Re: the letter Please check the facts by Mary Anne Jablonski, Red Deer Advocate, Wednesday, April 18.
While I generally try to avoid getting into personal comments rather than debates on policy in the current election campaign, I feel I must respond to the statements in Mary Anne Jablonski’s letter to the editor on April 18, 2012, headed Please check the facts.
When the proposal to build the Extendicare facility came before the David Thompson Health Region Board to build a new continuing care facility in Red Deer, I voted against it. I found there were too many problems and issues with the proposal as presented. Hence, I voted no.
My vote against was done in an open public meeting. Also, I am sure that my colleagues on the former DTHR Board can easily confirm that I voted against the Extendicare proposal.
I did support the construction of new and additional continuing care beds in Red Deer. They were, and still are, badly needed.
The inference that I supported the “replacement” of Valley Park Manor and Red Deer Nursing Home is also incorrect. The final fate of those buildings was not put to the DTHR Board for a decision prior to the DTHR being suddenly abolished by the Alberta government in May 2008.
If it had, I would have supported a renovation and repurposing of the facilities. Again, additional continuing care beds in Red Deer and region were, and still are, badly needed.
I hope that the incorrect information in Jablonski’s letter can be quickly corrected.
Michael Dawe
Former Chair, Red Deer Regional Hospital Board
Former Trustee, David Thompson
Health Authority
Candidate for MLA, Red Deer North