County rescue van heading to Northern Ontario
by Richard Blanchard

Members of the Alcona Business Association (ABA) were out in full force on Pitch in Day. submitted photo

Sparked by a suggestion from a New Tecumseth resident, a decommissioned Simcoe County ambulance will be heading to the First Nations community of Kingfisher Lake in Northern Ontario.

Simcoe County councillors gave approval to the donation at last week's meeting. The value of the van is estimated at $9,000.

New Tec mayor Mike McEachern told council that a New Tec resident had told him about the pressing need for the vehicle in the community. "There is a great need for the vehicle," he said.

Severn township Mike Sled said that he had some concerns about the cost of the donation which is estimated at about $9,000.

"It just seems too much of a donation. I really don't see Simcoe County as a charitable organization," he said. But other councillors argued that the gift was appropriate.

"It's not going to make a big effect on our budget," said Bradford West Gwillimbury deputy mayor Dennis Roughley.

The rain didn't dampen the spirits of the Beavers on their Pitch in night. photo by Minnoch

Kingfisher Lake is located 400 kilometers north of Thunder Bay. It is only accessible by air and has only a small nursing clinic to service its residents.