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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1982-11-17, Page 1Gt(lederich SIENAL 134 YEAR -116 GODERICH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1982 50 CENTS PER COPY Drea urged to kee The administrator of the provincial five-year plan to de -institutionalize the developmentally han- dicapped left the Bluewater Centre with a clear, concise and distinct message Wednesday. Don't close Bluewater Centre. Doctor Gary Baker of Toronto and Murray Hamilton, Community and Social Services Regional Director, met with concerned parents and staff at the Bluewater Centre Wednesday, to discuss Minister Frank Drea's decision to close the facility by the spring of 1984. While a group of concerned parents and volunteers intended to meet with Drea in Toronto, the meeting with Baker and Hamilton was arranged to give the concerned delegation an op- portunity to present its side. The basic message that Baker received and promised to enunciate to the minister was that, the parents and staff areconvinced the emotional and physical needs of the developmentally handicapped residents of Bluewater Centre are, and will be, best servedat the Goderich facility. Speaking on behalf of the volunteer association, parent Jim Baird said the qualified supervision at the centre was second to none adding that parents and residents have peace of mind for the future. That future, he claims, would be severely eroded by the centre's closure. • "There is no security for the future in group homes and moving means a complete change of lifestyle," he said. "We did not leave our sons and daughters here and leave. We uprooted and moved to Huron County and there is peace of mind knowing the kin- dness and care they receive here." Huron -Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell said it was unfortunate that the government agreed to meet with the people after the fact, intimating the ministry may have changed its plan if concerns were aired prior to the decision. In addressing the monetary issues of the closure of the six provincial centres, Riddell said the Money could be found elsewhere. "They could. do away with their limousine service for one thing and certainly the $23 million could be found elsewhere," he said. "The government spent $40 million on Minaki Lodge to bring it up to standard which is catering to the rich. But this is a facility that's needed." "There will always be a percentage who can't cope with a community setting but the government is descriminating against the developmentally han- dicapped to save money. The centre is a community in itself, the residents are happy and pleasedand they y ntre open Tim Frawley, chief steward of Local 122,, outlined the Ontario Public Service Workers Union position at a meeting. with Dr. Gary Baker at Bluewater ('entre Wednesday. Hundreds of people attended have a more meaningful' life. They have recreational facilities. the love of the staff is unequalled and they are persons of . worth. Why are they treated: like livestock and tossed to and fro.' The provincial member has urged Drea to reconsider the closure claiming it would destroy a suitable environment and contribute to irreparable damage. Riddell said that Drea is of the opinion that the Ontario Association for the Mentally Retarded has the meeting with the ministry representative and instructed him to inform Minister Frank Drea that the centre should remain open. (photo by Dave Sykes). advocated that the developmentally handicapped be • deinstitutionalized. A. check by Riddell with 12 Ontario associations revealed.t iat 623persons are un- waiting un•waiting lists. "I would hate to think how many are on -waiting lists across the province," Riddell said. "We need centres and group homes but who will train them to cope, if not centres like this and the excellent staff." Huron -Bruce MPP Murray Elston also commended the work of the staff suggesting the decision goes The annual Remembrance Day services were held at the cenotaph last Thursday. Wreaths were laid by many delegations and then poppies were placed on the wreaths by members of Legion Branch 109, the Legion Ladies' Auxiliary, the Maitland Air Cadet Squadron and the children present. (Photo by Joanne Buchanan) beyond monetary issues. Drea's decision, he added, did not solicit adequate consulatation with staff, parents or affected municipalities. The ministry hopes to save $23 million through the closures and inject an additional $33 million into tailored programs for the developmentally han- dicapped. Parents wondered why the government would spend additional money to uproot residents when they considered the centre home. Dr. Baker,, obviously caught in the middle of the fight between the ministry and staff and parents, explained that while the decision was painful, it had merits. "I know it is a difficult time for parents, staff and residents but the ministry has developed a consistent range of programs and facilities for the mentally retarded," he said, "The government funds group homes on an 80-20 basis and each region will have to develop a plan to determine who goes where and what level of service is required. We realize there will be some disruptions but there is ample time to plan and we will work with each family to look at programs, care and facilities. By moving the highest functioning people, we can service the needs of others." Parent Cecil Watson claimed the government plan was ludicrous adding that people simply don't con- template a move until they have a place to move to. But the government, he noted, is working 'in such a fashion. Other parents indicated that their developmentally handicapped children have found a happy homer at Bluewater and many claimed 'their children will not visit at home for any length of time, preferring to be with their friends and staff at the centre. Others suggested their children could not function in a group home and some parents had fears their children would be institutionalized far from home. Social worker Rainford Jackson drew a standing ovation for his emotional thoughts on the closure. "This facility is one of the best in the entire province for treatment and programming. Tell Drea that the Bluewater Centre should remain open because it is an injustice to people and there is a . human side to this," he 'said.. "Tell him the centre stands out above. anda .beyond others and that we . should be nail' as a model. Ask the minister to rescind his decision to close the Bluewater Centre." • . The closest institution to the centre is ,in Palmer- , ston and. Baker said the government has no specific plans for the building once the closure is effected. Turn to }: 'ge 6 • Council endorses home for battered wives here The Huron County Family Crisis Committee was granted council's blessing to establish a county home for battered wives in.Goderich despite protests from a group of neighbouring residents. Funded and staffed by the Mennonite. Central Relief Committee,, the home will be located at 101 Wt'st Street and accommodate a maximum of three residents at a time. The Huron County Family Crisis Committee approached council at its November 1 meeting, seeking permission to locate the home in town. The matter was subsequently referred to and endorsed by the planning board. Peter Pocock of 109 West Street, presented a letter to council signed by T. Peter Gagel, W. Legg, W.R. Alcock and Mrs. H. Murphy, expressing concern that the home for battered wives would result in the devaluation of neighbourhood property values. "We are concerned and would like to have that fact noted," he said. "We are afraid that, in the long term; it would result in real estate devaluation. The presence of such an establishment could lower values in the immediate area and we would rather not see it ( the home) there if feasible." Council unanimously endorsed a motion allowing the, committee to establish the home for battered wives and their children after planning board suggested there is nothing prohibiting such a use in the official plan or zoninHgg bylaw. Deputy -reeve Bob AUen said planning board took an involved look at the matter before making a recommendation. "There. is no reason why they can't locate there," he said. "Group homes must be next door to someone and there's no reason it shouldn't be allowed." rn .Human values must take priority over prope y values councillor Elsa Haydon said adding that the neighbours and members of the crisis committee should meet amicably to discuss concerns over the use of the home. She endorsed the planning board recommendation. Councillor Jim Searls also endorsed the recom- mendation claiming that since occupation would be limited to three victims at one time. it wasn't likely that property values would decline. "I think it's a wonderful idea," he said. "Where do we put these people." • Spokesman for the Huron County Crisis Com- mittee, Irvine Stienman, said the group was not planning any changes to the exterior of the residence adding that the home would be run as "in- conspicuously as possible." - The Mennonite Central Committee, a relief and service agency, will supply personnel and funding for the home. Stienman said all licencing must be done through the Ministry of Community and Social Services. When the committee first approached council for approval, it indicated that research 'supported the need for a home for battered wives and their children. OMB hearing adjourned An OMB chairman adjourned a hearing into the town's heritage District bylaw, claiming the town should have the opportunity to meet with objectors to the bylaw. • Chairman H. Kelly grated the town's request to ;have. a..hearing.. ,in. the heritage. byfawadjourned, ..in -- view of the fact so many people within the affected area-objectedtot'he designation:- T'he hearing was called after three ob jettions were recieved ,to bylaw 2 of 1982, a bylaw designating the area bounded by Victoria Street, Elgin Avenue, Nelson Street and Waterloo Street as a heritage district area. Following circulation of the bylaw, council received three objections, and a hearing was required when attempts to appease the objectors failed. After the objection period had expired, council was presented with a petition signed by 87 residents in the district, objecting to the heritage designation. Council forwarded the petition to the OMB and subsequent to a meeting with the objectors November 1, council decided to attempt and proceed with de - designation of the heritage distrcit and adjourn the OMB hearing. In his submission to the chairman, town solicitor Dan Murphy said that it was the feeling of council the objections had merit and the matter .should be reviewed. "The town is interested in protecting any grants but they want to review the matter and perhaps repeal the original bylaw," he said. Chairman Kelly said it was commendable that council would seek to have the matter adjourned and consider the objections. The, petition cannot be , considered a formal.. et.. jection but it was submitted prior to the hearing." Kelly -said. "Council chooses to consider the petition_ . . but it is not required by la -w:" The author of the heritage district plan, Nick Hill, ii ld the hearing it dates back to -I976 but he explained that if the hearing proceeded, it could jeopardize the merit of the plan. ' Kelly said he was -not -only concerned with the ob - - jectors but also with those in favor of the bylaw. "It's only right that council should consider the petition but also those in favor of the designation." he said. "Council met with the objectors but hasn't had the opportunity to take formal action. i agree they should have the opportunity to take action on the matter." Murphy told the chairman that the. objectors were agreeable to an adjournment to give council time ,to meet with the group arid satisfy niutual concerns. Chairman Kelly said that since council wanted to deal with the petition of October 22 and take some form of action, the OMB hearing should be put off. "A hearing will take place on the request of council," he said. Champion employees report back to work Productionresumed at Champion Road Machinery Ltd. Monday and a total of 667 employees returned to work after a two-week layoff. Director of marketing services, Bill Metcalfe, said that while 685 people were employedby the company prior to the two-week'shutdown period, 18 were given permanent layoff notice. An additional 55 employees will lose their jobs December 10. Champion now has sufficient orders to maintain production into the new year and Metcalfe said company officials do not anticipate an • extended shutdown period over the Christmas holidays. He said that while it was difficult to speculate on market conditions, there was a strong feeling production could be maintained well into the new year as a result of new orders. Council will appeal to William Davis Goderich town council will ask Ontario . Premier William Davis to meet with local authorities to discuss the closure of the Bluewater Centre for the Developmentally Handicapped. The motion was unanimously endorsed after council's solicitations to Frank Drea, requesting such a meeting, have been ignored. At its November 1 meeting, council instructed the administrator to contact Drea, requesting a meeting with the minister over the centre's closure. While phone calls were fruitless, a letter was sent to the minister advising him of council's wishes. Since Drea refused council's solicitations, Reeve Don Wheeler initiated the motion to contact the premier directly. While staff, parents and concerned citizens met with Drea's representative, Dr. Gary Baker, Wed- nesday, deputy -reeve Bob Allen said the meeting fell short. "Many people attended the meeting at Bluewater Centre last week but no answers or alternatives came out of that meeting,". he said. "The towns of Goderich, Clinton, Seaforth,, Exeter and Wingham have to pull together on this. There is no planning and there should be a concerted effort. Let's do something before the plans are solidified and we can't do anything." Harbour dredging contract awarded Dredging of the Goderich Harbour could begin as early as this week after details of the contract were announced in Ottawa Monday. Dean Construction Limited of Belle River has been awarded the $458;000 federal government contract to - dredge the entrance channel to the harbour here. -Dean Construction has been-setvicilg.Tseveral contracts along the Lake Huron shoreline, doing work at Port Franks, Grand Bend and Bayfield. Company officials estimate the Goderich job will take at least 12 weeks and work could begin by the end of this week. • The contract is a maintenance project designed to maintain the channel depth at 24 feet. INSIDE THE SIGNAL -STAR gs. advance The. CACI jaaior gVi.king basketball -.team.. defeated Listowel in semi-final action Wednesday and began a, best -of -three final against Seaforth. Tuesday. The story. and pictures of the Vikings' semi- final win appear on the Recreation -page. , • • -Exc ange student Fifteen-year-otd Jo` Yu Fkey of tlic Philippines will spend a year in Goderich as part of the Rotary Club l 'outh Exchange Program. Reporter Joanne Buchanan talked with Joy and her impressions of the area appear in a story in the second section. Permission granted The Huron County Family Crisis Committee will establish a group home for battered wives and their children in Goderich.,Reporter Terry Marr talked with local police and soial service agencies about the home.