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Wednesday, December 11.. 199f,
Task Force sets up in Exeter
to hear opinions e n hospital
;Committee tells residents to vote no to three options
I The District Health Council is holding
1 a public meeting today, Wednesday,
at the Rec Centre from 4 to 9 p.m.
1
❑ Cheque enclosed
Return to; TIMES ADVOCATE 1
424 Main St. Exeter, Ont. NOM 1S6 ■
— ME ME E Bl•ME ME
Public reaction
to hospital
study
Letters to the editor
See page 5
Food bank &
thrift store
expansion
Crossroads
See second front
By Heather Mir
T -A Reporter
EXETER - Just say no.
That's the message Concerned Citizens Committee mem-
bers hope to drive home before residents attend a public
meeting of the Huron -Perth District Health council today
from 4 to 9 p.m. at the South Huron Recreation Centre.
When members of the public are given the opportunity to
vote on the three options provided by the DHC, Exeter res-
idents are strongly encouraged to clearly state none of the
options are acceptable.
The ad-hoc committee of concerned residents formed re-
cently to drive a campaign ensuring the future of South Hu-
ron Hospital. It divided into to groups; one to work on sub-
mitting a fourth option proposal to the DHC and one to
organize a campaign to save the hospital. Residents will re-
ceive a flyer outlining reasons why Exeter's hospital should
'maintain a higher function than the task force study rec-
ommends.
For example, SHH has the highest number of emergency
visits in Huron County. It serves a high volume of Hwy. 4
traffic and more than 10,000 people in the Greater Grand
Bend area in Lambton and Middlesex counties. According
to the task force survey, SHH is the most used home hospital
in Huron County.
"None of the three hospital restructuring options provide
equity access to all. So just say no to ail three options on the
task force survey Wednesday night," states the Concerned
Citizens Committee flyer.
Today's public meeting is one of a series following the re-
lease of a study by the HPDHC restructuring task force that
may reduce Exeter's hospital to a primary hospital without
beds.
The Clinton open house held last Monday was called a
"sham" in a News -Record editorial. More than 1,500 peo-
ple gathered to learn more about the study and the three op-
tions that focus on Stratford and Goderich as secondary
hospitals and Listowel and Seaforth or Seaforth and Wing -
ham as primary centers.
Due to noise, levels from the over -crowded town hall,
speakers were difficult to hear and few people had an op-
portunity to pose questions. Many people left the meet-
ing frustrated and uncertain if
any -� T
Grand.. .Bard -mill
to ave commission
Ir
decide amalgamation
ourVieW
Letters tot e
of their comments would carry weight in the final decision.
The task force is expected to decide on a preferred option
by Dec. 17 and the Exeter ad-hoc committee will submit an
alternative fourth option before Dec. 16.
In early January, the preferred option will be published to
residents in the district who will be given an opportunity to
offer input. A second series of open houses are scheduled
for Jan. 9 to 21 and the final selection and implementation
planning will begin by late January.
• More coverage on page 2
editor
look
a second
needs In
Pro osa
p
in the Greater
000 Plus residents situatedon
f The 5, area represent a significant
area and for
of
fear theloss o �Bep�oPti1�'o �, Hutu
dentsl dell from Y
the
Gr n of Sou study
"...area
real ices. " total appeal to be excluded hospitals locates in Sar -
VI# I hospital Sere most partLambton County deed f uirour study
of the
oma`'' eualia do not meet the afire bated some.
Deet ��' nia and 81ea as they More
� Bend The
Huron Hospital are very (',creaur Gsaa y from our community. the Hu-
ron
Re: South d Bend areminutes away Pogo put forth by
idents in the Granand the per-
caned
r
Tile.1 announcement made g to the avail- would app that Council to reduce Pe "
cern y a ho the Council pertaining trio Heal Ce in Exeter would
Perth District Health Cp11.. in the future. Non Perth Drs ate hospital servi disadvantage and
hospital service i6 Pard the way up to
haps even eliminate
clm n to ata severe service
in
of the„ or provide ser
'lily rite north Pinery and 21, view the Southleave out „ uity of access eed them
n of Highways 83 "theirhospital”. With would fail to offeraccessible to those whoas" n woulde also
the jd leas hasp areeons listed
ural in Exeter as,s prn bled vim they need them. Theop and so
iron H P the Health CoA whenthe area's ability to adapt to seasonalva-
e3' leaselfg residents fear
By Heather Mir
T -A Reporter
GRAND BEND - A show of hands during a well -
attended public meeting Saturday seemed to give
Grand Bend Council the go-ahead to pursue amal-
gamation with the South Huron municipalities that
have been meeting for nearly a year.
Although Exeter has officially withdrawn from these
talks and Bosanquet does not support the current study
area, Grand Bend is willing to risk bringing in a third
party to expedite the matter.
"I personally believe the idea put forth is a prudent
one," said Grand Bend Mayor Cam Ivey of the study
presented by KMPG consultants.
KMPG consultant Bruce Lauckner presented the
study findings at the public meeting in Grand Bend,
the only municipality to proceed with such a meeting
after Exeter withdrew from talks.
"You have me befuddled," said Grand Bend resident
Don Southcott of the meeting. "Has Exeter not pulled
out."
Ivey explained his council felt ratepayers has shoul-
dered the cost of the study and have a right to know its
outcome. He also stated he believes Grand Bend has a
community of interest with the other municipalities,
especially Exeter where its hospital serves residents of
the greater Grand Bend area. He also encouraged res-
idents to "put the heat on the politicians" to find a lo-
cal solution to anticipated funding cuts and down-
loading to municipalities.
Study highlights
KPMG reviewed the key findings of the study.
Lauckner said anticipated cuts will result in an 83 per
cent tax hike in Grand Bend if it does not restructure.
County budgets will also take a hit of between 40 and
48 per cent according to KPMG.
For Grand Bend residents, the impact will be an ap-
proximate $200 increase in taxation on a $100,000
home. He also said policing cost may soon be shared
by every ratepayer, resulting in an additional cost per
household of nearly $250. Exeter is excluded from
this increase because it already pays for policing.
Lauckner explained the impact of amalgamation on
the remaining portion of Bosanquet and Hay Town-
ship. The impact on Bosanquet residents out side the
study area is estimated to be 31 per cent of current tax-
es or $320,630. The Hay impact is predicted to be ap-
proximately 7 per cent.
"This impact is only felt if Bosanquet and Hay do
nothing," said Lauckner. "These municipalities are go-
ing to have the change anyway. You're far better to
change the way you want to than wait for the province
to decide."
The savings generated by the amalgamation of
Grand Bend, Exeter, Stephen and Usborne townships
as well as potions of Bosanquet and Hay Township are
predicted to total $777,000. The bulk of these savings,
$558,000, will be generated by staff reductions mainly
in supervisory positions: '1 remainder will be made
up bf reduction in councihmembeits and the consolida-
tion of operations and facilities.
The one-time costs are anticipated to be $629,000,
comprised of severance payments, transition meeting
and technological updates as well as new logos, of-
ficial plans, and bylaws. A $100,000 contingency fund
is also built into this cost.
The one-time savings from disposition of assets is es-
timated to be $410,000, but it is difficult to say when
such sales would take place.
Although the option of the new municipality paying
for services from Lambton County provides the great-
est savings, KMPG recommended a dual -county mod-
el for at least a period of three years.
"Separation is still on the table. It may be viable,"
o' Continued on page 2
r 22;1996' 1 res redtsc , !rapulat;ipnroes. •t, •:
-sot
oid ke to take t
meats on t of hospital service t
�n .the extent within 30
orthbton area.nutes to the The only hospital,000 Plus idents oflthe Greater
and Bend area is Exeter. of
2.
months of the year the population of
i dor six m significantly becauseIflux the
increases g the large
of seasonal residents and
tourists. of the Gtr Grandt
3. p significant perests retirees the
Bend area's year roundcal
tend to rely heavily on the HWOfl 'Hospital. services provided by Southhbe available bas
ed
4. Hospital aph service
hopefully not on County
upon demographics
ndaries•
t some{ori/visttorby tt
this
' y tete Commit- 'tlie tib ,n Huron j' s1rie5 lite
al ut forth Hu- 'references r -n
I the opus P •n the South
Address
send letters
to Health
Council
EXETER - The correctaddress
for members of the community to
r -end responses to the Huron-
Perth District Health Council re-
;tructuring task force is:
235 St. George St.
Dox 610 Mitchell, Ontario
NOK N..
More letters
on
page 5
metous One to believe few dist exist --
as to lead area. It is'mY ltsbed 100
the limit to the servi, h were carob s
ing County boundaries which tinware service area
years ago, are beteg used to hosPitals, when in fact
_servi reflect current aortal or
for sucessential es no long
these revisit the Saut<•
economic realities. Committee
that the as it will have serious ram"
Itis essential tion a area's popula-
tion.
'Hospital a portion of th
iftcations for a sizable P° yours truly,
e of Gr Bend,
tion• 'Village Ivey, Mayor
Concerned citizens
form action group
to save hospital
EXETER - Last Wednesday night, a group of concerned citizens from
the South Huron area met to discuss strategy for dealing with the District
Health Council's Task Force on hospital restructuring.
Two sub -committees were struck. One to deal with tonight's meeting
where the Task Force will host a session to receive information. This
group will also be the 'community action' nerve centre, looking after pub-
licity and public awareness. The second sub -committee was charged with
writing a paper for December 16, the time for community proposals, in ef-
fect, the 'fourth option'.
The focus of the paper will be the unfairness of the time -lines and ex-
pectations of the Task Force. Exeter, like other communities, is given a
few days to come up with a detailed option, with costs, while the Task
Force had six months and still has not come up with specific cost savings.
As well, each local group has to consider the entire Huron -Perth region in
its option - a concept that "is nothing short of stupidity" said Task Force
member Bruce Shaw.
The local members are:
Herman Steffens Bruce Shaw Chris Little
Bob & Pat Down Ken Pinder Bill Purdy
Fred Burgess Vera Armstrong Marlene Moore
Jack Riddell Marion & Harry Dougall
Donna & Glen Thiel Jim Morlock
Cam Ivey Brenda McDonald others to be announced
Bill Mickle
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