Loading...
The Citizen, 1999-05-26, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 1999. Letters to the editor Writer says look closely at debate THE EDITOR, We need to look closer at some of the statements made in the leader’s debate. Specifically at the truth or lack thereof, behind claims and assertions made by Mike Harris. He said, “I talk to all the people of Ontario.” He doesn’t talk to nurses. He doesn’t talk to teachers. He doesn’t talk to students. He doesn’t talk to parents. He doesn't talk to women. He doesn’t talk to patients. He doesn’t talk to the poor and the homeless. He doesn’t talk to tenants. He doesn't talk to steel workers, auto workers and construction workers. Oh, I forget these are special interest groups as Mike would call them. What is their special interest? Could it be to have the best possible province for all Ontarians and not just the richest handful of them? Harris also said that he would not privatize the hospitals and that is exactly what he will do. The “buildings” will remain public and the health system with all its services will be privatized. This is already well underway. He said that he will not support private schools. He did not say that he would not support vouchers and charter schools. Harris said that the lion’s share of his tax cuts directly benefitted the poor and those with modest incomes. The truth is that these Trustee Allan explains position THE EDITOR, A recent letter to the editor uses my name and implies an attitude on my part toward the audited financial statements of school boards. Perhaps I might explain my position. Ministry of Education legislation prescribes how the audited financial statements must be publicized. Traditionally one of the methods by which boards have complied with the legislation is by publishing a one-page advertisement in the newspaper. Over the past 30 years I have heard complaints about these advertisements which could be summarized in four categories. 1. The audited financial statements are incomprehensible. 2. Publishing a multi-paged document on one page leads to print size so small it is unreadable. 3. The advertisement is costly and serves little purpose. 4. Selecting some newspapers for publication and excluding others is unfair. On the matter of cost, a one-page advertisement in a paper of daily circulation is quoted at $9,425 while one page in a weekly is quoted at $926.76. In both cases taxes are extra. Since the current arrangements are seen as unsatisfactory by many people I propose that when school board audited financial statements are ready each year that: a) copies be made available at the administration centre and that a copy be posted on the school board web site. b) a media release be presented indicating where and how copies may be obtained. c) appropriate advertisements be taken in the media advising the public where and how to obtain copies of the statements. d) the Ministry of Education draft legislation which allows for compliance in the above manner. I would be pleased to discuss this matter with any interested ratepayer and would particularly like to hear from those who see flaws in the process I am proposing. Yours truly, Bob Allan Trustee Avon Maitland District School Board. people did not benefit at all but are actually in worse shape now than four years ago. He said that Ontario is a better place now than it was four years ago. Then strife, greed, hatred, divisiveness, social unrest, child poverty, a starving working class, a deteriorating environment, catering to the economic elite (could this be a special interest group, that’s running a puppet regime?), lower standards of health care, a burgeoning public debt, a lowering of health and safety standards, a polarized society and running away from accepting societal and governmental responsibility must be Mike Harris’ mile posts and prime indicators of this big brothered quasi utopian society he is leading us to and of course, he knows what is best for us. Mike knows that he doesn’t need to consult the common people. He knows just what we need. This is evidenced by the quiet and serene Continued on page 8 Writer says wake up 23RD Anniversary SAVINGS Why Pay More? ~ Check These Prices Starting May 26 to June 5th Continued from page 5 2. That there is a logjam province-wide at MTO drivers' licence offices, with waiting lists extending almost to Christmas '99, due to government cutbacks. And MNR conservation officers cannot effectively control poaching due to lack of manpower. 3. That he has wasted over $86 million of taxpayers money on partisan advertising to promote his agenda from January 1997 - January 1999. 4. That the most exclusive "special-interest" group in Ontario is the select group of Harris's cronies, the corporate elite who are receiving the lion's share of "tax­ cuts." Harris bypasses qualified civil servants to retain consultants at $575 per hour. 5. That he borrowed $10 billion to finance tax cuts for a privileged few. 6. That the provincial debt has increased by $22 billion since Harris took power. 7. That the Harris "snitch-line" (touted to expose welfare fraud) was discontinued because of the high number of embarrassing (for Harris) disclosures of ineptness and improper practices of his own government members. 8. That more than twice as many children in Ontario depend on foodbanks compared to four years ago. 9. That the vast majority of people in Ontario would rather have essential services funded by fair and progressive taxes than by user fees, casinos, bake sales, out- of-control tuition fees, and downloading. 10. That he would have gone much, much further in closing hospitals and schools had there not been a groundswell of public opinion resisting him. I can only hope that the people of Ontario will wake up and see the Harris government for what it really is, and vote accordingly, for a party that cares about the well­ being of ordinary people, and one that has a very clear idea of where the money is coming from. Brent Bowyer. About Your Hospital CLINTON PUBLIC HOSPITAL MATERNAL/CHILD PROGRAM "BABYAND I" NO FEE NO PRE REGISTRATION PROGRAM DAYS - WEDNESDAYS 10-11:30 a.m. WHERE - CLINTON PUBLIC HOSPITAL LOUNGE (Entrance off John St.) PROGRAM TOPICS: June 2/99 Crying, Sleeping & (Newborns - 3 months) Your Baby June 9/99 • Feeding Your Baby June 16/99 • Living With Your Baby June 23/99 Share Your Birth Experience June 30/99 "Baby's Fine", How are You? The Blues & Post Partum Depression Watch for further dates in your "About your Hospital" article Inquiries: Veronica Farquhar - 482-3440 Ext. 304 SS BACHERT BUCKS $S BACHERT BUCKS SS BACHERT BUCKS $S BACHERT BUCKS SS BACHERT BUCKS SS BACHERT BUCKS SS BACHERT BUCKS SS BACHERT BUCKS SS BACHERT BUCKS SS BACHERT BUCKS Grand Buffet Dinner in the tent, back by popular demand. Come in for your BBQ Meats and come back for Dinner. (Details in the store) BBQ SEASON IS HERE! PORK PRICES ARE ON THE RISE... We're holding them down Smoked Pork Chops Cured, Smoked & Packed on our premises by the loin $_ 99 bulk...............................................lb. by the loin boxed................................$3.29lb. FRESH PORK LOINS by the loin bulk................. by the loin boxed .... PORK PATTIES SAUSAGE SALE Plain, Garlic, Honey Garlic or Italian 10 lbs. or more only............... Small orders . NO. 1 Side Bacon 11 lb. box......................$ Pork Sides........................ o PERF TO G FREE TY $2.29ib. ......’2.s’lb. $l.79lb. $l.59ib. $l.69ib. .50lb. .09lb. BEST STEAK BUYS Boneless Sirloin . . Whole (8 to 12 lbs) Striploin Steak . . . Whole ................. BEEF LOINS- Cut & Wrapped 55 to 70 lbs. avg............ LEAN GROUND BEEF 10 lbs. or more............. 1 /4 lb Beef Patties no filler 10 lbs............... FREEZER ORDERS - Cut & Wrapped Beef hinds Beef sides *2.45 lb $l."lbBeef fronts Beef chucks Bee’fhips sl.69lb Sl.4’lb POLLOCK FISH ILLETS io ib. box Our most popular CHICKEN ITEM Boneless Breasts Bachert MEATS 11 LOCATED EAST OF WALTON \ 519-887-9328 Mon. 8-5:30, Tues. Closed, Wed. 8-5:30, Thurs. 8-5:30, Fri. 8-5:30 Sat. 8 to NOON. All meats Government inspected. We reserve the right to limit quantities.