County News
One week to go
Dave Gray has done all he can. Now it is up to County residents to demonstrate how much Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital means to them.
Room for more on bus to rally for County hospital
This is it. Just one more week to get your seat on a bus to Toronto to tell provincial politicians how you feel about the latest in a series of cuts to the local hospital.
Dave Gray, the torchbearer for POOCH— Patrons Of Our County Hospital—is holding one last meeting this Thursday night at the Wellington United Church at 7 p.m. to organize volunteer efforts and make final plans for the bus trip next Wednesday April 17.
Gray has been working night and day since he decided a statement needed to be made directly to decision makers in Toronto that this community believes in its community hospital and will fight the further reduction of services at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.
He originally had 50 POOCH buttons printed—to help promote the event. They were all gone in a day. Since then he has sold more than a thousand buttons. Others have come on board to help and organize the event including the County’s past mayor and long-time hospital advocate Leo Finnegan.
Early on the decision was made that the event would offer assistance to seniors to offset the cost of the bus, to ensure that politicians see the people who are being harmed by shortsighted decisions to centralize health care out of the County.
It has not yet been determined how many buses will be needed—requests continue to come in daily. Buses are set to leave the arenas in Picton and Wellington at 8 a.m. sharp. Other pickup and drop-off locations around the County may also be identified based on numbers.
The itinerary anticipates County buses arriving at Queen’s Park at 11 a.m. A light bag lunch is provided to each passenger. Each participant will also be given a coloured button that corresponds with the bus to which they are assigned. That way no one has to remember which bus they belong to.
Other details are being managed just as carefully. The rally itself will last no more than 90 minutes, enabling participants to be back in the County by 4 p.m. Signs are being crafted with consistent messages—ensuring the effort stays focused and respectful.
There is still time to get a seat on the POOCH bus—to bring the County’s disapproving voice to the policy makers in Toronto. Tickets are $25 or $10 for those who need a little help. They are available at several real estate offices across the County—see the advertisement below for the one nearest you.
The sole reason and purpose why, we the people of Prince Edward County, want our hospital back is to ensure the health and well-being of the residents of Prince Edward County.
We have a plan that is unassailable. We have 4 buses leaving at 8am sharp on Wednesday morning from both the Picton and Essroc arenas. It looks like Wellington on the lake will be able to fill their one bus. We hope to arrive at Queen’s Park by 11:30 where we will be greeted by our MPP Todd Smith and his staff. We will be presenting Mr. Smith with our Petition that contains more than 1600 names. Mr. Smith will stand up in the House and read the petition so that it is entered into Hansard. Doing it this way requires the House to reply to us within 24 days. We remain positive that we will get a positive response.
A group of about 50 P.O.O.C.H. members will be given Members Gallery passes to watch Question Period. This is a good demonstration on behalf of P.O.O.C.H. in that the a good showing in the gallery has been known to get the media’s attention as members of the press watch the proceedings from the gallery inside the House.
Finally, we have set up a meeting with PC Health Critic and Deputy Leader Christine Elliott for 1pm in Mr. Smith’s office at Queen’s Park. Up to today we have not had a reply from the Premier or the Minister of Health Deb Matthews requesting a meeting. A few things have been set up to help the media that will be making the trip with us as well.
How can you help? You can email the Premier and the Minister of Health this weekend urging them to meet with P.O.O.C.H. members on Wednesday, April 17th. You can email the Premier at kwynne.mpp@liberal.ola.org and Deb Matthews, Minister of Health at dmatthews.mpp@liberal.ola.org
Email them this weekend if you want to continue to receive ongoing good health and well-being at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.