April Wine, SAB to play union event

 "We've been fortunate in Kingston not have a lot of privatizing or doing away with services," he said. "We have one of the best hospitals in our area, and we want to maintain it."

  Although the concert marks a celebration, Rodrigues, who represents 1,200 people, said the union has concerns about the future of public services in Kingston.

  Yesterday, the local and the  Ontario Council of Hospital Unions held a press conference to discuss the economic impact on local communities when governments contract services to private operators or enter into public-private relationships.

  "Right now we're faced with a $17-million deficit in at Kingston General Hospital," Rodrigues said. "We've been put under supervision, we got a new CEO, we're looking at a new board, there are all kinds of changes and it raises a lot of issues.

  "When we look at what the future looks like for the residents of Kingston and surrounding areas, we think it will be negative."

  Rodrigues said there was no political agenda at work when the union was looking for a band to play at the concert. Instead, organizers wanted a band that would provide the most enjoyment to a crowd.

  "We thought they could reach the majority of the age group in our area," he said. "We looked at Trooper, we looked at various bands, but April Wine is wellknown in the community."