HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1999-01-20, Page 26nr.
Wednesday, January 20, 1998
77 •"4 "
1998 brings many changes
I would like to take this opportunity to wish the resi-
dents of Huron County a happy, prosperous and
healthy New Year.
As 1999 begins, it is a good time to take a step back
from our daily routines of family and work and reflect
on the events of the past year. This
seems especially important as we
think about the challenges and oppor-
tunities that a new millennium will
bring.
1998 brought some exciting changes
for Huron County as a result of provin-
cial initiatives. At the District Health
Council meetings, hospital executives
and council members heard loud and Helen johns
clear that the community wished to
have common administration that would allow tax-
payer dollars to be focused on patient care. During the
year, Bonnie Adamson was hired, as the new
Administrator for the eight hospitals in Huron and
Perth. Under her direction, I am optimistic that we
will have an integrated hospital network, where ser-
vices are provided across the region and expensive
duplication is minimized.
In addition to this rationalization of hospital admin-
istrative dollars within the County, we benefited from
health care reinvestments. Increased funding was
obtained for long term care such as nursing homes
and services received in our homes. We also saw
funding increased for public health immunizations, for
newborns at risk, dollars to assist hospitals with emer-
gency room waiting lines and, for doctors to work
emergency on weekends and holidays ($70.00 per
hour). Doctors and the Ontario Drug Formulary
(which provides prescription drugs) have also seen
increased dollars allocated to them. Experts recom-
mended that dollars be moved to community services.
As a result Huron County has a net reinvestment of
approximately $6.3 million. On a provincial level;
heitiLlh care spending is at its highest level in history.
In 1995 the taxpayers of Ontario spent $17.4 billion,
today health care spending is $19.4 billion.
The funding formula has brought more funds to the
education system in Huron County. Both the public
and separate school boards received more overall dol -
Tars. We were all cognizant that the children in rural
Ontario received fewer dollars for their education
than children in Toronto and Ottawa. This has now
changed and every child is treated equally. In Huron
County this means that both Boards receive approxi-
mately four percent more funding. This week I have
arranged for a number of parents from our communi-
ty to meet with the Minister of Education and to verify
the increased dollars that our Boards will receive.
There has been a great deal of activity with munici-
pal restructuring in Bruce and Perth Counties in 1998.
The 1998 Warden worked hard to try and move this
County towards a system where we would see less
duplication and more dollars being spent on services.
As of yet County Reeves and Municipal Councillors
have not been able to arrive at a plan, but many are
optimistic that 1999 will bring amalgamations.
During the year thewelfare rolls m Huron County
decreased substantially. Since 1995 we have seen a
reduction in both the number of people on welfare
and the dollars being spent. In Huron County we have
approximately 13 percent fewer Ontario Disability
Support Program cases and 43 percent fewer Ontario
Work cases, resulting in approximate savings of $4
million in 1997 and $5 million in 1998 to Huron
County taxpayers. What is important to recognize is
that people have been given an opportunity through
Ontario Works. They have entered into a mandatory
work program, gained work experience and may
eventually obtain meaningful employment. We should
all be proud of how well this program is working with-
in
ithin the County and its successes.
During the year, we also saw job growth in the
County and the Province. We had a number of busi-
nesses expand and provide employment opportunities
in the County. Since 1995, private sector employment
in Ontario rose by 487,000 and over the last year,
youth employment has increased by approximately
87,000.
Some of our neighbours have been affected by low
commodity prices. Much still needs to be done to get
the terms of the relief program with the Federal gov-
ernment, but the province remains committed to its
timelines. Consumers in Ontario and around the world
must realize that a fair price must be paid for the food
that arrives at our table and that those dollars must
be allocated fairly between farmers, manufacturers,
wholesalers, and retailers.
In 1999, I look forward to working with each of you.
I am optimistic that we will continue to see the bene-
fits of the decisions made by the provincial govern-
ment and that Huron County will continue to be a
great place to live, work and raise our children. Thank
you for allowing me the privilege to represent you.
Helen Johns, M.P.P., Huron
The Exeter Times Advocate surveyed prominent members in our
community asking for their forecast of 1999. Will it be a year of
development, change or chanllenges? Or will it be a year of cutbacks,
hard decisions or hard work?
ORGANIZATION
Glenn Silver,
Councillor, Village of Lucan
99 WILL BE A YEAR OF:
Development, change and challenges.
"WHY?: First year of amalga-
mation: public expectations;
understanding each others com-
mitments and responsibilities;
make the best available decisions
to deal with increases due to gov-
ernment downloading.
THE COMING YEAR'S CHAL-
LENGES AND HOW TO MEET
THEM? Both councils must work
as a team and will have to rely on
each other for education in both
areas. Maintain' a positive attitude
and appreciate both negative and positive feedback
to ensure that we are doing the best of our ability
to assist the taxpayers needs. We have -to -take
what we have learned in the past and apply if
effectively towards our goals for the future.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: 1998 has been a
learning experience for me as a new councillor and
I hope. this will help me to adjust wit little difficul-
ty into our new municipality. I wouldlike to thank
everyone for the support over the: past year and. I
appreciated all input as it helped to make my year
that much more understanding. Merry Christmas
and a prosperous 1999.
GLENN
SILVER
ORGANIZATION Anita Riddell
Councillor, Stephen Township
"99 WILL BE A YEAR OF:
Further change, challenge and adjustment
WHY?:Amalgamation, not exactly the panacea
for the ratepayer, and the instability created by
hastily, poorly thought-out poli-
cies foisted on municipal govern-
ments are going to be the chal-
lenge of 1999.
THE COMING YEAR'S CHAL-
LENGES AND HOW TO MEET
THEM? Hard and creative deci-
sions will have to be made but the
outcome must always serve the
best interests of the ratepayer;
and adjusting to policies over
which municipal councils did not
have any control will have to be met with lots of
creativity.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS Another challenge
looming in '99 will be preparing for the year 2000.
It may be a challenge far greater than any munici-
pal council ever had to face but every effort must
be made by council to be prepared just in case no
magic solution is found to Y2K.
ALTA
RIDDELI
-
ORGANrZATION
Paul Caskanette Lucan Connell
WHAT IS TO COME NEXT YEAR
I write this article with trepidation for I am
happy about recent events in our
Municipality. We have seen staff
cuts that will impact people and
families in our community. These
people are a big part of what
Lucan is/was and will be sadly
missed by other staff and Council.
I wish these past employees the
best of luck.
As for the future I am feeling
a little grim. Our new amalga-
mated Municipality of Lucan
Biddulph will have ten councillors. That is ten peo-
ple with ten different ideas. I hope that we have
the wisdom to make decisions that will benefit all
ratepayers in the new Municipality. I do not look
forward to the the work ahead. I thought seriously
about throwing in my hat (I believe others felt the
same way) but have; determined that I will ride the
wave and see what the future holds. I only hope.
that I am a positive influence on the new Council:
The future of Lucan Biddulph is a rocky road: We
will traverse this road for the next two years. If this
journey is to be successful we have to all pull
together and work as one-teant:
God bless and have a happy season.
PERRY
CASKAITTE°
ORGANIZATION Brian H. Knights Councilor,
Village of Grand Bent
"99 WILL BE A YEAR OF: Hard work.
WHY?: Our community tried very hard in 1998 to
have our 100 year old boundary
issue solved. The Grass Roots
Groupfor a Greater Grand Bend
did everything in their power,.
with unanimous support from
Village Council, to have the
Provincial Government assist us
with our problem. Unfortunately,.
our appeal fell on deaf ears.
THE COMING YEAR'S CHAL-
LENGES AND HOW TO MEET H'
THEM? With the new year comes SallIGHTS
the first meeting of our newly
formed transition board for the City of North
Lambtonwhich becomes a reality on January 1,
2001.
1999 will be a year of hard work to ensure our
electorate in the Village of Grand Bend are treated
fairly and honestly in our dealings with our new
municipal partners.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I have learned a lot
about politics over the past years and have formed
some pretty firm beliefs why we should not have
majority governments.
Enough about politics and politicians, let's get
back to the real issue at hand - Christmas - the joy-
ous season to be with family and friends, to enjoy.
our children and celebrate the birth of Jesus. From
my family to yours, "Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year".
ORGANIZAIILN Joe Hogan,
Councillor, Town of Exeter
"99 WILL BE A YEAR OF:
Change and hard decisions.
WHY?:The downloading of services and
the threat of a Provincial Restructuring
Commission are forcing municipalities to
amalgamate in search of new efficiencies
while retaining services. Exeter, Stephen
and Usborne are moving forward with
amalgamation talks. Many difficult deci-
sions will have to be made before there is a
new municipality of South Huron.
Provincial legislation is also forcing the
Exeter PUC to change. A wires company will be
formed, as well as an energy services company., Will
these remain locally controlled by town council or
county -wide companies owned by sharehold,
ers? At this time, I think an Exeter owned utility.
would be better for us.
A major challenge for all Ontarians will be the
election of a government for the next four or
five years. We need a provincial government to
provide stability in areas of health and educa-
tion as well as sound economic growth.
Hopetiilly the poorer members of our society
will have a share of this ftiture prosperity.
JOE
HOGAN
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