No_Funding_For_Ambulance_Stations

Feature Article October 30

Feature Article October 30, 2003

LAND O' LAKES NewsWeb Home

Frontenac County Council: October 22No Provincial Funding for Generators at Ambulance StationsThe August 14 power failure revealed a weakness in the operational capacity of Ambulance bases in Frontenac County and the City of Kingston. Backup generator systems were not in place, and this made the bases uninhabitable when the power went out for 9 hours on that day, according to the Countys Emergency Services coordinator Shawn Carby.

Six portable generators were ordered to rectify this situation, and it was hoped that the provincial government, through the Emergency Management Ontario (EMO) office of the Ministry of Public Safety and Security would provide at least a portion of the cost.

However, in a letter from Randy Reid, the Assistant Chief Community Programs of the EMO, it was made clear that no money would be forthcoming. The letter said that the EMO applauds the countys efforts, however, if you are also seeking financial support, we cannot provide funding for the six generators in question, nor for other similar items.

The backup plan is to fund the generators out of the financial reserves of the County.

Land OLakes Communications Network (LOLCN) Jim MacPherson of the LOLCN appeared before the Council. MacPherson recently wrote to the County requesting a letter acknowledging that LOLCN be authorized as the sole authority to submit a business plan on behalf of the communities in our region to Industry Canada, in hopes of securing a grant under the Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Program. LOLCN is currently preparing to look at the responses to a request for proposal it undertook, which was intended to rattle the bushes and start looking at possible solutions to the broadband needs of the communities in Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Counties. The deadline is approaching for the next granting stage by Industry Canada in support of improving connectivity in rural regions, and MacPherson is looking to have all necessary supporting documentation in place.

North Frontenac Mayor Johnston asked MacPherson what technology he saw being able to bring broadband service to outlying regions of the County. I think probably what well see is some sort of hybrid network, with fiber installed where its affordable, a fixed wireless system further afield, and finally a satellite system to backfill the rest of the area, MacPherson responded.

Mayor MacDonald of Central Frontenac said, We need to support this initiative in whatever way is necessary. If we can get this service up and running, it will be like a lighthouse in the fog for our area. It will be key in attracting family-based businesses in the next few years.

Later in the meeting, it was decided to provide the letter MacPherson was requesting, although County Chief Administrative Officer also wanted to make it clear that the letter did not mean a commitment of funds towards the project from the County at this time.

Economic Development Officer Four months after the resignation of Economic Development Officer Brian Ritchie, his replacement, Karen Fisher, was introduced to County Council. Fisher has a background in Waste Management, and had been working as an Economic Development Officer in Petawawa before accepting the job with Frontenac County. In Petawawa she was involved in Strategic Planning, and was involved in the Broadband Initiative in Renfrew County. Later in the meeting, Karen Fisher delivered a short report on the Frontenac Centre based upon information she received from Kathryn Wood, the consultant who is preparing a report on the next stage of the proposal. Fisher reported that work has been progressing more slowly than anticipated, and that additional effort is required to get financial information, but that a report should be ready for the next County Council Meeting in November Karen Fisher was unable to offer any perspective on the project since she had not yet had a chance to consider any of the background information. The next meeting of County Council, the final meeting under Warden Leonard, who is retiring from municipal politics at the end of November, will take place on November 19.