Putting transparency to the test at city open house

After decades of dawdling, similar in process to the consoldiated courthouse project finally underway, an open house will be held 5 p.m. Wednesday at city hall to unveil plans and cost of the new police headquarters.
The long-awaited home of the police service is to located on city-owned land adjacent to the Timken Centre.
Ald. Dave Warden, chairman of the new building committee, says it’s an occasion to not only inform ratepayers, but demonstrate “the transparency of everything that’s going on,” and attach a price tag to the project.
Warden continues: “We’ll lay to rest all the rumours and everything else there is about the police building. We’ll have the actual cost.”
Nowhere near the $30 million sticker price being promoted by one member of council.

A loss in the courtroom, a positive outcome at the polls

He was the central figure in one of the shabbiest chapters in this city’s political history.
Days prior to the 2010 municipal election, David McGee, owner of the Sutherland Press building, announced he was suing the City of St. Thomas, former mayor Cliff Barwick, St. Thomas police and other defendants for $3 million.
    At the time, McGee insisted his motive was not political — even though he sent out a press release and employed an automated phone dialer to leave voice mail messages for St. Thomas households.

Sutherland Press building in 2008, prior to partial demolition of front face

   

He also hired PR consultant Suzanne van Bommel, a local political strategist.
   In a 32-page statement of claim, McGee and Sutherland Lofts Inc., were suing for punitive damages and aggravated damages, as well as “mental distress, economic interference and, specifically, loss of income” for what the claim states was “unnecessary demolition” in July 2008.
Well, Justice L.C. Leitch handed down a decision just prior to Christmas.

As to the matter of whether the claim of Sutherland Lofts Inc., be stayed or dismissed on the ground that it was without legal capacity to commence the action, Justice Leitch determined the claim must be dismissed because the limitation period had expired.

Accountability and transparency — when mandated

While this corner will continue to carefully scrutinize the wheeling and dealing of CEO Paul Collins and board chairman Bruce Babcock, we have nothing but praise for the doctors and staff at St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital.
With one exception — the dizzying diagnosis from the desk of Dr. Spin over in the hospital ivory tower.
It was contained in the preamble to a media release sent our way Tuesday disclosing the employment agreements for Collins from 2007 to the present, along with a bevy of executive expense reports and minutes of board meetings.
“We believe in transparency and accountability,” stresses Babock in the missive, “and to that end, we have posted a number of documents that may be of interest to our community.”
And, this has been done in proactive fashion.
Oh pul-eeeze.
Ever since City Scope exposed the resign/re-hire shuffle orchestrated by Collins and Babcock exactly one year ago, we have tried to pry loose this information “that may be of interest to our community.”

And you thought the CEO of St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital had actually retired!

Now that hospitals must abide by new transparency rules that took effect Jan. 1, we are able to access information that, in the past, was kept a closely guarded secret by hospitals, including St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital.

STEGH CEO and President Paul Collins

That includes two contracts dealing with the retirement/rehiring of CEO Paul Collins. City Scope has obtained the initial contract undertaken in June, 2010 when the sweetheart deal between the board of directors and Collins was first consummated, and the contract extension inked in October of 2011. The documents lay bare the dubious manner in which the retirement/rehiring was orchestrated and the secrecy that followed until City Scope uncovered the deal at this time last year.

It was only then that Collins and board chairman Bruce Babcock had the courtesy to announce what had transpired the previous June to hospital staff.

Anything you say will be misquoted and used against you

“I love quotations because it is a joy to find thoughts one might have, beautifully expressed with much authority by someone recognized wiser than oneself.” — Actress Marlene Dietrich

As a wordsmith, there is particular appreciation for thought-provoking quotes — be they humorous, timeless, or utterly mangled in their reasoning.
No one fit the latter category better than ballplayer Yogi Berra, who observed: “I didn’t really say everything I said.”
It’s been a tradition in this corner to greet the incoming year by surveying the past 365 days to savor the wit and wisdom of our elected representatives.
This time around is satisfying in that we get to recall the best of the best on the final day of 2011, a year which yielded a bumper crop of memorable moments.
As noted in this corner one year ago, when media scribes document a response or comment for posterity, they must be prepared for the inevitable charge of being taken out of context.
Or, as one anonymous wag noted: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, then used against you.” 

Health Care and Ontario’s Deficit: The Shocking, Secret Truth About Who and What’s to Blame – Paul McKeever

Paul McKeever

Editor’s note: Paul McKeever is the leader of the Freedom Party of Ontario and coincidently was the Freedom Party candidate in Elgin-Middlesex-London in the 2011 provincial election.He forwarded this letter to City Scope and it is printed here in its entirety.

December 22, 2011

Sunmedia’s Queen’s Park columnist, Christina Blizzard, today wrote about Ontario’s health care system and the deficit. It concludes:

Liberals have socked us with the two biggest tax hikes in the history of the province — the health care levy and the HST. And now they’re crying poor? They created this mess. We’re just paying their bills.

We’re being taken for a ride, courtesy city hall

Can you ever have enough pick-up trucks? Forget gas-guzzlers, city hall is making a name for itself as a vehicle-guzzler.

In total, the city operates a fleet of 104 vehicles, including more than two dozen pick-ups, and that fact nearly had Ald. Gord Campbell blowing a gasket during capital budget talks at Monday’s council meeting.

“Obviously we all see (city) pickup trucks. I always see one guy in them . . . but we have crew cabs running around the city that never seem to have anybody in them except the driver.”

What jump-started the vehicle debate was the revelation city administration wants to replace eight vehicles at a cost next year of $425,000.

“Do we really need these vehicles?” questioned Ald. Dave Warden.

He’s not alone in pondering the number of vehicles really needed.Reader Jamie Weisler, who knows a thing or two about cars and trucks, fired the following observations our way.

“I am at a loss as to figure out why we need to replace these vehicles so often,” noted Jamie.

“If we have vehicles that have rusted out, then it would appear that someone in the maintenance department was not doing their job! Would it not make sense to protect our investment in these vehicles by undercoating them?”

Seems a fair enough question.

He continues: “As for the cost of repair, why would the city not shop around for the most cost-effective repair shop in town? I know that there are a number of quality repair facilities in St Thomas that would be more than happy to perform the repairs on these vehicles.”

These are work vehicles, Jaimie points out.

“Lets suck it up and make do. Unless there is a serious safety issue, I see absolutely no reason not to keep a five- or 10-year old vehicle in the fleet. The taxpayers of St Thomas can’t afford brand new vehicles for themselves, so why should we buy new vehicles for our very well-paid employees?”

Where there is be no cause for debate is dealing with the condition of the van used to transport Valleyview Home staff and residents.

If it doesn’t meet Ministry of Transportation standards, then it is a matter of safety and the van in question should top the priority list.

As for some of the high-end pick-ups tooling around the city, now we’re going down an entirely different road.

Some of the vehicles put on hold Monday include a 16-foot utility trailer, two golf carts and a couple more pick-ups.

This coming year, the city needs to do less tire kicking and spend more time crafting a budget-conscious vehicle purchase/replacement policy.

WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN 

Still with the capital budget, you ain’t seen nothing yet. The real fun begins in the new year when the spotlight will shine on a new police headquarters .

It’s an issue that will deeply divide council and, in particular, force one alderman to undertake some serious soul searching.

A word of advice to the individual in question. Don’t forget who supported you in the October vote.

All involved should keep this in mind: Maintaining the status quo is not an option.

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE … THE WINTER FESTIVAL SEASON 

A tip of the City Scope eggnog to MP Joe Preston and wife, Geri, for sending out greeting cards this year that actually wish the recipient a Merry Christmas.

It’s a sad commentary on the times when such an action is to be applauded.

I’m sorry, but I’ve reached the limit with politically correct cards (including the horrid electronic versions) from groups and organizations wishing me: A Happy Festive Season; All The Best This Holiday Season; Hope You Enjoy the Winter Festival Season; Merry Xmas; and the warm and fuzzy, Season’s Greetings.

Enough already!

If you’re doing this to avoid offending anyone, it’s not working in this corner.

It’s perfectly acceptable to wish me Merry Christmas.

There, I’ve said it.

I’m with you, Joe.

A CHRISTMAS WISH FOR YOU

And, on that note, as this is the last get together before tomorrow’s celebration of Christmas, we put forth the following gift suggestions for you to distribute as you see fit.

To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.

And, to all faithful City Scope readers, especially those with birthdays at this hectic time of year, when their special day too often is lost in the hustle and bustle of the season — may this Christmas bring you peace, health and happiness.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I think the time has come that maybe we should be asking staff to tell us why we need $11 million worth of rolling stock.”

Ald. Gord Campbell during Monday’s capital budget deliberations, much of which focussed on the city’s fleet of 104 vehicles.

City Scope appears every Saturday in the Times-Journal. Questions and comments may be e-mailed to: mccallum@stthomastimesjournal.com.
Follow @ianscityscope

A fundamental change blowing in the budget wind?

Budget deliberations are a critical indicator of the direction city council will follow in the coming fiscal year and the sometimes quirky priorities of our municipal representatives.
After a warm-up session Thursday, council will get down to brass tacks on Monday as they tackle Part 1 of the 2012 capital budget.
Members are being asked to approved expenditures of just over $8 million, of which $2 million will be sourced through the 2012 property tax levy, the same as 2011.
In total, the requests for capital in 2012 total $22.4 million, requiring property tax supported funding of $9.5 million.

Thoughts on the potential for economic development between St. Thomas and First Nations of Ontario

The following was forwarded to City Scope by St. Thomas resident Bev Walpole and illustrates the “outside-of-the-box” thinking so sorely lacking today. It’s a case of addressing a large-scale national issue with a made-in-St.Thomas solution.Please take a few moments to read Bev’s paper and feel free to comment. This is certainly far removed from the initiatives currently being floated by local politicians and business development groups . . .

From 1978-1985 I was a public health inspector working for the federal department then known as Health and Welfare Canada, Medical Services Branch. My duties included advising Inuit and First Nations communities about sanitation and environmental issues. My work took me throughout the Northwest Territories, part of what is now Nunavut, Northern Saskatchewan and the province of Manitoba. During those years I encountered problems in those communities such as inadequate housing, inadequate and improper disposal of sewage, unsafe water supplies and the myriad of social issues endured by the citizens of those communities.

Throughout those years, I did my best to advocate for more and better housing, clean, safe water supplies and safe disposal of sewage and household wastes. I approached my own department as well as the Department of Indian affairs on behalf of the communities. I encouraged the leaders of the community to work towards improvement of conditions on their reserves and villages. The response from the community leaders was to ask where the money would come from to improve their situation. The Federal government departments for whom I worked and to whom I advocated on behalf of the communities responded with excuses such as “there is no money; resources are limited; and they’ll only wreck it anyway.” It was frustrating to visit these isolated communities, each time reporting on conditions and submitting recommendations for improvement and realizing that probably nothing would be done to make the situation better. I recall mentioning to a friend that if the temperature was to increase in the northern communities, disease would spread like wildfire because of the improper disposal of human waste, and the consumption of untreated or improperly treated water supplies.

Complete 2010 municipal election results from across Elgin

ST. THOMAS
MAYOR
Heather Jackson-Chapman, 3,666
Cliff Barwick, incumbent, 3,158
Al Riddell, 2,910

ALDERMAN
(seven to be elected)
Lori Baldwin-Sands, incumbent, 5,366
Jeff Kohler, 4,691
Mark Cosens, 4,592
Gord Campbell, 4,415
Dave Warden, 4,037
Sam Yusuf, 3,760
Tom Johnston, 3,681
Linda Stevenson, 3,294
Peter Ostojic, 2,948
Bill Sandison, 2,699
Ryan Dolby, 2,607
Rose Gibson, 2,243
Joe Docherty, 2,114
John Allen, 1,966
Joan Rymal, 1,945
Joseph Fric, 1,708
Wayne Northcott, 810
Shawn Claridge, 631

2010 Public Sector Salaries, City of St. Thomas

These are the most recent figures filed in March, 2011 for 2010.
Employee, their position with the city, salary paid and (2009 salary).

Boe, John Senior Platoon Chief, fire dept. $106,838.72 ($110,221.98)
Brisseau, Mark Senior Capt. fire dept. $106,709.75 ($103,066.72)
Broadbent, Robert Chief, fire dept. $120,384.15 ($108,413.40)
Butters, Kevin, Senior Capt. fire dept. $101,462.01 (not on list)
Carroll, Michael Administrator, Valleyview Home $107,836.12 ($104,628.72)
Dart, Graham, Director Human Resources $116,435.00 ($113,048.10)
Day, Bill, City Treasurer $125,144.62 (on leave for part of 2009)
Denham, Rudi CEO, Library $107,762.43 ($100,279.35)
Dewancker, John Director, Env. Services $127,249.76 ($123,565.17)
Donker, Steve, Senior Capt. fire dept. $105,653.29 ($106,729.04)
Driedger, Jeff Senior Insp. police $129,410.34 ($119,871)
Eaton, Robert, Senior Capt. fire dept. $101,563.96 (not on list)
Gonyou, Joyce, Director Nursing, Valleyview Home $106,814.71 ($103,904.64)
Graves, Wendell City Clerk $126,338.14 ($106,388.31)
Herridge, Chris, Sr. Staff Sgt. police dept. $109,075.82 (not on list)
Hikele, Richard, Senior Capt. fire dept. $106,197.91 ($102,275.54)
Hill, Glenn, Senior Capt. fire dept. $107,316.33 ($109,123.18)
Hulst, James, Senior Capt. fire dept. 107,736.73 (not on list)
Jensen, Oscar Deputy Chief, fire dept. $119,001.68 ($114,921.54)
Keenan, Patrick, Director, Planning dept. $116,434.99 ($113,048.06)
Kernohan, Kevin, Senior Platoon Chief, fire dept. $120,338.81 ($116.150.56)
Kowalczyk, Judith, Sr. Staff Sgt. police dept. $106,577.44 (not on list)
Lynch, William Chief, police dept. $157,133.32 ($135,424,00)
Mundt, Randy, Sr. Staff Sgt. police dept. $112,274.85 ($100,700.84)
Newton, Sue, Sr. Sgt. police dept. $101,586.65
Ormerod, Ray, Senior Training Officer, fire dept. $106,556.96 ($104,084.60)
Perrin, Chris, Sr. Sgt. police dept. $106,104.38 (not on list)
Pinnell, Darryl, Deputy Chief, police dept. $136,537.12 ($126.494.48)
Scott, Warren, Sr. Platoon chief, fire dept. $116,467.40 ($104,480.07)
Soldo, Edward, Mgr. Operations & Compliance, $107,464.34 (not on list)
Todd, Bill, Sr. Chief Fire Prevention Officer, fire dept. $102,479.98 (not on list)
Traichevich, Mark Senior Insp. police dept. $129,410.34 ($119,871.40)
Tucker, Ross, Director, Parks & Recreation $103,488.39 (not on list)
Vaughan, Marc, Sr. Constable, police dept. $103,665.83 (not on list)
Walters, Mark, Sr. Platoon Chief. fire dept. $112,206.70 ($102,260.00)
Willson, Rodger Sr. Platoon Chief, fire dept. $110,147.54 ($107,647.02)
Withenshaw, Steve, Sr. Staff Sgt. police dept. $109,014.32 ($101,677.98)
Yates, Russell, Sr. Staff Sgt. police dept. $110,203.12 (not on list)
Zehr, Henry, Sr. Staff Sgt. police dept. $106,566.82 (not on list)

The complete 2009 salary list can be found here.

2010 Public Sector Salaries, Aylmer and Township of Malahide

Figures released for 2010 salaries (2009 salary in brackets)
Aylmer
GIBSON, WILLIAM Const. first class police constable $106,749 (new)
KNIGHT, MICHAEL Sgt., police $111,082 ($107,517)
LAWRENCE, PAUL Const., first class police constable $106,454 ($103,418)
REYMER, ANDREW Deputy Chief, Police $116,193 ($117,274)
SEGUI, BILARDINO Chief, Police $123,875 ($118,791)

Township of Malahide
WILSON, SUSAN Director of Finance $102,584 ($102,152)

2010 Public Sector Salaries, Municipality of Central Elgin

Salary figures released for 2010 (2009 salary in brackets)

CROCKER, DON Fire Chief $105,564 ($103,519)
LARMOUR,SHARON Director, Financial Services $110,193 ($106,400)
LEITCH, DONALD N Chief Administrative Officer $120,178 ($113,833)
PERRIN, LLOYD Director, Physical Services $115,846 ($113,833)

2010 Public Sector Salaries, County of Elgin

Figures released for 2010 (2009 salary in brackets)

BEECH-ROBERTS,RHONDA Director, Long Term Care Homes $117,125 ($110,686)
BRYCE, ROB Director of Human Resources $105,568 (new)
BUNDSCHUH, JIM $122,805 ($111,885)
MCDONALD,MARK Chief Administrative Officer $170,880 ($160,700)
WATTERS, CLAYTON Director, Engineering Services $112,819 ($110,686)

2010 Public Sector Salaries, Elgin/St. Thomas health sector

Salary figures released March 31,2011 for 2010 – 2009 salary in brackets.

St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital
Collins, Paul – President/Chief Executive Officer – $205,569.00
($204,727)
Craig, Dr. Ian – Pathologist – $240,078.28 ($469,263)
Ferizovic, Hamumka – Registered Nurse – $105,714.23 (new)
Fletcher, Kathryn Ann – Pharmacist -$122,931.17 ($115,866)
Grant, Anita – Director, Patient Care – $107,092.01 ($108,617)
Hillman, Mary-Ellen – Registered Nurse – $108,295.56 ($103,804)
Hopkins, Malcolm – Vice-president, corporate services – $154,763.82
($154,130)
Kolator-Cotnam, Susan – Pharmacist – $107,591.27 ($103,929)
Lambert, Brenda – Vice-president, patient services – $129,872.10
($128,995)
Misch, Christopher – Director, quality risk & safety – $104,920.33
(new)
Moore, Ann – Registered Nurse – $105,195.49 ($104,711)
Pinnell, Mary Katherine – Registered Nurse – $112,769.30 (new)
Thompson, Heather – Director, patient care – $105,218.27 ($105,387)
Wasty, Dr. Fasahat – pathologist – $334,805.43 ($334,805)

Elgin St. Thomas Public Health
Kuntz, Carolyn – Director, health promotion – $105,081.70 ($114,221)
McLachlin – Director, health protection – $107,110.60 ($114,221)
St. John, Cynthia – Executive Director – $135,735.60 ($150,075)

Canadian Mental Health Association, Elgin branch
Debruyn, Heather – $109,194.68 ($104,541)

Community Living Elgin
McCallum, Tom – Executive Director – $103,610.00 ($103,610)

Family and Children’s Services of St. Thomas and Elgin
Potgieter, Rod, Executive Director – $139,903.71 ($135,000)
Flegel, Dawn, Director of Service $105,224.86 (new)

West Elgin Community Health Centre
George, Kim, Physician – $203,001.00 (new)
Mardell, Kevin physician $266,891.00 ($259,400)

Note to London school board, it’s time to honour our own

The London-based school board has quietly made it known the expanded Edward Street Public School is about to christened June Rose Callwood Public School.

It’s certainly not a name singularly associated with this city. Not to downplay the contributions of the popular journalist, author and social activist, but is this the wish of the existing school community, or is the name change driven by the incoming population from Balaclava and Scott Street public schools?

Public-private partnerships (P3) need to be an Ontario election issue

Taken from the OPSEU Diablogue website. Full story also available here.

As the coming Ontario election unfolds, it is unlikely the opposition parties will go after the dozens of public-private partnership (P3) deals signed by the McGuinty government.

The darling of governments of all stripes who want to move debt off-book, P3s have been a costly boondoggle across Canada. At a time when the public is bracing for cuts to public services, the lack of debate over the squandering of billions on such enterprises is sadly missing.

The Maritime Provinces were early adopters of so-called “public-private partnerships” to build and operate public infrastructure.

The Confederation Bridge betweenPrince Edward Island and New Brunswick was one of the first mega projects developed under the model, while Nova Scotia embarked on an ambitious program to privately build and operate public schools.

What has gone so wrong in Canada for working people?

By Ken Georgetti

President – Canadian Labour Congress

There was a time in Canada – not that very long ago – when a working person could expect

to have a family-supporting job throughout their life.

For an honest day’s labour, a worker could raise their kids, buy a house, pay off the mortgage,take vacations, have weekends off, help send the kids through college and retire with a modest but liveable pension.

Your job was relatively secure and the employer showed loyalty for good work. And employers
benefited too, because working families had the income to buy their goods and services.

Wherever and at whatever occupation you worked, these were common features for most
jobs.

Algoma University aims to offer programs at Wellington Street P.S.

The City of St. Thomas, Algoma University, and the estate of Dorothy Fay Palmer have announced the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario university has expressed an interest in offering the first two years of its Bachelor of Arts program in St. Thomas at the former Wellington Street School P.S. site.

While the city acquired the property earlier in this year as part of the parking strategy for the consolidated court facility on the site of the Elgin County Courthouse, this proposed use of the heritage building would be of benefit to the entire community and an excellent use of the former school, states a press release from Mayor Heather Jackson-Chapman.

Transcript of Elgin county council resolution dealing with St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital CEO position

Letter addressed to STEGH board chairman Bruce Babcock from Warden Dave Mennill:

“Thank you for attending our county council meeting held on this date (Tuesday, September 27, 2011) and for your comprehensive explanation of the rationale behind the contract extension discussions regarding the recently retired and then rehired President and C.E.O.

Council certainly appreciated your candor, honesty and the manner in which you explained the circumstances leading to the Board’s decision to retain the current C.E.O.following the retirement.

Likewise we trust that council’s feedback may be instructive to you as you move forward with your redevelopment plans.

After careful consideration, Elgin County Council unanimously approved today (Sept. 27) the following resolution for your board’s consideration;

WHEREAS Elgin County Council has always and continues to strongly support its local community hospital; and,

WHEREAS Elgin County Council is fully prepared to make a significant contribution to the redevelopment campaign: and,

WHEREAS Elgin County ratepayers have expressed concern with the contract of the recently retired hospital President and C.E.O., particularly the potentially negative effect the renewal of said contract may have on campaign fundraising efforts from a disgruntled public;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Elgin County Council respectfully recommends to the Board of Governors of the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital, that, for the betterment of the community, the recruitment of the President and C.E.O. position commence as soon as possible with the goal of replacement within one year’s time.

- Carried Unanimously
(signed) Warden Dave Mennill

Please be advised that this resolution in no way is meant to reflect negatively on the good work done by the incumbent President and C.E.O. for whom council has the utmost respect.

It is Council’s considered opinion that the public’s perception of the circumstances surrounding the position’s reappointment are irrevocably tainted and will negatively affect fundraising efforts, ultimately resulting in a higher than expected campaign contribution from municipal coffers.

All of which is respectfully submitted,

Dave Mennill
Warden

Bob McCaig severs ties with St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital transition committee

Bob McCaig left no doubt Saturday read here airing his disgust on the arrogance and sense of entitlement exhibited by a few at the hospital.

And now, McCaig has tendered his resignation from the transition committee established at the hospital to deal with the $100 million expansion/refurbishment.

Here is a copy of McCaig’s letter to President and CEO Paul Collins, the board of governors and Allan Weatherall from the hospital foundation.

Allan:

re: rehiring of Paul Collins, President and CEO

The news of the recent actions of the Board of Governors of the STEGH in the face of municipal opposition is deeply offensive. The sheer arrogance of
entitlement which controls the thinking of the Board of Governors of our hospital boggles the mind.

I have lost confidence in the Board: to me it would not matter if the incumbent President of the Hospital Corporation could walk on water; he should still resign.
Regardless of the reason I refuse to accept the concept of ‘double dipping’ in our society wherever it occurs. It is morally repugnant and I cannot continue to
serve on the transition committee.

It is with regret that I hereby tender my resignation.

Regards
Bob McCaig-

St. Thomas resident calls on health minister to intervene in STEGH CEO fiasco

To: Hon. D. Matthews, MPP Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
M. Barrett, CEO South West LHIN

Cc: I. McCallum, Page Editor St. Thomas Times-Journal

Subject: St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital Fiasco

I am sending this request by e-mail as time is of the essence. I would like to draw your attention to the events undermining public trust and confidence that are unfolding at the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital involving the “retired” CEO Paul Collins.

STEGH CEO and President Paul Collins

To-date the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital board of governors has ignored strongly worded direction given by two elected municipal bodies; the Elgin County Council and the St. Thomas City Council calling for the replacement of CEO Paul Collins. Further St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital board of governors is reportedly about to give Mr. Collins a new 5-year contract.
“It is Council’s considered opinion that the public’s perception of the circumstances surrounding the position’s reappointment are irrevocably tainted… ”

This situation has contributed to the resignation of a prominent businessman from the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital transition committee.

“The news of the recent actions of the Board of Governors of the STEGH in the face of municipal opposition is deeply offensive. The sheer arrogance of entitlement which controls the thinking of the Board of Governors of our hospital boggles the mind.”

I understand that you have the authority to intervene and put an end to this management fiasco and request your immediate attention to the matter.

Respectfully,

Bill Sandison
St. Thomas, ON

Follow @ianscityscope

CEO Paul Collins signs 5-year deal with hospital

The St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital board of governors today (Oct. 12) signed CEO Paul Collins to a five-year contract. City Scope will offer comment Saturday. In the meantime here is the release in its entirety from the hospital. Note: the board of governors took great pains to advise Collins will remain at last year’s salary. What the board did not come clean on is the fact his salary will be reviewed next year …

St. Thomas, ON – The St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH) Board of Governors approved a new final agreement for current CEO Paul Collins, which runs through October 2016.

STEGH CEO and President Paul Collins

Collins’ salary remains the same as last year. The hospital is paying his salary but has not, and will not, contribute to a pension fund or any other investment fund subsequent to his employment status change in June 2010. This arrangement is saving money for the hospital. Terms state this is the final employment agreement that will be negotiated with Collins.

Any misinformation in CEO debate was self-inflicted

The hospital refers to it as a media release. Instead, Wednesday’s announcement of a new employment agreement with CEO Paul Collins is instead a feeble attempt at damage control.

The five-year pact has proven to be a poorly kept secret and follows on the heels of the hospital board’s nose-thumbing in the direction of municipal councils in St. Thomas and Elgin.

Let’s put the hospital release under the microscope.

“The board of governors approved a new, final agreement for current CEO Paul Collins.”

The key here is “final” in the hope this will deflect criticism from chairman Bruce Babcock and his board, who have taken heat for not beginning the process of finding a replacement for Collins after his retire/rehire shuffle last June.

Up against the Green Monster of financial reality

How often have we asked rhetorically: “What will it take to get something done in this city?”

Does it take a 66-year-old senior crashing face first on to the sidewalk to get the bare minimum of maintenance done to a hazardous stretch of pavement?

Apparently that’s not enough.

Five working days after this unfortunate incident, the sum total of remedial work undertaken by the city is a red safety cone and a pair of painted crisscrosses to mark the spot.

Who wrote the book on cost of library move?

Just how far do some people feel the pockets of taxpayers will stretch?

Well, if you’re library CEO Rudi Denham or board chairman Greg Grondin, you must think the budgets of hard-working city families are as flexible as Gumby and Pokey.

Can you believe they came to council Monday and openly admitted the costs of moving to, and relocating in, their temporary home at Elgin Mall were unanticipated and unbudgeted?

Did you expect the books, CDs and DVDs would wander over by themselves? And the good folks at the mall would let you set up shop at no cost whatsoever? Kind of an Occupy St. Thomas?

Official statement from STEGH CEO Paul Collins on legal cases brought forward

Update on lawsuits filed by former patients of Dr. Cathy Frank. Those named in the lawsuits include St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital and CEO Paul Collins.

Here is release from legal firm issued Friday, Nov. 11:

Legate & Associates can advise that, since releasing the details of lawsuits undertaken on behalf of three women who were patients of Dr. Cathy Frank, over 50 women have come forward. The cases range from 2006 to 2010. Legate & Associates has been advised that complaints were made to the College of Physicians and Surgeons as early as 2006. It is expected that many more lawsuits will be issued.

Mayor Heather Jackson-Chapman reports on trade mission to Japan

St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation
A Member of the Southwestern Ontario Marketing Alliance (SOMA)
SOMA Trade Mission to Japan – November, 2011

The Southwestern Ontario Marketing Alliance (SOMA), www.somasite.com, is a partnership of seven Southwestern Ontario communities grown out of natural economic ties. The members of SOMA include St. Thomas, Stratford, St. Marys, Woodstock, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and Aylmer. With the sole mandate of marketing and promoting the region as a prime location for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), SOMA’s objectives are clear – to generate investment and provide employment opportunities for its member municipalities.

Ma Ferguson offered equal justice to the little people

A last-minute addition to the City Scope lineup this week, predicated by the death Tuesday of Edra Sanders Ferguson in her 105th year of “an overflowing life.”

The Times-Journal, and this corner in particular, championed “Ma Ferguson” as she was known for many years by Toronto lawyers.

The photo on the front page of Friday’s T-J offers a tantalizing taste of the individual who served as the first woman alderman in St. Thomas; to initiate a Red Cross Clinic in Guelph; and to be appointed the first Division Court judge in Ontario (later to become the Small Claims Court).

St. Thomas native and Order of Canada recepient Edra Ferguson, left, and Tara Muzumdar, the Belmont House Nursing Home employee who nominated her.

We will forever cherish the personal note from Edra’s nephew, St. Thomas lawyer John Sanders, sent this past June after the announcement she was to receive the Order of Canada for her contributions in the fields of law and women’s rights — the oldest person ever to receive the Order of Canada.

Better yet, today’s (Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011) Bygones photo on page 2, sent along by Gina Coady at Elgin County Archives, transports us back to 1926 and a striking Edra as a member of the Alma College debating team.

Should we go or stay, the answer after this time out

We haven’t harangued the brass at Elgin St. Thomas Public Health in some time, but that
doesn’t mean they have eluded the City Scope radar.

There is a sense the contentious issue of a new home for the organization is about to surface in the not-too-distant future.

When we last left the health unit in the twilight of the previous board of directors, there was a deep rift between the city council reps — staunchly in favour of locating to new digs — and the county contingent — firmly looking to preserve the status quo with the organization remaining in the county-owned building at 99 Edward St.

This week, the health unit and the county agreed to a one-year extension of the existing lease that will see the organization stay put until the end of 2013.

Do city officials have the maturity to move forward?

Monday’s announcement this corner of the province is in line to benefit from an $80-million job-generation fund had the City Scope research department scurrying to dust off the archives.
Before delving into those findings, we must note one of the drivers that led to the creation of the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund by Premier Dalton McGuinty was the Southwest Economic Alliance (SWEA).
Launched in 2006, SWEA is an advocacy body encompassing partners from municipalities, counties, educational institutions and businesses in the region.
Today, under the presidency of St. Thomas resident Serge Lavoie, SWEA is comprised of 10 counties, including Elgin, and four independent cities, none of which is St. Thomas.

Environmental Clean Up of the Port Stanley Harbour Lands – An Update

Update prepared by Coun. Dan McNeil, Ward 1, on behalf of Central Elgin Municipal Council

Port Stanley harbour

There is a constant concern among the public that nothing will ever happen with the necessary clean up of Port Stanley’s harbour lands. It was four years ago that I first received the previously “confidential” reports detailing the historic industrial contamination that exists.

Now nothing is being hidden. You can go to the Central Elgin website, and find all the information is available in a document called the “Port Stanley Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan-December 2010” (completed by the federally contracted firm, CH2M Hill).

Hospital CEO pay to soar as boards use big banks to justify excess

The following is a media release from Service Employees International Union (SEIU). It’s a situation residents of St. Thomas/Elgin can relate to with the case of St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital CEO Paul Collins’ retire/rehire in June 2010 in a classic example of double dipping. While his salary is stable this year, watch for the nature of salary increases over the remainder of his five-year contract.

TORONTO, Dec. 9, 2011 /CNW/ – Hospital CEO pay will only continue to soar in the wake of a report that uses the salaries of big-bank CEOs and millionaire insurance executives as a benchmark, according to a union representing more than 50,000 healthcare workers in Ontario.

“Hospital CEOs are out of touch and should be held accountable to the public, not to Bay Street,” said Sharleen Stewart, head of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

SEIU called on Ontario to follow the example of other provinces by stepping in to directly set compensation for executives at publicly-funded hospitals, starting with a salary cap. The union representing hospital workers urged the province to conduct a truly-independent review – with input from frontline staff – that looks at excessive layers of management in the health system.

“Public hospitals were built to provide people with necessary medical care, not for executives to use as personal piggy banks.”

Somebody missed the bus with this press release

A press release from the Chamber of Commerce created an instant stir on the Times-Journal Facebook page after it was posted late Thursday afternoon.
The advisory, from the pen of Chamber CEO Bob Hammersley, “No New Year’s Bus Service?” suggested “there will likely be no free New Year’s Eve bus service in St. Thomas this year.”
A service underwritten by MADD Canada’s St. Thomas-Elgin Chapter for the past four years.
Was this confirmed with Mayor Heather Jackson-Chapman or staff at city hall, or was Hammersley jumping to conclusions?