Council demands action from minister of health

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Bill Freeman

EMC News -Havelock - Calling it a "last step," Havelock-Belmont-Methuen council is demanding an immediate update from the minister of health on the township's long-term-care facility project.

"I'm at the state now where I'm tired of waiting. I think push has come to shove," Mayor Ron Gerow said during Monday's council meeting.

For several weeks the township has been trying to arrange a direct meeting with Health Minister Deb Matthews but has been greeted by silence, that inaction has intensified the frustration level around the council table.

Gerow underscored the word immediate in the township's request.

"It's time for an answer. You've got the documents and you've had time to review them," he said referring to a very formal and public presentation of HBM's application to Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal that took place last fall.

"We've not had one question or one call to the municipality, no follow-up by her staff. I'm starting to become very annoyed about this whole issue."

Mayor Gerow acknowledged that Leal has been working in the background with ministry staff.

"But I haven't seen anything and I'm just frustrated."

"I think this is the last step for me," Gerow said. "I'm giving her an opportunity, and council agrees, to reply to the application that was put before her with the greatest sincerity."

If there is no answer Gerow isn't entirely sure what they should do next but Councillor Jim Martin thinks approaching the provincial opposition, who endorsed the municipality's proposal during the provincial election campaign, may be the way to go.

"I'm just not sure what the best way to do it is," said Martin. "If she isn't going to listen then start to use the opposition to get this done (quickly).

"They're dragging their feet," Martin added.

"I can't see any reason why there is any delay to do such a simple thing," Councillor Barry Pomeroy said.

Pomeroy reiterated the fact that the municipality would like to pick up the beds that were allocated "back in 1999.

"Money was put away for it. I thought it would be a real simple process, it turned out to be a nightmare and we're not getting anywhere, she doesn't want to answer."

"We're all thinking the same thing here," said Councillor Larry Ellis. "We've done everything by the book from day one, there's nothing else for our municipality to do. They owe us an answer."

Ellis says an answer one way or the other would be an act of "common courtesy" and would allow the municipality to "do something in a different direction" if it is rejected.

The township has approved a plan that would facilitate the building of a 128-bed nursing home on an 18-acre property off Old Norwood Road zoned for a seniors-related development that could also include a medical centre, assisted living units and geared-to-income seniors apartments. A day-care centre and other "integrated community opportunities" are being considered.