Times Advocate, 1996-12-23, Page 5Your
1
Letters to thy'
Pastors comment
"We are all too familiar with cut-
,; ? backs in Huron County.
Dear Editor:
Attention: Bev Skinner, et.al., Members of the
4;4 District Health Council
Dear Sir: Re: Cutbacks to Health Care Centres -
e.g. Exeter Hospital
Reference: 1. Special Meetings, Exeter Recreation
Centre, November 27, 1996 and December 11, 1996
2. My letter dated November 28, 1996.
At our recent meeting of the South Huron Mini-
sterial Association, the pastors again expressed a de-
sire to write to you concerning proposed cutbacks in
hospital services especially the South Huron Hospi-
tal, Exeter, Ontario. While we have attended only
two of your meetings held in Exeter, we came away
wondering if anyone was listening. While it is nice
to give to us the evaluation of your decisions which
we believe are far too narrow in scope, we wonder
if anyone has truly counted the cost of proposed cut-
backs.
We are all too familiar with cutbacks in Huron
County. The wartime airbases at Goderich, Grand
Bend, and Port Albert. The post-war closure of both
RCAF Clinton and RCAF Centralia airbases. Subse-
quently, the Centralia College, moving to Ridge -
town where they had to spend over $5,000,000.00
just to be able to accommodate the students and
equipment, and it is now being cut back in favour of
Guelph University. And now it is the political deci-
sion of the government to close area hospitals.
What we foresee is the arbitrary closure of hospi-
tal services that are needed, in favour of expanding
facilities 20 miles down the road. It just doesn't
make any sense. Were you mesmerized by the fact
that the Seaforth Hospital is situated on a hillside
overlooking a park and a river, or the Goderich Hos-
pital is the seat of the local government and it
wouldn't look good to close it, as it also looks over
a park and the lake, or the Stratford Hospital be-
cause it is Stratford on the Avon River? Give us a
break.
I hope you take the time to evaluate your actions
and that you start by listening in a democratic way
to the will of the people, rather than come to us with
the militaristic attitude of "don't confuse me with
"
the facts, my mind's made up."
We appreciate that much of the problem is the re-
duction of transfer payments from Ottawa, but one
should also remember that Huron County is a part of
Ontario, and does not Ontario pay for 75 per cent of
the entire country's government? By constantly tak-
ing from the prudent farmers and workers of Huron
County and giving them no place to turn when ad-
versity comes, you are lite -ally killing the goose that
lays the golden egg for you.
We are reminded of the Scripture which says in
Mark 8:17-18,33,38.
Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? Per-
ceive ye not yet, neither understand? Have ye your
heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? And
having ears, hear ye not? And do ye not remem-
ber?...Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest
not the things that be of God, but the things that be
of men...Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of
me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful
generation; of him also shall the Son of man be
ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father
with the holy angels.
To us the answer seems clear. We need to contin-
ue to serve these communities, albeit in a somewhat
reduced manner, and thus achieve reduced spend-
ing. By having the government acting in a prudent
manner it could be done without the disruption you
are now causing, because of the almighty dollar or
lack of it. And heaven forbid, do we need to have a
total collapse like 1929 to have the churches full
again on Sundays? II Chronicles 7:14 says it best,
If my people, which are called by my name, shall
humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and
turn from their wicked ways; then will 1 hear from
heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their
land.
We trust that you will take back to Queen's Park,
Toronto; and Parliament Hill, Ottawa that we, as av-
erage middle class hardworking people, have al-
ready taken enough guff from political decisions
and that it is past time someone woke up and took a
realistic look at the problems and stop the arbitrary
decisions which only lead to further chaos.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Robert J. Graham,
Secretary, South Huron Ministerial Association
Salaries justified
"If the Administrator is indeed
earning $100, 000 per year, this
information would have to be
public knowledge...
Dear Editor:
This is in reply to the letter from Eric Kints in to-
day's paper (December 11, 1996).
Mr. Kints states that he spoke to approximately 35
individuals before writing with his suggestions. The
information upon which the suggestions are based is
pure rumor and from what can be determined, the
only fact contained in his letter is, perhaps, his
name. While we cannot comment on the termination
package between the Hospital Board and the Ad-
ministrator since this is strictly between the two par-
ties, it is known to be well below the acceptable
norm.
If the Administrator is indeed earning $100,000
per year this information would have to be public
knowledge under an Act passed this year by the
Province of Ontario. While the salary of the "Ad-
ministrator's private secretary" is not for public
consumption, it can be stated that it is definitely
well below $40,000. As the one secretary in the hos-
pital she works for 13 departments and anyone else
requiring typing or secretarial services.
The hospital's Maintenance department consists
of one working Department Head, one full time em-
ployee and one part time employee. They perform
all inside and outside work including snow removal,
grass cutting, tree pruning, maintenance repairs, car-
pentry, painting, fire safety - the list goes on. It is
doubted that a private contractor could be more cost
efficient.
Mr. Kints suggested in his letter that a budget
should be submitted to the MOH and the DHC.
Each year the hospital is required to submit a bud-
get to the Ministry of Health for approval. Since the
hospital's inception the board has always insisted on
submitting a balanced budget. New programmes,
such as Physiotherapy, have been added for 'which
the hospital did hot receive funding at its itfcepti60
Unlike other hospitals, South Huron has never had
to be "bailed out" by the Government as a result of
over -spending. However, because of funding cuts,
etc. last year the hospital did submit a deficit bud-
get. Meetings were held with the Ministry of Health
and the District Health Council. During these meet-
ings the Ministry stated that South Huron Hospital
is underfunded by $1M. The DHC has also stated
that the hospital is underfunded by $700,000. If Mr.
Kints feels that the budget could be reduced by
$250,000-$350,000 perhaps he is aware of things
that are unknown to the staff of the hospital, the
Ministry of Health and the District Health Council.
If he were to read the hospital's audited financial
statement he would have abetter knowledge base
from which to comment.
The Hospital Board consists of 13 individuals
who represent the catchment area of the hospital.
Mr. Kints' comments insult these people who volun-
teer their time to sit on the Board and make some
major decisions regarding the running of the hospi-
tal. They are business people and demonstrate good
business techniques and practices. They make sure
things are researched, they have their facts, that their
figures are correct and only then do they make their
decision. Incidentally, this past summer the hospital
advertised for individuals who were interested in sit-
ting on the Hospital Board - Mr. Kints' name was
not among those that replied.
Yours very truly,
Margaret Honan, Executive Secretary
South Huron Hospital;
Alex Meikle, Director of Maintenance,
South Huron Hospital.
Exeter's generosity
...many people who don't even
know you, will be touched by your
spirit of giving."
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the Aux District Guides and Exeter
Scout Movement I would like to extend heartfelt
thanks to the residents of Exeter and Area for their
overwhelming support of our Carol Sing and Food
Drive. In particular thanks should go to. Huron Trac-
tor, Exeter and Area Fire Department and Exeter
Toyota for their help during the food drive, Stephen
Printing for the wonderful flyers, Exeter Business
Association for advertising in the T.A. and White
ti
Wonder and Santa Claus for adding to the excite-
ment! Very special thanks to Pizza Delight for our
Pizza Party, Donut Delite, Donuts Now, Tim Hor-
tons and Tasty Nu, Becker Milk and Stedmans for
their donations of goodies. (The kids really enjoyed
it!)
What a wonderful job all the businesses did of ad-
vertising for us, it was great!
Most of all thank you to all who gave so generous-
ly to the Food Bank, so many people who don't
even know you, will be touched by your spirit of
giving.
Merry Christmas and thank you.
Kim Bilcke, Aux Sauble Dist. Commissioner
Kim Dawe, Exeter Scout Movement
s
Times -Advocate, December 23, 1996
Cigarette taxes
"...one more example of the
Chretien Liberals' blind -folded
vision for Canada..."
Dear Editor:
Re: New tax on cigarettes
If it now makes sense to increase the tax on cigar-
ettes...what was the sense of previously cutting the
tax? Those who find this flip-flop confusing, will
recognize it as simply one more example of the
Page 5
Chretien Liberal's blind -folded vision for Cana-
da...government by stumbling around!
On the other hand maybe it is just part of their
Red Book of failed promises to create jobs, jobs,
jobs. Unfortunately the only job boost this will pro-
vide is to the smugglers, who will be laughing all
the way to the bank.
W.H. Metcalfe,
RR 2, Grand Bend
Seaforth loses too
"...Seaforth Community Hospital
will probably lose a significant
portion of its general surgical and
obstetrical programs."
Dear Editor:
I am writing to you with respect to the opinion ex-
pressed by Mr..Jim Beckett in the December 4 edi-
tion of your paper.
It simply is not true to say that Seaforth is left
"unscathed in the latest wave of hospital reduc-
tions". If Mr. Beckett and other members of the
press would read the options carefully, they would
see that Seaforth Community Hospital will probably
lose a significant portion of its general surgical and
obstetrical programs. I would hardly call this result
"unscathed". Unlike Exeter, Seaforth has main-
tained these programs because of a determined med-
ical staff and a community who expressed their de-
sire to keep these services at our hospital.
Exeter and surrounding communities have long
since done without these services in their local hos-
pital. Patients usually travel to London for surgical
problems. With respect to surgery and obstetrics,
the people of Exeter are not really losing anything
at all.
You further remark about "the flawed reasoning"
for transferring much of the health care services
"away from Exeter to Seaforth". I do not think that
it was ever the intent of the District Health Council
or its steering committee to expect people to go
away from larger population centres to smaller ones
for the majority of their care. Exeter's, referral pat-
tern goes south to London for the majority of its
problems (except for some obstetrics which goes to
Clinton), and I doubt this would change very much
regardless of what option is chosen by the DHC.
Furthermore, we would not expect the majority of
our business to come from Exeter, but as it always
has from Brussels, Blyth, Clinton, and the Mitchell
area. These are neighbouring communities and for
the most part, the patients have no problem coming
to Seaforth for the ongoing medical care.
I would say though, that with four female physi-
cians now located in Seaforth, we are seeing an ever
increasing number of people from the Hensall and
Exeter area in our clinic. Perhaps your hospital and
medical staff should take this into consideration
when they recruit new physicians for the Exeter -
Grand Bend area.
Your comment regarding the closing of this Cana-
dian Tire in Seaforth is like many I have heard
about Seaforth and its lack of "growth potential".
What we "lack" in growth potential economically,
we more than make up for in leadership potential
and willingness to work in a system that is rapidly
changing. Witness the growth of our active medical
staff from three in 1989, to 10 (including one mid-
wife) in 1996.
It was no surprise to us in Seaforth that we were
considered in all three original options by the DHC
Steering Committee. Perhaps the Exeter Administra-
tion, Board and Medical Staff could learn from our
example and become leaders and develop services
in your own community.
Maybe your newspaper could help educate its
population and be a positive instrument for change,
rather than one which pits community against com-
munity.
My advice is simply this: get organized, work
hard and if it's not broke, break it!
As for Helen Johns, I was at the meeting in the
District Health Council building in Mitchell when
she stated she would not interfere with_t#C.Proces,s
of the DHC Steering Committee. In my opinion, she
has not interfered and nor should she. For this she is
to be commended. After all, Exeter didn't elect her,
Huron County did!
Sincerely,
Mark Woldnik, M.D.
Chief of Staff
Seaforth Community Hospital
Generous support from Huron -Perth
As usual, hundreds of volunteer$
had given a lot of time, talent and
effort to make the past year a re-
sounding success.
Dear Editor:
Despite the economic and social uncertainties
caused by our rapidly -changing world, the citizens
of Huron and Perth counties have continued their
very generous support of the Huron -Perth unit of
the Canadian Cancer Society.
Through a variety of fund-raising activities the lo-
cal Unit has surpassed its financial objective of
$400,000, raising $455,648, for the fiscal year end-
ing September 30. All of this money was raised in
Huron and Perth counties; we receive no govern-
ment financial assistance.
The funds raised are used to further research, pro-
vide patient services, and support health education
programs. A very small percentage of money raised
is used for administration expenses.
As usual, hundreds of volunteers have given a lot
of time, talent and effort to make the past year a re-
sounding success. Their work as drivers, canvassers,
care -givers, and clerical staff means a great deal to
those many families who have to deal with cancer.
In the midst of the festive season I would like to
sincerely thank all of the volunteers who have sup-
ported the Huron -Perth Unit of the Canadian Cancer
Society. I urge them to continue and invite others to
join us and help in any way you can.
I look forward to continued support from the resi-
dents of Huron and Perth counties in our financial
campaigns and service to the community. If you
wish to assist in any way, please call the Unit office
at 271-4270 or 1-800-294-0086. We really need
you!
Ken Varley
Communications and Fund Raising Chairman
Huron -Perth Unit
Canadian Cancer Society
342 Erie Street, Suite 112
Stratford ON N5A 2N4
Support the Christmas Seal Campaign
Please continue the traditionof
caring....
Dear Editor:
One in five Canadians suffers from some sort of
breathing problem. Every 20 minutes, each day, an-
other Canadian dies from some form of respiratory
disease, the third leading cause of death in this
country.
During this season of good will, Canadians have
traditionally given of themselves with donations to
the Christmas Seal Campaign to support the work of
The Lung Association. Together we found a cure
for tuberculosis, once the number one killer of Ca-
nadians. Today we must work together to fight all
lung disease. Donations to the Christmas Seal Cam-
paign are used to support educational programs,
such as the Air Force Asthma Program and the
Lungs Are for Life School Program, right here in
Huron and Perth counties. The proceeds are also
used to fund vital medical research.
This year, we are struggling to meet our financial
goal but are optimistic that we will reach our target
because the people of Huron and Perth Counties
have generously supported this campaign for many
years. Please continue the tradition of caring by sup-
porting the Christmas Seal Campaign. Remember,
Christmas Seals work year round to give life and
breath to millions of Canadians, and that's the most
precious Christmas gift of all.
Thank you for your support, and all the best in
this holiday season.
Yours sincerely,
Clayton Hefley, Volunteer Chairperson
The Lung Association, Huron -Perth Counties