Weds Aug 20 – Owen Sound & Area News

Updates involving Grey Bruce Public Health, Grey County, United Way of Bruce Grey, TC Energy, and more

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Yesterday, we asked you whether you felt the province was right to step in and assume oversight of Grey Bruce Public Health.

Reader Donalda Fisher commented, “I wish I had read Nicholas Saunders’ comments about the PHU Board before I voted. It sounds like he was doing as he was asked, and then the Province stepped in.” You’ll find a link to those new comments from Saunders under Local News below.

Indeed, new information continues to come out, and it doesn’t appear we have the full picture quite yet. It makes sense then that less than 50% of poll respondents (as I write this) had made a firm decision one way or the other.

Forty-one percent said you’re unsure and feel there are still too many questions, and 12% are waiting to see what the province does next.

We filed a Freedom of Information Request with GBPH a week ago in an effort to unveil the contents of the Ministry’s audit report. It hasn’t been acknowledged yet by the organization, but they have 30 calendar days to respond with a decision on what information and records are available, what can be released, and any fees involved.

We’ll keep pushing for full transparency on this.

Next up… back-to-school season will be here before you know it, and with it comes the return of big yellow buses on our roads.

Last school year, we reported on far too many incidents involving drivers blowing past stopped bus arms or collisions with buses. It’s time to mentally prepare to slow down in school zones, plan to leave extra time for your drive, and be ready to stop when buses are loading or unloading children.

For the youngest students, even getting on a bus for the first time can feel like a big, sometimes intimidating step. That’s why the Association of Grey-Bruce Bus Operators is once again offering its free First Rider Program this August.

These hands-on sessions are designed to help kids (and parents) learn bus safety before the first day of school, and they’re happening across Grey and Bruce.

Read on for news updates on the most recent Grey County Council meeting, the first-ever Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup, new fallout from the Grey Bruce Public Health board shakeup, and more.

~ Miranda Miller, Editor

Local News