The packed council chambers erupted in cheers as municipal council voted 11-5 Monday to help fund the Chatham-Kent hospice project.
Chatham Coun. Derek Robertson’s motion supported the launch of a community capital leadership grant in the amount of $1.5 million, to be matched by community donations.
“The community truly has spoken,” Robertson said.
The overflow rooms were packed with supporters for the hospice item on the agenda and five deputations were presented in the issue.
Jennifer Wilson, spokesperson for the volunteer group spearheading the hospice initiative, provided one of the deputations.
“Tonight is not about dying, it’s about living,” Wilson said, as a slideshow of quotes from the community supporting the hospice played on the screens.
Wilson said the group has a business plan together and feels passionate and confident moving forward, with multiple revenue-generating ideas and fundraising
Wilson said they’re ready to utilize the annual $1.5 million operational cost approved this past summer by the Erie-St. Clair Local Health Integration Network and the Province of Ontario.
“Why am I in a hurry?” Wilson said. “I hear heartbreaking stories every week … consider yourself blessed if you’ve never had to watch a loved one slip away slowly.”
Wilson said six memorial donations have already been given to their group.
“We don’t even have a brick in the ground,” she said.
Councillors Jeff Wesley, Sheldon Parsons, Jim Brown, Doug Sulman and Steve Pinsonneault voted against the motion.
“We have a budget process for a reason,” Wesley said. “The hospice is a noble project and one I will donate to personally. I think we could use the funds to take care of core municipal issues.”
In a separate motion, council approved the funds to be allotted from the community initiative fund for $160,000 in 2015 and $335,000 in each of 2016-2019.
Council also voted down an amendment by Parsons to investigate during the 2014 budget process of possibly paying off the $1.5 million sooner.
Awesome news! Congratulations everyone…
Wait until the pull the plug on the LHIN's and there will be NO annual funding down the road. More municpal tax dollars going to be wasted again……even though I feel sorry for families, this is just another waste of tax payer dollars. Should all be donated personally……
The Hospice committee deserves a lot of credit for an excellent plan that includes community partnerships, NO operating funds from the municipality and for filling a need we will all be grateful for some day. As Jennifer said, research shows likelihood of death at 100% – it affects us all.