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"Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" ------------ Rush to privatize To the Editor: I fail to see the need to rush into the privatization of government services. Has the American model of pri- vatization been such a success that we need to run down that road? Services are privatized because of the belief that someone else will do the same job cheaper. Is this a re- alistic belief? Normally when a service is privatized, someone ex- pects to make a profit. That profit comes from low wages and benefits paid to workers, and less mainte- nance to the infrastructure of systems involved. Privatization of services make governments less responsible and accountable for the provision of pub- lic services. Privatization can lessen civic commit- ment and civic pride in the community. It is my understanding that some areas that have privatized services have had to assume responsibility for that service again. Are Canadians prepared to live with the American example of urban life? Joan Gates, Vice-President, Region 3 OPSEU CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION John North Street, Port Perry SERVICES ~~ Help us celebrate the Birthday of Jesus. Sunday, 8:00 am - Holy Communion December 24 5:00 pm - First Eucharist of Christmas Family Worship (candlelight) 10:30 pm - Carol Singing 11:00 pm - The Nativity of our Lord Choral Eucharist (candlelight) 10:00 am - The Nativity of our Lord Holy Communion Everyone welcome. At Ascension there are by no strangers, just friends we've never met. @) ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA Monday, December 25 Educators don't want teachers college To the Editor: Margaret Wilson, chair of the committee creating the proposed College of Teachers, recently gave the citizens and teachers of Durham Region a frightening indication of how all teachers will be dealt with by the Conser- vative government in On- tario. She was invited to give a presentation on the pro- posed College of Teachers at the Durham Education Centre on Tuesday eve- ning, Nov. 21. Her agenda was apparent very early in her presentation: tq tell teachers what is good for their profession whether they like it or not, to clev- erly avoid penetrating questions with Ministry babble, name-dropping and the odd snide remark, and to treat concerned pro- fessionals like naughty SPENCER'S | FEED 'N NEEDS | t * Farm & Feed Supplies = * Mobile Milling Service 3 IN GREENBANK ON HWY. 12 (905) 985-3371 Starr will pay your GST or Don't Pay Till June 96! \ NO TR Th In gong ay Over 100 Chairs | hil T= Our low y overhead means = Lower Prices! Before you buy...give Starr a try! 156 Simcoe St., South FURNITURE Oshawa 576-1918 children. It is difficult to reconcile the euphemistic title of the College of Teachers ocumentation, "The Priv- /lege of Professionalism," with the plain truth that Mr. Snobelen and the On- tario Ministry of Educa- tion are trying to shove this latest bureaucratic burden down teachers' throats. Why do we need another layer of bureaucracy in this province to do the work that is already being done by our school admin- istrations, Boards of Edu- cation, and professional organizations? The Conservative gov- ernment has strongly ad- vocated democratic princi- ples in the workplace: an admirable concept. Teach- ers across Ontario have al- ready or will very shortly vote to accept or reject the ; loves ity ; 182 Queen St., Port Perry 3 Kent St. W., Lindsay "14251 Marsh Hill Rd. Invites you to our PARENT & CHILD 8 week Learning Programme Register Now! Jan. 18 - Mar. 7 6:30pm to 7:30pm * Parent/Child Bonding Group * Understand Emotions * | hr. group activities Invest in your childs' emotional well being! (905) 985-8783 proposed College of Teach- ers. Will the results of these votes be considered and respected by the gov- ernment? They certainly should be, if the government truly supports workplace de- mocracy. The manner in which these results are treated by the Minister of Education will provide valuable insight into this government's attitude to- wards educated profes- sionals. Hopefully, this attitude will differ from the con- tempt shown by Ms. Wil- son. Michael Strahl, Courtice Al-Anon offers support To the Editor: Al-Anon Family Groups, a fellowship for families and friends of alcoholics, requests that you take a mo- ment to reflect on the role alcohol plays in the lives of' those living with a loved one who drinks too much. One person in every 10 develops the disease of alco- holism, and every alcoholic affects four or five others, 1.e. spouse, parent, child, friend and co-worker. As we approach the busy holiday season, we ask you to remember the millions of individuals con- cerned about the days ahead because they never | know how the drinking of a loved one will affect their holidays. Together we can reach these families and friends of alcoholics with the Al-Anon message of hope. If you would like additional information about Al- Anon and Alateen, please call me at (905) 668-6571. Thank you for your support. Joan, Public Information Chairperson $S00 REWARD for the return of my 1996 Polaris XLT Touring snowmobile, stolen out of my shed Saturday night, December 16, 1995. $1000 offered for the names of the 3 people who committed the above theft Rewards paid upon conviction or return of the snowmobile. Contact: 1=705=357=-3938 \ J od 8 7. ¥ al --{e) do] HW = ULSI AVE] CIE The best selection of beautiful Christmas gifts UNDER $20 207 Queen St. Port Perry 985-3011 29 Simcoe St. S. Oshawa 571-3474 Hometown eet 3 . H JE NG rl rl a WL ELT TH RRR RE NS Proud!