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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-03-04, Page 6r 4 Page 6 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, March 4, 2009 • www.goderichsignalstar.com Proprietor and published by Bowes Publishers, P.O. Box 220, 120 Huckins Street, Goderich, Ontario N7A 4B6 EDITORIAL Budget presents new opportunity for Ontario In today's economy, the importance of every budget, at every level, is magnified. From federal deficit -driven stimulus packages to the local level where indiscriminate spending is closely scrutinized by council and ratepayers, budgets are taking more importance and signifi- cance as we look for solutions to a financial crisis. Every budget and government action is looked at with renewed hope and promise. This month the Ontario government will deliver its budget and given the demands for more spending in the face of a free -falling economy, the province will likely face a deficit in the neighbour- hood of $13 billion. The premier has generally conceded that "these are some of the toughest times we've seen in Ontario," adding that the global economic crisis and poor economic performance in the US has deeply affected Ontario. So while governments are facing steep deficits in their pledge to spend and stimulate sagging economies, these budgets should not simply be looked at as negative simulators but opportunities to create lasting investments. Governments and taxpayers have their minds wrapped around deficit spending and budgets now present new opportunities to provide new programs and lasting benefits for Ontarians. In the United States, President Barack Obama has offered a budget with a projected deficit of $1.75 trillion, but the document includes an investment and measures to reform health care and combat global warming. Our government has committed to a deficit of $34 billion in its latest budget, but it threw small amounts of money into a number of initiatives that will have no real lasting legacy. This budget is an important one for Ontario. Reforms can be offered under the cover of the economic crisis that could lead to substantive and necessary changes in health care and education. Post secondary education has to be attainable for the average person or the province begins to lose its brain power and properly trained employee base. Health care is in need of an economic infusion to. ensure that primary health care is available and affordable. The province can't sustain a .program to continue cutting expenses to make health care affordable and available. Reformation is needed and the timing couldn't be better. The province will have to make a commitment to invest in green technology and provide incentives and research dollars to drive the initiative. It is the future. If governments are committed to deficit spending, the money has to be well spent and pay dividends. We need investments that will secure the future and lay foundations for the next generation. Budgets are important building tools and the opportunity must be seized. (DS) The Goderich ignat•sr , published every Wednesday at Goderich, Ontario is ane of The signal -Star Publishing Group of Comnumity Newspapers, a division of Bowes Publishers. The Goderich Signal Star shall not be liable for failure to publish an ad for typographical emirs in publication except to the extant of the cost of that portion of the ad in which the error accurrrd. The Goderich Signal -Star reserves the right to reject or edit any advertisement. The Goderich Signal -Star is a proud nrenrber of the Canadian Community Newspapers Assaeiasl m (CCNA) and The Ontario Community Newspapers Asso iario+r IOCNA). fit «+reoMrK /�0?w.Atter!/$d1a..Nti1b174r'A�MA'/.�Y-:.�..: �...ri:Y-S.� ��•.r: .• mutig 0 I J»41 N Veate via Vie l OE Apati 1'46 " ,i1 &Kr 404 Iv, Ai 614r istOW 0 .iU it of 0 ` .4 ..r °�{ 's. ..rte+•..,, ,•rt`��` S f , t ' c'r.. mos WAS A 5A D IDEA roft NOT DATE t ri = T..,.' ; � r = Lig. war mune 0 ' Y .d2� .yam a'9. Options should be considered before expenditures on industrial land To the Editor; We read with interest the Goderich clerk administrator's comment that funds set aside for a water project, now covered by provincial monies, could be used for, among other things, development of Parson's Court adjacent to the town's award-winning urban forest. It is our understanding that previously optioned indus- trial land has recently been turned back to the town. In light of this. and Volvo's soon-to-be vacated property, surely several things should happen prior to further expenditure on servic- ing industrial land next to the beautiful and sensitive area known as Maitland Woods: (1) a shortage of industrial land in Goderich Editorial Deadlines... Monday at 10 am Advertising Deadlines... Entertainment, Births, Deaths, In Memoriams... Friday at 3 pm Classifieds... Monday at noon Display Advertising... Monday at noon Telephone Fax.... Publisher... Reporters... • 519-524-2614 519-524-5145 Dave Sykes Dominique Milburn Gerard Creces Denny Scott Letters opinion be clearly demonstrated; (2) if not names, the types of businesses and/ or industries interested in the Parson's Court land and the dates of their enquiries be made public; (3) a commitment to such land by a pro- posed lessee or buyer once it is developed be in place. James & Carolyn Parks -Mintz Doha, Qatar Classifieds k Subscription... Accounting... • Office Manager... Display Sales... Advertising Manager... Judy Austin Rhonda Butt Mary Johnston Janet Shrier Lisa McLaren Kevin Shrier Email... gssnews@bowesnet.com,gsssports@bowesnet.com gssads@bowesnet.cont, goderichads@bowesnet.com website... www.goderichsignalstarcom 011001.641001, • PUSUCATIONS MK Ammar No. 40064663 PMP ISntamN No. 7602 RETURN thoeuvevau CARMAN ADORESSES To: Circulation Dap., 120 Hucidne SC, P.O. Box 120, Goderich, ON, N7A 486 (510)524.2614 91AIt We acknowledge the Anandal support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assurance Program (PAP), Coward our mailing costs. Canal( A9cna