Huron Expositor, 2007-03-07, Page 5Opinion
The Huron Expositor • March 7, 2007 Page 5
Huron County residents deserve a CT
scanner, say committee volunteers
To the Editor,
Re: opinions expressed in the
Feb. 28 issue. The CT scanner for
Huron County'residents prompts
our response.
CT stands for computed tomogra-
phy. A scan provides image data
from different angles of the body. A
scan is essential to diagnose can-
cers, cardiovascular disease, infec-
tions, trauma and musculoskeletal
disorders.
Approximately 1,300 Huron resi-
dents are waiting for a scan at any
given time. Many wait an unrea-
sonably long'period of time.
Huron County is the only county
in Southern Ontario without a CT
scanner. Why?
Student doctors begin using a
scanner to assist in diagnosis early
in their training. Doctors accus-
tomed to readily available scanners
are most likely to practise medicine
where access to a scanner is rea-
sonably available.
Huron County residents deserve
a CT scanner, but we will have to
pay for it ourselves. The Ontario
government has not paid for scan-
ners for the other areas and won't
change their policy for Huron, even
in an election year. They will
spend their resources where they
have wider appeal than the voters
of dust one county.
To bring a CT scanner to Huron
County will cost between $2.5 — $3
million. This amount will cover the
costs associated with the purchase
of the scanner (approximately $1.5
million), structural renovations to
accommodate the scanner, and the
cost of the warranty/maintenance
agreement.
Huron County council has been
asked for $1 million to help offset
the purchase costs of the CT scan-
ner.
This would amount to $9 per
Huron County family on average
annually for five years or a one-
time payment of about $45; a mod-
est cost to ensure access to a valu-
able diagnostic medical procedure
close to home.
The Town of Goderich has been
approached for a contribution of $1
million and the AMGH Foundation
has pledged $500,000.
The remaining $2 million of the
$5 million Diagnostic Imaging
Campaign will cover the cost of the
planned renovations to the existing
two x-ray suites and the installa-
tion of PACS (picture archiving
communication system) at the
Alexandra Marine and General
Hospital.
The PACS system enables the
hospital, to transmit important
diagnostic information to the
patient's doctor and to other hospi-
tals as needed.
The dollars required to complete
the campaign would be raised by
asking for financial contributions
from numerous individuals, busi-
nesses and service clubs'through-
out the area on a voluntary basis.
The outlook is positive with many
interested parties already indicat-
ing their support.
Huron is a prosperous county. Its
people are industrious and progres-
sive. They deserve and can afford
access to the best health care avail-
able, close to home.
This scanner will benefit every-
one in Huron County and is there-
fore deserving of our support!
Gordon Hill
Blaine Stephenson
Huron County CT scanner
steering committee
volunteers
`Some evil -disposed persons' poison
■ ■
■
dogs in Winthrop area in 1882
MARCH 3, 1882
One of the early pioneers of
Huron County passed away on
Tuesday of last week, in the person
of Mr. Andrew Duncan Sr., of
Clinton, who died at the age of 77
years. The deceased was born in
Tyrone, Ireland and came to
Canada in 1837. About a year
afterwards he came west and set-
tled on Lot 17, Bayfield Road,
Stanley, which was then a perfect
wilderness, hewing out for himself,
a home, and soon gathering around
him many warm friends among the
settlers who followed him. He has
been a resident of Clinton for the
past nine years. His wife survives
him.
The new pastor of the Knox
Church at Mitchell, Rev. Mr. Tully,
has decided not to preach funeral
sermons for any individual mem-
ber of his congregation who may
die, but at the close of each year to
preach one general sermon in
which reference will be make to
those who have passed away dur-
ing the previous 12 months.
Mr. Hannah and Mr. Thompson
Morrison who reside near
Winthrop, had each a valuable dog
poisoned a few evenings ago by
some evil -disposed persons.
Depredations of this mean charac-
ter are becoming entirely too
prevalent in this neighbourhood,
and if the guilty parties are discov-
ered they will, no doubt be made
an example of.
MARCH 8, 1907
At a meeting of the directors of
the South Huron Agricultural
Society held at Brucefield last
Friday, it was decided to hold the
annual entire stock at Brucefield
on Friday, March 26 and to add to
it a seed show for the exhibition of
all kinds of grains and seeds and
for which liberal prizes will be
offered. It is to be hoped the enter-
prising farmers of the district will
show their appreciation of the
efforts being put forth by turning
out in large numbers both as
exhibitors and spectators.
The Egmondville Presbyterians
are having their church and manse
lighted by electricity.
Mr. John Horan met with a
painful accident in the Bell Engine
Works last Tuesday by having his
foot severely burned. He was
assisting in pouring in the hot
metal into a mould, when the bore
burst, letting the metal out. .
FEBRUARY 26, 1932
The first carnival of the season
was held in the new arena in
Brussels on Tuesday evening. The
ice was in splendid condition owing
to a few cold days. The carnival
was opened with a speech from the
Reeve. A large crowd of spectators
was present and the band went to
make the first carnival a huge suc-
cess.
The Arlie Marks Company pre-
sented a Maggie and Jiggs comedy
in Cardno's Hall in Seaforth on
Wednesday evening before a limit-
ed audience. The program was
enjoyed, if one can judge by the
laughter heard outside.
MARCH 15, 1957
Fire, which for a time threatened
a block -wide area early Wednesday
morning, completely destroyed the
lumber yard and planing mill of
Ball -Macaulay Limited on Huron
Street and the residence of George
McGavin, to the north on High
Street. Loss, estimated in excess of
$60,000, is partially covered by
insurance. At the height of the
blaze, the flames were visible from
Mitchell on the east and the RCAF
Station, Clinton, nine miles to the
west.
Seaforth will hold a tax sale, the
first in 15 years, council decided
Monday night. Involved will be
about 20 properties, with taxes
totalling some $25,000 which have
been in arrears the statutory peri-
od.
Scott Memorial Hospital experi-
enced an operating loss of
$10,569.95, it was revealed at the
annual meeting of the hospital on
Friday.
This compares with a loss of
$9,181 in 1955. Contributing to the
loss is the fact that revenue from
indigent patients produces less
than half the cost of operation esti-
mated at $10.62 per day.
MARCH 3, 1982
It was a busy and successful
week for Seaforth District High
School's senior boys basketball
team, perhaps the most successful
week the Golden Bears have ever
had. But, this coming week promis-
es to be even busier. Yesterday
(Tuesday) the Golden Bears defeat-
ed Mitchell 60-58 in overtime at
SDHS in a sudden -death Huron -
Perth Conference semi-final. Neil
Johnston scored the field goal that
won it. Seaforth now advances to
the best of three Conference final
against Stratford Northwestern
that begins Thursday here in
Seaforth. The second game is
Monday, with the third (if neces-
sary) Wednesday.