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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2007-09-26, Page 11Wednesday, September 26, 2007 Times—Advocate 11 A voice against Mixed Member Proportional Editor's note: The letter writer; sister of Exeter's Margaret Medd, recently visited the area. New Zealand has a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting system. a large percentage of voters now regret this and are looking to go back to First Past the Post. Germany is also looking to change. If you do not want MMP, make sure you vote in the referendum. Unfortunately in New Zealand most of those ' who didn't want MMP chose not to vote in the referendum 4 believing that First Past the Post would stay. Our referen- dum was not attached to an election so those wanting change voted and MMP was the outcome. MMP has meant that the party in power is being "controlled" by the small parties, often one issue parties. The major party that won the most number of seats (but not enough to govern alone) has to then go to the smaller par- ties to get the numbers required. At the same time the second major party is also going to the smaller parties to see if they can swing the numbers so that they can govern. The smaller parties agree to vote with the government on supply and confidence issues. After the last election we were without a government for many weeks as the haggling went on. The smaller parties obvi- ously back the party that will give them the most. Because of this, much time is spent debating and trying to pass legislation that only a few people want. The smaller parties are now perceived to hold the upper hand. They also intimate that they will swing their votes to the other major party to get what they want. In some cases they have voted with the other major party. Party polices are now diluted to the Letters to the Editor extent that the two major parties are very similar as they bow before the smaller parties. Before MMP we had 90 members in parliament. We now have 120 with 30 list members. List members are not voted in and in many instances list candidates are of very poor calibre. At the last election our sitting member was voted out as she was not performing to our satisfaction. Her party became the government and because she was high on their list, she is back in parliament. Our electorate has two members. One voted in and one voted out. Vote splitting enables the smaller par- ties to gain a foothold far beyond what the numbers supporting them should allow. HELEN BOURN', Fordell, Wanganui, New Zealand Scarecrow competition planned in Hensall HENSALL - The Hensall Horticultural Society is fea- turing a Scarecrow Competition to run from Oct. 1 to 15. Information concerning this competition is below: Scarecrows are often built and used in rural settings to keep birds out of the harvest fields. They are also a symbol for the harvest season and often grace the homes of those Thanksgiving decorators. Join us in celebrating the harvest season by participating in our scarecrow competition. Competition runs from October 1- 15. Whiners announced and ® prizes awarded at Mon., Oct. 15 horticultural meeting at 7:30 p.m. Registration Fee: $5 and must register by Fri., Sept. 28 To register: Call 262-2715 The scarecrow must be handmade by the person who registers and be on display by Mon., Oct.1. Themes: Use your imagination creativity to select a theme for your scarecrow. Whether you choose a traditional, contemporary or humorous approach, is up to you. Constructed in the traditional manner and by using recycled and natural materials, (ie. straw, old clothing, burlap, garden produce) your scarecrow can be whim- sical, frightening, funny or sad. Prize Categories: First Prize, Second Prize,Third Prize Youth 13 & Under: $30, $20, $10 Adult 14 & Over $50, $35, $25 Business: (Scarecrow to reflect the nature of the business you are in) $50, $35, $25 Prize amounts will be either in cash and/or gift certificates. Materials: As all scarecrow entries must remain out-of-doors (Oct. 1 through Oct. 16) and may be subject to severe wind and/or rain, their con- struction should be durable and all ornamentation securely attached. Feed me — Four South Huron District High Schools spent two days last week walking the halls of their school pretending they were home- less, in hopes of raising money and awareness for youth projects.They raised between $300 and $400, which will go to Youth Opportunities Unlimited. From left are Taryn Anstett, Jasmine Bender, Jennifer Vankoughnett and Jen Donovan.Anstett and Vankoughnett also partici- pated in a 36 -hour famine. (photo/Scott Nixon) Students raise awareness By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — Four Grade 12 Law students at South Huron District High School used a recent project to raise money for youth and help spread awareness about homeless- ness in the area. Taryn Anstett, Jasmine Bender, Jennifer Vankoughnett and Jen Donovan spent Sept. 10-11 walking the halls of SHDHS claiming to be homeless and asking for money. They ended up raising $300 to $400, which will go to Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) , a London organi- zation that runs youth projects. In Law class, teacher Henry Bonsma asked students to create lobby groups to convince the class of a particular stance. Anstett said she wanted to do a 36 -hour famine for YOU (she and Vankoughnett did the famine). Working with the Youth Action Centre, Anstett says YOU offers a homeless shelter for youths on the street and runs recreation and health programs as well as hav- ing clothing, showers and basic needs for youths. Carrying signs that read, "I'm homeless," and "I'm hungry!! Feed me please!!", the four students received donations from students and teachers. Bender said the students were sup- portive than the group thought they would be, although Anstett admitted there were some Grade 9 boys yelling at the girls to get a job. Anstett said many students aren't aware that there is a homeless prob- lem in the area, although it isn't visi- ble on the streets. She said kids will "couch surf," staying at a friend's house. Many, she said, end up moving to London. BEST OF FRI., SEPT. 28 5-11 P.M. 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