Peck questions health money assurance

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 578, 21 March 1995, Page 1

Peck questions health money assurance

"Most residents of the Waimarino would no doubt be assured that the money from the sale of the present Waimarino Health Centre will remain in the community," said Bob Peck, former mayor of Raetihi. He was commenting on the statement of Good Health Wanganui 's communication' s manager, Merle Bradshaw, which appeared in the Ruapehu Bulletin 14 March. "However, a good many locals would not be impressed that the money from the Irwin Bequest would be applied to off-set costs of erecting the new Health Centre," he said. "Mr Irwin did not leaye the money for the purpose of

erecting a hospital or health centre, the financing of which is clearly the responsibility of the Crown Health Enterprise out of our tax dollar.". He said Mr Irwin' s intent was that his money would provide amenities well beyond brick and mortar and that such amenities would be found in the old Waimarino Health Centre. "Surely, in the planning process initiated by Good Health Wanganui to erect our new Waimarino Health Centre, it should not be necessary for locals to pay three

Health money challenge FROMPAGEl times for this amenity, that is, through taxes; through Mr Irwin's generous bequest; and through the sale of the old Waimarino Hospital complex. If we consider the money raised over the years for the old Hospital, for instance that contributed by the community for the day room, then locals are being required to pay four times over," Mr Peck concluded.