Frobisher Man Honoured
⇢ A5
After being rained out on four different occasions, racing finally returned to the Estevan Motor Speedway on Friday. Pictured above, Robby Rosselli (foreground) looks to get around Jordan Durward (2D) during a street stock heat at the season opener at Estevan Motor Speedway on Friday.
July 4, 2012
⇢ B2
Finally
WEDNESDAY
Tower Wolves Get Shut Out Twice
The Meadows Ready to Move Forward
www.estevanmercury.ca Issue 9
⇢ A2
Investigation process moving slowly The Sun Country Health Region is waiting for the Ministry of Health to provide it with a list of potential independent investigators, one of whom might be able to lead an investigation into possible neglect and/or abuse at the Estevan Regional Nursing Home. Interim CEO Marga Cugnet said the request went in a few weeks ago, but since then, there had been a shuffling of cabinet ministers, including the health portfolio and probably an accompanying shuffle of senior administrators in each ministry that may have stalled the process. Cugnet told The Mercury on June 27 that having
Beautiful Weather for Canada Day Celebrations
⇢ A3
Waiting on Health Ministry and meeting dates
Marga Cugnet the Estevan Police Service launch a parallel investigation into the matter probably won’t change the nature of their own investigation. “We will share information with them, but of
course that would have to involve a release from the family that would enable all of us to share it,� said Cugnet, referring to the family of Mary Mack, a senior who is residing at ERNH, who have alleged that their mother and perhaps others, have suffered at the hands of neglectful and/or abusive staff member(s). The family provided testimonial and photographic evidence of possible abuse to The Mercury prior to this publication releasing a story in early June outlining the accusations. Maggie Dupuis, a
spokeswoman for the family later told The Mercury they wanted an open, more public forum when the investigation began. When that information was revealed to Cugnet, she replied that it would be difficult to arrange that type of process since there are many issues of privacy and confidentiality that are engrained in legislation and regulations to protect all parties when it comes to care of patients and clients, but until a proper dialogue has been established with the family, those details can’t be discussed at this
early stage. Cugnet had said earlier that Sun Country had contacted Dupuis and her family in an attempt to establish some dates for gathering information but had not heard back from them. In the meantime, the family took information similar to that provided to The Mercury, to the Estevan Police Servie (EPS). EPS Chief Del Block said a complaint had been registered, a file had been opened and any potential investigation would be led by a senior sergeant at this stage in their process.
Sun Country CEO announcement delayed
Moore to Seek Re-Election on Council WEATHER & INDEX Thursday
Friday
High 27Âş Low 11Âş High 29Âş Low 12Âş
Saturday
Sunday
High 28Âş Low 14Âş High 30Âş Low 14Âş Careers .......B15-19 Church Dir........ B12 Classifieds ..B10-14 Perspective........ A6 Business .......... A12
Energy ........A10-11 Services Dir. B13-14 Sports ............B1-5 Community ....... B7
Mailing No. 10769
⇢ A2
It was a rumour that didn’t unfold into reality last Wednesday afternoon. There were some well sourced expectations that the Sun Country Regional Health board chairwoman Marilyn Charlton was going to make an announcement regarding the appointment of a chief executive officer during the board’s regular open business session in Weyburn. At a previous meeting, Charlton had noted that the announcement would probably be coming by the end of June. That didn’t happen. When questioned by The Mercury as to why the anticipated month end event didn’t take place, Charlton said that the CEO selection process was “on track but not all the information is
6HQFKXN
)RUG 6DOHV /WG
in yet and I just didn’t feel comfortable. There are new board members at the table now and we want them to get up to date on the process.� Charlton said Sun Country had received 46 applicants for the top administrative job which has been filled by Marga Cugnet on an interim basis for over a year. Cugnet, the former vice-president of primary and integrated health care, was willing to step into the breach that was left after the board terminated the employment of then CEO Calvin Tant. That followed in the wake of the dismissal of the then vice-president of finance and corporate services Hal Schmidt, after it was revealed that he had been less than forthcoming in presenting his credentials
and previous work-related experiences to the Sun Country board and administration. Schmidt’s role was assumed by Pamela Haupstein who had been engaged in a senior administrative role in the finance department. That appointment was made at the same time as Cugnet took on the interim CEO’s duties. Haupstein has since declared she was not interested
in applying for the finance position on a permanent basis while it is believed Cugnet was one of the 46 applicants for the CEO’s position. Charlton said the board will want the newly appointed CEO to take a lead role in the selection of a new vice-president of finance and corporate services and therefore that process will begin only after the CEO has been
named. In the meantime, Haupstein will continue to serve in that capacity. When it came down to fielding the CEO applicants, Charlton said the governance and human resources committee sorted through the names and credentials and came up with a long list that was later shortened by a professional consultancy firm and that short list was the one that was given to the newly appointed board members to peruse. The three-person short list led to interviews by the board who then make the final decision as to who gets the job that pays approximately $190,000 per year. “When the decision is made, and I expect it to be made soon, there will be a press release issued,� said
6RXULV $YH 1 (VWHYDQ 7ROO )UHH VDOHV
VHUYLFH
( PDLO VDOHV#VHQFKXN FRP ‡ ZZZ VHQFKXNIRUG FD