------ ee -------- Ce TE mr A a dm Se Cm 20 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, April 24, 1990 Letters to the editor We are in need of fair tax system To the Editor: I have just returned home from a gathering around the corner at Utica Farm Equipment. No doubt your paper will be reporting on this meeting between quite a few local farmers and Michael Wilson. Mr. Wilson, Rene Soetens and Ross Stevenson had an oppor- tunity to make their case. There was a chance for some of the au- dience to ask questions although it was suggested that people shouldn't make a speech, i.e., perhaps suggest some alter- natives. It's too bad Mr. Wilson didn't have as much chance to hear the views of those there as they had a chance to hear his. I was interested to note that quite a bit of time was spent tell- ing the farmers about all the possible exemptions they might be getting under the GST, for ex- ample, that large farm machinery might be exempted. I think farmers realize that they are like everyone else - they go shopping, they use services. Of course, maybe some of them will qualify for some of the tax credits because their family income is less than $30,000. But even getting that tax credit may not help. According to a study done by an Ottawa based consulting firm, Global Economics, a family that Wilson claims would benefit would ac- tually lose between $8 and $117, even after receiving the tax credits. An underlying assumption at the gathering was that businesses would pass on all their savings from the removal of the manufac- turers sales tax-an assumption that I find a little difficult to swallow. Have firms dropped their prices when tariffs were removed under the free trade deal? There's certainly nothing in the GST legislation to force them to pass on the lower costs to their customers. Then there's the stuff about the deficit and cutting government expenditures. New Zealand with a population of 3.3 million had to hire 5,500 more officials to ad- minister their similar tax. I've heard a figure of at least 10,000 reached. April 26, 1990. TOWNSHIP of SCUGOG PUBLIC MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 30th, 1990 at 7:00 PM MUNICIPAL OFFICE, 181 Perry St., Port Perry re: BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA (B.1.A.) NOTE: This Notice affects those Businesses that are part of the B.l.A. (Downtown Core) The Council of the Township of Scugog, at the above mentioned time, will consider a request from the Directors of the B.I.A. to establish Minimum and Maximum Charges from any affected establishment. The purpose of this meeting is to afford persons affected, the op- portunity to present their views to Council before a decision is If you are unable to attend, your representation can be filed in writing, whether by mail or personal delivery, to reach the Office of the Clerk at 208 North Street, Port Perry, no later than 4:30 p.m., If you wish to speak to this matter, kindly contact Ms. K. Coates at 985-7346 no later than 4:30 p.m., April 26, 1990. Earl S. Cuddie, Clerk-Administrator Township of Scugog * TREES * SALE up to 50% (0 ] a Sl LARGE CUTLEAF WEEPING BIRCH 45 mm (13% cal.) - reg. 142.50 50 mm (2 cal.) - reg. 210.00 60 mm (2'%2" cal.) - reg. 270.00 mentioned for Canada. On a per capita basis government expen- ditures in Canada (as a percent of the GNP) are lower than they are in almost all other industrialized countries. The deficit is the pro- duct of the government's high in- terest policy, its refusal to make the rich shoulder their fair share of the tax burden, and its failure to adopt policies that would reduce our inexcusably high unemployment rate. What we need is a fair tax system, a system that gets at the estimated $80 billion annually in corporate profits that are now go- ing completely untaxed, that ap- plies a corporate tax-such as the one already being imposed in the U.S. - which would swell the federal coffers by $16 billion a year. How about the $40 billion in deferred taxes that corporations are often permitted to delay pay- ing indefinitely. We need a system that taxes people on their income, not one that doesn't collect a GST on investments, stocks and bonds. Most farmers belong in the category of middle or low income Canadians. That's who is going to bear the burden of the GST. let's get together and fight it. Margaret Wilbur, R.R. 4, Port Perry Heart Fund To the Editor: The Committee, in charge of the Ontario Heart & Stroke Foun- dation for the Township of Scugog, wish to publicly thank the many canvassers who gave their time and effort to this worthwhile cause. As well the excellent work done by very dependable area captains, many of them volunteering for the first time, is appreciated very much. Our campaign was very suc- cessful and the support shown by the communities in the door 'to door canvass yeilded $15,000.00. A sincere thank you to all who in any way contributed to this' success. Sincerely, Chairperson: Judy Smith, Co-Chairpersons: Joan Lane, Gwen Taylor and Dorothy Bourgeois HURRY, THESE PRICES ONLY UNTIL MAY 15th, 1990. NOW $95.00 NOW $115.00 NOW $135.00 Meech Lake accord should be approved To the Editor: I'm a middle class working wife and mom and I've never felt the need to voice my opinions public- ly before now. I am very worried about the Meech Lake Accord not being ratified by the June 23 deadline. Although there has been talk of Quebec separating for longer than I can remember, I'm afraid that if we don't support francophones in their right to speak their own language and protect their culture, then we are, in effect, en- couraging Quebec to opt out of Canada. From what I'm able to ascer- tain, the bone of contention seems to be the 'Distinct Society" clause. What does that mean? While I'm not a legal expert, to me, it simply means that Quebec would like a little recognition and respect. They say "ignorance is bliss" and I am a very happy woman by nature but please don't hold that against me. If "Distinct Society" can mean something else legally I would like someone to tell me, please. Although I'm not a francophone (I don't even know one) I can understand their fear of assimila- tion. I think there are some in this country who would like everyone in Canada to be one sort of beige colour and all speak with the same accents. That's not what Canada is about, is it? I'm afraid that if the Meech Lake Accord is not ratified by the deadline, Quebec may take it as a final slap in the face. Can we survive as a country without Quebec? What about the Maritimes? They would be even more isolated than they are now. Iread in the paper the other day that the Americans are reading in their papers that they could pro- bably just scoop them up and make them Americans if Quebec opts out of Canada. How does the state of New Brunswick sound? Or the state of Newfoundland? It makes the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up. At the risk of sounding like a former flower child (which Iam), let me end this long winded speech with "Come on People now, Smile On Your Brother. Everybody Get Together Right Now." Nora Stevens, Caesarea, Ont. Our pride is at stake To the Editor: The CrownLife PARTICIPac- tion Challenge will be sweeping the nation on Wednesday, May 30, 1990. This is a one day friendly rivalry between communities to determine which can motivate a greater number of its citizens to take part in 15 minutes of any type of physical activity. Our community has been challenged by the Township of Uxbridge. We, in Scugog Township have taken up this challenge and are now in the pro- cess of asking a variety of groups, organizations and schools to take the initiative and issue the same challenge to their members. The Challenge provides a unique op- portunity for the entire Communi- ty to work together towards a healthier lifestyle. In approximately one week, so- meone from the Scugog PAR- TICIPaction Committee will call to verify 'the numbers of staff, students or members in your XN * CA AAS a Also on SALE until May 15, 1990: 1 Gallon Spreading Evergreens - reg. 10.00 | | GREENBANK GARDEN CENTRE Located on the N.E. corner of Hwy. 12 & Hwy. 47 (41 6) 985-7667 CETERA E LATO Eee 0 bp tL ALY ERA LL a group that would be able to take part and also to assist you in plan- ning for a PARTICIPaction event. We hope, in the mean time you can think of a way for everyone in your school, business or group to participate on May 30, 1990. (A simple 15 minute work-out from 9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. is all that is required!) Our Scugog pride, reputation and honour are all at stake and should we win, our flag will fly over Uxbridge Town Hall as we are declared "the fittest community." Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. And remember - mark Wednesday, May 30th on your calendar - PARTICIPact - for 15 minutes for your Communi- ty and its commitment to fitness. Sincerely, Marilyn Pearce, Co-Chairman, 985-9250 Martha Larsen, Co-Chairman, 985-8916 P.S. Only residents of Scugog Township can be registered as having participated BUT we en- courage everyone to join in the fun!! | ' To better serve the people of Port Perry and Area HOGAN'S HEARING AID CENTRES -- NOW OPEN -- MONDAY & WEDNESDAY 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (both days) JACK MERLIN 230 QUEEN STREET, 985-4422 | 3 { i ------ ATA re