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s iy « Yes, it's white - The Penetanguishene Police Force has its first white squad car. According to some safety studies, a white car is the easiest to see on the highway. Chief Robert SS Se Cummings is very enthused to have the new car at the station. The Penetanguishene Police Force has a new squad car at the back of the station. It's white. According to informa- tion provided by Chief Robert Cummings, white has been judged to be the most visible shade for motor vehicles. Like many things, the knowledge has been around for many years but it has taken some time for its application to be put to practical use. The first study into safe vehicle col- ors was conducted in 1969 by the National Safety Council. It concluded that visibility is determined by the percentage of light reflected by a given color. So the more light a color reflects, the better you'll be able to see the car on the road. Yellow reflects 51 per cent of the light, while white reflects 81 per cent. The NSC study was on the shelf for nine years until 1978 when the National Bureau of Standards again examined the relationship between traffic safety and color. With one exception, it recommended white as the best color safe driving. That exception was winter driving, where, especially during snow storms, a white car would not have very good visiblity. However, the study did not consider the implica- tions of adding reflective tape to the basic white. In 1982, the International Association of Chiefs of Police conducted a study on how to inexpensively improve the _ present methods of identifying police vehicles. A poll was conducted in conjunction for with the research and it found that 43.5 per cent of respondents liked white as a squad car color. The first choice was followed by light blue at 14.2 per cent. Even the Mercedes Benz Corp. has examined the cohabitation of color and safety. In a famous survey, the German car company's scientists found that "classic white'"' had an 88 per cent "awareness fac- tor."' (This means that you are simply aware of the car being on the road). 'Sun yellow," another favorite Mercedes color, rated a 9.75 per cent awareness factor. Many other Ontario police forces have switch- ed from yellow to white squad cars. The yellow paint, while highly visible and reflective, contained unsatisfactorily high amounts of lead. Dyer's resolution opposes changes Declaring his frustration with recent changes at the Huronia District Hospital, Tiny Township councillor Art Dyer has sponsored a Chief psychiatrist's review is mixed The psychiatrist-in-chiet at the Mental Health Cen- tre has called the last 18 months at Oak Ridge and Regional divisions "a period of major change." Gavin Tennent's remarks are included in the annual report of the Community Advisory Board, an associaton which advises and guides the MHC. He credits the former director of psychiatry, Dr. Malcolm MacCulloch, with implementing many of the changes suggested in the Hucker Report, a series of recommendations for the reordering of Oak Ridge. In the last year and a half, the role of registered nurses has been expanded, institutionalized practices have been fragmented and attendants at the Ridge have been offered a "'pro- Ramona Wildman retires fessional role,' something which Tennent describes as "a slow, evolutionary process." These changes, he charges, have meant fewer admissions to the hospital because "it would only ac- cept as many patients as it could competently treat, given the limitations of the physical plant and staffing resources." Though Tennent acknowledges that this might cause "'difficulties" he nonetheless finds it "unavoidable if we are to do more than simply warehouse people." The psychiatrist is en- thused about the planned changes for the Regional, calling it 'exciting and Fines to increase As of August 1, 1988 it'll cost more to violate bylaws in Tiny. The fine for illegal parking is going from $10 to $15 if one doesn't pay within seven days. There are seven ways in which traffic bylaws can be violated: parking in a no parking zone; parking for over 30 minutes; parking between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. contrary to a posted sign; parking to obstruct traffic; parking and obstructing snow removal; parking within 20 metres of an in- tersection; or parking in a fire route. There are also harsher fines on the way for park- ing in a handicapped zone. The voluntary, within seven days, penalty is $25. After that the price goes up to $38. as president of CAB After two years as the president of the Communi- ty Advisory Board for the Mental Health Centre, Ramona Wildman is step- ping down. She will remain a board member but did not desire to stand for reelection. During those two years, Wildman has fought for reorganization at the Regional division and the complete restructuring of Oak Ridge. She was a member of the steering committee for the Hucker Report, a document which blasted the facilities at the Ridge for being antiquated and demanded a new structure be built. Only two weeks ago she sent CAB's latest report on the Regional, entitled A Role Review and Reorganization Plan for the Mental Health Centre, Penetanguishene Regional Division to the Ministry of Health. Both Health Minister Elinor Caplan and deputy minister David Quarter received copies. As yet, Wildman has not had a reply from the ministry. The 44-page report with over 40 more pages of related documents is an argument for change at the Regional. Virtually ever facet of the facility is discussed from the inade- quacy of climate control to the increasing emphasis on outpatient services. Wildman doesn't think reorganizing the Regional : will require quite the same investment of capital as rebuilding Oak Ridge will. "There's no way that the same amount of money is being discussed. At the Regional we're talking about working within the existing structure." Changes are already pro- gressing at that location. Offices are moving to place their occupants closer to their work. The psychogeriatric ward will be relocating presently. The annual CAB elec- tions were being held on the same day that the staff and patient barbecue was -taking place. This was the event. challenging," because it combines "institutional mental health care with those in the community, whether at general hospitals or community agencies." But Tennent has two ma- jor concerns with the operation of the MHC: He describes the method to obtain treatment orders for involuntary patients as a "long legal process" which results in '"'contain- ment rather than treat- ment." The Mental Health -Act in Canada is vastly dif- ferent from that in Ten- nent's native Great Britain, where someone can be placed in mental hospital agajnst their will. Tennent also says the MHC has had difficulty recruiting people and often has to rely on visits from the experts at the Clarke In- stitute of Psychiatry in Toronto. What a spread! third year in a row that The director of the Mental Health Centre, George CAB has sponsored the Kytayko, and the president of the Community Ad- visory Board, Ramona Wildman, were serving at the at HDH resolution in opposition The hospital wants trustees to'be elected on the advice of the municipalities. That means Dyer -- who is currently Tiny's representative at the hospital -- might be offered as a candidate for trusteeship but HDH could conceivably reject him. That possibility has led the councillor to charge that the changes "'place all the power in their hands." The resolution demands that 'each municipal coun- cil should continue to ap- point its representatives directly to the board of the Huronia District Hospital." Deputy Reeve Peter Brasher, himself a lifetime member of the board, re- jects the proposals coming from HDH. Brasher, a noted surgeon who served _ gesting that at the hospital during the latter years of his medical career, said the plans are "encouraging some form of nepotism at the hospital." Furthermore, he declared, "I don't think it's legal." Dyer reiterated his op- position to the plan by reminding the other coun- cillors: "the hospital does happen to be in Tiny."' He also said that other members of neighboring municipal councils (Midland's for one) have voiced their discontent. Dyer instructed Clerk Guy Maurice to im- mediately forward a copy of the resolution to the hospital executive, sug- "there's not a lot of time." The resolution was pass- ed by a 5-0 vote. annual barbecue last week. Both staff and patients at- tended in large numbers. Wildman is stepping down as CAB president after two years of service.