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Co "A Family Tradition for 131 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, November 25, 1997 - 5 Majority at MP's meeting In favor of reducing debt By Chris Hall Port Perry Star Surplus or no surplus, Scugog resi- dents say they want the government to continue hacking away at the national debt. Durham MP Alex Shepherd came to the Oddfellows Hall in Port Perry look- ing for advice on what to do with a pro- jected $10 billion surplus last Thursday night. But the more than 30 local resi- dents who came out to voice their opinion said the feds shouldn't be opening the public purse just yet. Mr. Shepherd said that the Liberals launched a program of cuts and restraint when they took office; the success of that program means a surplus is now projected, he said. " We've significantly overshot what we thought we'd need and where we'd be because our (annual) deficit has come down faster than we thought it would," Mr. Shepherd said. At the beginning of the meeting Mr. Shepherd started off by sharing three choices with the audience: keep paying off the debt; give Canadians a tax break; and investing the money into health care or those living in poverty. Scugog mayor-elect Doug Moffatt said Ottawa must continue to pay down the debt, and questioned the MP's pre- diction of a surplus. "I'm concerned about your use of the word surplus; there is no surplus," he said. "The debt is the country's biggest outstanding mortgage and right now you're using 38 or 40-cents of each dollar to pay that back. "Pay down what we owe and stop spending next week's pay cheque," he said to applause from the audience. Others made it clear that the national debt should not be left to the next generation. "We have to pay down the debt and I hope the government does not follow any bleeding hearts. Unions scream for more money -- teachers and other com- panies scream -- but I'm retired and 1 don't have much money and I'm happy and healthy," said Ashburn's Arthur Murcott. Rallying for a tax break was Ian Smyth, whe ran for the Reform Party against Mr. Shepherd in the last two federal elections. "We've come to the point of consis- tently high taxes and we have good faith in the government, so I think it is time for a tax break," he said. "We should put some more money in the pockets of Canadians to increase the revenue. "The government's on the right track, but I don't think they should go hog wild on the spending. We just need a modest decrease," he said. As the meeting was wrapping up, 26 voted by a show of hands that the gov- ernment should continue tackling the debt, while five wanted to see a tax decrease. Four wanted to see more money in social services. After the open forum, Mr. Shepherd stated that opinion here mirrors what other Canadians are saying. CHRIS HALL/PORT PERRY STAR FILLING UP: The Utica Community Day Care joined other centres across the country in celebrating National Child Day last Thursday (Nov. 20). The local centre opened its doors to the public and the children enjoyed playing games, making special crafts and, like four-year-old Reed, eating some cake. ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT ~ Where grownups ~/ come out to play "The Event Of The Year" NEW YEARS EVE BASE BUFFET NOON TO 11PM -7 DAYS A WEEK * taxes & gratuities extra with 4 Time i NEW 4 Music Award Nommnee PRICE LOTS OF GREAT PRIZES TO BE WON! Win 4 tickets to see James Owen Bush on New Year's Eve! Join us for your favourite New Country Videos shown on Roulettes' Giant Video Wall, brought to you by KX96 FM & hosted by midday on-air personality Pete Walker. '6% MONDAY NIGHT Wo "IB FOOTBALL Durham's riya $ gh 96 I cunson wai ht soft | [osm me SEN h COUNTRYFESH Karaoke Night with sounds of the December 31st at 7:00pm the Travellin' Wilburs. 605 90s wilh EARLY BOOKING PRICE 99- FRIDAY NIGHT * Full Concert Sound Juno Award Noivinoss MOE 3: "149% Wi SATURDAY NIGHT * Big Screen Video ferry Crawford & IS ZL bs wri ee 4 LIVE BAND Rick Johnson REE [pope pants ch 99+ ES SUNDAY Tis the Season to Book Your Christmas Party right here! aoe Te ya . 3PM-7PM Enjoy our famous All-You-Can-Eat Buffet or have your meal tailored to Re Ji =r dg your group or special event. Reservations preferred. Staff parties, business luncheons, family get togethers or whatever the occasion. GNF INT 8 8] 30 13 NON CHARITABLE CASINO & BINGO ISLAND ROAD, PORT PERRY 905-985-4888 or 1-888-29-HERON * Big 6 Wheel * 650 Seat Bingo * High Stakes Nevada Tickets * Blackjack * Roulette Le Pai Gow Poker [2 * Hold "Em Poker