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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2009-02-18, Page 1.4o 33 Main St., Seaforth 519-527-1680 www.niftykorners.com Week 8TVol.005 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com SIMrN www.coldweiibankerfc.com 1 Main St. S. 5eefath Phone: (519) 527-2103 Wednesday Feb. 18, 2009 1.25 gst included Flu causing high absentee rates at local schools Susan Hy,n}grtmark 4111011111. Seaforth, Clinton and Goderich schools are among the schools reporting higher than usual absentee rates that are concerning offi- cials at the Huron County Health Unit. Health units are alerted to absentee rates over 10 per cent at elementary schools and 15 per cent at secondary schools and some schools in central Hu- ron County are currently reporting absentee rates as high as 24 per cent, says Christina Taylor, public health manager. "That's really high. Over the last five years, we haven't seen it that high. It's a significant blip," she says. While officials are still trying to figure out exactly what illnesses are causing the absentee rates, Tay- lor says the symptoms are usually those of influenza, including respiratory ill- ness, a sore throat, head- aches and muscle aches. As well, the health unit is See MORE, Page 17 Susan Hundertmark photo Seafoirth Community Development Trust members Maureen Agar and Bob Fisher spread some love Friday at the Seaforth hospital giving out valentines to staff members, Including ER nurse Karen Dalgllesh, to help Improve morale as the hospital struggles with staff shortages. Hearts uplifted with valentines from community to the hospital SusanHundertmark The community of Seaforth and Huron East loves its hospital. And, to demonstrate that Jove, 97 Valen- tines were delivered to Seaforth Commu- nity Hospital's staff members Friday from the Seaforth Community Development ..Trust. We had heard that morale was down at the hospital with the staff shortage and people working extra shifts. With the bad news at the emergency department, we thought this might be a good time to do something," said Seaforth Coun. Bob Fish- er, also a member of the community trust. "They're working hard over there and maybe people dont realize how hard," he Love In a cup...SPS students are said. . buying frozen yogurt to help build Seaforth Community Hospital's ER be- an orphanage m a Seaforth mom's gan closing overnight from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m� last Saturda because of the nursin short- age. The Valentines include BIA bucks that can be spent at any local merchant who belongs to the Business Improvement Area along with a note expressing the commu- nity's appreciation for the work being done at the hospital. "On behalf of the citizens of Seaforth and Huron East, the Seaforth Community De velopment Trust would like to present you with a small token of our appreciation for your efforts; past, 'present and future, in making Seaforth and District Community Hospital the best hospital in the area," says the Valentine. Maureen Agar, also a member of the de- velopment trust, adds that with the cur- rent economic recession, the trust thought giving out BIA bucks would be a way to en- courage the support of local businesses as well. "In times of difficulty, we want people to A ..# :••a�^ �vb .� ,•.. g , • .. . i �. :... , _ � _ .... t ..:.. , �� + _ 3 + � t: t help ,out, their own community," she says. + v_f• 1' , 1 i' + iY. , ♦ ',� 1i1 t • r . i./•� •t .d►. .ir arch 1 deadline for transparent garbage bags almost here Susan Hundertmark With the March 1 deadline for clear plastic garbage bags less than two weeks away, Seaforth: garbage carrier Sandy Lamont is already seeing some of the transparent bags being left on the curb.sS• But, he's anticipating he'll be forced to leave a few garbage y: bags at the curb once the dead- line is passed as ratepayers get used to the new policy. "I'm dreading the first couple of weeks a bit. You don't want to be harsh on people but you've got to do what you've got to do to stay in business. I've got to enforce it or I get penalized," says Lamont. The five Huron County mu- nicipalities, including Huron East, that used the Mid -Huron Landfill site near Holmesville decided a year and a half ago to require the use of transparent garbage bags so that recyclable materials can be seen and re- jected by the landfill site. The aim is to extend the life of the landfill site by diverting more waste into recycling. Because an initial deadline of Sept. 1, 2008 was extended ""`.. six months to March 1, 2009, , V Deputy -Mayor Bernie MacLel- lan, who sits on the Mid -Huron board, is expecting a smooth transition. "Since they were expected to make the -change in September originally, 1 think most people were well prepared at that time. The delay just gave peo- ple more time to get ready," he says. "The debate's been going on See OFFICIALS, Page 3 - a