Monthly Archives: August 2010

08.18.10
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Consultation needs to be better defined in LHIN Act

From the OPSEU blog at http://wp.me/pLpCD-7q
opseudiablogue | August 18, 2010 at 7:50 pm | Categories: Health System | URL: http://wp.me/pLpCD-7q

There is no question the Ontario government spent much political capital framing the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) as local decision-making bodies that would be informed by local needs and priorities, made in and by the community.

Ontario Ombudsman Andre Marin’s report “The LHIN Spin” makes clear that the legislative underpinnings never supported that rhetoric.

One of the central problems is that the obligation to consult the public is very weakly defined in the Local Health System Integration Act (LHSIA).

The Act does suggest ways in which consultation can take place, but there is no minimum established.
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08.16.10
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Time for Port Stanley to move forward says CE Mayor

Following Saturday’s decision by the Elgin Military Museum, Mayor Tom Marks says it’s time to move the vision forward. Full release Submarine Decision August 16, 2010

08.15.10
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Official announcement on new home for HMCS Ojibwa

Board President Deborah Jarvis takes great pleasure in announcing
the successful candidate to be host community for Project Ojibwa,
the Museum’s effort to obtain move and mount the decommissioned
submarine HMCS Ojibwa. The host community for the Project will be
the Municipality of Bayham. The vessel and supporting museum
building will be located on municipal land situated in Port
Burwell, Ontario.

On behalf of the Members and Executive of the Museum, President
Jarvis extends congratulations to Mayor Lynn Acre, the members of
the Bayham Municipal Council, Municipal Staff and the citizens of
Bayham for their hard work, enthusiasm and support for Project
Ojibwa which allowed the municipality to submit their successful
proposal.

The Elgin Military Museum looks forward to a long and happy
relationship with the Municipality of Bayham and its citizens.

08.14.10
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This is not how you thank a great Timken Centre tenant

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If he believes in reincarnation, then surely Ald. Bill Aarts will come back to life as a dragster . . . his flame-out Monday at city council is the envy of nitro-burning funny cars everywhere.

Did he and Ald. Lori Baldwin-Sands actually believe they could convince at least two other members of St. Thomas council to commit political hari-kari in front of a large contingent of minor hockey supporters and a live television audience?
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08.12.10
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Central Elgin Mayor Tom Marks tells Canadian Navy to hoist anchor

In a letter to residents of Central Elgin released this afternoon (Aug. 12), Mayor Tom Marks tells the Canadian Navy to hoist anchor and let Port Stanley determine the best location for HMCS Ojibwa. Here is the full transcript. Mayor’s Letter Submarine Aug 12 2010

08.11.10
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2010 St. Thomas municipal election candidates respond to reader’s questions

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City Scope encourages St. Thomas residents to submit questions for which they would like responses from mayoral/aldermanic candidates. First out of the gate was T-J reader Ann Bigelow with the following questions.

1) Are you in favour of a tax cut/freeze?

2) If there is a tax cut/freeze, what are the top three services to St. Thomas residents you feel should be reduced?

3) Does St. Thomas need a CAO? Why or why not?

4) Are you in favour of a ward system?

5) Can you recognize your own credit card in your wallet?

6) What makes you qualified to make decisions about the spending of taxpayer dollars and the level of service we receive?

7) What will you do to ensure taxpayers are consulted and their opinions are valued in making decisions?

8) Please describe a time when you demonstrated honesty, accountability, leadership, transparent decision-making, skills at dealing with difficult people, great communication, your commitment to something, long term decision making, etc., and what you did and what you learned from the situation.
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08.10.10
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Ontario Health Coalition Applauds Ombudsman’s Report on LHIN Spin

Health Coalition Applauds Ombudsman’s Report on LHIN Spin: Demands McGuinty Stop Delaying the LHINs Review, Investigate Poor LHIN Decisions to Cut Hospital Care for Thousands of Residents

TORONTO, Aug. 10 /CNW/ – The Ontario Health Coalition applauds Ontario Ombudsman Andre Marin’s report, “The LHIN Spin”. But the Coalition is deeply concerned that the McGuinty government has evaded its legislative requirement to conduct a full review of its Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) and the legislation that governs them and is continuing a major round of health system cuts and restructuring while shutting out virtually all public advocates that have expressed concerns or criticized their reforms. Ironically, though the Ombudsman gave credit to the Ministry of Health for belatedly setting proposed standards for LHINs’ public consultation, the Ministry has not consulted with public advocates who have experience trying to work with the LHINs regarding these standards.

Ombudsman Andre Marin reported that the McGuinty government-appointed LHINs have rendered community engagement “meaningless”. He stated that LHIN board members counted conversations on golf courses and in grocery stores as public consultations. He noted that they relied on presentations of the provider organizations to make decisions affecting access to health care for tens of thousands of residents. He was particularly critical of the LHINs for adopting illegal by-laws to meet behind closed doors.
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08.10.10
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Union gets foot in door with Navistar officials

There is a glimmer of hope for the Navistar International Truck and Engine plant in Chatham.

Aaron Neaves, president of CAW Local 127, said the union found out late Monday afternoon the company has finally responded to its request to meet soon for “exploratory discussions.

“That’s all we can tell you right now,” he told reporters outside Chatham-Kent council chambers after hearing a brief report on what economic development has done over the last month to help with the situation.

He added the membership needs to be informed of the date before it’s made public.

Neaves said he is “very cautiously optimistic,” but stressed they’re only exploratory discussions.

Full story

Post script …

Talks regarding the future of Navistar’s Richmond Street truck plant are scheduled for Aug. 19.

“These discussions are in an effort to feel the climate of the company’s intentions for our future,” said Cathy Wiebenga and Sonny Galea, in a joint media release Tuesday.

Wiebenga is plant chairwoman for the CAW Local 127 Navistar unit and Galea represents CAW Local 35 Navistar unit.

The talks are aimed at moving the company back to discussions with locals 127 and 35, the bargaining committees and the national union.

“The committee is committed to all options that exist for both locals,” said the union representatives.

They said an update for the membership will be provided following the meeting.

Company spokesman Roy Wiley has said repeatedly the company is willing to talk provided the talks are productive.

08.09.10
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Just how big is the HMCS Ojibwa?

The Municipality of Central has had fourteen school buses placed on the Berm on the east side of Port Stanley harbour to help the public visualize the size of the HMCS Ojibwa, interpretive centre and compound.

Placed on land, the Ojibwa is about seven school buses long and two school buses wide. The submarine is about the height of two school buses stacked on top of one another. The submarine’s tower is about five stories high. Yellow barrier tape shows the area of the 400 ft X 200 ft compound. Prior to the public open house on Tuesday, August 10th, the public is invited to see the display in person or photos can be viewed
at the following link

Reminder
Public Information Open House
Tuesday, August 10th, 2010
Doors open at 6:00 pm with presentations at 7:00 pm
Port Stanley Legion
310 George Street (Doors off of Carlow Road)