Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1975-06-05, Page 17Sicond $:eetion • Thursday, ,June k15475 Carroll By Chris Zdeb 'People come first with the NDP,'-' Paul Carroll of Goderich told an NDP nomination meeting on May 28 after being elected the party's Huron -Middlesex candidate for the next provincial election. The 31 -year-old vice- principal of Seaforth Public School defeated Philip Walker, 40, a former hotel manager in Grand Bend with an' 11-7 vote. Mr. Carroll ran unsuccessfully as the NDP Huron -Middlesex candidate -in the 1971 election and the 1973 by-election. In'his acceptance speech, Mr. Carroll focused on the priority of protecting prime agricultural land, taking of - Mace to an editorial which appeared in the May 15 Goderich Signal -Star entitled, "It's no crime". Referring. --to . the article he said, "The editorial reads that if every existing piece of agricultural land in Ontario was put into full production, 110th Year -.No. 23 picked NDP candidate we'd be faced with over- production. That would hardly be the case when there are so many people starving in the world. "It goes on to say that far- mland can. be easily reclaimed if there is a shift in needs and priorities. How would you like to have to reclaim downtown Toronto?" he asked. "The editorial ends, .,that industry needs land - some of it prime agricultural land - It's the way things are. Well, it may be the way things are, but it doesn't have to be that way." Mr. Carroll said the editorial was "a manifestation of our troubled society," adding, that he hoped it was written primarily to taunt because it was "factually inaccurate". He then turned his attention to the opposition parties. "Politics, is a four-letter word today," he said, "People have reached a point of apathy." "Many people ask me, 'Why are you fighting? You're not going to wl;n'-:" Well, I' m fighting because the Liberals and ithe Conservatives don't have any - policies or philosophies. The Progressive Conservatives can only stop a problem - they practise crisis . politics. The same is true of the Liberals." Mr. Carroll said the main problem facing the Liberals was division in the ..oparty's ranks over various issues. He pointed out,however, that he, himself was not on a power trip. "Paul Taylor (Lib. -Carleton East) is quoted as saying, 'Power is the name of the game'. If that is the name of the game then I want no part of it." Pat Chefurka, Ontario NDP president then took the floor as guest speaker. The NDP candidate for London Centre predicted the upcoming election to be "a dog fight with the parties being pretty evenly balanced. It's going to be a riding by riding fight," she said. ._Mrs. Chefurka also said thee "sins of the Progressive's Conservatives" would be the!, party's downfall. "The Davis government has lost its credibility because of, the scandals and crooked land', deals," she said.. In other business, the NDP,; supporters who met in thea , library of Central Huron High School, returned the present. party executive to office for another term. Returned were:. Shirley Weary, president; Phil Walker, vice-president; Marilyn Penfold, treasurer; Mary Carroll, secretary; and Dave Weary, organizer. Cathy McCormick was elected to fill one of the two vacant vice- presidential offices. Gwen Pemberton and Phil Walker were elected as the riding's delegates to the NDP ' Federal Convention in Win- nipeg from July 4 - 6. Clint Gibson was elected as an alternate delegate. • For the first time in Clinton, 13 girls graduated last week from a babysitting course in town. The course, given to the Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT) by Mrs. L.S. Lewis, was followed by a debate at Ontario Street United Church last Wednesday featured local fire and police officials. The graduates are front Queen of .the Fair contest has five entries Ise -t41. row left to right, Susan Jefferson, Cathy Lewis, Linda Garrow, Jane Christenson, Sylvia Forbes and Elizabeth Reid. Back row are Jeannette Dutot, Julie Taylor, Beverly Walker, Mary -Holmes, Unice Batkin, Lauri Saundercock, and Cathy Deichert. (News -Record photo) FM. Heather Bowie is 16 years old and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Bowie of Londesboro. She is a grade I"0 student at Central Huron Secondary School, and enjoys many hobbies, including crocheting, sewing, horse back riding and is an active member of the 4-H Club. She works in her parent's store neat Londesboro, and she is sponsored by H. Lobb and Sons Farm Equipment dealers. (News -Record photo) Judy Tiesma, who is a grade 11 student at Central Huron Secondary/School, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Tiesma of RR 4, Clinton. She is 16 years old and is an active member of 4-H homemaking clubs. She enjoys biking and works part time 'at The Base Factory Outlet. She is spon- sored by Ball -Macaulay Builder's Supplies of Clinton. (News -Record photo) it - • Stephen Skorcz, Area Planning Co-ordinator for South -Western Ontario and a representative of the Ontario Ministry of Health, was on the hot seat at Huron County Council's May meeting as members of council fired some rather pertinent questions his way regarding the ' proposed formation of a district Health Council between Huron and Perth. At the present time, Huron and Perth are working toward a steering committee which will make the recom- mendations ,of proposed membership on a District Health Council. Mr. Skorcz said there are already three District Health .Councils in Ontario - Ottawa - Carlton, Thunder- Bay, and Niagara District. He said two more are nearing formation being the amalgamation of the City of London and the Counties- -of Middlesex, Oxford and Elgin and the Windsor -Essex District Health Council. District Health Councils, according to Mr. Skorcz, would • fancy Castle is 18 years old and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Castle of Rattenbury Street in Clinton. She has a wide rangeof interests, and works as a nurse's assistant at Huronview, the County Home. The first runner-up in the Centennial Winter Carnival Contest last February, Miss Castle is sponsored by the Canadian Legion of Clinton. (News -Record photo) • _- . be an advisory body to the Ministry of Health on all health care matters related to a region with a minimum population of 100,000 persons. These councils would have 15 -members in- cluding -..six consumers, six providers of medical care and three local government ap- pointees. Bayfield Reeve Ed Oddleifson asked about the "sanctity of numbers", recently the obsession of the provincial government in Ontario. He was referring to the need for a population base of 'at least 100,000 citizens within a district. Reeve Oddleifson said the board of health has been operating well in Huron County and could be expanded to do the work outlined for the District Health Councils. He said Huron representatives had had two meetings with officials from Perth regarding' the Proposed District Health Council and admitted there are "many things yet to be ironed out." "My basic contention here is that population should not be the governing factor," stated Mr. Oddleifson, Chairman of Huron's Board of Health. "Why has it become so damned sacred?" Mr. Skorcz answered that the base of 100,000 persons is needed in order to reflect the broadest -possible perspective as- well as to serve the health care requirements of the greatest number hof people within a district. Reeve Oddleifson retaliated by reminding Mr. Kkorcz of the `valuable volunteer hours which are now spent on behalf of health care in the smaller districts (counties). "Why dip into the public purse when volunteers can do the work at the local level?" asked Reeve Oddleifson. • "But nobody is takingA total look," answered Mr. Skorcz. "B.ut we could do it, insisted Reeve Oddleifson. "Give us the tools in Huron County and we'll show, you a District Health Council that really works. A'nd I'd like you to take that back to the Ministry" Mr. Skorcz promised Mr. Oddleifson his concert -is would Lynne Bowie is `18 years old and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Bowie of Londesboro. She is a grade 12 student at Central Huron Secondary School in Clinton and she.plans to attend Centennial College in September where she hopes to study fashion services. A 4-H member who enjoys sewing, Miss Bowie is sponsored .by the Clinton Kinsmen Club. (News -Record photo) edith authorit • reach the Ministry. "I'm not opposed to the coficepts of District Health Councils," said Mr. Oddleifson. "And I'm not being parochial. But I see no reason for this sanctity in numbers we've been hearing so much about." Goderich Township Reeve Gerry Ginn wanted to know what are the advantages of a District Health Council for Huron. Mr. Skorcz told him It provided the vehicle by which to take a total look at an area, to insure that the health dollar is being spent to 'the best ad- vantage for the greatest number of people;. to bring about co-ordination and evaluation of district . health care services; to look at all health care programs in the district at the same time and in the same manner; and to assess priorities. Reeve Bill Elston, Morris Township, charged that -ac- cording to his information, Oxford County was forced into a District Health Council with London, Middlesex and Elgin. ' Mr. Skorcz said the Ontario Ministry of Health would not force any county into a District Health Council situation. Deputy -reeve `Bill Clifford of the Town of Goderich asked the government representative what counties could expect if they did not become part of a District Health Council. "What are the penalties?" asked Mr. Clifford. "What are the implications here?" "The Ministry can't force - it won't force - counties into District Health Councils," said Mr. Skorcz emphatically. He went on to explain, however, that the citizens within such a county could be losing out since input con- cerning health care, in that part 6f Ontario would b'e missing in 'Toronto. He said the value of such a county to the total health care picture in the province would just "not be there." Reeve Ginn urged Mr. Skorcz and the Ministry of Health. for, Ontario to think about a more gradual conversion to District Health Councils, He argued that if the area is too`large, too mach responsibility is on the 15 member committee which would be just beginning to learn about the wide aitid intricate facets of health care. "We• should 'co-ordinate health services locally first," said Reeve Ginn. "I think they would operate sooner and better at the county level. By the time 15 new members,of a District, Health Council learn. what's going on in Huron and Perth health -wise, it will take too long." Reeve Ginn suggested that representation from the Children's Aid Society, Social Services, Huronview, the six hospitals, the nursing homes. and the Board of Health could take a look at health services in Huron first. "That's job enough at the start," said Reeve Ginn. "Better to start on a small scale and then amalgamate later." "I don't say you're incorrect but I don't think it's Me direction the Ministry is looking at the present time," answered Mr. Skorcz. He said counties must "broaden their scope.."' Karen MVfcGregor is Brueefield'8 contribution to the Clinton- Spring Fair, She is 17 and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred McGregor of lt'ucefield. A grade 12 student at CRSS, she teaches Highland dancing and hopes to become a registered nurse after her graduation from high school. She is spon- sored by F. McG'egor Limited of Brucefield.