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Page 6 — Halton Hills This Week, Saturday, October 9, 1993 Opinion = Hat ts This Week, HIS WEEK Georgetown, Ont. L7G 481, PUBLISHER: Ken Bellamy EDITOR: Colin Gil PRODUCTION MANAGER: Kathleen, Topolsek —< GReuLaTion MANAGER: Marie Shadbolt are ie HILLS THIS WEEK IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED. PHONE: 87: Let’s make up our own minds Very seldom will I reply directly in this space to a letter writer’s laments, criticism, opinion or simple, ‘get-it-off- yee submissions to our newspaper. I set up an ‘Opinion’ rather-than an caller section was so we could offer our readers a forum — without restraint — to air their views on any number of subjects — no tice beatie T felt — and still do - this was ibility not only to Part o' wspaper’s its readers, but to the ‘cominaaiy #3 Without differing opinions, ‘without discussion, Saar even dissent, without our much-touted freedom of speech dictums (which are, in fact, not as free as rroclained) how are we, as Canadians, going to be able to survive as free- thinking entity, in a world somehow brainwashed and gone mad where so-called ‘political correctness’ (in a number of forms) takes precedent over people! In our Wednesday edition, letter writer Rosaleen Garneau suggests I join a political party if I really am concerned about Canada. Not on a bet will I ever join a political party — mainly because of the inbreeding which produces, as an example, former Prime Minister Baffle Baloney, now comfortably ensconced in a Montreal villa. Or how about former Liberal Prime Minister John Turner? He lasted roughly two-and-a-half months (the shortest reign of a Canadian Prime Minister) and was another ‘prime example’ of the rot in the political party sys- cm 0 can forget the political knifing-in-the-back of Joe Clark, arguably the most honest politician in recent lian memory. Clark was backstabbed and backroomed to death by those in the PC party who demanded that BM be the PM — the backroom boys were all unelected poutics! eunuchs don’ eo yw, but Serine -blue party members. eau writes, “ rmore, the stands on various issues ee the parties wows: are drawn from its members, sik also elect the riding representatives and leader of the a beg to differ. If Ms. Garneau is using ridings, or their representatives, as evidence of democracy within the existing recognized political parties, or assumes their wishes or desires will be carried out (or even given the time of day) by the party higher-ups, I suggest she is dreaming in technicolor. I have already gotten flak for a perceived. knock on British wartime leader Winston Churchill in my column last weekend, so what the ran let’s offer a Churchill quote on his advice to party faith! “Promise them pie to get elected and once elected, ee an you have good excuses why you cannot keep the Pound familiar? Prime Minister-designate Kim Campbell decreed to rid- associations in Quebec she would not allow certain can- didates to seek re-election. Reform party leader Preston Manning has pulled the same strong-arm tactic in overrul- ing riding association’s choices of candidates. And Liberal leader Jean Chretien has parachuted preferred (by the party not the riding associations) candidates into a number of Canada-wide ridin; Along the same line, former prime ministers Brian Mulroney and John Turner, as well as current Liberal leader Jean Chretien, were smuggled into safe ridings to ensure a seat in the House of Commons. For a local riding association, or a local candidate, for that matter, to exist and survive (in our present political party dictatorship) it must kow tow to the party powers- that-be to have access not only to the national party’s funds but also to its supposed expertise in administrative and political matters, to survive. Freedom of thought is frowned upon. The credo is “What’s worked in the past, will work again, don’t rock the boat!” - You also have a form of nepotism at. the local riding association levels — which is what the national party want — where sons and daughters follow in the same sleepwalk- ing path their mothers and fathers wandered — never ques- tioning, never allowing free thought to flow. With all due respect. to Ms. Garneau, I will continue in my practice not to align myself with a political party. I will continue to freely exercise my, options in terms what a political party or a local candidate.can offer; not only to the betterment of our community, but for Canada tain my option to change my mind and I stead- aN refuse to accept a political doctrine just because someone else (purporting to know better) insists it is for my own good. Tam an individual, not a lemming. I can make up my own mind! . : Colin Gibson FAX:873-3918 The People’s Corner Resident unhappy with council decision To the Editor: Recently (4 October 1993) I attended a General Committee Meeting, Town of Halton Hills, at which the subject of th MacKenzie/Ferraro devel- opment on James Street in Georgetown was discussed. At that meeting a report ~ from the Planning Dept. was received by council. This report recommended the acceptance of a Zoning By- law. Amendment. which allows Mr. MacKenzie and Mr. Ferraro to develop their property on James Street. This amendment also allows that development to reach a maximum height of eight stories. There are several aspects of this development which concern me. First, the Urban Area Study, which the Town of Halton Hills paid many thousands. of dollars for, recommends that 40 u.p.a. (units per acre) and 6 stories be a maximum for the downtown core area. Why, then, does the Planning Dept. make a rec- ommendation for 8 stories? Second, yes, the down-__ there is some way in which town core.of Georgetown certainly does need develop- ment, but reasonable, ratio- nal development which pre- serves the very unique char- acter and ambiance of ae downtown col Construction of the 8 ‘tory buildings, no matter how you slice it, will dwarf and destroy the character of that area! Third, I am most cha- grined at the behavior of some councillors who seem to have only commercial interests at heart and who do not have the courage to stand up against the avarice and greed of some develop- ers. These developers seem only to see the $$ signs and blatantly disregard the ideas and concerns of those who have to live with the conse- quences of their greed!! Fourth, it strikes me as very sad that our councillors spent an hour debating how to word a smoking by-law and only 15 minutes on a development rezoning which will have much more far-reaching effect. Last, I would hope that Debt reduction the key To the Editor: After attending two all- candidates meetings, I have come to the conclusion that the candidates all want the same thing - they want Canadians to get out of — debt, reduce debt so you can reduce our taxes and we small business people will do the rest! the developers and the com- munity will be able to agree on some terms whereby the public, especially those in the nearby area, is reassured that this proposed monstros- ity will be modified. Mrs. Ruth Kuchinad Georgetown Be realistic on development To the Editor: Is it only during an elec- tion year when politicians acknowledge the concerns of the people? Last Monday evening, town councillors endorsed the construction of an eight story apartment (83 unit) complex in downtown Georgetown. This was done on advice of the Planning Department but with no regard for the input of the area residents. For three years the Remembrance Park area residents, as well as RAIDD and other concerned parties, have promoted development but on a smaller scale - a scale that would enhance the core area and not detract from its unique environ- ment. We do not wish our town to become another Milton, Oakville or Brampton. Many of the long-time resi- dents and certainly the new- comers have settled here to avoid the crowding and the environment of high rise developments. town development be limit- ed to 40 units per acre and a height of 6 stories. For this site that would realize 56 units. This is still large by neighborhood standards, but a compromise we could live with. When will the Town, The Planning Department and the developers listen to the compromise? For those who suggest this is only “site specific” I say, be realistic.” This is simply opening the flood gates to more high rise development in our town. If the rules can be manip- ulated once, then surely it will happen again. “Not in my back yard” you say. Think again. It could very well be! For those people who care about the future develop- ment of this town I would suggest they come out to Tuesday’s council meeting when this will be decided. Remember, we are not trying to stop development, only to ensure it is responsi- Rob Carwardine The Urban Review Study, bk d ibl Vice President sanctioned by the Town, Dl¢ and compatible to our Trans Send Freight had representation of 17 town, Systems Ltd. interest groups. This study Cheryl Potosky that down- Georgetown and make government mote responsive. Maybe I am naive, but it seems to me that if there was an obvious solution, they would all do it. So - it all comes down to how each candidate’s party proposes to achieve these oals. Take jobs, for instance. The Liberal candidate says the government needs to be involved in job creation. So does the N.D.P. candidate. Our PC-MP, Garth Turner, the Reform candidate and the Libertarian candidate all say government has no business in job creation. I believe the truth is that governments do not d most things well, including create jobs. Businesses, par- ticularly small businesses, are the ones who create lasting jobs but they need the taxman off their backs to do it. T heard Garth Turner say, at the all-candidates meet- ing, that Jean Chretien’s plan, if it is successful, will provide 3 per cent of those unemployed with jobs. What about the other 97 per cent? Bob Rae tried. it in Ontario and it didn’t work. Come on folks - reduce our i) Blood clinic a success To the Editor: Thank you very much for publicizing the Acton Blood Donor Clinic held Sept. 30. We'really appreci- ate your help in getting’ the word out. One hundred and six peo- ple attended the clinic and 103 units of blood were col- lected. This is somewhat less than we had hi for but the prevalence of the flu and colds in the community made this a realistic result. We look forward to our next clinic on Dec. 16 and to seeing all of our donors healthy again. Thanks v much to our dedicated corps of volunteers who make the clinic work, Acton Canadian Tire for their spontorsbip, P.R.E.view Video, Tim Horton’s Donuts, Acton IGA and the rest of the town merchants who sup- port this endeavor. Geo! Clinic Convener The end is near To the Editor: Having just pimesees | ve latest Canada AM phon show on CTV with Preston Manning, the thought strikes me that more than ever we are witnessing the end of the Jurassic Age in Canadian politics. The Armageddon of. Reform versus the three old dinosaur parties is at hand. Torysaurus, Liberalsaurus and NDP-usaurus all have gorged too long on higher spending and higher taxes, taking our bread and leaving us the crumbs for our own good; their insatiable bellies are never filled. Reform has now got these impostors and vampires fighting and howling for their very lives. The people of Canada will give them the big chop on election day as they did a year ago on the Charlottetown Accord refer- endum. Press on, Preston, the people are with you to win, this time for keeps! Clarence Gilkes Bolton Halton Hills This Week welcomes your letters. Letters must be signed and include your full name and address. Names will be withheld on request. Halton Hills This Week reserves the right to edit, revise, or reject any letters on the basis of factual errors, punctuation, spelling errors or as a result of space limitations. Letters Welcomed - your ley to: The Editor Halton Hills This Week 232 Guelph St., Unit 9 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Or fax to: 905-873-3918