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Cambrian
President cited as a visionary
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by Neil Zacharjewicz
SUDBURY - Dr. Frank Marsh, President of
Cambrian College, has died. Dr. Marsh, who was 51 years old,
passed away on the morning of Sunday, November 11, after arriving
at the college for a fitness work out. He is survived by his
wife Pam, daughters Erica and Allyson and brother Charles. "The
Cambrian community is profoundly saddened," stated Cambrian
board chair Murray Scott. "Frank Marsh was many things to the
Cambrian community. He was a leader, a builder, a mentor and
a friend. A visionary, he significantly influenced educational
directions, and through the partnerships he built with all sectors
of the community and other strategic directions, reinforced
Cambrian's position as a leader in the educational market place."
Dr. Marsh was Cambrian's third president. During his three and
a half year tenure, Cambrian's global presence was expanded;
partnerships with business and industry were strengthened; a
student/client-centred focus was adopted and developed; alumni
development became a focus; and Cambrian's academic positioning
was further enhanced through a research philosophy and articulation
agreements with local, provincial and international universities,
school boards and institutions. Under his leadership, a 121,000-square
foot construction project was initiated. This $25.5 million
project, which is scheduled to open in 2002, will provide access
to some of the most sophisticated programming in the skilled
trades and electrical and electronic fields, and will house
the college's research component and a circular, high-tech,
multi-media facility that will provide global access to Cambrian's
programming. "He was a really kind, caring man. He really cared
a lot about education," suggested Martin Bayer, vice-chair of
the Cambrian board. He noted he took interest in the School
of Anishinabek Studies at the college, and was truly a role
model. "He never ruled with an iron fist. He sought the views
of everyone around," Mr. Bayer said. Mr. Bayer served on the
board of directors with Dr. Marsh since 1998, and said he was
really shocked when he received the news. "The City of Greater
Sudbury has lost someone committed to higher learning and education,"
Mr. Bayer indicated. "He was a real visionary." Dr. Marsh was
never one to get caught up in formalities, but stood firmly
on getting things done, Mr. Bayer explained. He added he doubts
the college could ever replace him because he was such an unique
person. "We all just feel a real sense of loss," Mr. Bayer stated.
"He was a real good friend." Jane Drolet, an employee of Cambrian
College's Little Current campus, said the staff were shocked
to learn of Dr. Marsh's death. She indicated he had always demonstrated
interest in the Little Current campus, and added it was unfortunate
the staff did not get the opportunity to know him better. Rick
McCutcheon, chair of the Manitoulin Campus Advisory Board, noted
it had only been about a week since Dr. Marsh paid a visit to
Manitoulin. "He was a dynamic fellow, a visionary guy who had
a real interest in Manitoulin, projects on Manitoulin, and the
life of the Manitoulin campus," Mr. McCutcheon said. He suggested
he came from a line of visionary presidents at the college,
and was very insightful. "Cambrian College has a very capable
and able board, and a tried and seasoned senior administration,
who I am confident will carry the ball in light of these tragic
circumstances," Mr. McCutcheon indicated. Dr. Marsh's involvement
in education spanned 26 years. Early in his career, he taught
in secondary schools in Newfoundland, and was the faculty consultant
for student teachers at the University of Alberta, a program
coordinator for math, science and industrial education for the
Burin Peninsula School Board in Newfoundland, and an assistant
professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at
Memorial University of Newfoundland. He was the co-author of
'Journeys in Mathematics,' a series of math textbooks being
used across Canada for students in kindergarten throughto Grade
Nine. He was the founding president of the Eastern Community
College/Eastern Regional College of Applied Arts, Technology
and Continuing Education in Newfoundland, and he served from
1987 until 1992. As a result of his success, he was appointed
Assistant Deputy Minister (Advanced Studies) to the Department
of Education in Newfoundland. In this position, he was responsible
for undertaking a structural reorganization of the province's
postsecondary education system. His involvement in the Sudbury
community was extensive. He sat on the board of directors for
the Northern Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. (NORCAT), on
the Board of Mining Innovation Rehabilitation and Applied Research
Corporation (MIRARco), was a member of the Sudbury and District
Chamber of Commerce, the Sudbury and District United Way/Centraide,
the Sudbury Food Bank, and he was chair of the Sudbury Health
System Roundtable. Prior to arriving in Sudbury, he served as
a board member on the Canadian Labour Market Productivity Centre,
a member of the Science Council of Canada, was chair of the
Hibernia Construction Trades Training Committee, was a senior
official on the Labour Market Ministers Forum, was a member
of the Economic Renewal Task Force, a founding member of the
board of Oceanview Manor Seniors Complex, and was the second
vice-chair of the Burin Peninsula Health Care Board, as well
as a member of its Foundation. He also served as Councillor
and Mayor of the Town of Garnish, and was President of the Joint
Town and Community Councils of the Burin Peninsula. Funeral
arrangements are being made through Jackson and Barnard Funeral
Home in Sudbury. A private visitation was held for family and
members of the Cambrian College community on Tuesday, November
13. A public visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, November
14. The funeral is to be held at 11 am on Thursday, November
15 in the gymnasium at Cambrian College's Barrydowne campus.
The family has asked that any donations be directed to the Dr.
Frank Marsh Bursary Fund. On Friday, November 16, his remains
will be transported to Newfoundland, for a visitation on Saturday,
November 17, followed by a funeral on Sunday, November 18.
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FedNor
booth takes top honors at Royal Fair
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by Michael Erskine
TORONTO---The Northern Ontario Agriculture
Pavilion made its first appearance at the Royal Agricultural
Fair in Toronto during the first week of November and promptly
turned heads. The pavilion, with a strong Manitoulin Island
presence, won the award for 'Best Large Agricultural Booth Display.'
"Absolutely superb," said FedNor's Stig Purcell, describing
the success of the booth after accepting the award at the November
5 President's Luncheon. "The booth was very well received. I
understand there were 250,000 visitors through the fair and
they all seemed to enjoy the pavilion." The FedNor Northern
Ontario Agriculture Pavilion featured 24 exhibitors from across
the North and included a strong Manitoulin presence from people
such as aquaculture expert Mike Meeker of Evansville, who helped
inform people of one of the North's fastest growing sustainable
industries. "We were really pleased with the success of this
year's efforts," said FedNor Communications Officer Peter Williams.
"We all had a good time spreading the word about what Northern
Ontario has to offer in the way of agricultural products. Judging
from the feedback we have received, the pavilion did a good
job of focusing attention on the North and what it has to offer."
The Royal Agricultural Fair ran from November 2 to 11 this year
and regularly draws over a quarter of a million visitors each
year. This is the first year for the FedNor Northern Ontario
Agricultural Pavilion but judging from the success with which
this year's offering was received, it will undoubtedly be back
again next year promoting the agricultural products and services
of the North.
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MSCCAC
head resigns in protest over provincial moves
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by Michael Erskine
FLORIDA---Manitoulin and Sudbury Community Care Access Centre
chair Bob Fera held a press conference by phone November 9 to
announce his resignation as head of the volunteer board which
directs the Manitoulin and Sudbury delivery of home care services.
Mr. Fera, who has been an outspoken critic of provincial funding
limits on the Sudbury Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) budget
for the past two years, announced his resignation in response
to what he termed a "hostile takeover of the CCACs in this province
and a slap in the face to all volunteers in the Province of
Ontario." Mr. Fera was very careful to distance himself and
his remarks from the staff and board of the CCAC, first announcing
his resignation effective immediately and then clearly stating
the decision was not known to the CCAC staff or its board prior
to the press conference. "I take this step as a precaution and
protection for them and accept full and total responsibility
for the following statements," he said at the beginning of the
press conference. Mr. Fera's resignation was prompted by the
tabling of a bill in the Ontario legislature which would empower
the province to take over the operation of all of the CCACs
in the province, replacing the CCAC Boards of Directors and
advisory committees with provincial appointees. "In my opinion,
this government wants duly elected board members from the community
to be replaced by government appointees who will do the bidding
of the government rather than taking care of the legitimate
needs of the frail and elderly." Mr. Fera said he was particularly
offended by the apparent contempt of the government for the
public and its perceptions of the government's motives. "It
shocks and frightens me to think that this government would
have the audacity to introduce such dictatorial legislation
and expect the people of Ontario to believe that this measure
is for our own good and is being introduced for better accountability.
How crass can a government be and how draconian and insensitive
to the needs and wishes of our individual communities? Do they
really think the citizens of this province are that gullible?"
he asked. CCAC vice-chair Richard Zanibbi expressed surprise
at the announcement of the intent of the Government of Ontario
to take direct control of the CCACs in the province. As vice-chair,
Mr. Zanibbi will lead the Manitoulin Sudbury CCAC until the
board elects a new chair. "Bob Fera will be sorely missed by
our board, staff and clients. He has made an outstanding contribution
to our health care system over the past five years through his
leadership of the Manitoulin Sudbury CCAC during its developmental
years," said Mr. Zanibbi. "More than anything else, his leadership
was characterized by deep concern and compassion for his community
and for the people we serve. The high quality of our organization
is a testament to Mr. Fera's dedication to our mission." In
response to the legislation, Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Brown
said "It is typical of the Harris government to simply get rid
of anyone who advocates on behalf of Ontario's elderly, sick
or poor citizens. They created a $175 million shortfall (in
services funding) and our frail seniors are the victims. This
latest move is an attempt to cover up their embarrassing record
on home care." The legislation taking over the CCACs was announced
on November 7 by Associate Health Minister Helen Johns, as part
of a series of measures designed to "strengthen the role of
Community Care Access Centres in their delivery of services
to the Ontario public based on the advice we have received."
Mr. Zanibbi said, "To the best of my knowledge, it would seem
that the clients have been left out of the loop." Mr. Zanibbi
indicated the government had made its decisions based on the
advice it received from a consulting group, and not on the input
from CCACs or their clients. The government's move came after
it had earlier threatened to take over the Hamilton-Wentworth
CCAC and any other CCAC which put forward a deficit budget,
after that board had announced it could not meet its provincially
mandated objectives without more funding. "As late as yesterday's
telephone conference, the government has said this bill will
not address the CCAC's monetary issues," said Mr. Fera. Numerous
studies on health care costs have determined the cost of maintaining
people in their own homes is dramatically less expensive than
keeping those same people in long-term beds. CCACs provide home-care
services to the sick and elderly in their own homes, and advise
the government on the eligibility of people for long-term care
services in nursing homes, provide referral services to other
agencies and authorize services for children with special needs
in schools. There are 43 CCACs in the province (two of which
are hospital-based), which provide a simplified point of access
for 400,000 clients annually. The first CCACs began operating
in 1996 and all 43 were operational by January 1,1998. The new
provincial legislation, the Community Care Access Corporations
Act, 2001, will replace the voluntary and elected boards which
now govern the CCACs at the local level, with a system of "statutory
corporations that consistently apply all ministry policies,
directives and guidelines. CEOs and board members would be appointed
by the Lieutenant Governor in Council." The appointed CCACs
would then appoint local advisory committees in turn. "It is
to be hoped many current board members of CCACs will receive
Orders-in-Council appointments given that they have made such
valuable contributions to home care in Ontario over the past
four years." CCACs across the province have cited a dramatically
increased load from acute patient care needs as having placed
a severe strain on their budgets at the same time as the demographics
of the province are seeing an increase in the numbers of elderly
seeking their home care services. Acute care patients are those
patients who have been released from hospital under the new
Health Ministry guidelines, guidelines which encourage patient
convalescence at home rather than in a hospital. The increase
in acute care patient numbers have resulted in reductions in
the services the CCACs deliver to people in their own homes,
including any service which the patient can access through another
agency or service, regardless of the distance to that facility
or regard to the patient's ability and access to transportation.
Critics of the province's approach to home-care and specialized
services, particularly the boards of CCACs, have been highly
critical of the government's limits on CCAC budgets while at
the same time the province introduced measures which dramatically
increased the CCAC caseload. The province's latest moves were
cited by Mr. Fera as a "transparent ploy" to divert and silence
criticism. Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Brown agreed, saying "It
won't work. They can't put a gag order on everybody. Until they
fix the system, the voices of Ontario Liberals and Ontario families
will just get louder and louder." With the resignation of Mr.
Fera as the publicly-elected chair of the CCAC, the voices raised
against the government's long-term care policies have been reduced
by one very vocal and articulate opponent, for now.
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