(Riverton, N.S.) – The president of CUPE Nova Scotia, Danny Cavanagh, will be paying a visit to the Riverview Adult Residential Centre this afternoon.
The purpose of the visit is twofold – to thank the staff there for all of their hard work and perseverance during the recent evacuation, and also to call on the Department of Community Services (DCS) to redouble its efforts to get things back to normal for both residents and staff.
Cavanagh says, “While the administration at the facility has done a terrific job during very trying circumstances, we would like to know what Community Services’ short term and long term plans are for Riverview. While media are reporting that all of the residents have been returned, it’s our understanding that a few are still at home with family.”
Says Cavanagh, “We need to make sure that everything humanly possible is being done to restore things to normal for these residents, many of whom do not cope very well with change.”
”As for long term plans for Riverview, Minister Judy Streatch and Premier MacDonald announced back in August, 2007 plans for a ‘major renovation’ to the existing building, construction of a new 24-bed wing, as well as three smaller community homes, which would allow residents to live more independently,” says Cavanagh. “We need to know that these plans are going forward and when we can expect them to happen.”
(ATTENTION ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: Cavanagh will be at Riverview for 2:00 pm. January 31. He will be accompanied by CUPE National Rep. Wayne Thomas.)
For information:
Danny Cavanagh John McCracken
President, CUPE Nova Scotia CUPE Communications Representative
(902) 957-0822 (Cell) (902) 455-4180 (o)