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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2007-01-10, Page 5Opinion The Huron Expositor • January 10, 2007 Page 5 Lett(' to the to Municipal involvement in healthcare can narrow the vision needed for progress To the Editor, Seaforth Community Hospital and the Seaforth Medical Centre have established an enviable track record that dates back more than three decades. These two facilities have been at the forefront of change. Innovation has been their operative by -word. In 2007, other area health facilities are now touting the establishment of "new" medical cen- tres, or specialization of parts of their buildings, or "new" technology links with urban specialty medicine as state-of-the-art accomplishments. But, Seaforth could boast of these innovative accomplishments 30 years ago. As I watch the evolution of healthcare unfold in my own community, and in Huron East, I am compelled to share a couple of observations: 1. In western Huron County, the citizens of this region recently lost a golden opportunity to solve many of their current healthcare access problems, which are now increasing at an alarming rate. The vision of a new partnership, involving a regional, fully -equipped hospital, had been devised. But sadly the dream went "poof" in a vociferous cloud of smoke. What a tragedy. 2. In Huron East, the Seaforth Community healthcare facilities have recently been headed down a path of outreach and partnership that will serve the local communities well. New alliances have been structured that will carry forward from the 30 -year tradition of progress and innovation that marks your healthcare trail. But sadly, it appears that other voices want the healthcare system to wear blinders to nar- row the broad vision and impede the great progress that is slowly, but suredly, being made. You now have your own cloud of smoke on the horizon! In both cases, it is the inappropriate interfer- ence of municipal bodies, outside the healthcare system that took, and will take, the broader vision and future progress off the rails. The citizens of Seaforth and Huron East must not allow this to happen. It is not the mandate of municipal councils to manage healthcare facilities. The community would be better served if they stuck to their own knitting. It is too late in my community. Although not entirely parallel, it was the absence of partnerships, and the unwillingness to look further afield, along with a reluctance to support a broader vision, that contributed to the closure of Seaforth District High School as its enrolment dwindled. I implore that you do not permit a narrow- minded perspective to do the same to the Medical Centre and to Seaforth Community Hospital. Because that will be the ultimate outcome if you refuse to reach out, to strengthen partner- ships and to reach forward. Maintain the cur- rent broad vision. Speak up before it is too late. Paul Carroll Goderich, On Frozen Seaforth town clock has to be thawed to get going again in 1882 JANUARY 6, 1882 Joseph Abell of Seaforth has favored us with a New Year's pre- sent in the shape of six of the largest hen eggs we have seen. They were all layed by a Plymouth Rock hen owned by him. The Seaforth town clock was frozen up for several days. It has been thawed out and set going again. There is now a good crossing on Hensall's Main Street between Mr. McPherson's and Mr. Evans. We would like to see a few more built as we much prefer walking on crossings 1O;,going through the mud. George Habkirk has sold his farm on the 4th concession of McKillop to his oldest son, William for the sum of $4,500. Mr. Habkirk intends removing to his farm on the Northern gravel road. We notice Mr. Evans of Hensall is taking advantage of the present cold spell to flood his skating rink. JANUARY 11, 1907 John Finch is now serving his 25th year as secretary of the Seaforth lodge, Ancient Order of Foresters, and during all that time, he has only been absent from three meetings. Thislis a record which is alike creditable to Mr. Finch and advantageous to the lodge. Mr. Fitzpatrick of Seaforth, pro- prietor of the Grip hotel with Mrs. Fitzpatrick and two lady friends had a very unpleasant experience and a narrow escape from serious injury on Saturday last. They were starting out from the hotel with a spirited team and a covered car- riage for a drive. In turning round the wheels slipped on the icy pave- ment and the vehicle upset. The horses started to run with the occu- pants of the carriage entrapped inside the cover. Mrs. Andrew Beattie and son Walter of Brucefield, spent New Years with Mrs. William Scott and other friends in Seaforth and Egmondville. JANUARY 8, 1932 Mr. and Mrs. John Elgie and fam- ily of Tuckersmith spent New Years with Mr. and Mrs. John McLachlin. Annie and Alice Mustard visited at the home of their mother Mrs. Alex Mustard of Brucefield last week. A.W. Sillery and Lawrence Webster returned to Queen's University, Kingston on Thursday after spending the holidays at their homes Seaforth. Ris Hills has returned to Toronto after spending the holidays with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hills in Egmondville. JANUARY 11, 1957 Seaforth firemen, holding their annual meeting Tuesday evening again named John F. Scott as Chief, Frank Case is foreman and J.C. Crich, assistant foreman. The treasurer is M.E. Clark, while F.C.J. Sills is secretary. Donelda Adams has resumed her duties as teacher at J.A.D. McCurdy School, R.C.A.P. Station, Centralia after spending the holi- days with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Adams. JANUARY 6, 1982 McKillop Township council set 1982 wage rates for its employees at its first regular meeting of the new year at Winthrop Monday afternoon. Seaforth and area seemed to take Monday evening's bit of a blizzard in stride. Seaforth Police Department and Ontario Provincial Police detachments at Goderich and Sebringville all report no accidents of any conse- quence during the storm, through many motorists ended up in a ditch. Seaforth's first new baby of the New Year remains to be born. Seaforth Community Hospital says it had no new 1982 arrivals as of this morning. Former Seaforth postmaster Stewart Whitmore has accepted a new position as assistant postmas- ter at Clinton, and began his new job Monday. Ontario Hydro has approved rate increases that average 6.7 per cent, previously established in consulta- tion with and approved by Seaforth's Public Utility Commission, to take effect in this town March 1.