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118399 "459 Preston packs 'em in Reform Party leader Preston Manning cruised into Durham paid $5 each to hear him speak at Region last Wednesday evening, i the Metro East Ci Centre attracting about 4500 people who in Pickering, And the slim, , bespectacled d in a caramel 4 coloured sport jacket, who appeared to be dwarfed behind a high podium on a high stage, didn't i "Surely, the economy even to Quebeckers is more important," he said. devoted almost his a A Proud Voice For Scugog Vol. 1, No. 31 Tuesday, January 28, 1992 Hospital braces for tough times in years ahead Like all hospitals in the province, Port Perry's Community Memorial is facing tough times in the wake of last week's announcement by Premier Bob Rae that grants will be limited to a 1 per cent increase this year. "Yes, there will be some tough times ahead, there is no question in my mind about that," said Community Memorial administrator David Brown in aninterview last week. On a total budget of about $5 million, the 1 per cent hike will mean $50,000 more in the fis- cal year which starts April 1. And that, said Mr, Brown is not enough to meet the hospital's anticipated needs in 1992.93. But he went on to say the full impact won't be known for another three weeks or so, when the hospital's final budget is completed. Mr. Brown said the hospital likely will have a small surplus in this year's budget, which will help cushion the impact somewhat. As for whether programs, services or jobs may have re cut, Mr. Brown said "it's 100 carly to tell." Closing some of the 46 beds at the hospital is a "possibility in the foreseeable future," although that may have hap- pened anyway under the gov- erament's re-structuring and emphasis on community-based health services The hospital now has a staff of 140 (not all full-time) and Mr. Brown said cutting job fy through attrition is we can look at | we dre not over-si It would be tough fill positions left t through normal resigna- tions or retirements, he added. Mr. Brown stressed that he wants the public in Scugog Township to be assured that the hospital will do "every- thing in its power to maintain programs, staffing and ser- vices." As for the §5 million San, sion program, he said t week's announcement from Mr, Rae has no impact on that, The hospital hopes that con- struction on a new addition will start this year, Across the province, the Ontario Hospital Association i the 244 hospitals are CIRC. 10,000 28 pages Pp his he h d away at the need for fiscal reform and less spending by Ottawa. He covered a lot of territory in his rapid-fire 45 minute address that was punctuated with some fairly funny jokes and interrupted several times by applause. And to help make his points, he gestured and stabbed the air constantly-with his hands. "Getting the fiscal and econom- ic house in order is the number one priority now," he stated and received a warm round of The Alberta native also got a hearty chuckle when he took a verbal jibe at Liberal MP Sheila Copps, and there were loud cheer- ing when he said "get the Constitution (debate) off centre stage to focus on fiscal reform 0 get the economy going again, entire address to fiscal and taxa- tion issues, avoiding controversial items such as bilingualism, immi- gration or social serviges. He zeroed in on the current tax system, which he called far too complex, as "most people now can't do their own tax returns," and "full of loop-holes used by the g rich." Calling for an overhaul of the tax system to make it fairer and simpler, he was greeted with more applause when he said "Reform Party supporters are tired of pay- ing the bills." He suggested a proportional tax system would be more fair 10 more Canadians, adding that if everyone paid 25 per cent in income tax it would raise the same amount as today, but only if the loop-holes are tied off. Please see'PRESTON, page § q facing a $500 million shortfall «in funds this year because of the 1 per cent limit. ) Rit after close to 4,500 people packed " Convention Centre in Pickering 10 hear him speak. Not only did they come YOLED NI fue Cini