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Clinton News-Record, 1985-5-1, Page 1Fllll' LI) Hi�6LE !!ViG()RPi[pRATIry(�-THF I3Q.'�`i'H `�TAIoIDAF(�➢-TiHE ii�A`�. ., 120TH YEAR WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1985 IN() 18 - 50 (,{':ITS Liberal leader David Peterson made a quick tour of Clinton Public Hospital on April 23 and stopped to visit with some of the patients, including Mary Riehl. The Liberal leader was in Clinton last week to remind people of hospital's closure threats nine years ago, "a move proposed by then minister of health Frank Miller. The half-hour visit included some rnainstreeting downtown and a visit to.Bartllff's Bakery. (James Friel photo) ( Shelley McPhee photo ) Liberals, PCs promise Goodfutiire for CP By Shelley McPhee CLINTON - Premier Frank Miller's term as health minister was dredged up last week in Clinton when the Tory and the Liberal heavyweights visited Clinton Public' Hospital ( CPH). A decade ago, Miller put CPH on a hit list for closure, along with seven other hospitals in the province. Strong public pressure in Clinton ended the threat of closure of CPH and defeated Miller's proposed cost cutting scheme. Liberal leader David Peterson breezed in- toX1'inton on April 25 for a quick tour of the hospital. He commented that the Clinton Hospital today "shows .how wrong Mr. Miller was." Mr. Peterson said that Miller was "proud of what he tried to do." Peterson, the Liberal leader stressed that community hospitals are fundamental and he noted that his government would "never sacrifice these services.1' "Nothing is more fundamental than fun- ding for hospitals," he said, noting that CPH was a perfect example of this. In a brief press conference held on the front lawns of CPH, Mr. Peterson said that the 2,8 per cent increase in hospital funding in 1985-'86 would put further .pressures on hospitals. He said that the Conservative government 'can't continue to squeeze it down." "Ontario hospitals complain about tight 'Conservative budgets," he said. The Ontario Hospital Association has stated that the lack of funding may mean that programs would be cut, hospital staff- ing would be reduced, capital.' funds would be depleted and beds closed. Mr. Peterson says that a full review of hospital financing is needed and that a Ijberal government would allocate funds that at least equalled inflation rates. "Miller doesn't understand rural On- tario," the Liberal leader commented. He suggested that the "across the board approach to funding is not necessarily the best" and said his government would be prepared to be flexible to meet individual needs. "Different communities have different demands and needs," he noted. Mr. Peterson said that in trying to close the hospitals, Mr. Miller "revealed his real insensitivity to small communities." "Ask the people of Clinton if Mr. Miller is popular in small town Ontario?" he said to a crowd of more than •250 at a breakfast in Kincardine earlier that same day. Mr. Peterson's scheduled 15 •minute stop in Clinton turned into a visit of more than half an hour. He took time for a quick tour of the hospital and stopped and visited with out-patients. .The Liberal entourage then headed downtown. mere press reporters filed their stories and Mr. Peterson took some time out for mainstreeting and a stop at Bartliff's Bakery. Health minister visits A smaller, but equally promising visit to CPH was made the day earlier by Con- servativeMinister of Health Alan Pope. Mr. Pope was also in Clinton to cover the tracks made by the former health minister and to ensure that the days of threatened closure are behind the Clinton hospital. Mr. Pope joined CPH administrator Dan Steyn and hospital board chairman Leen Rehorst for a brief tour of the hospital. The walk-through focussed on the outdated obstetrics -chronic care wing on•second floor and the contrasting new emergency -out - 'patient addition. CPH has applied to the provincial govern- ment for $200,000 in funds to build a new obstetrics wing. There were rumors, and hopes, that Mr. Pope would bring funding approval with him to Clinton. Mr. Pope indicated that the Ministry of Health iS studying the CPH submission. He stressed that the Conservative government is committed to improvements to the small hospital. "The priority for our next term is to im- prove the small hospitals," he said. When questioned about concerns of insuf- ficient funding for hospitals Mr. Pope noted, "In spite of the myths, we have no intention of closing hospitals or decreasing funding." Mr. Pope said that 20 small Ontario hospitals are now receiving funding for 'pro-: jects, and that a $73' million lottery fund will provide funds for construction in small community hospitals. The minister of health criticized Mr. Peterson's health care proposals, saying that the Liberal leader has indicated that he would restructure health care arid put more money in other areas. Mr. Pope indicated that he best understood the needs of small community hospitals, because he comes from the small city of Timmins. He said it was time to redirect funding away from teaching hospitals and to "give smaller hospitals support and financing." I asked to be health minister," he noted. "I understand the pressures of conurrunity hospitals and the need for modernization." ('PH administrator Dan Steyn said he was pleased with the respfii, iliat both politi- cians gave. He said he didn't expect to receive funding approval and noted, "If he (Mr. Pope) had promised the money he wouldn't have been responsible," . Mr. Steyn said that the hospital can wait until 1987 to receive actual funding, but the board of directors is anxious to- receive grant approval so fund-raising and building plans for the new obstetrics wing can get underway, 'Expected• costs for the new wing are $600,000. One-third of the costs a're being re- quested from the muis`ry o: health. Hospital Board Chairman Leen Rehorst noted that the request is small in com- parison to many other hospital applications that the ministry receives. He is confident that CPH will get funding approval. 'As for the years gone by and the threaten- ed closure of the Clinton Hospital, Mr. Steyn stressed that Mr. Miller's health costing cut- ting scheme was well behind CPH. He said that incident should no longer con- cern CPH and should b forgotten. "In retrospect," be hospital ad- ministrator added, "it ( the threatened closure) was the best thing that coup have happened." He explained that the threats made the hospital stronger, brought the people together and provided a re-inforced founda- tion for a better medical facility. Nine years after Mr. Miller's unwelcome plans for CPH, the small community hospital• still remains in the forefront of political parley, but this time around, both the Conservative/and the Liberals are pro- mising a good future. Ontario Minister of Health Alan Pope, accompanied by Huron -Middlesex PC candidate Bryan Smith, toured Clinton Public Hospital (CPH) on April 24. The minister of health promised that his government would provide more funding to smaller hospitals. CPH has applied to the health ministry for a $200,000 grant to help construct a new obstetrics wing. (Shelley McPhee photo) bDeeent" budget up 4.1% Separate board okays 9.4 million budget ,a i 11► By Stephanie Levesque The Huron -Perth Roman Catholic separate school board increased its 1985 budget 4.1 per cent over last year's. The school board approved a $9.4 million budget at a special meeting on April 15. Last year the board spent $9.3 million which in- cluded renovations to three schools. Board chairman Ron Marcy of Stratford said the approved budget is "decent". The finance committee chairman, Ron Murray of the Dublin area, said the board has to live with the budget. Catholic ratepayers in Huron and Perth Counties will share in the $1.8 million to be raised by the school board through taxes. This represents 20.5 per cent of the entire ..ie 1985 mill rate for each municipality increased by 6.5 per cent over last year's mill rate. The average mill rate for Huron - Perth is 69.75. One mill raises $26,313. Mr. Murray said the 6.5 per cent mill rate increase,is more than he expected. He said the reason for the mill rate increase is main- ly because of the French Immersion pro- gram starting in Goderich and Stratford this September. The school board's budget includes $143,225 for French immersion from September to December. Of that amount, $27,034 is considered to be a one-time cost, but the rest is for teachers salaries. To off- set those costs, the school board will receive $220 for each student enrolled in French im- mersion from the ministry of education. The province, through the ministry will pick up the rest of the board's costs. The largest cost to the board is for in- struction which includes teachers' salaries. The board has budgeted $6.3 million for this year, $88,000 more than in 1984. The separate school teachers' contract has not yet been settled but negotiations are conti- nuing. Two smaller items in the budget are plant nroratinn anld maintnnan(P And transportation costs. The upkeep and heating of Catholic schools is expected to cost $1.18 million this year. This is up $298,124 from last year's cost. Included in these costs is $279,000 for . roof replacements. The superintendent of business and finance, Jack Lane, said the roof replacements will only be done if the ministry of education provides grant money for this project. He added that word from the ministry indicates there may be money for 1986. Transportation costs are expected to be $1.1 million, up $156,900 from cost last year. This includes $57,500 for replacing two school buses, which is again dependent upon provincial funding. Mr. Lane said there is $95,000 in the transportation budget this year that is ac- tually new money. Besides the new buses, this includes $36,000 for transporting Catholic trainable mentally retarded students. The Catholic board is purchasing services for 12 mentally retarded students now, and the number is expected to increase to 14 in September. The services are being purchas- ed from both the Huron and Perth County Boards of Education. Mr. Marcy also put part of the blame for the increase on the provincial government. He said the provincial government's grant to the Huron -Perth hoard only increased by about 3.5 per cent, while OHIP premiums in- creased 15.8 per cent, workman's compen- sation premiums increased 36.8 per cent, UiC is up 10 per cent and Canada Pension Plan premiums are up 17 per cent. The school board has also included $204,795 in its budget to buy 47 additional Icons )educational computers) and 10 printers. The board already has 35 Icons in its schools. Mr.Lane said the computers will not be purchased unless grant money is available from the province. 110RE PHOTOS ON PA(;N: Fashions from the 1800s to 2010 were modelled at the Tuckersmith Sesquicentennial Fashion Show, held in Clinton on April 24. Vintage bridal fashions, sportswear created by 4-H members, McCall's Dynasty collection and future fashions were highlighted in the show presented by Tuckersmith and Mary's Sewing Centre. Thirty-one models took part. (Shelley McPhee photo ) 1 Vanastra Lions plan Journey for Sight VANASTRA - Sunday, May 5, members of the Vanastra and District Lions Club, their friends, and families, will take a "journey for sight" to aid the blind and sight im- paired. The walk-a-thon will comrnence'at 10 a.rn. from the viewing stand at Hullett Wildlife Conservation Area, continue along the dykes to the finish line at the parking lot on the east side of the dyke area. Total distance covered will be 10 kilometres. It is expected that about 40 people will participate in the journey. During the past several. days participants . have solicited pledges from the community to support the journey, and after they have walked the course, will collect the funds pledged to them. Funds raised will be donated to Canine Vision Canada. This organization is located in Oakville and is the first leader dog school in Canada. There, blind persons are trained with a leader dog allowing them more freedom in this fast moving world. The cost of training a dog and recipient is $5.600.00. When this school opened there were 47 puppies available to be trained, and of these only six passed the strict guidelines set down for leader dogs. The training is car- ried nut with no exper.se to the blind person. There is a waiting list at the school and 46 new puppies ready to he brought into the program with support of the "Lions journey to Sight" more dogs and blind persons can be trained. The first six leader dogs and their owners will be graduating in late April or early May, a great achievement for the Lions clubs of Canada. It is still not too late to make a pledge, said Lions Club President Len Davies. Contact any Vanastra Lion for more information. Pledges can also be made at the viewing stand on the day of the walk-a-thon. The "Lions journey for Sight", is an inter- national activity, which many of the more than 37,000 Lions Clubs worldwide with par- ticipate in to expand their services to the blind, sight impaired, and those threatened with blindness. Il.