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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-10-26, Page 1JOHN DEERE (519)235-1115 www.hurontractor.com LU HURON TRACTOR Exeter cADian j@ e hay HIGH SPEED INTERNET SERVING EXETER & SURROUNDING AREAS For as low as $19.95/mo. (519)236-4333 TIMES ADVOCATE Exeter, Ontario, Canada Wednesday, October 26, 2005 1.25 (includes GST) Doctor's office reopening in Zurich By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF ZURICH — After an overwhelming amount of financial and moral support by Zurich resi- dents, the village will once again have its own doctor's office. A public meeting on Zurich health care was held at the Bluewater Community Centre last Thursday, where a crowd of about 400 people were told they needed to raise $22,260 to cover rent and other expenses for the first year in order for Dr. Michael Hurley to set up shop in Zurich. By the next day, $53,445 had been raised, with money still coming in. Hurley said at the meeting he expects to have his Zurich office open within a month. As previously reported, the Zurich Medical Clinic had been closed for over three months due to funding problems. Doctors Hurley and Charles Wallace had been continuing service out of Wallace's office in Bayfield, but han- dling all the patients out of one office was proving increasingly difficult. Hurley offered to open up an office at the Zurich Medical Clinic if rent for the facility was covered. The Zurich and Area Health Association said over $19,000 would be need- ed for rent per year, plus other expenses such as insurance, legal and accounting. Zurich residents were told they needed to commit $22,600 immediately. Zurich and Area Health Association member Robert Westlake was impressed the village responded to positively. "It's a go," he said of a Zurich doctor's office. "It's absolutely wonderful. It was really grati- fying to see the number of people who came out and donated. They're the health heroes of Zurich and area." Speaking at last Thursday's meeting, Bluewater Mayor Bill Dowson said the evening had the possibility of being a "history making night." While the municipality has never been involved in donating money towards the med- ical field in the past, Dowson admitted Bluewater will have to take a serious look at that in upcoming budgets. Speaking of the respect doctors hold in com- munities, Westlake added they are also in great demand. "We need to raise money immediately or there will not be a doctor in Zurich," he said. Donations, to be made out to the Municipality of Bluewater, are tax deductible. Zurich and Area Health Association member Steve Haberer snoke of the importance of health care in a community. He said if the community didn't come up with the money to cover Hurley's rent, Zurich could possibly lose medical services forever. During question and answer period, one audience member, noting that property taxes are rising, asked what the municipality will put towards the doctor's office. Dowson said the matter will be discussed at an upcoming council meeting. "It's going to get discussed, I guarantee you that," he said, although he said he couldn't promise what council's decision will be. The question of whether or not the Zurich office will also have a nurse practitioner arose many times during the meeting. "We have to start small and see where it goes," Hurley said, adding that he will work five days a week and start out with an office and a secretary. He said he's in favour of hav- ing a nurse practitioner, but it depends on funding. Hurley added Wallace will continue to prac- tice out of his Bayfield office. "He has no intention of giving up. He will practice until the final day." Cam Steckle, another member of the Zurich and Area Health Association, said the village would make a huge mistake if it didn't come up with the money to keep Hurley. "We're blessed he wants to serve here," Steckle said, adding the village is competing with other communities offering $50,000 sign- ing bonuses to doctors. Westlake added the $22,600 being asked for was "relatively small" compared to the money some other communities are raising. Since the money requested is only to cover expenses for the first year, an audience mem- ber asked what happens after the first year. "We're just here to get things started," Haberer said, explaining that a new Zurich and Area Health Association will be formed to deal with such matters and make decisions. Members will be volunteers and anyone inter- ested in joining is asked to attend a Nov. 3 meeting at the Bluewater Community Centre at 7 p.m. When asked if the Zurich Medical Clinic building will ever be up for sale, Westlake said the preference of the owner (Wallace) is to rent. Besides, Westlake said the cost of the building would be too much for the communi- ty to buy. When asked if Hurley will make a long-term commitment to Zurich, he said, "It depends on how long I live. I'm not going to suddenly fly See DOCTOR page 2 About 400 people attended a meeting on doctor's service in Zurich last Thursday, raising over $50,000 to allow Dr. Michael Hurley to open an office in the village.The Zurich Medical Clinic had been closed for more than three months, leaving Zurich without a doctor's office.Above, resi- dents pledge money to pay for the rent on Hurley's office. (photos/Scott Nixon) N1jTij Oct. 3o �E sF? 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