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Hospî"tal bracing for reduced provincial funding By Mike Kowalski Fewer dollars from the Ontario government could mean fewer services at Whitby General Hospital. Reducin g services is one of the options facing hospital offril as theyprepare to cope with less money from Queen's Par. Previously announced cuts in transfer payments and this week's announcement on how the govern- nient will chop another $2 billion from its payroll have officiais fearing the worst. «What it means, we don't knowi... nothing is clear yet," said hospital administrator Elizabeth Barton. "We don't know what the dollar impact or timing will be," she said. "Obviously we've been well warned to expect hit,» Barton continued. «So if and when we do g et hit we will seriously contem plate service cuts,» s he warned. We don't have the ability to, absorb three to five per cent funding cutbacks from our own resouroes.» In an effort to slow down Ontario's spiralling deficit, the government plans to reduce transfer payments to seven publie service sectors. Health care agencies such as hos pitals have been told they will have to make do with $560 million less in provincial funding thisyer swell, the government's failure to reach agree- ment with public sector unions on its proposed social contract with public employees means transfer agencies might be in for additional cost-cutting. Monday of the goverriment's plan to reduce $2 billion froni the $43-billion payroll for Ontario's 950,000 public employees. But regardless of what Pae was te, have announ- ced, Barton said Whitby General cannot trim its expenses any further. "'WAe've been aggressive in identifying ineflicien- cies and pinching costs the past coupl e years, the fat isj*ust not there," she said. Barton noted that the hospital has been conduct- ing a study the past several months on its future needs and priorities and the message coming SEE PAGE 13 Seniors centre to be expandedI UN bound ANDERSON CVI student Melissa Duke Ë(left) and Henry Street High School student Chelsea Balzan read Up on the United Nations in preparation for their tri p ta UN headquarters in Newi York City. The two girls won the trip in a public-speaking contest sponsored by th.- Oddfellow and Rebecca Lodges. They'Il also visit Ottawa, Washington, Philadelphia and Niagara Falls on a 12-day bus trip with 38 students from across Canada. Photo by Mark Reesor, Whltby Free Press By Mike Kowalski Whitby senior citizens will not have to travel far to their new activity centre -- their current facility will be expanded. Town council Monday set in motion plans to build a 6,100-sq. ft. addition to the senior citizens' centre at 801 Brock St. S. Pursuant to the necessar7 rezoning changes, the centre wi 1 be expanded northwards, accord- ing to a four-part recommenda- tion approved by council. A private home at 724 Green St. will be purchased to accomo- date parking for the larger quar- ters and a portion of Pitt Street will be losed between Green and Brock streets. Consultants will also be hired to undertake a design and traffic study of the site and their find- ings will be p repared for a public meetin gon July 5, council ruled. But how soon construction of the addition can begin is uncer- tain at this timne Council is still committed to a new fire hall on Taunton Road as its next major capital spending project, a staff report noted. "Iý support it, I'm very delighted " said a pleased coun- cillor Johin Doîstra, who has advocated expanding the existing centre since his election to coun- cil two years ago. "Ites long overdue,» said coun- cillor Joe Drumni. "It's net what we originally set out to do, but it fuIs the bill," he SEE PAGE 2 Local fZorist has charges wi"thdrawn by town B y Mike Kowalski A Whitby florist nabbed in a crackdown on roadside flower vendors lest month lias had his charges withdrawn by the muharge'.s ln flowers without a licence were withdrawn ltweagantB Brant, owner of Burtinsky & Brant Florists- Brant was one of eight people who sold flowers without a licence on street corners or other locations in town durmng the Mother's Daiweekend. Altho h~rant's chrgs were withcrawn, charges against the others, ânon-itby residents, were set over for trial later this year. Town adnuinistrator Bill Wallace said the municipality withdrew the charges against Brant, based on advice fron its solicitor. Wallace said the florists situation was "slightly différent" froni the others, but decined te comment further. Brant was charged with -sellinig flowers from a Dundas Street corner, only a short distance from lus Byron Street South shop. It was net the first time he conducted business outaide his store. Mfter years of complaining to Town officials about unlicensed street vendors selling flowers at will, Brant opted to do the sanie HFowever he too, was caught when the Town decided to crack down last mýonth.' Althoughi glad the charges were dropped, Brant expected tthe Town te black down because he operates a legitimate business and should not have to purchase a »hawkers' anrýeddlers"' licence. Brant said he was verbally informed pruor to last Tuesday'5 court date that the charge would be withdrawn. But when he asked for wiitten confirmation, Brant said he was told that was net possible until after the matter was formally disposed of in court, As aresult, Brant said he was forced te, take time off work te attend court. "They withdrew it, but they didn't give in. They wouldn't even Bay they were sorry," he Br saidrasd edr Des'tth Mothfer's Da harges,Brn adoasevnos are still dng business in yhth. SUR PAGE 2