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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-02-05, Page 1SPH receives $400,000 � By Anne Narejko -CLINTON - The board of directors at the public hospital here received welcome news whei MPRJack Riddell announced a grant of up to $400,000 for the construction of a new obstetrics wing during a meeting on January 31. Plans to update and upgrade the wing - were 'started in 1983, and after careful planning and research, the Clinton Public Hospital ( CPH) Board of Directors is ready to tackle the major project. . The new wing has an estimated cost of $800,000. The Ministry of Health grant, an - pounced by Mr. Riddell on behalf of Health Minister Murray Elston, will cover 50 per cent of the costs up to $400,000. The re- training $400,000 will be raised through fund raising campaigns and, hopefully, county council. "We're looking at funding under the grant structure.,9f Huron County as well," said hospital administrator Dan Steyn. "Then we anticipate having to raise the balance." Mr. Steyn believes the fund raising goal will be set at $300,000 with $50,.000 already raised and allocated. "The money we have raised so far is money from the auction, the day at the races (held at the Clinton Raceway ), Monster Bingo, the Clinton Police golf tournament and private donations. When there is a death, people sometimes give money instead of flowers," explained Faye Fear, chairman of the public rela- tions conunittee. Definite Need At the present time, the obstetrics wing is combined with chronic care ondthe se- cond floor, limiting the amount of space and pi acy for both maternity patients II\(I:QMP( 11 ATIING- II HF: B1.1 TH STANDARD -TM] BA1 FIELD BUGLE NO.6 121 YEARS FEBRUARY 5,1986 50 CENTS obstetrics wing Lioness Myrtle Goulding looked as though she was enjoying her pancake making job on February 1 during the Vanastra Lions and Lioness Annual Winter Carnival. Lioness Goulding said the pan- cake breakfast went over well. The outdoor activities also went ac- cording to schedule, despite the weatherman's attempts to ruin the day, ( Anne Narejko photo) - Carnival succeeds despite the weather r�'kle left.' Chris Morgan and Joey Haskett didn't let the high Mowo Peter lit y (left)/ winds, Sleet stop, than from participating in the Vanastra Lions and Lioness Winter Carnival on February 1. The trio awaited their hay gide at the recreation centre before venturing on By Maureen Dunsmore VANASTRA - Although the weather did not co-operate with the Lions and Lioness on February 1, the. Winter Carnival went ahead as planned. The snow -pitch continued despite wind, snow and sleet. Nine teams played ball on three diamonds from 8 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. Each team had to have three women play- ing. (I'm not sure who was the craziest the ball players or the people watching them from the stands! ) The highlight of the day for the kids was the snowmobile rides. They said they didn't get as cold riding a skidoo as they did on the hayride. Bob and Muriel McLachlan, along with Queen and Dolly braved the weather to give horse drawn sleigh rides. Even with the freezing rain" there is nothing as nice as a ride on'that sled, listening to the bells jingle. The Lions and Lioness appreciated Bob and Muriel helping out again this year. The gym of the recreation centre became a busy place when the kiddie corner opened. The most popular game°seemed to be pin the colors. The winners in the treasure hunt were Lisa Sherban, Sandy ,Ryan, Shelley Stone, Mark Stone, Jason Adnerson, Pierre Belair, Lai Raksasauk, Melissa. Cook, Dana Edwards and Lori McLachlan. Midway through the afternoon the obstacle course was run in the trees, using hay and park equipment. the winners, -in each age group Were: ages six and seven, Lori McLachlan and Kyle Giles; ages eight and nine, Lisa Sherban and Keith Ryan; ages 10 arid 11, Murray, Jeffrey, Joan McLachlan an Elizabeth 1.104 12 -years - old, Paula .leacock, Tricia Xelly And Lai l :achsasouk. to the.rte��t apt#vit , , Anne dare a ,hots _ _ . Turn to page 3 and chronic care patients. - -It's not an ideal mixture," said Mr. Steyn. "We were forced into placing the two together because of circumstances beyond our control." Another major reason for building a new wing is the increasing number of babies being delivered at CPH. "Since 1980, the birth rate has more than doubled," said Mr. Steyn. In 1980 only 56 babies were born at CPH. In 1984 it was estimated 130 deliveries were made and approximately 175-200 bir- ths per year are anticipated in the near future. "The birth rate is already increasing. People want to have their babies in the community now because of the expertise of the doctors on staff," said Mr. Steyn. He also believes that 80-90 per cent of deliveries should be done in the communi- ty so facilities, such as London, will be free to take care of the high risk patients. Mrs. Fear also feels mothers are entitled to proper facilities and privacy when hav- ing their babies in community hospitals. Turn to page 2 Recommendation to dissolve board opposed - mittee. Reeve Cunningham said the same thing. "We want those people. They will continue, they have some expertise to give. We county councillors aren't as knowledgeable as we should be and that is why we see their, value," he said. Reeve Cunningham will be the acting chairman of the executive committee report when it is presented at the Feb. 6 meeting. He, did say the recommendation wouldn't be for- warded to MPP Raycraft until the library board has its input at its Monday, Feb. 10 Meeting. The library board is made up of seven people, four county councillors and three appointed at large. The three appointees are, Bisback, Martina Schneiker of Goderich and R.P. Ritter of Wingham. As well as Reeve Cunningham, the other ~council members are Hensall Reeve Jim Robinson, Howick Township Reeve Gerald D'Arcey and Warden Armstrong: Ritter, too, has been quoted as saying the move by county council is regressive. Ritter has gone on the record saying the move in unnecessary. Ritter said that during his four years on the board, he has not sensed any split between the board and council, or between the councillors and appointed members of the board. He said he would be surprised if the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture went along with the proposal. Libraries fall under the jurisdiction of that provincial ministry. Ritter agreed with Bisback that by virtual numbers of county councillors on the library board county council has the final say. . Only Schneiker has different feelings. "We had discussed it at the last library board meeting. It's no surprise," said Schneiker adding she is not opposed to the change. • She also criticized newspaper reports , which made the move sound like the libraries were being . disban i d. The Goderich woman said she has several telephone calls about the matter. Reeve Cunningham said that up until two years ago, the board acted like a com- mittee and made. recommendations for ac- tion to county council. Then, it was brought to the board's attention by Signal -Star col- umnist Elsa Haydon of Goderich that a board is able to act autonomously from county council. Since that time the library board, as does the Huron County board of health, continues to present monthly reports to county council but for information only. County council has no veto power. "My advice to library users is to contact their reeves and speak to them about this issue," said Bisback. By Stephanie Levesque Huron County's executive committee's recommendation to change the library board to a committee is meeting with some opposition. The executive committee will present a recommendation at the Feb. 6 meeting of Huron County Council that the library board be dissolved effective Jan. 1, 1987. The board will become a committee of council on that date and the assets and liabilitiesof the county library system will become a part of the county. Library board chairman Tom Cunn- ingham, reeve of Hullett Township, said the change is being made because of "ac- countability". "It's frustrating to me, in reality, that the library board can do something in my municipality and I have no say," said Cun- ningham, in . an interview with the Bluewater Regional Newspapers (BRNN). At least two members of the library board who are not members of county council but appointed from the general population of the county, disagree. "I cannot see any lack of accountability to county council what with over 50 per cent of the population as library users, council has always had good co-operation from the library board and by its very composition, it has always listenedto the wishes of county council," Janis Bisback of Hensall told BRNN. Those in favor of the board becoming a committee also point to the amount of money the county puts into the library budget. Although numerous percentages are being quoted, according to the county's 1985 budget document, the library had a budget of $769,519 with the county's share being $598,217 or 75.1 per cent. The re- mainder is provincial grants. Warden Armstrong can't see any dif- ference in the operating system, be it board or committee. The only difference, she says, is that county councillors will have direct input into the library's ac- tivities. _She also pointed out that Elgin County recently took similar action. The warden said Liberal MPP Doug Raycraft from the London area, and a former Middlesex County -warden, will be presenting the county's motion as a private members' bill in the provincial legislature on behalf of the county. Arm- strong was unsure why MPP•jaycraft was taking the task rather than one of Huron's own MPPs, Murray Elston or Jack Rid- dell. She said their schedules as cabinet ministers might have made it difficult. Former warden Paul Steckle of R.R. 2, Zurich approached Raycraft, said Arm- strong. The warden also said the three ap- pointed members don't have to worry about taeir positions on the library com- Horse-drawn taxi service approved by council By Alan Rivett BAYFIELD - Startin the Victoria Day weekend, Bayfield resi is will begin to hear the clatter of horse ulling a carriage down Main Street, carryin assengers on a scenic tour of the village. At the council meeting on February 3, council approved a request to operate a horse-drawn taxi service in Bayfield over • the summer months. Patrick Van Kerrebrueck of Grand Bend attended the meeting to learn council's deci- sion on the matter. He made the request for the taxi -tour service at the January 6 meeting. However, council delayed making a decision in order to examine any bylaws which might prohibit this type of business. Council approved Mr. Kerrebrueck's• re- quest, but a number of provisions were at- tached to the approval. He was granted the use Clan Gregor Square as a depot for pick- ing up passengers, but would be prohibited from grooming or feeding horses in this area. "The horses can't be fed or watered in Clan Gregor Square. We don't want bales of hay or water stored there'," said Reeve Dave Johnston. In addition, Mr. Kerrebroeck will be re- quired to pay $25 for a licence which will be revoked if any complaints are made concer- ning the clean-up after the horses. He will also be required by council to show he has proper liability insurance coverage. Reeve Johnston also warned Mr. Van Ker- rebroeck that his license would only allow him to use village streets. He would have to seek approval from the Ministry of Transportation and Communication for travelling on Highway 21. In regards to stabling the horses within the village limits, Reeve Johnston said the only place were stabling would be allowed would beat the barns at the fairgrounds ' which belong to the Bayfield Agricultural Society. "The' Agricultural Society fairgrounds is the only facility in the village that would hold horses. You'll have to deal with Agriculture Society' Pres)dent Carol Penhale," said Reeve Johnstdn. "I'm not suggesting fpr one minute they will (allow stabling). They might allow you to,leave the spare hoses there during the"day but, they probably won't be willing to hold them during the night." - Councillor Lloyd Huffman, however, sug- gested one place were Mr. Van Kerrebroeck might be able to stable the horses over night during the summer. Mr. Van Kerrebrdeck thanked council,efor their,consideration. He said he believed the horse-drawn taxi service would • be a, welcome addition to the village which is so involved in its heritage. "The business should tie in nicely with the heritage aspect. Bayfield residents should find it quite appealing. And, it will accent the town as I said before," he said. In response to a question by Councillor Helen Owen about the current status of the business, Mr. Kerrebroeck said he already has the horses but is waiting for delivery of a carriage - a six passenger surrey. He also added the carriage would carry passengers between the hotels, the restaurants and the marina. The business would start up on the Victoria Day weekend and finish for the summer hi early October and operate six days a week between the hours of 10 a.m. to approximately 12 a.m. •• • • 'arming permits issued CLINTON - The staff of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) office here are finding themselves parked on the street longer than the two hoot' limit. For this reason, they are receiving .numerous parking tickets and have ,asked council to issue parking permits. T ` After some discussion, council agreed to issue 12 permits which will enable the staff to park on the street longer than twoohours without receiving a ticket. ` 'They are accumulating a fair •amourit of tickets," said Mayor John Balfour. "It's not that they're parked there all"Vday. They get • caught in a meeting and find themselves there for tWo hours and 10 minutes or two hours and a half." • Five parking spaces behind the office are used by the secretarial staff which stay in all day. However, the staff which the office � . y is constantly in and out of the office does not Urn to'page 3