Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-03-02, Page 1Com m u nity [______Sports______J Education J Entertainment Blyth students strive to keep peace on schoolgrounds See page 3 Ethel woman wins silver in speed skating race See page 8 ECE workers discuss effect of JK on day care See page 15 Michael Mitchell Band sets up on Blyth Hall stage See page 23 The North Huron itizen Wednesday, March 2, 1994 6O<8 GST included Doctor closes Blyth office By Janice Becker The Social Contract developed by the provincial government, may appear to affect only civil servants, teachers, doctors and other govern­ ment regulated fields but the reper­ cussions are beginning to be felt in small towns in Huron County. Dr. MacGregor of Wingham, has had to close his Blyth office. He, along with his partner, Dr. Hanlon, ran three satellite clinics in Blyth, Brussels and Gorrie. Dr. MacGregor says the Brussels and Gorrie offices had been open A bucket of snow Kindergarten student Charlotte Worsen of Huliett Central Public School, races to the bucket in an attempt to help her team deposit more snow in their pail than the competitor. The race was just one of the many events the students participated in for their version of the Winter Olympics, last Friday. The games were fun for all as they enjoyed a bright, yet crisp afternoon outdoors. for 20 years while the Blyth office had been in operation for eight or nine. "With the cap on billings set by the Social Contract, the Wingham office was no longer able to carry the outlying operation," says Dr. MacGregor. "Since the three offices were opened in the smaller communities, the Wingham office volume has been able to make up the difference between the number of patients and the expenses incurred at the facili­ ties." "The imposed cap, set at five per­ cent less than the billing level for 1993, will not allow an increase in volume to cover fixed expenses, says Dr. MacGregor. (In layman terms; if, for example, a doctor must see 100 patients per week to cover all expenses such as rent, utilities and wages, setting the billing cap at the equivalent of 95 patients would not meet the required gross earnings.) Dr. MacGregor points out that it is quite normal for 45 to 50 percent of gross billings to go to covering the running of the office. "This is not just in the case of doctors but, for most professions that operate from a private office with staff." "The cut in billings set by the Social Contract does not take into account the rising fixed costs," he says. ® "Unfortunately the government did not think the situation through carefully. It affects the rural com­ munities more." Dr. MacGregor says, "It is already very difficult to get young doctors in rural communities. They could get a position in a large cen­ tre and eam $150,000 with no over­ time, overhead or emergency room duties. Here, they may earn $175,000 gross then use up to 50 percent for expenses." "I have expressed my concerns to MPP Paul Klopp and I know it is a time of fiscal restraint for all. "I feel a responsibility to the peo­ ple in the smaller communities and I am sad about the closure." "The three local centres were developed and opened privately. There was no municipal support asked for or received. We will con­ tinue to serve all our patients in the Wingham office," says Dr. Mac­ Gregor. Another local physician, Dr. Walter Wong, closed his office in Brussels in September. "I am vexed that I am no longer able to provide the service and care for people the way I was trained," says Dr. Wong. "The provincial government has been outright, deliberately mislead­ ing the people" with regards to the effect of the Social Contract on the health care system. "The medical profession is the only government funded sector which has been legislated to reduce spending. Other sectors have been told to hold the line." "We are expected to absorb the natural increase in fixed costs, between 2.6 and three percent each year and yet cut what we are paid by as much as 15 percent," says Dr. Wong. "As an example, if a doctor earned $100,000 in gross earnings in 1992, he might expect to require $103,000 to cover inflation and fixed costs. However, with the Continued on page 6 Steckle comments on federal budget By Bonnie Gropp With a commitment to lowering the deficit the federal government presented its budget last week. Huron Bruce MP Paul Steckle said that he felt the Liberal Party had followed the promises in their book "Creating Opportunity" and that it was committed to these promises. The budget, he said, projects a drop in the deficit to $39.7 billion from $45 billion, then in 1995 to $32.7 billion. While the budget dealt with a number of things Mr. Steckle said he felt quite postive about a few. The opportunity for first time homeowners to use RRSP contribu­ tions towards the purchase of a house will not become a statute of law. Mr. Steckle said he was glad this opportunity would now be guaranteed for young people. Also, over $100 million will be added through the next two years to the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program to help low income families with such things as home improvements. Mr. Steckle Deer dies after battle with dog Conservation officers from the Ministry of Natural Resources' Wingham office were called to a Grey Twp. property, Tuesday, Feb. 22, just north of Brussels after a deer was attacked by a dog. Conservation Officer Bob Pegg said that a man called after the dog, described as a grey mixed breed Shepherd-type chased the deer to his home, which is located just off County Road 12. The man had been alerted to the problem by his own dog which had heard the disturbance and begun barking. After letting his dog out, it chased the other animal away and the deer ran into a neighbouring bush. When MNR officers arrived, Mr. Peg said they found a second deer in the bush. It had been in battle with the dog and was barely alive, he said. "The dog had injured it, then just left it there. When we found her she was just lying there, labouring." The deer was disposed of by the Man’s condition serious A Brussels man remains in seri­ ous condition in University Hospi­ tal, London, as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident Feb. 18, near Wingham. A spokesperson from the Wing- ham OPP said John McWhirter, 68, was travelling east on Highway 86, when he turned left onto Diagonal OPP charge 2 in drug bust Two people have been arrested and charged following a drug bust near Brussels Feb. 21. A spokesperson from the Wingham OPP said officers from Wmgham, Listowel and the Number 6 District Crime Unit executed the search warrant at the RR3, Brussels residence of Mark Schwartz. Police seized 400 marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $80,000 and hydroponic equipment for cultivation, the spokesperson said. Charges are for possession of a narcotic, possession for purposes f trafficking and cultivation of a narcotic. Police have charged Mr. Schwartz, 37, and his wife Lisa Schwartz, 2 They will appear in Wingham’s provincial court March 30. says this is a "forgiveable program which will also help create jobs." Farmers will be able to keep their $500,000 capital gains for retir- ment, though Mr. Steckle says it is a benefit he thinks may not stay forever. In an effort to support small busi­ ness in the country, the government is setting up a code of ethics for lending institutions that will see them having to justify turning down requests for loans to begin small business. "Small business has never had a recourse before if turned down for a loan. Lending institutions will now have to look more seriously at entrepreneurial people," Mr. Steckle said. Though there are going to be sacrifices for some in the budget, Mr. Steckle feels they are done with an approach to common sense. For example, Mr. Steckle feels the changes to Unemployment Insurance will benefit those who need it most. Specifically anyone with an employment income of $399 per week, with dependents, Continued on page 6 officer. Mr. Pegg was returning to the bush on Wednesday to see if he could fmd the deer that had been chased. "It will likely die of stress. It was bleeding quite badly. There was hair and blood all over the garage door of the caller's home," Mr. Pegg said. Though it is usually a group of domestic dogs running in packs that cause trouble, this time, Mr. Pegg said, "one dog did the deed itself." The MNR is stressing the impor­ tance of keeping dogs tied, espe­ cially at this time of the year. "The dogs can run on this crusty snow surface, but the deer, many of which are in foal break through," Mr. Pegg said. He added that it is an offense under the Game and Fish Act to allow a dog to run at large during closed deer season. If a dog is found loose a game officer can shoot it. Road, across the path of a west­ bound cattle truck driven by James Parker, 59 of RR5, Kincardine. Wmgham firefighters were called to the scene for extrication. Mr. McWhirter was first taken to Wingham Hospital before being transferred to London. Mr. Parker was not hurt.