Huron Expositor, 2000-11-08, Page 22--T11E HURON IXPOSITON, Novoniber S. 2000
News
Attempt to delay ambulance cuts for one year defeated
By Sarah CaldwdN •
Goderich Sigrid Star Staff
Yet another resolution to -
keep ambulance stations in
Huron County at the status
quo and wait a year before
changing the system was
voted down at county council
on Nov. 2.
The resolution this time
came from Goderich Reeve
John Doherty that the existing
sites be retained for a one
year period, that the new
council during the one year.
period consider, with input
from all stakeholders.
ambulance site locations best
suited to ensure the health
and safety of all concerned
and that any. motion(s)
inconsistent with the
provisions be repealed.
Goderich clerk Larry
McCabe and Mayor Deb
Shewfelt. who has been
acclaimed and will be sitting
on county council in January,
were on handfor the debate
that ensued over the proposed
resolution.
Battle lines were clearly
drawn with councillors on
one side who just want to
continue with the process and
others who were in agreement
with Doherty.
However, when it came
down to,a recorded vote 46.-
23 were in not in favour of
the resolution, including
Goderich and Colborne Twp.
reeves Laurie Cox , and
Stewart Steenstra. '
Lin Steffler, reeve of
Seaforth, said everytime this
vote is held fewer people than
in the beginning are in favour
of four ambulance stations
and momentum is bui)ding to
a point that soon a majority of
councillors will nut he in Mason Bailey. reeve o1 and allow for their input. legacy tho'll have wished
. favour ol•it. • .. Blyth. said everything he has When it comes to leaving a they'd neNer seen this one."
"We have a problem here. l . heard from thc public.
can't with goiid conscience medical staff, paramedics,
commit the next council to and farmers of Huron County
the direction we. are taking ,. points in the direction of
when • we don't have a
consensus•here," said Sterner.
Brian McBurney. reeve of
Wingham. obviously
disgusted with the constant
debating around the issue
said, "How many times do we
have to kick the horse to see
if it runs'.."
"We have been onthe same
track since May or June. We
have .voted at least three times
to have four stations in
Huron." he said.
leaving everything as is for. a
year before making changes.
Consider that Tess than half
of thc councillors in this room
will be here in the new year
and that as a council we are
shutting the door on the input
from new councillors coming
onboard. said Bailey: Eleven
members presently sitting on
county council are not
running in the upcoming
municipal election..
"Slow down the process
Avast you scurvy dogs!
Susan Hundertmork photo
A menacing Chris Becker got into the pirate spirit. on
Halloween when his Grade 3 class showed off the pirate ship
they had created in their classroom
Steffler, Dunbar grapple over
ambulance issue once more
Prom Page 1
paramedics still don't know
. if they have jobs yet and the
—system takes effect in..less.
than two months. .
She said • the county
dismissed offers to assist
such as one - by Seaforth
Community Hospital to build
an ambulance station at the
hospital. •
The county is still working
out how it will. operate the
ambulance•station when, as
planned." it amalgamates, with
Clinton and is moved -to a
Highway .8 'location between.
the two towns.. •
Steffler suggested there
would be lives lost,by having:
an .ambulance outside. the
population centre.
•'The legal implications
alone are frightening" she
said. ' •
• "The ambulance is an isiue
that might make or break a
number .of political careers,;
she said of its importance.
After a county council
meeting' last -Thursday
morning,, she said there were
. now nine voices in support of
putting the county's current
plans on hold.
"1 have no doubt we will
revisit this issue again;" said
Steffler.
The first of only a few
questions during 'the public
question period was directed •
to Dunbar, asking • if he really
thought • the . current
ambulance plans would save
money and' still, provide .the
seryice needed.
Dunbar said the issue is not
about cutting money from the
ambulance budget.
He said the new system
would see more full-time
:paramedics and fewer part-
time which would lead to
cost savings that could he
used to upgrade paramedic
training. ,
"We have a serious
problem of marginally
. trained paramedics," said
Dunbar, adding their number
one goal at the county is to
upgrade their training.
He said the decision to
restructure the ambulance
services was made in July
and that starting Jan. 1, the
county will start operating
them.
"In the end, we're going to
have a Netter ambulance
service." said Dunbar,
Meanwhile,• . Dunbar
touched on a number of
different issues for Huron
East -find .Seaforth. other than
the ambulance system.
stressing that while he is in
Grey Township. he is only a
20 -minute drive•away from
Seaforth.: • •
He pointed to a need 'to
address Seaforth's water and
sewer' problems after homes
flooded more than once this
springand had sewage back
up inti their basements.
He pointed to his solid
record in Grey Township
with its low rate of taxation
and his forward thinking that.
before thc Walkerton water
crisis. saw him pushing for
improvements to the county's
water system including the
need for sentinel'wclls to
help ensure water quality.
In her presentation, Steffler
had defended accusations that
she was .not experienced
enough to handle the role of
mayor for Huron East and
she said Seaforth is not trying
to be "the -centre of the
universe" in this
amalgamation, stressing the
need for, everyone to work
together to make Huron East
work.
Elect
JIM
MacLEOD
for
COUNCILLOR
TUCKERSMITH WARD
HURON EAST
Monday, November 13, 2000
'Committed to Ratepayers
-of Tuckersmith Ward"
he said as
applauded him.
spectators
Vote
Larry McGrath
for Councillor of
TUCKERSMITH WARD
* Lifetime resident of Tuckersmith Township
* Councillor (6 years) and Deputy Reeve (3 years) of Tuckersmith
Township Council
* Own and operate a business in Tuckersmith for 13 years
* BELIEVES in Responsible Spending .. .
* COMMITTED to the best interests of the ratepayer
* WORKING TOWARDS equal representation for both rural and
urban areas of Tuckersmith Township
Can we y into our -
peek
medicine cabinet?
Just ask, and we can help you safely dispose of old prescription drugs.
Gua�i
Keating's Pharmacy
67 Main St., Seaforth
527-1990
r four `days only we pay the,
ST and PST on all regula
cad Fall and Wint
Merchandise
1EODAY, NOVEMBER.
AY NOVEMBER`
Check out our
CLEARANCE ROOM
Prices 700,0
Slashed
up to...
off
New to
our store
NON
FICTION
PLUS - selected Warner
Bras and Briefs 1 Una.
l•
—
a
4
43 AIWA St.
UiJtjTfaik lady
OPEN: Monday -Saturday 10 am -S:30 pm
CLINTON
482-7872
THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION
(
, ,'i
; � I
.t• . .rt y . '
— Together We
'
.,'# 1 • •et
Remember
i
-
SATU
NOVEMBER
PARADE and
10:30 AM - Parade to Cenotaph
11:00 AM - Service
Following the service,
to the Legion
SERVICE
at
the
11
from Legion
Cenotaph
parade will return
Hall
The Support of the Public For This Annual Event
Would Be Appreciated
SEAFORTH BRANCH
I 156 ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION
RICK FORTUNE EVA BROWN
Poppy Chairman President
he said as
applauded him.
spectators
Vote
Larry McGrath
for Councillor of
TUCKERSMITH WARD
* Lifetime resident of Tuckersmith Township
* Councillor (6 years) and Deputy Reeve (3 years) of Tuckersmith
Township Council
* Own and operate a business in Tuckersmith for 13 years
* BELIEVES in Responsible Spending .. .
* COMMITTED to the best interests of the ratepayer
* WORKING TOWARDS equal representation for both rural and
urban areas of Tuckersmith Township
Can we y into our -
peek
medicine cabinet?
Just ask, and we can help you safely dispose of old prescription drugs.
Gua�i
Keating's Pharmacy
67 Main St., Seaforth
527-1990
r four `days only we pay the,
ST and PST on all regula
cad Fall and Wint
Merchandise
1EODAY, NOVEMBER.
AY NOVEMBER`
Check out our
CLEARANCE ROOM
Prices 700,0
Slashed
up to...
off
New to
our store
NON
FICTION
PLUS - selected Warner
Bras and Briefs 1 Una.
l•
—
a
4
43 AIWA St.
UiJtjTfaik lady
OPEN: Monday -Saturday 10 am -S:30 pm
CLINTON
482-7872