Page 18. Whftby Free Prea, Wecfresday, June 28, 1995 Optimism over h-ospitalfuture FROM PAGE 1 Health Services Accraditation (CCHSA). Whitby Genaral is only the l9th hospital in Canada and the first in Durham te raceiva CGHSA!s highest ranking for efficiency a.nd %uality service since the awards inception in 1992. Souch said ambulaterv and urgent care services wiIh stili be offare at Whitby General and that the board wM lhobby the new Progressive Conservative govarn- ment for funding te allow the emargancy department te be re- opened on a 24-hour basis. lIn a cost-cutting maya aarly last year, 'the hospital closed the emergancy wing between 10, p.m. and 8 ar. «Yés we will be giving a shop- fist te the minister of gealth," si'aid Souch.' "Yes, we will continue te pro- vide a wide range of services te the citizans of Whitby, that's our piayrole," ha stressad. P1=7 no, we won't close the hospital. This area is growing, there's no reason te close it.» Souch noted that Durham Centre MPP Jim Flaherty, who attanded the meeting, supports retantion of acute care services and that his and Premier Mike Harris's opposition te, the health council study bodes wahl for Wihitby Genaral. But the hospital will only sur- vive if the numbers (patients) warrant it, Souch warnei To illustrate his point, Souch refarred te, the controversial Lynda Shores housing project proposed for lands near the hos- pital. «r'm a bit of a trea-huger, 1 don't like te sSa farm and pas- ture land developed," he said. 'But the best thi4fr that can happen te, this hoefital is for houses te be built around it.» An estimated 5,000 peopla are expected to live in the masssive development te be ]>uilt between the hospia1 and riaarby Lynda Creek M ara h. .Souch also called on Whitby' residants te corne to the aid of tha hospital by iresponding te its fund-raîsing appeals. I many cases the hospital doas not have sufflicient bac.k Up» machinary and teols te, the main aquipmant, Souch notad, and officiaIs'hope to eventually open a third operating room. «With your suppoït, I think the future is axtremely bright for Whitby Ganeral Hospital, » he added. But following his address and remarks from president Eliza-- beth Woodbury and chief of staff Dr. Brian Raed, Souch was chal-' langed by Norm Maaling, a mem- ber of the Save Our Ganeral Hospital (SOGH) citizans' corn- mittee. Mealing critieized Souch and Reed for implying that the health council study provides for acuta care services at Whitby Generai, whereas it only states that there is the >ptential» for some outpatient services. "The health council report did not maice an y guarantea of ser- vices at the hospital other than rahab,» said Mealing "Thats quita true, but thera are also no guarantees of changes because the report has not been accepited or rejected,» countered Soueh. ."We ware tehd 4y the (former) minister of haalth (Ruth Griar) that we would have an answer befora the alection...sjha obviously didn't know what alection.» Souch also said that if a change of this magnitude is te be implamented, it will take a "mninimum» of eight to 10 yaars. «I appraciate that, but I think you 9«hould have said 'we won't do it, unless, we gat this,' " said Mepling. Souch rapled that the board could o ordt play 'hardbalh' with ministry buireaucrats as Mealing suggastad. "if wa had- taken that stand in the opan, P'm quite sure a faw people in the ministry would have'closed the doors of the hospital,» ha said. No,it will ha «dam hard» te close "thý,e hast damn hospital in Durham Region.» But Mealing was n ot convin- ced. "We thought the minister would not have ignorad 31,000 people," ha said in referenoe to SOGH's &etition in support of Whitby <eneral remarning an acute cara facility. "If wa could gat $10 from averyona who signed wa would have $310,000 and that would solve a lot of problems » Souch noted, while adding thiat the board is prapared ta work with SOGH. In fact, Souch will now have that opportunity because later in the meeting, two SOGH main- bers were alectad to the 21- mambar board of directers. Jack Hutchison and Pearl Ault, along with incumbents Richard H-addan, Dr.- David MacAskihl and Moyra Dobson wera elected te the five openings on the board. Pafimntr.R-pr I'm opting out By Alex Sepherd I have decided tO opt out of the MPs' pension plan. The revisi onst the plan, passed in the Gommons last week allow members te, opt out within the firat 60 days after the Biih -becomes law. T'he revisions meet the commitment made by this governrnent in the hast election te end double dipping, ability to accept a federal appointment whihe aise coilectinn MPs penon. The ravisions also move the agie of lel.iilittollect te 55. Thank goodness the changes have been made. N'e met former MPs reeiving $40,000 pension annually. Thfey are younger than I arn.and erng a iivelihood. This was wrong and unfair te taxpaye and purely took advantage of you -- the people paying theybUs. But the plan is stili far too igenerous, even with the changes made. Canada has significant fiscal problems that are going te, become more apparent in the future as the federaI government cuts back' on spendin. ruffer through féderal government cutbacks and a sluggish conomy, while MUPs grant themselves pensions that none of you will ever ba able to receive in your profession. 1Based on the current salary level, and with the maximum 19 years of eligibility, the average pension benefit in the private secter is approimately $24,000. For M[Ps, i t is $50,000. Moat pensions provide for equal contributions by employer and employee. This isn't the case for MPs. For avery dollar an MP puts in, taxpayers contribute thrae. I have neverl thought pdlitics should be a career path, because elected represéntatives should bring experience and training with them -- thus they maice a contribution based on their experience and hopefully lend a degrea of reality te legisiation. Ites arnazing te, sea gaggles of poiticians in Ottawa -- and at the local levai -- that have neyer ben seriously employed in any. other field except politics. People often say te me politicians seem so far removed from reality. This is one of the reasons why. MWs pensions are one of the pars gvng alacted representatives that incantiva te hang on aven if teyare usales in the job. The people in the federal riding of Durham will not bave te foot the bill te furnish this member of Parliament with a lavish pension plan. Fim not taking it. Alex Shepherd is MP for Durham riding whic& includes Whitby, north of Taunton RocscL To reach his constituency office, cail 721-7570 (Oshawa). VIN" NG FESTIVAL An Urban FishingFestival will take place on Sunday, July 9 at Bowmanville Valley Conservation Area from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., hoeted by the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority, Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Bowmanville Angleri? Association. The event is free and fishing is licence-free as a result of the Ontario Faniily Fishing weekend running July 7-9 .A lirited supply of fishing rods will be available to use at the site. For more information, contact Kathy Dodge at (905) 832-7288. 'Spirit Stones' (bringing spirit of animais to life on t he surface of a atone), with Margaret Cor- nfoot will be offered at the Whitfy Public Library on Thurs- day, July 6, for those aged six to 12. For more infornation or registration cail the library. Puppet workshops will be held at the library on July il and 12, for those aged 8 te 12. Caîl the library te register. PUPPETS 'Lights! Camera! Puppets!' will be ofTred, for those aged 4 and up, at the librar on hursday, July 13. Cali the Iibrary te regis- ter. SPY SCHOOL An RCMP officer will discus investigative techniqu'es, finger- printirig and Iaw enforcement in sessions for those aged eight te 12, at the library on JuIy 18 and 19, and Aug. 1~ and 2. Cati the library to regster. A workshop about storytellin, for those aged eight te 12 wilI be held at the library on 'lkesday, July 25. To register, cail the library.hAIN MU C Let's Make Music, a session te iearn about musical instruments, wilI be held at the libraryr on Thursday, July 27. To register, calil the library. a DANCE A benefit dance for the Oshawa District Humana Societ wilh take pl aca on.- Saturday, Juhy 8 at Branch 43 of the Royal Canadian Legion,. 471 Simncoe St. S., Oshawa. 'Doubla Play Entertaininent,' a local DJ service, will offar ail genres of music, ranging from country te sixties te top 40. The avant is icensad go ticket holders must be agad 19 or aver. Thera ara prizes an d givaaways inchuding gataways te Niagara Palle, Yuk Yuk tickets, Blue Jays package, Wondarland day passes and restaurant cartificates. Tickets ara $20 par persan. To purchase tickets or for information, cal Carohyn Prear at 619-6762. HORSIN9 AROUND Horsa-drawn wagon rides wilh ha operating on Wednesday, July 5, 6:30 to 8:15 p.m., from the day-use parking lot at Haber Down Conservation Area. Ticket price ls $1.75/person/ride. The campfire wil ha open froin 7 te 9:30 p.m. If you play a musical instrument, bring it along. For more information, contact the authority office at (905) 579-0411. GARAGE SALE Scouts Canada will hoid a giant garage sale on Saturday, July 8, 9 a.m. te 3 p.m., at Sunoco Gas Bar, 509 Dundas St. W., Whitby. Ail proceeds go te, support scouting in WVhitby. SponsSeed by the second WVhitby Fire Venturers. OSTEOPOROSIS The Osteoporosis Support Group meets Wednesday, Juiy 5, 7 p.m., at the YWGA, 1 MéGrigor St., Oshawa. For more information, oeilMlle at 726-1683. BILBLESCHOOL Children, aged 4 ta those who have finished Grade 6, can join staff at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Ghurch for an Aweeome Adventure July 31 te Aug. 4, 9 te 11:45 a.m. There will be sangs, atories, snacks and crafts. Pre-ragister waekday mornings at 209 Cochrane St. or by calling 668-4022. LEABN1NG DISABILITIES The Oshawa Chapter of the Learning Disabilities Association wiil meet tonight (Wednesday), 7 te 9:30 p.m., at Grandview Rehabilitation and Treatment Centre, 600 Townline Rd. S., Oshawa. The summer prograin will be discusssed. For more information, call Nancy Coffin at 436-7706. SUMER KIDSTUFF Art and craft sessions will be held ail summer in the Robert Mchaughlin Gallerys Summer Kidstuff prograin. Ghildren agad six te 14 can learn sketching, drawing, printmakçing, sculpture, how te make art with nature, and play gaines. Cal (905) 576-3000 for registration and information. OVERCOMINlG SMOKI[NG The SOS support group (Smokers Overconiing Smoking), is offared by The Lung Assocation' avery Monday from 7 ta 9 p.m., in Oshawa. CaU 436-1046. SPANISH The Spanish International Language program for elemen- tarj school childran will be hald Juy 4 te Aug. 1 at St. Bernard Catholic School 1000 Drydan Blvd., Wihitby. ±oé register, cal Mica Arnold at 579-2334. g o &I1 e&ln o I alowing week's insertion is Friday et Sp.m. Non-profit community groups whlch are based in Whitby or have a substantial Whitby place their upcominq meetings or activities on this page at no cost. profit mfaking or non*Whttfy groupa will be drargeat. Cati DAY CA14P Bellwood Community School summer day camp, which includes gaines, songs, creative crafts, speciai outings, swimniing, theme days, and dress. up days, will ha held from Juhy 4 te, 18, 9 a.m. te 4 p.m. Extended hours 7:30 a.m. te 6 p.m., at 30 Bellwood Dr., Whitby. Cost is $75 per week for regular camp (aged six ta 12) and $25 per week for pre-camp (aged three ta five). CaU 571-4770. CANADA DAY Ontario riding MP Dan McTeague invites constituente ta, his annuai Canada Day celebrations Saturday, July 1, 1 ta 3 p.m., at 60 Randali Dr. (Church Street and Hlighway 2). For more information, cal 905-427-6203. Food and refrashinents provided. AERO MODELLERS Whitby Aero Modellers will hold a flying demonstration and display at Heber Down Conservation Area, Saturday, July 1, 10 a.m. te 3 p.m. (ramn data July 2). Follow the trail tbrough the park te the flyMing field. For more information, ci 668-7409. FUN DAY The Bonacord Child Gare Centre will hold a, Kid's Fun Day te raise funds for new outdoor equipment and teys, on Saturday, July 8, 10 a.m. te 4 p.m., at 900 Bonacord Ave., Whitby. Thera wil be free gainas, balloons, face painting and prizes for the kids, and for parents a baka sale, yard HJEATH COUNCIIL Durhamn Region District Health Council is holding its regular monthiy meeting tonight (Wednesday), 7 p.m., in the council boardroom, 1614 Dundas St. E., suite 214, Whitby. Anyona wishing te attend, cail (905) 433-4262 due ta limited seating available. DAY CAM" Pringle Greek Community Centra School wilh begin day camnp sassions July 4, with a wida variety of activitias and prograins. Cal 668-0666. Thief chased down, bicycle is recovered A youth suspacted of theft dropped a bicycle and ran away when chased by the owner of the residanca from. which the bicycle was taken on Sunday afternoon in Whitby. Durham Regioal Police say a girls' 10O-sedbicycle and hel- met was takan from a garage an Kilbride Drive sorma timne bat- ween 4 and 4:45 p.in. The resident drove around the area and spotted a youth carry- ing the bicycle near Father Léo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School. Ha chasad the youth who aven- tually dropped tha bicycle and ran away. When the man returned home with the bicycle, ha teld bis naighbour about the incident. The naighbour than found that a bicycle was missing fram bis Poiesay the youth was dascribed as black, aged 14 or 15P wearing a white t-shirt with writing on it, red shorts and a sun visor.