Pettion delivered;n project Iist expected soon 6from CMZENS on page Ai and getting a patient in urgently was no problem. Things have really changed." According to Kolbasnik, its flot just the population spike that bas placed mounting pressure on MDH; the infrastructure at the bospital is sbowing signa of deterioration. He pointed to a leaky roof last summer that led to the evacuafion of the medical sur- gical ward for almost a week. MDH recently received a "state of the art" surgical steriliza- tion machine, wbich Kolbasnik said took a week to install because the hospital's infra- structure was too old to support the new technology "During that week we had to ration surgi- cal equipment .. . thats flot the sort of thing Usat should be happening in a growing com- munity like ours." He continued, "As much as theres a grad- uai deterioration, we're womred we're going to reach a breaking point when thinga just start to fail apart." Organizer and Ward 6 Councillor Mike Cluett took some time to dispel common rumors circulating about the MDH expan- sion. Pointing to the new nortb Oakville hospi- tal, Cluett said: "The Oakville bospital is designed for Oakville's growt, flot for other communities. We need a made-in-Milton hospital expansion for Multons needs now." Cluett added that bes unfazed by naysay- ers. "We've beard, 'It's great you're doing this but it's not going to make a difference.' Well we'd radier go down swinging than flot do anything at ail. We want to let Use provincial goverrunent know that it starts witb tbem. Give us Use go abead, and we'll figure Use reat out." Playing MC for the event, Scott Fox of Z103.5 said wben be moyed to town seven years ago be would brag to bis friends about the zero wait times at MDH. "Now Use tables have tumned," he said. GRAHAM UANE / CANADIAN CHAMPION Surgeon Dr. Jeif Kolbasnik addresses a small group huddled in the Victoria Park gazebo during a Saturday morning rally before a hospital expansion peti- tion was taken to Queen's Park. "Ail you have to do i5 look around at a town that's bursting at Use searos and a bos- pital Usat was bult decades ago. The fact that people are waling, Usey're being sent to oUser commumties for critical care, surgeries are being postponed because Useres flot enougb beda - this screams expansion." Cbudleigb said be bopes Use message cornes througb loud and clear at Queens Park. The petition was delivered mere weeks before Use Province la expected to release its lO-Year infrastructure liat for bigb-priority projecta. 01BECAUSE SHE'S STILL YOUR BABY ~>When you choose YD's Collisionfreerm Approach, you'll know that she has been through ~' the safest and most effective driver training available. O f course you'll stili worry ... just a lot leas. Prepare for the road ahead '~(L~ YOUNG For details visit wwiow.yd.com Flexible paymnent options DRIVERS' or cail: 905.878.2420 Next Course: May 3 Tues/Thur eve Tieh Wilson, Aglent Leis W ay '201 - 10220 Derry Rd E, stars inMilton ON L9T 7J3 tisb-wilson@cooperators.ca 'ESTNE Cwein(905) 8044900 Whether your goal is to protect your home, your vehicle or your family s frnancial 15 o Doly'sbic' igst itsfuture, you can count.on us for the right coverage - designed to fit your needs. 5" ~ ~ "Ilnsi h tem For exceptional service, and f riendly knowledgeable advice, give Tish a cail today. APRIL 0 AT PM COopeIâato Ê A Better Place For You- Largest 100% Canadian multi-product insurer. N o s I u o 5 .f I b f s t m m s .u2 I8s a n W w w%&eeks, Cluett said Use momentum for Use expansion wont slow down anytimfe soon. "It doesn't end today lt's going to contin- ue until Use spade la in the ground and we have our bospital." Christina Comnusýso can be reached at