The lines of communication are opening up between Kincardine Council and the Friends of Kincardine Hospital.
But there is still some tension over a recent meeting between municipal leaders and officials from the province and South Bruce Grey Health Centre.
Friends’ Co-Chair Greg McClelland told council he’s not pleased Mayor Larry Kraemer went ahead and discussed the October 9th meeting with council and the press before notifying him about what happened.
The meeting was organized by Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell to talk about governance options for the Kincardine Hospital, the friends want it to separate from South Bruce Grey, but the Ministry of Health says no.
McClelland says he still hasn’t received an answer about why things unfolded like they did.
However he thinks there’s a light at the end of the tunnel now that council wants to sit down and talk with his group.
Deputy Mayor Laura Haight says it’s been almost a year since the municipality sat down with the Friends and representatives from Huron-Kinloss, and it’s time again to decide on the next step.
One of the ideas being considered is having council representation on the South Bruce Grey Health Centre Board.
Kraemer says the province doesn’t support de-amalgamation, but council representation is another option that could ease some of the concerns.
As for the aftermath of the meeting with the MPP, LHIN, and South Bruce Grey Health officials, Kraemer says he only did things the way he did in order to make sure council was timely informed of what had been discussed.
Kraemer emphasizes that it was MPP Carol Mitchell–and not him who organized the meeting and decided whom to invite.
Some councillors are standing behind the Friends of the Hospital and their efforts. They include Ron Hewitt, Marsha Leggett and Mike Leggett.
The Friends were meeting Wednesday evening to discuss the possibility of talking further with council about governance options for the hospital and plans to respond once a decision is made.
McClelland wasn’t sure what the outcome would be, saying there are members of the Friends who strongly believe de-amalgamation can still happen.