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PAGE 6, WIITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 18, 1989 Published every Wedhesday Maurice Pifher By 677209 Ontario Inc. Editor Phone: 668-6111 Peter Irvine 668-6112 668-6369 Advertising Manager Doug Anderson Alexandra Simon Publisher Production Manager >VOICE OF THECOUNTYTOWN131 Brock Street North, P.O. Box 206, Whitby, Ont. The on/y Whitby newspaper independently owned and operated by LN 551 2nd class Posta Registration #05351 Whitby residents for Whitby residents. Historically, mental health Institutes have located and operated in isolation with resigned tolerance and obs- cure recognition by the community. More recently there has been a trend toward deinstitu- tionalization of the mentally ill. Althouglh on the right track, services remain disorganized, inefficient and largely ineffective, especially for the chronically mentally iii. Ontario's fragmented mental health services are largely due to the continued separation and isolation of services. Psychiatric hospitals remain separate from other health care facilities. General hospital psychiatric units function autonomously. Provincial psyc:atric hospitals, psychiatric units ir United we stand general hospitals, and community mental health pro- grams continue to operate in isolation, resulting in a situation best described as three solitudes. Whitby Psychiatric Hospital itself will be redeveloped as a 325-bed regional centre. The regional centre's programs will include a mental health care centre which will provide general hospital psychiatric unit functions for Durham Region, and, to a limited extent, for Victoria County, and eight tertiary care, regional programs for specialized populations. According to plans, beginning in 1990/91 approxi- mately $2-million per year for five years will be required to fund the non-hospital component of the comprehen- sive, integreted system. The overall plan should be implemented in three phases over a six-year period from 1989 to 1995. Policy dictates that community services be in place prior to opening the new hospital. This is an opportunity to establish and support a comprehensive model of an integreted mental health service able to address the current deficiencies. With this opportunity, Ontario could move to the forefront of innovation and initiative in the area of mental health, which remains a current challenge- to heaith planners across Canada and throughout the world. It is time we start recognizing our potential; that we change our attitudes toward mental illness, and that we support and welcome change; that we not only integrate but ingratitate mental health services and patients in our community. LETTERS The Whitby Free Press welcomes letters to the Editor on any subject of concern to our readers. Letters should be brief and to the point - rarely more than 300 words. All letters must be accompanied by the name, address and phone number of the writer; however, on request, your name may be withheld from publication if we agree that there is a valid reason. The paper reserves the right to reject or edit all letters. Send to: The Editor, Whitby Free Press, Box 206, Whitby, Ontario LiN 5S1 or drop through our mailslot at 131 Brock St. N. Soetens defends axes and taxes By Rene Soetens Ontario riding MP Since its creation in 1977, the federal government has spent more than $5-billion on Via Rail. In 1988 alone, the government subsidy required to keep Via alive was $641 million or an average subsidy of $100 per passenger. As subsidies to Via increased over the years, ridership declined by 20 per cent, from 8 million in 1981 to 6.4 million in 1988. Due to declining ridership and the exorbitant cost of keeping Via afloat, the Progressive Conservative government felt a restructuring of Via was in dire need. On Wednesday, Oct. 4, Transport Minister Benoit Bouchard announced the federal governnent's decision concerning Via Rail's five-year corporate plan. The new Via will be approximately 51 per cent smaller than the current network but will carry at least 60 per cent of its 1988 passenger total. Current service levels are to be reduced and certain routes discontinued. However, Via will continue to provide service to truly isolated communities with no alternative means of transportation. What we are attempting to do is maintain a national network which strikes a balance between the transportation needs of Canada and fiscal realities. The decision of which routes to discontinue was the most difficult one facing the government. It is indeed unfortunate that the Toronto-Havelock route was one of the runs cut. This route was well-travelled and was more cost efficient than some even though it, too, lost money. I am sure though that one of the deciding factors in its demise was the fact that the Toronto-Havelock route is ideally suited for a takeover by GO Transit. Such a takeover would serve area residents well, while simultaneously linking it to a growing system specifically designed to service daily commuters. The reduction of Via's subsidy will result in a savings to taxpayers of $1-billion over five years. Any delay in implementing the five-year plan would cost Canadian taxpayers, further millions which they cannot afford. I believe that this plan provides Canada with a national, affordable and sustainable rail passenger network for Canadians as we move towards the 21st century. The finance committee continued it goods and services tax fact-finding mission, as it met with concerned Canadians in Whitehorse, Vancouver, Edmonton, Regina and Winnipeg. Once all the groups centred in Western Canada have been heard from, the committee will head east to hear input from the Maritime provinces. It is the desire of the finance committee to ensure that no group with a legitimate concern be left unheard. Once agam. I encourage your input on the GST. Remembering our vets To the editor: A letter to residents: The annual distribution of poppies and wreaths is the Canadian Legion's only national appeal for funds, which are held in trust in a separate account. Branch poppy trust funds are reservoirs from which emergency assistance can be given to needy veterans, their dependants, widows and children of deceased ex-servicemen, seniors, disabled and other community projects. The poppy fund is the Canadian Legion's way of remembering the debt which all of us owe to those who sacrificed so much. It is the Legion's sincere belief that Canadians appreciate the oDoortunity of contributing in a small way to the payment of this debt. In addition to the act of rememberance, contributions to the Poppy Fund are tangble expressions of thanks to the men who died and to those who have been left disabled. Please send your donation to the Canadian Legion Poppy Fund. A wreath display will be at the cenotaph on Nov. 11. The donor's name will be shown on the wreath. We at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 112, are pleased to inform you that our poppy fund registration has been approved by the government for income tax purposes. Receipts issued for 1989 can be used for income tax deductions. Yours truly, Denis E. Delaney Poppy Chairman, Branch 112 Thanks for support To the editor: We wish to thank the businesses in Whitby who pro- vided donations and support to the Sept. 9 flea market at Whitby General Hospital. It was a huge success. Your continued support of Whitby General Hospital is appreciated. Gloria A. Tuck Flea Market Committee lie z:.... o "Miss the Via train? Don't worry, the GO Train should be coming soon." - ~ '-- Il4-