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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1978-05-25, Page 11• • CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1978—PAGE 11 Jotnngs from Park by lack Riddell, MPP For the past two weeks, Liberal Leader Stuart Smith has taken the lead in questioning the government about the practice of some food store chains of deducting money from payments to suppliers for produce, as part of the chains' advertising costs. Now, using a procedural device, the Liberal Caucus have petitioned the Legislature to have the 1977 Annual Report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food sent to committee, so that food store buying practices can be reviewed. Dr. Smith said he thought such a review would take only four or five days and then it will be'possible to "determine whether a much broader, more intensive public inquiry is needed" ... "It has become obvious that some kind of review is necessary to ensure the in- terests of consumers and producers are not threatened.... We want a committee that will be able to question witnesses under oath." In a document, prepared in January, the Ontario Hospital Association states: "If the government doesn't provide the money needed (by hospitals), then it's not the hospital's fault when services have to be cut." Also in the document are a number of criticisms of the government, particularly the Health Ministry, by individual hospital administrators. The Minister of Health, Dennis Timbrell, told the Association that the health care system is being reviewed, in a move partly prompted by rising costs. Future ministry policies aimed at reducing costs will, it seems, include less em- phasis on active treatment hospitals, decentralization of the health-care system with more control given district health councils and increased stress on preventive medicine. Questioned in the House, he said comments expressed by Association Spokesmen "should be taken rather lightly", because they represent only 10 percent of,. Ontario's hospital ad- ministrators.. The document reflects, he said,' "the recognition on both parts the Ministry and the OHA, that the health care system is in transition." The Honourable William Newman, Minister of Agriculture and Food, an- nounced in the Legislature this week that Agriculture Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, have agreed on a joint program to assist greenhouse growers in Ontario who have suffered crop damage in December and January storms. About 400 greenhouse vegetable and flower growers were affected by storms, particularly a severe storm on January 26. This storm resulted in broken glass and torn plastic on the greenhouses and frost damage to much of the produce. The total damage to greenhouses and crops has been estimated at $5 million. Since many growers have had to borrow money to cover these losses, the Federal and Provincial Governments have worked out a program to help cover the interest costs on such loans over a t,wo-year period. The Program will be administered by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the financial assistance to producers will be shared equally between the federal and provincial treasuries. Ontario growers who borrow $1,000 or more in 1978 to cover uninsurable losses resulting from storm damage during the winter of 1977-78 before January 28 will be eligible for a rebate of part of the interest paid on the loans. Basically growers with glass or fiberglas structures will be eligible for assistance on loans for 25 percent of the value of the crop losses. Assistance will be available on loans of up to 75 percent of the crop losses under plastic structures. This represents the unin- surable portion of greenhouse grower losses. About 25 percent of the cropralue in greenhouses is related to harvesting and marketing costs and these costs «ere not incurred on the damaged crops. Crops grown under glass or fiberglas may be insured for up to 50 percent of their value, so only 25 percent of the losses will be con- sidered uninsurable. Crops grown under plastic are not insurable, therefore, assistance will be available on loans up to 75 percent of the losses for these crops. During the first 12 -month period, the joint program will reimburse farmers for the full interest payments they make on the eligible borrowings, up to a maximum of the chartered bank prime rate plus two percent. In the second year of the loan, the maximum in- terest that can be rebated to growers will be six percent less than the chartered bank prime rate plus two percent. For further information about this program, farmers should contact the rural development branch of the ministry here in Ontario or the local agricultural offices. The Minister of Industry and Tourism, John Rhodes, has announced a $250,000 campaign - "We treat you royally", - to turn around the image Ontarians have gained as boorish and unfriendly hosts to foreign visitors. This program aims to make Ontarians more aware of the value of tourism and hospitality traits, and en- courage them to welcome visitors frem other areas. The Minister is concerned about inconsistency in standards of food and accommodation, non-competitive prices and the reluctance, by some, to honour exchange rates. (Incidentally, it was only after Remo Mancini (L. Essex -South) informed the House that the U.S. dollar wasn't being honored there, that orders were issued to give a premium on U.S. money in the Legislature's dining lounge.) Excerpts from the Liberal Party's task force report on tourism were also released, and John Eakins (L. Victoria- Haliburton) complained that the Province's tourist in- dustry is over -regulated, over -taxed and suffers from negative attitudes. He also suggested a tax credit for all Ontarians vacationing in the Province, "It might even convince • some Cabinet Ministers to spend their holidays here." Liberal Albert Roy (Ottawa East) has tabled a Private Member's Bill, the Ontario French Language Services Act, which would guarantee francophone rights without declaring French an official language of the Province. Seconding the Bill, Stuart Smith stressed that it does not propose an Ottawa -style bilingualism program, but attempts to deal, in a prac- tical and common sense manner, with the provision of French -language services only where there are suf- ficient numbers of French- speaking citizens and where demand exists. The Bill would establish a Co -Ordinator of French - language services, and set up a board (to be phased out after one year) to plan more services, and their location, etc. It would also have the The Bayfield Lions and Lioness Pancake Breakfast last Sunday was a big success, as nearly 400 persons were fed. Plans are being made to hold another early in the summer, possibly July 2. Here Lions Mac McFadden, left, Harold Erb, Bill Dowson, and Harry Talbot cook sausages to go with the pancakes. (photo by Milvena Erickson) Hospital trustees still important With the annual meeting of sibilities of which the com- the Hospital Corporation munity may be only dimly coming up in the very near aware, but which are real and future, June 19, 1978, it is demanding. appropriate at this time to Hospital trustees in Ontario make the public of Clinton number just more than 4,000 and the neighbouring com- individuals who have munities aware of the role of voluntarily chosen this way to the hospital trustee and in- serve their community, and form the community how upon their shoulders rests the these trustees are elected. legal and moral respon- Any person over the age of sibility for the proper 21 years who pays to the management of the hospital, Corporation, 15 or more days and the quality of care before the annual meeting, in provided to the patients it any year, a membership fee • serves. Other groups and of $5 shall be a member of the organizations also play a part corporation for the following in the day to day function of 12 months, and would the hospital these include the therefore, be entitled to vote hospital's medical staff, the at the annual meeting and Ontario Ministry of Health would be eligible for election and other ministries, and to the board. professional, municipal and A position on the board of a voluntary groups and hospital may be attained agencies including the through election, delegation, Ontario Hospital Association. appointment or personal Within the hospital itself, invitation. Once an individual however, it is the trustees has reached the board room, who are ,the governors. 'he or she is there to represent Although the government the collective interests of the provides what it considers to whole community respon- be the necessary operational Asparagusfunds, it is the task of the season coming board and the administrator to provide the services or- dered by the doctors. Trying to keep within a controlled budget can be a headache for trustees and administrators, alike. In addition, other matters now demand the trustee's attention These Fresh Ontario asparagus - a tasty vegetable that's hard to resist! Since it is available only from mid-May to mid- June, the food specialists at the On(j:ario Food Council, ministry of agriculture and Food, suggest taking full advantage of its availability by serving it often. Choose asparagus, carefully. Look for straight, bright green stalks, about six to eight inches long. Be sure the stalks are firm with tightly -closed tips. To ensure the fresh and delicate flavor of asparagus, plan to eat it the same day you buy it. It may be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of two days. Wrap a damp paper towel around the bottom of the stalks, put in a plastic bag and refrigerate. To prepare asparagus for cooking, break off the woody base where it snaps easily. Wash stalks thoroughly in cold water to remove any sand. To maintain the superb, fresh flavor, cook asparagus just until crisp -tender by boiling or pan frying. Serve immediately after cooking. The flavor of asparagus is GOOD NEWS! SHIRAL'S BOOK EXCHANGE We Buy -Sell - or Exchange your *PAPERBACK NOVELS *HARDCOVER BOOKS *COMIC BOOKS AND SOME MAGAZINES #1-4-Lla-_,JJZ1LL,LA DEPARTMENT STORES 4 ALERT STREET, CLINTON delicious on its own. But for serving variety you might like to try a topping of grated or melted cheese, lemon juice, or melted butter seasoned with basil, nutmeg or slivered almonds. Ken Doig Windows Invites You to see the latest in all styles of LA S� SIS CLAD -CLAD 'WINDOWS SUNDAY, MAY 28 at the Seaforth Golf Club P/. miles south, 1/2 mile east of Seaforth Demonstrations continuous from 1 to 5 pm - COFFEE & DONUTS - f'\ Cross view of a Solaris VII ( SOLARIS Products • eliminates frost • are strong and durable • Advantages KEN DOIG WINDOWS Seaforth, Ont. 527-1113 A. primarily include, the quality of patient care, and the ef- ficiency with which the hospital resources are being used. The hospital trustee must ;concern himself with seeing that the overall health needs of the community are being dealt with effectively and economically. The health care field is undergoing a period of rapid change and development. As well as reviewing the total health needs and demands of the community, to -day's r trustees will find themselves having to rationalize those pressures within the limitations imposed by the government. The citizens who use your hospital will expect and demand a high quality of care. It will be up to the board of trustees to assure them that, notwithstanding government financial con- straints and rising costs, every effort is being made to provide the best' care possible. power to recommend a schedule for implementing its recommendations which would go to the Legislature for debate. The current lack of satisfactory French -language services was underlined by the fact that, the Bill could not be made available in French, because, as Mr. Roy pointed out, "Despite our best efforts and the best efforts of the translation services here at Queen's Park, it became obvious that the translation provided was literal only, and didn't convey the Bill's meaning clearly and con- cisely, Robert Jackson, head of the one-man Commission on Declining Enrolment, has been in considerable trouble about his recently released interim report. In an attempt to impress upon Canadians the fact that our birth rate is steadily dropping and if the trend continues, we will have to rely heavily on im- migration to boost the population and the character of the country will therefore change, he made some bizarre remarks about test tube babies, paying women to have babies, and racial suicide. Chastised by a Committee of MPPs for gratuitous, in- sulting, thoughtless and racist statements, he gave a solemn promise not to offend again, stating, "They were half -joking remarks that never should have been made". The Minister of Education said he did not agree with Mr. Jackson's comments, but will keep him on as commissioner. LIFT WITH YOUR LEGS, NOT WITH YOUR BACK farm safety association Al THE SEPARATE SHOPPE MAIN CORNER, CLINTON PHONE 482-7778 (NEXT TO CAMPBELL'S MEN'S WEAR) DRESSES! OPEN 1-6 OPEN 1-6 WELCOME The Employees of F.M. Custodial Services Ltd. (Sarnia) To Extended Health Care and Dental Plan ? These employees now have the added bene- fits of extra health protection for themselves and their families: the Blue Cross Extended Health Care Plan plus Dental Plan 7. EHC provides protection against health ser- vices not covered by the basic governm6nt health plan, coverage for such items as pre- scription drugs, private nursing and private room accommodation in hospital. Dental Plan 7 provides. basic preventive dental treatment to group subscribers including such services as examinations, fillings and x-rays. "As your Ontario Blue Cross representative. I am pleased to add my personal welcome, and look forward to serving you along with the many others in this region already enjoying the protection of a variety of Blue Cross Plans" Phil deBarros 227 Queens Avenue London Ontario N6A 1,18 (5191439-4431 • ONTARIO BLUE CRDBB A DIVISION OF THE ONTARIO HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION .