An update and an opinion
The Northumberland Health Coalition had a meeting with the local MPP, it appears that no-one changed anybody's mind. Here is a report of the meeting that has been released to the media. Meanwhile the other group, Patchett's bunch, have released a progress report, that has been published as a letter to the editor in NToday, and makes interesting reading.
Mr Frank Farago, as the chair of the group which calls itself "the Citizens for Alternative Solutions", expresses frustration with a couple of things. One is that he complains that exclusive access is being denied, he is being told that his group will be meeting with other people, up to 60 of 'em. The other complaint is that he doesn't understand why the CEO and Board Chair doesn't avail themselves of the expertise contained in this group, the members of which are unknown to the general public. The BurdReport has heard rumours that this group is composed of business like Rotarians who think that their very names should open doors - obviously Mr Biron is not as impressed with them as they are with themselves. As a newcomer to the community he obviously does not recognise the social and financial impact of these guys. The BurdReport is impressed with Mr Biron's behaviour in this regard.
But back to the NHC's meeting with the MPP. It was a meeting that had to take place even if only to show just how stubborn he is being and how unresponsive he is to his constituents concerns. Having demonstrated indifference to the situation he now has to defend himself against complaints of his disregard to the situation. Not having answers about the purported new facilities that are going to be in place before any of the cuts take place is scandalous. Taking orders from the LibCentral is even worse especially when it disregards his voters problems.
Mr Frank Farago, as the chair of the group which calls itself "the Citizens for Alternative Solutions", expresses frustration with a couple of things. One is that he complains that exclusive access is being denied, he is being told that his group will be meeting with other people, up to 60 of 'em. The other complaint is that he doesn't understand why the CEO and Board Chair doesn't avail themselves of the expertise contained in this group, the members of which are unknown to the general public. The BurdReport has heard rumours that this group is composed of business like Rotarians who think that their very names should open doors - obviously Mr Biron is not as impressed with them as they are with themselves. As a newcomer to the community he obviously does not recognise the social and financial impact of these guys. The BurdReport is impressed with Mr Biron's behaviour in this regard.
But back to the NHC's meeting with the MPP. It was a meeting that had to take place even if only to show just how stubborn he is being and how unresponsive he is to his constituents concerns. Having demonstrated indifference to the situation he now has to defend himself against complaints of his disregard to the situation. Not having answers about the purported new facilities that are going to be in place before any of the cuts take place is scandalous. Taking orders from the LibCentral is even worse especially when it disregards his voters problems.
5 comments:
Robert Biron is a Rotarian himself, so I think the reference to Rotarians is off base. Might want to try the Masons.
What a terrible snub it must be for Patchett's group to discover they don't have the clout they thought they did.
Ah, the pecking order in Northumberland. Turns out just because people have donated generously and consistently over the years to various projects, if they don't have the good sense to fall into line with the Authority of our big institutions, they will be turned aside just like those dirty lazy union members.
Patchett should be used to being snubbed around here, this isn't the first time. Remember his proposal to turn the old Loblaws store across from Victoria Hall into our new library? A great idea, and he offered the land cheap, but Council wanted a brand new building without paying for the land so they eliminated the park at the Five Corners and built it there instead. I still think that was a mistake.
Patchett may be a successful business owner, but he is too big, too loud, and simply hasn't lived around here long enough to be an acceptable local champion. Maybe his children's children will make the cut.
Maybe this will make him mad enough to run for Council or even Mayor. That'd really shake things up around here wouldn't it?
Or maybe Bill P. will join the Hospital Board of Directors in one of the 5 geographic slots that are up for grabs this June. That will really shake things up for Biron!
The Conservative Opposition plus at least one Liberal MPP (Kim Craitor) has called for a review of LHIN Salaries. That's where a lot of the money is going. The 2010 Ontario Sunshine List shows that last year alone $17 million health care dollars were diverted from frontline patient care towards the salaries, bonuses and perks of senior LHINs management. If you remember, when the LHINs were started, Don Morrison stated publicly that it would not be good. Looks like he was right.
Deb,the old Loblaws site would have been a wonderful spot for the new Library. Instead, we have a windswept parking lot. I remember an elected official at the time saying, they " just had to do something ", because the discussion over a site " had gone on too long ". But it's not all bad, we could have had the east end ball diamond complex built in the Rotary park, across from MacDonald's.
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