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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News Record, 2015-02-25, Page 9Wednesday, February 25, 2015 • News Record 9 Some councillors not impressed with advanced care paramedic program Dave Flaherty Goderich Signal Star The county's advanced care paramedic (ACP) pro- gram was scrutinized by some members of council this week. At the Feb. 18 committee of the whole meeting, Huron County EMS Chief Dave Lew provided councillors with a report on the program, which began in 2004. Information in the report indicated that the number of patients treated by ACPs in the county was down from 848 in 2011 to 652 in 2014. Despite those figures, Lew told council he believes the ACP program is a valuable asset to Huron County. ACPs are currently sta- tioned in Goderich, Exeter, Clinton and Wingham, the areas in the county with the highest numbers of calls. Howick Reeve Art Versteeg said he believes this is unfair to rural residents as those who live in less populated areas already have longer wait times for ambulances Londesborough news Brenda Radford Special to the News Record February is the shortest month of the school year and snow days and extra -curricular activities have made fewer than normal actual days in class for pupils at Hullett Central Public School. And, of course, there were no classes on Monday, Family Day. Early in the month classes spent a fun day near St. Mary's snow tubing. Then last Wednesday others, in Grade 4 to 8, chose a day on the ski slopes. It was a pleasant weather day and they were excited about their adventure. Last Friday in keeping with Valentine's Day pupils came to classes dressed in pink, red and white. During those snow days I have it on good report that much work was being done on stories and speeches. Hullett held their in -school public speaking contest on February 23. Then the senior volleyball teams will participate in the regional tournament at CHSS on Thursday, the 26th. This week the SAC commit- tee met to solidifyplans for this year's auction and carnival night. The school council has many plans for outdoor addi- tions with the monies realized through this their only major fundraiser each year. Keep an eye on this space for a firm date and ways you might be able to help. The Londesborough United Church Sunday School invites the congregation to their 'soup and sandwich' fund- raiser following the morning service on March 1st. Also, Londesborough United is giving advance notice of some events so you can mark your calendar and be in attendance. On March 22nd, a special segment of the morning church service will be set aside for the Covenant- ing Service for Rev. Terry Fletcher. And choir director Barb Bosman is busy lining up acts and setting the stage for Londesborough's annual Songfest scheduled for the evening of April 19th. Gerald Daoust, who lived in the former home of Beth Knox for the past 7 years, left the vil- lage the end of January. He moved to Listowel and is liv- ing with his son. The village wishes this quiet, gentle man well. The trailer very quickly became home to Shawn Rein - ink. We welcome Shawn to the village and trust he will enjoy life here. Shawn was raised in the area. Sharin9 4far Healthier Future - 461 spi+ PaRTICIMETIO17 and now urban residents have the "extra benefit" of ACPs in their communities. "I'm concerned we are not treating all our residents the same," he said. Versteeg also voiced his displeasure with what he called an "unsolicited, unsigned letter" regarding the ACP program from a Huron County paramedic. CAO Brenda Orchard explained the letter had been circulated to council without her knowledge. She told council that in response she had set up meetings with both advanced care and primary care paramedics and the message she received was the letter did not represent the opinions of most paramedics. Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh Reeve Ben Van Diepenbeek was not overly impressed with the report, calling the ACP program "hit and miss" at best. "I'm not suggesting ACPs are not a good thing, I'm just wondering if it is a good investment," he said. North Huron Mayor Neil Vincent said council needs to take a long look at the costs of the program and he isn't sure if it is something they can afford. Huron East Deputy Mayor Joe Steffler called the report "about 60% at best", noting there wasn't enough infor- mation on extra costs such as wage increases, training and equipment. There was one member of council who spoke in support of the program, clintonnewsrecord.com Central Huron Mayor Jim Ginn. He said a Huron County primary care paramedic had approached him and advised him that the ACP program was indeed a valu- able service. Before making a motion to receive the report for information, Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan said he believes the county would be better served to increase its EMS coverage in rural areas than expand- ing the ACP program. NOTICE OF STUDY COMMENCEMENT Bridge Replacement on Highway 4 (Clinton) Over the Bayfield River The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has retained Dillon Consulting Limited to undertake the Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for the replacement of the Bayfield River Bridge on Highway 4 in the Municipality of Central Huron (Town of Clinton), County of Huron (see map). The purpose of the study is to identify a preferred bridge design and replacement strategy including preliminary construction staging and traffic management plans. Highway 4 will be reduced to one lane throughout construction, controlled by traffic signals. There may be a need for short-term closures with temporary detour routes. Pedestrian access across the river will not be maintained during construction. More information on this project will be available on the project website over the next few months (www.bayfieldriverbridges.ca). The anticipated timing and duration of construction will be determined as part of this study. THE PROCESS This study is being carried out as a Group 'C' project in accordance with the requirements of the MTO Class EA for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000). Group 'C' projects are considered approved under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act, subject to compliance with the Class EA and the application of mitigation measures where necessary. The study will include background technical and environmental studies and consider input received. COMMENTS We are interested in obtaining your comments by March 13, 2015. Information collected will be used in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record. For more information to provide comments or be added to the mailing list, please contact: IByFr.ray # I3ayhald Rlvor Bridge IGIInban, flntarle) Paula Neto, MScPI, MCIP, RPP Planner Dillon Consulting Limited Box 426 London, ON N6A 4W7 tel: 519-438-6192 toll-free: 1-888-345-5668 ext. 1245 fax: 519-672-8209 e-mail: bayfieldriverbridges@dillon.ca Dan Barber, P.Eng. Senior Project Engineer Ministry of Transportation West Region, Planning and Design Section 659 Exeter Road London, ON N6E 1 L3 tel: 519-873-4812 toll-free: 1-800-265-6072 fax: 519-873-4600 e-mail: dan.barber@ontario.ca If you have accessibility requirements to participate in this project, please contact one of the Project Team members listed above. 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