Loading...
Times-Advocate, 1999-03-31, Page 88 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, March 31, 1999 Aogia Editorial&Opinion TIMES -ADVOCATE PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER 07511 Jim Beckett Publisher and Editor Don Smith Deb Lord General Manager Production Manager Published by J.W. Eedy Publications Limited 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • (519) 235-1331 EDITORIAL Mike Harris's recor on debt... it's not what you mih.t think Those who have accepted the wisdom of the Harris Tories massive changes to our province always pointed to one inescapable fact... that the huge debt accu- mulated during the Bob Rae government left us with few options. Our fiscal house was a mess, our economic outlook •poor and our annual deficit was soaring out of control. The Conservatives were elected on a mandate to fix our economic problems. But nearly four years later, and after no small sacrifice to our cherished institutions of health care and eduction, the problem remains. Today, Ontario is one of the last provinces to slay the deficit beast. Even the anemic economy of Quebec - plagued by separation anxiety - has managed to pull itself out of the red in less time than the Mike Harris Conservatives. Perhaps the problem could have been fixed earlier by delaying the promised tax increases. Conservatives will tell you that reducing taxes actually increased govern- ment revenue by stimulating consumer spending. Economists are split on that one. But where is the light at the end of the tun- nel? After the next election? Are we better off, as Harris claims? Why have the Conservatives not eliminat- ed the deficit this year? Are they too busy spending money making TV commercials telling us how much better off we are? Why are we $22 billion more in debt, $7,500 more for each household in Ontario, since the Tories took office in 1995? Why is the province's credit rating the same as it was under Bob Rae's watch? In opposition Harris called debt, "deferred taxes." Perhaps he should remember that before he boasts over the airwaves yet again about reducing our taxes. Reprinted from St. Marys Journal -Argus Trying not to jinx the Irish I don't want to jinx them, but the Lucan Jr. D Irish hockey team seems destined for a date with the All - Ontario championship cup. You could say it's Lucan's year since they haven't won all the marbles in over 11 years though they served as bridesmaids for four straight years after that win (they were Jr. D's Buffalo Bills). Yes, they still have to get by the Port Stanley Lakers. At press, the Irish were up two games to one with game four at Port yes- terday night. The Lakers are good, but the Irish have too many weapons at their dispos- al for Port Stanley to come out on top (I hope I'm not putting the proverbial cart before the horse here). If (or when) the Irish persevere versus the Lakers, they'll take on the winner of the Wellesley/Hagersville series with the Applejacks in control of the series. Wellesley, the defending Jr. D champs, ruled the McConneIl Conference just like Lucan ruled the Yeck Conference during the regular season. The Applejacks have a tool Lucan doesn't have, though. Wellesley's returning players have the experience of making it all the way to the provincial final and winning a hard fought, to the limit series versus Exeter. None of Lucan's players have this important tool, at least at the junior level. What the Irish do have is a focus they didn't have last year when they trampled over the competition during the regular season and, rolled over on their bellies for Seaforth in the first round of the playoffs. The disappointing loss is ingrained in the players' and coaches' minds and they will try to never let it happen again. On the ice, Lucan has strong goaltending from Mike Boyce and backup Marc Williams. They have the creative offensive line of Justin Mulligan (the regular season Yeck scoring champ), Kevin Dunbar and Mark Phillips. They have a long bench and scor, ing from the second and third lines. They have a solid, experienced blueline led by captain Mike Jaremchenko. And the Irish have a one-two punch behind the bench in co -coaches Jason Bukala and Bill Bourne who match each other off nicely — Bukala the fiery one, Bourne the quiet thinker. Lucan's special teams, especially while shorthand- ed, have shined brilliantly so far through the play- offs. The Irish seem to score at least one shorthand- ed goal every game and add a powerplay goal, or two for good measure. The Irish have also outplayed the competition at even strength and have outmuscled (and roughed up) teams when they've had to. The Irish are a balanced bunch and Wellesley (or Hagersville) will have to pull out all the stops or ride a hot goalie to repeat as Jr. D champs. Otherwise there will be a snazzy new championship banner for the Lucan Arena at the start of next sea- son. Let's not forget the Hawks... The Exeter Jr. D Hawks held their season ending banquet/awards night at the Exeter Legion Saturday night. Kudos to Hawks secretary Anne Sullivan who organized a terrific evening that included a roast beef dinner with all the trimmings, the hardware parade and musical entertainment by Roy's Garage. Of special note: along with the gravy and horse- radish, ketchup was on hand for those who dared commit the faux pas to openly spread the common condiment on their meat. Good news to the players mothers and girl friends: not one player was seen squirting the stuff on their plates. On a sad note, coach Scott Bogart's first year behind the bench will be his last. Bogart announced his departure during Saturday's festivities as did assistant coach Steve Matthews. Assistant coach Dave Dalrymple said he'd like to be back with the Hawks and is expected to vie for the head coach position. Bogart said he'd like to stay involved with the Hawks in some capacity but can't put in the effort the players deserve to be their coach. Bogart took the helm of a team in transition and accomplished the main goal of making the playoffs. Who knows to what heights he might have led the Hawks next sea- son. Bogie, you will be missed. CRAIG BRADFORD MISSILES AND MUSINGS +i6g-W2,`.SRT.'iC 2,W4:if?ifSGiY.f�Hf,✓r�bY�/.c.'CKti6:Y.':;XJ'.SAJ'I.: +Zi7,Ce./.0A:A,W.49,0iGd1kG'S2iF+O*;M>9Yf0A9+7±9Jlik%'X .UNYJV15:+ A>X. >,AAWAVPMN.MV.W :'•%9 26Xf.9iFf24*9.49Fisx.?11iYAG�.,P'X;',FM',SSO Y40y..597ksmeas df.'.'.weAFY3fc'3'Xl,• ,46Yi65•iS7Y,4lf'$3;z5: !1~5: •r { 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 5:00 pm. 1 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: $35+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $63+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada: $102 Call (519) 235-1331 to order a subscription. Classified Rates Word ads: $9.00 for 20 words, 15¢ for each additional word+ GST. Notices (births, deaths, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $11.00 + GST for up to 30 words, 15¢ for each additional word. 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 5 p.m. or evenings (519) 235-1336 (leave message) or toll-free at 1-888-270-1602. Deadline: Friday 4 p.m. E-mail Us TA e-mail addresses .consist of the person's first initial and last name followed by @ta.eedy.com. For example, Jim Beckett's e-mail address is <jbeck- ett@ta.eedy.com> Our general e-mail address is edi- tor@South Huron.com. The Times -Advocate Team Advertising Barb COMM Reporters Craig Bradford Kate Monk Scott Nixon ext. 105 Customer Service Sue Rollings ext. 101 Carol Windsor ext. 102 Production Staff Deb Lord ext. 114 Brenda Hern, Laurel Miner, Mary McMurray, Barb Robertson Accounting Staff Cassie Dalrymple ...ext. 206 Anita McDonald . ext. 111 Ruthanne Negrijn Ruth Slaght ext. 110 .ext. 113 • ext. 107 ext. 104 ext. 106