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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-01-08, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8,1997 The North Huron itizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. N0G1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 The Citizen is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable In advance at a rate of $27.00/year ($25.24 + $1.76 G.S.T.) In Canada; $62.00/year In U.S.A, and $75.00/year In other foreign countries. Advertising is accepted on the condition that In the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Publications Mail Registration No. 6968 Vision by central planning Supporters of Mike Harris's provincial government, the most right wing Ontario government in memory, would hardly think of themselves as being similar to the communist governments of the Soviet Union, but they have one thing in common — a belief in central planning. While Harris has announced no five-year plans as the Soviets did, the momentum of his government E ditorial I . .... ............... has been to concentrate more power in the hands of the provincial government, and take more power away from local communities and municipalities to shape their own future. The situation with hospitals is a case in point. In his book Boom, Bust & Echo, David K. Foot says that as the baby boom generation hits middle age, many will seek to escape the rat race of the big cities to the countryside near smaller towns and cities. Concerned as they are about their health, however, they will want to be near good hospitals. Rather than look at small hospitals as an expense, Foot says, government should look at them as a powerful economic development tool. Community leaders who read Foot's book might be prepared to make sure their hospital is well equipped and ready to attract boomers who may be looking for a rural retreat. But, under the new planning of the Harris government, they can only sit and watch the future of their hospitals being decided by unelected agencies like the District Health Council and Task Force on Hospital Restructuring, acting according to guidelines initiated by the Ministry of Health. While in the past, local initiative could make a huge difference in the level of health service, now there will be no chance for most communities to change their future. People's jobs matter The 10 per cent or more Canadians who are suffering through prolonged unemployment could be excused, if they wondered if they had ceased to exist when year-end business reviews were talking about what a big year 1996 was in business. A few people made a lot of money as the stock market soared to record after record in 1996. Corporate executives were rewarded with huge pay and stock options ($3.5 million for Bank of Montreal head Matthew Barrett). Economists for the major banks predicted strong growth in 1997. And still there are few jobs. Government cuts continue at both the federal and provincial levels. Where once such cuts hurt only in capital cities, Huron County has been hurt by layoffs at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and other provincial agencies. Now hospital workers are the latest to worry about their futures. Profitable companies, too, like the banks and Bell Canada are laying off thousands of workers because they feel they must streamline to be competitive. The sad thing is that the movers and the shakers in business don't even notice the 10 per cent who are unemployed anymore. They have moved into their own world where they compare with others like themselves and ignore the devastation in the rest of the country. Their one complaint is that they pay too many taxes to support the people who haven't been smart enough to be rich like them. But a country is not healthy when wealth is shared too unevenly. We are just shutting our eyes to reality if we think we can go on creating a wealthy class and a poor class. We'll pay in the long run if this "boom" doesn't start creating jobs for more people. — KR The failure of the Soviet system was that a few minds scheming away in Moscow couldn't solve problems as much as millions of people acting at the personal, family and community level all across the country. That is the beauty of a free enterprise system: freeing individuals to make a difference in their own lives and in their community. But whether it is in hospitals or in enforced amalgamations, the Harris government's instinct is to think it has the answers that thousands of local politicians and volunteers don't. This distrust of democracy, this taking of power out of the hands of local people and concentrating in the hands of a few people in Queen's Park is the fundamental weakness of this government. Ultimately it will lead to the government’s failure, but the rest of us may pay a heavy price in the meantime. — KR Photo by Edith Taylor Gliding through winter Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising Manager, Jeannette McNeil Letters THE EDITOR, On behalf of the Hospital and Related Health Services Task Force of the Huron Perth District Health Council, I would like to thank residents from Huron Perth and surrounding areas for their attendance and feedback at our recent open houses. As we are unable to reply individually to the many letters and feedback forms, I am submitting this Letter to the Editor in response. All of the feedback forms have been read and summarized by District Health Council staff. In addition, the feedback forms and letters received to dale have been divided and distributed so that each submission may be read by a member of the task force. Many concerns have been raised by community members, and certainly the task force has and will consider the feedback that has been received prior to selecting a preferred hospital restructuring option on Jan. 21. Many themes have emerged from the feedback received. A number of the concerns and suggestions identified are beyond our mandate and are issues that must be considered by others, such as the provincial or federal government. For example, many residents have suggested that user fees for health care would be acceptable. However, there is currently federal legislation (the Canada Health Act) which prevents user fees from being put in place. A number of innovative suggestions have come forward regarding the use of hospital facilities and creative fundraising approaches. All submissions received by Dec. 13, 1996, were presented to the task force on Dec. 16. Although these suggestions are also beyond the mandate it will be important for communities to work together once restructuring has occurred, to ensure that local resources are used to best serve the needs of residents. Concern was also raised about the process that the task force has undertaken. Certainly it has done its best to ensure that the process is of the highest quality, however, nothing is ever perfect. We appreciate the many comments and will, where possible, incorporate the suggestions into future planning. The following questions were raised in a number of communities, and along with the many other issues facing us, these questions will be considered thoroughly before a final option is selected: • will physicians leave Huron Perth if hospitals close? • can the three preliminary hospital restructuring options be modified to provide better access to inpatient services? • does Huron County require a secondary centre? • will surgical back-up for obstetrics be available within 30 minutes? • is a 20 per cent financial savings target realistic for Huron Perth? Although hospital restructuring is a difficult and challenging process, the task force is committed to making recommendations which will ensure that local residents have access to high quality, co-ordinated health care services. The constructive advice that was received through the open house process, will assist the Task Force in identifying the best possible solution for hospital restructuring. Sincerely, Janet Hook, Chair Hospital and Related Health Services Study Task Force. THE EDITOR, In a "Letter of Understanding" between the Huron County Board of Education and the Elementary School Teachers' Branch Affiliates, the parties agree that the maximum class size for the combined JK/SK program for the 1997/98 school year shall be 28 students. The staffing formula for the combined JK/SK program for the 1997/98 school year shall provide for a class split at 29 students with Education Assistant (EA) consideration at 23 students. The two elementary teachers* federations believe that this agreement provides for the program to be continued with integrity, and with very low local cost. The Huron County Board of Education has yet to reach agreement on whether the JK program will continue for the 1997/98 school year. Based on financial and other information available, the board will make that decision unilaterally, as early as possible into the new year. The next regular board meeting is Continued on page 5