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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1994-8-3, Page 4Page 4 Times -Advocate, August 3, 1994 Publisher: Jim Beckett News Editor: Adrian Harte Business Manager: Don Smith Composition Manager: Deb Lord Advertising; Barb Consitt, Theresa Redmond News; Fred Groves, Catherine O'Brien, Ross Haugh Production; Alma Ballantyne, Mary McMurray, Barb Robertson Robert Nicol, Brenda Hem, Joyce Weber, Laurel Miner, Marg Flynn Transportation: Al Flynn, Al Hodgert Front Office & Accounting; Norma Jorles, Elaine Pinder, Ruthanne NegriJn, Anita McDonald CCNA • • inion EllITORI A1, Why not you? ust three months from now, all local people will be going to the polls to choose new or old governments on the municipal ballot. Will your name be on that ballot? If not, why not? Surely there can be no nobler way of serving one's community than running for public office, but the fact is that many decline to put their names for- ward simply because they fear the pros- pect of defeat. There are no losers when a municipal election is actually won through a genu- ine battle over the issues. Perhaps the saddest thing is to see a seat be ac- claimed year after year without a con- test. Is the incumbent really so good as to frighten off all opposition, or is that no one really cares less? There are many municipalities that have been denied elections for any council positions in many a year. With such a simple and dull way of choosing a government, when is there an oppor- tunity to air out the issues that really do concern the residents? It is also quite true that certain sectors of the community are represented little or not at all on local governments, school boards, or Public Utilities Com- missions. We can all complain about it, but if no one outside the old guard steps forward to put their name on the ballot, there is nothing an informed (or unin- formed) electorate can do about it - nothing. Maybe you have grumbled about the goings on of the' councils of Exeter, Ste- phen, Hay, Lucan, or Grand Bend, or wherever, and have toyed with the idea of becoming involved yourself. Yes, it takes time out of your schedule, and some dedication - but no more than that shown by those already in office. If they can do it, why not you? There are challenges ahead for local councils, to be sure. Several years of a weak economy has meant most have kept tight reins on funds. By this time, pressures to rebuild, repair, prepare for more prosperous times are mounting. Is now the right time to take those chances, or do you believe in caution? Given those pressures, how do you propose to answer them when the upper levels of government are still looking at trimming back transfer payments and grants. If a municipality or school board is to bear more of the financial burden, how do you see that being accomplished within fair taxation levels? Are you bright enough, and fair- minded enough to face those problems? If so, then put your name forward on November's ballot. The people of this area deserve a full slate of candidates from which to choose. A round of ac- clamations is no more than an opportu- nity for democratic election let go by the wayside. A.D.H. Your View Letters to the editor Early Saturday construction unfair ... small children were frightened by the noise. Dear Editor: I am writing this letter in regard to thc road work that was done on Saturday morning July 23/94. Our family was wakened up at 6:30 Saturday morning (along with our neighbours) to harsh noise outside our home. When my husband went out to investigate this disturbance, he asked the work crew if they knew there was a noise by-law for the Town of Exeter. They said that the Town of Exeter "gave them permission to work at that time of day. We then phoned the Town of Exeter on Monday morning to inquire about this. Needless to say they did not return our call. As far as we know there is a noise by-law for the Town of Exeter and this work crew was in violation of it. We were upset at the Town for their lack of consideration for us residents at the northend of Exeter and also of not informing us of any road work being done in our area. We have three small children who woke up and were frightened by the noise. Please, next time you have something going on outside the regular work hours, inform people so they can be prepared for it. B. & T. Stire Exeter, Ontario Premier Bob Rae sometimes thinks he is Con- rad Black. The New Democrat premier for no good rea- son has started to imagine himself as a business whiz and is going around telling businesses where they should invest and particularly urg- ing them to get into partnership with govern- ment. Rae has now gone a stage further and led tax- payers into a venture in which through Ontario Hydro they have paid $53 million (U.S.) for 15 percent of a privatized hydro utility in Peru. Rae said this will provide substantial benefits to Ontario by generating fees and dividends, in- creasing in value as an asset and providing an 'international perspective' and he is looking for more such deals. The venture has elements of the bizarre. Rae got into it at the promptings of Hydro chairman Maurice Strong, a former businessman who might be assumed to have business acumen Rae may lack. Their joint business judgement is in doubt from the start because Hydro and two partners inexplicably a total of $212 million (U.S.) for their combined stake while the next highest bidder offered only $161 million. This was an expensive miscalculation for On- tario and handsome windfall for the Peruvian sellers, who acknowledged it was 'an agreeable surprise' and must be looking for swampland they can palm off on those generous Ontarians. Hydro also has managed its affairs at home so poorly there is not much confidence in its abili- ty to make money abroad. It borrowed billions of dollars to build generating facilities which are not needed, is $34 billion in debt and wilt have to borrow further and pay interest to buy in Peru, although the NDP claims it has ordered borrowing kept to a minimum. Peru is noted for its political instability, so in- vestments there are particularly risky. If Onta- rio's did make a profit, would Ontarians feel happy anyway profiting off the backs of down - Publications Mall Registration Number 0386 SUBSCRIPTION RATES; CANADA Within 40 miss (65 km.) addressed to non litter carrier $dresses $30.00 pies 62.10 O.S.T. Outside 40 mites (65 km.) or any letter Darner address 830.00 plus $30.00 (total 60.00) + 4.20 G.S.T. outside Canada 899.00 (Includes 888.40 postage) Published Each Wednesday Morning at 424 Main St, Exeter, Ontario, NOM 156 by J.W. Eedy Publications Ltd. Telephone 1-5192351331 ilt1011210436 NEWS I"I'I:1'i: New 11011(1(1 cm- 10 be /)hilt and sn!(1 only in C(r!ladu... 4/‘*4,1ye Your Views Letters to the editor Thanks to the editor "We appreciate your sharing your time and talents with us." Dear Editor: We wish to express our thanks to you for partici- pating in our P.A.C.E. Program (Preparation and Counselling for Employment). Your versatility as an interviewer gave each of us a real life experience. We appreciate your sharing your time and talents with us. The community needs to be aware of what a valu- able resource it has in its newspaper editor. Yours sincerely, Mary Cassell, Richard Vissers, Alma Griffith, Jay Alblas, Helen Harris, Winnie VanderSpek, Helen Creces, P.A.C.E. Your Views Letters to the editor Crediton Optimists support camp program Crediton Optimists responded and have sponsored a child to at- tend a summer program. Dear Editor: As you aware, Community Living - South Huron provides supports to people with developmental challenges. Although we do not d;rectly support children, we are involved in the monitoring of sup- ports to children and their families in our geographi- cal arca./ From'(ime to time we receive requests for funding to support families to assist their son or daughter to attend summer camp or playground programs of- fered by local municipalities. These requests arc quite often forwarded to a service club in thc area where the family resides. This summer, we forwarded a request for funding support to the Crediton Optimists. They have gener- ously responded and have sponsored a child to at- tend a summer program. It is this typc of support from clubs like the Crediton Optimists that is assist- ing us in providing a child with an opportunity to meet new friends and be a part of the community. On behalf of Community Living - South Huron, I wish to extend our sincere appreciation to the Credi- ton Optimists for their support. Sincerely yours John J. Gray Executive Director Want some Peruvian swampland? trodden Peruvian peasants? Rae does not appear to have thought of this nor been deterred by disasters Ontario govern- ments have suffered in making major invest- ments in recent years. The most famous include the Progressive Conservatives' takeover of the northern resort, Minaki Lodge, to save a few jobs and the seat of a Tory MPP. The government pumped in $40 million and eventually sold it for $4 mil- lion. The Tories poured $140 million into a corpo- ration set up to develop commuter transit sys- tems which eventually was sold to the private sector for a paltry $30 million. The Conservatives were responsible for an- other energy misadventure, when they spent $800 million buying oil company stock suppos- edly to Canadianize and 'provide a window' on the energy industry and make a profit for taxpayers. When the province sold back, it lost half its investment. In the most recent of many examples the province agreed to invest $30 million building a domed stadium in Toronto, but eventually was dragged into providing $350 million and felt it prudent to get rid to private partners for a loss of $200 million -- no one has taken as bad a beating in the ball park. The NDP government has one outstanding success in helping business, when reorganize,. keep operating and even make a profit, al- though there still are concerns for its long-term future. But experience has shown government is bet- ter off not to become a part-owner because to many the public purse is a bottomless pit which does not provide incentives to make a profit or exercise restraint the way private enterprise normally does. The NDP's biggest need before an election ironically is to show it can be a tight-fisted business manager, but its gamble in the Andes will not help it acquire this image.