Queens hospital expansion at cabinet table

Premier Rodney MacDonald was guest speaker at the successful Lane's Privateer Inn event, one that was also attended by about 100 businesspeople, politicians, and residents in general. As widely reported in the media, he announced a moratorium on fin fish farming in Port Mouton Bay at the meeting. From the clapping and cheering, it appeared the crowd was as happy about the surprise news as attending Friends of Port Mouton Bay members.

Dr. Andrew Blackadar asked the first question. He discussed the years of work involved in getting plans for Queens General Hospital to the Department of Health. He said the plans, with the blessing of South Shore Health and the "rock solid" backing of the community, would, once realized, create a modern, "multi-disciplinary primary care" facility that would also focus on preventative health care initiatives and act as a "teaching hub" for health care professionals.

And, he said, "We're only asking for 50 cents on the dollar. We have $7-million of public money ready to go." He said all that is lacking is "cabinet support" and the project will basically be "shovel-ready."

Premier MacDonald responded the Department of Health is looking at "many, many" capital projects. "But I can assure you one of the projects we're looking at is here in Queens Co."

He added at the end of his answer, "I didn't say absolutely yes but I did say it's moving along." In his speech, he said projects such as these are being fast tracked through the government's stimulus program.

The accompanying budget still needs to be passed by the minority government.

South Shore Regional School Board Chair Elliott Payzant said South Queens Junior High School is "really crumbling and really sick."

After explaining that the Education Department's Deputy Minister wants the board to seriously consider an addition to another school to replace the current facility, he asked the premier if requesting a stand-alone school would delay its construction.

Premier MacDonald said he would have to study the file and talk to department officials to give a definitive answer but that, on the surface, he believes a more expensive stand-alone school might take longer to build because the province only has so much money. "It may push it out a little bit more."

Queens MLA Vicki Conrad asked the Premier when the stimulus package would be debated in the legislature to ensure the $1.9-billion is spent in the right places.

Premier MacDonald responded it would be debated when presented as a budget.

Christopher Clarke, South Shore Health board member and a hospital project driving force, helped present a donation in the Premier's name to the Queens General Hospital for $1,000. The money was raised that night. Clarke jokingly described the donation as a "down payment."

Premier MacDonald also discussed the province's stimulus plan. He said it would maintain and create about 20,000 jobs while taking advantage of federal stimulus funding.

He said the plan is designed to help the economy during the current recession while also keeping an eye on the future. Reducing energy consumption in government buildings, roads, bridges and other infrastructure initiatives, including Highway 103, will provide for the present and future, he said. "I can assure you in that plan there will be dollars set aside for the 103."

He also listed money for health, education and for maintaining a skilled workforce. He said training and retraining is essential.

And, he said, "We're going to do this with a balanced budget and being fiscally responsible. It is affordable and it is achievable. And if we didn't do this we couldn't take advantage of the federal dollars available to us. If we don't spend those dollars, they will be spent somewhere else in Canada. It's the right thing to do at the right time."

He explained the ratio of the province's ability to pay through its revenue and the debt will be the same in three years, when the books should be balanced again, as it is now.

Co-chair Mark Sapp said the renewed chamber has accomplished a lot over the last couple of years. Successes range from a logo and web site to helping community festivals, and creating a strategic plan to hiring Administrator Amber Trimm.

The organization is prominently known for organizing Liverpool's annual Tree Lighting ceremony, which includes a successful shop in Liverpool campaign, and is involved in Junior Achievement initiatives designed to keep students in school, helping non-profit groups, providing networking opportunities, and is currently gathering research to help attract residential developers as well as planning Liverpool 250th anniversary celebrations.

In other words, he said, the chamber isn't about surviving; it's about "thriving" as a community.