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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-01-04, Page 22 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, January 4, 2006 Doctor recruitment committee updates South Huron council By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — A local doctor recruitment commit- tee is planning to design a website to help promote the area to doctors. The South Huron Recruitment Committee received a boost Monday night as South Huron council agreed to kick in $2,000 for the site, which will provide information on medical opportunities in the area and include links to various other municipal sites. Committee members Wayne DeLuca and Fred Simmons updated council Monday night on the group's progress. Included in their presenta- tions were examples of two colour brochures the com- mittee had printed to help promote the area to gradu- ating medical students — one brochure focuses on local medical information, while the other is a more general overview of South Huron. The municipality donated $3,000 for the pro- ject, with the province adding $5,400. DeLuca and Simmons attended a doctor job fair at Oakwood Inn in October, where they met over 50 medical students. DeLuca said for many of the students, the job fair was their first exposure to Exeter or South Huron. "I think we were received very well," he said, adding many students attended with their spouses, children and parents. DeLuca said University of Western Ontario graduates like the region and seem willing to settle here. Medical The committee, which shared a booth at the Oakwood job fair, has reserved its own table at next year's, and will attend a fair in London. Eventually, DeLuca said the committee would like to attend job fairs at McMaster University and the University of Toronto. "Doctor recruitment costs money, unfortunately," Simmons said, adding the com- mittee will need about $2,000 for job fairs next year. He also mentioned the pos- sibility of bringing in a nurse practitioner to the South Huron Medical Centre, but that is something that would require a consultant's study which could cost $5,000 to $10,000. Simmons also encouraged the municipality to increase the economic development portion of its budget and be more involved at the county level. "We're losing out on opportu- nities," he said, adding the entire community needs to get together and co-operate on doctor recruitment efforts. Coun. Pete Armstrong said council has always support- ed the hospital and suggest- ed the recruitment commit- tee also look to South Huron's neighbours for grants. "We can't be the easy touch every time," he said, pointing out the hospital has a catchment area of about 19,000 people, about only half of which come from South Huron. Simmons told the Times - Advocate that Bluewater has been informed of the com- "Doctor recruitment costs money, unfortunately?' - FRED SIMMONS SOUTH HURON MEDICAL RECRUITMENT COMMITTEE "The more hear about Huron, the The Exeter Times -Advocate surveyed prominent members in our community asking for their forecast of 2006. Will it be a year of development, change and challenges or will it be a year of cutbacks, hard decisions and hard work? BILL DOWSON ORGANIZATION: Bill Dowson / Mayor of Municipality of Bluewater 2006 WILL BE A YEAR OF: striving to provide the services expected by our residents of Bluewater while trying to keep the taxes as low as possible. The main concerns are trying to get pipeline water to Hensall and to get the lagoons in Hensall and Zurich upgraded. With the growth around Bayfield it will be necessary to provide more water and sewage to those areas. A lot of money has been spent in the last five years to bring the recreation facilities across our municipality to meet the Health and Safety standards. As well, equipment has been replaced in our fire departments to make them safe and able to handle our emergencies. It will be nec- essary to take a serious look at our rural, village and lakeshore streets and roads. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS - I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and good health and happiness in 2006. mittee's efforts, but council hasn't been formally approached for a grant. Coun. Ken Oke said other communities will probably be wary of donating money to a committee whose inten- tion is to recruit doctors to Exeter because those com- munities have their own doctor concerns. Simmons and DeLuca both said South Huron can't com- pete with some of the finan- cial incentives some larger communities are offering to attract doctors, but they believe Exeter's location and the lifestyle it offers will attract doctors. "The more people hear about South Huron, the bet- ter off we are," Simmons said. In terms of the proposed website, Simmons said it is the best way to promote the area and will include infor- mation provided on the brochures. Council agreed to donate $2,000 to the website, with Deputy Mayor Dave Urlin con- gratulating Simmons and DeLuca on their efforts. The donation comes out of the economic development portion of last year's budget, which still had money left over for the grant. Other council notes: Here to help Armstrong, council's rep- resentative on the Exeter Business Improvement Association, wants the pub- lic to know that anyone interested in starting up a business can approach he or chairperson Betty Thomson for the proper direction. "We are a liaison for the businesses," he said, adding the BIA is always interested in helping new businesses come to town. people South better." - SIMMONS On Monday OPP in Lucan were investigating graffiti attacks that took place at Biddulph Central over the weekend with several outside walls scrawled with profanities.The investigation is continuing. (photos/Pat Bolen) 41. II'P1 Y 4111 NEW YEAR..:, The Exeter Times -Advocate surveyed prominent members in our community asking for their forecast of 2006. Will it be a year of development, change and challenges or will it be a year of cutbacks, hard decisions and hard work? ORGANIZATION: George Irvin / Bluewater Councillor - Stanley West GEORGE IRVIN 2006 WILL BE A YEAR OF: hard work, dedication and positive results WHY? Because things turn out the best for those of us who make the best of the way that things turn out. THE COMING YEAR'S CHALLENGES AND HOW TO MEET THEM?: A need for more understanding and compassion for the Lakeshore residents who have been overwhelmed with the unfair tax assessments over the last number of years. Maybe we need to borrow some of those big tractors and get out on the 401. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS - Give change a chance. I wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. REGIONAL WRAP UP • Beef packing plant BRUSSELS — A proposed beef packing plant cost- ing $35 million in Brussels is proposed to earn $2.3 million in profit in its second year, according to The Huron Expositor. About 30 people attended the public meeting recently to hear the beef plant proposal. The plan would offer a 10 per cent return to investors. Project manager with Giffels Associates Brent Arlitt says his company believes it will be a good invest- ment for producers. A main focus for the plant is to improve producer control over their product. Possible ATV changes HURON — The Maitland All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Association would like Central Huron council to con- sider changing a bylaw, allowing ATVs to use munic- ipal roads. According to the Clinton News -Record, club presi- dent Richard Wilts says by passing an appropriate bylaw the club will be better able to facilitate a trail network. He adds the club has already started build- ing trails in the area. Wilts and club vice-president James Dejong say members are running into some problems because ATV users are not legally allowed to travel along municipal roads.