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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1992-07-22, Page 8Page 8 Times -Advocate, July 22, 1992 COMM• kJ .11 Letter to Editor Ambulance operators concerned Dear Editor The Independent Ambulance Operators of Ontario are facing elimination. A new system is being proposed whereby the independent locally - operated ambulance services will be replaced by a provincially -run Commission, similar in nature to Canada Post, and spear -headed by three senior bureaucrats from the Mutistry of Health. This proposal is now being con- sidered by the Minister of Health, the Honourable Frances Lankin. It is based on recommendations made in a report called the "Final Report of the Emergency Medical Services Review', chaired by Dr. Gene Swimmer and referred to as the Swimmer Report. This new system will be com- pletely reliant upon the public sec- tor for the provision of services and will cost the taxpayers mil- lions of dollars. It will not im- prove the quality or quantity of ambulance services presently be- ing provided. Currently, over half of the am- bulance services in the province have binding arbitration in place of the right to strike. The Swim- mer Report sug- gests giving all services the right to strike. Another recom- mendation that is causing grave con - Letter to Editor Food production important Dear Editor. When 1 hear them asking people to supply needed food for London's food bank and at the same time drive past large acreages of wheat staked out for new subdivi- sions, I get rather infuriated. Harry A. Schroeder, RR2, Centralia Letter to Editor Agrees with bylaw Dear Editor, I am writing about the bylaw con- sidering for no smoking in pub - 11) lic places, the article was in 1 the July 8 issue. 1 fully agree with Dr. Maarten Bokhout that public places should be smoke free. I went to bin- go on July 2 in Zurich at the arena, I moved three times and was feeling .,usea, so until it's smoke free, looks like the non-smokers have no choice but stay home, and that shouldn't be. Yours sincerely Mary Moser Stephen Township Ted Johns at Blyth B L YTH - This season at the Blyth Festival marks the opening of The Garage Theatre with a Ted Johns one-man show Back Up and Push, directed by Paul Thompson. The play opened July 11 with per- formances until August 1. Ted Johns takes a cultural tour of the countryside encountering vari- ous personalities and themes in- cluding The Recesso's Blues, The Mason's Apron's, Cement Fence - posts, and The Man Who Wouldn't Bury His Plough. As a playwright Ted's past work at Blyth includes The Death Of the Donnelly's (with Theatre Passe Mu - faille), St. Sam and the Nukes, He Won't Comc in from the Barn, Country Hearts (with John Roby), Garnson's Garage, and Two Broth- ers. Most recently he worked in The Democracy Project with Guy Sprung at the World Theatre Festi- val and How Could You, Mrs. Dick? in Hamilton. Although raised in the protestant faith, Johns assures us that the con- fessions will be confessional, the cynics will be cynical, and the pushers will push. It's a comedy in the tradition of The School Show, He Won't Come in From the Barn, and Naked on the North Shore. cern is the type of Crown agency suggested by the Swimmer Report for the Commission. The Type 3 Crown Agency as recommended is permitted to bill municipalities for services rendered. In the final anal- ysis the already cash-strapped mu- nicipalities may be footing the bill. Under the current system the In- dependent Ambulance Operators bring a uniqueness to this service. It is personable, individual and the Operators take pride in delivering the best possible service. Their live- lihood depends on it. The establishment of a Commis- sion, as identified in the Swimmer Report, would remove the ability of our ambulance services to respond to the particular needs and require- ments of the people in Huron, Lambton and Middlesex. We be- lieve such a move would be disas- trous. During the public consultation process, Dr. Swimmer conceded that he did not have the resources to adequately explore many of the issues on which he has made rec- ommendations. Therefore, it is im- perative that before the Minister of Health proceed with implementa- tion of this report, additional con- sultation and investigation of all is- sues take place. It is important that our Members of the Provincial Parliament know how we feel about the kind of am- bulance service our communities deserve and that they be encour- aged to ask their colleague, the Honourable Frances Lankin, the Minister of Health, to ensure that additional consultation and investi- gation take place. If you care we would ask that you contact your MPP. Sincerely, H. Hoffman, Owner/operator, Hoffman Ambulance Service Ltd., Dashwood. Brad A Lucas, Owner/ Operator, Seaforth and Clinton Ambulance Service. George Elliott, Owner/Operator, North Middlesex Ambulance Service, Parkhill, Mike Wraith, Owner/Operator, Lucan Ambulance Service, Brad A.Lucas, Owner/Operator, Zurich Ambu- lance Service Incorporated. Sumi•er theatre review David Dunbar as Captain Corcoran and Marsha Bagwell as Little Buttercup play an integral part in keeping the audi- ence of the nautical musical H.M.S. Pinafore laughing at the satiric humour of Gilbert and Sullivan. H.M.S. Pinafore still sails high at Stratford By Michelle Ellison T -A Staff STRATFORD - The revival of Gilbert and Sullivan's II.M.S. Pina- fore in the Stratford Festival line up this summer brings with it the fa- miliar tongue and cheek humour the duo is known for, but director and choreographer Brian MacDonald has made a few revisions to keep the vintage, nautical musical as fun as ever. The play mocks the British obsession with rank through the love sailor Ralph Rackstraw has for Josephine, his commanding officer Captain Corcoran's daughter. The predicament is echoed in the rela- tionship between the jovial peddler -woman Mrs. Buttercup and the Captain himself. The introduction of Sir Joseph Porter, First Lord of Admiralty, with whom the Captain is arranging to marry Josephine, provides the jest of Navy protocol. Slight modernizations of the operetta, which was first performed at ' the festival in 1960, were reflected in set, choreography and contem- porary references. The set, modelled after Nelson's flagship, H.M.S. Victory was less restrictive than the usual one -set format. MacDonald and designer Su- san Benson created a simple, seafaring backdrop in the intimate Avon Theatre in which portable set pieces were used to move the audience from the main deck where sailors climb cargo netting and fight a storm to the hold where sailors wake up in hammocks. From the first note struck by the orchestra in Pinaforethe audience feels like dancing but the the chorus would certainly have outper- formed them with their physical stamina. Energy and enthusiasm ema- nated- from every chorus number as the talented cast sang and danced through the jigs and reels. In particular, a dance number added by MacDonald includes a huge British flag which is cascaded around the stage by two sailors who re- veal at intervals the rest of the male chorus as they dance and tumble to the spirited, hornpipe music until finally they land in a tightly maneu- vered pyramid with the flag billowing overhead. MacDonald skillfully included recent Canadian political references which gave the show a refreshing feel as well. 1 don't think anyone could have left the theatre without feeling a spring in their foot or a tune in their head. H.M.S. Pinafore plays at the Avon until November 1. Cherries • Pick -your -own or ready picked. Good pitting machine available. Rock Glen Orchards Inc. Arkona, on Rock Glen Road Peter and Willie VantBree 828-3074, 828-3888 Exeter's B.I.A. Invites you to be a part of Your Exeter B.I.A. members want you to enjoy this affordable family night $2 00 TICKETS ONLY each Reg. $4.95 value Available at Wuerth Shoes or at the T -A Tickets are limited and must be purchased by July 28 • Sep Exeter's White Squirrel throw the first pitch • Game televised on CFPL TV Channel 10 at 7 p.m. This fun night is presented by Exeter's B.I.A. We invite you to.... Enjoy Yourself at Usborne Township's Sesquicentennial USBORNE HOMECOMING EVENTS F,•iday.July24, 1992 Itirtno a hllm�ORlrt�umty Centre 1:00 a.m. Registration Kirkton Woodham Community Centre beginning at 7 p.m h:0t1 p.m. Program - Local Talent 13:3f1 p n, r Official Opening Ceremonies Early 11,rd Ticket Draw Button Draws Dancing to music f Local Talent 11:0Qn.m. Pot Luck bunch (Please bury ,andw,ches & cookies) 12:00 DRi ni ht Evening to Close Saturday, .July 2G, 1992 South 11 u'0P Hr'Sefttrr Parade assembly At Usborne Shed & School (Walkers at Bethel Reformed Church) Sesquicentennial•Parade Huron St. to Mam St Exeter to South Huron Rec Centre (All antique, classic cars & equipment are asked to remain on the `rounds for duplay. J,Dan. to6n.m. Ball Games Former Usborne School sections competing Outside Displays and Activities • Antique cars, equipment, etc., • Threshing Wheat, Tug of War, • Nail Driving Contest Displays in Arena • Tweedsmuir History of institute • Church Displays • Usborne Churches • School Displays - Usborne Schools • Family Displays, Pictures, Heirlooms Dishes, Clothes, etc. Children's Activities • Tractor Pull • Clown Face Painting • House Decorating ,Painting large boxes • Wagon Rides 13 n.m. to 7:30 u.m. Beef Barbecue AdIance tickets • Adults 59.00 Children $4.00 • Preschool Free 7100 h iii Beard Growing Contest Judging $n.m.to1any Dance to "Beechwood" 5Uperson or $8/couple (includes family Ticket Lottery Draw Button Draws `untla, July 26, 1992 Lkt42h:tw91balaLcssi 1!t'Ltr_CC41r& 11Stib.su. Ecumenical Church Service Kirkton Woodham Community Centro Conducted by Bruce Delbrtdge, • Walter Creery and Robert Heywood Community Choir kd by Marjorie Johns, Agnes Bray and Margaret Her, 120 n.m. Luncheon Donation Box at the table Variety Program Former and present Usborne Talent Public Swimming at the Pool Button Draws Closing Ceremonv