LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- September 30, 2008
To The Editor;
Last week Health Minister George Abbott met with Town Council to discuss local health care problems. The primary concern was recruitment and retention of permanent doctors, nurses and professionals.
The Minister was made aware of the fact we are very appreciative of our present level of locums, yet from a cost and convenience perspective we are doing everything we can to attract and retain permanent family practitioners.
The Minister was very aware of the high cost of locums and complimented us on our efforts to help secure permanent doctors and asked council to forward any suggestions we may have in that regard. His ministry is doing everything it can to solve this personnel problem but he also commented that while his government was in power we would have the same level of locum service until long-term physicians were in place.
We also made him aware of our nurse situation, where returning nurse graduates intent on making Princeton their home are not being given full time status. Minister Abbott commented that he was aware of that problem here and in other areas and his staff was working on an acceptable solution. His view was that it didn't seem to make sense as small towns need to retain any professionals that wish to stay and there wasn't a real cost saving when you considered the high price of overtime when staffing was short.
When asked whether we would ever have an OR again, he suggested "he would never say never," if a number of large industries caused the population to substantially increase there could be a review of the situation. With respect to a helipad next to the hospital he was interested in the municipalities approach to a cost effective initiative in order to speed up trauma evacuation to regional centers.
Finally, the Minister expressed his appreciation for the work of Council in helping to facilitate the training which saw Emergency Medical Respondents upgrading to Primary Care Paramedics in order to give Princeton a higher level of trauma and primary care.
Following the meeting, council members agreed on calling together the public in order to obtain any recommendations relating to our concerns that could be acted on or forwarded to Minister Abbott.
- Mayor Randy McLean, Princeton
To The Editor;
The kindness of strangers, make the world a better place. I want to publicly acknowledge two Princeton residence.
On September 2nd my husband and I stopped in Princeton while travelling to Vancouver.
We went to Chaps Family Restaurant for supper. A couple hours later, I discovered I did not have my cell phone. After searching our camper we returned to Chaps Restaurant where co-owner, Catherine Alexandre helped me search her premises for my phone. Not finding it, she suggested she dial my cell phone number and see if someone had found it.
Darlene Wilkie answered and offered to walk back to the restaurant to return my phone even though it was already dark and by rough estimate a one-kilometre hike.
My thanks to Darlene and Catherine for your helpful, honest effort to assist a stranger. You both made our visit to Princeton memorable.
- Norma Kunzel, Calgary
To The Editor;
The hidden 'Harper Agenda' is becoming apparent - Harper purged the PC party of the progressives, replaced them with more toadies and deleted Progressive from the party name. He gags and intimidates his members and if you recall the transition from Reform to Conservative he is adept in sleazy tactics and lying without batting an eye! He wants a majority government in order to tie Canada to the SPP
'agreement,' which would effectively take away our ability to have our own regulations and policies and would tie us to a
'Made in the USA' corporate agenda - water, healthcare, education would be open for privatization by mega corporations. Security is also on the list - US-style! Don't look to the Liberals to save us from this impending betrayal because they have been involved in national sell-outs before. Save Canada! Vote Harper OUT! Sincerely,
- J.W. Noppe, Princeton
To The Editor;
I would like to thank everyone who has come out to support the Backdoor Coffee House held at Living Water Foursquare Church (38 Kenley Avenue).
We are in the process of changing our dates to the second Friday of each month. All musicians are welcome to join us whether you play the spoons or any other musical instrument.
The fourth Friday of each month we plan to feature Christian Youth Bands traveling from Vancouver and the lower mainland. Everyone is invited to come join us.
The coffee and goodies are free of charge. We believe that the future of our church is in our youth.
Every Wednesday is 'Jam Night' so bring your instrument or your voice and join in the fun. Any style of music is welcome from rock to gospel and everything in-between.
- Mike Simpson, Princeton
