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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-06-22, Page 22 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, June 22, 2005 Regional wrap up Merger? CLINTON — Heartland Community Credit Union is reviewing a possible merger with the Woodslee Credit Union. According to the Clinton News -Record, the potential merger would give the Clinton -based finan- cial institution an opportunity to expand its services and allow higher lending limits in its commercial and agri- cultural loans divi- sion. If approved, the merger could take effect in January 2006. Site needed SEAFORTH — Council is trying to come up with a new site for its composting operation but so far it's hitting a dead end. Harpurhey resi- dents want the cur- rent compost facility moved after a recent fire sent smoke throughout their neighbourhood. The Huron Expositor reports no one seems to want the facility in his/her backyard. Seaforth Mayor Joe Seili says if a new location isn't found by the next council meeting they'll be forced to close the one they have. Be wary of canvassers GODERICH — Huron OPP and the Women's Shelter in Goderich are warn- ing residents to be careful when it comes to door-to- door solicitors. According to the Goderich Signal - Star, canvassers, claiming to be asso- ciated with the local women's shelter, are trying to collect money from unsus- pecting residents. If approached by a canvasser, police say you should make sure they have appropriate identifi- cation. They should also give you a num- ber for their head office. Auditor reports "good news" for hospital South Huron Hospital administrative assistant Faye Reichert, left, was recognized at last week's annual hospital meeting for her hard work and dedication. She has been with the hospital for five years.With Reichert is hospital CEO Debra Hunt. (photo/Scott Nixon) By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — After six weeks on the job, South Huron Hospital chief exec- utive officer Debra Hunt acknowledged at last week's annual Hospital Association meeting that she has received "a very warm welcome" from everybody. "I do look forward to working with each of you," Hunt said June 16 during the 52nd annual meeting of the South Huron Hospital Association. Last week's meeting revealed the hospital's surplus for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005, to be $354,617. While down from last year's surplus of $464,122, it marks the fifth consecutive surplus for South Huron Hospital. Base funding from the Ministry of Health in the last fiscal year was $5.5 million, up from the previ- ous year's $5.3 million. The hospital also received one time funding from the Ministry of $266,900, over $200,000 higher than the previous year. Revenues for the hospi- tal were $8.2 million, with expenses of $7.8 million. Salaries, the largest expense for the hospital, were $3.5 million. Auditor Paul Seebach said his annual report was "a good news report. The hospital had a solid sur- plus and looks to be in good standing." Board chair Glenn Bartlett called last year "another eventful year in the life" of the hospital. He noted inpatient and outpa- tient volumes have increased over the previ- ous year and "quality patient care is, and will remain, the primary focus of your hospital, staff and physicians." Bartlett noted that the recent contract with the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance allowed the hos- pital to hire Hunt and also remain independent. In other hospital news, Bartlett said the emer- gency department will be renovated, something he said will be a long process but one that needs to start. The hospital has also bought an ultra sound machine with technology that will allow radiologists to interpret examinations without coming to Exeter. The hospital also received its full three-year accreditation approval, something Hunt said the staff should be proud of. "It's quite an honour," Hunt said. Hunt said doctor recruit- ment and retention remain high priorities for South Huron and in her role as CEO, she hopes to continue to strengthen hospital partnerships with the community. Hunt also detailed money spent for the hospi- tal's infrastructure: • roof/fire safety doors, $107,570; • an ultra sound/propaq monitor, $242,900; • patient lifts, $15,000; • patient/employee safe- ty and infection control, $103,800; • a computer for dia- betes staff, $1,702; • and $60,000 to increase full-time hours for the nursing staff. Emergency room visits at the hospital increased eight per cent to 11,115 visits, up from the previ- ous year's 10,294. Visits to the Family Practice Clinic increased 29 per cent from 7,283 to 9,369. Acute care saw an occu- pancy rate of 93.6 per cent, up from 86.54 per cent. Chief of staff Dr. Peter Englert said some hospi- tals in larger centres may have problems keeping their emergency depart- ments open this summer, but he doesn't see that happening in Exeter. "We're doing quite well," he said, noting some hospitals are experi- encing staff shortages resulting in staffers over- working. He said the South Huron Medical Centre has proven to be "highly use- ful" in attracting new doc- tors to the community. He added the area still needs "approximately two new full time family doctors" to lose its underserviced sta- tus. South Huron Auxiliary representative June Hodgson also gave her annual report, noting that both rummage sales over the past fiscal year were successful, raising $10,656.52 and $9,088.83. Longtime employees were also recognized by the hospital. Judy Grenier of the nursing department marks 25 years at the hospital this year, while Sherri Harrison, Sherry McCann, Susan Oke and Sheila Penn all celebrated their 15th anniversaries at the hospital. Lucan resident concerned about safety By Stephanie Mandziuk TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN — William Hurl says he wants his neighbourhood, at Wellington Street and Saintsbury Line in Lucan, to be safe. Hurl is concerned there could be vari- ous chemicals sitting next to a garage and if there's a fire, "our volunteer fire department won't know what they're dealing with." Hurl made a formal pitch to council Monday night asking for action to be taken against the property owner before something terrible happens. Hurl says he's tried to speak to the owner of the corner lot about cleaning up the mess, but has had no luck. Since April he has also tried to get township personnel and the Ministry of the Environment to take action. Administrator Ron Reymer says an attempt has been made to contact the Streetlight problems Continued from front page municipality's contrac- tor was having a hard time fmding a new relay, but hoped one would be found soon. "Rather than leave the lights off," Hockey said, "we've left the lights on." There were also some lights out during the evening at the north end of Main Street. Hockey said the prob- lems would be fixed as soon as possible. property owner but there's a problem — the municipality has no property stan- dards bylaw to enforce. Council has agreed to send a letter to the property owner and it plans to con- tact the MOE as well. In addition to the possibility of unknown chemicals on site, Hurl says there is also a pile containing snowblow- ers, lawn mowers, a gallon drum, car batteries and even propane tanks Hurl says he has learned there are other properties in the Lucan area with similar stockpiles of potentially danger- ous material. He feels some property owners are, "snubbing their noses at the township and their neighbours." He hopes the current situation will be resolved quickly and plans to bring up the issue of a property standards bylaw during the next municipal election in the fall of 2006. Local gas tax numbers EXETER — Local munic- ipalities recently learned what cut they'll be receiv- ing from the federal gov- ernment's plan to transfer gas tax funds to munici- palities. Over the next five years, municipalities will receive $2.2 billion in funding from the program, to be used for infrastructure and roads. Following are the munic- ipalities in the Times - Advocate's readership area and what they will receive over the next five years: • South Huron, $813,915.44; • Bluewater, $562,080.14; • Lambton Shores, $858,758.37; • Lucan Biddulph, $341,277.45. In total, Huron County will receive nearly $5 mil- lion from the gas tax plan, Middlesex County will receive $5.4 million and Lambton County will receive $10 million. RVAWG remax.ca Lucan residentWilliam Hurl is concerned gerous chemicals are lingering in this pile of garbage beside a garage in his neighbourhood. He wants council to take immediate action. (photo/Stephanie Mandziuk) some dan- advertisers.... Pay By Phone! We gladly accept payment for your account by Visa or Mastercard. call 519-235-1331 Sue Rollings today. TIMES ADVOCATE Business Directory REPAIRS Sewing Machine REPAIRS TO ALL MAKES Free estimates 90 Day Warranty Experienced since 1952 Sew and Save Centre Ltd. 149 Downie St., Stratford Phone 271-9660