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If the County should happen to grow, or if more people moved into Richmond Hill, they should be treated at an expanded hospital in Newmarket. On this viewpoint there was unanimous agreement â€" in Newmarket. It also involves several thousand women in York County (as it was called then), And who have never been told, until now, how much power they had. Friday. September 9 â€" North-South: Ross Jenkinson and Fred Dieken: Dave Rosati and Richard Charlebois; John and Wendy Hunter; Peter Osborne and Hank Sharpe. This is a hitherto secret story. It happens to affect everyone in Richmond Hill today, and ii is _trpe. 727-5789 Wednesday, September 7 â€" North-South: Rose Morrell and Grace Saunders; Jack and Billye Maver; Rita Parisella and Bev Jones. East-West: Ruth Browning and Ann Payment; Hank Sharp and Sherry Vogan; Cleta Dieken and Ann Jansen. It is the behind-the- scenes story of how York Central Hospital was built, with starting cash of $43 although its cost was in the millions. And how their feminine power was as decisive as a division of heavy ar- tillery in a military operation. Ken Tomlin, who was mayor at the time, thought Richmond Hill ought to have a hospital. The suggestion met stern opposition in the county, because there was a perfectly good hospital at Newmarket, and the County Seat happened to be in Newmarket. In the County’s opinion, the County had room for one hospital. right where it was. Last week‘s blood donor clinic at York Central Hospital attracted more than 300 people and was highly successful, of- ficials say. It involves some honest behind-theâ€"scenes sku- llduggery. 'This is how it hap- pened: York County Board of Education last‘ week disagreed with a suggestion by East Gwillimbury Trustee, John Denison, that whatever the education director wants, the education director gets. The board was dealing with a recommendation by Aurora’s Norm Weller that it veto a “help wanted" notice of the board's. King Trustee, Margaret Coburn, said she felt such evaluation “should be done by people who are qualified, and I think this has been done”. Denison said the motion was outside of the board's role. The director had been given a budget and should be allowed to work within it. Said Weller: “The majority of the board said he shouldn’t be hired. We He suggested that the job could be done by one of the board‘s “upgraded caretakers". Weller had moved that the position of technician, as advertised for by staff, not be filled until authorized by the trustees. The ad said the technician was needed by the plant and sites department, at a salary of between $9,288 and $13,608. Education Director Sam Chapman said he felt it was necessary to “have this additional help“. Blood clinic is successful Advertisement issue deferred In speaking against it, Weller said it had been the board’s decision not to fill the position until authorized, but the matter had never been discussed further. Bridge winners But Mayor Tomlin, who By CLETA DIEKEN By ANNE FROME‘R The true story of the birth of our York Central an” mm comnmnity news The obvious course, it was decided was to bring in a professional fund- raiser and raise donations needed to make up the necessary third. (Figures are foggy among former committee members Once, in a friendly, laughing argument with a husky builder, Doug picked him up and shook him like a terrier shakes a rat, until the builder (laughing until it hurt, because nothing so ridiculous as this had ever happened to him before, finally agreed to some minor clause. So, now a civilian, unable to pull rank, he set out to do the same thing. A huge, muscular man, of nearly six foot five, he was the closest thing the committee had ever known to the irresistible force. When asked by Markham’s John Stephens, if there had been any replies to the ad since it was placed in the newspapers, John Kip- pen. assistant to the education director, said there hadn’t. Denison said he felt that. if the director had agreed the technician was required. he should get him. For the chairman of the committee. he chose Doug Storms. Tom gave him his correct title: Major-General Douglas Storms, retired chief of the Canadian corps of Engineers. Doug, as his fellow committeemen called him, had achieved a wartime reputation of getting things done â€" and damn the red tape. Denison said the motion was outside of the board’s role. The director had been given a budget and should be allowed to work within it. Said Weller: “The majority of the board said he shouldn’t be hired. We should abide by the majority, or we should all resign.” Stephens suggested the matter be deferred until next meeting for a report from the staff on the need for a position at this time. Also, with no applicants for the job, how could the work be spread out among the staff. However, the motion to defer was carried 9-8. was quiet on the surface. but a skilled tactician, thought he knew how to accomplish his objective, if he could find the right man. So he formed a com- mittee, with a few builders and businessmen and doctors â€" but no politicians. No politician would think of the ploy he had in mind. East-West â€" Ruth and Gerry Browning; Fred and Theresa Tierney; Katherine and Jack Coats tied with Bob and Anne Manning. Monday. September 12 â€" North-South: Bob and Edna Dunn; Joe and Lorrie Coen; Geoff Parker and Bev Jones. For information or partners call Ann Payment 727-3873. East-West: Jean Goodwin and Marg Melnichuk; John Leonard and Larry Stumpf; Richard Charlebois and Fred Tiemey. 0f the 308 who appeared to donate blood, only 36 were rejected. resulting in 272 pints being collected â€" this was necessary public involvement, but would still yield only a fraction of what was needed. With this manoeuvre; jg; hand. Doug Storms figuratively stormed the next meeting of the County. Some forgotten genius came up with the idea that the two hospitals should be twins, both belonging to the County. If Newmarket was York County Hospital, then Richmond Hospital quickly became York Central Hospital. An emergency meeting was called of the com- mittee in Richmond Hill. “Do you know what those gentlemen did?” he roared - (Note some editing has been necessary). “The gen- tlemen laughed at me. We didn’t get a single blessed vote." after so many years, but it was about a million and a half.) The fund-raiser. after surveying the com- munity, pointed out that Richmond Hill lacked the industries which nor- mally contributed the bulk of any drive; the average family would give $5; a big spender $25 The only source of funds was the county itself. If it could be per- suaded to add just a mill to the tax rate, then the federal and provincial governments Would put up the rest. The committee counted its funds: Doug fined everybody $1 for every minute he was late; which used to burn up a doctor who had rushed from delivering a baby. “No excuse”, said Doug. “You’re four minutes late. Hand the treasurer four dollars â€" NOW!” The money was handed over, but the members soon learned to get‘ to meetings on the dot, and it was’evident that the building fund would stay at $434 But it was realized that a Newmarket County headquarters would never agree to a separate hospital at Richmond Hill. Big Brothers Car Rally. Victoria Square around noon. Call Ron Shantz, 294-5160. “Walk the United Way" walkathon. Starts 12.30 p.m. from Hillcrest Mall. Jazz Concert at Legion Hall from 2 to 6' Gormley Missionary Church. Movie “Time to Run“. 7.30 p.m. 883-2234 Sunday 25 HEL PMA TE INFORMA T/ON COMMUNITY CALENDAR £34 Septem her-October 333-2234 “The dickens we will," said Doug. “Those gentlemen up there don’t know where the real power lies.” He leaned forward conspiratorily. “Didn’t anybody ever tell you that every town in North America is run by ten women with baby carnages." “The late Jack smith, who was then owner and publisher of The Liberal, joined in the conspiracy. Together he and Doug approached an architect and had him sketch up a beautiful hospital, of about the size the total budget would produce. A sketch with trees, people, landscaping â€" and all that tender loving care behind the bricks and mortar. He paused. “Now let‘s harness the women of this County and sic them on the gentlemen and sons of gentlemen of the County of York.” There was a silence. “Without the County’s mill, we’ll just have to disband the Committee," someone said. First meeting of Parents without Partners course. at Richmond Hill and Thornhill Area Family Services. 8 p.m. DISCOVERY DAYS FEATURE Monday York Central's Langstaff Wing under construction 26 The Liberal ran across its front page: Below that came machiavelli: “Volunteers wanted immediately for gift shop; teenagers needed as candy-stripers; urgent demand for volunteers to help patients.” “This is Ricfimond Hill's new hospital” the headline shouted. Then Doug called on all of them personally, Committees were organized, with ap- propriate chairman, in every conceivable hamlet; several chapters in Richmond Hill itself, in Maple, in Buttonville, Oak Ridges, Aurora, Temperanceville, and every dot on the map. The Liberal next clarioned: “Hospital‘ going up. Women advised to get busy sewing uniforms, candy stripe aprons.“ Committee members were recruited to visit all these chapters, to tell the women how useful they would be (far more useful than anyone imagined.) First meeting of course “New Baby Blues" at Thornhill Community Centre. 7.30 to 9.30 p.m. Richmond Hill United Church hosts international fall festival featuring supper and en- tertainment. First sitting: 5.15 p.m. 884- 1301. Tuesday Wednesday, September 21, 1977 He fumbled in his pockets. “1 just happen to have with me a list of every single member of that council who refuses to pass that small resolution that will let your hospital have its money. I think I have enough copies of the list for each one of you ladies. Note that the home telephone number of every councillor is given; also his office number." He grinned at them. “Let’s let them know how you feel about their dastardly actions on sitting on your money. How many women here are willing to spend an hour every day for the next two weeks, calling every single member of shaking his head sadly: “We‘d be digging your hospital right now,” he said, “if it were not for the members of the County Council. They refuse to let you have your money. “Well, they won't listen to a solitary man. But I’ll tell you what. I‘ll bet they’ll listen to you.” Richmond Hill aquatic club “Meet the Coach Night". 7.30 to 9.80 pm. Con- sumers’ Gas Buildingi Widowers meeting. Victoria 8; Grey Trust, Crosby and Yonge. 8:30 pm. 884-9430. For interested groups only, the M i n i s t r y o f Agriculture and Food is sponsoring a training program at Victoria Square Community Centre from 1 to 4 p.m. Thornhill newco- mers’ club first. evening meeting at 8 p.m. at Heinzman House. 889-8148. Training sessions for parents & teachers at St. John‘s Baptist, 75 Oxford. 7.30-9.30 p.m. 881-2818. Main library, Rich- mond Hill. Three films. 7.30 p.m. Wednesday | Thursday . . . that doesn't let you off the hook. You can hug him at home. Tell him how the voters feel about his treachery. Yes, it is treachery. Let’s not forget it. Let’s make those phone calls!” When Doug went to the next meeting of County Council, his arrival was greeted with prolonged “Every member every day. Every one of you. Marvellous. Sure, bug him at work, until his boss gets after him. And at their wives.” The wom around them “I'm sorry,” Doug said. “I’d forgotten that the wife of every single member is a member of some ladies aid com- mittee somewhere. Well that cursed committee? Both at his home and at his office. Be very polite. Just ask him to explain again why he won’t let the hospital volunteers go to work. Then call him back next day to explain it again, that there were a few points you wanted to clear up. Thornhill Seniors Note: Seminar: Food additives. diabetes and Yoga. 9.30 to 11.30 a.m. 6030 Yonge St. Thornhill Seniors Note: Seminar: Health Foods and Yoga. 9.30 to 11.30 a.m. 6030 Yonge Street. Agriculture and Food Ministry training program continues at Victoria Square Community Centre. 10 am. to 4 pm. Registration for aquatic club at Cen~ tennial Pool, nightly at 5.45 p.m. Modern Western Square Dancing. 8 p.m. Roselawn Public School. Carrville Road. Modern Western Square Dancing. 8 pm. Roselawn Public School, Carrville Road. Main Library. Rich- mond Hill. Rock musical night. 7.30 women looked 29 So the money came through, the drive was held for additional funds. “You win!" théy said. “The ladies got your confounded hospital. Now, tell them to get off our backs.” And then another strategy meeting. Where to build. Richmond had no suitable land‘ nearest was the chosen, where hospital could hook the town‘s water sewer gnd. Into this picture stepped the hated Ontario Water Resources Com- mission. The commission (now re-named Ministry of the Environment) had for years been fighting a running battle with Rich- mond Hill, which wanted to expand its small treatment plant. The OWRC refused, holding out for a big lakefront plant and a Big Pipe to serve all of York County. But the government couldn’t turn down a hospital, could it? Yes, it could and did. laughter and applause Discovery Days activities at the arena. All evening. Main Library. musical "Oliver". 7.30 Ffiday Section C The site the into and Hill “Okay,” said Doug. “We‘ve got the money. We‘ve got the building permit from Vaughan. The OWRC will have to work out something with Richmond Hill.” Legion Ladies Auxiliary fall dance. 8 pm. at the Legion. Walkathon and Bikeathon. Canadian Bible Society event starts at St. Mary’s Anglican Church at 9 am. Call Mrs. Gray 884-3878. Rummage Sale, Thornhill United Church at 10 a.m. Doug sought and ob« tained a meeting with the Ontario cabinet. He's dead now, Doug Storms. Major General Douglas Storms. Rich- mond Hill, or Canada, may never see his like again. “We are building this hospital, right where it says on this map. We are letting the contracts this week. i Bloc k P a r e nt Garage Sale. from 10 am. to 3 p.m. Thor- nhill United Church, Dudley Ave. (Directly behind Thornhill Farmer's Market). Flea Market at the Legion from 10 a.m. to “If the sewers are not ready when we are, then we’ll open up the tap and let the (word missing) run all over the streets.” And orie very deter- mined man. Rummage sale at St. Mary’s Anglican Church and Union Villa. Church 1 to 3 p.m.; Villa 10 a-.m. And that, ladies, is how the hospital was built, and how, finally the OWRC got its lakefront plant and now, at last the big pipe. All because of ia’ few feminine phone calls. All day â€" Discovery Days activities at the arena. But the answer was still Saturday (Photo by Sumllo)