Huron Expositor, 2007-02-28, Page 9The Huron Expositor • February 28, 2007 Page 9
News
Huron East questions CT scanner for Goderich
Susan H u n d e r t m a r k
aMMEMillii
While they can see sharing the
cost of the $1.5 million CT scanner
proposed for Goderich, Huron East
councillors are balking at the idea of
contributing towards the bricks and
mortar, a PACS system and the CT
scanner operating costs at
Goderich's Alexandra Marine and
General Hospital.
"This is one of those things where
I know there's a benefit but is there
justification paying through proper-
ty tax," Deputy -Mayor Bernie
MacLellan told Huron East council
at its Feb. 20 meeting.
MacLellan asked council if it
wants to stand united against the
county paying $1 million towards
the CT scanner proposal.
He said the county is being asked
to fund $1 million of a $5 million
project which includes a $1.5 CT
scanner, a Picture Archiving
Communication System (PACS) for
the Goderich hospital as well as
bricks and mortar and operating
costs for the CT scanner.
"I have a problem with the county
putting $1 million towards it. I have
no problem paying a reasonable por-
tion," he said, adding that Huron
East's share could be up to
$200,000.
"Is Huron East willing to put an
additional $200,000 into health-
care," he asked.
Mayor Joe Seili pointed out that
both Seaforth and Clinton have
been fundraising for their own
PACS systems through the annual
CKNX radiothon.
"I don't see we why should start
getting into healthcare," said
McKillop Coun. Bill Siemon, who
also represents Huron East at coun-
ty council.
"I don't see us paying for the bet-
terment of Goderich hospital," said
Siemon.
MacLellan also wondered if sup-
porting the project, proposed to help
doctor recruitment throughout
Huron County, would be "shooting
ourselves in the foot."
"The fancy new equipment will be
in Goderich and there are only so
many doctors for all of us to draw
from," he said.
While Seaforth Coun. Bob Fisher
said a CT scanner would benefit
people, he asked how it would affect
the whole county.
"I've had some calls. This could be
a turf war," he said.
Brussels Coun. David Blaney said
he didn't believe a CT scanner in
Goderich would benefit the whole
county.
"It will be a tremendous amount
of money all ending up in one place
which means that money won't be
available for anyone else," he said.
He added that since the province
doesn't pay for CT scanners or their
operation, he guessed operating
costs would total $250,000 a year.
"It strikes me they'll be back (to
county council) every year asking
for money," he said, adding that
municipalities might be spending so
much towards the CT scanner they
won't have anything left over for
other medical projects in their own
areas.
"This is awfully rich for a county
of 55,000," he said.
Usborne & Hibbert
Mutual Fire Insurance Company
Notice of
ANNUAL MEETING
The 131st Annual Meeting of the Usborne & Hibbert Mutual
Fire Insurance Company will be held at the Kirkton-Woodham
Community Centre at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 19th,
2007, for presentation of the Annual Report for 2006. to elect
Directors and to transact any business that may rightly come
before the meeting.
Election of two Directors for a three year term will take place.
The Directors whose term of office expires are Joe Chaffe and
Morris Willows. both of whom are eligible for re-election.
Notice is hereby given that motions will be presented at our
Annual Meeting amending the by-laws of the Company as fol-
lows:
Article 21 - Any person wishing to seek election or re-election
as a Director must file his intention to stand for election in
writing with the Secretary Manager of the Corporation at least
ten days in advance of an Annual Meeting or Special General
Meeting called for the purpose of electing Directors.
Article 33 , Remuneration
Joe Chaffe Sharon Doxtator
President Secretary Manager
Seaforth Coun. Joe Steffler recom-
mended Huron East's three repre-
sentatives on Huron County council
vote against the county contributing
to the CT scanner.
He again brought up his idea
about a large regional hospital
being built in Vanastra to serve all
of Huron County in a central loca-
tion.
"The local hospitals should be
merged in Vanastra. If you want to
improve healthcare, put up an 80 -
bed hospital and it would cut costs
immensely," he said.
Tuckersmith Coun. Larry
McGrath recommending voting to
support the CT scanner itself, not
the accompanying costs or a PACS
system for Goderich.
MacLellan argued that a CT scan-
ner in Goderich would not necessar-
ily reduce a waiting list for scans in
Huron County.
"Everyone goes on a priority list. I
don't buy that you don't get in when
you need it," he said.
Steffler agreed saying he received
a CT scan once immediately when
he needed it.
"I wasn't on a waiting list for five
McTaggart Wettlaufer
INSURANCE BROKERS INC.
• AUTO • HOME • FARM
• TRAVEL • COMMERCIAL
• LIFE INSURANCE
BROKERS
Paul Wettlaufer • Amy Siemon
Suzanne Zehr • Leigh Crawford
Ken Hutchison • Bill Siemon
68 Ontario Rd. 348-9150
Mitchell 1-800-561-0183
4
PUBLIC NOTICE
Re: 2007 County of Huron Budget
Warden D. Shewfelt and Councillors of.the Corporation of the
County of Huron invite you to attend a meeting where the Draft
2007 County of Huron Budget will be presented for deliberation
and consideration.
March 20, 2007 9 a.m. Wingham Wescast Complex,
Columbus Centre
Regular Committee of the Whole Meeting
with Draft Budget presentation.
March 22, 2007 9 a.m. South Huron Recreation Centre,
Exeter
Special Committee of the Whole Meeting
with Draft Budget presentation.
A copy of the draft budget will be available from the Clerk's
Department upon request commencing on Monday, March 5,
2007. Written comments and questions on the Draft 2007
County Budget will be received by the County Clerk up to
Wednesday, March 14, 2007. These written comments and
questions will then be discussed at either one or both of these
meetings.
Barbara A. Leamen
County Clerk
The Corporation of the County of Huron
1 Court House Square
Goderich, Ontario N7A 1M2
(519) 524-8394
minutes," he said.
Siemon expressed some doubt
that Huron East's opposition of the
county financially supporting the
CT scanner would make any differ-
ence.
"This is going to go. We don't have
the votes to stop it," he predicted.
The issue could be decided at
Huron County council's March 7
meeting.
VMerner Moats
Custom Killing a Processing
NM M YM MOM �I /NIk1i
519 237-3668
SIDES OF PORK S1
hillyineessed1
Dashwood Sausage • Smoke House Faalitiea
1G963&ono line DASHWOOD 114iiesaOldte man hose*
Res: 519-237-3510
Are you a landowner in the
Sinkhole Region of Huron
East or West Perth?
(Former Townships of
Tuckersmith & Hibbert)
There are grants available from the
Canada -Ontario Environmental Farm
Plan (EFP)for stewardship projects.
By attending a workshop and
having your workbook peer
reviewed and deemed appropriate,
you are eligible for 36 different
categories of funding.
Register now for a FREE EFP
workshop!
In Huron, please call Lois Sinclair
519.357.3146
Workshops are in Clinton from
loam to 3pm
March 6th/13th
March 20th/27th
April 2nd/10th
April 24th/May 1st
May 15th/22nd
June 19th/26th
In Perth, please call Mary McIntosh
519.393.6232
Workshops in Rostock from
loam to 3pm
March 21st/27th
April 17th/24th
Workshops in Milverton from
loam to 3pm
May 2nd/9th
June 13th/20th
j Ontarlo's
Environmental
Farm Plan
Program
TNI ONTARIO
TRILLIUM,;`
FOUNDATION
LA FOUNDATION
TRILLIUM,
on L'ONTARIO