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Times Advocate, 1995-12-13, Page 4Page 4 Times -Advocate, December 13, 1995 Publisher & Editor: Jim Beckett Business Manager: Don Smith Production Manager. Deb Lord diaxgr J ii lg. Barb Consitt, Chad Eedy New Heather Mir, Chris Skalkos, Ross Haugh, Brenda Burke Production; Alma Ballantyne, Mary McMurray, Barb Robertson Brenda Hem, Joyce Weber, Laurel Miner 'tempo/teflon: M Flynn, AI Hodgert front Office & Accounting; Elaine Pinder, Sue Rollings, Ruthanne Negrijn, Anita McDonald, Cassie Dalrymple The Exeter Times -Advocate is a member of a family of community newspapers f+M 0111•14 f prnews, advert ingd if and leadership Q� N VIM/` ngp 1 inion tibNswttone Moll Registration Number 0386 au R1PT NRA E& cniiraaa WKkin 40 'Miss (Ss kat.) addressed to non letter canter addresses 633.00 plus 62.31 a.f.T. Outside 40 miles (65 km.) or any letter canter address 633.00 plus $30.00 (total 63.00) • 4.31 G.1.T. Outside Canada 699.00 plus 66.83 GST (includes 659.40 postage) Published Each Wednesday Morning at 424 Maln ss., Exeter, Ontario, NOM 181 by LW. E.dy i'ubNcations Ltd. T.M/hwn 14111-235•1331 • fax: 51,235•0764 e.s.T. en1eaa10e3s EDrI ORI.k1 S Disorganized labor leaders he highly publicized protest against the Ontario governments ac- tions on fighting the deficit and their killing of the short-lived Bill -40 which now brings reduced union strength in labor negotiations clearly shows that Mike Harris' Conservatives and big un- ions are on a collision course The unions had over a month to plan their show of strength. On Monday London was the focal point. Frustra- tions from all over the province were taken out on a major Ontario city. The top labor leaders did everything in their power to "shut down" London for a day. The show of strength was meant to demonstrate what could hap- pen if the powerful labor movement de- cides to flex their muscles. Thousands of hard-working union supporters cost themselves a day's wages to have the satisfaction of telling the Harris team they've been pushed about as far as possible without trigger- ing more massive disruptions. They delivered their message loudly and peacefully in London....but they did it with less support than anticipated by their leaders. Perhaps, it's betrause many union members are beginning to accept the fact that sacrifices must be shared across every segment of the workforce to prevent once -prosperous Ontario from sinking deeper into finan- cial instability. Unionists correctly see the rollback of the gains made in the Rae govern- ment's Bill C-40 as an attack on their future. Harris viewed the same bill as an impediment to attracting new invest- ment to Ontario. The Premier also was upfront about his determination to kill the controversial bill which virtually prevented companies from operating at all if they were in a strike situation. The electors of Ontario knew before electing Harris that he would be doing massive surgery on government spend- ing as well as putting an end to gains made by Ontario's unions. Public support for unions has been steadily eroding over the past few years. The rank and file should recognize the possibility they may have been follow- ing flawed thinking by the leaders as they attempted to shut down London in a show of solidarity. Union members have not suffered any more than any other group of Ontario's workers. In fact, many who have been safely insulated in public sector jobs are only now beginning to see the tide of red ink roll over them as well. Undoubtedly, there will be many who will suffer from the aggressive Harris stand in bringing government spending under control. The question that really should be asked is "How much greater would the sacrifices have to be if Harris continued in the footsteps of his prede- cessors?" Electors and politicians know unions are opposed to recent government ac- tions. How can the labor movement think they can increase public support by reneging on their duty to show up for work and do their part in theeconomyof Ontario? Shutting down a city for a day only shows big labor is not willing to pay the same price hundreds of thou- sands of others have. Perhaps they haven't heard the old axiom...."If you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem. ..r Your Views Letters to the editor Wishes do come true "I saw the real meaning of Christ- mas hristmas on that little boy's face." Dear Editor: This is a special thank you. I've been so worried about how I was going to get gifts for my children, and then a miracle happened for my eight-year-old son. He's been waiting for a Big Brother for a year and a half. Finally his wish came true tonight, Thursday, December 7. Thanks to a special Big Brother's social worker in Exeter and a special man who doesn't mind sharing his time. I saw the real meaning of Christmas on that little boy's face. All the toys in the world wouldn't have meant as much. I only wish more children could have this op- portunity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Christina Woodcock, RR 3, Exeter i • rje 'By ErtcDowd Health Malters By Heather Mir Holiday fire safety Health and safety seem to go hand in hand but at this time of year preoccupation with holiday activities may distract us from taking a few precautions to pre- vent tragedy. Holiday fire safety, especially the care of Christmas trees, is a message local fire departments make an effort to get out to the public each year. According to information provided by Fire Chief John Morgan, it is impor- tant to water your Christmas tree every day. "If your tree dries out it will burn very. easily. And that's why you must have working smoke alarms. If a fire starts in your'home for any, reason, your smoke alarm will detect the smoke and sound an alarm. When that happens, everyone must know how to get out quickly." Tips offered by the Christmas Tree Growers' Association of Ontario include suggestions to keep Christmas trees fresh and safe. If you buy your tree sever- al days before you plan to set it up, store it outdoors or on a cool porch or patio until you are ready to decorate. An area pro- tected from wind and sun will help the tree retain its moisture. If storing a tree for several days, make a straight cut across the butt of the tree about one inch from the end. This opens the tree stem so it can take up water. Store the tree upright and place the butt in a container of water. When you bring the tree into the house for decorating, make another fresh cut across the trunk about an inch from the original cut. Use a tree stand that holds plenty of water. Trees may "drink" up to four litres of water each day, so be sure to check daily and supply fresh water as needed. A stand that holds at least four litres of water is recommended by the association. If you allow the water level to drop below the bottom of the tree, a seal will form just as it does on a cut flower and a new cut will be necessary. Place your tree away from fireplaces, radiators, television sets and other sources of heat. Turn off tree lights when you leave and before you go to bed. Avoid using combustible dec- orations such as lighted candles on a Christmas tree. Check all electric lights and connections. Do not use lights with worn or frayed cords. Smoke alarms, batteries and carbon monoxide detectors make great holiday gifts but don't wait until after the tree is down to install a detector in your home. One Christmas, a family of four perished in a house fire and the only smoke alarm investiga- tors found in the house was gift- wrapped under the Christmas tree. Contact the fire department for more information about tfire safety devises. Although Progressive Conservative Premier Mike H; avis and his government have slipped in the polls for the first time since they were elected, this was virtually built into the agenda they set. Hams and his party fell to 50 per cent from the giddy height of 58 per cent to which they climbed after winning 45 per cent in the June election. The Tories had followed a trend set when the Liberals jumped to 60 per cent soon after form- ing a government in 1985 and the New Demo- crats soared even to 65 per cent for a few heady weeks in 1990. Many who did not vote for the new governments said they were willing to give them a chance. Hams would be fairly comfortable anyway, if he could rely on 50 per cent, because no par- ty has won that much in an election for 58 years. But the Tories' surge at least has been halted, mainly because their cuts in spending are af- fycting more people. Harris's early cuts, in welfare benefits and social cervices which Hmostly help the poor, hurt comparatively few, who probably did not vote Tory anyway. .The wider cuts particularly in funds for mu- nicipalities, hospitals, school boards, transpor- tation and environmental and arts agencies (the poll was taken just before they were spelled out, but the public knew most of what was coming) are worrying more of the middle class. Some who had deferred their criticisms of Harris are concerned because services they use will be reduced and many public sector work- ers including teachers who may have voted Tory are starting to worry about their jobs. The Tories' popularity also has been nibbled at be- cause Harris has looked less sure of himself at times than when he surged from behind in the election promising in clear, direct terms to slash goverument drastically. The Tories have conceded they moved in too much hurry by t/rivri some welfare cuts and a senior miaisien they stopped photo radar without s lair wt. Honeymoon Is far from over Gaffes by ministers have offended some vot- ers. They include Harris's advice to welfare re- cipients to manage on balogna, as he claimed he oke did, and Community and Social Servic- es Minister David Tsubouchi's offering a menu on which he said welfare recipients can live easily for $90 a month which was clearly inade- quate and gave critics something to chew on for weeks. There was Transportation Minister Al Palladi- ni's suggestion that surely everyone has a ear- phone to use if highways are not cleared of snow and the Lawsuit against him by a former mistress, highlighting a growing view that Har- ris's government is for men. Harris's reluc- tance to lead in the newest constitutional debate and seeming lack of familiarity with its issues have prompted some to compere him unfavora- bly with his predecessors as premier, Bob Rae and David Peterson (although it should be said they did not have much success in their efforts.) Questions have edema about whether Hams has broken pismires. tie said he would act m duce health spending, but has cut funds for some areas of health and said the savings will b: redirected to other areas, and,introduced user fees he said he would avoid. Doubts also have been raised whether the To. ries will be able to keep their promise to go half -way next year toward cutting provincial in- come tax by 30 per cent, and they are now say- ing wait for their 1996 budget. But the Tories have made clear from the start that their pro- gram has two stages: cuts in spending that will cause pain, followed by a balanced budget Oast will bring relief from borrowing and the tax cut. Public debate is now focussed almost entirely on the cuts in benefits and services, so that it is no surprise the Tories have dropped a few per cent in the polls. But their reputation will rise if they can bring off the balanced budget and tax cut. The honey' moon ho duo hoe over. • 1..