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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-08-12, Page 2,e► Page 2 The Huron Expositor • August 12; 2009 News Wheelchair and scooter users having troubles at the tracks From Page gentleman . came alongand helped push him out but the wole idea is to have independence to go uptown. So, until it's fixed, he's not going," said Betties. Betties recently wrote a letter to Huron East council expressing her concern about the state of the rail- way crossing on the Goderich-Exeter Railway, where the asphalt has come away from the tracks and left large gaps where, wheelchair and scooter wheels can get stuck. "When you're stuck in the tracks, you start to think about what might be coming," said Scott. Scott said that since he lost his driver's licence after the• stroke, he's been enjoying getting out on the scooter and was looking forward to going uptown in Seaforth to the cof- fee shop and to the grocery store. But, he has to get across the tracks first. "Now, it's a fear that he'll get stuck and we don't know:when those trains are coming t'hrough," said Betties. "It's a safety concern." Betties pointed out that there are an increasing • number of people in the Seaforth area using motorized wheelchairs and scootters to get around - she said she knows of about 17 people living at the Seaforth Man- or using them. Tbm Fletcher, who lives at the Sea - forth Manor and also uses a scooter to get around after suffering a stroke years ago, said he recently bought a new $4,000 scooter that is having an easier time getting . across the tracks. But, he said his last scooter got stuck several times. "The problem waa the wheels were so small," he said, adding that a friend in a larger scooter was with him and pushed him out of the ruts in the track. "It's good to go in twos so you've got somebody to help you," he said. While Fletcher and Scott can walk a little bit, both said they might Swimming lessons? CHECK ✓' Soccer schedule? CHECK ✓ Back -to -school shoes? CHECK Childcare for September? bit too late? It's riot too late to register your child for childcare in Huron County! Please see the contact information for each of the centres below...call today. Bean Sprouts Nursery School, Zurich Clinton Cooperative Childcare Centre Goderich Municipal Childcare Centre North Huron Childcare Centre, Wingham Relouw Early Learning Center, Exeter Seaforth Cooperative Childcare Centre Tinker Tots Nursery School, Hensall Tuckersmith Day Nursery, Vanastra Walton ' s Little School Huron County Home Childcare • 519-235-0710 519-482-5777 519-524-7441 519-357-2424 519-235-0710 519-527-0682 519-262-2305 519-482-7634 519-887-8440 482-8505 ext 204 REGISTER NOW FOR SEPTEMBER 2009 Assistance with the cost of childcare may be available Coll 4824505 ext 208 for more Information. have trouble getting to safety if their scooters were stuck and a train was coming. • "I could walk but I • can't run. And, some people in scooters and wheel- chairs can't stand up at all," said Fletcher.' Fletcher said the larger wheels on newer scooters have an easier time getting across the tracks but with the smaller wheels on a manual wheelchair he thinks getting across the tracks would be next to impos- sible. "There are a lot of scooters and wheelchairs in Seaforth. They make life so much more convenient - it's a quality of life issue," he said. Ralph Wood, who has been using a wheelchair since he was paralysed from the chest down in an ATV ac- cident, said he no longer even tries to come to Seaforth's downtown in his wheelchair after getting stuck on the tracks. "I can't get across so I go uptown in my vehicle. I brought it up a couple of times to the town but nothing was done," he said, adding he'd like to take his wheelchair on a nice day. Wood said he's noticed in London, Ont. how the railway crossings have rubber inserted between the tracks, creating easy travel for wheelchairs and scooters. Charlie Nigh, whd also uses an electric wheelchair to get around Seaforth and Egmondville, said he crosses the tracks three or four times a day but occasionally gets stuck. • "It's pretty rough going across the tracks. I usually take•my time and if you stick to the outside, you can get across a little easier," he said. And, when Nigh, who cannot walk, gets stuck, he said "someone will usually come by and help." • Nigh would also like to see the rub- ber inserts between the tracks to make crossing easier. "I mentioned it to the railway guys a few times but you don't get any re- action," he said. Tuckersmith Coun. Larry McGrath brought Betties' concerns to Hu- ron East council at its Aug. 4 meet- ing and Clerk -Administrator Jack McLachlan responded that town administration had contacted the Goderich-Exeter Railway about the issue*three times. "They said they'd look after it," said McLachlan. Deputy -Mayor Bernie MacLellan said Huron East ought to make its requests for repairs in writing so the municipality can prove it tried to remedy the situation. "I would hate if something hap- pened and we couldn't prove it," he said. McGrath said he wants the munic- ipality to keep trying to get the track crossing fixed. "Let's make sure no one gets killed on the railway tracks," he said. Betties said a bit of asphalt or even some sand might be enough to solve the problem. "I am hoping that you can address this problem and have it fixed im- mediately. If yQu feel that a visual assessment is not enough proof, we would be glad • to lend you the scooter and you could physically put ' yourself in the situation," she said in her letter. invest. Wisely. Grow your investments securely with •RateBuilder RSPs and TFSAs When you invest with United Communities you build your investments and build a better community. That's growth you can feel good about. Find out more at myunited.ca. Or call us at 519.776.4311 or 1.800.492.9492 • IP United Communities Credit Union. 'Offer may be withdrawn at any time. Deposits insured by the Deposit Insurance Corporation of Ontario. 3.5% 3rd year rate Effective `vied 2.0 •." ''':nlur Investment 55{'' 5% 5th year rate E'ffectivc yield 2.60,u Minimum investment $500, up to $100,000 7 0/O 5th year rate Effective yield • SEAFORTH BR�KER LTD/HIMG `�" t ssyy °r >L ' INSURANCE • • Home • Commerdal *Auto • Farm f • Out of Province Travel Insurance 41 Main St. S. 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