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Waterfront
development
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by Michael Erskine
NORTHEASTERN MANITOULIN AND THE ISLANDS (NEMI)---Public
input and consultation were the universal bywords of councillors
for the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands during
a special meeting of the town council held last Monday evening.
The special meeting was held to review the status of an application
to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation for a financial
contribution towards a waterfront study. The purpose of the
proposed waterfront study is to determine a plan for the future
development of the waterfront in Little Current. Part of the
rationale of the timing of the original study was to ensure
the town received the downtown Little Current docks from the
Federal Department of Fisheries and Harbours without being blind-sided
by unexpected expenses and to have a coherent plan of action
from which to best take advantage of the opportunities enherent
in acquiring the docks. In the ensuing process, the project
was turned over to a joint committee of NEMI council and the
NEMI Community Development Corporation and expanded to include
much wider parameters, including the entire Little Current waterfront
stretching from Sunset cottages at Low Island to the Harbour
Vue road. The council chambers in Sheguiandah were packed with
members of the NEMI Community Development Corporation, the Little
Current Business Improvement Area and the general public as
counsellors began the process of dissecting what went wrong
with the latest attempt to formulate a plan for the future development
of the downtown area of the town's largest urban community.
"Perhaps we should stand back and take a look at the study in
a larger forum," suggested NEMI Mayor Ken Ferguson at the opening
of the meeting. "I know we are in a hurry to get this underway,
but perhaps we missed the bigger picture in a sense. Given the
time-frame, it will be later this year before anything can happen."
Led first by counselor Al MacNevin, each of the NEMI counsellors
stated they felt more public input was called for in the process.
"We felt we had gathered the ideas that might have come from
the community itself," said Mr. MacNevin. "Maybe there is not
as much interest as we think, or maybe there is more... I would
support a public meeting." Mr. MacNevin suggested a two pronged
approach to the issue, a meeting between NEMI council and Ministry
of Northern Development and Mines officials to iron out the
technical difficulties and shortcomings in the application and
a second set of meetings to ensure community input into the
process. Councillor Carl Ziegler said that he would like to
see figures available at any public meeting outlining what the
costs involved in any project would be. "I don't think the taxpayers
will be willing to raise taxes just for the cruise industry
or downtown," he said. Councillor Bill Koehler was adamant a
public meeting had to take place. "I think we are being caught
up in thinking this is just about the people in Ward 2," he
said. "It is not. It has to include everybody. What I am hearing
on the mainstreet is that we are going to develop Low Island.
If we are going to try to do that we are going to wind up with
a jackpot." Mr. Koehler also expressed concerns over what the
cost of the project would eventually be. "Are the taxpayers
really going to be willing to accept that?" he asked. Councillor
Jim Stringer indicated he was also in favour of the two pronged
approach. "We must move this forward as expeditiously as possible."
Councillor Ann McGregor said she was concerned the environmental
issues had not yet been addressed. "I would like to see more
co-operation between the factions, I think things are not moving
forward as quickly as they should," she said. "That is how I
see it, we are not moving forward because the two parties are
too far apart," she said. "I was really surprised to learn at
the January 17 meeting with the Ministry of Development and
Mines that the application had not left Peggy Young's desk yet,"
said Councillor Kathleen Bowerman. Mayor Ferguson said he had
earlier believed the application had gone forward. He learned
later that it had not. "I wasn't as surprised," said Mr. MacNevin.
"We were originally supposed to meet with the Ministry in October,
then November, then December. We finally met in January, where
we learned of the problems with the application. I am still
not very clear on what those problems are." Councillor Ron Lewis
noted that there had been no public input into the waterfront
study since the public meeting at which the Community Development
Committee was formed. "To my knowledge there has been no public
input since that time," he said. Mr. Lewis said the council
should go forward with a meeting to see if there is public support
for the idea. "And if there is no support, then there is no
point," he said. Discussion of whether meetings should take
place with the Ministry before or after the public meeting ensued.
After some discussion, and consultation with the CDC and BIA,
Mr. MacNevin put forward a motion to form a new committee to
include two members of council, two members from each of the
CDC and BIA and two members of the public at large. The public
members would be chosen at a meeting tentatively scheduled for
7 pm on Friday, February 8 at the Little Current Howland Recreation
Centre. "If not on that Friday, it will be on the following
Friday," said Mayor Ferguson. The motion further read that the
public would be consulted on the proposed study and that the
town would meet with Ministry officials to clarify the technical
shortcomings of the application. Councillors Lewis and MacNevin
were chosen by council to sit on the committee, CDC members
Stan Ferguson and Gary Green were chosen to represent the Development
Corporation. BIA chair Craig Timmermans said he would need to
consult with his board before appointing the BIA members. The
two members of the public would be chosen "subsequent to the
public meeting." Council then went in-camera to discuss an unrelated
contract matter.
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Annual
funding provided for withdrawal management service
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by Tom Sasvari
MINDEMOYA - The Manitoulin Community Withdrawal
Management Service (MCWS) has been notified that annual funding
for the program is being provided by the Ministry of Health
and Long -Term Care. Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Long
Term Care, in a letter announced to Ivan Edwards, chair of the
Board of Directors of the Manitoulin Health Centre (MHC), that,
"I would like to assure you that I understand and appreciate
the value of the services currently offered through the Manitoulin
Community Withdrawal Management Service. In recognition of the
need on Manitoulin Island, annualized funding for this service
was identified as a high priority in the Algoma Cochrane Manitoulin
Sudbury District Integrated Service Plan and has continued to
be considered a high priority in the work of the subsequent
Manitoulin-Sudbury Implementation Committee. My Ministry has
been providing one-time funding to support the Manitoulin Community
Withdrawal Management Service for the past two fiscal years.
As part of the ministry's restructuring process, operational
aspects of substance abuse programs are being transferred to
the regional offices," continued Mr. Clement. He noted, "As
part of this transfer, I am pleased to advise you that we are
providing $225,000 of annualized funding to ensure that the
services of the Manitoulin Community Withdrawal Management Service
are continued." "It is not often that we have this type of happy
occurrence to get everyone together for this type of announcement.
This is very good news of annual funding being provided for
the Manitoulin Community Withdrawal Management Service," said
Mr. Edwards, prior to a meeting last week in Mindemoya. Jim
Van Kamp, new Chief Executive Officer for the MHC, said, "I
understand this funding and the program are in place because
of a big community effort, involving a lot of people over the
years. The hospital is pleased and the staff is absolutely ecstatic.
From the hospital point of view, this is very, very good news."
"We were very excited when we received the news of the funding,"
said Petra Wall, co-chair of the Manitoulin Coalition for Detoxification
Services. Jack Hayes, a member of the Coalition, pointed out
when he first became a member of the group, it was through Tehkummah
Township understanding the concerns and acknowledging the problems
on the Island. The annualized funding, "is a long time in coming.
We have been lobbying for the funding since 1994 in order to
get this program set up permanently for the Island. It is very
gratifying that we now have this." A letter from the MHC to
the Ministry of Health, dated October 23, 2001, explained, "The
local substance abuse problem first identified by a citizen's
group, the Manitoulin Coalition for Detoxification Services,
remains a serious community concern. In a recent campaign to
reduce drinking and driving in the area, the Ontario Provincial
Police (OPP) quoted statistics from the Addiction Research Foundation
(ARF). According to the data, Manitoulin is number one in alcohol
related deaths and drinking and driving violations. There is
also a direct impact on the health care system in the area with
Manitoulin being number one in alcohol-related hospital admissions."
"I think the last time I had this good a feeling was when we
opened the house for this program," said Wes Leeson, a member
of the Coalition since its inception. "It has been a frustrating
process getting permanent funding." He pointed out the process
of putting this plan originated well over 10 years ago. "Glenn
Hallett has spent a lot of time on this. In 1996, we really
got momentum for this program, and all the agencies were behind
us in seeing the need for this on the Island." He also praised
the efforts of Barb Deschamps, Gerry Cooper, Petra Wall, Glen
Hare and many others, including the MHC board. "There were a
lot of people that were a part of the puzzle that had to work
together for this to happen. It really makes me feel all the
effort was worthwhile. It is the result of work from a lot of
people. Ms. Wall pointed out the MCWMS really got national status
with a report done by the Fifth Estate television program. Over
the past five years, the service has received about half a million
dollars to keep operating, with much of the funding coming at
the 'eleventh hour.' "Now, to have annualized funding means
we will be able to continue." Mr. Leeson proposed that, "now
we can look ahead, and the families on the Island will have
hope when there are problems. This is what we have fought to
get, something for the Island and have accomplished it." Major
Walter E. Howells of the Salvation Army Addictions and Rehabilitation
Centre in Sudbury said, "I must congratulate all of you for
your perseverance and hard work, and not accepting no as the
answer for getting new annualized money. " He told the meeting
the Addiction Services has been supportive of the program all
along and lobbied the Ontario Substance Abuse Bureau (OSAB)
on behalf of the program. "On behalf of Gerry Cooper, I am extending
his personal apologies for being unable to be with us this evening,
for such an important event. Be assured that although he can't
be here in person, he's with us in spirit," said Barb Deschamps,
manager of MCWMS. "He has also asked that I extend his congratulations
to everyone on behalf of the Centre for Addictions and Mental
Health. CAMH is delighted with the news of this announcement.
It is surely an important event for the Manitoulin Island and
we should indeed celebrate this success. This funding makes
the Manitoulin Island the first in the province to receive annualized
funding for withdrawal management services being delivered in
alternate community settings. For this reason, it is also an
important milestone to be marked by all communities across this
province who have been trying to access funding for this type
of service," said Ms. Deschamps. Ms. Deschamps read a letter
of congratulations from the Northeast Mental Health Centre (formerly
Network North, the Community Mental Health Group). As well,
she also gave a message, stating, "as manager of MCWMS, it is
a true delight to receive this news and to share in the excitement
of the staff who deliver care to the clients. I would like to
express my thanks to everyone who continued their tireless efforts
over the years. There are many 'unsung heroes' who participated.
We have our formal partners, who include the Coalition made
up of community members, representing agencies, First Nation
communities, consumers and special populations such as youth,
from all over the Island, the Centre for Addiction and Mental
Health, the Northeast Mental Health Centre and of course the
Manitoulin Health Centre who sponsor and house our service,"
continued Ms. Deschamps. "In addition, there have been many
others who believed in and supported this program over the years.
They include Ontario Substance Abuse Bureau representatives,
past and present, the District Health Council, Human Resources
Development Canada, who provided opportunities for us, during
which the headquarters saw much needed renovations and staff
training occurred, our Addiction Services Group partners who
have been both a constant lobbying and moral support and who
in this fiscal year realigned money for a co-ordinator to ensure
we could stay open in the new year, local municipal governments,
local service clubs, local businesses, the local media who continuously
provided positive support and the community at large. "As well,
Ms. Deschamps provided a special tribute. "Although I have purposely
not mentioned individual names, for fear of omitting one, I
would like to pay a special tribute to one person this evening.
This is not to someone who spent years on the project, but someone
who resigned his seat on the hospital board to train to provide
this much-needed service. He believed in this service and in
his short time with us became a strong advocate for the clients
and the service. As most of you are aware, by now, I am speaking
of Dieter Pudwill, who we lost to a heart attack as we neared
the end of the experiential portion of the training carried
out under the HRDC training initiative." "I'm sure he's smiling
on us and saying 'yes' I think his statement would be something
like this, 'now what can we do to make sure that everyone who
needs our help gets it'? All I can say is, I'm not sure, but
we will keep trying through promotion and education to reach
everyone who needs and wants our help." With the annualized
funding Ms. Wall said the program, "is going to need all the
volunteers we can in the future, to be proactive. We need to
go back and review the goals for the program, and take a proactive
approach in the problem and focusing on the vision and goals
we have."
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Special
education issues have a far reaching impact in rural areas
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part one of three
EDITOR'S NOTE: "Special Report on Special
Education" This article is the first in a three part series
on the state of special education on Manitoulin Island. The
first article will explore the situation of one parent of a
child with very exceptional needs and and some of the factors
involved in her attendance at school. The second article will
explore the perspective of the Rainbow District School Board
and its advisory council in dealing with the allocation of funds
and supply of services to students with special needs and the
process by which the needs of a child are determined. The final
segment in the series will discuss the future of special education
and the ongoing hopes and concerns of parents dealing with these
most personal of issues.
by Michael Erskine
MANITOULIN---The
stress of being a parent in today's society is heavy enough,
but imagine what it must be like to be the parent of a child
with special needs. Then imagine what it is like to have to
be continually on guard to ensure that your child is provided
with the educational opportunities and experience which the
provincial government has stated is their right. That is the
situation facing many parents of medically and/or mentally challenged
children on Manitoulin Island today. Kendra Vitone has a young
daughter named Karliegh Ingram. When Karliegh was born in 1996,
Ms. Vitone was told to "let her go." It was felt by the doctor
that Karliegh was so severely handicapped physically that her
chances of living any kind of life were next to impossible.
Her condition is practically unique... no other child with her
challenges has lived. Six years have passed since Ms. Vitone
was advised to let her daughter "go." Karliegh has lived each
day, beset by seizures, only able to eat a special milk-like
substance, fed to her through a "G-tube," a specialized feeding
tube which requires a nurse to operate. Ms. Vitone's marriage
has come under considerable strain, her own health and mental
well-being constantly challenged by the stress of caring for
a daughter who requires constant and intense attention and some
of the other parents in the community have been less than charitable
in their reaction to Ms. Vitone placing her child in the school
system. "I have been told by people that they do not want my
'sick retarded kid' in school," said Ms. Vitone. "They are afraid
my child will have a seizure and traumatize their children.
I tried for two years to get Karliegh into daycare. I was told
that a daycare provider in a private home had said that if she
had to take Karliegh, she would close her doors." The school
system offers a 'catch-22' for Ms. Vitone. There are occupational
therapist and physiotherapy services which Karliegh needs to
retain movement and comfort. Those services were provided by
the Infant Development Program, but now that Karliegh is of
school age, if she does not attend school, she loses those services.
Ms. Vitone said she understands many of the valid concerns other
parents of special needs children may have when Karliegh is
at school. "Karliegh needs full time attention of an educational
assistant. She weighs over 40 pounds and two people are required
to lift her," she said. "If they are spending all of their time
with my child, what are their children getting?" The need for
more educational assistants exists, but limitations on funding
and the availability of trained personnel mean that there is
not enough available. "I went into the school one day to find
Karliegh parked in front of a table, with colouring pencils
and paper sitting in front of her. They had just parked her
there and let her be." Ms. Vitone explained to the staff that
her daughter would receive schooling. That she was not there
simply as an alternative form of respite. Karliegh may not be
able to speak in words, but she does communicate with her mother
and others through sounds and body motions. "She has a way of
moving if she needs changing, a different way if she is uncomfortable,"
said Ms. Vitone. "She may not be able to form words, but she
can talk in her own way. Ms. Vitone began the process of getting
Karliegh ready to go to school the year before she was to attend.
"A friend advised me that it would take three to six months
to get integrated into the system," she said. "I went in and
talked to the principal to begin the process." That process
began with a meeting to determine Karliegh's special needs,
both physical and educational. "They meet with you to discuss
the need of your child," said Ms. Vitone. After several meetings
and a 15 step in-depth planning and identification process,
Ms. Vitone felt that everything was in place. "I just assumed
that everything was fine. That the teacher would be in place,
that a plan would be set. I assumed that when she started in
September everything would be in place." The first day Karliegh
arrived for school the nurse was not on-site and there was no
educational assistant available. "It was a little mix-up in
when Karliegh would be coming," said Ms. Vitone. The following
day there was an educational assistant but no nurse. The next
day there were two nurses. The situation has been an ongoing
effort for everyone involved and has pitted Ms. Vitone against
people who were at first very friendly to her when she came
into the community. "I know I can institutionalize her," said
Ms. Vitone. "But I also know that if I had signed the paper
when she was born, then she would not have lived." The certainty
Ms. Vitone said she feels about what Karliegh's fate would be
should she be institutionalized is evident in the anguish in
her voice. The isolation Ms. Vitone said she feels makes her
life in a rural community even harder. "They have to start educating
people and do more to get the community integrated," she said.
"It is good that integration of children with special needs
into the classroomis happening." "I don't like it when people
say 'normal child.' My Karliegh is normal, she was just born
sick. I have a healthy child and a sick child. They are both
normal." "If your child is not perfect, you cannot live in a
rural community," said Ms. Vitone. "If my husband did not have
a good job, we would not have been able to last this long."
Ms. Vitone hopes to move to a larger community if the family
can sell their home. "We need to get on the waiting list for
services before they are cut," she said. "Services are going
to be cut." Ms. Vitone and Karliegh are probably at the furthermost
extreme of special needs. Ms. Vitone wants as normal a life
for her child as possible, each moment is special and precious
to her, for at any moment one of her children is going to be
lost to her. She lives with that knowledge every single day.
In the meantime, she fights for every grain of quality of life
for her daughter. It does not get any more personal than that.
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