Page 26, Whitby Free Press, Wednesday, November 16, 1994 Fear stili exists over pending cuts By Mike Kowalski Ontario Health Minister Ruth Grier has been told not to jeo- pardize mental health services when cutting health care costs. The leader of Ontario's union- ized mental health employes warned Grier last week that jobs and services must not be eli- minated .when pending budget cuts at the province's 10 psychi- -ýtric hospitals take place. Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) pre- sident Fred Upshaw said his membership will ensure that Grier honours her commitment that neither jobs nor services will be affected. "We will hold Ruth Grier to her promise,» declared Uphaw, a former Whitby Mental Health Centre worker. "No cuts to jobs and beds, not in Whitby, not anywhere," he vowed. Upshaw was one of five speak- ers at a public forum held at the Canadian Auto Workers hall in Oshawa last Wednesday. The forum, organized by OPSEU Local 331, which repre- sents Whitby Mental Health Centre (formerly Whitby Psychi- atric Hospital) employees, attrac- ted about 75 people. The meeting was held in res- ponse to Griers plans te go ahead with cuts to Ontario's mental health care budget, but on a much reduced scale. Despite government assurances that neither workers nor patients will suffer (see separate story), Upshaw and most of the speakers were skepti- cal. Also taking part were Whitby Ma yor Tom Edwards; Doug Michel, a psychiatrie patient from Kirkfield (near Peter- borough); Robbie Harrison, a community mental health nurse in Victoria County, and Dennis Timbrell, presi dent of the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA). A former Progressive Conser- vative MPP, Timbrell was Ontario health minister from 1977-82. During his address, Upshaw said OPSEU's campaign against the government's original cost- cutting announcement in August has-been effective. Grier initially ordered psychi- atric hospitals to chop almost $53 million.in spendin Whitby Mental Hea th Centre had been expected to slash $4.7 million from its budget over the next two years. Union and administration offi- cials at the hospital feared that up to 100 beds would be taken out of service and between 100 to 120 em ployees laid off. But last month, Grier pulled back from her original demand and reduced the cost-cutting tar- get. Whitby Mental Health Centre, for example, will now only have to eut $2.5 million froM its $44- million operating budget. In addition, future cuts were put on hold until Queen's Park pumps another $20 million into community-based mental health ·services. "Our campaign took us across the province, said Upshaw. 'W raised the issue from Windsor te Whitby, Thunder Bay to Brockville.» Enlisting the support· of vari- eus groups in the mental health field, OPSEU's message was "simple," said Upshaw. "You can't eut services when there aren't services in place in the community to assist those affected," ho said. On Oct. 28, the government "listened" and postponed further cuts, Upshaw said. "The cuts for '94 would remain in place, but would only be done if thoy don't eut jobs and beds," he said. "We made some progress, but still have work to do." OPSEU does not object to more community-based services, stressed Upshaw, but new ser- vices must be provided with "pro- perly trained staff at all levels." The union's concern isn't a selfish one, Up shaw said. "We're not here talking about our jobs. We're here to talk about the people who are victims of cutbacks in the budgets.» Upshaw said OPEU must now hold Grier to her promise of "noe cuts to beds and jobs" and have inut into how the $20 million or community services is spent. "This government has shown that it will listen to reason." he said. "If it listens to us, the mentally .ill will be well-served." Although fully-funded and operated by the government, Ontario psychiatrie hospitals are "full members"'of the OHA, Tim- brell explained. In recent years, the OHA has "given more attention to mental health in this province than in an time in our history,"he said. I fact, at. the association's annual meeting held earlier that day, a resolution was passed which called on the government to ensure that its promised ser- vices are in place before more cuts occur, Timbrell said. "We don't believe at all that this decision (cuts) took into account any of the participants involved," he said. But as a result of opposition to the government's orignal plans, "I hope it has learned a lesson from this," he said. However, Timbrell did praise the government for sponding $133 million to rebuild the 75- year-old Whitby hospital. His organization isn't "wedded to the status quo" and it realizes that "thinge have to change," said Tim1brl. He noted that there are about 160 different studies being car- ried out across. Ontario now and all involve restructuring of local health care needs. "Beds don't e9ual quality health care, that s a generie statement,»he said. "You need beds for in-patients and you need community ser- vices for others." Durinq his remarks, Edwards said Whitby council's resolution, which demanded noe cuts until alternative measures are in place, has been overwhelminly endorsed by municipalities in e area served by the Whitby hospi- tal. "You are not alone," said Edwards. "It's not just a union affair, it's not just the staff at Whitby Psychiatrie Hospital. Your strug- gle has been adopted by some 17 municipalities in the catchment area." Although the audience appre- ciated the support of Edwards and Timbrell, as well as their own leader Upshaw's warning to Grier, the crowd favourite was Michel. He received a standing ovation after delivering a 15-page speech which pleaded with the govern- ment not to ignore the mentally ill while in pursuit of fiscal re- straint. A chronic manie-depressive, the middle-aged man recently learned that he also has cancer. Of the two, said he would prefer cancer. "A four-day exhaustive pro- cedure by a team of experts within a week is how cancer is handled,»said Michel. "A 20-minute appointment four months later with a psychi- atrist is how mental illness is handled.» Michel, a mental health care advocate, issued words of advice to all particiants in the system. To OPSeU's goal of job seeurity, he said that «When the public demands more and better treatment and care for the men- tally ill, then, and only then, will truly you obtain securit." To the Ministry of ealth, he said that "The $7 million alloca- ted to the Whitby redevelopment roject in the late eighties has 2.5 million that has not and never will be received. "Is our share of this new money, say $2 million, really old money recirculated, or will it also be just another number promised for the future, with no cash flow materializing? "I wonder out loud if we are into Political creative accounting, and will any of this money real.y filter down to the actual con- sumer?" To MPPs, he said: "You are a servant to us. Somewhere along the line, your bureaucrats made you a servant to them. Please do not tell us what the mandarins told you to tell us. "You must tell them what we tell you. It is not hard to do, simpIy turn the organizational chart upside down and it will be very clear." Finally, to fellow advocates and advisory board members on how to catch a politician's atten- tion, he said: "One single head- line in the Toronto Star will be read and believed more by the decision-maker, than a million pages of the minutes of our meetings.» Following the meeting, hospi- tal administrator Ron Ballanty e told reporters hie staff is still decidin!where and how to eut the$2. niilon.«I "We're still trying to get a clear idea of what thereduct'ons will consist of and what options we have," he said. The hpital's proposals will be forwarded to the Durham Region District Health Council for its consideration at a.later date. Safe stolen at plant A safe containing about $900 cash was stolen from the cafe- teria of a Forbes Street manufac- turing plant overnight Friday, Oct. 28. Police say the theft occurred sometime between 9 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday and was discovered around 7 a.m. by a cafeteria worker. The worker says the safe was there when she left work at 9 p.m. and a security guard told police the cafeteria was secure when he checked it around 3 a.m. The worker arrived back at work at 6 a.m. but didn't notice the safe had been removed from its floor mounting until an hour later. An investigation is continuing. Walmart donates to hospital Whitby's Walmart store recently donated $1 400 to Whitby General Hospital. Hospital board chair. Jim Souch says the funds will go to into the hospital foundation's general account for capital needs. The hospital is continuing fun- draising efforts to purchase new equipment. Bantams take consolation in Flesherton The Whitby bantam select team, sponsored by Blades Custom Skate Care, has started the hockey season with an overall record of five wins, four losses and one tie. Taylor scores 4 The Whitby minor peewee selects, sponsored by Hard-Co Excavating, defeated Victoria Village 7-2 in a North York League game Nov. 8 at Don Mills Arena. . Less than two minutes into the game, Kevin Taylor scored with assists from Stefan Hass and Ryan Meaney. The second goal was scored by Chris Van Dusen, assisted by Hass. Goals three, four and five were scored by Taylor, the first unassisted and the next two with assists from Grant Howe, Charles Bouvier, Hass - and Mike Kobrynovich. In the last period, Whitby pulled away with goals by Hass, assisted by Van Dusen and Kobrynovich, and Grant Howe, assisted by Meaney. On Saturday, Whitby saw their first tournament action in Flesherton, and came away with the consolation championship, beating Hillsburg 2-1 in the final. right into a brick wall in the form of a strong team from Mount Forest that won 6-0. Now playing on the consolation side of the tournament, Whitby defeated East Sarnia 5-1. Finding the net were John Lang with two goals, Aiden- Laverty, Brian Vinent and Derek VanEgnond. Assists went to Scott Young, Matthew Wu, Sean Donnelly and Chad McKenzie. In the consolation championship game against Hillsburg, a close, fast-skating contest, Whitby jumped out in front 1-0 on a goal by Scott Young, assisted by Ryan Peacocke. Hillsburg evened the score early in the third. Both Whitby . netminders, Richard Sagan and Paul Clark, made some key stops to frustrate the opposition. With the threat of overtime looming ahead, Wayne Richard picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and using his linemates as decoys, skated down the left wing and fired a rocket over the Hillsburg goalie's Atoms even record The Whitby major atom select hockey team defeated Pickering 5-2 this past week. The victory brought Whitby's regular season record to two wins, two losses and a tie. Wildeats also have a win, two losses and a tie in exhibition play. Members of the team . are Michael Atkins, Brad Chapman, Dan Deluca, Carl Dicarlo, Elliot itzsimmons, Chris Foxwell, Andrew Gronross, Michael Laffey, Andrew Lazary, Michael Lever, Kyle Limkilde, Jim Lowrie, Robert Muir, Sean Newport, Ian Parker, Matthew Redshaw and Gregory Tsagris. Head coach is Ian Kingsley with Rob Latimer assistant coach and Dave Limkilde team manager. shoulder for the eventual game winner and championship. On Oct. 21, Whitby defeated Hillecrest 4-1 in exhibition play. Scoring for the winners were Wu, Laverty and Young with two. Whitby's first North York league game was a 5-1 win over Pickering. Goal-scorers in the contest were Donnelly, VanEgmond, Ryan Clumpus, Young and Brad Moxley. Oct. 29 saw Whitby play two exhibition games, beating Brighton 6-4 in the afte-noon before falling 3-1 to the Scarborough Sabres. Wu with two, Race, Richard, Clumpus and Young scored for ,Whitby. Defencemen Josh Williams, Mike Grabowski and Justin Aiken were solid on the blueline in a defensive role to help with the victory over Brighton. In the night game, a tired Whitby team could only manage one goal -- that coming off the stick of Sean Donnelly on a shorthanded breakaway. In more North York League action, Wildcats tied 1-1 with Parkwood on Nov. 4, in a chippy affair with John Farrugia.scoring late in the game to gain the tie. On Nov. 8 Whitby was shut out 2-0 by a good skating team from Forest HilI. On Nov. 9, Whitby lost 4-2 in exhibition play against Oshawa Red Wings, Richard and VanEgmond picking up the Whitby goals. Head coach is Marty VanEgmond, assistant coach Moe Richard and manager Kim Richard. Learn to skate The Whitby Roller Skating Club wil, be- taing registration and beginiing another 'Learn to Skate' session on Nov. 19 at Wheelies. The five-week eight-badge program costs $25. Rental skates are available for $1 per week. Professional coache and somne of Canada's top-rankinW amateur skaters will teach edges, stopping, turns and backwards skating. Doors will open for registiration at 9 a.m., lessons begin the same day, running from 10 a.m. until noon. Adults are welcome to join. At the end of the session, amateur skaters will entertain with an exhibition performance.