May 14, 2024

SSMH MARCHES ON GRAVENHURST TOWN HALL TODAY LOOKING FOR HOSPITALS SUPPORT

GRAVENHURST — A march on town hall fell on deaf ears today.

Two dozen hospitals supporters were met with political silence as they walked up and down Pineridge Gate and stood on Bethune Drive between 2-3 p.m.

The mayor and council didn’t dignify or acknowledge their presence by going out to address or speak to the town and district residents

A council meeting was scheduled for 3 p.m.

The rally was known in advance by council.

**Two dozen SSSM members marched on Gravenhurst’s town hall Tuesday afternoon – walking away with more signs than they brought. Photos Mark Clairmont**

Ironically SSMH members walked away with more signs than they brought.

A weekend sweep by town bylaw picked up 20 of the distinctive red signs from along Bethune Drive officers deemed as illegally placed.

Phyllis Winnington-Ingram thanked staff for saving them — then said they’d be going right back up in other “legal” locations.

Hundreds of other signs dot other private properties.

The rally was also next to the Cottage Country Family Healthcare clinic where the town wants MAHC to provide a walk-in clinic or urgent care clinic possibly in the empty decade-old second floor of the doctors’ office.

One SSMH member, Bob Clarke, brought along a highlighted copy of an August 2023 town staff recommendation about its $1 million planned donation to MAHC’s ‘Local Share’ provincially necessary fundraising efforts.

CAO Scott Lucas urged council 10 months ago to make the money “conditional” upon Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare that “every effort be made” by MAHC to provide “either a walk-in clinic or urgent care clinic” in Gravenhurst.

As well, it said the money was contingent on MAHC’s “need” for the money and only when construction “commences.”

The town report had also urged the southern-most site MAHC originally recommended.

Clarke said they plan official delegrations to the town — and District of Muskoka May 23 — where he said they will “respectfully” show up wearing buttons.

A councillor said the town is able to revise a motion similar to that about the donation, which council did eventually pass.

Several, but not all of Muskoka’s six district municipalities, have committed funds to the Local Share.