According to a document from the North West Local Health Integration Networks (LHIN), one of its core functions is developing and carrying out community engagement strategies.
After reviewing the proposed Community Engagement Strategy at Monday night’s regular meeting, Emo council agreed with the contents of the package but seemed skeptical about how the local LHIN will carry it out.
“How can you disagree with the strategy here, if they do it?” asked Emo Reeve Russ Fortier. “I don’t know how they’re going to engage the community.”
The package states the plan will use a “broad array of approaches to generate two-way interactions between the North West LHIN and communities.”
The North West LHIN is requesting feedback on the package to assist it in achieving its mandate of “improving access to, and the quality of health services for, residents of Ontario through strengthened integration and co-ordination of health services.”
A feedback form was provided asking several questions, including if council feels the Community Engagement principles are appropriate, if the planning assumptions and approaches are correct, and how the strategy can be improved.
“I’ve heard people talking about a lot of layoffs, but I don’t get that from the package,” noted Coun. Ed Carlson. “It’s just a rosy package saying how wonderful LHIN is.
“It’s painted from one perspective.”
Emo council also discussed how it seems the plan is geared more towards Thunder Bay than Rainy River District.
The proposed strategy indicates using four planning areas: Kenora/Rainy River District, Thunder Bay District, City of Thunder Bay, and First Nations.
“They want everything run out of a central point—Thunder Bay,” charged Coun. Gary Judson. “That’s what I think it’s all about, but no one will say if that’s right or wrong.”
Reeve Fortier said he’s worried Zone 14 will get a specific budget to spend on health care and that the majority will be spent in Thunder Bay, which is included in the zone.
“It’s a big, scary thing. And it’s being forced on us,” he warned. “I don’t know how it’s going to happen.”
Reeve Fortier also said there are lots of questions that have not been answered.
“We should write them a letter saying if you answer our questions, we’ll answer yours or something like that,” said Coun. Judson.
Still, council agreed to provide feedback, which is appreciated by March 17.
In other business from Monday night’s meeting, Emo council agreed to purchase six “Within Arms’ Reach” DVDs from the Lifesaving Society to include in pool permit packages.
The “Within Arms’ Reach” message is for parents of toddlers and backyard pool owners, warning “if you are not within arms’ reach, you have gone too far.”
Reeve Fortier noted the cost of the DVD will be included for the homeowner in all future pool permits. “It’s good for them to understand the liability and what you have to do,” he explained.
“But it won’t help those who already have pools,” noted Coun. Ken Fisher.
So council agreed to have several copies available for people to borrow.
“If someone already has a pool, they can pick up the DVD and have a look at it,” said Reeve Fortier. “It’s also good for people who have cottages.”
The 11-minute video highlights how quickly and silently drownings occur and what can be done to prevent these tragedies.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, Emo council:
•scheduled a public meeting for Application for Consent to sever from Vicki Vanderaa on March 20 at 6:30 p.m.;
•agreed to a verbal request from Carl Galusha to discontinue garbage pick-up from his house;
•passed a resolution regarding Assessment Roll numbers 72200, 61910, 61800, 56200, and 55900;
•passed a bylaw to enter into an agreement between the Ministry of the Environment and the Township of Emo to participate in the Municipal Source Protection Pre-Screening Project outside conservation authority boundaries, which aims to determine risks in drinking water supplies;
•agreed to enter into an agreement with Cimco Refrigeration to provide customer support for the artificial ice surface at the Emo curling rink;
•resolved to make a payment of $50 to the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario for the Zone 9 membership annual grant for 2006;
•authorized a request from the Emo Walleye Classic committee to declare the Emo Walleye Classic Tournament, which runs May 25-27, a “Community Festival”;
•tabled a request from Kayla Lauzon to use the Emo-La Vallee Community Centre auditorium free of charge to hold a fundraising dinner and talent show, with proceeds going to Emo Meals on Wheels for the handi-van;
•agreed to a request from the Emo Navy League to hold a walk-a-thon on April 22, with proceeds going to the Sea Cadet Corp.;
•agreed to include the Municipal Property Assessment Corp. information insert on the municipal tax bills;
•passed a resolution supporting the Atikokan Police Services Board to have the Fort Frances OPP name changed to the Rainy River District OPP Service;
•agreed to deem March, 2006 as Youth Science Month;
•agreed to support the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry in its request to have the Ontario government review and amend the Negligence Act R.S.O. 1990, to place limits on court claim settlements where a municipality is found only partially liable; and
•passed a resolution supporting the Town of Halton Hills in its request to have the Government of Canada make the “Federal Gas Tax Funding” for municipalities a permanent program.
Emo council’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 20 at 7 p.m. at the municipal office.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
