It has been three years almost to the day since we last wrote at length about Walnut Manor, that dreadful hovel where some of the most vulnerable in the community were warehoused.
On July 7, 2021, we documented the shuttering of Walnut Manor under a Section 13 closure order as the facility was “an unfit, unsafe environment for living.”
That item in this corner continued, “Seven years after the health unit closed the kitchen for three days due to food handling and storage violations, Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) ordered Walnut Manor closed due to public health violations.
“After years of enduring rodents, bed bugs, mould and food best described as appalling and not appealing, the health unit today (July 7) issued a Section 13 Order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act to close Walnut Manor in St. Thomas due to the existence of significant health hazards.
The closure comes on the heels of an exterior fire back in May in which, luckily, no one was injured.”
Well, as it turns out, that is not to be the final chapter in this sorry story.
And, it does take a turn for the better.
According to a news release this week, the health unit is working with the province’s Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) “on upstream health strategies that can be adopted in other health unit regions to reduce alcohol-related harms and improve supportive live regulations for vulnerable people.”
Last month, SWPH presented the two resolutions at alPHa’s annual general meeting and that organization endorsed them as “adoptable strategies for other health unit regions.”
Keeping in mind the history of Walnut Manor, the second resolution proposes the creation of regulations “to include unregulated or quasi-regulated supportive living facilities that serve vulnerable individuals.”
The purpose “is to ensure the human rights, safety and well-being of those living there, often our most vulnerable, with provincially mandated regulations that all such facilities must abide by.”
We spoke this week with Peter Heywood, Program Director of Healthy Communities at the health unit specifically about the second resolution.
“We want to ensure individuals are protected to ensure they have access to a healthy environment and with Walnut Manor, that certainly was not the case.
“At that moment in time, several health hazards were identified and action was needed to be taken to ensure the well-being and protection of those residing there.”
Heywood went on to stress the negative impact of that Section 13 order issued at Walnut Manor.
“In the case of closing a residential facility, you’re asking the people to leave their home and it’s disruptive.”
A whole different response than when a restaurant is temporarily closed to patrons for a health-related issue.
“That particular response at Walnut Manor required the mobilization of several community partners and that was one of the most important exercises that I have ever participated in as a public health professional.
“It was a terrific display of courage and compassion in the community that I have never seen before in my life.”
So we know the aim of the resolution, but how would it be introduced in practical terms?
“The resolution speaks to forming a provincial regulation that would ensure high standards of practice for unregulated and quasi-regulated residential facilities across the province.
“We are talking about a small minority of owners and operators who fail to provide an adequate level of care within these supportive living facilities and the intent of this resolution is to really target those owners and operators to a higher level of care and a higher standard of practice.”
In the meantime, the health unit and the City of St. Thomas are working together to look at the possibility of establishing a bylaw to support the well-being of those residing within the City of St. Thomas and also to establish some standards of practice.
In other words, a local first step in what would eventually be a province-wide undertaking.
“Sometimes that’s the way you need to go. To establish bylaws within municipalities to protect and support the well-being of those in the community and the City of St. Thomas has been a phenomenal partner in working together in the establishment of that bylaw.
“It’s very much in its infancy and we hope to see it move forward in the first quarter of next year, but obviously that will require the support of council.”
Heywood did stress the importance of noting there are very good owners of such homes across the province “who operate at a very high standard.
“We are talking about a small minority of owners and operators who fail to provide an adequate level of care within these supportive living facilities and the intent of this resolution is to really target those owners and operators to a higher level of care and a higher standard of practice.
“We are also very careful to make sure that there aren’t any unintentional consequences associated with any bylaws or standards of practice.”
In other words, raising the bar, but not to the point it becomes a burden for owners and operators.
One area not covered by such a bylaw would be the rate charged for residency.
With the resolution, concluded Heywood, the aim is to prevent another Walnut Manor from occurring.
Related post:
A Section 13 closure order for Walnut Manor – ‘This was an unfit, unsafe environment for living’
HOW MUCH ARE YOU PUTTING ON THE TABLE?
It’s a question that is raised now and then when members of city council are approached with a request to contribute to a capital fundraising campaign.
Invariably a councillor or perhaps Mayor Joe Preston will inquire, “How much is the County of Elgin willing to financially contribute?”
Most recently the question has been put forth concerning fundraisers launched by St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital and Hospice of Elgin.
The members of county council all say they support both facilities, however, Elgin county has not yet stepped up with a financial commitment.
At Tuesday’s (July 2) county council meeting, Central Elgin Mayor Andrew Sloan sought $ 1.3 million in funding to help pay for a new MRI for the hospital and $500,000 for the hospice in St. Thomas.
His motion was defeated on a 6-3 vote.
Sloan, Central Elgin Deputy Mayor Todd Noble and Aylmer Mayor Jack Couckuyt voted in favour of the motion.
Those opposed to approving funding at this time say they are awaiting a staff report dealing with donations beyond the core services the county is mandated to provide
Even though the financial support would have been spread over six years and Sloan had offered to delay the start of funding until next year.
Keep in mind the hospital is heavily patronized by county residents and, no doubt, the hospice will be used by those living outside St. Thomas.
So, we had a conversation this week with St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston on the reaction of city representatives to the hesitancy of county council to commit financially to the new MRI and the first – and much-needed – hospice for St. Thomas and Elgin.
“I think I’ve said it a number of times, there is no place in our budget books for healthcare.
“That is a provincial obligation, however, when we did the last rebuild of the hospital, the Municipality of St. Thomas and all the municipalities around us said part of what we do is economic development and if we don’t have a great hospital, we don’t do economic development.
“So, we all accepted our role in the fundraising part.
“In talking with Mayor Sloan, he brought that motion forward and he was quite adamant about trying to get them just to commit to the future of this.
“Big pieces of healthcare are important in Elgin county and I think, almost to a person, the people at that table also said those same words.
“We’re committed to great big things in healthcare in Elgin county, but just not this.
“But I’m lost a little on what just not this means.
“Our hospital needs this technology (the MRI unit). Our community is one of the only ones left without a hospice.
“It was so high on the list in our industrial growth. Both factories that are expanding here rather than somewhere else and the growth with PowerCo coming here. Having the healthcare system we have this close to that entity was really high on their list and so we can’t ignore it.”
“We’ll continue to push forward . . . and another motion can come forward in their next budget or the next period of time that they are looking at it.
“I count on them respecting what great healthcare in our community looks like and I know they have been working awful hard.
“The county is working hard on rebuilding their long-term care facilities (in particular Terrace Lodge just east of Aylmer) and fundraising for them and I get it.”
Preston observed, “Sometimes you get fundraised out and I do believe their hearts are in the right place and they will get to this.
“Elgin county needs our hospital to be as efficient as it possibly can be and supply hospice for the county as well.
“I know Mayor Sloan’s passion toward making this happen will continue to make county council move toward it, too.
“I think some of the citizens will also bring it to their attention.”
Talk to any real estate broker and the value of a first-class facility like STEGH is a goldmine to those wanting to invest in this area.
Preston concurred.
“It was so high on the list in our industrial growth. Both factories that are expanding here rather than somewhere else and the growth with PowerCo coming here.
“Having the healthcare system we have this close to that entity was really high on their list and so we can’t ignore it.
“We recognize it’s a contribution rather than in our mandate, but I think we’re mandated to good economic development.”
A WORTHY STPS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
At a ceremony this week, the St. Thomas Police Service recognized the recipient of its first scholarship.
The Andrew M. Bennett Scholarship was awarded to Makayla Thornton, who graduated this year from St. Joseph’s High School.
The scholarship recognizes a local secondary school graduate who displays “outstanding academic performance, high levels of commitment, integrity, kindness to others, dedication to teamwork and a compassionate personality to make the world a better place.”
The scholarship was created this year with the support of the Police Services Board and kick-started through a generous contribution from a private donor.
The $500 award honours the life of Const. Bennett, whose career and life were cut short by cancer some years ago.
He was a member of the St. Thomas Police Service from 1982 through 1992.
Chief Marc Roskamp noted, “He was not only a kind person who loved his family and cherished his friendships, but also deeply valued his professional role in our community as a police officer.
“He’s been described as being ethical, consistently principled, honest and helpful. All those traits we expect from police officers.
“And so that is what we’re looking for in a young person who is off to a post-secondary undergrad program with a focus on public safety.”
“I was able to take a deeper look at the mind and how it works and different cognitive behaviours. And, that really spoke to me and in Grade 12 I took philosophy and I was able to go more in-depth.”
Makayla wrote that she is an active athlete a volunteer in the community and an aspiring police officer.
She aims to help create a better and safer space for individuals in the community through her future service in policing.
She looks forward to putting others before herself, specifically intending to help those who are without a voice.
This fall she is off to Carleton University in Ottawa to pursue an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in criminology with a focus in psychology.
All of the above qualities were on display after the presentation when we had the pleasure of chatting with her.
We began with her desire to embark on a policing career.
Spoiler alert, dogs play a key role.
“My main push was seeing the K-9 at my school when they did the demonstration back in Grade 6.
“I found a spark for it and it has been a drive ever since. And through my karate and martial arts, I work with a few constables and officers and I’ve spoken with them and they have helped push my drive as well.”
We haven’t mentioned Makayla’s athletic background. She has competed in karate on the international stage and has been asked to try out for the rugby team when she arrives in Ottawa.
Her enthusiasm for policing was further stoked at St. Joe’s.
“I took something we had in Grade 11 called sociology, anthropology and psychology or SAP and we got to take a look at the three different fields and psychology kind of stuck out for me.
“So, we always made sure that we didn’t leave arguments or disagreements unsettled. And, you made sure you said ‘I love you’ before they go to work and be thankful every day when they come home.”
“I was able to take a deeper look at the mind and how it works and different cognitive behaviours.
“And, that really spoke to me and in Grade 12 I took philosophy and I was able to go more in-depth.”
What impresses you about Makayla is her time-management skills.
“I have a summer intern at Animal Aide. I work 8 until 4, Monday to Friday.”
But that’s only the beginning.
“I work a couple of other jobs. I work at Under Armour in London, Shaw’s Ice Cream and as well I teach and run classes at the karate school.
“For the past five years in the fall, I’ve been able to represent Team Canada on the world stage.
“Whether it be in Europe or the U.S.; but we’re waiting on a Canada date. It’s in the works.”
Chief Roskamp and the police service couldn’t have asked for a more inspiring young person to launch the Andrew M. Bennett Scholarship Award.
At the presentation was Andy’s wife – since remarried – Barb Van Harn, whose emotions were tested that afternoon.
“It is an emotional day,” she conceded. “It’s wonderful to have this awarded to such a lovely young woman who is so committed and determined already to make this community a better place.
“She has obviously been instilled with really good qualities and values and it was lovely to meet her.”
Establishing the scholarship in Andy’s name is a fitting legacy, Barb admits.
“It was also lovely for me when I got the phone call because he died 30 years ago.
“His colleagues and workmates remember him and that was also very special.”
Andy began his policing career in the U.K., working in the Greater Manchester area and then he and Barb took a leap of faith and moved to Canada, but not to join a service in this country.
The hoped-for job failed to materialize and he returned to policing, signing on initially in Timmins, Ontario.
Barb picks up the story from there.
“And then he was hired on by St. Thomas and that was a really good decision to come here because his colleagues were amazing.
“To help us move into our first home in St. Thomas, they all turned up.
“And when he was ill as well, it was the most awful time of our lives. But also wonderful in the way the whole police department pulled together and made meals for us when he was very sick.
“Probably for a month, I didn’t have to cook. They were so good.”
Barb continued, “As a marriage, as a couple, it was enriching, because he was going off to work every day wearing a bullet-proof vest.
“So, we always made sure that we didn’t leave arguments or disagreements unsettled.
“And, you made sure you said ‘I love you’ before they go to work and be thankful every day when they come home.”
A fitting tribute to not only a wonderful police officer but also, a special individual.
Epitomized in Makayla Thornton, the first recipient of the Andrew M. Bennett Scholarship Award.
Related post:
Questions and comments may be emailed to City Scope
Visit us on Facebook
And a reminder, I can be heard weekday afternoons as news anchor and reporter on 94.1 myFM in St. Thomas. As always, your comments and input are appreciated.
