Public kept in dark on Terrace Lodge

Elgin County officials didn’t make public an incident at Terrace Lodge in 2011 that involved “pranks” on residents and resulted in the firing of two employees, supposedly to avoid marring the reputation of the long-term care home and its staff.

That’s what Malahide Mayor David Mennill revealed to his township councillors at a meeting Thursday, Aug. 7, after they complained about being kept in the dark.

County Warden David Marr said the same to the Express in an interview the following morning.

In addition, the central stairwell at Terrace Lodge was recently sealed with iron bars to keep residents from using it. Provincial inspectors said the open stairwell was too risky, and ordered it enclosed and kept secure, so residents would have to use an elevator instead.

Despite the province being behind the changes, Warden Marr refused a request from the Express to photograph the stairwell to show the public the situation.