Spring has sprung…or has it? The weather has been about as predictable as our liberal government. One storm... a little blue sky... another storm.
Spring clean ups are a great time for giving your community an often needed facelift while sneaking in some socializing, a wiener roast...maybe even a little recycling money to put back into your community.
If your group or organization is planning such an event the TNRD can help! The TNRD will give you all the supplies you need AND waive tipping fees for the material you collect. Just call 1-877-377-8673 to get your spring clean up started!
SPECIAL NOTE: Sunday, Apr. 15 is FREE dump day in Spences Bridge. The TNRD will waive tipping fees up to $20. That’s four truckloads of garbage... maybe a good time for a household spring cleaning.
In addition, you can take all your household Hazardous Waste to the Lytton Transfer Station, also on Apr. 15, from noon until 5 pm: adhesives, aerosols, antifreeze, batteries, paint, pesticides... The list goes on, including lighting and electronic waste such as old computers will be taken in... FREE!
Did you know that TNRD has a program where you borrow seeders and sprayers “free of charge” to treat weeds and replant grass in disturbed areas? Book equipment at Purity Feed in Kamloops.
Back to business
At our last board meeting we had a chance to address the RIH and rural hospital issues with two administrators from the regional hospital district.
Issues from parking to hallway medicine to long waits in both triage and emergency were addressed. To this observer, it appeared that answers are in short supply with changes still lying well beyond the horizon.
Vice-President Community Integration, Andrew Neuner, stated that he felt that 80 per cent of the time they get it right when it comes to decisions surrounding the current health care crisis.
Several TNRD directors (myself included) spoke up on the subject (not in a flattering way) with Director Elliot getting right to the point by declaring ”we want answers”.
The only option that now appears on the table is to address the overcrowding by moving some RIH patients over to the Ponderosa facility. When asked about moving administration off of Floor 7 to make room for beds it appeared not to be an option.
As for the Ashcroft hospital being one of the eight that did not get the funding that 24 other rural hospitals did, no answers were forthcoming. Mr. Neueer did agree to discuss this further and did not rule out future funding, though no promises were made.
It is busy times and much more to talk about but it will have to wait until April. I’m running out of room and my little grandchild is running out of patience.
Papa signing off. We’ll talk soon.