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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 ar