Page 8, Whitby Free Press, Wednesday, July 27, 1994 MPP accuses foes of politicizing hospital issue By Mfike Kowalski Durham Centre MPP Drum- mond White has fired back at critics of bis performiance during the cont uersy over the future of Whitby Gereral Hospital Accusing opponents of "plang politics" with the issue, ite defended his absence from last Thursday's meeting te discuss rosedchanges to the hospital (sesparate story). «IfI had bee° invited I would have been pleased to attend," said White of the Town-spon- sored meeting. White said he spoke with Mayor Tom Edwards* the day before and was tod his atten- DR. MICHAEL GREENGL ASS' 220 Dundas St. W. #102 (Dundas-Centre Medical Building) Whitby • L1N 2M3 430-4822 Evenings & Saturdays Emergencies & New Patients Welcome dance was not required. "The meeting was for the groups invited to attend," he said. But after being told that for- mer Liberl MPP Allan Furlong's presence in the audience was noted by one speaker, while another inquired about his absence, White went on the offensive. "Unfortunately, we have peeple trying to make this a politicalissue,» White charged. «4The steering committee has yet te respond te the health council, the health council has yet te respond to the minister. "'This is se far from a pliticai level of activity that it's unfor- tunate to invelve people at that level." Although he did not speak, nor attempt te, Furiong (who will again represent the Liberals in the nextprovincial election)was commended by one speaker for beingresent. b ie e he did not object to Furlong's presence at the meet- uWr ite said some peeplemay have gotten the wrong impres- sion. "Mr. Furlong knows full well this bas yet te invelve the pro- vincial government," said Wite. "I'm sure Mr. Furlong was there te net a littie support. but I think ho would agree that the Member of Provincial Parliament should not take an active role. "£This is an issue of how to best serve the community, not which politicai party can best represent the issue." White noted that in the past month "not a day has gene by» that fie bas not spoken to someone about the hospitai. The same afternoon he met with representatives of the Save Our General Hospital (SOGH) citizens'conmittee, he added. During the meeting, Whitby General Hospital president Eli- zabeth Barton asked Edwards if White had been invited to parti- Edwards explained that the focus of the meeting was to hear only from representatives of com- munity groupe which had taken a formaI position on the proposed changes te the hospitai. Barton later told The Free Press that she was not trying to "castiany aspersions" with er question. "My feeling is that in all of this, n'the ne . resident of the community -who needs te, hear the concern sof ether residents is our MPP,» said Barten. "It's ne tot suggest he isn't, but it struck me as curious that he was not invited to participate.» Police clearRegion works staff FROM PAGE1 Council's action followed Brunelle's questioning of staffs recommendation to give the job to Pachino. Due to Brunelle's queries and other information, the contract was put on hold and police noti- fied. Staff Sgt. Sandy Ryrie told The Free Press the fraud unit's inves- tigation of "alleged improprie- ties" between works staff and "companies who tender on con- tracts" came up empty. "There was no evidence of cri- minal wrongdoing,"he said. Although the Pachino firm's name was the only one to sur- face, other companies were in- vestigated, Ryrie said. But he decliied to indicate how many other firms may have been involved. As far as Pachino officials are concerned, the police investiga- tion resulted in 'nothing that we didn't already know," said general manager Fred Palma. "Right from the outset we IBuyin g advertising liko buying cabbagos! Which would you buy? ... the cheapest? When you shop for something like cabbages, you compare the weight, côlour and condition as well as the price. You buy the best value. Advertising is no different... The value points for advertising are: circulation, readership, creativity and price. Circulation: Our circulation is 27,000 papers every week. More than 25,500 of that is right here in Whitby, almost 10,000 more than any other paper. While our competition quotes "press run" our circulation is "delivered". What's more, our circulation is independently verified by the Canadian Circulation Audit' Board. Readership: The Whitby Free Press is a readers' paper - We have all the local news and sports that people want to read. Because of this we found in a recent survey that 94% of you were reading it cover-to-cover. Creativity: Other papers like our creativity so much, they regularly use our ads in violation of our copyrights. A creative eye-catching ad ensures that it gets read. Price: Our pricing is consistent and open. No behind-the-scenes deals - the same pricing for you and your competition. We have advertising options that can make- our superior circulation and readership affordable and effective on any budget. Circulation, Readership, Creativity & Price. ADD THEM UP FOR THE BEST ADVERTISING VALUE! iy on me fhitby Free Presscalm6686111 knew we were 110 per cent, but it put us in a very anxious situation,"he said. "The police did their investiga- tion and found out we're fine, but why were we the sacrificial lambs?'. During the police investiga- tion, Pachino's right to bid on other Durham Region projects was put on hold. 'Rat suspen- sion has since been lifted. Despite their apparent exone- ration, Palma said the company does not intend to let the matter rest. "Our 'reputation in the indus- try is shot," he said. I'm sure other contractors who were under scrutiny must have felt anxious, but their names were not mentioned in the newspaper." Not only does Pachino plan to pursue its case against Brunelle, it will also seek compensation for the lost Brooklin project, Palma said. In addition, the company will continue its fight for monies it claims are owed the firm for a previousjob on Anderson Street, Palma said- The compn has demanded a further $291,000 for the joint Whitby-Durham Region project, while the Town and Region have each offered $25,000 to settle the dispute. It was Brunelle's questioning of this contract during a works committee meeting dealing with the Brooklin project which resul- ted in several telephone calls to his home. "Certain individuals, who shall reinain nameless, told me I should look a little further," he said in a previous interview. Brunelle reported these allega- tions to Region officials and police were soon contacted. But Pachino's lawsuit contends that during a closed door session of the May 4 meeting, Brunelle allegedly told works commis- sioner Vik Silgailis that "Your employees are all on the take from Pachino." Brunelle denies making this statement and insists he will be vindicated in court. Palma, of course, views the matter differently. "When all the facts come out I think it will be all tied into the Anderson Stre , site," he said. "Basically, w ended up get- ting screwed." Brunelle, whose defence will be handled by an attorney from the Toronto law firm of Thom- son, Rogers, declined comment on either the police or Region investigation. When the matter came up dur- ing the council meeting, Brunelle said he left the council chambers. Durham chief administrative officer Garry Cubitt said the Region's code of ethics policy is clear on the matter of conflict of interest. "We are conscious of the fact that empoyees not only have ne conflict, ut are seen net te, be in a conflict of interest," said Cubitt, "We want to look at the police findings and talk to staf and find out that While it may not be ille al,it's net proper," he said. ." theother hand, in a posit- ive vein, wemay find out there's ne problem." Cubitt wasnhopeful the inter- nai review can be wrapped up by late summer or early faî1. 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