HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-04-27, Page 11wmd"kw'"
County supports Healthkick
Cheryl Heath
Huron County is stepping
up to support Healthkick.
In appearing before
Huron County's April 20
s mmittee-of-the-whole
bssion, project spokes-
woman Laura Overholt says
given that grant funding
runs out this August,
Healthkick is hoping the
county will step up to cover
approximately $28,000 in
rent for its Seaforth office
over the next two years.
Overholt reports Health -
kick, which started In 2005,
is designed to both attract
and retain healthcare pro-
fessionals as well as to offer
up training opportunities
that allow area residents to
earn their credentials on
Huron County soil. An
example of one of the
program's successful
courses, says Overholt, is
Registered Practical Nurs-
ing, which saw its first crop
of graduates in 2009. Other
programs include Personal
Support Worker and Food
Service Worker certification
programs.
In supporting Healthkick,
Coun. Deb Shewfelt
(Goderich) says it makes a
great deal of sense from an
economic development
standpoint.
While county treasurer
Dave Carey reports the
$27.129.03 requested would
not impact the budget given
the funds would come from
the economic development
reserve, committee chair-
man Joe Steffler (Huron
East) took time out to note
the Municipality of Huron
East's Hydro grant has com-
mitted more that $140,000
to Healthkick in the past
few years.
Councillors approved the
request, which must be rat-
ified by council before the
money is granted.
Transformer Problems
A faulty transformer is
likely to cost the county
about $200,000 to replace.
According to a report pre -
ted by Social Services
ministrator Dave Over-
oe at Huron County's April
20 committee -of -the -whole
session, the problem was
detected by Hydro One
officials that say the equip-
ment should be replaced
forthwith.
The problem came to
light when a switching gear
problem occurred at the
Huron County building in
Clinton, says Overboe, who
adds if a complete malfunc-
tion were to occur, the
county could face signifi-
cant costs in the form of
spoiled vaccinations and an
overheated computer room
that could result in the loss
of information stored on
site.
Facilities Manager Dave
Breznik notes while there is
a contingency plan in place
to deal with the vaccines in
the event of an emergency,
it would take at least 24
hours to begin to address
the problem and a genera-
tor would cost $2,600 per
week In fuel.
After some debate, coun-
cillors asked for a report on
possible alternatives to
come before council before
moving forward with
replacing the transformer.
Some councillors, how-
ever, urged moving forward
as soon as possible.
"We should let them go
ahead with the purchase of
a transformer," says Coun.
Deb Shewfelt (Goderich). "I
don't want It to be like the
(county) clock."
Councillors also learned
$215,000 had been budg-
eted to replace the trans-
former in 2012, and if buy-
ing a new one is now
necessary, the requisite
funds could be taken out of
reserves and paid back in
two years' time.
Ten Minutes, Please
While reviewing the
procedural bylaw for the
coming year, a document
that guides the county clerk
and councillors on the
process involved In running
committee, boards, and
council sessions, council-
lors agreed to set a 10-rnin-
tue litnit for delegations'
presentations.
In addressing the issue
and a recent contentious
presentation at a commit-
tee -of -the -whole session,
Coun. 13111 Dowson (Blue -
water) says delegations that
go over the time limit or
end up representing a dif-
ferent presentation than
promised can put the chair-
man in a predicament.
"Was I out of order?"
asked Dowson.
While Coun. Brian
Barnim (Central Huron)
wondered whether there
was a way to deter presen-
tations involving infortna-
tion presented before coun-
cil In the past, Coun. Ben
Van Diepenbeek (Ashfield
Colborne Wawanosh) says
it would be a dangerous
precedent to cut delega-
tions off at the door.
Noting wind energy is
one issue with many opin-
ions and stakeholders, Van
Diepenbeek says allowing
more than one delegation
on each side is necessary.
"We've got to leave it
open enough," says Van
Diepenbeek. "As soon as
you close the door on dele-
gations, we are not doing
our Job."
While Councillors Patti
Klopp (Bluewater) and John
Grace (Goderich) echoed
Van Diepenbeek's senti-
ments, Coun. Neil Hinton'
(ACW) says the ehnirnttut
has other tools at his dis-
posal, including Robert's
Rules of Order, when deal-
ing with delegations,
Coun, Ioe Steller (Huron
East) says it makes sense to
allow the meeting chairman
to make the call in ques-
tionable situations, but Von
Diepenbeek says the ulti-
mate decision an which
delegations appear before
council must he at the par -
view of elected officials,
(:AO Larry Adapts says
the issue at question Is to
ensure councillors and
county staff are prepared
with the requisite informa-
tion before a delegation
appears before them,
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VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBERS FOR
TOURISM SARNIA-I.AMB'I'ON
Tourism is the third largest industry w Lamhton Comity.
Tourism Sarnia-l.anthton is a not-for-ptotit 'Destination
Marketing Organization', and is recruiting volunteers for
positions on the Board of Directors. All residents of Sar-
nia-Lamhton tvho believe they would ht an asset should
consider presenting their name to the Nominating ('ort►
minae. We encourage applications from persons in these
sectors:
• Shopping & Retail
• Food & Beverage, or Restaurant
• Events or Attractions
• Provincial Parks/Conservation Authorities
• Outdoor Recreation
By Wel,,luesday„luut:_bf._20.11 please submit an application
detailing your experience and interest to:
The Nominating Committee
Tourism Sarnia-Lamhton
556 N. Christina Street
Sarnia, ON N7T 5W6
For more information visit www,tourismsttrnialamhton,com
or call Leona Allen at 519-336-3232 or 1-8011-265.11316.
Van Diepenbeek says
regardless of the scenario,
some leeway is necessary
given "quite often we get off
topic" so some flexibility
should be expected.
Ultimately, councillors
approved the clerk's proce-
dural bylaws as presented,
including the 10 -minute
time limit for delegations,
Seeking Cooperation
Limon (;aunty is asking
to have Its Jurisdiction
tacked 00 to 0 pilot project
designed to deal with wild-
life damage to agriculture,
tvith a key portion designed
to expand compensation
programs for livestock.
While the county is seek-
ing inclusion in the project,
• Lakeshore Advance 11
it also expressed support
for the project, aimed at
Grey County, regardless of
whether the province sees
fit to include Huron in the
study.
PRISM 911
The county's Protective
Response Interactive Serv-
ices Management (PRISM)
911 system is growing in
popularity, but it has a long
tvay to go before it is
deemed a success.
In reporting on the most
recent statistics to council-
lors, EMS Chief Dave Lew
says the number of people
signing on to the
CONTINUED > PAGE 12
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