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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1994-06-15, Page 2Page 2 Times -Advocate, June 15, 1994 Regional wrap up Drug bust biggest in years GODERICH - A 47 -year-old Hullctt Township man was in custody after Godcrich OPP seized more than S100,(XX) worth of marijuana plants from his residence on June 7. "This is one of the biggest drug busts we've made in the past few years," said Sam Lazar- evich of the OPP. Donald Peters was arrested af- ter a raid on his home early last Tuesday. Acting on information re- ceived by Crime Stoppers, and other police sources, the OPP seized 250 potted marijuana plants in various stages of ma- turity, it was reported in the Goderich Signal -Star. Heimbecker murder leads to petition CLIFFORD - For the past few months, a petition has been cir- culating province -wide which supports life sentences meaning just that - a jail term served until death for those who commit murder. Family and friends began the campaign afte.� JodiHcimbeck- er, of Clifforcewas shot to death on March 30. Since the petition began, some 5,000 people have signed it say- ing there should be stricter laws on life sentencing. Last Friday, some members of Heimbecker family, visited the office of MP Murray Calder to present the petition so he could bring it to the House of Com- mons and push for change, it was reported in the Mount For- est Confederate. Ur pledges talks on native issues FOREST - Lambton's MP says she's optimistic several con- troversial local aboriginal issues will begin moving ahead after meetings two weeks ago brought the debates to a round table dis- cussion. Representatives from the Prime Minister's Office, the So- licitor General, the Department of National Defence, and Indian Affairs were all part of a meet- ing in Ottawa that also included MP Rose -Marie Ur. "It was the first stage, but at least a progressive stage," she told the Forest Standard from Ottawa last Monday. Fire call system obsolete MITCHELL - Mitchell coun- cillors agreed at a recent meet- ing to pay a share of the cost for a new fire call system to be used by Mitchell and arca townships. The decision was made after the Mitchell and District Fire Department was unavailable be- cause someone dialled the fire emergency number and tied it up for about 20 minutes. The per- son calling didn't say anything and wouldn't hang up when asked, it was reported in the Mitchell Advocate. That meant emergency service was unavailable during that time. Council was told the present system being used is obsolete and is the only one of its kind being used in Perth County. The system involves nine fire phones located in Mitchell busi- nesses and homes, as well as pagers. There is always a risk that no one will be available to answer the fire phone.it was re- ported in the Mitchell advocate. District Health Council in place Huron and Perth Counties are the last region to get a DHC; where it will be housed is still undecided. Officials say it will benefit everyone By Catherine O'Brien T -A staff SEAFORTH - Huron and Perth Counties had reason to celebrate on Friday, according to Ruth Grier, Ontario minister of health. After many long months of discussion, a District Health Council has been established for the two counties. That means health councils can now be found throughout the prov- ince. "Today we're establishing the body that will take the lead in your local health planning, ensuring you get the most out of the health care system in terms of care, efficiency and cost-effectiveness," Grier said. Grier was one of many officials at the Health Council's official launch in Seaforth. As well, Huron MPP Paul Klopp and Perth MPP Karen Haslam were also on hand at the Seaforth Legion Hall along with members of the health council, and more than 100 visitors. Klopp said he is pleased the council is finally in place, 'and claimed support for the council has been quite strong. "A lot of people in this room have done a lot to bring this togeth- er," said Klopp. The 20 -member council will be headed up by'Stratford resident Jeff Wilbee who has been on the coun- cil executive for the past two years. He is also executive director of the Alcohol and Drug Association of Ontario. Provincial Minister of Health Ruth Grier was in Seaforth. Fri- day afternoon to unveil a new CT scanner at the Seaforth Hos- pital, announce the new Huron -Perth District Health Council, and field questions on rural doctor shortages. Health Minister says NDP pushing for more doctors in rural areas Klopp says July 31 is a target for province - wide emergency service agreement SEAFORTH - Although Health Minister Ruth Grier was in Sea - forth Friday afternoon to take part in the official launch of the Huron - Perth District Health Council, she couldn't get away from questions about what the province is doing about the shortage of doctors in ru- ral areas. Grier told the media that the On- tario government is actively dis- cussing the issue with the Ontario Medical Association as well as the doctors association. "We have a commitment to talk," she said of the other two players_ Over the past few months there has been a problem of kcy players leav- ing the table and thereby dis- cussions on hospital issues and staffing coming to a halt. But Grier said there is little the government can do beyond encour- aging constructive dialogue. "The ministry doesn't hire doctors," she said. "We can't tell them where or when to practice." Grier did say that doctors had an obligation to provide health care and said they shouldn't be denying emergency services. Right now, Grier sai'i the prov- ince is looking at a way of helping to steer doctors away from the cit- ies. "We hope to look at the com- pensation issue," she said. But she said the province can't make shifts in fees charged because that's up to the doctor's association. Locally, Huron MP Paul Klopp said he was encouraged that talks are underway between all parties. ""The doctor's association has come back to the table," Klopp said in a telephone interview on Sunday night. He said on a number of occa- sions, the three main players - the ministry of health, the doctors and hospital association have tried to come to an agreement by set dead- lines, but the date passes without any new deals. But he is hopeful the new July 31 will see a solution by the three groups regarding the emergency health care. "1 think patience is wearing thin," Klopp said. "There's a need to get this resolved. Meanwhile, it is expected that emergency services in Exeter will stay open with a bit of fine tuning to the physician's contract. "We need a province -wide solu- tion to this, it isn't just Exeter hav- ing this problem," Klopp said. Catholic board gets $2.9 million to build new high school air Continued from front page. "There was healthy discussion on this issue," Klopp said. "But at the end of the day, it really came down to the fact that there wasn't going to be the big savings in dollars that both boards had thought," Klopp said in a telephone interview from his home on Sunday. Klopp said he was pleased the two boards had been working so hard on the proposal. "I really commend both boards for getting together and talking in an open- minded way about sharing," he said. Klopp said there will still be shar- ing between the two school boards and mentioned science and tech- nology facilities as possible areas where this could happen. The capital funding for school boards is part of a jobsOntario in- itiative over the next few years. The funding will support 176 pro- jects throughout Ontario, including 63 new schools. "The challenge for the council will be to educate people on what the District Health Council is all about," he said. "We have much work to do." Locally Deborah Campbell, of Exeter, will also be on the council which is made up of volunteers who use and deliver health care in the Huron -Perth regions. Essential- ly they will help the province with the reform of the health care sys- tem. Grier said the formation of the council came about at a critical time as the health care system in the province is in the midst of re- structuring. She said the province needs input from health care councils as the government begins to rethink the roles of hospitals, physicians and others in the system. Grier said the council will help in areas of health promotion, com- munity support, and ensuring the health care system is accessible and affordable to Ontarions. Although Huron and Perth are the last areas in Ontario to put the 20 year- old council in place, Grier said "the Huron -Perth district health council could have been one of the first." The minster said in 1974 the council was turned down in this area because it was an unproven concept. But now she says "the district health council model is an effective one. "We know the best way to pre- serve the health care system is to improve the way it runs," Grier said. Haslam said that although Hurofit= Perth is the last area to establish a council, "I feel we may become the best one." She said the Huron -Perth council is at an advantage because mem- bers can learn from the mistakes others have made over the years. "I'm confident we won't hear peo- ple saying the District Health Council is not working for them," Haslam said. Although it is not yet known where the council head office will be, Wilbee predicted it will be housed somewhere between Mitch- ell and Seaforth on Highway 8 of easy access for people of both counties. Water pipeline may go ahead next spring No utility rate increases are needed if money is borrowed over 20 years sir Continued from front page It will be possible to construct the line without any increase in taxes or utility rates. An increase to the town's water rate in January has helped build a substantial reserve funds; the PUC will be paying off two debentures on the water tower and wells in the next three years; and OCWA is expected to contribute a 57.95 provincial grant. "We'll be financing roughly a rhillioh dollars on it," said Triebner, and added if borrowed over 20 years, no further rate increases will be needed. However, an attractive option might be to reduce the debenture to 15 years, and raise water rates $3.9 percent ($6.22 a year per household) "and save $300,000 in interest charges," said 'jiebner. A public meeting to present the project to the tax- payers, and to answer any questions is planned for June 28. Construction is expected to start by May '95, to be completed by December, but it all hinges on the approval of the OCWA grant. "We're proceeding on the basis we will get it," said Triebner. In order to meet OCWA's requirements, the town has passed a bylaw requiring all properties in town to be connected to the town's water supply. At present there is only one residence in the north end of town still using a well water supply. The bylaw applies only if the property is within 50 metres of the service lines. Triebner said the PUC may also be conducting a four-year trial project to determine if water meters and conservation methods will work for Exeter. Twenty-five or more homes will be used to conduct the survey, but Triebner said the reductions ex- pected from conservation and metering are not be- lieved to be significant enough to delay the con- struction of the lake water supply line. Royal greetings With the help of two cast members from Peter Pan, and a sword from props, Lieutenant- Govemor Henry Jackman cut the ribbon on stage on renovations at the Huron Country Playhouse Friday evening. Behind, at left are Huron MPP Paul Klopp, and artistic director Max Reimer. Lieutenant -go vernor cuts ribbon at Huron Playhouse More phases of the $4 million -plus renovation project are to come GRAND BEND - The Huron Country Playhouse got a little royal treatment Friday evening as Lieu- tenant Governor Henry Jackman attended a preview performance of Peter Pan to cut the ribbon on the first two phases of renovations to the summer thea- tre. "As you can see, we have made a great deal of progress, but much work needs to be done," Play- house board chairman Jack Riddell told the Aill house of specially -invited people. Riddell called the renovated auditorium one of the safest and most comfortable in the province. Fire regulations spurred the upgrades, which later included air conditioning. Riddell said the Playhouse was indebted to the businesses, corporations, foundations, and govern- ments "that have believed in our project and have donated so generously to keep Huron Country Play- house open and operating." Jackman, who spoke briefly before slicing a rib- bon with a sword from the props of Peter Pan, said the Playhouse came out of a community need some 20 years ago. "This theatre was not a decision of some govern- ment," said Jackman, adding that continued com- munity support has made it more self-sufficient than most arts organizations. "This theatre, more than any other in Ontario, is self-supporting," he said, noting that only three per- cent of Playhouse revenues come from government. "I acknowledge what the people of this com- munity have done," said Jackman, who brought greetings from the Queen and government, and said he was looking forward to watching the show. The first two phases of renovations to the theatre included the construction of a new workshop, com- pleted last year, and the addition of a fly tower above the stage, and improvements to the auditor- ium and overall sprinkler system. Before attending the Playhouse' performance, Jackman paid a visit to Exeter, dining at the French- man's Inn. 4 {