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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1984-09-26, Page 11-,the. eric SIGNAL 136 YEAR -39 •r ®EBT ALL ROUND OI hili IINITy NEW8PAPER IN I ANADA (Circulation Class 3500 - 45.00) C.C.N.4. Better Newspaper Competition 1984 GODERICH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1984 50 CENTS PER COPY Lack of therapiss. causes wait BY PATRI"- RAM'IS The . waiting list or paitents needing physiotherapy trea . ent at Alexandra Marine and General ospital has grown to 43 names and so a patients have to wait several months for treatment. This pro- blem was reported to the hospital board by Hospital Chief of Staff Dr. Michael Conlon, at the board's September 25 meeting. The concern was discussed at a recent meeting of the hospital's Medical Advisory Committee (MAC), said Dr. Conlon. "The consensus of opinion was that there is no immediate solution to this problem, the cause being primarily a shortage of hands," he stated in his report. Dr. Conlon added that immediate steps are being taken to find solutions and that the matter has been handed over to Dr. James Rourke, chairman of the outpatient department, who will report back to the MAC with his findings. The Chief of Staff said the problem is a "matter of serious concern because people in need of physiotherapy treatment cannot be left waiting for a month or six weeks." While all area doctors' waiting lists are closed at present, Dr. Conlon said local doctors are doing their best "to see that no patient goes untreated." Board member Bruce Potter noted that the problem has persisted despite an in- crease in both staff and equipment in the hospital's physiotherapy department over the past few years. Potter suggested the increased demand for physiotherapy ser- vices might be due to "the perception of the public that health care is free." A suggestion that the backlog of physiotherapy cases be administered by some other means, which was put forth by V ice -clam -nail nail David Gower, was taken into consideration. Dr. Conlon noted that the problem is not unique to Goderich, stating that hospitals province -wide are having similar pro- blems meeting the demand for physiotherapy. There is a need for more physiotherapists in Ontario, he said. "They ( physiotherapists) are just not around," he stated. Local Marathon of Hope participants raise $2,346 here The memory of Terry Fox lived on here Sunday as 76 citizens participated in the fourth annual Marathon of Hope organized by the locals Kinette Club to raise money for cancer research. Although the number of participants was up from last year's 65, the pledges remain- ed approximately the same at $2,346. Er- nie Nesbitt Jr. of Ernie's Roadhouse had the most pledges at over $200. His challenge, offering a free meal at Ernie's to anyone who could top his pledges, went unmet. William Mitchell had the second highest number of pledges at $146. The youngest participant in the Marathon was one -month-old Shawn Hunking who was pushed along the ten kilometre route in his baby buggy by his grandparents, Gerry and Marie Dobie and their daughter, Kerrie. The eldest partici- pant was Arnold Zonneveld who rode his bicycle. Shawn Thomson, who has cerebral palsy, completed the route in his electric wheelchair. More than 1,700 locations were organiz- ed for the annual Marathon, including 29 outside Canada. The Marathon began in 1981, the year Terry Fox died off a recur- rence of the cancer that forced amputation of a leg four years earlier. Fox raised more than $24 million for cancer research in the 1980 cross -Canada marathon that began in Newfoundland and ended prematurely in Thunder Bay when Fox became ill. The 1981,.'82 and '83 runs since his death have raised about $10' million. Wet weather was not a deterrent for the 76 people who participated in the fourth annual Marathon of Hope held here Sunday. At left, Floyd Herman and Brian Moody jog along the 10 kilometre route while at right, John Smallwood is ac- companied by his daughter on her bicycle. (Photos by Joanne Buchanan) Ministry will convert Bluewater Centre GODERICH The former Bluewater Regional Centre for the Developmentally' Handicapped in Goderich, Ontario, which was closed in November 1983, will be con verted to a young offenders' facility that will house up to 120 young people from the western region of the ministry, Correctional Services Minister Nicholas Leluk announc- ed on Sept. 19. The youth centre is the first post - disposition facility in Ontario to be established by the Ministry of Correctional Services to meet the special needs of young offenders under the new Young Offenders Act. "After carefully analysing the re- quirements of the act," said Mr. Leluk, the ministry has developed a comprehensive plan that will provide separate facilities and programs for those 16 - and 17 -year-old of- fenders who remain our responsibility." The act, proclaimed by the federal government in April 1984, sets the max- imum age for young offenders in Canada at 17, effective April 1, 1985. "Extensive upgrading of the Bluewater facility is necessary to meet our physical plant requirements and programing needs," added Mr. Leluk. Renovations will include mandatory upgrading to meet fire regulations. perimeter security fencing, conversion of dormitory space to 66 single rooms and changes to the educational, voca- tional, kitchen and recreational areas. The 120 bed spaces will be distributed among four units. "The conversion of Bluewater to meet our needs is an example of the ministry making use of available resources to fulfill the re- quirements of the Young Offenders Act without incurring unreasonable costs to the taxpayer," said Mr. Leluk. The $10.4 million for the renovations will come from the On- tario government's Board of Industrial Leadership and Development (BILD) as part of its continuing job creation initiative. Along with the traditional services such as health care, dental care and basic education services, all youth facilities will provide comprehensive and flexible programs that will help a young person to deal with the per- doderlch Legion Branch 109 held their annual Decoration Day Ser- vice at the Maitland Cemetery on Sunday afternoon. A levee follow- ed for all those who were on parade for this special service of s, m... -a r,trtyneriabrar M, The-serviV TPA th _W_Mt hektdra FAVA i _ eek, September 15 to 23.. Other activities throughout the week In- cluded a display at Suncoast Mall, a senior citizens' card party, a fish fry and a dance. (Photo by Joanne Buchanan) sonal problems and situations that led the individual to come into conflict with the law. Important components of the programs will include identification of learning disabilities, life skills and employment training, interpersonal relationships and family interaction. Staff resources will include psychologists, psychiatrists, educators and social workers, who will assess and determine the ap- propriate programs for residents, along with line staff and supervisors who will en- sure the security of the facility and maintain its day-to-day operation. Mr. Leluk said that the emphasis will be on providing profes- sional support and rehabilitative oppor- tunities for young people who, in the opinion of the courts, need to be housed in a secure facility. The conversion of the Bluewater Centre, located 5 km south of the Towf? f Goderich, will have a positive impact on G8derich and surrounding communities, added Mr. Leluk. The renovation phase will create many short-term jobs for construction and related industries. When the facility is opened more than 150 staff will be employed, including a number of staff formerly employed at the centre by the Ministry of Community and Social Ser- vices. Representatives of the Ministry of Correctional Services will be meeting with them in the near future to discuss employ- ment opportunities and training plans. Council to advertise for tourism co-ordinator Goderich town council has agreed to advertise for someone to fill the role of industrial and tourism co-ordinator here. In a recorded vote at the September 17 council meeting, Administrator Larry McCabe was given power to place an ad after having its wording approved by the town solicitor. Reeve Harry Worsell was the only member of council who voted against this. Councillor Don Wheeler, although voting in favor, said he feared the hiring of one person would lead to the creation of a burgeoning, omnipotent department" that could cost the town "$50,000 in a year's time." Councillor Glen Carey said he hoped the hiring of one person would lead to the development of a department. "If it grows in a controlled fashion, that will Mean that the town is growing right along with it," he said. Carey stated that council's approval in principle of the establishment of a Tourist and Industrial Promotion Department did not commit council to anything. "We are simply approving an idea whose time has come and now we are trying to find a body to put to that idea." Renovate museum - study The museum study is out and suggests that the Huron County Pioneer Museum be renovated at its present site in Goderich. Huron County Warden Tom Cunningham said at a press conference on September 21 that county council will be hearing a presentation from the two men who car- ried out the study. Architect Chris Borgal of Blyth and Bruce County Museum Curator Klaus Breede, representing Museums Program- mes Collaborative of Toronto, have been slated for a 1:30 p.m. presentation to coun- ty council on Thursday, October 4. The warden extended a special invita- tion to the public to come and hear the two men. This meeting, said the warden, will be the only opportunity the public will have to hear the men speak en the study. Although as at any county council meeting, the public is not allowed to stand up and ask questions of speakers, the warden said he wants input from the public. "We want people to tell us what they think," Warden Cunningham said. There have been two public meetings on the museum with about 100 people in total attending. The warden said he knows there is in- terest in the museum as he recalled picketing in front of the court house. It was about two years ago when a number of Goderich residents protested the suggestion of moving the museum out of Goderich. The museum first opened in 1951 with the late J.H. Neill, the man who started the collection, as curator. The current curator, Ray Scotchmer, has served in that capacity since 1969. From 1965 until 1969, James Chisholm was the curator. Look us over. New things will happen Hey! Look "us over! There is a difference in your weekly newspaper, a subtle difference that may not be discernible to ,the naked eye. But trust us, our product has been improved in response to reader demand. The Goderich Signal -Star has changed over the years, but those changes were on- ly initiated and effected to provide a more responsible and attractive news product. Change has just been an integral part of our commitment to you, the advertiser and reader. But wait. There's more to come. You'll be pleasantly surprised when the Signal is delivered to your door next week. We've been planning some major changes for a long time and, with the preparatory work behind us, are now ready to unveil a new product. We can't wait to tell you about it next week and we'll be looking forward to your reaction. Because, we're the paper that listens and we care what you have to say. So look us over next week. Enrolment rises in most area schools Enrolment in 19 elementary schools has increased slightly this year according to figures released by the Huron -Perth Separate School Board. The figures indicate that enrolment is up by 42 students to a total of 2,628 in the 19 - school system. The built of the increase was realized in Perth County schools where the number of students jumped by 33 to 1,423. The Huron County system has nine more students this year for atotal of 1,205. The biggest gain was recorded at St. Marys School, Hesson where enrolment figures jumped from 96 in 1983-84 to 114 for the 1984-85 school year. The largest decrease was recorded at St. Mary's School Goderich where the enrol- ment dropped by 15 students to 198 from the 1983-84 total of 213. Last year St. Mary's had the largest student population of the 19 elementary schools. St. Joseph's School Kingsbridge has upped its student population by one to 83. iNSIDE THE SIGNAL' -STA R Fashion show It's fall fashion show time again. Last Wednesday, the Clare McGowan Unit of - North Street United Church sponsored a fashion show featuring clothes from The Fashion Shoppe. Photos and a story ap- pear in the recreation section. Watch for more fashion show coverage in upcoming weeks. Volleyball action The GDCI Vikings Senior Boys volleyball team tied for first place in a league tournament, held at Goderich District Collegiate Institute, last Thursday. Story and photos in Recreation. St. Patrick's tourney The GDCI Vikings Senior Girls basket- ball team competed in the fifth annual Sar- nia St. Patrick's Kick-off tournament, on the weekend. The Vikings played well in the tournament, which featured 15 of the best girls basketball teams in On- tario.Story in Recreation. 1