Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1992-10-21, Page 2Page 2 IImes-Advocate , October 21, 1992 INTHF NRW.S Exeter Machine Products planning to double in size Continued from front page mins now represents 42 percent of their business. Over the past year, EMP has in- creased their labour force train 53 to 85, and a proposal is currently on the table of the Ontario Devel- opment Corporation for expansion. If approved, the move would see the 55,000 sq. ft plant double to 112,000 sq. ft., and the workforce bloom to somewhere between 150- 200 personnel. Management hopes to break ground in the early spring. "It's not only achieving a high 4bvel but maintaining it, because as our industry improves, we have to improve as well,,. said Wanless. "There is a large source of employ- ees in this area, and now we'll be trying-tretsp it:" According to Wanless, it's all leading to the new buzz word, ISO 9000, which is the European stan- dard of quality. In die Europe be- yond 1992, ISO 9000 will be the only quality management standard recognized by the European Eco- nomic Council: For companies such as EMP now vying for a foot- hold across the pond, upholding these standards is imperative. it will be especially important for EMP, considering 95 percent of their product is exported, with ' Cummins' parts already being de- livered to Belgium and the UK. "If your company doesn't adhere to this standard, you're going to miss out on a huge market, larger than North America," said Brian Saunders, QA manager for EMP. "Cummins and Caterpillar are wonting towards it, so it's only sen- sible we strive for the same." Surveys show they are well on their way to achieving this Europe- an standard, and whispers are al- ready in the air that the improve- ments ISO 9000 enforces are on the way world=Witte: "What the big picture really shows is that Europe is definitely beginning to control the world mar- ket, and we have to adapt to it," agreed Saunders. "A united Europe has incredible potential and right now is really pulling the world's in- dustrial strings." With companies such as Cum- mins and Caterpillar actually reduc- ing their supply base, EMS is quickly becoming a preferred sup- plier to customers. Their next step is to become certified by Rockwell International in hopes of widening that customer base and ' granting further stability to their company. Over the past four years, Wanless and management as a whole have seen a fantastic advancement of ex- perience among the workers. "They should feel extra proud of this certification because it was they who achieved this goal," said Wanless. "We can't begin to praise them enough." EMP has adopted a Kaizen pro- gram, whereby employees have much more input into production techniques, etc. Operators are in- volved as a team, especially with the Cummins line of products. Su- pervisors get together with opera- tors and brainstorm how to make improvements. "1t reverses the normal role of management and employee," said Wanless. "It's very effective at rec- ognizing wasted time and so far, the great team effort has bore this company a lot of success." Exeter bowed to 'lobby groupin passing smoking restriction bylaw, charges councillor EXETER - As promised, town council discussed a smoking re- striction bylaw for public places Monday evening, and eventually passed it, although with an amend- ment which may prove controver- sial. While council agreed to make it mandatory for restaurants and cof- fee shops in Exeter to post smoking and non-smoking areas, meeting halls will be exempt. Deputy -reeve Lossy Fuller pro- posed the amendment after review- ing comments on the bylaw propo- sal, and said that she felt the bylaw should not have to apply in large meeting halls such as the Recrea- tion Centre and the Exeter Legion. "It's harder to say...say a wedding reception...you usually sit at a pre- scribed spot and if the smoking area is down at the far end, I can't see how it would work," said Full- er, and asked that halls be exempt- ed from the bylaw. With the amendrhent, the bylaw essentially requires restaurants and public eating places to set aside one third of - their seating area' as a smoking area, and the rest be post- ed as smoke free. The bylaw in- cludes a maximum penalty of 55,000 for violators. Proprietors who do set aside smoking areas will have to post an outside sign stating "WARNING: this restaurant permits smoking". Smoking will also be prohibited in other public places, such as retail stores. Restaurants applying for building permits in the future will have to make sure heating and ven- tilation systems prevent smoke from, entering non-smoking areas. Councillor Bob Spears referred to an "apparent lack of interest" from the businesses in town regarding the bylaw proposal. "I think the business community is in favour of a smoking bylaw," said councillor Ben Hoogenboom, saying 'that a lack of negative re- sponse indicated support. Councillor Robert Drummond disagreed, saying restaurant owners he spoke with indicated resentment On "how council was interfering with how they divide up their build- ing". "I think we're infringing on pri- vate property," agreed councillor Ervin Siliery. "1 think it's up to the owner or manager to say "no smok- ing in this establishment." Councillor Dave Urlin noted that the Donut Cafe when surveyed not- ed about 40 percent of customers were smokers "which is pretty close to 33 and a third percent" (the one third smoking area). "Who do we fine, the person who smokes or the owner?" asked coun- cillor Tam Humphreys. Mayor Bruce Shaw replied the bylaw was not intended to create a "smoke police" but to be enforced by "moral -suasion". "We do have to show leadership. There are going to be people who don't like that," agreed councillor Ben Hoogenboom. During the discussion period on the final reading of the bylaw, Drummond read from a six-page prepared statement, in which he said the bylaw was created only be- cause on July 6 a delegation from a "lobbyist pressure group" attended council, referring to the Huron County Health Unit. Drummond said the group were not elected or appointed by anyone and had a goal of abolishing tobac- co smoke and have used council to help them reach that goal. Drummond said the bylaw re- peats statements from the Health Unit that tobacco smoke is a health hazard, irritant and discomfort "which can be labelled an 'incon- venience'." While he said he does agree to- bacco smoke is a hazard "first hand" he said he wondered if coun- cil would be asked in future "to pass a bylaw to banish people who use more than three sprays of co - longe or perfume to the back of the room?" Drummond noted the Recreation Centre staff were opposed to the bylaw, saying it would make en- forcement of liquior regulations more difficult, and hall harder to rent. "If this is passed we will have be- come the lobbyist's policemen," said Drummond, and stated that the notion it wouldn't have to be en- forced is mistaken. "If it ain't going to be enforced, then why pass it?" charged Drum- mond, who accused council of be- coming the Health Unit's "test mar- ket" by being the first to be approached. "I think we've just listened to [six] pages...of rhetoric," said coun- cillor Ben Hoogenboom. "I haven't heard anything of the people who have died from cancer. Second hand smoke is a proven health haz- ard..1 think he's missing the point" Hoogenboom said he was not concerned about the Health Unit's position on the matter, adding "I think Exeter has shown leadership in the past, and we should show leadership now." The bylaw passed by a narrow margin, four votes to three, al- though the mayor did not vote and reeve Bill Miekle was absent. Later in the meeting Fuller said she was offended by some of Drummond's comments. "1 take exception to Robert call- ing [the Health Unit] 'a lobbyist pressure group'. The doctor is do-` ing his job," said Fuller. Shaw agreed and said Drum- mond's suggestion they were self- serving was misplaced. "There is nothing they are gain- ing," said Shaw. Drummond repeated his state- ment that he saw the Health Unit staff as no different than any other lobby group. Boterdlies-fire-Ockilp_in_Lucan .,was.-a..htge. Suess with 258 tines returned for recycling. Shown from the -left are councillor Brian Smith,- Chris McLellan and Tom England:- ' University seminar to allow students a glimpse at futures EXETER - With students at South Huron District High School well into their school year, it is time for many to start thinking about post -secondary education. Making a career choice for many is not an easy task, especially when considering the countless array of options. in order to help grade 12 students make sense of all the information suddenly being passed their way, South Huron District High School will be hosting a consortium in conjunction with many of the ma- jor colleges and universities. The event will take place in vari- ous rooms throughout the high school Thursday, October 29 be- ginning at 1 p.m. "Parents are definitely welcome to attend as well," said South Hu- ron's Bonnie Becker. "They have a lot of questions as well." Grade 12 students will be excused from class to attend up to three seminars of their choice. Each school will deliver a 35 -minute presentation during the two-hour exchange in hopes of answering as many questions as possible. For more information on the con- sortium, inquiries can be directed to South Huron's guidance department at 235.0880. Township bans parking near Morrlson Dam, safety c EXETER - A new parking bylaw has come into effect in Osborne Township, aiming to improve safety in the Morrison Dam area. Usborne Township Council at their October 6 meeting approved a bylaw which strengthens previ- ous township parking bylaws. In addition to prohib- iting parking on roadways, or parking to obsuuct driveways, intersections, or snow removal, the by- law prohibits parking on the road allowance (20 me- tres wide) on Concession 2-3 189 metres north and 166 metres south of Morrison Dam. Usborne reeve Pat Down explained that concerns over children walking around or between parked cars in that arca prompted the need for the restric- tions. "That's a really dangerous situation," said Down. " tildren can dart out from between cars." oncerns Down said with two public parking lots, one each side of the dam, there should be no need to park on the roadside. "If people could just get in the habit of parking there and walking down it would be safer," said Down. Usborne council had previously considered a speed limit reduction for traffic passing Morrison Dam, but later dropped the idea, concluding a park- ing restriction was a better alternative. Fines for parking near the dam range from $10-15. At the same meeting, council also welcomed the suggestion from a concerned ratepayer that traffic proceed with more caution near Usborne Central School. Council approved the purchase and place- ment of caution signs to watch for children on Hu- ron Street near the school. r• Lucan councillor pleased with success of tire recycling collection LUCAN - "I'm pleased and im- pressed with the response we re- ceived all day'Saturday". Those were the comments ofwil- lage councillor Bryan Smith after 258 tires were brought to the pick- up depot in the parking lot of Wraith's Hardware. While a few of the tires came from residents of Biddulph and Us - borne townships, Smith said," The response from our local residents was tremendous. In a similar pick- up a year ago we only received 44 tires". The tires were taken away by Bill Lane who operates a tire disposal service out of Melbourne. The charge of 52 for each car tire and $5 for those from trucks was paid to Lane with no cost assessed to the village. Smith continued, " Lane cuts the tires in half, separates them and has them recycled for asphalt to be used in road paving. I'm impressed by his operation and know that he would be willing to provide this service to other Western Ontario municipalities". The local councillor said he wished to thank a number of volun- teers who helped look after the tires on Saturday, including Lucan- Biddulph fire chief John Riddell and also those who responded so well in this effort to cut down on the number of worn out tires in the municipality which cannot be han- dled in regular garbage collections. A special pickup of metal and steel including fridges, stoves and batteries will be held on October 26. Letter to Editor Covering the emergency room Dear Editor: The medical staff at South Hu- ron Hospital 'feel obliged to re- spond to the article written by Mr. Groves in the October 7 edition of this newspaper. We want to assure the public that every attempt is made to ensure full coverage of the emergency room at all times. Furthermore, only fully licensed physicians are utilized, never in- terns. These physicians are often engaged in further subspecialty training and are referred to as "res- idents". This does not diminish their accomplishments, ability or our confidence in them. Each and every application by a physician who wishes to work at South Hu- ron Hospital is put through a three tier evaluation - by the medical staff, administration and ultimately, the Board of Directors. The utilization of alternate sources of phy- sician 111manpow- er on weekends and holidays is well established across the prov- ince. The presence of a resident in the hospital howev- er, does not negate the possibility that further medical staff may occa- sionally be needed in urgent situa- tions. The physicians of the com- munity have a long track record of responding at any time when called and I am not aware of a single phy- sician that would not report to the emergency room if they were re- quired urgently. This includes our most senior physicians, who be- tween them have served most of your needs for the last 30 years. We are very proud of the medi- cal services offered this communi- ty. We are not above criticism. We do however, encourage open dia- logue and communication that is accurate and appropriate. Innuendo and unsubstantiated accusations are not beneficial to anyone. Sincerely, J.L.Jadd, M.D. Chief of Medical Staff Fair rotation system the answer Dear Editor: When my family moved to Exet- er, I was delighted to learn that among the town's many facilities was a well respected hospital. In the process of hiring a doctor to care for my family's medical needs, one of the most important criterion was his or her availabili- ty. I feel that I was lucky enough to retain the services of a doctor who assured me that all of my cri- teria would be met, including availability. I was outraged to read the com- ments of Lloyd Robison and Don Currell regarding doctors who are close to retirement and therefore are "not willing to be called to the emergency room" I do not believe that anyone stood with a gun at their heads when these doctors chose their professions, nor do 1 believe that the Hippocratic oath contains a clause allowing aging doctors to neglect their responsi- bilities simply because they don't feel like working. These doctors may be justified in feeling "they've cgntributed to the community over the years," but I daresay the com- munity has contributed to them by supporting their practices, thereby providing, one assumes, a decent living and a comfortable re- tirement for the future, not to mention the stat- us and respect that has traditional- ly accompanied their chosen profes- sion. And what of a hospital adminis- tration that allows such practices? Are they out of their minds making patients wait for an intern to arrive from London when several doctors live right in the community? Fur- thermore, over my dead body would I wait for "permission" to be obtained before my child could be taken to another hospital for emer- gency treatment, particularly if the doctor in question was one of those reluctant to honour his commiunent to my family, a commitment he re- affirms each time he bills 0.H.1P. for services rendered to us. I have a suggestion for the ad ministration of South Huron Hos- pital. Begin an immediate and ac- tive search for several doctors will- ing to begin a practice in this community. Make participation in a fair emergency room rotation mandatory for gaining hospital privileges. A doctor is certainly en- titled to a private life and time away from a stressful, demanding occupation, however the people of this community are entitled to rest easy knowing that, should we need emergency care, it will be availa- ble immediately at our own hospi- tal. Once a fair rotation is in place with committed doctors, the reluc- tant members of the profession can do what they do what they obvi- ously wish to do...retire. Should the administration find themselves reluctant to do so, perhaps they need to remind themselves that they are paid to provide hospital services to the community that pays their salaries. Yours truly, Karen I.. Spring