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127th You Nit. 7 Wednesday, Fehrut 18, 1981 Watcdoo, Outwio 25 Com: BOARD MEMBER SA " Co-op collapse a 'surprise' By Philip Jalsevac At least one member of the board of directors of Co-operative Health Services of Ontario, ordered into liquidation last week, maintains the board wasn't aware of the non-profit company's precarious financial situation until shortly before it folded. Wil- liam Rowe, a retired police officerliving in Kitchener, said in an interview Monday "it certainly was quite a surprise initially" when the board was informed of the company's situation at a Jan. 21 meeting. Rowe said companv Disabled to be accomodated Council agreed with MeWhinney's suggestion. and moved to make city buildings accessible "where feasible," and to designate two spaces in city-owned lots for the handicapped. Waterloo adlerman Mary Jane MeWhinney told countil Monday that In 1981, the year of the handicapped person in Canada. all city buildings and parking lots should be made more acces- sible for disabled people. Alderman John Shortreed said there are two such spots designated in Waterloo square, "and lie seen them used by people who are not han- dicapped. at least not in the physical sense. Te He pointed out there is also a ramp at the Waterloo library for that purpose. Shortreed said he agrees that "in this day and age" municipaIIy-owned buildings should be convenient for disabled persons. MeWhinney said the Ontario government. through Wintario grants, will pay 75 per cent of the cost of making buildings accessible for han- dicapped persons. She said the city should desig- nate "at least one space" in municipal lots for parking for such persons. CITY DECISION THIS WEEK INSIDE Rowe said company solicitors informed the board that “the com- pany had financial dif- ficulties, but that's about all I know about it." The former Barrie po- lice officer. now living on kmg-term disability benefits, indicated the board relied upon mana- gement's judgement in financial affairs, saying it "was in a position of trust." At a press conference last week, Frank Drea, minister of consumer and commercial rela- tions said that "some- time in the latter part of 1980. what was a health insurance com - pany-became a scam." He said Cooperatives difficulties were the re- sponsibility of unnamed "sharks" who managed the company and an un- informed board of direc- tors. Two of the board members. David Philip of Waterloo and Robert Kuenzig of Cambridge, work as an electrician and mechanic respec- (CominuodonpoooZl SEE PAGE - 3 centre SEE PAGE - 3 defends