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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-08-30, Page 11 (519)235-1115 www.hurontractor.com I Ell W HURON TRACTOR Exeter haw wwwnoym HIGH SPEED INTERNET SERVING EXETER & SURROUNDING AREAS For as low as $19.95/mo. 519-236-4333 TIMES -ADVOCATE Exeter, Ontario, Canada Wednesday, August 30, 2006 x.25 (includes GST) Exeter hosts health meeting By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — Last Thursday in Exeter, the South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) board held the latest in a series of meetings across its coverage area as it receives feedback from health care con- sumers in advance of preparing a draft by the end of October to meet a spring deadline for a provincial 10 - year plan. LHIN chief executive officer Tony Woolgar said Aug. 22 was a special day as it marked the one-year anniversary of the founding of the LHIN. Woolgar said there are 14 LHIN organizations, with the southwest group, which covers Bruce, Huron, Perth, Middlesex, Elgin, and Oxford counties as well as parts of Grey and Norfolk, one of the largest, with 22,000 square kilometres and 920,000 people. He added there have been rumours and misconceptions about the LHIN. "It's not about closing hospitals...we need strong hospitals," said Woolgar who added the LHINs are about bringing system parts together. "Our resources go into treatment and they should go into prevention." According to Woolgar, previously all decisions were made at Queen's Park. "You have needs here that are specific to you and decisions will be based on what you tell us." The public forum is one of more than 50 scheduled throughout the region that will continue through early October for input for a three-year plan to be submitted by Oct. 31 to Minister of Health and Long Term -Care George Smitherman. South Huron Conn. Pete Armstrong attended the See LHIN page 2 The Exeter Branch Library wrapped up its summer time `Quest for Heroes' reading program with a barbecue in Victoria Park Aug. 18 attended by some of Exeter's local heroes.Attending the barbecue were front from Ieft,Angie Redfearn and dog Hayley and veterinarian Ellen Shapiro. Back: student volunteers Natalie VanderBurgt and Amy McConnell, Lioness Louise Pincombe and Barb Down, veteran Eric Heywood and Jason Sibley from the OPP. (photos/Pat Bolen) Fydenchuk enters deputy mayor race By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — There are now three candidates for the deputy mayor's position in this November's South Huron municipal election. Crediton's Wally Fydenchuk has formally filed his paper for deputy mayor, taking his first run at municipal politics. He joins Crediton's Drew Robertson and Exeter's George Robertson in the race for the deputy mayor's job. Fydenchuk has been a regular at South Huron council meetings over the past year and a frequent author of letters to the editor on a number of issues. A commercial carpenter by trade, he has also written two books on local history: "Before the Battle," and "Immigrants of War." Describing himself as a "behind the scenes guy," Fydenchuk has been encouraging others in the community to run for council — when only a few did, he decided to run himself. Fydenchuk describes South Huron as "a bright, bright commu- nity" that is crying for leadership. One of his top concerns — the issues surrounding the privatization of Huron Park — is coming togeth- er, he says, noting Huron Park Wally Fydenchuk industries that were going to leave the area are now staying and have bought their properties or are in the process of doing so. Concerned that businesses were going to leave Huron Park, Fydenchuk says he got involved and spoke to the Ontario Realty Corporation's vice- president and a corporate lawyer. Once they became involved, Fydenchuk says it was easier for Huron Park businesses to reach purchase agreements. "The tune changed," he said, adding, "Huron Park is going to be the economic driver of South Huron." Good things happening in Huron Park (the purchase of industrial properties and the privatization of the residential side) is also good news for Exeter, Fydenchuk says. He said a strong Huron Park will have offshoots that will "pick up" Exeter's downtown and housing. "It will be full steam ahead," he says, adding development will increase in Exeter. Fydenchuk says one way to attract shoppers to Exeter's Main Street is to have specialty shops that sell products not available in big box stores in London's booming Masonville area. "I'm tired of big box stores. I want quality," he says. Fydenchuk said specialty shops would give an incentive for London residents looking for a break from the city to make the trip to Exeter to shop. "This is a beautiful downtown." Job retention is a main concern for Fydenchuk and he says local businesses should be shown appre- ciation for the fact they are here. He adds the South Huron Chamber of Commerce plays a big role in the community and he supports that group. Another concern of Fydenchuk's is the planned $6.2 million Crediton/Centralia sewer project, which Fydenchuk would like to see delayed until government funding can be arranged. He said funding to municipalities could change in the future through the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. Fydenchuk adds the project will put financial pressure on the resi- See FYDENCHUK page 2 MEW Exeter woman hurt in hit and run EXETER — Huron OPP are seeking public assis- tance to find the person responsible for an Exeter hit and run last week. Fifty -two-year-old Cynthia MacNeill of Exeter is listed in stable condition with serious leg injuries after she was struck by a vehicle on Main Street around 8:30 p.m Aug. 24. MacNeill was walking east across Main Street north of Hill Street when she was struck by a northbound vehicle described as an SUV. MacNeill was struck by the right front of the SUV, knocking her to the ground. The vehicle continued north without stopping to give her help. The injured pedestrian was taken to South Huron Hospital in Exeter and then trans- ferred to London Health Sciences for surgery. The suspect SUV is described as a dark green or blue smaller style SUV with a covered spare tire on the rear of the vehicle. It is not certain how many occupants were in the SUV. An eyewitness that had been following the vehicle along Main Street into Exeter before the collision reports that they traveled behind the suspect vehicle from Birr. Huron OPP would like to speak to the driver of the involved SUV. If any person has any information regarding this hit and run, they are asked to contact Huron OPP at 519-524- 8314 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (1- 800 -222 -TIPS).