News TheReview Wednesday, May 6,1992 — A17 Petition urges doctors to use Dr. Hales by Glenn Werkman The Review Residents of the Peninsula are being asked to support a Sidney- based pediatrician who is consid- ering moving from the community. Saanichton resident Jo Ann Gil- lespie started circulating a petition last week to encourage Peninsula general practitioners to refer their patients requiring pediatric care to Dr. John Hales, who has practising privileges at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, consulting privileges at Victoria General, does consulta- tion work at the Arbutus Society for Children and is an associate professor at UBC. “He is one of our community’s best kept secrets,” Gillespie said. “Unfortunately, many physicians on the Saanich Peninsula have been bypassing Dr. Hale’s office in favor of referrals to pediatricians in town.” She asks residents to sign the petition in support of the Peninsu- la’s only on-call pediatrician. “All petitions will be photocopied and delivered to physicians on the Saanich Peninsula in hopes of tallying support behind a profes- sional who is indeed an asset to our community.” Hales says he is flattered by the unsolicited support and hopes the petition gets back to Saanich Peninsula Hospital’s board of directors and family doctors on the Peninsula. “Its up to the community to decide (if they want a resident pediatrician),” Hale said. “If they Say it’s not in the community’s best interest then I'can plan my life accordingly.” He anticipates there will be a lot of support but “it’s been awfully tough going for the last two years.’ Hales was considering a move to the Okanagan. There are eight or nine practis- ing pediatricians in Victoria, some with long waiting lists, who prac- ' tise at an advanced pediatric facili- ty at Vic General. Saanich Penin- sula Hospital has two beds desig- nated for pediatric care, chief administrator Robert Myers said. Young patients requiring extended hospital care are referred to Vic General where there is a 45 per cent occupancy rate in its tursory care pediatric facility, he said. “One of the best pediatric care facilities in the province is sitting there half empty,” Myers said in response to questions about the community hospital improving its pediatric services. Dr Ulana Farmer, president of the medical staff at Saanich Penin- sula Hospital, said it is difficult for any pediatrician to build up a thriving practice on the Peninsula. “It®s simply got to do with numbers, population and availabil- ity of specialized pediatric care,” Farmer said. She said that a longtime Sidney. pediatrician, Dr. Betty Kleiman, has privileges at Saanich Peninsu- Ja but is away in Ethiopia for a few months. Kleiman specializes in adolescent psychology. Hales said much of the work he specializes in can be done within his Sidney office. Hales specializ- es in child development and child neurology. Gillespie said her two children required pediatric care but hospi- talization was not necessary. Her daughter, now 3, and son, now 7, required child development assis- tance and she was extremely pleased with the result of treat- ment by Hales. “I know from experience that he is a kind, gentle doctor who relates well with children and parents alike,” Gillespie said. She has taken her petition to karate classes her son attends, to mother’s groups, to a Central Saa- nich volunteer fire department meeting and has left copies of the petition at video stores, restau- rants, day care centers, pre-schools and garage sales. “I don’t want to upset anyone,” Gillespie said. She came up with the idea for the petition herself after discovering a two-month wait to see a Victoria pediatrician. “It’s really important to keep him in the community,” she said. “A year down the road you may need him.” In the initial stages, she has received support from 90-95 per cent of the people she talks to and said her regular family doctor supports what she is doing. Hales began his practice on the Peninsula two years ago, has 23 years experience and graduated from Sydney (Australia) Universi- ty in 1969. — Person wanting more informa- tion can call Gillespie at 652- 5899. Rec cenire figures wrong says chairman Inaccurate figures were given to Central Saanich council on the cost of operating the Panorama Leisure Centre, says Brian Sibley, chairman of the Peninsula Recrea- tion Commission. Joining the recreation commis- sion and helping finance the oper- ation and expansion of the centre will cost the average Central Saa- nich taxpayer less than $150 annually for the next four years. At present the centre is funded solely by admission fees and by Sidney and North Saanich taxpay- ers. Starting last month, enroll- ment restrictions and increased admission charges have been applied against Central saamlen users of the facility. Later this spring, Central Saa- nich residents will be surveyed on whether the municipality should join North Saanich and Sidney in operating the leisure centre. Figures submitted to Central Saanich council predict an average homeowner would pay an addi- tional $139.97 in 1993 taxes and $201.69 in taxes by 1996 if Cen- tral Saanich became an equal part- ner in the recreation commission. Projected taxes were based on a home with an assessed value of $150,000. But Sibley says the Central Saa- nich projections are inaccurate. Assuming a home with a $150,000 assessed value, Sibley predicts the homeowner would pay an additional $76.33 in taxes next year, gradually increasing to $140.28 extra by 1996. The figures allow for expansion of the centre and for cancellation of the provincial Go B.C. grants, which might have been applied to the recreation centre expansion, Sibley said. Monday, Central Saanich coun- cil members said Sibley’s figures are not as accurate as the munici- 8 oz NEW YORK STEAK & TIGER PRAWNS served with sauteed mushrooms, baked potato, vegetables, garlic bread SURPRISE MOM THIS /MOTHER’S DAY LUNCHTIME BUFFET SERVED 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Evening Dinner (4:30 p.m. till closing) ALL MOTHERS RECEIVE A FREE DESSERT Today is the day to show Mom just how much she really means to you. Treat her to something nice. LEMON CHICKEN topped with juicy mushroom & onion sauce, served with baked potato & vegetables. BRENTWOOD VILLAGE RESTAURANT 7120 West Saanich Rd. Brentwood Bay 652-0094 652-0055 pality’s latest projections, which will be included with the survey sent to residents this spring. Administrator George Sawada said the recreation commission “has not been privy to the most recent information.” Ald. Arlene Box said the figures reported in newspaper articles were presented inaccurately, including articles that appeared in The Review. Council agreed to request that the true figures be ' given. {7 Thinking of selling your home? PEMBERTON. HOLMES®?" He'll get right ON it! when you're serious about selling. . . make Yow" #9711 oth ST. CENTENNIAL SQUARE SIDNEY 655-1555 NOTICE TOWN OF SIDNEY SPRING CLEAN-UP The 1992 Spring Clean-Up Programme will commence, Monday May 11th 1992 and will continue until all areas have been serviced by the authorized contractor, Laidlaw Waste Systems Ltd. Resi- dents must place items for pick-up at the roadside by 8:00 a.m. May 11th; there will not be any call backs. Old concrete, rocks, stumps, trees, sod, drywall, construction materials and regular “blue box” recycling materials will not be picked up. Inert refuse not bagged or placed in containers must be tied securely in bundles not exceeding three feet in length and 75 pounds in weight. Refrigerators and freezers must have doors or lids removed. The following items will not be picked up, but may be disposed of by contacting the C.R.D. Recycling Hot Line at 360-3030 - car bodies, car batteries, scrap metal, oil-based paints, toxic containers, and petroleum products. Used furniture, clothing, appliances and plumbing fixtures worthy of repair or recycling may also be disposed of by contacting the Recycling Hot Line at 360-3030. In the interests of environmental concerns, reducing costs and the amount of materials entering the Hartland Road landfill site, residents are requested to observe the above guidelines. General inquiries should be directed to the Town Hall Works and Services Department at 656-1184, not the contractor. M. Townsend, Director Engineering and Planning Services with terry MOOREHEAD 656-0911 a