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New Year's baby arrives a little late LISA TALLYN Staff Writer She was supposed to be a Christmas baby but Alejandra Mena-Escorcia had no interest in making her arrival that day, perhaps knowing that if she stayed put just a little longer there was a good chance she could be the first baby born at Georgetown Hospital in 2007. And that is exactly what happened for the little Georgetown girl who made her arrival at 12:17 a.m. Monday Jan. 1, weighing in at 7 lbs. 7 ozs. Her parents Jessica Escorcia and Ian Mena couldn't be more thrilled with the new addition to the family-- their first child. It was not an easy labour for Jessica who had to be induced Sunday morning. She thought labour would last six hours, but after it stretched to 17 hours her obstetrician Dr. Selvara Gunaratnam decided to perform a Caesarean section because Alejandra was not in the right position. "People were saying maybe you will have a New Year's baby," said Jessica, but she didn't really think it would happen. The couple, who have lived in Georgetown for the past three years, had some names chosen for their daughter but Jessica said they decided on Alejandra at the "last minute" once they saw her. "She's doing great," said Jessica who is looking forward to going home today (Wednesday). "I would like to say thank you to the nurses Constance and Muriel. They have been great," said Jessica. The birth was the first of the new year at any of the three Halton Healthcare hospitals, which also includes Milton and Oakville-Trafalgar. (Lisa Tallyn can be reached at ltallyn@independentfreepress.com) Council outlines benefits to Town of new power plant Continued from pg. 1 Council approved a report giving staff the go-ahead to enter an agreement with TCE documenting the commitments and benefits: · replacing the Town's $1.5 million commitment in the 401/407 Servicing Agreement (which will bring the Big Pipe along Steeles Ave. to Trafalgar Rd.) · contributing $250,000 to Halton Hills for community purposes · enabling Halton Hills Hydro to achieve a new, and necessary, transformer station in the Corridor on the plant site. · developing a unique design for the new plant that will be directed at maintaining the "prestige industrial" nature of the Corridor. · other commitments related to construction, operational access, and abiding by Town's bylaw related to traffic and noise. (Cynthia Gamble can be reached at cgamble@independentfreepress.com) Proud parents Jessica Escorcia and Ian Mena welcome daughter Alejandra Mena-Escorcia as the first baby born at Georgetown Hospital in 2007. Alejandra arrived at 12:17 a.m. New Year's Day. Photo by Ted Brown Newest Georgetown doctor finds patients `well-informed' LISA TALLYN Staff Writer Georgetown's newest family practitioner has 15 years of experience as a doctor in India. Dr. Naresh Kumar has taken over the practice of Dr. Alex Ashenhurst and is currently accepting new patients. Kumar said the fact Georgetown is so close to his Mississauga home was a factor in his decision to set up his practice here, and also because he had heard "it's a nice place." With Dr. Ashenhurst retiring it was an opportunity for him to take over the practice immediately, which he officially did on Nov. 1, a day after he graduated from the University of Western Ontario program for international medical graduates. He said one of the main reasons he and his wife Vandana moved to Canada was to provide a better future for their two children. Kumar has been enjoying working in Georgetown. "The treatment is about the same (as in India)," said Kumar. However, he said one of the main differences is that in India the practice of medicine is a more "parental approach." He explained there, the doctor tells the patient what to do and what not to do and the patient follows the doctor's advice with few questions. "Here it's more based on the patients," he said, adding that the patients have more input. "Here people are more openminded." "Mostly the patients (here) are wellinformed." Kumar received his medical degree from the Maulana Azad Medical College at Delhi University and worked as both a general practitioner and radiologist. He likes being a family practitioner. "We take an overall assessment of the patient," said Kumar. He said as a general practitioner his focus was more problemoriented. He said he learned the family medicine approach at the University of Western Ontario. "It's a better approach, better for the patients as well because we look at all aspects." Kumar said he has applied for privileges at Georgetown Hospital and will be joining Sinclair Medical Associates where his patients will have access to a walk-in Dr. Naresh Kumar has taken over the practice of Dr. Alex Ashenhurst and is curPhoto by Ted Brown rently accepting new patients. clinic, where he will work on a rotational basis. Kumar's office is located at 83 Mill St., Suite 202. Anyone interested in becoming a patient should contact Kumar at 905873-2402. (Lisa Tallyn can be reached at ltallyn@independentfreepress.com)