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fi Orono WeekIy Times, Wednesday, September 21,1094 Frank Stapleton in action auctioning champion cake Frank Stapleton, Champion Auctioneer, auctions off the Grand Champion chocolate cake A few weeks back, the Toronto Sun carried a banner headlile "Farmers caught in NDP feud." This newspaper's writers must lay awake at niglit to think up things against our govemment. This story claimed that Ontario tobacco farmners have been forced into the crossfire of a nunisterial feud. In this case the feud is alIleged to bce between-Health Minister Ruthi Grier and Agriculture Minister Elmer Buchanan. The Sun aileges that while the health ministry undermines the tobacco market the agriculture ministry promotes it. The facts are that tobacco -growers don't get any assistance from the province to grow tobaeco that other farmer's don't get. The Ministry of Agriculture bas staff who offer crop advise te ail farmers and it is involved in crop insurance prograins and farmn incomne stabilization programs that are aimed at ail farmers. Growing tobacco isn't illegal and tobacco growers are not discriminated against by the ministry. The Ministry offers advise on alternative crops to tobacco growers to assist tbem te move away froni dependence on this crop. A move away from a crop that makes more money than anything else grown on the land of course is difficuit. The legisiation, Bill 119 which is designed to discourage smoking especially among young people, doesn't do anything to farmers who grow tebacco. I guess thougli, I would be happy if the measuresi Bil 119 were as effective as the tobacco industry seemns to fear they will be in reducing the market for tobacco. But the Toronto Sun story tells me just how desperate they are for material te attack our govemment. It must have been a real show for news! I have had a chat with OPP Inspector Don Beckett about the closing down of the Newcastle baked by Inez Harris of Orono.- bidder. Proceeds from the auction D&R Fencing was the successful went te the fair board. OPP Detachment. Inspector Beckett commands #5 District with their HQ in Auora whicb wiil now be responsible for OPP policing in this area. He tells me it will be business as usual here, the only difference being the detacbment office in Newcastle wili be closed. He has asked me to forward along any concerns anyone bas -over the shift in, command. The OPP are anxious to provide the samne level of service here that we bave come to expect. Inspector Beckett doesn't see any problemns in doing that. If you have a problem cail my office in Bowmanvlle. Speaking of the police, perhaps I was just as astounded as you were to read that the head honcho of "Toronto's Finest" was considering following bis upcoming retrement, to seek a seat in the Ontario Legisiature witb Mike Barris and the Common Sense Revolution Group in order to "make ends. meet?" From the statement made to the media it seems that the $ 109,000 retirement pension needs some bolstering. To Serve and Protect takes on some new meanîng the way I sec and read it. The information leaflets I send out to keep people informed about issues are ail prepared electmonicaily. They are placed in envelopes and stuck down al without human hands. Likewise the address, this is prepared and printed on the envelope also by computer. Ail machines and computers are prone to error. None of us, nor is any machine perfect. Imagine my surprise then te get a letter of complaint fromn a constituent over receiving two leaflets in the sane envelope and the waste of money involved! I guess 1 should be pleased, things could have been much worse! 1The highuiglit of my time s0 far, as the MPP for Durhamn East bappened on Saturday, Augus t 27th at Wilmot Creek. About 250 of the residents, gathered close te the shores of Lake Ontario in their community, on a beautiful afternoon, to malce a presentation to me in appreciation of my service to them as their MPP. The experience was overwhelming. As a politician who bas gotten used to being rebuffed in some quarters, and in others taken unpleasant rebuffs ini stride, this day wiil be one long rememnbered. My wife who is totally un- political, was included in the presentation in the nicest way. Our very sincere tbanks go out to the Executive Board of the Wilmot Creek Homeowner's Association for their arrangement of this very special day. Did you take in The Great Ganaraska Countryside Support Canada remain united A survey undertaken by the Oshawa Times following the victory of the PQ party in Quebec among former Quebecers now living in Oshawa found that most supported a united Canada, and Quebec would flot separate. There are some 3,500 French Canadians living in the Region with 75 per cent from Quebec and the remainder from New Brunswick. Fear further cuts at Whitby .Budget dits of some $4.72 million from the $44.5 million Whitby Psychiatric Hospital is Adventure a couple of weeks ago? If you missed it, don't miss next year's event at ail costs. My favourite stop, if there can be a favourite since they are ail great stops, was at the "Quinton House" situated on County Road #9 at Kendal. This English manor bouse on the Ganaraska River in a forest setting, served English Creain Teas. My wife and I sat in the garden by the babbling stream running at the front-of the bouse, wbile weenjoyed an English Creans tea along with the best pot of tea we have tasted for years. I coud have stayed for ever, it was that good. Until next week then - Nothing astonished people so much as common sense. expected to affect eigbty jobs at the hospital. The hospital employs 850 full- time and part-tie jobs. Labour supports Oshawa centre The'Durham labour council wants the Oshawa city politicians to reconsider a decision to kil the much debated Southview Community Centre which has been scuiled by a vote of 8 to 5. The centre bas been on the Oshawa council agenda for a number of years. The plan calîs for a 21,000 square foot pool and community centre, plus squash courts, weight room and community rooms'. Look for a 10% tax cut The Oshawa, taxpayers coalition is asIng for a 10% tax cut over the next ten years. They set a mark of one per cent cut each of 10 years by the city, region and school boards. Oshawa council lias flot raised taxes since 1991. Walk out over dress code About 500 students at the Courtice Higli School walked out of school over a dress code involving caps and some outer- Wear. The matter will be resolved with students making a representation to the school staff.