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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1988-11-09, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988. Huronview layoffs Walton bring County debate Compiled by Mrs. Betty McCall. Phone 887-6677 650 fed at Walton supper A second cutback in staff at Huronview, the Huron County home for the aged, sparked a debate about the quality of care being provided at the home when County Council met Thursday. The debate was spurred by the appearance of a group of Huronview employees, apparently unauthoriz- edby theirunion, before council. Marilyn Reidy of Brucefield, a spokesperson for the employees said the staff members were not allowed to attend an Oct. 28 meeting between the Huronview Committee of Management and representatives of the Service Employees Union Local 210 so they wanted a chance to tell about what they felt would be hardshipsfor residentsand staff due to the closing of one wing of the home. Lossy Fuller, Deputy Reeve of Exeter and chairman of the Commit­ tee of Management said the decision on who should attend that meeting had been made by the union representative, herself and Bill Hanly, the county’s clerk-treasurer. It wou Id have cost too much for all the employees to be present, she said. Deputy-reeve Fuller said the declining population at Huronview made the closing of the wing necessary. There were only 19 people in the 52-bed residential wing known as “Summerhill” she said. “There is no way you would keep a wing open for that number.” Huronview had earlier made cut­ backs, mostly in terms of hours worked, in July. Wayne Lester, administrator for the home told council that the cutbacks were necessary to keep a deficit that is already a fact from becoming even larger. While a revenue and expense survey to Sept. 30 showed expenses $16,800 below budget, the revenue side was $222,703 below that forecast for the period. The losses will mean the provincewouldhavetopickup an extra $105,452 more than expected and the county $99,327 more than expected, he said. Mr. Lester said that with Huron County having suchfine programs to keep people in their homes longer, the number of people seeking to enter Hurorview has dropped dras­ tically. Even with the Summerhill wing closed there will still be room for 265 residents with only 242 people currently living in the home. None of the 181 extended care beds will be closed. He said the cutbacks in staff there will still be the ratio recommended of one staff member for each 20 residents. But Mrs. Reidy disagreed in her presentation. She said there is not enough help on some shifts for the extra load brought about by the health of some of the residents. She criticized the reduction to only one hairdresser for all the residents saying this is important to make people feel good about themselves. She complained that there is no cleaning staff on duty after 3p.m. so that any cleanup must wait for the next morning. She said residents are upsetaboutbeing moved from an environment they’re used to to another part of the large complex. U nder questioning of John Doher­ ty, deputy-reeve of Goderich, Mr. Lester said that the move for the residentswas very traumatic. He said that one of the problems with the current Huronview set up is that patients must move several times during their stay. If they live in residential care and get sicker they must be moved to extended care and there may be several moves along the way. Still, he said, moving the residents to a newer wing will give them a better atmosphere. Mrs. Reidy said that residents at the home had been warned if they complained they would be punished. Exeter Reeve Bill Mickle asked if she had proof of the accusation but Goderich Township Reeve Grant Stirling said he had a signed letter from a resident who said that she had been told if she didn’t keep quiet she would be moved up to the second floor. Later in the day Clarence Rau, Reeve of Stanley asked Mr. Lester if he was aware of the charge from the resident that she was threatened. Mr. Lester said he had been made aware the previous Friday that the letter had been written and he had been aware a long time ago that the individual was preparing the letter. “All I know is what she said and what she has stated to staff. If the threat did happen the staff member handled it the wrong way,” he said but he added the staff member who was accused of making the threat was not available to tell her side of the story. Bayfield Reeve Dave Johnston asked that the charges be looked intq and Mr. Lester report back to the next meeting of council. Mr. Lester came under heavy fire from Reeve Johnston, later when he was unable to provide projections of how much the staff cuts would mean next year. Reeve Johnston wonder­ ed if it was worth stirring up ill feelings among both residents and staff if the layoffs and wing-closing wasn’t going to solve the problem of losses. When Mr. Lester said he didn’t have the figures about how much the cuts would save Mr. Johnston said he should be able to give a ballpark figure by simply multiplying the number of hours saved by the hourly wages of the people laid off. The annual turkey supper at Duff’s Church was well attended when approximately 650 people were fed last Wednesday evening. There were over 125 take outs made up. Rev. Charles Swan former mini­ ster here, was in the village last week. At present he is preaching at Palmerrapids in north-eastern On­ tario. Harold Hugill of Seaforth visited over Saturday night with Chris Stevenson, celebrating his 12th birthday. Mr. and Mrs. Doug Currie and James, Brampton called on Mr. and Mrs. Allan McCall on Sunday after spending Saturday and overnight in Blyth with relatives and friends. Mrs. Marjory Humphries attend­ ed the two day sessions of the area convention at Maryhill last week. Craigs mark 45 years married Sherrill and Robert Christian, Delaware U.S.A. were home on the weekend to help her parents Mar­ garet and Harvey Craig celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. Others joining them on Saturday evening were Helen and Graeme Craig, Michael and Shannon; Rober­ ta and John Simpson, Brussels; Isabelle and Bill Craig, Blyth; Carmen Craig, Blyth; Annie Wight, Listowel; Ruth and Gordon Craig, Guelph; Ada Craig and Olive Faitz, Stoney Creek. ' IN ASHFIELD, WEST and EAST WAWANOSH Tony, Rachel, Fran & Katie McQuail RE-ELECT Tony McQuail November 14, 1988 *Experienced Trustee * Concerned Parent *Cost Conscious Ratepayer * Effective Spokesman * Hardworking & Accessible TONY McQUAIL 1 OR SCHOOL TRUSTEE ‘ ‘A lifelong commitment to Brussels” GREG WILSON FORdOUNCIL NOVEMBERS HINDS OF BEEF Cut, wrapped and frozen and includes * T-BONE STEAKS, WING STEAKS, SIRLOIN STEAKS, ROUND STEAKS OR ROASTS, RUMP ROASTS, GROUND BEEF & STEWING BEEF. CUT ANY WAY YOU LIKE IT .. APPROX. 150 LBS. 1.99. We use only the Finest Canada Grade 'A' Beef. For helpful and friendly service call Tom, our Meat Manager. FOODS 887-9740 See this week's 8 page flyer for a full listing of Features & Coupons. A NEW SERVICE IN BLYTH - BRUSSELS INSTANT FAX! The Citizen asked Why Not?” and here it is - a new Fax machine has been installed in our offices enabling you to contact any other Fax machine in the world... instantly. The Citizen will offer the service of the Fax for a cost of $4.00 per printed sheet for the first one plus $1.00 per additional sheet. [Overseas Rates are $7.50 for the 1st three minutes plus $1.50 per additional minute]. In addition our number is yours so if you want to be reached instantly - we will receive your messages for $1.00 per sheet. [Confidential services avai,ablel‘ Plus we can suggest a few benefits... 1. INSTANT FAX... Your financial shave been drafted ... send a copy before the final statement is printed. 3. INSTANT FAX ... The deal’s closing and you need a signature ... send the paperwork by FAX and relax. 5. INSTANT FAX ... The list is 300 items long (i.e., auctioneer) and the long distance charge will be horrendous... FAX it and relax 7. INSTANT FAX ... Your daughter needs a favourite recipe (or any information) for an important engagement... FAX it to any Purolator office where they will contact her for a charge of $1.00 - instantly. 2. INSTANT FAX ... 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