PAGE 8, WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 20, 1980, WHITBY FREE PRESS F0 aive tragedy eould have been cleanedu.p sooner, comnilissioner says The salmomella epidemic that swept through Whitby's Fairview Lodge, home for the aged, could have been cleaned up sooner if sanit.ation facilities were irnproved according to Durham Regions social services commissioner. The epidemic was a STEVEN F. PELESHOKI B.A., LL.B. BAR RIST ER & SO LiCITO R 105 DUNDAS ST.W. WHITBY, ONTARIO TEL. (416) 668-3616 12M 's:. e. "SM. e e. e TER s.. .0; e.- secondary factor in the deaths of two elderly residents and infected 20 staff members and 17 other residents last summer. Doug Johns, social ser- vices commissioner saîd recently that better and in- creased washroom facilities it wGuld have taken about a rnonth, " Johns said. Salmonella poisoning is commonly caused by spoiled or tainted food and con- tributed to the deaths o! Claudette Doucette, 85, and Daisy Noakes, 90. The coroner listed that their primary causes of deatlh were kidney failure and cancer of the pancreas. Individual toilets and wash basins in each residen- ts' room would have preven- ted the salmonella from spreading, Johns said. He said that salmonella is spread by touch and that another patient staff mem- ber or someone else could easiiy infect other healthy patients and staff memnbers in the ward. In his annual report to council, Fairview medical director Dr. W.G. Grant said that "the villians (of the epidemic) were outdated facilities which appeared to be designed to thwart at- tempts at isolation." When the building was constructed in 1950, it had the distinction of being the first bungalow-type lodge in CHOO WIN WORDS win a trip for two to Calgary, Aberta (no substitutions) Listen to CHOO Radio 14 DAY and NIGHT for dluos 14 trnes a day - Monday thru Saturday. Clues broadcast f rom February 22nd - April 5th, 1980 Inclusive. Entry deadline MIdnîght April 5th, 1980. Draw to be heîd April 8th. Completed solution wiii appear In this space April 9th, 1980. NAME ............................. PHONE................... A DDRESS ...................................................... Additionai copies are availabie at CHOO Radio, 97 McMaster Avenue, Ajax, LIS 2E6. Tei. 683-4131. MAIL VOUR COMPLETED ENTRY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO ABOVE ADDRESS. the province Grant said. "But in the intervening 30 years, we (Fairview Lo)dge) have become the oldest and the most decrepit, " he said . Grant also said that proper rooin temperatures could not be maintained because the old heating pipes were clogged, the boiler is inadequate and the hospital rooms had insuf- ficient space for dividers. He urged t.hat the facility be upgraded or the hospital wing be replaced. "lWe owe this to the residents entrusted to our care,"' he said. Johns, agreeing with the medical directors recom- mendations, said that the province will be asked for a subsidy to make the required improvements. According to committee chairman, Councillor John DeHart o! Oshawa, the needed improvements would cost more than $1 million. Johns and his staff are preparing a report that will outtine alternatives available to accommodate Grant's recommendations. He said that it will be com- pleted in a few weeks. Johns said that the report will likely recomniend upgrading existing sanitation facilities. ."IIdeally, we would like to have the 5o-bed wing tomn down and replaced with another 50-bed wing or 100- bed wing," he said. At $25,000 to $30,000 a bed, the cost of these imn- provements could cost anywhere from $1.25 million to $2.5 million. Those figures do not in- clude the cost of tearing down the present wing, Johns said. Johns admitted that the province, in ail probability, would not accept this plan. Capital funds for construc- tion of homes for the aged have remained frozen since 1974 he said. Funds for improving Fairview facilities was the best the region could hope for, Johns said addlng that he feit Durham's councillors were aware of the situation in spite o! the fact that Gran- ts report was accepted for information only. Johns' department report is expected to highllght the need for improved facilities at Fairview. llgblites role ini defense Ontarl*o ]Regmient to hold open house Durham Region's own militia unit, the Ontario Regiment will display its role in Canada's defence mechanism, with an "Open House" Sunday February 24, from il a. m. to 3 p. m. Commanding officer, Colonel Mike Koster says, " 4we are proud of our past, present and our future and want Durham residents to look at our involvement in the community. During the open house, we'll present the best we have to offer in the civilian militia. " Koster adds, <'we are looking for youth who are in- terested in joining the Regiment. The recruits will be offered full training, comradeship and a chance to work hard in serving our community and country." The regiment participates in regular training courses designed to prepare the unit for mobilization to serve in the defence of our country. In addition, the militia is in- volved in community projec- ta and maintains one of the finest bands in the region. According to Koster, "we fînd more and more young people are looking for the motivration, the discipline and friendship in the 1980's. We believe a career with the Militia will fill the void in the lives of many youths struggling to find a positive outlet for their energies and interest in serving the com- munity." Koster says, "we offer pay for hard work, a chance for advancemnent and a future if the recruit is looking to tomorrow. We invite recruits to join us at our open house ... to take a look for themselves... .and then to become a part of the Ontario Regiment. " YOU DON'T PAY FOR YOUR MISTAKES cit j MMBlM. PHOTOGRAPHY When you bring in a roll of film to be prooessed, we charge you ONLY FOR THE PRINTS THAT COME OUT ' We'll1 also be there to give you f riendly, professional advi ce (if you want it> and show you whore you made your mistake. M.B.M. - The Friendly Pro feasionals M.B.M. PHOTOGRAPHY 131 BROCK STREET NORTH WHITBY 668-6111 Mon, Wed, 9 bThur, Fri, 9 -8; SatJ]0 ReIy On Fords For Rentais " SPECIALWEEKEND RATES " 10W DAILY RATES " R ENT BY THLE DAY, WEE K OR MONTH " PICK-UP & OELIlVERV AVAILABLE " FLEET &INDIVIDUAL LEASES TAILORED TO VOUR NEEDS *RENT-A' CAR COUN BALI MOTORS&'Q UMITED Hwy. A West - Port Perry > ' mU" 985-8411 1