Home Newspaper of Hills IWdnrsdm r 100 A Division of Canadian Newspapers Company Limited Street I 7 l Ontario Publish r DORbt I DAVID BEATTIF 77 jm Sewer rates issue is electioneering Regional government In has been a six year long history of squabbles and the one that seems to bounce back into the limelight more often than any other issue is uniform sewer and water rates Its coming up again today Wed at regional council as council discusses a motion from the sewer rate committee to return to the old charge back system whereby each municipality paid for the cost of its own sewer system Pageant organizers set an example Opponents of the Miss Junior Halton Hills contest will probably view the poor weather which dogged this year s Georgetown Fall Fair as a form of divine retribution against the fair board for agreeing to allow the contest to be held But in spite of the controversy surrounding the fair and the pageant or perhaps because of it attendance at this years fair was higher than last year Pageant organizer Jim Barrett estimates that between and 300 people watched the contest braving the chill and the damp to encourage the young contestants In spite of threats of people boycotting the fair in order to show their opposition to the contest it would appear the fair t suffer for being embroiled in controversy In the end it may have been a big plus Maybe vlflitora to this years fair took a closer look at what the members of the fair board have worked so hard to organize The letters to The Herald which op posed the beauty pageant had a similar tone for the most part the writers com mended the Barretts for getting involved with the fair but condemned their proposal It is to be hoped that the initiative by the Barretts and the fact they were able to make the beauty contest work in spite of the opposition might encourage others with new ideas to come forward and take part in the big 135th anniversary celebration next year when the sun shines and the weather is warm for what will seem like the first time on Fall Fair Day All cultures not equal in quality EDITOR This column was submitted to The Herald by Peter Jack ton of who hope will debate about the Involved In creating change In Canada Hon Mr Jackion write that he concerned that constitution will be created entirely by governments If people fall to get involved at the grass roots level Multlculturahsm Is based on the mistaken assumption that all cultures have an equal or great quality and have much to contribute to our new society and that blending or mixing of will automatically produce a new superior society and culture The truth is quite different The truth Is thai all people as Individuals have great potential and as individuals can learn the great of the tremendous new society In the new world that we have built over the lost 100 years freedom progress opportunity for all flexibility creativity and having learned these new qualities each individual can become an equal participant In our new society and can help us to make It a still greater society The truth is that nil other cultures and societies were greatly Inadequate in varying degrees and areas and were elitist rigid authoritarian and repressive and greatly inadequate In freedom progress and equality of opportunity for all and therefore we built a new society In the new world and raised individual freedom opportunity and equality to great new heights Many societies and cultures have been Influenced by our new society in the new world fund by the similar American society especially since he Second World War and have copied parts of It in varying degrees but all arc still significantly behind us in some important area We have already built a great new society In the new world and so we know we are on Hit track and that we have the ability to go forward even in the face of great new problems and build a still newtr and still greater society that will be a beacon and on Inspiration to alt men everywhere Hills Mayor Pelt is angry that the committee has approved the motion is calling it Just another In stance of the Oakville Burlington power block voting against Hills and Milton Reading accounts of regional politics in is like studying the American Civil War when the North fought to keep the country together and the South fought for the right to rule own house Politicians in North hove not been strong supporters of the concept of regional government but even the most vocal of opponents that Halton Hills has benefitted from a number of regional services and most particularly uniform water and sewer rates Without uniform sewer rates a Georgetown ratepayer paying under the sewer surcharge system could have much as added to that bill How much would Burlington taxpayers save on their bill if the region returned to the old system About At the heart of the concept of regional government is the idea of services provided and paid for on a regional basis providing smaller municipalities with a higher level of service than they might otherwise be able to afford it could be called equalization payments among the municipalities with Burlington and Oak ville helping to provide services for Milton and Halton Hills The northern municipalities often feel a little harddone by when it comes to regional services Roads in Halton Hills and Milton stem to have lower priority than those in Onkville and Burlington Centralization of some police services have left residents feeling somewhat distanced from the local policemen Generally however Hills and Milton have benefitted the most from regional government although Milton residents might disagree when It comes to the choice of a landfill site So it t come as a surprise to anyone that Burlington and arc less than enthusiastic about continuing to support the two smaller municipalities The attitude in Burlington and appears to be We ask to be in eluded in regional government and we can manage very well on our own without regional servicej Hills and Milton didn t ask to be included in regional government either- nobody did Politicians Halton Hills have worked hard for the past six years trying to forge a single community identity from three former municipalities With the uncertain nature of politics it difficult to say whether or not regional government is here to stay The Ontario Liberals occasionally make threatening noises about dismantling the system should they be elected and it just possible they would be willing to waste the millions of dollars spent in establishing it On the other hand such promises at election time particularly in regions such as where at any one time there are at least two groups working for the repeal of regional government Holton Hills had its own group at one point called Actonians for Action which claimed that forcing Acton to join the municipality of Hills robbed the community of its identity and gave little or nothing in return except higher taxes and unnecessary The group may be defunct but the feeling lingers that has been had All Joe Citizen sees is that tax bill never to stop climbing and that pothole down the road still hasn t been fixed When he calls the local works department lies told Sorry that a regional road He t remember that regional government and double digit inflation thesame time and so there is no real basis for comparison between county and regional budgets He also forgets that the regional system provides services never even dreamed of in the days of the county system When those services were first established he may have rejected them as unnecessary but six years later its a different story When budget cutbacks force reduction in service he the first to complain The dismantling of regional govern has become a political issue all on its own over the lost six years and no doubt this motion to revert to the old sewer system just another political move by Oakville and Burlington councillors who know hey have an election coming up Its time politicians stopped trying to make political hay out of past prejudices against regional government and looked to the future Maybe one or two of the can didates for regional council in the up coming election will ha the courage to tell the voters they intend to make regional government work for whole region not make it pay for their municipalities en Pepin conspicuously absent from constitutional talks By Stewart MacLeod tin wo Bureau I don l Know whether you have it this entire hub hub on the constitution including the fedenl provincial and all the about action the familiar fuc of Joan Luc has been Odd isn If It not thai I tpln should have a key constitutional role in his capacity is transport minister but considering a experience the constitution one would have thought that Prime Minister might have called on him onto or twice The least he could done was to let Pepin sit behind him at conference so the cameras have captured him deep in thought But the lime I caught sight of the minister was when he possible to Ottawa airport which Itsccms mayor may not be completed In the next six fcdirilpro constitutional in progress that lion wis well publicised but I would be to prove eve this I It-It- 1 What makes it so odd Is ll act thai is jusl a or in ago considered one of foremost train constitutional change Wl in forget Ihc 1 Task on Canadian Unit wl ich Jean I Pepin cochaired with Join the former prim ir of royal commission from to coast to the v ews of hundreds of Canadians before handing down comprehensive and far reaching million or Hie future of the country Willi possible exception of former senator Pepin was for a time moat sough after on constitutional And w hen Prune Minister TmdeaU was rt turned lo power following the general diction it was widely assumed that the bubbling woul be Hen a key role in rchjp the Canadian constitution Perhaps it was lly mentioned he would be in charge of federal I relations Or perhaps a new portfolio would be created so he could corn titrate solely on eonstilutionnl as we learned on many occasions I gs with the J rime minister What ho did was appoint Jean Luc Pepin is his transport minister horribly difficult that ml r lifeboat regulation the Crow West Kites not to mention oils Ottawa International SO GUM Pep look his new job just like a duck lakes to glib When I irl an i nt mercifully recessed the was still and sliding iihout ins apparent trip on his v here it outs e had developed an uncanny for not knowing he inswirs lo questions llul despite this one would assume the prune minister would not overlook his obvious expertise in constitutional and what better forum thin that break fedenlirovminl conference Surely lis opinions would be more valuable Hun hose say Stale Secretary John whose face frequently filled the lens Admittedly Pepin views exactly coincide of the prime minister particularly on language rights but despite tit transport minister obviously would have a great deal to alas he get opportunity When comes to matters of the constitution Prime Minister Trudeau doesn any great support staff It sort of a formal photo session revolving cast And Pepin simply dn l make it I don t he said so I won tell 1 have liked lo be of his belter Norton stirs up hornets nest with attack on social service Queens Park ivlng with money hungry status seeking social si rvlcts professionals appears hive provoked normally rded in public anyway Community indSoclal hi rvices Minister Norton In an interview with the Globe Mill Norton attacked social service professionalism for usurping family duties and roles the Globe is read by the higher of that profession he stirred a veritable hornets of response in the tellers column Anil unleashing such discussion is likely his intention Norton said terribly presump tuous lo believe thai three or four year degree in social work makes someone more lompctenl In of earing and makes families less competent linked with his fear thai professionals arc diminishing people sense of self responsibility Is a concern about service workers ignornntt of economic reality It anil difficult to get them lo understand are really flnile resources available They have to understand thai programs cost money and il I as to come from somewhere Norton has been involved In a running battle over social fundinp with a number of agencies and roups the latest and intense rants for day care in Metro Toronto Child care professionals and leathers looking for work hive been agitating make private daycare 1llcg1l on he grounds thai sued moments made by parents place for financial social rt n rejects such a view What makes these so called professions any better at day linn a kind mother tins successfully raised two or three Iren he asked What is wrong audi lakinf in children on private arrangement Fair enough especially daycare for everyone is a financial Impossibility But beyond the hi thai creeping profession 1 ism would Norton worries that It also a lack of confidence in the of people lo do things He stressed Invlnf aid taring the key ingredients in life one need lo be to deliver those services Not sun from lilUrs lo the risponses a number of social workers disagree The quality of opposition to Norton views may be weighed by noling their proclivity for using such shudder producing phrases as the taring induslrj and the helping professions ONI- However Norton did receive some lades the brickbats One 12 year veteran of the social service wrote that while professional ism is necessary for those in real need for many people it simply pendency Often piafesslonals make It easier and more acceptable for normal people relinquish self responsibility and lo look on the Livtrnnun as a provider protector and of all decisionmaker in llelrlivts And of course the friendly professional is there as guide for writer put reasonable The Hemic welcomes letters to the editor History From our files Tins week weather report is a char si eel in rain column and the weeks has been just about Ideal Sunday with an B0 rec temperature was only four degrees below the highest ever recorded for October farmers will have fire protection year of similar quillty to that enjoyed in towns if plans under discussion arc earned through M iton town council has sparked the idea of providing adequate protection for formers In that district and a series of meetings have been held the mailer has been thoroughly discussed Two new snow plows invented by resdeiLs of Counly will soon be on Tlcy will be developed by Manufacturing Company a private company formed by the inventors produce and sell them The plows arc specifically designed for farmers in plowing lanes and barnyards by towns and townships for road work warning has been Issued to young people in own lhal action will be taken should any break ins occur at the high school In future Twice recently children have entered Ihc building The week before last four were seen entering by a window which opened downstairs MIS AGO Grant Clark of Stevens Crescent yearold accountant has been named Eastern Canadian Champ on Sports Driver or Clark took the championship by the Racing Drivers Association by piloting bis converted Austin He lo five victories to score the maximum jOO ItvNTAMTOUItMi Georgetown step forward on hockey map during week when a bantam tournament is slated to bring in learns from a wide The under OMHA auspices will supplen similar events in and wh cater different age groups Coder established or some years has boosted thai towns name over he whole dominion well as in the Brampton its first tournament last jcar and w pleased with the results Superintendent of the School for Girls for the past 16 years Mrs Houston has retired At a recent banquet held in Toronto by the Hoard of Evangelism and Social honoring Mrs Houston board chairman of lobert Oliver ex rested gratitude for her devoted and capable leadership family numbers three and three quarters it the fraction that causing all the comment on the RIM farm of Agar Tiny is small border collie the Oslronders and he threequarters is one of her latest litter of pups part of a pup The Utile fellow is three weeks old black and Ion and perfect in every way except he was born without any front legs Wtat started out a a ha developed Into highly effective obsession at local police 100 lias become a magical number tabulation traffic officer Ted this week disclosed accident rate is down from la year and possibly be held to 1 figures this Air raid warn sirens will be installed here shortly At a meeting of the Georgetown Public School Hoard last week permission was granted by board lo the department of National Defence erect the sirens at Howard Wrjgglcsworlh Public School and George Kennedy Publ School TIN member delegation from the Line and 17 appeared before council Monday protesting the continued use of these roads as a designated truck route John spokesman for the group a pelitioi signed by per cent of the area res den Is seeking the transfer of the truck roult to from Highway 23 to Ihe third 1 aid west intc of Quarries County grave pit is one of three removed from the provincial government list of isalisfactory pit and quarry operations along agara However the removal from the I si makes no difference since the county no longer uses the pit Department of Mines said this week there is no point in forbiddmf operations the Hollon and fleet township pits since ther arc being used STl Die permit issued in during September totalled Two permits were for commercial buildings one for a television studio for Georgetown Cable TV which amounted to The studio will be built on the site of the present tower near top of Nerval Hill The Crown Attorney s office chose not to prosecute nine persons charged with impeding when they in court Charges were not withdrawn but the prosecution decision on the part of the Crown allows those charged lo go untried Council was not enthused about recommendation from committee of Adjust that the separation fee be Increased The deputy reeve said that just because neighboring municipalities have higher fees is no reason for lo raise lis fees Clerk French read out the fees In a adjoining municipalities charging Burlington and only charging the application fee The practice of hauling the treated sewage from the Georgetown treatment plant on Mountain view Road South spreading It on surrounding farmland his Mrs of boiling Mrs or open windows or doors because the smell is bo id People who the to be spread on heir properly are supposed lo plow It under right av but Is not being done she said The number of hunters allowed to come in from outside the tow has been cut to a Inckie fall in The legal minimum of resident hunting permits will be sold this fall on basis Last year Ihc north township sold over 1 licences to residents AGO Hills councillors found valuable somewhat ally In regional chairman Jack last week when he broke a tie vote to push the new sewer rite policy past strong opposition from ton Milton councillors Mr a resident Ignored Burlington Mayor Holy Bird charges that the revised rule schedule poses serious inequities for residents when new policy finally before regional 1 in ell last Wednesday alter years or preparation debate lhl 11 Children Aid Society CAS has been granted on initial concession in Its ongoing for funds following a nice tine with officials of the ministry of community and social services CAS trtasurer William told The Herald this week ministry lias agreed to allocate to Ihe to cover the salary of one senior staff member who will be engaged in child prevention Investigation until the end of ihis