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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1998-01-21, Page 10Page 10 Times -Advocate, January 21, 1998 C QMM LLN1IY Money owed to pension fund "That money is still owing, and will be paid over a number of years." Dear Editor: . Mr. Fowler's letter. which was published on December 24, demonstrates once again that the provincial government continues to attack the teach- ers of this province with half-truths and misleading intorniation. In response to Mr. Fowler. and in the hopes of educating sonic of your readers. I offer the folloiwing information. •Yes, the Teachers' Pension Plan (TPP) is one (if ' the largest in NnrthAmcrica. Yes, it does own large blocks of stock in many corporations and businesses. The.reason it is so large. is because there are a large number of contributors. (155.000), who each con- . tribute K,o) per cent of salary toward the pension plan. Most employee pension plans contribute con- siderably less 'Also. the stock market has been • booming in the. lasrfew years. and Stockholders have,. seen all pension -funds. mutual funds and stocks • . mcreasc in value. A downturn in (he stock market • would decrease the value of the TPP just as quickly • and could easily -wipe•out That "huge; growing sur- - plus" Mr. Fowler notes. (Please note that under gov- ernrnent ntanageinent in the past. thcplan had a $3.6 hilhori deficrcncl. when it was turned over lothc duh-ent pension Board in 1990, after decades 0! .teachers' contributions -going into unproductive Government of Ontario bonds.) The current -government is committed to extra payments into the pension fund because. during the - Social Contract. of the NDP government, the teachers agreed. along with salary decreases, to allow the government a "holiday" from its normal contribu- tions to the fund. That money is still owing; and will he paid over a number of years. - .The Harris government has not offered "an addi- . tional cflidrihution" to facilitate an early retirEment incentive. It has suggested that the Pension Plan use the money that the government currently awes for this purpose. This would mean that money owing to all members of the TPP would he used to huv out teachers in their early fifties. instead of investing it so that all teachers could benefit at some point in jhc future. The government has consistently refused to commit to filling.these-leaching positions With new teachers. The sole purpose of the early retirement would he to have' fewer teachers, not what Mr. Fowler seems to have in mind. Lastly. may I remind Mr. Fowler that teachers are citizens of this province too. Teachers are an integral part (I' our communities. They understand the irnpor- lance of education -to our so ciciy. The continuing campaign of misinformation only creates further .divisions within •our communities. 'Nancy McCracken, President, Middlesex Women Teachers. -Association Restructuring may Lead to reductions The ice storm has shown that our public system works. Dear Editor. The ice storm disaster has made people much •more aware of the crucial work done by public utili- ty workers. What inativ people'do not realize is that the Harris government is intending 16. restructure tjtc electrical utility industry The change. acing •• 'contemplated) may teopardize our ability. to respond iia emergencies likc_thc ice storm craws The Canadian union ' of Public Employees (CUPEJ. which represents 2(1.(x10 utility' workers. Is concerned stat plans to restructure Ontario . unfits- , sector niav lead to a reduction In accountability. re hahility. and service. • • The ice Storni disasters'illustratc what. public ser- vicesand public service workers arc all about, Thank goodness :he people. of Ontario and Quebec had public utilitt workers to rely on. Householders and small , businesses should not hove to count on corporations that will cut services ti, increase prof- its. Trained, &cheated public employees -are th:,ic,to do 'whatever has to 'he' done, The ice storm has shown that ourpuhlic system works. CtPF: is concerned that changes will he made to the clectncal- utility industry without strict regula- tions put in place to ;govern it The public needs to • he protected. -II any changes arc made. we need reg- ulations to ensure that the industry Is run solely. and fairly • - CUPI-: a also Worried that thousands of utility workers will lose their'ohs. When.Britain privatized its electrical utility system. managers got hefty tai. es while 50,(00 utility- workers lost (heti ooh. we ooh have about 20.(0) utility worker. 0 rnlario and -we need every one Of thein Their woi.. is criti- cal - our communities depend on it Our electrical utility. industry I. here to serve all the people. that:s why it has been operated in the -public sphere. Let's ensure at remains in -the puhhc. doniain . Your. slnccrc1'. . Sad Ryan Ontario President. Canadian t inion of Public Em- ployees 305 !Siulnei Ave., Sunc.902 Searhorough. Ontario M 113 3V-1 Phone 416-299-9739 May you always live in interesting times by Pauline Kcri Suttgeeri City Neta y We in:thc rnedia.have been accused of being ambulance chasers. vultures. vampires and worse. The word "paparazzi" has come.into common usage'. People accuse us of liking nothing hettcr than a juicy scandal. or a good disaster In a way. 1 have tu.adnnt there is a certain accuracy in these accusations. Whatever a :s you,. Joe Q. Public. are talking about. you also expect to read about in a newspaper. or see on television. or hear on the radio. 'Make no mistake, the "paparazzi".(the genuine. milhon- dullar-a-phaito article. not a stnall-town Journalist -to whom S50 is big - . money ) would not trail famous people in search of a single. nasty. photo it there were not a tremendous market for that -sort of thing. . While most people in the field of Journalism are decent human beings. with strong codes of ethics. we also acknowledge we roust provide the mlormation people want_ The ideal is to give accurate, :interesting Information without compromising on hurnan decency. If we can. through our work, correct an iniusuce. that is better than ' winning a prize for_lournalistic excellence. if we can write a story that serves the public good - perhaps drawing attention to someone in the community who needs our help we know we have chosen the right tine of work. That said. 1 would venture a guess that there are few Journalists who don't feel at least a twinge of envy for their counterparts in Montreal and the eastern townships. as they brave the icc and snow to gather the news. and get it out to the readers. Not that i have any liking for dodging falling tree branches and live. electrical wares. or typing stories -by candlelight in a freezing cold office, using an antique Oliveto. I have done both.ytnd have a distinct preference for heat. light, and my computer. • However. I night Just he willing -to reconsider, for the chance to be writing about how people -in Brockville and Athens and Gananoque are helping their neighbors. achieving triumph over adversity. working miracles In small but significant ways. If I can't he writing about it. you -can rest assured I will he reading about it. all the dramatic rescues - a sick person rushed to hospital by an unnamed knight m. his shining snowplow. a stranded motorist rescued by the local snowmobile club, and the little stories - a half- dozen families sharing their resources which include a single generator to keep everyone fed and warns, local performers entertaining the frightened residents of a Montreal nursing home, a hydro crew from downtown Toronto working to restore power to isolated small communities along the St. Lawrence. I will read, and I will marvel at the strength people tend to show in an d3,nergency, the many acts of generosity - acts no one would know about, were it not for niy fellow "paparazzi" who are willing to hitch rides in military vehicles and spend a night or two in crowded shelters withi people forced from their homes by hitter cold and no hydro. That ancient Burse, "May you always live in interesting times," seems to have been composed with journalists in mind. That said, 1 give a tremendous amount of credit to my counterparts who are telling people in the rest of this country what•is happening. what is needed. it is thrilling to see a community pull together to help each other. especially in this case, when the community turns out to be all of Canada, anti a hefty portion of the United States as well. Lung Association needs conations "If we don't meet our campaign goal, lung health programs in the two counties will have to be cut... Dear Editor:. ' On behalf of the Fatal -et of direetors of The Lung Association. Huron -Perth Counties. i would like to thank all those who have's() generously donated to - our 1997 Christmas Seal C'ainpiugn Their support will help us toy continue io fund vigil medical research and offer our many community beak!) edu: canon programs. . Like many organizations. The 1 Association was hit hard by the postal disruption and we are .scrambling to reach our campaign goal Al this point • we are about $20,00( below our goal m Huron and Perth Counties oI. S75.000. About 35 per cent of our previous donors have not vet given to the campaign and we're worried that. because of the postal strike, they may have lorgotten us. -This year the Christmas Seal Campaign will continue 10 Jaritiary- 31. Revenue Canada has extended the deadline for 1007 charito- hlc contributions to that dare", so donors can receive a tax credit on donations this month for the 1097 tax year. If we don't meet our campaign goal: lung health programs in the twit counties Will have to be crit a. well as the many research protect. funded -bit The Ltmg Association. You mat+ well ask 1mw. Ihnse would affect nur communities: One. in Live Canadians has some lyric of breathing problem, and j'ni sure we all know someone with asthma or . emphysema or someone trying to quit smoking who has benefitted from Lung Association programs, lit-. , erature or medical research..; myself became involved with The Lung Association when 1 was diagnosed with an unfamiliar lung disease and approached the organization for intiormation and support. Since then.] have attended -seminars and programs -which have taught me about living with lung disease: As well. my case has been used in ' research liar a study. conducted by a team of doctors from the University of Western Ontario. I know how important research projects supported by The Lung Association .are. Again I would'likc to sincerely thank the generous people -who have supported the -1997 Christmas Seal. Campaign and encourage those who have not yet donated to call our community office at 3 -519-271= .. 7500 or maul your donation to the Jenny Trout - Centre. suite 121. 342 Erie Street. Stratford. Ontario, N5A 2N4. h': not too lase to give and The lung Association desperatcls needs your help. Your dorm- • tion will he used careliall to -help tight lung disease. Yours sincerely, Trish. MacGregor. Volunteer Chairperson The Lung Association. Huron -Perth Counties School a part of the community "We have to lobby Helen Johns eery store: the library. branch..thc local post office. ►r', orrice - - now and vigorously to -let her know �ndWll•aakerduponpoeatplr. we.hii've to lnhhy:.Hcicn Johns that we need our school." - - .nim and yid*o�rinisk to.' let her •know.. that we need our school The newprovincial funding lormula should . he clearly explained in iayinan's language sit that plain folk :an understand it Htirori Board of ldticatiun cut it hudgct.so lean•that-we were the - moslcflicicnf in the province and now it appears that., we arc going to recetye less service and pay more in school and property taxes..- • Some people -will say `'it doesn't affect me 1 don't have children going -.Io clemcntar+ school." 1 don't _ cithei. hut 1 quickly torsed the lack of younger poo: plc-ehiioc ng to live here in Hensall without a neigh • - horhond i.:hnul. Without ihesc elements. what do we but I don't reel a hylaw is the answer. I'wotdd hi -pc' have to alter the next ecnehition to consider raising • that this coiuneit has larger issue. to deaf with 'kin . - families In -our small towns" Without a Inca! school. the number of cats per household and no.i a appears we .+y ill have levier- kids playing road hockey on the that we have to decide it wc•wlim 10 salve WU eh:.erect.4. itchoam rdgarounol town. hanging out at memory' school . - - "---also;:w nir..�ven-yialkmg-their does. .. High on my last of important thing. to� a communi- ty w ruld he a school 1 realize that tarns lamihes .. have been sending theirchildren.off on the bus lot - many years to larger distract schools all'nycr the province. but they turn to their community : also linea sense of place Their Racal church. thevillage gra Dear Editor wanted to write to you ,initially It express my concernabout council's desire to purse the cat bylaw' issue vii Hcnsall knot+ where 1In•e :at 1 have resided with hath d1ot. and cats The c ads %c the only pet that caught nrrce. and living ,ii a village with three Brain elevators 1 ani confident fluff we are sharing the -community with quite :a te'w rodents. hug one-. a. well as tins . I do have concerns about any individual %vhu Inc'.ito look atter too many cart.. without considering the neighborhood'. standard: (ice 1 guess -there will he .clot 'Mire time for adults .0• crcatc•.hylaw. It' .:ontrol the number of mousers. .nice the problems With kids will he gone. Janis Bishack Hensall Historical society elects executive members St. JOSEPH - The St. Joseph and Area Historical Society was or- Iicrally )armed last Wednesday ar St. Peter's. Church Parish -Halt to St Joseph. Executive positions were - also filled. Those positrons are as follow Pamela Cirusska. president: Mike. Miller. vice-president. Liz Pu- therhough. secretary . Martha. Mun--. gar. treasurer: Napoleon Cantin. honorary president. 1 :xccut rye ch rectors areas folloWS ooden. who wrote• a book on the t isi r. ON Si Joseph oiled A .Drum.i • - Beat Upon. Juan Karstcns..toy i dec.on and i)eb Ricshern • - Barry White. from the li;n 1 lord Historical Society was the .speaker• at the meeting- to inform the group about how the Baylicld society, -formed its group. He also gave sug- 111■1■1■1■1■■■■■ SAVE ■ F Now!' MEIN' esuon.:00 how to make a ht.- torical sic aety ;i success The first protect pit the Si.Joseph and :\rc:i Historical So,ctet' rs to' construe :a historical walkway in St Joseph -with stations along the walkway explarnang significant parts -til St- Joseph history Some of the station, include information -un the lialnioral H(itel as well as the coninterec. industry -..:std -economy. 11111•111111111111111•11111111M111111 CASH ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ tit earl St Joseph: the early set- tlers Of the village: a monument to Andre: wharf. roads. trams. canoes and native hisuiri and a sta- tion dedicated to the, St. Lawrence Seaway and the canal dream. . To jointhe St. Joseph and .Arca . Hlstoneal Soctet+ contact Pamela Hall at 519-236-7(.40. Individual membership.. Is $10 and as family ntcmber;hip is $15. . ZONE ■■■■11111■■■1101■■ ▪ t. Evolution For the Cook Who Cares! Includes GE's Most Desired Features • Lift up top, extra large window and much more 699 Y:S! 1 1'F:. 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