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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-07-11, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990. Opinion Is battle lost against Sunday closing? The provincial government seems to be fighting a losing battle in trying to keep a common day of rest in the province to let people spend time with their families. An argument can be made either that democracy is winning or that democracy is losing as Sunday shopping becomes a reality. With last week’s court decision striking down the province’s newest Sunday shopping law, stores across the province opened legally last Sunday. There were mixed reviews of how much business they did but it seems likely they’ll be open again next week and as time goes along more and more stores will be open. There’s no doubt a lot of people want Sunday shopping. They’ve been slipping across the borders to the U.S. not only to save money but to shop on the one day it’s prohibited here. Surveys show many people want shopping seven days a week. Andyetpeoplewhowill have to work Sundays to provide that shopping generally want no part of it. From many workers in large stores to the owners of many smaller businesses, they’re unhappy with losing the one day they can be with their family without the stress of worrying they should be working. But a few major companies and individuals want Sunday shopping to increase profits and they’ve been pushing to get it. If Sunday shopping does become a permanent reality this small minority will soon impose their will on the majority who don’t want to be open on Sunday. Ifyou’rea workeryou know that while big companies are willing to pay up todouble time to get people to work Sundays now, they will be pushing for regular pay rates when Sunday becomes like any other day. You know that whilecompanies say now they won’t force anyone to work Sundays, it’sjustamatteroftimebeforeanyone who wants to keep a job will have to go along. If you run a smaller store that has a hard time competing with big chains anyway, it’s going to be difficult to stay closed Sundays even if you feel strongly you should. There are already many of us who have to work Sundays as part of the essentials of our jobs. Those who are now lucky enough to have the day off so they can take time to shop had perhaps be prepared for the day they too will be too busy working to shop on Sunday. Peterson government having it both ways Huron County council Thursday heard another example of the expertise of the current provincial government in getting what it wants and getting someone else to pay for it. According to John McKinnon, administrator of Social Services, his department will have a shortfall in administration this year because the Ministry of Community and Social Services didn’t approve the entire administrationbudget, allowingonly a5.5percent increase on last year’s approved budget. But costs have risen faster than that. One of the cost increases has been due to the Pay Equity program that has increased some salaries. But although the Pay Equity program was initiated by the province and forced on the municipalities, the Ministry has stated it won’tfund the extra costs of Pay Equity. It will be up to the local municipality. Huron in this case, to pick up the extra costs. It’s a familiar story. Premier David Peterson can point to being so progressive in bringing in legislation to bring the wages of women closer to those of men while at the same time he can also point to balancing his budget. It is the municipality that has to pick up the extra costs and worrying about balancing the budget. It’s the same in education where, among other things, the government is pushing for a junior kindergarten program. Putting the children in school a year sooner sounded so nice and progressive and helps take pressure off day care facilities as well. The decision is easy for Mr. Peterson. Living with the decision is a killer for local school boards and the local taxpayer. The burden of providing more space, more staff and more facilities falls not on the province but on local boards and through them local taxpayers. If a government like Mr. Peterson's wants to look progressive and bring in new legislation all well and good. It should also, however, have guts enough to pay the bills itself and not fob off the expenses to defenseless local governments. , . Photo by Jeannette McNeilSummer s blooming Mabel’s Grill There are people who will tell you that the important decisions in town are made down at the town hall. People in the know, however know that the real debates, the real wisdom reside down at Mabel s Grdl where the greatest minds in the town [if not in the country] gather for morning coffee break, otherwise known as the Round Table Debating and Filibustering So­ ciety’. Since notjust everyone can partake of these deliberations we will report the activities from time to time. MONDAY: Hank Stokes says so far what he hasn’t seen and hasn’t heard from Jean Chretien he likes. “Politicians should be like kids. If you’ve got to have them they should be seen very little and not heard at all.’’ Billie Bean says the problem with politicians is that they are too much like kids. Sometimes Parlia­ ment sounds just like a big sand box with all the kids fighting over the toys. Julia Flint said that unfortunate­ ly things will change with Chretien too. “Once he gets a seat in Parliament we’ll have to listen to him every day too.” Ward Black predicted Chretien won’t be in any hurry to get into Parliament. “He’s waiting to see which side of the border to run in so he’ll still have? a seat if Quebec separates.” TUESDAY: Well, Tim O’Grady said this morning, it’s nice to see the economy of the U.S. should be strong for the new few years. Imedla Marcos was acquitted so she won’t be going to jail and will still be able to shop< WEDNESDAY: Julia was chuck­ ling, saying she has to admire the spunk of the little town of West­ wold, B.C. Friday. A Canada Post official drove into town to deliver letters (he probably didn’t trust Continued on page 15 The Citizen. P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 The Citizen is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $19.OO/yr. [$40.00 Foreign]. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisment will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Serving Brussels, Blyth, Auburn; Belgrave, Ethel, Londesborough, Walton and surrounding townships. Editor & Publisher, Keith Roulsjon Advertising Manager, Dave Williams Production Manager, Jill Roulston Second Class Mail Registration No. 6968