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Clinton News-Record, 1983-06-08, Page 1rr inc't►rpt►rating 50 cents No. 24 Wednesd y, June 8, 1983 118th year IViinistry on its p By Shelley McPhee The thoughts of the Ontario Health Ministry have changed, according to Dr. Allan E. Dyer, Association Deputy Minister of Health. Dr. Dyer, guest speaker at the Clinton Public Hospital new addition opening on June 2, said that the provincial govern- ment's attitude towards the small hospital is far different than it was only a few short years ago when closure threatened medical institutions across the province, including the Clinton hospital. "The community hospital serves an essential role. There's a new thrust to promote and expand these hospitals," he rais:;....1s Clinton tience a s explained. Dr. Dyer stressed that future ministry plans call for an overall implemented medical system, where small and larger hospitals will work closely together. Workshops being held throughout Ontario are now attempting to establish the role off hospitals in the future, and Dr. Dyer ex- claimed, "The community hospital is here to stay." He commended the Clinton people for their unyielding efforts in keeping the hospital alive. He said it, "crystalized the people," bringing the community together with a common cause. "It's impressive to come to a small community and see this progress," Dr. Dyer noted. The official opening marked the end of a seven year struggle for the Clinton hospital. Threatened with closure in 1976, Clinton area people took their case to the Supreme Court. In 1982 the Ontario Health Ministry finally approved plans for a new hospital wing and granted the project more than $300,000. More stories on the new wing and the improved services offered are included in a special commemorative issue included in this week's Clinton News -Record. Coventry has seen many changes at the Clinton Public Hospital By Shelley McPhee In the seven years that Doug Coventry has been administrator of the Clinton Public Hospital, the budget of the hospital has risen to $2.95 million a year, from $1,453,449. The hospital, Mr. Coventry explained, is one of the Clinton area's major employers. One -hundred -and -twenty people work at the hospital, including 66 fulltime workers. Wages for this year will total more than $2.1 million. Despite a 8.2 per cent budget increase from the Ministry of Health this year, Mr. Coventry noted, "We just don't have anything left after operating costs for capital equipment." There is a constant need for updating and . replacing equipment at the com- munity hospital. Fund raising efforts by the Hospital Auxiliary, private and community donations from individuals and organizations have helped to finance the need. Modern, etticient, equipment is vital to the operation of the hospital, but Mr. Coventry noted that the high costs of the sophisticated machines put a severe strain on the hospital budget. The X-ray department, ,for instance, needs two new tubes. These are essential to the production of good X-ray films. Over 10 -years -old, the tubes have long passed their depreciation time, however the cost factor has been a main obstacle in replacing them. Each will cost more than $10.000 to purchase and install. This year their replacement has been included in the budget. ]'he autoclave, (the sterilization machine) also needs to he replaced. Located in Central Supply, the 20 -year-old machine is used to sterilize all in- struments, bandages and gauze pads. The present autoclave is costly to run since it operates off steam used by the boilers. This means that the boilers must run all summer, costing the hospital at least $5,000. New sterilization units, Mr. Coventry explained, operate in- dependently, however they cost $30,000. Administrator's role As the Clinton hospital administrator, it is Mei' Coventry's job to oversee the facility's 12 departments. These THEM- nursing, X-ray, engineering - maintenance, admitting, purchasing, dietry, housekeeping, physiotherapy, laboratory, finance, personnel and medical records. He handles day-to-day operations and implements the directives given by the hospital Board of Governors. Mr. Coventry is also responsible for the relationships between various organizations and departments in the hospital and in the community, including the public, the various municipalities served by the hospital and the provincial government ministries. Future plans A driving force behind the fight to keep the Clinton hospital open and to see the completion of the new addition, Mr. Coventry has long term hopes and plans for the hospital's future. The newly formed Clinton and District .Junior Farmers were all decked salt for the Clinton Spring Fair parade. Underneath the white make-up and rosy red cheeks Is Clinton's Dave Wise. ( Shelley McPhee photo) The first draft plans have already been completed for a new obstetric unit. A new area would help the alleviate the present problems of combining obstetrics with the chronic care ward. The project would require major renovations to the hospital's second floor. If finances could be raised by the public and granted by the provincial government, Mr. Coventry would like to see a new obstetrics wing constructed above the 1962 addition. He stressed however that this proposal is definitely a long term plan for the future. Mr. Coventry would also like to see the intensive care unit updated and segregated from other active care areas,,-_, He is also hopinThat the laboratory wilt --' establish its own blood bank in the future Presently blood is sent to Goderich,;rar Stratford to be processed. In the past decade the Clinton hospital has seen many changes andmarked many milestones. With the Hellth Ministry's renewed support for community hospitals, Mr. Coventry is positive in his hopes for the continued success of Clinton Public Hospital. ver Cornin The Clinton Horticultural Society is facing a rare and unfortunate difficulty this year. In all probability the annual Rose Show and Competition, scheduled for June 24 will be postponed this year. The problem is not lack of support, lack of funds or location. The difficulty arising is that there are simply no roses in bloom yet. Our w , cool, unseasonal spring has had a detrimental effect on our usual glorious ,;:( u x roses roses, and our splendid Rose Show. This is the first time in 111 years th.::; the Rose Show has been cancelled for this reason. It has been normally held in June for decades now and last year saw a considerable increase in exhibits. Thirty- one adult gardeners showed 214 exhibits and six Junior Gardeners displayed 12 entries. More details will be available next week regarding the re -scheduled date of the showing. 1.Ft(N Unit of rhe E.'iln1nr Public ~'1;:,-:pita1 opened on r Jnister of 1r ail h Honourable L.f E;r't)a n1�n MentA:rs of rho board At:u Faye Feat wiltixta) Hearn, yr . cK.r w Manor Walde,n L. bawler Wasies. <L.- Maw i BaflaY Lad titt4+rleY Dr. William T. Hari 'rh Cialree i Dr. Frill U. ' �rJw£r ilrwrse J. Wiutisko Esther Wright Dm". Coventry, c.s;a Associate Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Allan Dyer, Clinton Hospital administrator Doug Coventry, fund raising chairman Steve Cooke and Chief of Staff, Dr. William Harrett shared a moment of elation and triumph as the hospital marked the opening of its new emergency wing on June 2. (Shelley McPhee photo p Ministry warns council No fires allowed at Blyth dump By Rod Hilts Myth council received a slap on the wrist. from the Ministry of the Environ- ment,., after a ministry inspector found waste smoldering in the village's waste disposal site. On May 24, Mr. J.R. Earl, an Environmental Officer, stated in his report that Art Heffryn, a waste hauler for the village, had dumped a load of domestic Blyth council studies request wastes on top of the smoldering wastes in the trench, in such a way that his load of wastes quickly caught fire. This generated dense, white, odorous smoke. In a letter written to council, District Officer from the Ministry, William Page warned that no burning of domestic wastes should be allowed to occur at the Blyth site. He said that any fires that may occur Beer issue causes split decision By Rod Hilts Blyth Council turned down a request for the Lions Club to operate a beer garden on September 10 and 11, in conjunction with the Huron Steam Threshers Show. The decision to turn down the request came when a recorded vote revealed two for the approval and two against it. Councillor William Manning was absent from the meeting due to a back ailment, resulting in Tom Cronin casting the tying vote. Both Reeve Cronin and Counciilor Sippel were in favor of the approval but Councillor's Wasson and Howson were strongly opposed. "The Lions Club does a lot of good but liquor does a lot of bad," said Mr. Howson. In supporting the proposal, Reeve Cronin explained that, "the beer gardens is a big money maker for the Lions and that if a fellow wants a drink bad enough, he can get it from anywhere." Mr. Cronin added that the beer garden would keep people off the streets in their quest to obtain alcohol. Council will review the issue at their next meeting. According to Clerk Larry Walsh, the Lions Club made between $3,200 and $4,000 at the event in 1982. The beer garden was held inside the arena last year but the plans were to move it outside this year, for a maximum of 250 people to be served within a confined area. Business approved In other business council approved a request by harry Bolger to operate a radio and TV repair shop out of his home on Drummond St. Council had received a request by Mr. Bolger to operate the business out of his shed but he changed his mind and requested the business operate out of his home at the last minute. Council granted the request with the stipulation that Mr. Bolger operate the business out of his house and not the shed. County may hold rabies clinic A free rabies clinic in Huron County is a possibility this summer as the number of rabies cases increases. Huron's district veterinarian Dr. William Thompson of Seaforth told the June session of county council that to the end of May this year there have been 44 cases of rabies reported. That figure com- pares to seven cases in 1979, 73 cases in 1980, 62 cases in 1981 and 79 cases in 1982. Dr. Thompson said the last rabies clinic held in the county was in 1980. There were 12 such clinics held that year throughout Huron. But with the 1983 statistics already clim- bing, Dr. Thompson said he has been told by his superiors that it's possible a clinic may be held this summer. "It's not definite," stressed Dr. Thomp- son as the clinics have to be approved by Agriculture Canada. The veterinarian also pointed out that most of the animals affected by rabies are not domestic pets. Skunks and foxes take the highest percentage of rabies cases. Cattle, horses, cats and dogs make up a very small percentage of the rabid animals. Dr. Thompson said he has noticed a trend in the rabies cases being reported. "They don't stay in one area. Last fall cases were reported in the northern part of tree county, but in more recent months, cases have been reported in the south... said Dr. Thompson referring to McKillop and Tuckersmith Township as opposed to Ashfield and the Wawanoshes. "They haven't had rabies in Tuckersmith for a good number of years," commented the doctor. Generally rabies have increased in southern Ontario since 1956. "The problem now is we'll never be able to eradicate rabies in wild animals. It's difficult to do much about it. Theoretically we could eliminate the skunks and foxes, but that would upset the balance of nature," said Dr. Thompson. He reported that the Ministry of Natural Resources has worked on a program whereby "dead" vaccine is used as bait for wild animals but, "they haven't had a great deal of success." Huron's Medical Officer of Health Dr. Harry Cieslar stated that a lot of the rabies vaccines are given because of human carelessness. He warns people to stay away from a rabid animal and if a family pet has been in contact with a wild animal, which could be noticeable by the pet hav- ing the hair or fur of another animal in its mouth, the pet shouldn't be handled. Dr. Cieslar reported that in 1980, 48 rabies vaccines were given, in 1981 33 vac- cines, in 1982, 29 vaccines and to date in 1983, 28 vaccines have been given. He notes that the to -date figure is considerably higher as 21 of the vaccine cases relate to one dog. The anti -rabies vaccine series of six in- jections isn't cheap either. The six shots, cost about $600. Surrounding counties have not been af- fected by rabies as much as Huron. Perth County had 21 cases of rabies reported last year with 14 so far this year. Middlesex County has had 15 cases reported so far this year compared to 25 for the same period last year. Dr. Thompson said he would "keep pushing to get a free rabies clinic." Federation accepts rebate Legislating the 50 per cent rebate pro- gram for farm owners is a "satisfactory" alternative to the proposed 100 per cent tax rebate, says the Huron County Federation of Agriculture's task force looking into the proposed property tax changes. The task force has presented six major recommendations with an additional three requiring further review by other agen- cies. The recommendations were tabled at the June 2 meeting of the Federation with discussion to take place at its .June 27 directors' meeting. "The committee felt the present 50 per cent rebate plan had addressed in part the known inequities to farm owners. The pro- gram has also common acceptance by the Turn topnge3 in the refuse disposal trench should be extinguished immediately. Mr. Page ' added that any additional refuse brought to the site should be deposited in an area of the trench isolated from any burning or smoldering refuse so that it does not catch fire. In his report, Mr. Earl found the site was open but not supervised outside of the normal site operating hours, on the day on which the domestic refuse in the Village of Blyth is collected by Mr. Heffryn and his staff for disposal at the site. He noted that the housekeeping at the site and the segregation of refuse was found to be satisfactory. According to Clerk Larry Walsh this is the fourth or fifth warning they have received in the past two years. Mr. Walsh said that the village had applied for a permit to burn and are presently waiting for a response from the ministry concerning the preliminary report from a hydrogeological study done earlier in the year. The hydrogeological study examines the leakage and seepage from the landfill site as well as pollution control and how many years the site will be able to operate. Council has been waiting for five or six months with no response from the ministry on either report. In an unrelated incident. council was informed that a resident of Blyth had problems concerning the dumping of materials at the landfill site. The resident. who lives in Blyth, but owns a farm in Morris Township, was dumping garbage that landfill manager Joe Mahon said did not come from his Blyth residence. In a meeting held last month, council instructed Mr. Mahon to turn all com- plaints concerning dumping problems over to council. At Monday night's meeting, council decided not to accept garbage at the landfill site that originates from outside the area it is designated to serve. That area includes Hullett Township, East Wawanosh Township section of Auburn f six months of the year) . Councillor Lloyd Sippel summed up the problem by saying, "it's a very touchy situation." Council agreed that Mr. Mahon be given the authority to turn away people he feels are bringing in garbage that doesn't originate from Blyth and Hullett Township. Weather 1983 1982 MAY 31 13 .JUNK; 1 15 2 19 3 20 4 15 5 19 6 15 Rain 24mm HI 1.0 HI iA) 5 27 10 7 20 4 18 6 ti 15 :1 10 ?0 q 10 15 10 8 2.0 11 Rain 34mm