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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1985-10-30, Page 1INDEX Births /A9 Brussels /A4 Classified /Al2, 13, 14 Dublin /A6 Entertainment /A15 Family /A9 Farm /A8 Hensall 1A7 Legion /A15 Obituaries /A9 People /A9 Sports /A10, 11 Walton /A5 Wedding /A9 French student likes small town. See page A14 Serving the communities and areas of Seaforth, Brussels, Dublin, Hensall and Walton Huron xpositor SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1985 — 16 PAGES Health council booed by public There is a desire to coordinate health services in Huron County, but no desire for a district health council (DHC) here. This message came across loud and clear at a public meeting sponsored by the Huron County community services council on October 23 in Clinton. This council, made up of representatives from 35 social, health and education agencies, formed a health plan- ning committee to look at the idea of planning for future health care. There were about 80 in attendance at the meeting. About half were directly involved in health care, either doctors or nurses or in related fields. The remaining half was equally divided between users of the health care system and elected officials in Huron County. "There's no one who knows it all. Maybe that's the one big flaw," said Mr. Dempsey. Mr. Dempsey admitted he knows more about institutional health care such as hospitals and nursing homes as opposed to community health programs like the Victoria Order of Nurses and the health unit's home care. There are two groups now working voluntarily in institutional care, The hospital administrators in Huron and Perth have a working group and there is also a hospital liaison committee for the two counties. The latter committee is made up of board chairmen and the five county representa- tives on Huron hospital boards. These two groups have worked on various specific needs in the area. Dr. Susan Tamblyn, medical officer of health for Perth County, said various committees have been set up across the two counties to work on an ad hoc basis. One in particular. has dealt specifically with mental health services. ...No funding for committees... She noted there has been no funding for these committees and the volunteer mem- bers are often the same people. Dr. Jim Hollingsworth is definitely opposed to DHCs. The Goderich doctor had some questions for the committee which asked the basic question, what is wrong with the present system? Dr. Harry Cieslar, medical officer of health for Huron County, said he doesn't want anyone to think he is an advocate of DHCs. However, he is in favor of health care planning. The health planning committee said its secretary, Paul Carroll of Seaforth, will now. consider both the oral comments made and the results of a questionnaire. The question- naire was filled out at the end of the meeting by those present. The questionnaire came under fire when it was suggested by Dr. Don Neil of Goderich it be sent to the "community at large." He said many doctors were at conferences or on duty and couldn't attend the meeting. ...Expects report end of November... Mr. Carroll said the meeting would be covered by media present and those wishing to make further comment could do so. The school board superintendent expects the committee will have a report prepared for the community services council by the end of November. There were two guest speakers at the meeting. Professor Brian Sullivan, a man- agement consultant in student services at the University of Guelph and former executive director of a DHC, spoke on the provincial scene. Saying he wasn't at the' meeting to evangelize DHCs, the professor said the health body would be involved primarily in health care planning. Professor Sullivan said an average annual budget of DHCs ranges from $150,000 to $200,000. Bob Dempsey, former board chairman of Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich, gave an overview of what is now taking place in Huron. The county engineer said while trying to put together his presentation, he discovered he couldn't find no one expert on everything. Several of those at the meeting, including doctors and Bill Elston, chairman of Huron's board of health, expressed concern for the bureaucracy found in DHCs across the province. The three questions asked in the questionnaire are: Are you interested in further exploration of planning and co-ordi- nation of health services in Huron County? -Do you think it is time to reexamine the desirability of a district health council in this area and should we recommend to the minister of health he appoint a steering committee to examine future planning and co-ordination of health services in Huron County? %s ACTIVITY DAY — Christa Leonhardt, 7, amassed a good supply of crayons for her coloring project, part of the program at an activity day at Seaforth District High School, Monday. The program was offered by SDHS senior students, under the direction of teachers, as part of a professional development day. Other activities included games, sports and crafts. (Raftis photo) FINALLY READY — The Huron County historical atlas Is finally Paul Steckfe points out art article to provincial agriculture minister here. In the picture the atlas is looked over by those Involved in Jack Riddell, while atlas committee chairman Grant Stirling and the production and those receiving the final product. Huron Warden co-ordinator Bev Brown looks on, Finally the birth of an Atlas After two years of blood, sweat and tears, the 1984 Huron County Historical Atlas hit the streets with a bane last week. The book, weighing in at 7.5 pounds, "arrived" at 4 p.m. on October 23 at the Huron County court house, The Square, Goderich. The proud "parents" include editor A.Y. McLean, co-ordinator Bev Brown and atlas steering committee chairman Reeve Grant Stirling. There were about 150 in attendance at what Warden Paul Steckle called a birth. "it's a proud moment," said Warden Steckle as he accepted the book from his colleague Reeve Stirling. In turn, the warden passed the book on to provincial agriculture minister Jack Riddell. Mr. Riddell accepted the forest green - colored, bound atlas on behalf of the provincial government. He will present the atlas to Premier David Peterson in Toronto. The atlas is Huron County's bi-centennial project. It was back in October of 1983 when the Reverend Ross Cummings of Mitchell and Stratford -Perth archivist Jim Anderson spoke to Huron County council about the idea of an atlas. Mr. Cummings had published the Perth County historical atlas in 1982. However, Huron County decided to go into the atlas publishing business itself At the time, several reeves, including Stanley Township Reeve Steckle, cautioned about moving too quickly on the project. There was some concern if the book was rushed through there would be many mistakes. The original publication date was for the summer of 1984. The date kept moving forward until it was hoped the book would be ready for Christmas of Ontario's bi-centen• nial year. (Continued on Page A:i Two fightcouncil,for seatt Although five of the six councillors on Seaforth Town Council for the next three years have been acclaimed to their seats. there will be a contest for the final seat in the November 12 municipal election. With one seat unfilled after the official dosing of nominations at 5 p.m. October 21, the deadline was extended to October 22. when two additional nominees Bessie Broome, of Egmondville and Bill McLaugh- lin, also of Egmondville, came forward. Because both nominees filed their applica- tions after the original official deadline, only their two names will appear on the ballot in competition for the final seat. The five aoclaimees will retain their seats uncontest- ed. BESSIE BROOME Mrs. Broome, office manager at The Huron Expositor for the past six years, and a mother of five, said she decided to run because she felt it was time for some fresh input on the council. "i felt there was a need for a different viewpoint," said Mrs. Broome. Although she has never held elected o office, Mrs. Broome said her experience as a bookkeeper for the town from 1965 to 1969 , gives her an insight into the operation of a municipality. Although not a resident of Seaforth, Mrs. Broome and her husband Ronald Broome own property in town, which makes her "i just think there are a few things which eligible to hold office. should be talked about and looked at." said She is a member of the local Order of the Mr. McLaughlin, of his decision to run for Eastern Star lodge and has been involved council. with youth activities in town, chiefly through Taxes, which he feels are too high in town, a ten-year association with the local Girl are a main concern for Mr. McLaughlin and Guiding program. he has several proposals which he believes • If elected, Mrs. Broome said she would will improve the situation. attempt to move council in the direction of The town should be attempting to attract fiscal "restraint", particularly where the new industry to Seaforth. in. order to lower Salaries of town employees are concerned. taxes, Mr. McLaughlin said. "Because the rest of the economy is Council should also sell all the property currently under restraint, i feel town the town owns, said Mr. McLaughlin, employees should also come under this referring particularly to i2 unused acres of (restraint)," she said. land near the CNR tracks, known as the "i felt the need for a new challenge," said West Branch. Again, the sale of land should Mrs. Broome of her decision to enter be done in an effort to lower taxes, Mr. municipal politics. McLaughlin said. BIL MCLAUGHLiN More efficient use of town resources, such Mr. McLaughlin, who owns and operates as equipment, would also result in an McLaughlin Chevrolet -Oldsmobile automo- improved financial picture, he said. bile dealership in Seaforth, feels there are Mr. McLaughlin would also work toward several important concerns the next council encouraging local residents to do business in must address. Seaforth. BESSIE BROOME o' BILL MCLAUGHLIN "Business should he done in tow -n." he said. He feels the town took a wise step in this direction by the removal of parking meters from the main street, and said he was glad to see the meters gone. Streamlining of council and committee meetings and the elimination of some unnecessary ones, is another step Mr McLaughlin said he would like to see council take. "Meetings should be reduced and more efficient. There doesn't have to be that many meetings," he said. Mr. McLaughlin is the father of two children and is a member of the local Lions Club and has been active in minor sports in town. —See next week's paper for more on the election.