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THURSDAY. OCTOBER 28, 1999 GRAP]I Old hardware sold The deal to sell 43 Mill Street East. last home to Home Hardware. closes February 2000, but the new owner's name remains a closely guarded se- cret, Acton real estate agent Damian Nikic said he couldn't disclose the new owner's name without permis- sion. Nikic said the building, with two upstairs apartments, was owned since 1973 or 1974 by the Kinal family of Acton which operated the hardware store until the business, but not the building, was purchased in 1996 by Bill Manes who moved to a new build- ing in east Acton earlier this year. Nikic wouldn't confirm or deny the purchasers are from out of town, but did say they intend of open a busi- ness in the 2.600-square-foot store. Indigo bound The five Acton seniors featured in a Halton Living History book and the McKenzie-Smith Bennett stu- dents who wrote their stories have been invited to the Indigo book store in Burlington on Wednesday for the launch of the book, an International Year of the Older Person project. Grade 8 students from Halton pub- lic and Catholic school boards inter- viewed seniors -- many of them Citi- zens of the Year -- to ask about their history, their youthful memories and opinions on life today. MSB teacher Mike Johnston offered the enrichment project to his English class as an in- teresting look at history. Each participant, the school and local libraries will receive a copy of the book that includes interviews with George Elliott, Joan Waldie Jenkins. Mac Sprowl, George Lee and Nan Hurst. Funeral home plans Bob and Margaret MacKinnon promise a less corporate and more small town approach to funerals now that they have purchased Shoemaker Funeral Home from Arbor Funeral Services. The MacKinnons are in the process of renovating the second floor as the family home. Bob MacKinnon, in funeral services since 1961, operated the North York and Scarborough Funeral Centres before HV IN deciding to move to Acton. His wife Margaret. who will commute to her job in Toronto four days a week, also has funeral service background and their son David, in the funeral busi- ness for seven years, will also help out. MacKinnon said he expects to be very involved with the community "L would say we're going back to the Bruce and Rhoda Shoemaker type of funeral service." MacKinnon said. adding the Shoemakers were some of the first people through the door to welcome them when they ar- rived in Acton. Business celebrations George Torok, host and creator of the weekly radio show "Business in Motion" hosts a lunch and learn semi- nar tomorrow (Friday) at the Blue Springs Golf Club, the wrap-up event for Small Business Week. Torok will share his secret of power marketing. For tickets call the Chamber of Com- merce at 877-7119. The gift of life A round of applause for the 81 people-- many of them regulars -- who donated blood at last week's clinic at the Acton Legion. There were quite a few deferrals, but 61 units of blood were collected and clinic chair Julia Roehrig says thanks to the donors and volunteers who helped. The next clinic is February 16. Calling all floats Santa will be in Acton November 20 and wants lots of floats in his an- nual parade, sponsored by the Acton Fire Fighters. This year's theme is a Turn of the Century Christmas,. and best overall float wins $100 and maybe even a front page picture in The New Tanner. The best floats in the school, commercial, service club and "other" category share $200 in prize money. Organizers would like entries in by Nov. 13, and the regis- tration form states "no political or protest groups" are allowed. Santa Claus parade chair Bill Spielvogel expects seven bands this year and stiff competition for top float. To enter a float or band in the parade call 853-2924 before Novem- ber 13. Keep cats inside on Hallowe'en night While hobgoblins and ghosts are out this Hallowe'en, it's safer to keep your cats indoors, according to the Humane Society of Canada. "In years gone by, cats have been the victims of pranksters or cruel fanatics," said HSC Executive Director, Michael O'Sullivan, whose family owns two cats, "Ash' and 'Pasha'. While all cats are at risk, Black, white and orange coloured cats may be targeted by those involved in ritual cults," he explained. "These people believe that Hallowe'en is a special night with some kind of dark magical significance. The last thing you want is for them to get their hands on your cat." And with so many young children knocking on doors trick-or-treating, it's easy for your cat to slip outside. He advises placing your cats in a separate room of the house with their favourite toys to keep them occupied. Your cats may not have the full run of the house for several hours but they'll be much safer. Well meaning children returning home often want to share their can- dies with their furry friends. "As a parent with a young son and daugh- ter, I carefully sort though all of their candies and let our children feed spe- cial treats to our own cats," he cau- tioned. "Many cats have sensitive stomachs and will react badly to can- dies or chocolate." So play it safe. Enjoy the innocent fun that Hallowe'en offers and keep your cats happily and safely in- doors," said O' Sullivan. Commuter is not happy To the Editor, I commute from Acton to Brampton every day.. Along my travels I have watched numerous homes being built. What frustrates me is since about Novem- ber °98 I have watched the 'NEW' Credit Union being built .... and it's still not finished. To me it looks bad EEO on the contractors and Credit Union. Does this frustrate anyone else? Acton Resident ad Band prepares for busy season By JENNIFER MITCHELL Acton Citizens' Band Ballinafad - What would Christ- mas be without the familiar sound of the Acton Citizens' Band? In the Acton and Georgetown Santa Claus Parades you know that the big man himself is on his way when the Acton Citizens' Band in their bright red par- kas pass by playing a lively Christ- mas march. It's October as I write this and al- ready the band is preparing for the busy Christmas season. Santa Claus parades in Acton, Georgetown and Burlington, playing for the Acton Seniors' dinner on Nov. 30, carolling on Dec. 22 and of course, the annual Christmas concert on Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Acton Legion. More about the concert later. I've been playing with the band since I was 15, going on nine years now. Band members have come and gone, the repertoire changes from year to year but one thing remains constant; the band's mission to pro- vide the community with entertain- ment and interested persons with the opportunity to play with one of the most unique groups in the province. I say unique because we are one of the few community concert/marching bands left and we are definitely one of the oldest. At 127 years the Acton Citizens' Band keeps it's members young. At practice there is a special bond between the young members and the members who are young at heart The band currently has approxi- mately 50 members on record and we are always welcoming new players. There are also beginner classes avail- able for those who wish to learn to play an instrument. Anyone inter- ested in joining the band or a begin- ner class should contact bandmaster George Elliott at (519) 853-0365. As mentioned earlier, the Acton Citizens' Band will be holding its an- nual Christmas concert on Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Acton legion. This year the concert will feature not only the band but also the St. Joseph's Church Choir and Rod's Country Classics and Friends, an olde tyme country music groups. We look forward to seeing the community out to the Legion on the 28". If you've never been to an Acton Citizens' band concert, the time to attend is now. It's our last concert of the millennium and we are looking to enter the year 2000 in perfect pitch. Some years ago she wrote a book titled "It takes a Village to Raise a Child". although I don't agree that government should have a more active role in raising our children, I do subscribe to the theory that, as adults, we have a responsibility to provide a secure societal environ- ment for all children. The safety of our little ones should be a primary concern of each and every one of us. Recent events lead me to be- lieve that we're doing a lousy job of protecting children. =~ In poll after poll Canadians say they have little or no confidence in our justice system, especially the judiciary. A recent decision con- cerning one Alvin James, 29, is a good example. James is convicted of 19 charges connected to the sexual assaults on six male teens. The Crown tried to have him de- clared a dangerous offender. That would have seen him jailed indefi- nitely. Justice Patricia German said the law is intended to segregate criminals who are so i le that society must be protected from them, but James doesn't fit the cri- teria. At the same time Justice Ger- man observed that James sub- jected his victims to "degrading sexual activity". I would love to ask Justice Ger- man why 19 assaults on children don't qualify this pervert as a dan- gerous offender? I wonder how many assaults this cretin will be allowed to make on children before Justice German, and others like her, will take this predator off the street for good. Since the Charter of Rights was introduced even deviant behaviour is being defined as an inalienable right. Consider the case, recently tuled on by the B.C. Supreme Court, which allows the possession of child pornography. It is a crime to make child porn but isn't to pos- sess it. What a ridiculous situation. It is as obvious as the nose on your face that in order for somebody to possess child porn a child first has ei be assaulted and victimized, In fos e Stand up for children ivan asion, with lary CHigetE weaK The Way I See It with Mike O'Leary the judicial stampede to enshrine in- dividual rights (no matter how bizarre) however, the victims are given little or no consideration. The Federal government has shown itself to be a Paper Tiger on this matter. Many MPs have been de- manding that new legislation be passed to protect our young. The government prefers to study the is- sue. In the meantime more children are being sexually abused to fill the demand for this of filth. I think this is where we are failing the children of Canada and the world. Ifthe federal government would take strong and effective action to close that loopholes the demand, and thereby the supply of child porn, would diminish. But they won't be- cause public reaction to this issue has been a collective ho-hum. It doesn't affect us directly so why get into a lather about it? It's a pretty crummy world when raising the cable TV rates causes a national crisis but child abuse provokes little or no national debate. Oh we bitch and moan and complain about these issues in the coffee shops and kitchens of our na- tion. But few will take the 10 minutes to get involved and phone MP Reed (875-3393) to make your views known. I have a very high opinion of Mr. Reed as an honourable man but he, like all politicians, needs the am- munition of public opinion to move this issue onto the front burner. You can bet the mortgage that those who want to see any and all kinds of por- nography legalized are lobbying like crazy. You also have to raise your voice of decency and if you can't or won't be bothered I have only one question. If not you - who? Who will save the children? ES School Board officials in Ham- ilton were. shocked when the mother of a 12-year-old boy went into a classroom and threatened another lad who and been intimi- dating her son. My only surprise is that this hasn't happened more often. School life to-day is nothing like it was when I was a tad of a lad. Sure, we had our bullies but disputes were settled in the schoolyard and then usually for- gotten. Nowadays kids who fight back are often in more trouble than their tormenters. I don't agree with direct action by parents against children but I know the level of frustration out there is just below the boiling point. I don't believe for one minute that either of the two moms in- volved in the incidents in Hamil- ton would have hurt those kids. But the school boards had better start acting on these situations before they escalate. Too many good kids are so victimized they are afraid to go to school. The tor- menters think they are immune to any punishment because they are young offenders and have no re- spect for the authorities. Police in Hamilton called the mom's actions "stunning". Unless the schoolyard becomes a safer place I fear we will see more adult intervention. Parents are only go- ing to see their kids pushed around so far. It's not the correct action but once a mother thinks her child is in real jeopardy then look out. Anyone who thinks this reaction is stunning is stunned. Kea I hardly ever quote the CBC but, on a lighter note, regular read- ers will know I love to tag politi- cians with nick-names. I'm still bit- ter about MP Reed's inability to get me the Governor General gig so imagine my delight when the "Air Farce" gang tagged Madame Clarkson after the throne speed. They dubbed the new G.G. "Yoda". Delicious - no? Zz