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4 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, July 27,1994 Section Two New Season for Drama Club Members = ■ Æ Recently, a "Report Card" has been compiled by the Ontario Medical Medical Association on the Ministry of Health. It seems that the OMA are placing their report card as advertisements advertisements in local newspapers. To my knowledge these advertisements haven't appeared locallay -ÿet. That doesn't mean they won't. I have seen the report card, which includes a number of unsubstantiated criticisms, each of which I can meet head-on with fact. The OMA has given the Ministry of Health a "D" for managing expenditure expenditure growth. The facts are, that from 1984 to 1991, health spending in Ontario increased by more than 10 per cent every year, growing from $9' billion to $17 billion, which contributed contributed to the growing deficit and higher taxes. From 1991 to 1994 the ministry ministry has reduced spending to less than half of one per cent. At the same time, Ontario hospitals treated 1.3 million more acute cases than before, provided more than 3.2 million additional additional doctors' services, funded 2.8 million added claims under the Ontario Ontario Drug Benefit Program, opened 20 new Community Health Centres, and increased the capacity for dialysis treatments by more than 1,400 patients. patients. The OMA gave the Ministry of Health a "D" under "educating the public." The advertising campaign - "Smoking: It Will Suck the Life Right Out of You" won five awards at the Canadian Television Commercials Commercials Festival sweeping the government government category. The health ad: "Dream", won top prize for the best single ad in Canada. Our cinema ad, "Swimmers" won gold at the U.S. In- Theft of Plaque Against Violence Saddens Reader Dear Editor, I was recently informed that the plaque in memory of the slain women women from the Montreal Polytechnical Institute and all female victims of violence violence in Durham Region, has been stolen. This remembrance was located outside of the Visual Arts Centre mounted with cement and special hardware on a large boulder. It saddens me to think that a remembrance remembrance erected by personal donations donations and fundraising lasted less than a year before it was destroyed.. I am perplexed as to why someone would spend a great deal of time and effort to remove this - it must have been a most difficult task. I like to think that the town of Clarington is a respectful and safe community to live in. This act really makes me wonder! Sincerely, Allison Leppert From Page 3 up on me as soon as she heard my voice at the other end of the line. The grower never did return my calls. "I kept trying for two weeks, but to no avail. I hadn't even cashed the cheque so that I could exchange it for one made out correctly. Finally, in desperation, I gave up, cashed the cheque and put the whole experience behind me. "Over the years, I wonder how many other friends and employees were trampled on to gel this 'gentleman' 'gentleman' where he is today." *** I am sure everyone has a particular axe they could grind if driven hard enough to talk about it. I hope this week's Outlook helps folks take a look at their lives and maybe put some things right with others others in their lives. temational Film Festival and competed competed at the Cannes Film Festival. The OMA gave the Ministry of Health a "D" for reducing health-care fraud. We have announced a new health card, which will have photo, address, expiry date, signature and other anti-fraud features. Since the introduction of the ministry's toll- free hotline, 943 cases of alleged fraud and abuse have undergone investigation. investigation. Seven cases have already gone to court, and 131 health cards have been cancelled. The OMA report card says the ministry fails to ensure the availability availability of OHIP funds for medically necessary necessary services. OHIP's mandate is to deliver essential essential services and any changes in health carë spending are designed to cut duplication and create more efficiency efficiency just to be able to continue to provide essential services. I believe most reasonable people can understand that changes in our health care system were inevitable. Last year, the doctors agreed to a fixed pool of funds (almost $4- billion) for medical services, with re- ' strictions on such things as new billing billing numbers for non-Ontario-trained physicians. A review panel with members of the government, the public public and the Ontario Medical Association Association identified some $20-million worth of services that could be, and have been, removed from OHIP coverage coverage without impairing essential health care. I believe most reasonable people can understand that changes in our health-care system were inevitable, if we are to preserve essential care for all. Still on health - OHIP still covers the costs of emergency service that Ontario residents receive while travelling travelling outside Canada. But as of June 30, 1994, OHIP will only pay $100 per day for emergency in-patient hospital hospital treatment on any day. This mechanism was introduced to limit provincial liability which had grown to $225-million in 1990/91. I blame the exorbitant fees charged by the health care industry in the U.S. for the changes we have made. Many U.S. physicians and hospitals raised their fee structure for Ontario residents residents to increase their revenues. These same people have a different fee structure for U.S. residents. I have tried to get the State of Florida to just charge the same fees for our seniors who travel south for the win- Friends Re-united After Story Appears In Recent Statesman Dear Sirs, I would like to think you most sincerely sincerely for helping me to locate my long lost friend Mrs. Lil Tinline of whom I wrote to you recently. I must also apologize to your good selves for my error when writing to you I enclosed a stamped addressed envelope envelope for your reply. But after posting my letter I suddenly realized that my postage stamp was English and of course should have been Canadian, for any reply from you. However you obviously printed details of my lost friend and did not request payment from me therefore I am enclosing $10 which I do hope will cover any expenses you incurred. My friend wrote to me and I am now about to reply to her. Once more let me thank you most sincerely. It has been very rewarding for me to find my friends once more. All good wishes to you and your newspaper. (Mrs.) Stella Hamilton, (previous surnatne was Grice) P.S. discovered - when living in Bowmanville in 1957 my flat (top floor) was above your newspaper office! office! ter as they do for the Floridians. It was all to no avail, and wasn't supported supported by their government, no doubt because of pressure from their hospitals hospitals and their medical profession. Our publicly funded health care system just cannot subsidize profit-driven medical systems outside of Ontario. We can't afford it. I am still getting complaints over gun control, and I was recently told that my over twenty-plus years service service as a policeman, and the daily handling of a gun in that capacity, was no guarantee that Lean understand understand the debate that is going on over firearms. I am left to wonder why people write and complain about me as a politician, whom they see as somehow failing them over the issue of gun control, when, surely, everyone everyone must know the responsibility for guns and permits to acquire a gun is solely within the jurisdiction of the Federal Government. Might I suggest to these folks that their fervour over this issue should be directed to the local local MP Mr. Alex Shepherd. Would that be asking too much? I had to smile on reading a comment comment in a local newspaper about our government spending money like it's going out of style, allegedly to create jobs, but politically to enhance their popularity with the voters. The dictionary dictionary tells me that "allegedly" is to say "without proof." The proof that jobs are being created is as follows: The jobsOntario Capital program for public transit, roads, water treatment, sewers and telecommunications created more than 73,000 jobs in 1993. More than 70,000 new jobs are being created in 1994. This is in addition addition to the 14,900 being created in partnership with the Federal govern- ■ ment through the Canada-Ontario infrastructure infrastructure program. jobsOntario Training has created 48,000 job opportunities in private companies. Under jobsOntario Homes more than 20,000 jobs have been created inthe housing industry in 1994. Through jobsOntario Community Action 2,000 jobs were created in 1993. Another 3,400 jobs are being created in 1994. jobsOntario Summer Employment is providing jobs for over 23,000 students students this summer. All of the above says nothing to the thousands of jobs we have saved and created in industry since 1991. Without the actions of this government, government, thousands of people would be out of work for ever. Why do some local newspapers engage in taking silly back-handed pot-shots at the government? They would do better by sticking to facts and not by engaging in whimsical speculation of motive. Try to be patient with everyone, but even more with yourself - Until next week. The Bowmanville Drama Club executive held its first meeting of the '94-95 season on July 19th. Upcoming events include theatre workshops and August auditions for the club's fall production, The Odd Couple (female version). Pictured left to right, (back row): Jean Sheridan, Recording Secretary; Debbie Morrison, Social; Sheila Majid, Majid, Program and Education; Ellen Logan, Costumes; (middle row): Georgina Preston, Playreading Committee; Pat Maijerrison, President; President; Joanna Bellman, Publicity; (front row): Kathy Thompson, Vice-president; Donna Kay, High School Liaison; and Randy Alldread, Alldread, Playreading Committee. Reader Skunked in 1863 We are indebted to Mrs. Gertrude Nicholson of Oshawa and her daughter Sharon McMullen for passing along an item of interest from The Tweed News. Apparently, Apparently, Mrs. Nicholson has been a subscriber subscriber to the Tweed News for many years, and Sharon is one of our valued valued computer operators at The Statesman office. The pertinent item is included in a column entitled Heritage Heritage Herald by Evan Morton. Shortly after we received Mrs. Nicholson's paper, along came another another copy of the same Tweed News edition from subscriber Brace Lush. It's a small world. The item follows: "From The Canadian Statesman Bowmanville C. W., 1863 pasted on wall boards discovered during renovations renovations at Mr. V's some time ago come these gems: Gold and silver bearing quartz veins have been found within nine miles of Victoria, Vancouver's Island, creating a great excitement in that colony. Mr. O. S. Gildersleeve of Kingston Kingston is about to build a new Iron Steamer for Lake Ontario. It belongs belongs to the Royal Mail Line and is to be constructed in Glasgow, being put together in Canada in sections. An Irishman at work on a stone wall, caught a small spotted animal which he took to be a neighbour's kitten, but dropping her almost instantly, instantly, he clapped both hands to his nose and exclaimed, "Howly mother! mother! What has she been aiting?" It was a skunk! (a local lady who emigrated from Scotland years ago as a youngster, has told me that she and her brother chased and tried to catch a skunk before neighbours informed informed these unsuspecting newcomers newcomers of the repelling characteristics of the critter!)." Dear Mr. Parrott: I am writing in response to the Sunday Sun article you reprinted in your Wednesday, July 20/94 issue of the Canadian Statesman. Your reprint was entitled "Little Reaction Over Anti-Radiation Pills in Bowmanville Area" and the article dealt with the issue of pre-distribution of potassium iodide pills (the tablets block the absorption absorption of radioactive iodine released released during a nuclear accident). Regional Councillor Anne Drcs- linski was quoted as saying "Yeah, right.. .round up the kids, give them pills, give one to the dog and everything everything will be all right in the morning. Frankly, I've lived in the area for 24 years... it doesn't 1 bother me." ♦Regional Councillor Carson Elliott stated: "If it came on like Chernobyl, bodies everywhere, I'd take a double dose of those pills and put on a great big lead apron, and do business". It was ironically noted in the article that Mr. Elliott is a former funeral director. director. These callous comments flippantly flippantly dismiss a serious issue that should be addressed. Clarington residents and their families have the right to be prepared in the event of a nuclear emergency. This issue should not be dismissed or invalidated. For their information, potassium iodide pills are available locally at Shoppers Drug Mart (Bowmanville (Bowmanville Mall) - no prescription is required required if you don't mind paying $15/ per person/14 pills. However, you can (as I did) ask your doctor to prescribe prescribe the pills and the cost will be bom by your drug plan. Parents with babies or small children may want to ask if a liquid form is available. The good folk at Shoppers Drug Mart of fered to stock a small supply (enough for 6 people) and are able to obtain more within 24 hours if requests warrant warrant it. Financially speaking - the pharmacy could not afford to maintain maintain a stock for a possible emergency. Shelf life for the pills is 5 years provided provided the bottle remains unopened. The real point is that Ontario Hydro Hydro should be paying for the pills and distributing them to everybody in the primary evacuation zone and the primary primary zone itself should be expanded from the current 10 km to 30 km. Sincerely, Jan Mayer, 8298 Grasshopper Parle Rd. Bowmanville, Ontario L1C3K2 I would appreciate hearing your views. Sincerely, Jan.