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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-12-20, Page 44 Times–Advocate Wednesday, December 20 2006 zkocna =CNA Editorial Opinion ��airtoo CUL (CO". MZDIM 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 costs. Canada Jim Beckett – Publisher Deb Lord – Production Manager Scott Nixon – Editor 4 Published by Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing Ltd. Metroland 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • 519-235-1331 Peter Winkler -General Manager, Southwestern Ontario Division EDITORIAL Get involved ith a new council comes new lead- ers, new ideas and new energies. In that spirit, here's hoping the public finds a renewed interest in their community and takes South Huron council up on its search for more community volunteers. At Monday night's council meeting, Mayor Ken Oke and council made it clear they would like to see more members of the community volunteer on various committees and bring their new ideas to the table. Specifically, Oke and Coun. Pete Armstrong spoke of the need to better promote the area. Armstrong said the municipality is lacking in promotion and said, "it's like we're an invisible town." "There doesn't seem to be much going on here," Oke added. With the cancellation of September's Exeter Fall Fair, the area is truly in need of community events and a new spirit of togetherness. There's no reason Exeter can't have a fall fair when numerous communities much smaller than Exeter still manage to host fairs. Oke encouraged members of the public to think about community events. In addition, a Seniors' Housing committee will be formed as seniors' housing has been identi- fied as something lacking in the community. There are openings for volunteers on the municipality's various committees, and this is a good way for the public to get their ideas across. Oke added he would also like to see young people volunteer and become involved. There were several comments at the South Huron all -candidates meeting in October that council needs to consult with the public more and listen to new ideas. That invitation was made by council Monday night. It will be interesting to see if the public answers the call. About the Times -Advocate 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: $40+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $72+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada: $140 Call (519) 235-1331 to order a subscription. RACHAEL REGIER Prrcinu_ f!Yx.rock(reel W6ei e l s(t5 ABBY, (SK) PRECIOUS BLOOD ALLISON, (SK) PRECIOUS BLOOD An early Christmas for Queen's Park I want a 25 per cent raise. Think I'll get one? It's highly doubtful. You see, I'm not an MPP. Christmas came early for MPPs last week when the provincial government announced a plan to increase the salaries of MPPs from the current base pay of $88,771 to $110,000, a whopping increase of $22,000, or 25 per cent. MPPs will also see their RRSP allowance double to 10 per cent of their salary. Premier Dalton McGuinty's salary will jump from $159,000 to $198,600. Isn't that special? While the Liberals and Conservatives typi- cally support the move, the New Democrats have opposed it, with NDP house leader Peter Kormos calling the proposed pay raise "thor- oughly repugnant." He was kicked out of the legislature for his comments. "Repugnant" may be a tad harsh, but the words "brazen" and "outrageous" come to mind to describe the raise. The move comes from a recommendation from Ontario's integrity commissioner who said MPPs deserve the raise or Ontario runs the risk of becoming a "farm team" for the House of Commons because of the considerably higher salaries MPs receive ($147,700. MPs also have a pension plan, unlike MPPs). McGuinty has said MPPs deserve the raise because they represent the same ridings as their federal brethren and arguably work harder. That's a matter of opinion, but I've got news for McGuinty — people aren't necessarily paid based on how hard they work. There are plenty of people who work much harder than MPs, MPPs and yes, premiers, who make a lot less money than the current salary for an MPP. But unlike MPPs, those people won't be on the lucky end of a 25 per cent raise. Most people consider themselves lucky to get a raise at all. Some people are just happy to have a job. I don't necessarily have a problem with the concept of MPPs getting a raise; I do have a problem with a 25 per cent raise. It seems a rather bold move and one I'm not sure many Ontarians support. As taxpayers, aren't we the ones who pay the MPPs? And shouldn't we be the ones who decide whether or not they deserve a raise? With a provincial election next year, we'll see just how many Ontarians support the increase (and the health premiums McGuinty tacked onto our paycheques). If only we all had jobs where we could give ourselves a raise when we wanted one; I'd be able to retire. SCOTT NIXON AND ANOTHER THING Classified Rates Word ads: $11 for 20 words, 20(t for each additional word+ GST. Notices (births, deaths, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $15 + 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. 2 p m. E-mail Us Web site: 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 Jim Beckett ext. 109 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 EDITOR Scott Nixon ext. 105 REPORTERS Pat Bolen ext. 113 Nina Van Lieshout ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Elaine Chipchase ext. 102 PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord ext. 103/114 Heather Bilcke ext. 103 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 MargPertschy ext. 111 Heaer Clarke ext. 206