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Zurich Citizens News, 1976-03-10, Page 16Page 16 - Citizens News, March 10/76 C S director slams province Director of Huron County Children's Aid Society Bruce Heath took some healthy swings at provincial government officials last week at the annual meeting bf the CAS, in the 65th year since its establishment in the county. Speaking about the govern- ment's "travelling road shows" which preach the doctrine of restraint, Mr. Heath commented, "The central reason for the restraint program as we under- stand it is that the province cannot go on spending at the present rate. The daily presenta- tion of the extent of government debt is of concern to all the people of Ontario. It is obvious, however, tint this problem did not develop overnight and it w ill not be overcome in one fell swoop.." "Withour falling into the trap of making absolute compari- son, made on the basis of limited statistical data," Mr. Heath continued, "1 must seriously question the multitude echoing the call of restraint when we find this local Society operating at per capita costs one third under the provincial average, and half as large as our largest colleague in the field of child welfare in Ontario." The director challenged the government on over -simplifying the economic problem. "History should make us somewhat wary of those who in times of crisis or difficulty present simple and clear an- swers," Mr. Heath pointed out. "Such approaches might be appealing and enticing to a public genuinely concerned. Un- fortunately. as we know too well from history, more often than not such statements reflect political opportunism more than genuine concern, understanding and thoughtful effective solutions." Mr. Heath said that the Minis- try of Social and Community Services under which the CAS operates, has called for agencies to re-evaluate priorities to separ- ate essential programs from those which although desirable, are not essential. The director argued that the social service field with its "multiplicity of funding sources and delivery systems" requires much more communication and participation in decision making than the Ministry has to date allowed. "The guidelines and the man- ner in which they are being introduced certainly do not give us the confidence that the com- plexity of the program and the necessary processes for rational intervention . .d decision making are recogni; ,:o by the Ministry," stated Mr. Heath. He said that statements that the budgets are not being cut or frozen, but are being increased at a lesser rate than in pre- vious years are misleading. "The dollar Tigure is being increased but the actual services that the larger dollar figure can purchase are decreased," Mr. Heath insisted. "A 5.5 percent increase in expenditures at a time when inflation is at or near 10 per cent can only be a decrease in real terms," Mr. Heath reasoned, "especially when roll-over costs are taken into account." Mr. Heath pointed out that in slow growth periods such as now are being experienced, there are greater needs for social services. "As a result, there is greater pressure, especially on the muni- cipalities in regard to General Welfare Assistance programs, for the provision of services," Mr. Heath said. The director said the Ministry's answer to get people off welfare and into a job "demonstrates a lack of sensitivity toward the realities of the present economic environment". "The fact of the matter is that at a time such as this, a period of slow growth, the job market is tight and those Least able to compete cannot obtain work," said Mr. Heath. "The jobs just aren't there." Present budget requirements for CAS in 1976 hover at about an 8 per cent increase over 1975, Mr. Heath said. That is making no allowance for those contingencies brought about by the closing of Goderich Psychia- tric Hospital, a service well utilized by CAS in the past. "All in all, we are clearly talking of doing more with less," Mr, Heath said. "The challenge to so do we accept with some trepidation." "The responsibility for achiev- ing this broad general goal, however, clearly is a shared responsibility between this Soci- ety's Board and staff, and the people of the county," he con- cluded. Obituary MARIE ANTOINETTE CANTIN BOURQUE A native of St. Joseph, Mrs. Antoinette Bourque passed away on Tuesday, March 2, 1976 in her seventy-fifth year. Antoinette was the daughter of the late Narcissc M. Cantin, the founder of the village of St. Joseph back in 1896. Antoinette was the third young- est member of the family of ten children and attended the St. Joseph Separate School. She was born in St. Joseph, January 19, 1901 and spent most her early life in St. Joseph. She later moved to Montreal where she studied art and became well known in the art colony. She was a natural as an artist in all phases of sketches, scenery, portraits, charcoal, pen and ink and oil paintings have been sold. She married Albert Bourque in Montreal and moved to Det- roit, Michigan in 1926. Her husband passed away in 1941 at the age of 39 years. Mrs. Bourque worked for many years as the head artist for the O'Con- nor Studio at the J.L. Hudson Company in Detroit, Michigan. Mrs. Bourque is survivied by one sister Mrs. Anne Laporte, Port Huron and one brother Louis C'antin, Montreal. Prev- iously deceased are: sisters Madeline, Marie and Josephine and brothers Olivier, Napol- eon, Jean and Joseph. Her father Narcissc M. Cantin died January 15, 1940 in his 69th year and her mother Josephine Cant - in died July 31, 1948 in her 79th year. A solemn mass was celebrat- ed at St. Peter's Church, St. Joseph by the parish priest, Father J. Bensette. Interment will be in St. Peter's cemetery next to her father and mother. Pallbearers were John Jeffrey, Michael Jeffrey, Gary Jeffrey, Gary Rau, Fred Ducharmc and Danny Laporte. Cromarty By MRS. ROBERT LAING Mr. and Mrs. Bob Graves, St. Thomas, visited Thursday with their aunt and uncle. Mr. and Mrs. Otto Walker. Mr. and Mrs. Barry Gammon, and Caleb, Toronto, spent the weekend with .Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Allen and Frank. Mr. and Mrs. Alex 'Zimmer and Scots. Stratford, were Sunday visitors with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Laing. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Laing and Mrs. John Jefferson visited Sunday afternoon with Misses Gladys and Irene Jefferson, Goderich. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Douglas visited Sunday with his mother, Mrs. Arthur Douglas, Embro. C.A.S. ANNUAL—Seen at the Huron County Children's Aid Society annual meeting in Goderich Thurs- day evening were director Bruce Heath; guest speaker Helen Allen, the originator of "Today's Child"; and C.A.S. president Mrs. Elsie Westcott. Signal Photo MI MO BM MM MMAMM MB IIM Mil r■rllr!®®®ti® Mil ®®MS® BIM MM IM NM ad 41, 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Buy Now At Winter Prices And Save! 1 a a a 1 1 1 1 1 (Remember , . It's Sense to See 1 1 1 1 1 Spring's Just Around The Corner. WE HAVE A GREAT SELECTION OF * USED CARS * WAGONS * VANS * TRUCKS Here's Just A Few Of Them 1973 GRAN TORINO Broug- ham, 4 -door, V-8, automatic, power steering and brakes, electric defroster. Licence DFX174. '3,195 1972 FORD LTD 4 -door, V-8, automatic, Michelin tires. 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