3
FIRE County department settling into new Picton station 4
22
THE PICTON
Gazette
Volume 186, Week 31
THURSDAY
AUGUST 4, 2016
County officials stress value of new full-service hospital as health hub during minister’s visit STAFF WRITER
Ontario health minister Dr. Eric Hoskins left Prince Edward County Tuesday classifying his afternoon touring local health facilities as “an important visit for me.” At the invitation of the municipality, Hoskins spent the afternoon touring Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital, the new joint fire and ambulance station in Picton and the County’s age-inplace lands with Mayor Robert Quaiff, councillors, and local medical professionals. Following his tour, Hoskins had an opportunity to have an informal discussion with his hosts about the health system. During a media availability that afternoon, Hoskins spoke about his understanding of the role a vibrant hospital can play in a rural area. “I grew up in a community of 10,000 people. I was born into a community hospital — a small one — so I know how important community hospitals are to the communities where they are,” he said. Hoskins said those hospitals serve an important economic role as they are major employers and an important attractant to new residents coming to a community and seniors in particular. “All of us want to have the
confidence the health services we may need to rely on are there in the community in which we choose to live. “There’s an emotional attachment to a hospital which I don’t think can be discounted either. It’s different. I grew up in a small town. I represent a big urban community. The relationship you have with your hospital is different in Toronto. It’s not nearly as personal.” By touring the current Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital, Hoskins said “there’s no question this is an aging facility,” adding “it’s clear that’s it’s not going to be sustainable for too much longer.” Asked about the province’s commitment to a viable, new hospital in Picton, Hoskins said he understood the Quinte Healthcare Corporation (QHC) recently made a submission about its plan for the facility and was in discussions with his ministry staff about what is required at the site. He said coming to an agreement about the services that should be required and the structure needed to maintain provision of those services are the most important pieces in those discussions. Hoskins said he found it valuable to hear more from QHC officials and two local physicians who joined him on the tour. He said he came away with a better under-
Municipality backs $200-million project
EORN looks to boost cell coverage CHAD IBBOTSON STAFF WRITER
Last Thursday committee of the whole supported an initiative of the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) to improve cellular coverage across the region. EORN is asking municipalities in the region to support the plan as the organization looks to the federal and provincial governments to help cover the cost of the $200-million project. EORN was initially created by the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus (EOWC) to increase access to high-speed broadband in the region. Committee unanimously supported the resolution, which says revitalizing the economy of eastern Ontario continues to be a primary objective of the EOWC. County chief administrative officer James Hepburn said EORN has been very SURVEYING THE SITE Ontario health minister Dr. Eric Hoskins, right, takes in the County’s new active in providing wireless joint fire and paramedics station as Mayor Robert Quaiff looks on. Hoskins visited several sites related services across the region. “This is their next initiato health-care delivery during a visit to Picton Tuesday afternoon. (Adam Bramburger/Gazette staff) tive,” he said. “They're basi“I think there’s a lot of and, in some cases, the chal- cally trying to alleviate cell standing about the importance of 24/7 emergency care potential,” he said. “There’s lenges as well, than from this gaps across the eastern in the community and heard no better way to gain an kind of visit.” Ontario region.” some interesting ideas about a understanding of what the See TOUR, page 31 needs are, the possibilities local health hub. See CELLULAR, page 10
LOOK INSIDE FOR COUNTY
Inside this week’s edition of the Gazette... OP/ED
Dukes add goaltender with impressive playoff resume
Canada’s longest publishing non-daily newspaper, proudly serving Prince Edward County since 1830
Hoskins learns about local health-care needs ADAM BRAMBURGER
CRAFTY
CREATORS
Vendors enjoy returning to Women’s Institute sale
6 WEATHER 7 SPORTS 22 CLASSIFIEDS 23 PUZZLES 28
HOME FINDER REAL ESTATE LISTINGS
SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATION
456 County Rd. 1, Picton ON tim@markheatingandcooling.com
Spot On The cing n a Fin
Call Lesley today to find out how you can save money on your insurance.
www.markheatingandcooling.com Fully Licensed and Insured
Independently owned and operated.
** ALL DRUG PLANS ACCEPTED** Prescription transfer-in are FREE, quick and easy! Free Prescription Delivery
24 ho servicur e
Hours: MON-FRI 9am-6pm, SAT 10am-2pm
Picton 613.476.2776 - Wellington 613.399.3620
219 Main St. Picton
613-471-1200
We have permanently reduced co-payment for Seniors (65+) and ODSP/Ontario Works (monthly drug card patients).
County Drugstore: where you are a person, not just a prescription number!
Street, 1104 04 Main Main S treet, Picton Picton 613.476.2700 877.476.0096 613.476.2700 | 8 77.476.0096 pictonhomes.com pictonhomes.com Live Where You Love To Visit Trademar owned wned or or controlled controlle by The he Canadian Canadian R ea Estate tat Association. sociation. Used Used under under licence. licence. Trademarks Real
ProAlliance Realty, Brokerage
Elizabeth Crombie* Tracey Dickson* Suzanne White*
In de pen dently Own ed an d Op erated
*Sales Representative
BLOOMFIELD MAIN STREET $333,000 MLS ® 550490197
1104 04 M ain S treet, Picton Picton Main Street, 6 13.476.2700 | 8 77.476.0096 613.476.2700 877.476.0096 p ictonhomes.com pictonhomes.com Live Where You Love To Visit he Canadian Canadian R Used under under licence. licence. Trademarks Trademarks o owned wned o orr c controlled ontrolled by by T The Real eal Estate Estate Association. Es Association. Used As
ProAlliance Realty, Brokerage In de pendently Owned an d O perated