Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-05-11, Page 22 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, May 11, 2005 Regional wrap up Politicians meet GODERICH — More than 200 delegates and 60 trade show exhibitors are in Goderich this week for the Ontario Small Urban Municipalities Conference and Trade Show. The Goderich Signal - Star reports the confer- ence provides a forum for elected and appointed officials to exchange and receive information. They also have a chance to unite and take action on matters of mutual interest to help improve local govern- ments. Clinton store quashed CLINTON — An attempt to open a Home Hardware store in Clinton has been stopped. According to the Clinton News -Record, John and Karen Thompson have learned an appeal from a neighbouring com- munity's store has affected their plans. The Ottawa couple had hoped to open a Home Hardware at the for- mer site of Daniel's Fine Dining on King Street. Meanwhile Clinton's BIA is lobbying Home Hardware's corporate office to see the deal go through. Golf club upgrades BAYFIELD — Bayfield -area golfers can now enjoy a new clubhouse and other upgrades at the Bluewater Golf Course. The old clubhouse was demolished last October, replaced by a 5,000 square foot facil- ity. The Goderich Signal -Star says the clubhouse includes a lounge/dining area, meeting room, outdoor patio and state of the art kitchen facilities. The building can accommodate up to 150 people for catered events. Council looks at nurse practitioner solutions By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF VARNA — A committee of Bluewater council will meet with area doctors and the Zurich Health Unit to assist in resolving the issue of nurse practitioner service in Zurich. The decision was reached Monday night after deciding against holding a public meet- ing to discuss the issue. Clerk -administrator Janisse Zimmerman said a Nurse Practioner couldn't be kept in Zurich because of the cost of the supervisory fee, which is not needed in Hensall with doc- tors already there. After the possibility of holding a public meeting was put raised, Bluewater Mayor Bill Dowson said that until a public meeting was held and people could express their thoughts, "we could be spinning our wheels." Deputy Mayor Paul Klopp disagreed, saying it would be more productive for a meeting between Huron Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell, Grand Bend Area Community Health Centre executive director Dan Steinwald and doctors Michael Hurley and Charles Wallace. "The doctors aren't the issue. It's the gov- ernment not putting enough money in," said Klopp. Council passed a motion expressing support for the Zurich Health Centre and setting up a committee to meet with Hurley, Wallace and the Zurich Health Group. In other business, council has voted to accept price changes for the Hay Township Hall. Facilities manager Tom Dickens presented proposed rate changes which will leave the day care and seniors rates the same at $15 per event. The rate for service clubs will be $55 per event with all other rentals $100 per event/day plus the kitchen charge. The rates for Bayfield/Hensall/Zurich and Varna complex's will be $145 per event/day with kitchen included. Dickens also said he is looking into a per- manent liquor license for the Zurich building and will report back to council with informa- tion when it becomes available Dickens said being able to sell alcohol will create more flexible rental opportunities for facility rental. Asked by Dowson why all the facilities couldn't be licensed, Dickens replied a test was needed before trying to have all the facil- ities licensed. Dickens said a $1,000 non-refundabl appli- cation fee is needed. "We may be turned down. There are a lot of issues," said Dickens. "We need a strategy. "If it works well, I'll recommend we do it everywhere." Dickens presented a report to council on ice rentals at the Bluewater facilities. Dickens said the times he considers to be rentable hours are 6 a.m. to 8 a.m and 4 p.m to midnight from Monday to Friday for a total of 50 hours weekly. On the weekend, Dickens said times from 6 a.m. to midnight gives 36 hours for an overall total of 86 hours at each facility. Dickens added that while the 6 a.m. to 8 weekdays hours are "rentable in theory," they are difficult to rent and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. are almost impossible to rent. According to Dickens, the total unused ice time in Bayfield for the 2004/05 season was 55.5 hours. In Hensall 26.5 hours were available for rent and in Zurich the amount of unused ice time was 33 hours per week. Dickens said options have been considered for improving the efficiency of the facilities. One option considered, according to Dickens would be to shut down two rinks late in the winter if only a few teams are still playing. Dickens said facilities can't just be shut down during the day and be opened at night, since the ice surface has to be maintained. Another option, according to Dickens, is closing one building once a week, which would save several thousand dollars. But any longer closures, said Dickens, "and you're putting yourself at risk," because of government regulations. Huron County poverty concerns local group By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — A local group is trying to get the message out concern- ing poverty in Huron County. Kim Payne and Melaney Prevett of the Huron County Social Justice Coalition appeared before South Huron council May 2, part of their mandate to spread education about the poverty problem in the area. The Social Justice Coalition has been in exis- tence for a year and a half and works with numerous service providers in the county as well as churches and the media. The group is collecting statistical and anecdotal information concerning social justice and is advocating for change. Payne defined poverty as being in a position distant from the mainstream of society and being excluded from the resources, oppor- tunities and sources of subjective and objective well-being available to others. Strike is avoided Continued from front page and we're happy, so that's good." Since it's only a one-year deal, Shaw said he is fearful about what will happen during next year's negotiations. "We don't know if we're going to get the money next year (from the government) for any increase," he added. To meet the salary increases of the new contract, Shaw said staffing hours will be reduced. "That may or may not translate into layoffs. Certainly we'll try to avoid layoffs, but some people will be work- ing fewer hours." Shaw said negotiations were tougher than usual this time around because of CUPE's provincewide objective of a two per cent increase. She read a letter from a former broadcaster and writer who was laid off from his job in Kitchener, couldn't find work and eventually got into drugs and ended up fmding his meals in soup kitchens. Returning to the place of his childhood, Huron County, he works for Ontario Works, receiving $520/month. Payne said the average apartment in Huron County is about $500/month, while a fami- ly of three on Ontario Works only receives $1,126/month. Prevett, who helps peo- ple find apartments, said reasonably -priced apart- ments in the county go quickly. The letter writer explained he wants to work, but is unable to work in factories because of a chronic back problem. And despite the belief by some that those on wel- fare abuse the system, Payne said abuse in the system is less than one per cent. To add to the problem, she said the attitude in food banks can be "very judgmental" towards the poor. She said 600 families in the county and 300 single residents live on social assistance, while 12,000 people (20 per cent of the population) live at or below the poverty line. More than half those in poverty are children. There are several conse- quences suffered by peo- ple living in poverty: greater risk of disease and injury, higher levels of mental illness, lower edu- cational attainment, short- er life expectancy and a greater risk of homeless- ness. Speaking of the lat- ter problem, Payne said there are no resources for the homeless in the coun- ty. Poverty also leads to increased health care costs, increased use of emergency services and a lower quality of life. In a rural area, Payne said poverty is worse because there are fewer jobs, less infrastructure Careless and impaired driving charges on docket EXETER — Joey D. Carmichael of Goderich, was found guilty of a charge of over 80 mg. April 28 in Exeter court. Before Justice R.G. Hunter, Carmichael pled guilty stem- ming from an incident Aug. 28 on Airport Line. Carmichael was given a $1,000 fine and a 12 -month driving ban. Two further charges of ability impaired and failure to stop were with- drawn. Richard Gowan, 48, of Hensall, pled guilty to charges of ability impaired and failure to comply with probation, stemming from an incident July 18. Gowan was given an $850 fine and a 12 -month driving ban for the impaired and a $150 fine for the breach of probation. Further charges of over 80 mg. and failure to stop for police were withdrawn. Charges were dismissed against William J. Hill of Vanastra, stemming from an incident Aug. 8. Hill pled not guilty to EXETER COURT charges of ability impaired and over 80 mg. after being stopped by OPP. The charges were dis- missed after Hunter ruled the breath machine the arresting officer said was used did not exist. Jeffrey J. Harburn of Thedford pled guilty to a charge of careless driving stemming from an inci- dent Aug. 28. Harburn was given a $500 fine. A further charge of failure to remain was withdrawn. Norman F. Peters of Exeter pled not guilty to a charge of over 80 mg. stemming from an inci- dent Sept. 4. Peters was found guilty and given a $750 fine and a 12- pmonth driving ban. and fewer social supports. Payne said the popula- tion in Huron County is declining because of youth leaving for jobs elsewhere. Payne said the Social Justice Coalition wants the county and municipalities to become partners in the fight against poverty. "We want you to be aware of the problem," she told councillors. Payne said her group is working with churches and organizations in Exeter about developing services for those in poverty. Usborne Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company Head Office Exeter, ON NOM 1S1 235-0350 • Est. 1876 Residential Farm & Commercial Properties DIRECTORS & ADJUSTERS Joe Cheffe, R.R. 5 Mitchell 3489705 Ron Feeney, R.R. 2 Dublin 3452360 Larry Gardiner, R.R. 2 Staffa 3452678 Jack Hodgert, R.R. 1 Kirkton 229-6152 Michael O'Shea, R.R. 3 Granton 2252600 Morris Willows, R.R. 2 St. Pauls 3936548 AGENTS Wayne Mayer David Moore Joseph Uniac Barb Worden Exeter Dublin Mitchell Staffa 235-1915 345-2512 348-9012 345-2777 Dinner with Stephen Lewis Veteran Diplomat and Humanitarian To order tickets please call 519-524-4108 Wednesday, June 15, 2005 Cocktails 5:30 pm DinneenBar6 pm as Oakwood Inn & Resort Grand Bend ON Tickets are $40 per person (after May 27 $55) Limited Spaces available Hosted by Victim Services of Huron County in conjunction with the Moving Forward -Strengthening and Supporting Victims Conference For more information please call or look online at www.victimserviceshuron.ca