ALLIANCE Volunteer Opportunity The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance Board of Directors is seeking a Director from the catchment area served by Seaforth. You must be prepared to commit your time and energy to the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance business and offer a good community perspective on health care issues. For individuals interested in exploring this opportunity, an Information Session will be held: Tuesday, May 2, 2006 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Seaforth Community Hospital Conference Room Please RSVP by calling Brenda Mitchell, 519-272-8210, Ext. 2437 or by e-mail at brenda.mitchell@hpha.ca, if you plan on attending the Information Session. Information packages and an Application Form will be available at the session.