Another message for Cobourg Council
Last night the members of "Citizens for an Alternative Solution" spoke at Council. Mr Tony Farren, immaculately dressed as usual, complete with a brightly coloured tie impressed the assembly with his usual poise and eloquence. Flanked by his supporters, who included former Mayor Angus Read, organisor Bill Patchett local good guy and booster of Cobourg Rod Baker and others who included the former CAO of NHH Joan Ross, and a previous Chair of the Board Eva Nichols. Wow what a turnout.
Tony did not disappoint. Speaking from the same set of facts as last week's delegation he emphasised once again that he Hospital is a big engine of economic growth.and took exception to Mr Biron's insistence that we have the facts wrong, "The lack of dialogue from the Board has alienated both users and donors." he said he had two points to make: one was that the budget cuts had to be balanced and that we must solve the Long term Care problem. He stated that if the local health care issue in the past had been left up to government we would not have a hospital at all but would have been part of regionalisation. Finishing with the statement, "There are alternative solutions in the community and we do believe that Cobourg Council must express its concern."
Another speaker after Mr Farren was a former KPR schoolboard Trustee, Nancy Blakey. Mrs Blakely outlined her views based on her personal experiences over the last year dealing with both ailing parents and the NHH. Her position was simple: the amount of money required to keep the Rehab outpatients service open only costs $245K a year - peanuts in a $60 million budget, Cost savings must be found to offset the cut. She proposed that Council pass five motions.
In response to both speakers, and last week's delegation the Deputy Mayor stated, in the absence of the Mayor, that after hearing Mr Biron next week and on television, as Council is covered by cable, Council will have a position and make a resolution.
Tony did not disappoint. Speaking from the same set of facts as last week's delegation he emphasised once again that he Hospital is a big engine of economic growth.and took exception to Mr Biron's insistence that we have the facts wrong, "The lack of dialogue from the Board has alienated both users and donors." he said he had two points to make: one was that the budget cuts had to be balanced and that we must solve the Long term Care problem. He stated that if the local health care issue in the past had been left up to government we would not have a hospital at all but would have been part of regionalisation. Finishing with the statement, "There are alternative solutions in the community and we do believe that Cobourg Council must express its concern."
Another speaker after Mr Farren was a former KPR schoolboard Trustee, Nancy Blakey. Mrs Blakely outlined her views based on her personal experiences over the last year dealing with both ailing parents and the NHH. Her position was simple: the amount of money required to keep the Rehab outpatients service open only costs $245K a year - peanuts in a $60 million budget, Cost savings must be found to offset the cut. She proposed that Council pass five motions.
In response to both speakers, and last week's delegation the Deputy Mayor stated, in the absence of the Mayor, that after hearing Mr Biron next week and on television, as Council is covered by cable, Council will have a position and make a resolution.
1 comments:
Was this the infamous Rotary and cocktail crowd you referred to previously?
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