Port Dover Health Care Initiative, a group formed by local citizens, held its first Annual General Meeting at the Port Dover Harbour Museum Monday night. About 20 people attended.

Rick Bedding, the Initiative’s chair, said in his report that the first year has been busy. The group has established its mission, vision and value statements; formed committees; established by-laws and incorporated.

The chair reported that the purpose of the group is “to recruit and retain needed health care providers for our community.” The Health Care Initiative is also seeking to provide new facilities as part of their vision.

Mr. Bedding pointed out that the directors realized in early discussions that it would be impossible for their group to raise the millions of dollars needed to build a medical facility themselves.

Instead, the group decided to send out a Request for Proposals from developers to build a medical facility following guidelines developed by the Port Dover Health Care Initiative. Mr. Bedding told the gathering one response was received that was “not affordable.”

Mr. Bedding told the gathering that the directors were having discussions with various groups which he was not at liberty to discuss. The chair said that he had hoped to have something positive to report from those talks but there “was nothing new to report on” for the annual meeting.

Mr. Bedding said the Initiative wants to create a Family Health Team in Port Dover similar to the approach at the Delhi medical centre. He says the group is making preparations to be ready when the Ontario government announces that new applications will be considered.

Dr. Mickle Macaulay, the Initiative’s vice-chair, gave a report on the on-going process to attract new doctors. He indicated that a number of physicians are interested in locating in Port Dover but that it is difficult when “you don’t have anything to show or offer” the physicians.

Dr. Macaulay recounted that on a trip to Florida he talked to a doctor about relocating to Port Dover and said that he is still “loosely dancing” with that doctor who has identified a number of concerns.

Gordon Leaker presented the financial report which shows the group has a bank balance of $18,709.

Mr. Bedding indicated the group would need public fundraising to accomplish their goals.

When asked if the Initiative group was working with Alliance Homes, the private developer on the east side of Port Dover that has plans drawn up and has said it will start construction of a medical centre in 2010, Mr. Bedding said that the Initiative’s Request for Proposals had been sent to Alliance Homes but that they did not return it. Mr. Bedding added “the door’s open to Alliance Homes to come visit us.”

Directors Katie Buck, Reagan Karges, Pam Schneider, Ozzie Stahl are leaving the board and were thanked for their service.

A slate of directors consisting of Chair Rick Bedding, Vice-chair Mickle Macaulay, directors Liana Thompson, Gordon Leaker, Doug Archibald, Walt Long, Sally Landon, Carma Beerepoot, Kit Julian were named to the Board for 2010. -- Wednesday, January 13, 2010