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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1982-11-03, Page 3LIONESS ATTENDANCE PINS — At a recent meeting of the Exeter Lioness club zone chairman Bill Rovers, left and district chairman Richard Erb at the right presented a two year attendance pin td Rose Anne Lavier and a one year award to Elaine Pinder. T -A photo. Group for handicapped see positive side Ret,tiogi Community and Social Ser- vices Minister Frank Drea put an end to weeks of rumor Thursday and made it of- ficial six centres for the developmentally -handicap- ped, . including those in Goderich and St. Thomas, will be phased out and closed down over the next few years. The Bluewater Centre in Goderich will shut its doors by PUC meeting Continued from front page its own computer. "They're (computers) af- fordable," Mayor -Bruce Shaw commented after Davis agreed that utilities would probably have their own com- puters in the future. "At $7,000 (present billing a year, it doesn't take long to. pay for a computer," Liv- ingstone added. The Commission decided to apply for funds under the pro- vincial ministry of energy Residential Energy Advisory Program (REAP) under which they could hire a per- son to do energy conservation studies for local homeowners. The program runs through to March 31. German trip Continued from frontpage cent cooperation from local -industries and advised coun- cil he was impressed with the "viable industrial segment out there". He indicated it had been a revelation to him to see what local firmsproduce and ex- plained that local products are distributed across the na- tion, into the U.S.A. and overseas. " - The town staff was also commended for the assistance provided in com- - piling information for the trip. Works . superintendent Glenn Kells extended an offer of even more assistance if re- quired. He told the two men that if they found theyneed- ed anything further when they -arrived in Germany "phone and I'll bring it to you'". IIffers on DlueWater closing mid -1984 and the St. Thomas Adult Rehabilitation and Training Centre by mid -1985. Drea also announced his in- tention to reduce the Oxford Regional Centre in Woodstock by 173 residents by 1986. Paul Turnbull of the South Huron and District Associa- tion for the Mentally Han- dicapped responded positive- ly to the Drea announcement. "As a service provider to the handicapped of our area, the South Huron and District Association for the Mentally Handicapped views Mr. Drea's plan as a very positive step toward meeting our goal. Simply stated that goal is that handicapped people live in a state of dignity, share in all elements of the community and have the opportunity to participate effectively, he said. "But, if we intend to -bring residents from these facilities which are being closed, we must bear in mind that more than only residential spaces are required. ' Vocational spaces in workshop settings as well as recreational ac- tivities are also needed to roundotit.' a full service program. • Another concern he cited is the number of people on our own waiting list. These people as well as those who may be coming back to the cornmuni- ty must be considered, he noted. "Itis also our' conviction that there should be greater co-ordination among service providing agencies in Huron County and district," Turn- bull concluded in his comments. Huron County council went. on record as being opposed to the closing of the Bluewater Centre for the developmental- ly handicapped the same day as Community and Social Ser- ' vices Minister Frank Drea confirmed rumors the centre will be phased out. The minister announced on Thursday, Oct. 28 that the Bluewater Centre, located on Highway 21, south . of Goderich will shut its doors by mid'1984. At the same time Huron County council took its SERVICE RECOGNIZED —Exeter resident J.M. "Gib - by" Gibson, 68 Wellington. St.,recently received a medallion from the federal government for his "long and efficient service". He has served the nation for 35 years as a member of the Armed Forces and the Cana- dian diplomatic corps. He retired to Exeter in 1981 after serving in diplomatic duties in Munich, Rome, Budapest, Cario, Pakistan and Mexico City. Huron salaries Continued from front page Reeve Murray Dawson of Usborne Township added that unions bother him. Ile noted in the United States unions are backing off their. demands. • "Here in, Canada they're not smart enough. They'll strangle themselves. Unions have a lot to learn," said Reeve Dawson. Ashfield Township Reeve Warren Zinn added his com- ments. The Canadian deficit keeps climbing, he noted, and municipalities are doing their best to control their own spending. "Huron County has been a leader , over the years. Somebody has to start somewhere and '1 hope it (restraint) starts here," com- mented Reeve Zinn. Reeve Robert Bell of TuCkersmith Township noted how employees in his township came to council and offered to accept a 10 percent. reduction in salaries. Hay Township Reeve Lloyd Mousseau. and Goderich -Reeve Don Wheeler agreed with the statements trade by their colleagues and added the county will have to keep their expenditures within guidelines. In other business, county council has changed its meeting date from the last Thursday of the month to the first Thursday of the month, effective January 1, 1983. . stand after hearing a delega- tion of concerned citizens. "There will be unhappiness all around," spokesman Nor- man McHolm predicted if the centre is closed. • Mr. McHolm, who resides in the vicinity of the centre, said he attended a meeting on Oct. 25 at which time the een- • tre's volunteer association ex- pressed its concerns. Until Thursday, the possible dos- • ing of the centre was just rumor. "I attended the meeting on Monday just for general in- terest, but there is quite a con- cern. There appears to be no rhymenor reasonfor the dos- ing," Mr. McHolm said to county council. The province's intention is to have those that are able to live in group homes, while those unable to live in the community will be moved to other facilities. Affected emplo)(ees will be given assistance in retraining or relocating. Mr. McHolm said, while he accepts the idea of group homes, there are problems trying to get the public to ac- cept them. He anticipates problems such as' a lack of staffing and supervision, a loss of recreation for the residents and possibly the ex- ploitation of individuals by landlords. He recited a situa tion in London, where a landlord rented out one room, a bathroom, where the bathtub was the bed. The parents of the residents at the centre are also a cause of concern for Mr. McHolm. He said.a lot of the parents are in their senior years and have looked after their children as long as they have beenphysically able. He said he spoke to one parent, a man in his seventies, who had to wait four and a half years to. get his daughter into the Bluewater centre, It then took the daughter two years to get adjusted to the new environment. Besides the upset to the residents, Mr. McHolm said staff will also suffer. He said there is enough of a strain now on the economy without having more people without - jobs. "There will bea hardship• on the citizens of the com- munity, the parents and residents," concluded Mr. McHolm.- - Drea told the legislature the province's deinstitutionaliza- tion program has reduced the population of the facilities by 1,400 over the last seven years, moving Targe numbers of handicapped into the com- munity and reducing the need for institutional places. In the•next five years, an additional $33 million will be poured into community resources, $23 million of that raised by the closing of the centres, he said. "We plan to develop a number of supervised com- munity living alternatives for children and adults currently living ,in intensive settings such as group homes who no longer require this kind of 24-hour supervision," Drea said. Such persons would be plac- ed in his orher own apart- ment with appropriate super- vision or in a family home program. "We plan to develop 750 supervised com-' munity living places over the next five years. Bluewater administrator William Gregg said Thursday the news left him "in two minds." Although he regrets the demise of the centre, which he has run since its opening in 1976, and the Toss of his "extended family," Gregg said the goal has always been intregration of residents into the community. "When we started I said every resident should have the opportunity for communi- ty living. Now more people are being given that oppor- tunity...although it has come more "'quickly than anticipated." Gregg said the centre recently held a reunion. for graduates of its programs who arenowliving°n the com- munity. "The emotional and social growth was most rewarding. It gave us a sense of fulfilment too. That has always been the ultimate goal." CNR lights at Huron Members of council were staggered Monday on learn- ing the costs involved in in- stalling signal lights at the Huron St. CNR crossing. They had decided to investigate those costs in view of the re- cent train -truck collision at the crossing. Works superintendent Glenn Kells and three members of council attended a meeting with Transport Canada and CNR officials at the site last week and were advised the total cost of in- stalling lights would be $70,000. The town would be re- quiredtopay 121: percent of that total; or $8,750. In addition, the town would be responsible for.50 percent of the annual maintenance cost which was estimated at $5,000 in total. In reporting for the public works committee, Reeve Don MacGregor said memberp had questioned if stop signs could be put in at the crossing and they were told This was not recommended because .of the number of collisions that occur between motorists where stop signs have been erected at railway crossings. Noting the components for the lights were made in the U.S. and were a "rip oft', MacGregor said he hoped Mayor Shaw and Councillor Mickle could bring back a company from Germany to start into the business to get the costs down. • • He told council that traffic was the said heavy at the crossing at time of the meeting and officials were aware of Times -Advocate, November 3, 1982 Pope 3 St. are expensive the fact the crossing was traversed by two school buses each day. In answer to a question, he said it would take at least a year to get lights approved and installed at the crossing if the decision was made to proceed with them. ' - Ifit's from Anstett's it says, you're special' "Cherie" "Wistful" ANSTETT JEWELLERS 8 Albert Street Clinton 26 Main Street South Seaforth 284 Main Street Exeter 203 Durham Street East Walkerton 135 Queen Street East St. Marys "Elegance" 411. "Regal Lady" "My Love" "Enchantment" The Perfect Pair...matchedengagement` ring and wedding band sets. 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