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Clinton News-Record, 1986-02-19, Page 1a'Nt:olliPOR A•I'll 6 -T6 -{ll•: BRA 'd -O -Il l'ANDAR D-TH •: B & 2. 11) fill (,ll • • NO. 8 121 YEARS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19,1986 50 CENTS 41, Program to aid elderly By Susan Hundertmark A recently announced provincial program to help elderly and disabled adults stay at home instead of being institutionalized will go a long way to help the 165 private clients of the Town and Country Homemakers (TCH) agency, says Executive Director Jean Young. A $3 million Integrated Homemaker Pro- gram for frail seniors and physically disabl- ed adults, which will begin this year in six areas across Ontario including Huron Coun- ty, is part of a two-pronged $71 million plan to improve community support services for the group. It will eliminate the means or medical tests based on income and illness that now determine who qualifies for homecare services. It's a step that groups like the TCH in Huron County have been advocating for the past five years. "In 1980, we were asked down to the pro- vincial legislature in Toronto to look at the situation and three years ago, the govern- ment started to talk about announcing a similar program. We've written dozens of letters in that time to show the.need in Huron," says Young. Of the 250 seniors with an average age of 85 who receive homemaking services from TCH, 66 per cent are private citizens who pay out of their own pockets. "I really feel there is a need here. A study done by the University of Guelph shows that Huron has the highest population of elderly in Ontario and it's hard for some to pay privately when they're living on a pension," she says. Donations to TCH from county and municipal governments in Huron have helped to fulfill the need in the county before funding was approved by the provincial government for homemaking for seniors who did not need professional medical care. "This program should take some of the burden off the local governments and right- ly so. This is a provincial problem. But, in the meantime while we knew the province was working on this program, the county and local governments tried to meet that need," says Young. Huron's probable share of $500,000, one- sixth of the $3 million fob homemaking allot- ted this year for six communities, is a good start to meet the need in the county, says Young. "I think it's quite a lot for Huron. Our budget for Town and Country Homemakers right now is $500,000 but private people are spending $300,000 out of their own pockets. Most of them should qualify," she says. Young says she can't guess how many seniors or disabled adults who are not now receiving either privately or publicly - funded homemaking services will apply for services under the new program. "I have a feeling there's a considerable' number of people who can benefit from this program," says Betty Cardno, director of the Huron County Home Care program who will administer the program. "When homemaking is the main need, they would have to be turned down now if there's not a need for a health care profes- sional," she says. Home Care in Huron, which is funded to provide visiting services to acute and chronic patients after physician referrals, buys its homemaking services from TCH. Cardno predicts the demand for TCH's ser: vices will increase with the new program. "An elderly person who's just managing may be able to manage another year at home with a small amount of help with cook- ing, shopping and cleaning. Everything I've ever heard from seniors is that they want to stay at home as long as possible," she says. "I hope to see more and more emphasis in the next 20 years on home care,. especially for people who don't need the professional component. It will leave more beds for the people backlogging the hospitals." Cardno says only a few hours of homemaking a couple of days a week can make the difference between people staying home and going into an institution. And, when seniors still have the ability to make decisions, it can be very devastating when they are physically unable to stay at home. The criteria of what constitutes a "frail" senior or how referrals will be made is not yet clear from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, says Cardno. "It might be that a senior who thinks he needs the service just has to call. I see that we could get a lot of referrals at first," she says. Both Cardno and Young say they're ex- cited about the provision in the program for Alzheimer's victims. "So often, homemaking is what is most needed in Alzheimer's cases. Some will be able to get additional help but that depends what each individual case needs," says Cardno. Representatives from the Ministry of Community and Social Services will be visiting fhe"six'counties slated to pilot the in- tegrated homecare program to discuss the whole process of assessment and eligibility and general guidelines, says spokesperson Janet Rowney. Those qualifying for free homemaking services will either be referred or actively seeking help, she says. "You won't have to work through your family doctor. You, your neighbor or relative can pick up the phone and ask for help," says Rowney. The $71, million program is divided into $11 million to maintain and expand community support services for the elderly and $60 million to be spent over the next few years to introduce integrated homemaking across Ontario for frail seniors and the physically disabled Of the $11 million, $2 million will be spent on programs such as Meals on Wheels, friendly visiting, necessary escorted transportation, telephone reassurance checks and home help, $3/4 million on establishing 50 elderly persons' centres; and $100,000 to increase the stipend to Senior Volunteers in Service from $60 to $100 in out- of-pocket expenses. Also included is $40,000 to recruit addi- tional Senior Volunteers in Service, $60,000 to help the Senior Talent Bank Association establish more talent banks across Ontario and $735,000 to establish support service programs for the elderly in remote and isolated communities in -northern Ontario. Financial crisis to hit Huron farmers By Stephanie Levesque The farm financial crisis experienced for several years in Bruce and Grey Counties is just starting to hit Huron County farmers, says the president of the Huron County federation of agriculture. Doug Garniss of R.R. 4, Wingham made the statement in front of the three-man Liberal agricultural task force that is traveling across Canada. The task force, chaired by Algoma MP Dr. Maurice Foster was in Wingham listening to briefs on Thursday, Jan. 30. "We're just starting to see farmers write down their loans or go out of business," said the federation president. Dr. Foster got that response from Garniss after promoting his private member's bill which he hopes will "spur the government , on" in the area of farm debt crisis. "In Huron County, we're just starting to hit the farm debt crisis stage," said Gar- niss. In his second term as president, Garniss said low commodity prices and the decreas- ing value of farrn land which have followed the high interest rates of the early 1980s have hurt the farm sector. He admitted most of the financial difficulties are in the cash crop and red meat sector. In its brief to the task force, the federation presented some solutions to the financial difficulty continually facing the farm com- munity. "The 20 per cent of Canadian farmers who produce 70 per cent of our food find themselves in a financial crisis. Figures vary from five to 30 per cent of farmers in serious financial difficulty which could easi- ly exceed 50 per cent of our food produc- tion," stated Garniss. The federation also had some critical comments about a proposal from the Farm Credit Corporation called the Farm Development Corporation (FDC). "It appears good for one group in par- ticular - lenders foreclosing on farmland and has advantages for farmers in serious financial difficulty. But the drawbacks are much greater," said Garniss. The county federation suggests, instead, that farm debt review boards and the On- tario Federation of Agriculture's agribonds concept could achieve goals such as stabiliz- ing land values, replacing debt with equity and attracting investors without negative impacts. Garniss said the federation's big fear of the FDC is that it could end up owning large chunks of land and in essence, the govern - Library board will become a committee BY HENRY HESS By an overwhelming margin of 25-6, Huron County Council has decided to pro- ceed with plans to dissolve the Huron Coun- ty Library Board and replace it with a com- mittee of council. The change, which is scheduled to take ef- fect next January, will still require a private member's bill to be passed by the Ontario Legislature. This would allow the council as a whole to act as the library board, with the present board becoming a committee which would report to council. The library board issue proved to be the hottest topic handled bylcouncil at its Feb. 6 meeting in Goderich, sparking considerable discussion and some vigorous questions, especially from Exeter Reeve Bill Mickle. However it became clear most council members agreed with the plan to bring the library board more firmly under the control of county council, which provides the ma- jority of its funding. Hullett Reeve Tom Cunningham, who chairs the library board, strongly supported the proposed change, which he said will make absolutely_ no difference in the day-to- day operation of the library. "The on y dif- ference is we at this table would have some say." He noted that a committee would have to come to council for approval of its decisions, rather than reporting after the fact. In a prepared statement which he had read to council earlier in the day, Cunn- ingham assured members that committee meetings would continue to be open "in ac- cordance with county policy", and the com- position of the committee would remain the same, with three non-members of council. He also reminded council that prior to 1984 the library board had functioned as a com- mittee of council, with all matters being brought to council for discussion and ap- proval. This changed when, "as a result of pressures by certain individuals," the board decided to conduct itself strictly in accor- dance with the Act, which permits library , boards to act autonomously, he said. "It is now our intention to legalize the system which had been in place since the in- ception of the Huron County Library until 1984." . Colborne Reeve James R. Kernighan was even more blunt, telling council that unless the concerns about the library board were settled there could be a fight over the budget. He said when he first came to county council he understood the roads committee was the "plum" and the library and other committees were not as important. Con- sequently he was surprised to find it was the library board which dominated discussion in the corridors and back rooms. "I have seen .the frustration and exaspera- tion building up," said Mr. Kernighan, ex- plaininngpart of the cause was"bemg told it was an autonomous board and we didn't have any input except through the coun- cilors (who sit on the board) and at budget time." "I felt this matter would be resolved today or at the time of setting the library' fun- ding," he added. "If that's the only control we have, we will use it." He urged councillors • to "be very, very careful", saying he -is afraid that if coun- Turn•to page 2 ment would be competing with the family farm.' As for debt review boards, the federation says they must be legislated to provide equality to all farmers. "At present, debt write-downs are occurr- ing with banks and other creditors, but we are concerned that this procedure is available to some, but not to others in iden- tical circumstances. As well, the Farm Credit Corporation has done virtually no write-downs, which make it difficult to justify write-downs to other creditors," said Garniss. The federation did praise the task force for actually coming out to the grass roots level. "It's a real concern to us that when a political party becomes the government, this type of consultation becomes rare - we. are expected to go to Ottawa, instead of the parties conning to us, as you are now doing," commented Garniss. Local potter George Harrower gives David Hesse's, a Grade 7 student at Blyth Public School, a lesson in the art of making pottery during a special lesson at The Pottery in Blyth on February. ( Alan Rivett photo) Appointments made to town committees By Anne Narejko CL IN TON - Comet here".?:was== ple'a"ser with the large number of residents who volunteered to sit on various committees for one, two or three year terms. "We had more volunteers this year than there has been in previous years," said Mayor John Balfour at council's February 17 meeting. There are a total of 15 committees with 68 available positions. The committees for 986 consist of: Clinton Planning A visory and Industrial Development Committee: Mike Falconer, Larry Jones, John Rosenlund, Gus Boussey, Charles Burgess, Ron Jewitt, Case Buffinga, Craig Cox, Gordon Gerrits, Carrie Salsbury and John Wise. Committee of Adjustment: Harry Ball, Ruth MacLean, Evelyn Galbraith, Willard Aiken, Stephen Brown. Cemetery Board: Herb Duizer,•Bert Glicl don,' Cliff Parker, Harold Black, Frank Cook, Rosemary Armstrong, R.B. Camp- bell, Gordon Gerrits. Hospital Board: Bee Cooke. Fire Area Board: John Balfour, Ken Holmes, Rosemary Armstrong. Holmesville Waste Disposal Site Commit- „tee...,RonnreJewitt. - , ^' Ausable=l1yfield Conservation Authority: John Deeves. Maitland Valley Conservation Authority: Elmer Trick. Central Agricultural Society: Bonnie Jewitt, Case Buffinga. Recreation Conunittee: Danny Colquhoun, Barb Crawford, Steve Gibbings, Audrey Lyndon, Ron McKay, Ross Carter, John Cochrane, Linda Reid. Business Improvement Board (BIA): Stephen Brown, Clarence Denomme, Jane Groves, Al ' Mathers, Janet Buchanan, Gerry Hiltz, Case Buffinga, John Cochrane. Local Architectural Conservation Ad- visory Committee (LACAC) : Doris Batkin, Reg Thompson, Marilyn Tyndall, Isobel Theedom, Nancy Fisher-Vossen, Cheryl Jefferson, Ken Holmes, Faye Fear. Arts and Special Events Committee: Stephen Oliver, Judy Stuart, Roy Wheeler, June Boussey, Reg Thompson, Bonnie Jewitt, Nancy Fisher-Vossen. Simian School Car Committee: Gordon Gerrits. Property Standards Committee: W.J. Counter, Ray Bentley, Don Wright. Stuart elected chairperson of arts and special events CLINTON - As of December 16, the arts and special events committee here became' a separate body from the recreation committee in the hopes of getting more people to help stage events. At their first meeting on February 4, 8 people were named to the committee which Judy Stuart will chair. During their first meeting, it was decided that successful events from previous years will be held again and new events will tie added. The children's performance series for elementary students and the spring and fall arts festival are three of last year's events which will be scheduled for 1986. However, the fall arts festival may take on a new dimension with the addition of a talent contest. New events include a three part evening subscription series for adults, workshops and a community Christmas concert. "The series for adults is something we are hoping to start. We might try a play and a musical and a variety performance," explained Mrs. Stuart. As for the workshops, the committee is thinking along the lines of a daylong puppet - making session and similar workshops. The addition of the Christmas concert is an event that will require participation from area residents. "The community Christmas concert is something that has never been done before. We may invite school choirs and other groups to perform," said Mrs. Stuart. The new corittee has already started work, assisting the Junior Farmers with their variety night to be held the end of March. Meetings for the Clinton Arts and Special Events Committee are held the first Tuesday of each month. HUG CONTINUES Last year, a HUG (Help Us Grow) program was started between Clinton Public School and Huronview. This program was designed to enrich the lives of children who did not have grandparents and Huronview residents who could gain from contact with younger in- dividuals. The program was initially field on a trial basis but has proven to be beneficial for all eoneerned and will continue with weekly visits. On 1 ebruary 13, the residents visited their "grand- children" at school to watch films and enjoy a Valentine's lunch. Part of the activities included singing with Frank'Bissett at the piano. Members of the HUG program (from left to right) are Billy Watson, Grace Duggon, Ivan M'MNabb, Mervyn Gass, Phyllis Con- nell, Angela Noble, Hell Campbell and Crystal Lee. Absent was Jeremy Noble. (Anne Narejko photo)