Continue to take care even if worst of this flu wave is over
By Blake McKim, Journal Staff Writer
SOUTH GRENVILLE - The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit opened its H1N1 vaccination clinics to almost everyone last week.
Susan Healey, communications officer for the unit, said the decision to make the clinics open to most tri-county residents was made at about 4 pm last Tuesday afternoon, after the Journal went to press.
"We decided late Tuesday afternoon because we thought the ministry would announce it today (Thursday) anyway and we wanted to give people time to come to our clinic," she said. Infants under six months are now the only ones who may not receive an H1N1 vaccination.
Previously-announced priority groups who have already been able to receive the vaccine at health unit clinics include people under 65 with chronic medical conditions including heart, kidney or liver disease, severe obesity, athsma and chronic lung disease, blood disorders, diabetes, weakened immune systems or neurological disorders. Also included in the earlier priority group are pregnant women over 20 weeks, expectant mothers with chronic medical conditions and new mothers within four weeks of delivery. Other priority groups are parents and caregivers of infants under six months and those who work with them, health care workers, and caregivers or household contacts of people with weakened immune systems who cannot be immunized.
The second H1N1 clinic in Prescott was held at St. Mark's Parish Centre on Tuesday (yesterday) from 2 to 8 pm. It opened at noon for people to come and receive a numbered form which gave a time for them to return, be registered and receive the vaccine.
The communications officer indicated the length of time people could expect to wait in line for a vaccination at a clinic depends on the amount of people who show up; Healey noted the Thursday clinic in Brockville had a maximum wait time of between one and two hours.
She said 1,001 people came to the clinic held at the Brockville Memorial Centre on Thursday. She added the health unit was "a little bit surprised" at that response but said the clinic was prepared for that number. She indicated on Monday the health unit has enough vaccine for 1,000 people at each of the 11 clinics scheduled throughout Leeds, Grenville and Lanark through next Thursday (Dec. 3).
Human swine flu cases continued to decline in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark over the past week. According to the weekly influenza surveillance report released by the health unit on Monday afternoon, there were 15 lab-confirmed H1N1 cases last week compared to 30 the week before. As a result of this, the health unit indicated on Thursday the influenza assessment, treatment and referral centres which were opened in Smiths Falls and Lanark earlier in November were closing as of Thursday. The centre closest to South Grenville was set up at Kemptville District Hospital; it closed on Nov. 9.
Although the mass H1N1 vaccination clinics are now well under way, the health unit communications officer said residents of the tri-county area should not expect seasonal flu vaccination clinics any time soon.
Healey said the health unit has already held seasonal flu clinics for people aged 65 and older, which is one of the most at-risk groups for contracting seasonal influenza.
"Right now, we're looking at January" to start holding the seasonal flu vaccination clinics, Healey noted. She explained the seasonal flu typically does not really start to affect people until at least December; she said the health unit has not received any reports of seasonal flu. "It has not arrived here yet," she said.
For a full listing of H1N1 clinics, visit www.healthunit.org.
Spirit sign-up starts today
SOUTH GRENVILLE - This year's Spirit of Giving is in high gear.
Canvassers will be in Spencerville today (Wednesday) and in Cardinal next Tuesday, Dec. 1 from 6 to 8 pm. Students from South Grenville District High School are assisting the Kinsmen Club of Prescott by collecting donations of non-perishable food items and money for the annual Christmas campaign. Organizers are expecting to distribute at least 250 Spirit of Giving boxes to less-fortunate residents of Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal, Augusta and Prescott.
Spirit of Giving recipients must be registered in advance. Sign-up sessions will be held at the Kinsmen club house (Prescott Tennis Club) just west of Centennial Park in Prescott this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (Nov. 25-27) and again next Monday and Tuesday (Nov. 30, Dec. 1) from 1 to 3 pm. Applicants are asked to bring identification which includes proof of address.
Spirit of Giving collection barrels are located at numerous locations in the South Grenville area.
The Kinsmen Club estimates it will cost upwards of $10,000 to purchase perishable foods (including turkeys) for the Spirit of Giving boxes to be distributed on Dec. 19.
To contribute, call Art Hitsman (613-349-1315) or Dave Travis (613-802-4746) or mail donations c/o the Kinsmen at Box 1150, Prescott, K0E 1T0. Tax receipts are available.
St. Paul's event moves to centre
PRESCOTT - The St. Paul's United Church Christmas bazaar and luncheon will take place at St. Mark's Parish Centre on Edward Street today (Wednesday) from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm.
Lunch will be served starting at 11 am.
PRESCOTT - The municipality is not interested in purchasing the former St. Mark Catholic School, town officials indicated at a committee meeting on Monday night.
The Edward Street property has been declared surplus by the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario. The new St. Mark facility on McAuley Road opened late this summer.
The municipality is given an opportunity to express an interest as part of the process of disposing of surplus school properties. The site would be offered at fair market value, although the value of the former St. Mark site was not included in the information provided to council members at the committee meeting.
Councillor Jo-Anne Beckstead said the town does not have a plan for the property or the money to pay for it. In noting there is nothing the town could do there at this time, Mayor Suzanne Dodge stated the site would be great for residential lots.
She also indicated the possibility of converting former schools to affordable housing has been discussed at the Leeds and Grenville joint services table. Whether the counties would be interested in St. Mark remains to be seen.
The property would go onto the open market if there is no government agency willing to purchase it.
School board considers ward changes; South Grenville would be split
By Blake McKim, Journal Staff Writer
MAYNARD - All members of Augusta council do not agree with the idea to shift Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) electoral boundaries and have the township represented by a Brockville-area trustee.
A suggestion to change the UCDSB electoral boundaries was proposed at a committee meeting on Nov. 4. Reeve Mel Campbell sent an e-mail to Director of Education David Thomas and board chair Greg Pietersma requesting the board "suspend their decision on a boundary change until such time as the municipality and board has had the opportunity to discuss the issue in detail." This letter was brought up at the board's regular meeting held on last Wednesday night and resulted in trustees delaying their decision on a possible boundary change.
The proposal involves the ward 5 trustee, which is currently Millie Craig, also representing Augusta. Currently, the township is represented by ward 6 trustee Joan Hodge, who also represents Prescott, Edwardsburgh/Cardinal and North Grenville.
It had not been noted if the Brockville trustee will also represent part of Elizabethtown-Kitley, a portion of which is between the city and Augusta Township. This area is currently represented by Trustee David Dargie.
Councillor Bill Pakeman brought up Campbell's letter at Augusta's committee-of-the-whole meeting on Monday and acknowledged him for sending the correspondence on behalf of all council members.
During the press question period, the Journal asked all members of council present (Campbell was absent until question period had ended) their feelings about a possible change in the trustee representing Augusta.
Councillor Darlene Banning said she opposes the change due to the fact Brockville is a city, while Augusta is a rural area, and parents in the areas may have different ideas about what is important for their children's educations. She also commented one-third of the tax money collected by the township goes towards education, so Augusta should have a say when it comes to such a change in policy at the board level.
Deputy Reeve Doug Barton added that, while Campbell may have been the one who sent the letter to the UCDSB, he conferred with council before he sent it to make sure all members concurred with the points he put forward. "We all agree with what he said," noted Barton.
Councillor Carol Stephenson said she also supports what Campbell said in his letter to UCDSB officials. She stated the township should be asked before the board makes a decision to have the area represented by a different trustee.
Campbell said he believes municipal input is key to such an important decision at the board level, and added he is glad the board has delayed its decision on the boundary change.
Hodge, who confirmed she is not seeking the boundary change proposal, indicated the issue is one of fairness in terms of providing balanced representation to the communities served by the board.
SPENCERVILLE - Get ready to enjoy the holiday season the way it used to be celebrated.
The fifth edition of A Country Christmas Remembered will take place in Spencerville next weekend. The community-wide festival hosted by the Spencerville Mill Foundation invites visitors to travel back to the 1930s and check out the more than 30 activities to be held in the village.
The official opening is scheduled for Friday evening (Dec. 4) with carol singing and the lighting of trees in town square. A long list of weekend events starts with breakfast with Santa Claus at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 604 on Saturday morning. Other activities include the children's shopping emporium at Spencerville Mill, a Christmas craft show and café at the Drummond Building, a farmers' market at Centennial ‘67 Public School and an Aesop's fables puppet show at township hall on Saturday afternoon. This year's Starlight Parade will be held Saturday evening and will be followed by an old-time swing dance at township hall.
Horse-drawn shuttle service will pick up and drop off passengers at various locations in Spencerville. Farm animals of all shapes and sizes will be on hand at Country Connections. The public can learn about the region's sweeter industries at Farm Forestry Fun: Maple Then and Now, and savour the gingerbread competition entries in the Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal council chamber.
There will be numerous other events and activities as part of the Christmas season celebration as well as several special meals to be held in Spencerville next weekend. Advanced tickets are available for certain events. Festival passports are also on sale.
Visit www.acountry christmas.ca or call 613-658-5885 for information.