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22 - The Canadien Champion, Tuesday, April 18, 2000 Something is fishy: Hughes t ram DRURY on page 1 pasl 15 years. The Dmury application isn'î specifically part of that investigation, but il meant the ORC was unable 10 confirm or deny the sequence of evenîs surrounding the E.C. Drury sale. "Most of our files are wiîb the OPP," said ORC communica- lions officer Judith Baird. Thougb denying any knowledge of irregularily, Ms Baird said iî's difficult 10 research the paeticulaes of the Drury sale wilbout the files. 'I have no way of judging the process on Ibis property or any property. Tbat's whaî the auditors are doing. If there is some- tbing, we'll be notified." Documents received under the act confirmcd the developcr sent the ORC a deposit and letter of intent for six acres of the Drury land April 2, 1988, said Mr. Hughes. But the land wasn't declared surplus until May 15, 1998. When a second lelter followed on April 21, the developer's interest had been expanded 10 include more than 30 acres of the land. That's because there had been îalk of putting the site up for sale as early as 1991, said Colin Best, real estate agent for H.D . tnvestments. Those rumours were bolstered when the E.C. Dmury School for the Deaf declared the lands surplus in 1996. That date was con- firmed by Town planner Anne Bouck. "The Province firat contacted the Town early in the month of January, 1997. My understanding was the lands had been surplus at that lime, so it probably happened in 1996." But the sale and tendering process should have heen open and accounitable 10 the public, charged Mr. Hughes. That could have given residents enough lime tu lobby local politicians, who voted againsl buying the property in July, 1998. tnstead, he dlaims only selected real estale agencies were informed of the sale by the ORC. That left the door open for H.D. Invesîments 10 sign an agreement witb the Province juat two days after the council1 vote. H.D. Invesîments plans 10 build a geared-for-seniors subdivi- sion on the land.' Ils application bas been rejected by counicil and is awaiting an appeal aI the Ontario Municipal Board. But if there bas been an impropriety in the dealings, il isn't the fault of B.D. Invesîments owner Dave de Sylva, said Mr. Hughes. "He's dose nothing wrong. He's just taken advantage of a good situation. It's the ORC who are beîng sloppy. There's no pre- dictability of accountability." At press lime, Mr. de Sylva couldn't be reached for comment. Bil - Uers ANNIVERSARY SALE ~ E AO~ Any Suit - ~0 Blazer & Pant, VUOFF Sportcoat & Pant Agent Frooman Formal Wear QZr, 202 Main St E. Miton 878-5397 Dental program for old approved By IRENE GENTLE The Champion A six-montli pilot project will eltempt la, enaure that the well-being of Halton's frai] elderly end special needs adulte isn't being jeoperdized by poar dental heellli. The program is the culmination of efforts speerheaded by Halton reaident Carole Werd. The issue cauglt ber attention wben she realized ber eIder- ly parente lie stopped brushing their teelli while living in a nursing home. And they weren't alose. According ta an isarlier Halton staff repart up 10 95 per cent of the frail elderly and special needs adulte have trouble juet brushing their leeth. "lIt neyer pccurred ta me that 1 should be aaying 'Dad, are you brushing your teelli." Mn Weed tld the Region'e health and social services committee recenlly. "It just neyer dawned on me.", But after watching ber parente' tee literally cnunble, Ms Ward helped form the Halton Oral Healili Outreach (HOHO) cosnsnittee. Now tse Community Care Accees Centre (CCAC) and Îse Halton Regional Healtb Department (HRHD) bave aIea. joined forces la tackle the problern, which cas lead ta mal- nouriment. "Literally. people can't gel the nouriahsnenl they need without proper dental care',"'sasd Oakville Mayor Ann Mulvale. Recently, dental cere for seniis'in Haltos retirement or long-term-care homes bas been addressed. Thec pilot project which wes* approved by boUs committee ansd counicîl, wilI allow a dental hygieniat ta assess the dental bealth of vulne- able residente in Useir own homes. Initially, the HRHD expecte ta sec about six service. requeste per month, aaid Use Region's Medîcal Officer of Healts Dr. Bob Nasal. "But once there's increesed awarenese, we may have an exponiential increese," he edmitted. A survey teken by HOHO al ite outset showed, about 77- per cent of seniors could psy for dental services if they lied accese ta them. "But since then, we seen lo be getting.a lot of people.com- ing forward who can't afford il," aaid Ms Watd. Wlsile the will is Ibere, what'a missing is the funding ta pay for dental care for at-risk residents who cen't afford il, said Ms Ward. But Ibat could change if tbe Region can persuade the Province ta include these services under tbe Long Terni Care Act. "If it became a professianal service under Use act, Usen iî's ail cavered," said Dr. Nasal. Approval for the project was îimely s April is Dental Health Montli. Tune-Up Lube,O0i1 & Filter a a aB64-9 ;2 4 ,0 .* ailR7495 . a384-9 *appIes to most cars & Iight trucks Cail and book your appointment today!a 'I f ssioa l u.uly p le d o r w hm Flawess make-up for bride andauendants Pîcture perfeci for video andphotography "Wedd:ngpr»of' - la Lst ailday Enhancesfeatures wathout Iooking overdone CeroifiedMake-sp Anise smce 1989 stephanie boswel lIarkin (905) 827-9999 4 cyl >6 cyI 8 cyl NIEl For the air wa hmatha 7ri