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Lakeshore Advance, 2011-10-05, Page 1110 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, October 5, 2011 County department reflects on twister's aftermath Cheryl Heath QMI Agency Huron County's housing manager took to her bicycle shortly after an h i tornado slammed into Goderich on Aug. 21. Barb Hall, who presented her debriefing at Huron County's Sept. 21 committee - of -the -whole session in Clin- ton, says that was her first step as part of the county's social services team that had to discern if the twister had displaced the county's social services clients. What 1 lall found was that though Goderich's West Street was hard hit, the coun- ty's 54 -unit apartment build- ing, at the corner of West and Waterloo streets, was spared. "We were so fortunate," says Hall in noting that the building suffered only minor roof damage. Still, she says, the residents were without hydro for about five days so social services workers were kept busy supplying the building's residents with meals and security service. Her further travels revealed all of the county's social housing sites were spared structural damage. "'There was no visible struc- tural damage to social hous- ing units or family units;" says Hall, who notes the county's construction technologist, who was also on the job that day, reported the county reg- istry's roof was destroyed and the courthouse sustained damage. Michele Gaynor, also of social services, told county council the area's community service groups deserve a great deal of praise for hand- ing together in the hours fol- lowing the storm. "We all blended together at the Knights of Columbus and 1 think the did an amazing Choices for Seniors Information on Independent Living Is It Alzheimer's? Or Something Else? As we grow older, memory loss and cclgnitive impairment become more common --not only as a result of Alzheimer's, but also due to diseases such as Lewy body dementia, Parkinson's disease, vascular dementia, or multi-infarct dementia from a stroke or series of strokes. Early diagnosis of these conditions is important so that the appropriate treatment and care can bo started. Patients and families should also remember that a complete medical evaluation may uncover a treatable, even curable, underlying cause for the patient's symptoms. So it is important not to assume that oonftsion, memory loss and other personality ohanges inevitably signal dementia. Treatable causes may include: - Drug side effects and interactions - Depression - Thyroid disease - Vitamin deficiency - Dehydration - Alcohol abuse - Head injury Cognitive impairment is not a "natural part of growing older." Geriatricians now recognize that dementia is part of a disease process. If a senior does have Alzheimer's disease, it's intportault to Hook the best care to improve quality of life. But remember: the first step is to rule out other, treatable conditions. Sponsored by: Lando Colotto Extxmllvo Inroolor Rottro-At•1I no So vloos Tol: 519-1104-88A5 www.rotIreuthomohpn ixnn REI'1ltl� AI' I;IoMi YourHewlth. YourHome. YourChofoe. job," says Gaynor, adding the 211 information service proved to be instrumental in getting the word out about pertinent services. According to the statistics compiled by 1 luron County's social services department, 110 people called the Red Cross to report they'd been displaced by the tornado, though it is known that more were impacted. "In a rural area, we are lucky in that we have friends and family to help," says Gaynor, adding at one point there was a concern that peo- ple would have to he evacu- ated to North 1 luron, but in the end that move proved unnecessary. Gaynor says other sluts show there were 07 inquires with regard to missing loved ones and 357 calls to Victim Services for emotional support. ii It was amazing how social services, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Victims Services, and the OSPCA all worked as one -- Goderich Mayor Deb Sheu'/elt Other organizations that helped included the Salva- tion Army, which "more than pulled their weight," the Ontario Society for Preven- tion of Cruelty towards Animals (OSPCA), and the county's planning and IT departments. "At the end of the day, we 11'11111M social media is pretty much necessity to under- stand," says Gaynor, noting sites like FaceLook were suc- cessful in getting information out in the hours and days after the tornado. While there is yet to be an estimate made on the total financial and jobs loss in relation to the tornado, Gaynor says it is something that it will impact the local economy for many years to conte. "There is a financial loss through loss of employnlent. that will impact Ontat Works," she notes by way br example. "It's going to he an interesting ride over the next couple of years:' In commending the involved parties on a job well done, Goderich Mayor Deb Shewfelt says he was awed by the way various groups Caine together to help people in their hour of need. "It was amazing how social services, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Victims Services, and the OSPCA all worked as one," says Shewfelt. "It was great work and it made our lives a lot easier." Cleanup continues at courthouse Cheryl Heath OMI Agency The County of lluron is finding itself on the wrong side of red tape. County Chief Administra- tive Officer Larry Adams reports the county is hoping the Province of Ontario will see fit to cut the county a break in the wake of the Aug. 21 tornado, when it conies to its Ontario Disaster Relief Program funding. At issue, says Adams, is a 1.1 -day provincial deadline that must be met following a disaster so the province's two -to -one disaster relief program's grant dollars can he acquired. The county's problem, note's Deputy Clerk Dave Carey, is it was not aware asbestos Was i11 the three- storey courthouse until after the ODRAP funding deadline had passed. Since insurance does not cover asbestos cleanup, the He's Looking For You! 1111111MIIIINNIIWMMINNN ROYAL LEPAGE MICILtiv Ask Marje about Pets and Real Estate at 98 ONTARIO in Grand Bend (next to House of Flags. Sears & No Frills) Marje Crowe* is helping London Animal Care Centre rind adoptive parents for lonely cuts and dogs. If you can share your loving & happy hone with a 4 -legged friend. please call Marje for more information or go online to London Animal ('are Centre's website at Helping You is What 11)o! 37 Years of Caring Experience! If you're buying or selling your home or cottage. please call Marje ('rower at 519-6(11-0380 ... and don't forget to spay or neuter your pets. county is looking at what could be a hefty tab for the asbestos cleanup project as well as a $100,000 deducti- ble for insurance. While asking county councillors to give county administrators permission to request a break 011 the deadline, Carey said the asbestos was detected in three separate areas of the courthouse, necessitating a courthouse -wide asbestos cleanup in accordance with provincial standards. Adams has noted that the courthouse was cleared of asbestos in the past, and it is the county's belief the asbestos was actually blown in by the tornado. Adams said the county would only he seeking financial assist- ance outside of the $5 mil- lion in ODRAP money avail- able to Goderich, Ashfield Colborne Wawanosh and Central Huron. 111 accordance with provincial standard, repair work on the courthouse's windows and other dam- aged areas cannot begin until all asbestos is removed from the building. County officials anticipate the courthouse will he com- pleted cleaned up and ren- ovated by year's end, though a total damage esti mate is not yet known. Meanwhile, Coun. lames Ginn (Central Huron) also asked the CA() to craft it resolution asking the prov- ince to make a special dis- pensation for lost woodlots in Goderich, Central Huron and Ashfield (:011101'111' Wawanosh. '111CW woo(ilots ,err very valuable assets," says (111111, noting many residents h; lost a source of revenue ash result of twister damage. Adams pledged t0 craft ,1 resolution to he brought before County council in October. 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