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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2017-03-01, Page 3Wednesday, March 1, 2017 • Huron Expositor 3 Four hospice bids announced for Central Huron Justine Alkema Postmedia Network The long awaited hospice -bed - location decision from the South West LII IN came last week. While the decision was not a surprise, it did bring mixed reactions. At a board meeting in Tavistock Tuesday afternoon, the South West LHIN board gave final approval for six hospice beds in Stratford and for four hospice beds in Clinton. The LHIN had identified Perth and Huron as priorities due to their lack of access to residential hospice care. In Stratford, the reaction to the announcement was very positive. There has been a Stratford Perth Residential Hospice Steer- ing Committee in the town that has been in talks with the LIHN since as early as 2014. That group formed following a Stratford Rotary Club public meeting to measure interest in building a residential hospice. The response was overwhelming. The commit- tee was created and has been working tirelessly ever since. Most disappointed were those at the helm of Jessica's House, a residential Hospice in Exeter, which has not yet been built but is in the works. Jessica's House is named for Jessica Hamather, a 22 -year old woman who died a year ago. The community in South Huron has rallied around that ini- tiative with great rigor and they have already raised almost 2 mil- lion dollars. "I'he group advocated to receive the funding, but expressed feeling ignored by the decision makers. The group will carry on with their plans without funding with the hopes that eventually funding with catch up with them. Jessica's House Steering committee mem- ber Pat O'Rourke optimistically pointed out that most hospice projects aren't funded when they begin but get funding along the way. That would mean Central Huron is in a unique situation. While four beds have been desig- nated for the area due to its cen- trality, there is no group rallying behind the cause even close to the efforts otthe committees in Stratford and Exeter. The government provides no capital funding for residential hospices therefore all the funds to purchase the land and build and furnish the hospice must be incurred locally. Also, the LII IN will only cover $105,000 per bed annually, leaving the community to raise the rest; S105,000 is only 60-80% of the average annual operating costs. Even with the momentum in Stratford and Exeter, both groups have expressed that the deadline is tight; the LIHN requires the hos- pices be open by March 2018. Even though the Stratford steering committee has been planning for several years, Strat- ford Perth Residential Hospice Committee co-chair Andy Wer- ner said, "It's imperative the entire project be allowed to move forward to meet the time- lines [...1 It will be a significant challenge to open by March 2018, but Stratford Perth is up for the challenge." Central Huron's mayor Jim Ginn told the News Record, "I do agree with beds being located centrally in Huron County. If it's for all people in Huron County, it makes sense it's located centrally." "I do have concerns with operat- ing short falls. There's a lot of money that needs to be raised on File photo. an annual basis for operating [costs]. I don't think Central Huron or Huron County is prepared to fund that shortfall; it's a health care issue and that is a provincial responsibility.. Other the hand, it's good news. There will be some jobs from it, though not huge by any means" "I haven't heard of any group that is specifically raising funds," he said. He noted they have been assured that in other municipalities, hospices tend to get donations once they are up and running. However as for current funds, he said, "I've heard there maybe some money, but whatever it is; it's fairly minimal at this point." -With files from the Stratford Bea- con Herald and Lakeshore Advance Committee hoping to locate families of WWII Huron County veterans who fought to liberate Netherlands The Dutch - Canadians - Remember as One Committee of Huron County is in the process of planning events to be held in Goderich during the month of May 2017 during Canada's 150th anniversary year. These celebrations and ceremonies will be especially focused upon the 20 men from Huron County and the 7,600 Canadians who paid the supreme sacrifice during the push to liberate the Netherlands in 1944 - 1945. These events in May 2017 will involve our veterans, youth, military and of course the citizens of Huron County. For more information about the event, see the adjacent article. The group is in a partnership with the City of Burlington, the City of Burlington Mundialization Committee and with Holland Christian Homes in Brampton, and together the committee has invited Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet to visit Canada during Canada's 150th anniversary year. The partnership is confident that this visit to Canada will in fact take place. In the near future, we will be making an announcement as to the exact date in May these celebrations and ceremonies will be taking place at Liberation Memorial Park. The group is respectfully asking for the assistance of the citizens of Huron County in locating and inviting the relatives of the 20 men named below. They are looking for photos, stories and families of these men. Assistance is very much appreciated, and should you be able to assist them, they ask that you contact Jim Rutledge, Co -Chair / Secretary of the Dutch - Canadians - Remember as One Committee at either 519-524- 1808 or at bookofhonour3945@gmail. L ASE RECY 4 com. Listed below are the names of our fallen along with their regiments and homes in Huron County. Four pieces of information are listed with each name: their surname, given name, regiment and town. ELLIOTT, Robert James, Sherbrooke Fusiliers, Blyth/ Teeswater EVANS, Lyle Alexander, South Alberta Regiment, Brussels FAWCETT, Clifford Roy, Lincoln and Welland Regiment, Dublin FINLAYSON, Roderick Alexander, Governor General's Foot Guards, Localsh/Lucknow FRASER, James, RCAF 424 "Tiger" Squadron, Clinton/Goderich HART, Wilburt Carl, Black Watch Regiment, Wingham HOFFMAN, Leonard Theodore, Highland Light Infantry, Zurich HOOD, Lloyd, Lincoln and Welland Regiment, Brussels JAMIESON, James, Carleton and York Regiment JOHNSTON, Kelso James, Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps, Goderich KELLY, George Francis, PLEASE RECYCLE 1.14 '1 ,AI.' TOWN TAXI is pleased to announce we are back on the road again. 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