Well having received enough positive comments from my first journalistic efforts, I am encouraged to try again. Thanks Jenny!
With our first Council meeting (since the by-election) under our belts we proceeded to meet with RM 11 Council on March 28th. I am happy to report a very positive meeting with agreement on a number of important issues. This was the first joint meeting since March 2011 which is not a good statistic for a community such as ours. Regular meetings of the Town and RM councils will remain a high priority for me.
Health Care issues remain at the top of our agendas and were given top priority at the meeting. It was agreed that we have to make our minds up as to how to proceed from this point forward. Given the present political and economic climate the likelihood of obtaining one or more resident doctors for Coronach is not likely to happen any time soon. We will continue to pursue any possible leads but will be cognisant of the communities daily needs. Therefore pursuing the possibility of having some form of limited Doctor / Nurse Practitioner services within the community on a weekly basis becomes increasingly important. Also key to Coronach residents well being is the need for a 24/7 Ambulance Service with trained operators who can do more than just transport us to the nearest medical facility.
We have a number of excellent, underpaid, overworked, well trained ambulance staff at this time but not enough to provide 24/7 coverage.
Sun Country Health Region has failed so far to provide the residents of this area with adequate health care. We have gone from a community with a hospital with emergency services and resident physicians to a community with no services other than an under staffed ambulance service. I received a letter dated March 22 containing an invite to “join us (Sun Country) in exploring how we can make our community a healthier place to live” We already know how to make our community healthier we just need the Health Region to get onside!
The invite, for April 10th at Coronach Health Centre, is touted as a consultation meeting with residents and key players! Although the letter was unsigned I will assume it is genuine and attend on behalf of the community of Coronach with the message that we are a sick community, sick of being treated as second class citizens.
Also on the Joint effort map was discussion regarding the future of Municipal Road as a heavy haul route through town. The Town will proceed this year to move the North/South water line, which is presently under Municipal, to the West side of the street. Once this project is complete we will have to re-pave the street. Depending on future traffic use we will have to decide how much pavement (cash) this will require. We will encourage comment and allow public participation in the final decision.
Continuing with changes to the operation of the Coronach Sportsplex complex which is now being operated and staffed solely by the Town it was agreed that the joint Recreation Board would cease to operate as of now, but that the Rec Board by-law would remain on the books. This, allowing re-instatement of the board, at a future date should the present setup prove to be unworkable and would also ensure RM financial contributions to the Sportsplex would remain intact. The Sportsplex maintenance includes the swimming pool and ball diamonds.
Once again your participation in the decisions affecting your community are encouraged whether they come by way of letters to the council or letters to the Editor (Triangle News).
— George Peacock
Mayor of Coronach
