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Huron Expositor, 2005-04-27, Page 240 "Iv ikikk"" 2 - THE HURON EXPOSITOR. April 27. 2005 Alliance still grappling with $6 million deficit From Page 1 also implemented slight staffing reductions, including one management termination, three full-time staff and two pan -time staff early retirements, the elimination of two vacant positions and the conversion of a part-time position to full-time. As with the bed adjustments, these staffing changes will not result in reduced access to services, said the press release. Alliance CEO Andrew Williams said in the press release that the bed cuts and staff reductions are part of an ongoing effort by the Alliance to move towards a balanced budget position. "As required by the Government of Ontario, all hospitals are expected to balance their budgets by April 1, 2006," he said. "A recent Ministry of Health and Long -Term Care review of our Balanced Budgi t Planning efforts confirmed for the government that the Alliance was operating efficiently and could not eliminate its deficit without directly affecting patient care," said Williams. The Alliance is still grappling with a $5.5 to $6 million deficit and Williams said the Alliance is continuing discussions with the province about how to eliminate it while maintaining access to local healthcare services. Egmondville group homes involved in labour dispute Two Egmondville group homes for people with developmental disabilities are involved in a labour dispute between the Canadian Union of Public Employees and South Huron Community Living. The two local group homes have 16 Community Living clients and are staffed by 15-20 workers. South Huron Community Living workers, represented by CUPE Local 2597, voted to strike on April 12 and go into mediation talks on May 9. If an agreement isn't reached during mediation, workers will go on strike, says CUPE 2597 bargaining committee chair Barb Dunlop. Dunlop says the main issue of the dispute is wages. She says workers are asking for "a modest increase" of two per cent. to bring their wages on par with other Community Living Associations across the province. But, South Huron Community Living executive director Bruce Shaw says the association's offer is only 10 cents below the wage the workers are asking for. "We have neighbouring assocations that are paid less than we are. And, we're paying all of our people the top rate. If we grant any more money at all to wages, we will have to cut services and lay people off and we can't do that," he says. A press release from CUPE says chronic provincial underfunding, including a .5 per cent funding increase to developmental services last year, has led to long waiting lists, understaffing, heavy workloads and low wages for counsellors with Community Living. "We believe that if the agency paid higher wages, more staff would stay and the quality of programs and supports for clients would improve," says Dunlop in the press release. The union is planning an information meeting for parents, friends and relatives of clients on May 2 at 7 p.m. at Exeter Public School. --NOTICE HYDRANT FLUSHING WILL TAKE PLACE during the daytime in Vanastra the week of MAY 2N0, 2005 Thank -you AMERICAN WATER SERVICES Phone: (519) 527-1004 Susan Hundertmark photo Corporate Challenge Seaforth Community Hospital team members Dr. Dan Rooyakkers and Debbie Haney take aim at Lisa Vandendool (above) during a squirt gun challenge while at right, Vanastra lifeguard Ingrid Stryker works out a jumble game during the second annual Corporate Challenge at the Vanastra Recreation Centre last Wednesday. The challenge between teams from the Seaforth Community Hospital, the Seaforth Fire Department and the Vanastra Recreation Centre raised $790 in total. The lifeguards came first, winning $395, which will go towards the rec centre's handicapped washrooms, the firefighters came second winning $237 which was donated to the Seaforth hospital and the hospital came third winning $158, which will go towards the hospital. a • g. Dublin Mercantile's ANNIVERSARY EVENT; Everything is on Sale! Full -Size Calendar Holders from $9.99 All Country Affair Candles 30% off Selected Prints up to 50 off Framed Nostalgia Prints $9.99 (Regular '19.i All Clocks 20% off . Antique Tile Mirrors $49.99 ALL REGULARLY PRICED ITEMS G.S.T. & P.S.T. INCLUDED We've renovated and expanded to provide an improved shopping experience. Giftware, Home Decor, Vintage Furniture, Bedding and More! V •a •c Ontario's Furt11ttlre tri Dublin Mercantile (Across from G.G. Goettler Furniture) I1 59 Mill St., Dublin (519) 345-9922 0 SHARE WITH US Women's Shelter, Second Stage Housing and Counselling Services of Huron is celebrating twenty years of service. We are creating a collection of stories, poems and anecdotes to be made into a book. We would like to hear from you 11 ... You are a past or current volunteer or board member? You are a past or current user of services? You are a friend or relating of someone who was helped? You are a regular donator? You are a past or current staff member? COLLECTING YOUR VOICE! Written submissions can be sent to Box 334, Goderich, ON, N7A 4C7 or emailed to michele@womenshelter-huron.ca You can also call one of the editors to tell your story. Please call Gail at 565-2435 or Liz at 527-2483 to share. Get atest std es�_4 Ca Only until Saturday, May 7th! Ali Goff shirts, dress shorts and .. ! Stop in tS see us whenou're shopping for Mom! CORDNO'S MENS WEEiR Kew Op.est Get gum deg tukutg Utes' • beat! heel a wok $ otytixg to jot a gait kist Stytistg 'Dego Guest* Sa&aw cawdolt ctt Opeu Ktac-F ., 8 arc - 5 pm. Ea+Pyti*epeb6& maim; appeigtltteatle auaifnhte Vap I Abed SL, Madam (Hexa le Jere Pkele liw) Cad 482-3817 Fan APpoittlittegt6 When Accldents Happen... Call Mark at �uro�rrN ffiWIRON COLLISION REPAIR • GLASS INSTALLATION INSURANCE CLAIMS WELCOME • RENTAL CARS AVAILABLE We use qualityOU PONT performance coatings 120 Harpurhey Rd., Seaforth 522-2222 ATTENTION HURON EAST BUSINESSES & RESIDENTS You are invited to attend these three public meetings at the Mennonite Community Church 250 Princess St., Brussels Wednesday, April 27 Brussels Business Group 12 noon Brussels First Impressions Exchange with Watford, Ont. 12:30 p.m. Ministry of Municipal Affairs Brussels & Huron East Marketing Study 7 p.m. Sponsored by 1-luron East Economic Development & Huron East Chamber of Commerce