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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1983-01-26, Page 1• . • Et , • 135 YEAR -4 " I.:v.:7-- • . 114'4, ;r A.T., if • • GODERICH, ONTARIO, WEDNODAY, JANUARY 23983 so cENTs rot mint : , • 040,AAA,44. 0144.' Save Bluewater Centre Week in Goderich culminated with a torchlight parade around The Square at dusk Saturday evening.,(Photo by Joanne Buchanan) Town fights Bluewater closure MPP Jack Riddell calls for moratorium on decision to close centre The Bluewater Centre for the Developmentally Handicapped will not close without a fight from this community. And Mayor Eileen,Palmer vowed that it would be a united fight. As members of the public, parents of residents The MPP suggested the ministry should start with 'larger institutions and preserve the community type atmosphere that exists atI3luewater. While Drea has promised to pump $33 million into community suppcirt services for the developmentally aadieapped,. Riddell 'had obvious doubts about the ministry's five-year plan. "We are concerned about the group homes, who will run them, the standards, the funding -all of these questiOns are unanswered," he said. "The minister will not come out and assure you and I that we will' have adequate facilities." At the suggestion, that only 30 per cent of Bluewater residents would be able to cope with a group home environment, Riddell asked where the government intended to house the remaining 70 per cent of 'the residents. He' claimed that after contacting 12 of 122 associations for the mentally retarded, he found that 632 people were on waiting lists to get into community homes or regional centres. "Drea has indicated to the parents that the services in the • community. will be equal to the present ser- vices," he said. "We don't have confidence in the closure plan and would like Drea to put a moratorium on the closure and prove that the plan works. We have to be shown that these people are better off in the community than in the centres. These people are entitled to dignified living like you and I." Parent representative Frank Baird said that he was "utterly amazed at the magnitude and scope of ,the program" adding that he couldn't understand it. Baird called upon all parents to work *as a unit claiming that they have not presented a united front to date. "Unless we work together as one unit, he will destroy us," Baird said. "We're not going to turn over and play dead." That sentiment was echoed by Dorothy Potter of the Local 122 and Ontario Public Service Employees Union president Sean O'Flynn, who told the audience that it is "very well within your power to stop the Blue Machine and make them reverse a decision which is wrong."' Claiming that the government has chosen the wrong target in its deinstitutionalization plan , O'Flynn said Drea would like to shift the flscai responsibility onto the taXpayers of the province. "They are anxious to put these people out of sight and out of mind and we should not let the politicians get away with it," he said. " I urge you to carry —staff— members—of - the- Ontario Public Service_b Employees Union, marched around the Square at dusk with lit torches, it marked the end of Save 1"-Bluewater Centre Week in Goderich. The week was itlesigned to focus attention on the provincial government's decision to close six regional centres for the developmentally handicapped across the province. In October, Community and Social Services Minister Frank Drea announced his ministry's in- tention to close the six region—arc-diitterOtirthe money saved from their operation would be pumped back into community support services for the retarded -such as group homes and workshops. It was all part of provincial policy to desinstitutionalize the mentally retarded. The Bluewater Centre is scheduled to close by the spring of 1984, and its 144 residents would either be absorbed in the community support programs or shipped to larger institutions. The closing would also mean the loss of 213 jobs in the community. Save Bluewater Centre Week featured a coalition of parents from three centres scheduled for closure and one of the highlights was a general public meeting in Saltfard Thursday. At the general meeting, Mayor Palaver told over 400 people in attendance that the mayors of the six affected municipalities have pressed Drea for an- swers to questions relating to the welfare of residents, the financial impact on the municipalities and the future of the vacated buildings. If Drea has not answered by February 7 the mayors intend to pursue the matter with Premier William Davis. Huron-MiddleSex MPP Jack Riddell said that while he does not disagree with the principle of the concept to provide the developmentally handicapped with a community -like atmosphere, he is not convinced that adequate support services will exist at the time of the closure. "We don't feel , by the time they close these cen- tres, the facilities will be available," he said. "We happen to think these are the best centres for the training of the developmentally handicapped. Bluewater has services we cannot provide in the community • " A forward from tonight and make your voice heard." NDP critic Richard Johnston told the crowd it was obvious that Bluewater was a successful centre and for that reason he urged every resident of the province to oppose its closure. He said that centres cannot be closed with three months planning and Sh`bdidt-la be elosetwithout a fight; "R's important that we put on pressure. If we don't fight, they will get their way," lie -s -aid. The fight to save thecentre is not merely a fight of economics or a fight to save jobs, but a fight for human potential. In that respect, Johnston said the public needed to know; 1. the alternatives proposed by the government; 2. assurances that care would not deteriorate and 3. the workers should have guarantees they would not be taken away from their area -of expertise. The minister declined an invitation to attend the meeting, but he made an appearance via videotape, vintage 1981 footage just one month after he was appointed minister of Community and Social Ser- vices. "With talent and proper resources you can begin to see the light afthe end of the tunnel. This centre is extremely significant in what is being done in this "eld,"Drea said. "This centre is outreaching into the community aril you are part of the coMmunity. This centre is a vital and viable part of the community," he said. "Your work is not always applauded but if you were not here and all this were grass, think of the enormous loss in human potential and the loss, to the entire com- mum y. Drea cautioned," in the tape, that• it was his responsibility to continuetoreveal-he digifityattie- individual and if that was not being accomplished, he , expected that the staff would challenge him. - Riddell told the audience that thetime had come to make their presentations t� Premier Davis rather than Drea, who has ,declined all invitations to meet with interested parties and ditcuss the matter. However; last Week Drea did meet with a limited number of parents and offered assurances not one resident would be moved unless adequate support services were in place in the 'Connmunity. Parents also were assured they would be consulted before a placement was made. So Save Bluewater Centre Week culminated with a torchlight parade around The Square'Saturday even- ing, but it served its purpose in uniting forces against the closure of the centre. integration still presents some serious hurdles The Huron Bruce New Democratic Riding Association strongly objects to the closing of the diBlcuaepwpaetdcr Centre for the Developmentally Han - While it supports the philosophy and practice of normalization,. the integration of the handicapped into society presents some serious hurdles. The association feels that the closure of the Bluewater Centre, before a sufficient supply of suitable alter- native accommodation is available in the com- munity, constitutes a cruel and unjust treatment of people who are least able to protest. The uprooting of residnts, tlie lack of group homes in the area served by the Bluewater Centre, and the "temporary" placement of residents into large In- stitutions many miles from family and friends will serve only to create more insecurity and make community integration considerably more difficult. The relocation of residents. at the Bluewater Centre should only be made upon careful consideration of individual needs, long term development and hap- piness. Also, before any residents are moved, the problem of availability and suitability of community accommodation programs must be resolved. The Huron Bruce NDP Riding Association appeals to the provincial government and in particular to the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services, to ensure that the interests of tbe residents of the Bluewater Centre take precedence over any economic or political reasons for their actions. To do any less is to abandon their responSibilities. il ceepts garbage tender Goderich town council has decided to move to a threiWay residential garbage, Collection system after accept001W tender 01)Kellan Disposal Services Ltd. atitaregular maidingSondaY• Council opted to accept the three-day collection tender at a total cost of $203,990 for three years. While both McLellan Disposal Services and carter Waste Disposal tendered bids based on fiveday and three- day -collection, 01104 decided to move to a three-day collection at a cost ea:IWO watt .$17,900. Carter's bid asked tor $219041 for five-day collection over three years and $221,049 for three-day collection over three years. McLellan bid $230,508 on fiVeiday collection and $203,990 on three-day collection. The move to three-day collection will not at all alter the service. dowdy -reeve Jim Britnell said but he added that collection day will change for many homeowners. Ads noting those changes Will appear In the paper. While the firm will only collect three days ott of the week, it assured council that trucks are available for additional commercial collection on alternate days. Complain about unfair competition Many schools sell products to raise money for various ventures, but businesses in Huron County are complaining about unfair competition. Director of education John Cochrane reported to the Huron County Board of Education at its Jan.- 10 meeting that he had received two oral complaintson the subject. The complaints were about students selling physical education uniforms, sweat suits, etc. and the other about- iho‘selling of Christmas dike. Mr. Cochrane indicated these ivere-theAncornplahits this yearmnitietadonecomplaintabout a ftallaillt.„,: The board decided to refer theitiattietorther$0: executive committee after a motionto file the report was defeated. "I move the report be received and filed," said Trustee Joan Van den Broeck. "I don't think that motion will get the results the complainants are looking for," commented vice- chairman Eugene Frayne: . • Mr. Frayne said he would rather see the matter , referred to a board committee in consultation with school principals. He said he has heard the complaint • before - schools selling goods while Merchants baVe to pay school taxes, In response to a question, Mr. Cochranaindicated the complaints came in the,forni of telephone calls3t was suggested the complainhig merchants should go through the process of filing formal applications;: "I don't think we should ;flake a big issue it. Let. them (merchants) go through the ming** .• procedure," commented Trustee John Jewitt, nothig theatudentsshould be given encouragement. Trustee Tony McQuail said the whole matter Should be referred to a board committee. He also added that the whole concept of internal generation of revenue shouldbe investigated especially in these tunes of lowing match - - 514 4f4 coeidail sing a change in theUsual date ot the County piowing Usuallybeld:inimicl-Septernber, the association Is plariningtheeventlor late August. The decision was made at the,groujisannual ineetingteld recently. Secretary -treasurer of the crganization, Graeme Craig of RR 1 Walton, said the organization has to consider the dates of the plowing match of neighbour- _ . ingcountiestoavoidconflictinglimea The match itself, if possible, may he held in -the south end added Mr. Craig. It has been in the north end of Huron County for the past three years. The executive of the association was named at the annual meeting. Allan Campbell of RR 1 Seaforth continues as president, with other executive members including, first vice-president Ken Duncan ofKirkton, second vice-president Ross Eedy of • Dungannon, secretary -treasurer Mr. Craig, Ontario Plowmen's Association director Neil McGavin otRR 4 Walton and OPA assistant &motor Bill Leeming of Seaforth. INSIDE THE SIGNAL -STAR • .: • Sports action There was plenty of sports action this week as seen by our recreation section. The town's hockey teams vvontmore games than they lost and the GDCI midget boys' basketball team reached the finals of the Bluewater Classic tournament held here Saturday. Kid's stuff The Goderich Recreation Department is once again sponsoring "Four Great Shows for Children." For a line up of these winter shows, see page 8A.