Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-03-31, Page 44 Exeter Times—Advocate Wednesday,March 31, 2004 =CNA Editorial Opinion TIMES ADVOCATE PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER 07511 We acknowledge the Financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing casts. Jim Beckett Publisher and Editor Deb Lord Production Manager &Published by Metroland Printing, rt Publishing & Distributing Ltd. Metroland 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • (519) 235-1331 EDITORIALS Wage freeze the right move AA bill introduced Monday by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty to freeze salaries for MPPs is the right move. Citing a need to "lead by example," McGuinty's bill, if passed, will freeze MPPs' pay until April 2005. MPPs had been scheduled to receive pay hikes that would increase their current salaries of $85,240 to $87,540. MPPs also receive additional benefits such as travel allowances and additional pay for cabinet posi- tions. Cabinet ministers are paid $121,297 annually, while the premier's salary is $152,835. While the proposed salary increases weren't huge (2.7 per cent), it's clear our MPPs already bring home a nice chunk of change. If our MPPs are shopping at bargain stores, it's by choice not necessity. In other words, they don't need the raise. Freezing the salaries, of course, is partly responsible governing and partly public rela- tions, as raises for politicians are rarely viewed positively by the public. It would be hard for the Liberals to complain about the deficit they inherited from the Tories and accept raises for themselves at the same time. "The intention of this bill," McGuinty said at Queen's Park Monday, "is to demonstrate that we, as members of this Legislature, under- stand the context in which we lead." Monday's statement also gave McGuinty, once again, the opportunity to repeat the province's deficit isn't his government's fault. "Members will know that this government inherited a deficit of $5.6 billion, plus addition- al risks of $2.2 billion for things such as hospi- tals and children's aid society deficits." But McGuinty is correct — in the face of a deficit, freezing MPP salaries is the right thing to do. In this age of increasing public cynicism towards the political system, a wage hike would make Ontarians question the integrity of their political leaders even more than they already do. About the Times -Advocate 2004 Distributed by Canadian Artists Syndicate Inc. S ring is on its way I may be jinxing us all by saying this, but I think we're in the home stretch as far as spring weath- er is concerned. Having gone through a week with beautiful warm temperatures, I'm feeling optimistic the snow storms are over for this winter season. The winter coat and boots are back in the closet and the spring jacket has taken its place of honour on the coat rack. Of course, I may have moved too quick- ly, since the weather in this part of the world is nothing if not unpredictable. After all it was only the Sunday before last I was driving back to Exeter in near white-out conditions. And we do love to complain about it, don't we? It's the universal king of small talk sub- jects. In winter, it's too cold. In spring and fall, it rains too much. In summer, it's too hot and humid. Maybe we should just be thankful we don't live in a country that experiences monsoons, cyclones or earthquakes on a regular basis. Such destruc- tive forces are responsible for hundreds of deaths every day of the year. Having said that, I must admit I love to complain as much as the next person. It's in our nature, after all. The weather is a huge factor in our every day lives. To some degree, we complain and gripe about it because it's constant and, most of the time, we can safely rely on its patterns. According to meteorologist Jay Campbell of the New PL, who spoke to Huron -Perth Women in Support of Agriculture at their monthly meeting Thursday, we can expect slightly above normal temperatures this April, followed by slightly below normal temperatures in May and above normal temperatures throughout the rest of the summer With that relatively optimistic seasonal forecast for a good growing season in mind, I head into the predicted warm weather happily and wish everyone heading out to the land the best of luck with their crops. Campbell said you may run into late frost because of the cooler temperatures in May, but all-in-all you can expect a good growing season. Here's to hoping he got it right this time. MARY SIMMO PENNY FO THOUGHT NS R MY s Address & Office Hours Times -Advocate, 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Holidays. Contact Us By Phone or Fax Classified ad & subscription sales (519) 235-1331 24-hour automated attendant (519) 235-1336 Fax number for all departments (519) 235-0766 Subscription Rates One year rate for addresses in Canada: $37+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $68+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada: $104 Call (519) 235-1331 to order a subscription. Classified Rates Word ads: $10.00 for 20 words, 20(c for each addition- al word+ GST. Notices (births, deaths, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $15.00 + GST for up to 50 words, All ads must be pre -paid. The classified ad deadline is Monday at 10 a.m. Display Advertising To place a display ad, (519) 235-1331 weekdays 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. or evenings (519) 235-1336 (leave mes- sage) or toll-free at 1-888-270-1602. Deadline: Fri. 4 m. -mail Us Website: www.southhuron.com TA e-mail addresses consist of the person's first initial and last name followed by @southhuron.com. For example, Jim Beckett's e-mail address is <jbeck- ett@southhuron.com> Our general e-mail address is ads@southhuron.com. The Times -Advocate Team Publisher/Editor Jim Beckett ext. 109 Advertising Barb Consitt ext. 110 Reporters Scott Nixon ext. 105 Pat Bolen ext. 113 Mary Simmons ext. 107 Customer Service Sue Rollings ext. 101 Carol Powe ext. 102 Composition Department Manager Deb Lord ext. 114/103 Sharlene Young ext. 103 Jacky Westlake ext. 103 Accounting Staff Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 Carol Windsor ext. 111