April 9, 2003 ARCHIVE
 
 
 

Katrina wins gold again

by Michael Erskine
WIKWEMIKONG---Katrina Pitawanakwat has once again triumphed in the 
world of wrestling with her recent gold medal victory at the Canadian 
National Wrestling Championships in Calgary.
For the third straight year, Ms. Pitawanakwat has won top honours and 
acclaim, capturing the 70 kg juvenile title, although this year she 
faced what was perhaps her hardest competition to date.
Her string of victories began with a Friday afternoon match against a 
British Columbia opponent who fell to a 'chicken wing' attack barely 
one minute into the match.
The semi-finals the next day were to prove more daunting, as she 
faced an opponent she has met twice before, one in the 2001 
semi-finals and again in the 2002 finals in Fredericton.
"This year thee match went the distance," said Katrina's father John 
Pitawanakwat. "There was only 8 seconds left in the match when she 
held her opponent off for a 4 to 3 point win."
The final, at 8 pm that night, pitted her against a girl from Regina. 
The Regina girl normally wrestles in the 75 kg class, but she had 
managed to drop her weigh-in to compete in the 70 kg class. Ms. 
Pitawanakwat normally weighs in at 68.5 kg, by the time of the match 
she was facing a 10 pound heavier opponent, said Mr. Pitawanakwat.
The match was hard fought.
"Katrina flipped her opponent twice to pick up six points," said Mr. 
Pitawanakwat. But the other girl battled valiantly. "She almost had 
Katrina, but Katrina flipped her over and got the pin with 10 seconds 
left in the match."
At 16, Katrina is still too young for the Olympics, but if she stays 
her current course, she will undoubtedly win a berth to represent 
Canada.
"She is into so much though," chuckled her proud father. "She is 
going into rugby now."
Whatever she decides for her future, Ms. Pitawanakwat has definitely 
won her place amongst Manitoulin's athletic greats.
Retirement living project to take the next step
by Neil Zacharjewicz and Tom Sasvari
MINDEMOYA - Manitoulin has "the required appeal" necessary to make it
a marketable retirement destination to those over 45 years in Ontario.
This was the suggestion made in the Manitoulin Island Retirement
Living Project - Market Study report prepared by Care Planning
Partners Inc. on behalf of the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and
the Islands (NEMI), the Township of Assiginack, and Central
Manitoulin Township.
"The Retirement Living Steering Committee feels that the report is
positive and we are recommending to the participating municipalities
to participate in phase two (Adult Lifestyle Communities and
Marketing Considerations) and invite other municipalities to take
part," stated Hugh Moggy, Reeve of Assiginack Township. The report
was officially presented at a public meeting held on Monday, March 31
at the Mindemoya Community Centre.
According to the report, there is sufficient demand for the
development of an adult lifestyle community based on local demand
alone. Adult lifestyle communities are defined as those which
generally appeal to retirees who are seeking to enhance their
existing or future lifestyle and are driven by choice, as opposed to
need. Services and amenities which provide the opportunity to
socialize with people the same age are typically offered in adult
lifestyle communities.
"Local demand for the segment aged 45 to 64 years totals an estimated
26 units annually, and an estimated 40 units for persons over 65
years," the report states. It points out that most of the communities
developed across the province are constructed in phases, and suggests
perhaps a project could be started based on the local demand, with a
second phase begun as advertising and promotion efforts are expanded.
"A unified and consistent approach to planning issues that address
the availability of suitable sites for development, accessibility
across the Island, coordinated delivery of specialized medical
services and effective communication of events, will encourage
development, address some of the perceived shortcomings of residents
and set the Island apart as a senior friendly community," the report
suggests.
"Local demand for adult lifestyle housing is estimated at 66 units
annually during the next 10 years," the report states. "It is also
possible to stimulate additional demand for adult lifestyle housing
through marketing efforts in Ontario and possibly beyond. Typically,
such communities draw from an area significantly larger than the
local market."
The report also revealed while there is limited market potential to
develop retirement residences on Manitoulin, small, local
community-based projects should be encouraged, as they will start to
provide the infrastructure which will allow seniors to "age in place"
on the Island and slow the loss of those over 75 years.
Retirement residences are those that cater primarily to a well
resident by offering support services, and those which offer a
comprehensive array of support services in addition to care and
assistance. The report suggests it might be possible to expand the
market potential for retirement residences by offering more
affordable, shared or semi-private accommodation, or through the
development of a life-lease project.
"We do not believe there to be any opportunity to develop new
long-term care facility beds on Manitoulin Island during the
foreseeable future," the report states.
With relation to the local resident surveys and focus groups, the
report indicates that, from written surveys conduct by the
consultants, the residents of NEMI, Assiginack and Central Manitoulin
are generally concerned with the availability and quality of
transportation to Manitoulin as well as around the Island. They are
also concerned with the availability and quality of indoor fitness
and recreational facilities, and retail shopping.
The availability and quality of permanent housing on the Island also
rated poorly. The report states that the housing stock on Manitoulin
is relatively old in comparison to the average for Ontario, and the
vast majority of it is composed of single detached homes.
"Our survey results suggest that those who have recently located to
Manitoulin Island have greater concerns about the availability and
quality of community-based amenities and features than those who have
lived on Manitoulin Island for a longer period of time," the report
points out.
Focus groups were conducted in each of the municipalities, with the
intention of gaining insight into the perceptions of residents
relating to life on the Island.
"Without exception, all of the participants of the focus groups chose
to live on the Island because of its stunning, unspoiled beauty, the
slower pace of life and the friendliness of its people," the report
states. "Concerns about the availability and quality of medical
facilities and services was voiced relatively consistently during the
focus group sessions, although our survey results did not support
this concern."
Another concerned raised through the focus groups was the lack of
accessibility of local businesses and community establishments.
"The municipalities of Manitoulin wish to hire a marketing firm to
develop a professional market strategy as outlined in the retirement
living market study recently completed by Care Planning Partners. In
addition, the municipal partners wish to hire an employee to
implement the market strategy that will be developed. This project
will be in three steps," said Mr. Moggy.
He indicated the first task of the marketing firm will be to develop
a creative concept which will position Manitoulin as a prime
retirement destination. It will be used to encourage developers and
potential investors to investigate opportunities for development. The
participating municipalities will play a role in identifying possible
properties, as well as in collaborating with developers and investors.
"It is anticipated that the retirement living strategy that is
developed and implemented during the course of this project will
ultimately be turned over to an existing agency to maintain over the
long term. Given the current local interest in forming a regional
marketing agency, this may become a part of their mandate," continued
Mr. Moggy.
Providence Bay resident Terry McCutcheon questioned whether the
consultants may have focused too much on seniors, and suggested
perhaps they should have given more consideration to people who are
45 and under.
"Who will support the services as our seniors age?" Mr. McCutcheon questioned.
Michael Wright, a representative of the consulting firm working on
the project, indicated that in the survey that was done, the market
was for those 45-55. He said he felt that in a lot of cases, people
will probably stay for only 15 years, before moving back to be with
family members or friends in southern Ontario.
"This issue is one of the concerns that has been expressed by
committee members. If we bring in 200 or more seniors into the
community, they will require a lot of services. For instance, more
health and nursing care, more people to wait on customers in
pharmacies and grocery stores. It will also bring on the demand for
more young people to move here and provide services," said Mary
Nelder, reeve of Central Manitoulin.
One member of the public suggested more retirement homes will need to
be constructed for those people who are about 65-and older.
Dan Charette, Patient Care Coordinator at the Mindemoya Hospital,
raised concerns that having more seniors retire on the Island could
put further stress on the health care system. "My concern is with the
health care, with people who are 50 and over more surgery and
hospital visits are required. Meanwhile, funding to our hospitals is
being decreased. These things are important, and an aging population
has more need for health professionals that we don't have. This could
have a large impact on health care, and a plan for this also needs to
be implemented," he said.
"You see the possibility of an increased influx of retirees
increasing demands, but with more demand it could mean more opportunities
for health care professionals here, as well as bringing in more
funding dollars," said Ms. Nelder. "Hopefully, more permanent
residents on the Island will trigger more opportunities for health
providers, and more funding for our hospitals."
One concern raised was that Manitoulin residents do not have the
equity necessary to move into $160,000-$170,000 units, but Ms. Nelder
pointed out the plans at this point do not rule out the potential for
renting units.
"Under the phase two marketing study we would find out more
specifically what the community wants. I agree with Bill, Manitoulin
residents have to be looked out for first," said Mr. Moggy. "What we
need on Manitoulin is more jobs. One of our biggest problems is we
are losing our best resource when our young people leave. If we get
more jobs here, things will flow, and this project is just one spoke
in the wheel."
"As Hugh says the needs of seniors and retirees is vitally important.
Everyone that pays taxes, for example, municipalities that are
looking at new water-sewer systems, the only way we can afford this
is by sharing, the same as with roads, and landfill sites. The only
way they can be paid for is by increasing the tax base, and this
should be done by increasing revenue and bringing in more people,
such as health professionals," said Ms. Nelder.
Derek Mercey, another representative of the consulting firm, stated,
"In order to provide more amenities on the Island, and improve in
areas like transportation, those kinds of things and costs are borne
by people here, and with more people here there is a much larger
economic base to draw from."
Ms. Nelder pointed out the marketing study was just the first step in
the process.
"As part of the strategic plan for this study, we went to 17
communities and did focus group meetings with people of all ages on
the Island. They were asked what is it about Manitoulin that makes it
special. The things they aren't willing to give up is environment,
lifestyle, security and a sense of belong in a place of culture and
history, with the two cultures sharing everything. These are what the
local people value the most and generally are not willing to give
up," she stated.
 

SARS death toll rise slows

by Michael Erskine
TORONTO---It is too soon for anyone to be breathing a sigh of relief,
but a slowing of the growth rate of new cases of Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has health officials cautiously
optimistic.
Hospitals outside of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) were instructed
to resume all surgeries, including elective, urgent and emergent
surgery.
"To the extent possible, all out-patient clinics are to reopen,
following both universal infection control precautions and SARS
screening protocol," reads a communiqué from the Ontario Ministry of
Health and Long-term Care.
Despite the calming announcements, hospitals outside of the GTA have
been advised to prepare for the possibility of establishing an
isolation unit.
All Ontario hospitals are currently operating with access restricted
to one public entrance and one staff entrance, staffed by security
personnel. Each entrance must have a sign posted, and anyone entering
the facility, including health-care workers, patients, emergency
transfer and visitors, must have a valid reason for entry, as well as
being screened for SARS symptoms and risk factors.
Based on their answers to the prescreening, visitors may be allowed
in, allowed in with a mask and isolated until diagnosed or denied
access until they have undergone a medical assessment ruling out SARS.
In addition, visitors to health institutions are being asked to list
the hospitals they have visited in the past 10 days. This will allow
health officials to ascertain contacts, if required.
All patients admitted to the hospital must carry a daily contact
sheet they use to record their contact with everyone, listing names,
time of contact and phone number. This sheet then becomes part of the
patient's record for future follow-up, if required.
Suspect SARS patients are to be placed in isolation rooms, either by
themselves or with other SARS patients and treated using contact and
respiratory precautions.
Anyone who enters the location of any SARS patient, at any location,
must wash their hands and wear a N95 rated mask, an isolation gown,
gloves and protective eye wear or face shields.
In addition, any health care worker with direct contact with any
patient in intensive or critical care, or emergency departments, must
also use SARS contact precautions.
Should a health-care worker develop symptoms while at work, they must
leave their post, notify their supervisor and be immediately assessed
by the occupational health service or its designate.
All hospitals are under 24-hour Infection Control coverage, including
holidays and weekends.
"We are asking that people avoid coming to the hospital unless they
really need to," said Manitoulin Health Centre CEO Jim Van Camp. "We
will continue to screen people at the front doors."
A no visitors policy is in effect, with exceptions being made only on
compassionate grounds, such as palliative care, critically ill
children or visiting a patient whose death is imminent.
Routine blood work, x-rays and ultrasound test are now being
performed again, and all ambulatory outpatient clinics (i.e.
optometry, physiotherapy, diabetes education clinics, nutrition
counselling, podiatry, surgical and mental health) will be reinstated.
"If you are unsure about the status of your appointment, please call
the agency or department who provided you with the appointment,"
reads an urgent hospital release.
Anyone in hospital is instructed to wash their hands, lots and often.
A thorough washing includes areas often missed by the uninitiated,
especially the tips and sides of fingers.
Non-acute long term care facilities have also been impacted by SARS concerns.
"We are restricting non-essential personnel and everyone has to come
to one entrance," said Manitoulin Centennial Manor Administrator
Kathy Deacon. "For the time being, there is a limit of one visitor
per visitor, between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm. Visiting will be
closed after 5 pm."
The hours of visiting have been restricted to the strain SARS
screening has placed on personnel.
"We don't have the staff to screen all visitors," said Ms. Deacon.
Manitoulin Lodge Administrator Linda Williams said the main change at
her institution is that they are now taking the temperature of all
visitors.
"We had been screening for two weeks before the hospital started,"
she said. "Our doors are not locked, but we do require that everyone
fill out the screening form and have their temperature taken."
Wiky Nursing Home is also screening visitors.
"Although we are in an area of low to no risk of SARS, we are
following a policy of seamless counter measures," said Administrator
Mark Manitowabi. "We are restricting visits to compassionate grounds."
The measures followed by nursing homes are not much different from
their normal and standard operating procedures, noted each of the
administrators in turn.
"You have to understand, our clients are so susceptible to any
infection, we have to follow strict procedures at any time," said Ms.
Williams. "Hand washing is the most important of those precautions."
All residents seeking to protect themselves from SARS are given that
universal rule.
"Wash your hands," said Sudbury District Health Unit spokesperson Ed
Wierzbecki. "Wash them well and thoroughly, we can't stress that
enough."
In particular, health officials advise washing your hands before
sitting down to a meal. Not just during this latest threat of world
pandemic, but always, as a daily ritual. Wash your hands frequently.
Before visions of Howard Hughes-like obsession take hold, that is not
what is being suggested, but a regular practice of hand washing
should be followed by everyone. If such behaviour became universal,
the number of infections through transmitted viruses would drop
precipitously.
"It is that simple," said Mr. Manitowabi.
Eight people had been confirmed victims of SARS as of Monday, and
thousands were enduring quarantine in Toronto and area, as the World
Health Organization issued a world-wide alert over the disease.
There has been no confirmed case of SARS in Northern Ontario, as of
Monday, and all measures are strictly preventive in nature and based
on Ministry of Health and Long Term Care directives.

 
Vimy Ridge Day bill passed
by Michael Erskine
OTTAWA---The memory of the men who fell at the Battle of Vimy Ridge,
which begun on April 9, 1917, will be honoured from this day forward
as 'Vimy Ridge Day, a national heritage day, thanks to a private
member's bill introduced by Algoma Manitoulin MP Brent St. Denis.
"With the passage of this Bill, the Parliament of Canada is honouring
our veterans, those who lost their lives or were wounded in past wars
or peacekeeping missions, and those who now so faithfully and capably
serve, or have served, in Canada's military throughout the decades,"
said Mr. St. Denis. "We thank and honour them all."
Mr. St. Denis took a moment out from the deluge of congratulations he
received on the success of his bill to give thanks to Robert Manuel,
an Algoma Manitoulin constituent who first brought forward the idea
to him for Vimy Ridge Day, and who Mr. St. Denis pointed out, had
provided many letters and petitions of support throughout the process.
"I would also like to express my appreciation to Marie Poulin, who
sponsored C-227 in the Senate," said Mr. St. Denis.
In fact, the bill proved so popular a cause in the Senate, that it
was in danger of not being passed in time for this year's April 9 to
be the first Vimy Ridge Day. It seems that many Senators on both
sides of the House wanted to be on the record as having spoken in
favour of the bill.
"There was a strong spirit to get this passed in time," said a
jubilant Mr. St. Denis. "We took the Bill right to the commons
committee for final approval and it has received Royal Assent. From
now on, April 9 is Vimy Ridge Day."
"It is nice to see the government has finally recognized the
contributions those guys made," said Gary Hannah, president of Royal
Canadian Legion Branch 177. "We had April 8 (the day before the Vimy
battle) on our schedule of parades for last year," he added. "But it
will be a little hard to get anything on for this year."
The battle for Vimy Ridge is considered one of the defining moments
in Canadian history, when the four Canadian divisions of the British
Expeditionary Force were combined into one corps to take a German
redoubt which had rebuffed the efforts of their British and French
counterparts. The Canadian success lifted the spirits of the
war-weary allies and gave Canadians from coast-to-coast a reason to
declare with pride, 'I am Canadian.'
There are no longer any First World War veterans alive on Manitoulin,
let alone anyone who served at Vimy Ridge, but there will be a number
of Second World War veterans who will come out on April 9 in the
years to come to remember those men who fell in the service of their
country, so very long ago.
"It is a pretty cold time of the year," said Mr. Hannah. "But we will
be there to remember them."