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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1972-12-21, Page 14PAGE 14 ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1972 Huron forms council of health (by Shirley J. Keller) Huron County Council made yet another move last Thursday to keep the county a leader among rural communities in the province and to stave off regional government by accept- ing more responsibility at the local level. Decision was made to make application to the provincial government to form a District Council of Health. According to Dr. Frank. Mills, Huron County, Medical Officer of Health, A District Council of Health is composed of repres- entatives of all medical and related fields in the county plus an equal number of lay people to plan, co-ordinate and assess local health services with an eye to recommendations for ways of preventing overlap. Dr. Mills said a meeting had already been held among med- ical people in the county who stressed the need for such an organization in Huron. It is hoped that if the prov- incial government approves Huron's application, Huron would be a district on its own, part of a larger area. }Jr. Mills saw it as a way to maintain "local automony" and give Huron a "political say" in health services here. "I fear if we don't do it, we will have it done for us and we won't have much say, " said Dr. Mills. "Dr. (Richard) Potter (Minister of Health for Ontario) has said this is coming. I believe the government is looking for people who will t ake the first positive steps." All costs for the project are to be borne by the provincial government. Five other District Councils have already been formed in the Province in Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Hamilt- on -Wentworth, Kingston and Sudbury. It was also suggested by Dr. Mills that if the project was approved, offices would be loc- ated centrally, perhaps Clinton. Councillor Anson McKinley of Stanley Township wondered if there was any assurance that Huron would remain a district. He was told by Dr. Mills there was aa. a xcellent chance." Bayfield Reeve Ed Oddliefson was enthusiastic about the proposal. "It is another step toward maintaining the autonomy of this county, " said Oddliefson. "It might help the government change its mind about a popul- ation of 150, 000 being the ideal size for a region. When the main industry is agriculture, population should not be a major consideration." "This is going to come, " stated Reeve Gerry Gin. "If you want it to come to Huron we'd better get after it. If you want to be part of a larger area, well. . . it is how you want it. I'd like to see it done in Huron.' Clerk -treasurer for the coun- ty, John Berry said that the members of the board of health for the county had "some reser- vations" about it. "But if we want to have any voice at all, now's our chance, " said Berry. Chairman of the board of health, Reeve Derry Boyle, Exeter, said the scheme would not jeopardize any jobs or any boards in the county. "The government is concern- ed about health costs in the province, " said Boyle. "I know you're concerned about health costs, It is not going to cost the county any money and will help prevent an overlapping of health services." The board of health also rep- orted that William Empey has resigned as chief health inspect- or for Huron. The replacement is J.K, McCaul effective Dec- ember 4 at a salary of $10, 300 per annum. It is also confirmed that the nurses' office in the main office in the Court House, Goderich, will be improved and updated with nursing stations installed and some new furnishings. 0 Sesame street back in January The program "Sesame Street" will again be seen on Channel 10 beginning Monday, January 8 it was reiterated today CFPL- TV Program Manager James A. Plant. The station began its fall schedule without the popular U.S. Produced pre-school program since "Sesame Street" created a programming imbal- ance in regard to Canadian con- tent regulations. Public reaction to the omission was strong and in a televised interview on the "Dick Berryman" show on Channel 10 Mr. Plant and W. Cliff Wingrove, Station Man- ager, agreed to reinstate the program in the new year, the soonest programming could be adjusted to accommodate the additional five hours of Americ- an programming. " Sesame Street" will be seen at 11 a, m. each weekday morn- ing. tog& GREETINGS ! ay the peace and serenity of Christmas fill your heart, your home and your life throughout this blessed season and in the year to come. We take this opportunity to thank you for your continued patronage. ZURICH HYDRO - ELECTRIC SYSTEM W.D. ARMSTRONG, Manager Social services survey (continued from previous page) and to health needs of families with specific reference to Home Care and Psychiatric services. Improved recreation facilities also received strong support. A large number of respon- dents gave high priority to the needs of children, with par- ticular reference to Day Care and Nursery facilities. When asked if they could suggest ways in which these needs could be implemented the majority seemed to recommend increasing the professional staff of existing agencies to im- plement the improvements. There was a fairly strong em- phasis, however, on requesting financial support from volunteer groups such as service clubs. Regarding counselling needs, recommendations included im- proving school counselling, establishing a Family Servic9 Bureau or similar 'agency, utilizing Children's Aid Society facilities, expecting more leader- ship from clergy and churches and enlarging Mental Health services. Many respondents felt that the Social Services Co- ordinating Committee could be useful in developing more ser- vices. Some respondents felt that the government should provide increased services. In releasing the report Mr. Heath, the present S.S.C.C. chairmen and Huron County Children's Aid Director, noted that some of the findings were "Very surprising," while others were to be expected. „�e�c�iyd bKIzT Tuckey Beverages