Duane Hicks
Fort Frances Coun. John Albanese was re-elected chair of the Northwestern Health Unit’s board of health for a sixth-consecutive year during a meeting Friday in Dryden.
“I am looking forward to leading the Northwestern Health Unit for another year, and thank the board for their support throughout the year,” Coun. Albanese, who has sat on the board of health since 1989, said Monday.
“I am very pleased they gave me the confidence to run for one more year.
“It might be ideal that I be there when [new medical officer of health) Dr. James Arthurs is getting himself orientated,” Coun. Albanese added. “Maybe I will be of some help to make him feel more comfortable.
“I am very pleased Dr. Arthurs accepted the position of MOH for the Northwestern Health Unit,” he stressed. “It gives us more confidence in delivering our services.”
The board also will be busy making sure the health unit’s programming goals are met in 2009.
“We’re all looking forward to the new mandatory program standards that the ministry is releasing, and looking forward to start working on them,” noted Coun. Albanese.
“I wish all the luck and all the best to the people in our catchment area.”
The local board of health represents 19 communities, governing 13 health units, encompassing an area from Pickle Lake to Rainy River to Atikokan.
