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"A Family Tradition for 131 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, February 25, 1997 -5 _ Merger is approved Low turn-out in Port Perry sharp contrast to Uxbridge By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star There were just 33 bal- lots cast in favor of the merger of hospitals in Port Perry and Uxbridge when a vote was held last Wednesday night at the Scugog Community Cen- tre. But that's all that was needed, as members of the hospital board voted unanimously in favor of the amalgamation, slated to be complete by April 1. The meeting Feb. 19 was in sharp contrast to one the previous night in Uxbridge, when more than 600 people turned out to vote on the merger of Community Memorial and Cottage Hospitals. That vote went 636-12 in favor of the merger. At Port Perry's meeting there was no word of dis- sent from the crowd of 50 or so who came out for the vote, and just one ques- tion, regarding the obstet- rics ward here, when the floor was opened by hospi- tal board chair Jerry Tay- lor. The meeting, which be- gan late at around 7:15, was adjourned before 8 o'clock when, to applause, Mr. Taylor announced the unanimous vote in favor of the merger. Woman found Durham Police report that Carolyn Redican of - Blackstock, who was reported missing last week, has been found. Ms. Redican had disap- peared from her Blackstock home on Feb. 8 but was found in a Pentecostal Church in Stouffville. People at the church assumed she was homeless and had taken care of her. Caring for Children 18 months to 9 years Drop in & See Us! « Quality Child Care e Qualified E.C.E. Staff » Home Cooked Meals « Kindergarten Enrichment « Creative Programming « Large Outdoor Playground Hours: 7am - 6pm Full or Part Days Utica Community Daycare... your child's home away from home 905) 985-8783 After the meeting he said the low turn-out wasn't an indication of dis- interest in the merger pro- cess, but a vote of confi- dence in the action being taken by hospital board members in Port and Ux- bridge. Int fact he said that since the merger plan was an- nounced last summer, he's had no negative response from people here. "They're concerned about the hospital and the survival of hospital facili- ties, but they also realize the provision of hospital services is being changed by the province," said Mr. Taylor. "We've taken the posi- tive step of putting this merger in place to show the (provincial hospital) restructuring commission we can be cost-effective." Earlier in the meeting the board chair said -the merger -- which will create the North Durham Hospi- tal -- was the only way to ensure continued service prov _sion in both towns in an era of harsh govern- ment cutbacks that is see- ing hospitals across Onta- rio closed or ordered to merge with other opera- tions. "The way we did busi- ness before isn't accepta- ble today, and changes have to be made," said Mr. Taylor. Michael Watts, the law- yer who's acting on behalf of both hospitals in the merger, said the North Durham Hospital will combine the assets and li- abilities of Community Memorial and Cottage to form a new, unified entity. The new hospital will be governed by 20 directors from Scugog, Uxbridge and Brock, and will be run by a single Chief Execu- tive Officer, who has al- ready been hired. Mr. Watts said a benefit of the merger will be the ad- ministration of area health services by a single body. Voting and counting ballots took just a few min- utes. Folks didn't have time to finish their coffee before the results -- a 33-0 vote in favor of the merger -- were announced. Gail Kerry, president of the Hospital Auxiliary, was pleased with the vote outcome, and the appar- ent ease with which the community is accepting' the amalgamated hospi- tals. "This is an opportunity for us," she said. "It's not 'a negative thing atall." Our Customers Drive To Uxbridge For Our Service /AVoTe le ToTo le WD IPL Diane Richardson Mobile: 905-404-5254 I3yrs. Sales Experience CHEVROLET OLDSMOBILE CADILLAC GEO 852-3331 1+800+263+2000 BUICK PONTIAC GMCTRUCK 852:3357 18007572004 Brian Norrish Home: 905-985-8997 Mobile: 905-433-7351 2lyrs. Sales Experience 710 YEARS gE] Willia nom i" She landed high-profile provincial position Taylor assumes Chamber chair as Mcintosh leaves By Chris Hall Port Perry Star After just a month at the helm of the Port Perry Chamber of Commerce, President Brenda McIntosh has handed in her resignation. Her decision came after receiving an employment offer from the provincial government. Ms. McIntosh's Chamber involve- ment could create a conflict of interest because her new responsibilities as tourism coordinator for the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism include domestic and international promotion of the province. At a meeting last Friday, First Vice Don MacLeod and Second Vice Linda Parent both declined to fill the vacant position for numerous reasons. The floor was open to nominations and Craig Taylor, a self-employed real estate agent, was quickly elected. Mr. Taylor, who has been involved with the chamber for four years, said he wants to continue the work that Ms. McIntosh had started. "I've been given the task of filling her shoes and I want to continue Brenda's efforts with the enthusiastic directors that we have at the Chamber," he said. "I want to maintain our goal for 1997 and continue Brenda's work. She has brought the membership of the chamber up; she's almost doubled it. She's got good connections and everyone should be aware of what she's done." . Ms. McIntosh said she will miss the group of people that she's worked with in the past. "I have enjoyed serving the Chamber over the past two years and I am disappointed that I am unable to work with such an enthusiastic group of Directors who are dedicated to the pro- motion and enhancement of the Chamber and to the economic develop- ment of Scugog Township," she said in a written note. She also says that she will keep in touch with the Chamber and Mr. Taylor, a Seagrave resident for 30 years. "I have worked with Craig during my directorship and feel very confident that he will continue to lead the Chamber in a progressive manner," she said. Taylor Be PORT PERRY PHARMACY al ALN SIRI Dn BL alhhd Sa 2231 MARCH BREAK FEATURE All Brands of 20% OFF. Tears NATURALE II Artificial Tears SUNSCREEN asrock 30m! 9.99 Maalox SC ANAT Johnson & Johnson : (reg. gr cherry) BABY TUWDER Ibuprofen Tabs $ mn $ 200mg - 100's Pepto Bismol Huggies Brand Konica 7 Exposure Liquid BABY WIPES | DISPOSABLE hm Jo CAMERA 3.49 6.69 a 3.69 MY MORE, | TEN 0. 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