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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2006 THE NEW TANNER 7 GRAPEVINE with Mike OLeary The Way I See It Tongue trips Turner Garth Turner stumbled over his tongue again, was turfed from the Federal Conservative Party, and is sitting as an in- dependent M.P. Quel surprise! When Turner was elected in the last federal election I wondered how long he would take to run afoul of his old party. Turner was our M.P. in Acton during the Mulroney years. We had a bit of a history, Garth and I. I first met Garth Turner while he was mainstreeting on Mill St. where we had a retail store. I was washing the front window and wearing a Sun newspaper sweatshirt I had won at a golf tournament. He approached me, said he liked my shirt, and asked for my support. I remember that conversa- tion like it was yesterday. I said Garth, I will support you on one condition. I ask you to represent the people of this rid- ing to Ottawa. I am tired of our M.P. parroting the party line and representing Ottawa to us. And my new friend Garth promised he would champion the ridings wishes. I upheld my end of the bargain. Shortly after taking office then M.P. Turner seemed to be drifting away from his consis- tency and began playing Ottawa political games. He eventually became a minister, revenue I think, and things in my opinion went from bad to worse. Then came the G.S.T. I wrote my M.P. and pleaded with him not to impose this tax on us. The G.S.T. will be revenue neutral with the old manufacturers sales tax (M.S.T.). Additionally, the G.S.T. will not be hidden, like the old M.S.T., but rather will be shown on every receipt. As someone who had been involved in retail my whole working life I knew the G.S.T. would be disastrous to retail in general. I tried to make that point to everyone who would listen. I even wrote to liberal senators who were threatening to stop the G.S.T. legislation. We all know the results of the imposition of the G.S.T. Brian Muldoon became the most distrusted Prime Minister in our history. Lyin Brian remember? The Tories under Kim Campbell were decimated in the next elec- tion. Muldoon had wisely taken a powder from politics by them. The Tories went from a majority to holding their caucus meetings in a phone booth. Was this all due to the G.S.T.? Probably not, there were many other screw-ups by the Tories during that time. For me, the G.S.T. debacle, and other ill-conceived legislation, was the last straw. Editorially I switched allegiances to the Liber- als and fledgling reform parties. I swore I would never vote for a Federal Conservative and didnt until Mike Chong came along. I closed my store along with thou- sands of other retailers. I put a sign in the front window: Forced out of business by Garths Stupid Tax. So much for history. Last week M.P. Turner was unceremoni- ously dumped by his Conservative colleagues. His sin was that he refused to toe the party line, criti- cized Conservative practices and policies and broke caucus confi- dentially. Turner has held many town hall meetings and ap- parently is speaking out for his constituents wishes. At least he has learned to dance with the ones what brung ya. Although I still disagree with some of M.P. Turners positions and policies, I have to give grudg- ing appreciation to his style. Early on in the term he developed an internet site devoted to promoting his ideas and ideals. He showed a M.P.s tour of Parliament and generally has been innovative in communicating with his con- stituents and the world. Turner has never been shy about self- promotion. If, in fact, he has been breaking caucus confidentiallity protocols I do have a problem with that. In some cases it is necessary for governments to discuss items in confidence. Party caucus meet- ings allow members to speak openly, criticize party policies, float ideas, etc. without fear of public exposure. Governments are supposed to conduct their business in a trans- parent manner. There is some information, however, that needs to be closely kept. Financial markets, real estate transactions, national security issues and the like can detrimentally affect our lives if details are leaked in advance. I dont know if Garth was leaking important or any in- formation. I havent wasted my time checking out his blog. But if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck it must be a duck. Turner hasnt denied any of the allegations made so far as I know. I imagine things would be different had Turner been given the nod for a cabinet post in the Harper government. It was said he was furious when the previ- ous Liberal Minister crossed the floor right into Harpers cabinet. To paraphrase the old saying: Hell hath no fury like a Garth scorned. Mr. Turner is now said to be talking to the Green Party about joining them. Current Green Party leader Elizabeth May could come to regret such a move. For Mr. Turner though, the Green opportunity might just be a good fit. He would be the only Green Party M.P. in the house of commons. At last, hed be the one in charge. Speaking of federal politics: is anyone else fed up with the ongoing drama surrounding GIFT OF LIFE: Actons Dan Dolliver making his 27th donation was one of 75 people who gave blood at the clinic last Thursday at the Acton Legion. Grateful for his donation were, from left, Ca- nadian Blood Service volunteer Joyce Buchanan, phlebotomist Debbie Seymour and clinic volunteers Julia Roehrig, Heather Morris-Stokes and Fran Morris. Frances Niblock photo FREE FUN Parents of Acton area pre- schoolers can enroll their kids in a free weeklong play school run by supervised students taking a Liv- ing and Working With Children course at Acton High School. Parents are invited to stay and watch, or they may leave their kids with the students who will be supervised by their teacher during the hour-long session that will include games, songs, books, circle time and a snack. For more information call Marsha Schnekenburger at 519- 853-2920. SUCCESSFUL CLINIC Six first time donors were among the 88 people who attended the clinic at the Acton Legion last Thursday. Grateful Canadian Blood Ser- vices staff accepted blood from 75 of the people, making it one of the best clinics in a long time. The next clinic just in time for Christmas is December 21. Call 1-888-2donate to book an appointment. FREE SWIM Acton area seniors can float, stroke and splash for free at the Acton Indoor pool tomorrow, thanks to Purity Life. The Town, with the generous support of Purity, is offering a free swim from 12 noon to 1 p.m. to help publicize some of the se- niors programs on offer this fall, including Sweat and Swim, and Recreational Swim. For more information call 905- 873-2601 ext.2275. MIRACLE VIEWING While only Toronto and Scar- borough Rogers Cable subscribers were able to see the stories of two Acton residents who are alive today because of life saving transplants when their stories aired earlier this month, the life-saving tales can be seen on the Internet site of the Toronto General and Western Hospital Foundation. The medical miracles that gave a new heart to Mike MacDonald and new lungs to Sara Murray, are detailed in interviews aimed at highlighting lifesaving procedures and devises at the hospital. Their stories can be seen at www.uhn.ca/donate/tgwh/site Look for UHN stories set to air on Rogers under the Whats New section on the right side of the screen. ACE ATHLETES Congrats to Acton athletes Sean Terry, Evan Lavallee, Thomas Harding and Riley McGilloway, members of the Halton Hills Midget Field Lacrosse Team Ontario that captured the 2006 National Championship Alumni Cup. The Town at a municipal awards ceremony honoured the team on Monday. They also received appreciation certificates from Federal Sports Minister, Wel- lington- Halton Hills MP Michael Chong. FIREMEN SAY THANKS A hypnotist had one subject translating Martian and another swatting an imaginary fly during a party hosted by the Acton Fire- fighters Association at the Acton Legion on Saturday night. Firefighters wined and dined local business owners whose continuing generosity helps make the annual Canada Day fireworks display better and better, and members of the Kinsmen Club of Acton who helped collect dona- tions. LIMEHOUSE FEAST Dont wait to get your ticket if you plan to attend the annual roast beef dinner at the Limehouse Memorial Hall on November 2 in past years theyve had full sittings for the popular full-course dinner that includes delectable homemade deserts. Proceeds from the dinner, with sittings at 5 and 6:30 p.m., will help pay to maintain the hall, which will need new windows in the near future. For information call 905-877- 2101. BRUNCH TIME One of the best deals in town happens Sunday when St. Joseph School and the Kinette Club of Acton serve up an all-you-can-eat $6 buffet at the monthly Acton Community Brunch. The school will help the Ki- nettes cook, serve and clean up in exchange for a share of the proceeds from the popular brunch that runs from 9:30 to 1 p.m., at the Acton arena/community centre. CORINTHIANS CALLING Cannon Mark Tiller becomes St. Paul during a presentation of St. Pauls First Letter to the Chris- tians in Corinth tomorrow (Friday) at St. Albans Anglican Church. In costume, Cannon Tiller pres- ents an 80-minute monologue as St. Paul that includes many familiar verses often used at fu- nerals and weddings, including the popular love is patient, love is kind The dramatic presentation is a fundraiser for the Primate World Relief Development Fund that is currently focusing on providing clean drinking water around the world. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available to the door. SMA FUNDRAISER Tickets are available for the Angel Gala for Spinal Muscular Atrophy on November 11 at Glen- cairn Golf and Country Club on Highway 25. The fundraiser includes a din- ner, dance and both a live and a silent auction. Call Theresa for ticket informa- tion at 519-853-9718 Continued on page 9