The Citizen, 2003-05-07, Page 11Washing off the grime
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2003. PAGE 11.
Local officials plan
for emergencies
It was a perfect day on Saturday to do a little cleaning as the Belgrave Kinsmen rolled up their
sleeves and got wet during their Cystic Fibrosis fundraiser car wash. Chair Peter Goodall
sprays down the car while Mike Malhiot, centre, and Larry Robinson do the hand scrubbing.
The Kinsmen are long supporters of CF and decided a car wash would be a good, new way
to raise money. (Janice Becker photo)
North Huron frustrations
continue with Wheels Away
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
The Wheels Away saga continues,
much to the frustration of North
Huron council and administration.
A letter to the editor in the
Wingham paper from Bev Woodley,
chairman of the North Huron Special
Transit Corporation prompted
discussion at Monday night’s
council meeting.
Clerk-Administrator John‘Stewart
said, “I thought we were going in the
right direction. I thought we got a
plan together to suit everybody. I
thought that until I read this letter.
From one person’s opinion at least it
doesn’t seem so.”
The debate first arose when
Wheels Away requested thousands
of dollars they said were owing them
from the Community Re-investment
Fund. The money was given to
municipalities by the province to
offset the costs of downloading
services. While some of it could
have gone to special transit it was
never specified that it must.
Discussion with Wheels Away had
followed and a proposal was made.
Woodley’s letter states that no
written proposal has been received.
Stewart said, “I can guarantee
councillors that I sent it several
weeks ago.”
He noted that when a meeting was
held with council’s representative on
the board, the discussion was
“good”.
The proposal was faxed, Stewart
said, after which he received a call
from the board chair to say she
hadn’t seen it. Stewart said he
explained it had been faxed and said
to call him back if it wasn’t there.
“She didn’t.”
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He also left one in the office. This
was picked up.
“Yet,” he said, “the impression I
got is that the proposal was not
talked about at the Wheels Away
meeting.”
Reeve Doug Layton expressed his
frustration. “It is getting to the point
we are going to have to take a stand.”
It is hoped that a meeting can be
arranged before Wheels Away’s
meeting, May 14.
Layton also mentioned that the
township had volunteered two
parking spots for the Wheels Away
vehicles.
Stewart said, however, that
concern had been expressed that they
would be ticketed if parked there. “I
told the council representative to tell
them that won’t happen. If it does
they can bring in the ticket and I’ll
tear it up myself.”
In today’s world, it is critical that
every municipality be prepared for
potential disasters. Emergencies and
disasters can happen at any time.
Utilities can be out, roads closed,
and crucial supplies unavailable.
Local officials prepare for
emergencies by ensuring that Huron
County’s Emergency Plan is up to
date and the county municipalities
have appointed Community
Emergency Management
Coordinators (CEMC) to address
increasing public safety risks;
however, individuals can also plan to
be prepared at home and at work.
With increased levels of fear and
anxiety throughout Canada and the
world, it makes sense to prepare for
the unexpected. Everyone should be
prepared to take care of themselves
and their families for up to three
days in the event of an emergency or
disaster. For example, it could take
that long to clear roads due to a
severe winter storm.
The theme of the 2003 National
Emergency Preparedness week is
Prepare Now! Learn How.
“During the Cyclone of 1995 we
learned a lot about being ready for an
emergency,” says Lynda Rotteau,
CEMC for the town of Goderich.
“Since then, there have been several
serious ice storms, train derailments
and more recently the SARS
outbreak in Ontario which have
made everyone more aware of the
importance of being prepared.”
Think of any special needs your
family or employees might have and
prepare a check list of supplies to
have on hand in the event of an
emergency. Each home and business
should have at least a three-day
supply of food and water. Make sure
that everyone knows where the
supply is located.
Choose ready-to-eat food that does
not require refrigeration in the event
the power is out.
CEMC representatives from the
nine municipalities in Huron County
are working together to ensure that
Enbridge Gas Distribution
all communities have an adequate
level of emergency preparedness.
Different activities are happening
across the County to recognize
National Emergency Preparedness
Week, including presentations to
municipal councils outlining the new
rules and regulations for emergency
preparedness, and community
information displays and brochures.
Emergency Management Ontario
recommends that families should be
prepared. If an emergency occurs,
families should be in a position to
meet basic needs for 72 hours.
The public may obtain free
literature to learn more about
preparing for an emergency by
visiting the Town of Goderich
display at Suncoast Mall, May 8, 9
and 10, or by contacting their local
Municipal Offices, the Huron
County Health Unit or by visiting the
following websites:
• Emergency Management Ontario at
www.mpss.jus.gov.on.ca
• Canada Office of Critical
Infrastructure and Emergency
Preparedness at www.ocipep.gc.ca
TIME FOR
Protect your family against fire
and deadly carbon monoxide.
Have your heating system
examined annually by a qualified
service technician.
ENBRIDGE