HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2012-01-18, Page 28Wednesday, January 26, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 9r
Coun. Hassel on Zurich library upgrade: 'Let's get it done'
Vanessa Brown
QMI Agency
At a time when Bluewater
council is prioritizing whether
itayfield or Zurich's library is in
most need for upgrades, one
Incillor says both deserve
attention in 2011.
Last terns, council began
putting money away in a reserve
fund - $150,000 was put aside in
2010 for libraries and public
washrooms - for the municipality's
library renovations. Councillor -at -
large Tyler I iessel intimated that
it's tinw to withdraw that money
so residents in Hayfield and Zurich
- two priority libraries - can enjoy
a modern library system.
"From my perspective, both
communities are in dire need of
it," I lessel saki. "It isn't one or the
other. Let's get it done because the
family population in Zurich is
strong and it's the sante in
Bayfield. 'That's a hub for our
community, and that's the most
important."
Patti Down, a member of
Friends of the Library, a Zurich
volunteer group, argued last
Monday at council that Zurich -
and -area residents are in fear of
losing their "community hub:'
"We don't want to have
something happen where all of a
sudden it's 2012 and because it's
not accessible the doors get
closed; Down told council.
In 2007, the Accessibility for
Ontarians with Disabilities Act
pushed back the deadline to make
public libraries fully accessible for
all residents from lan.1 2010 to the
same date in 2012. Down said her
group doesn't want council to
keep deferring the renovations
until it's too late.
Zurich Councillor lanisse
Zimmerman expressed her
support for moving ahead with
renovations this year.
"I think it's come to the point
County honours EMS crews
Cheryl Heath
QMI Agency
Forty-eight year-old Wayne
Wilson went to work one day in
September, and woke up two
clays' later at the London Health
Sciences Centre.
"I don't remember anything
in those two days," says Wilson
of suffering from cardiac arrest
while at work.
But thanks to the efforts of the
Wescast First Response '!'earl
and 1 luron County paramedics,
Wilson is here to talk about it.
And, on tan. 19, Wilson, along
with his five-year-old son Millar,
joined Iluron County
Councillors, administrators and
healthcare professionals 10
present awards to those who
helped save his life at Iluron
County's committee- of -the -
whole session.
In paving tribute to the
actions of workers on that day,
Iluron County's EMS Deputy
Chief Jeff 1lorseman reports a
five -member Wescast First
Response Tears, consisting of
Kevin Carter, Chris MacDonald,
Conan Crinnings, Kevin I logg
and Wayne Whytock, quickly
administered two shocks with
an on-site defibrillator before
Iluron County's EMS crew
arrived.
In the Nic-o-Time
Huron County Health Unit
Young people in I luron County
have some new incentives to
avoid tobacco products beginning
in March.
'Ihe first ever In the Nic-O-Time
Challenge is for youth 14-19 years.
The challenge is for youth to quit
using tobacco products or for
those struggling with their
addiction, cut back by fifty per
cent. Youth who (10 not use
tobacco can also register and
pledge during the month to not
start using tobacco products.
Those who register and
participate have the chance to win
a variety of prizes, including the
grand prize of a $1,000 iPad gift
pack. Registration for the
challenge is online throughout
:ebruary at www.qult2win.ca.
"We're really excited about this
-,. ;Menge as We know the
overwhelming majority of tobacco
users begin before their 19th
birthday," says Angela Ritchie,
Public I lealth Promoter with the
1 luron County 1 lealth Unit. "We're
hoping we have lots of young
people make quit attempts, but
also have a lot of people stand up
and say that they don't want
tobacco to be part Of their life:'
The contest will be promoted
throughout area high schools and
community centres. This is one of
the first major initiatives from
the new Youth Engagement
Strategy funded through
the Ministry of I lealth
Promotion and Sport
and will feature youth
promoting this contest
to their peers.
Richie says,
"Ultimately, everyone
taking part in the
challenge is protecting
their future health from
t1 deadly addiction
that kills half
of all
users."
Horseman reports the
county's (:NMS team, Harold
martin and Dave Wagner,
arrived on scene within three
minutes of the call. They began
administering (:PR and a third
shock, delivered by the
paramedics, resuscitated
Wilson, wild was taken to
Winghanl hospital before being
transferred to London.
Today Wilson is in good
health, and he recently returned
to work at Wescast.
"Stories like this prove the
importance of on-site
defibrillators," reported 1)r. Don
Eby, who was also on hand for
the presentation.
Youth interested in helping to
create a healthier I luron and who
wish to support the In the Nic-O-
Tinle Challenge at their school
can contact Angela Ritchie at the
Iluron County health Unit for
more information. Ritchie says
having more young people lead a
tobacco free life will help
to prevent the 44,000
deaths in Canada
every year
resulting from
tobacco related
illness.
where it's at the end, that the Zurich
library is very large to the residents there,"
Zimmerman said. "I hope that council
really looks at this budgeting:'
Friends of the library has determined
five high-priority areas for upgrades:
•A ramp leading up to the front
entrance' would accommodate those of
all physical abilities. Down said the
current stairway is a hazard, especially
%vitll snow accumulation during the
winter.
•Accessibility issues also plague the
library's main floor. Power -push doors at
the front entrance, as well as lower
shelving units, an accessible check-out
area and washrooms are a priority for
those in wheelchairs.
•More computer room and increased
seating space for adults unci children.
A separate space for programs to take
place, 5111'11 a15 children's reading time and
the library's book club
.A larger, more well -lit parking lot
would increase safety at night
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