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THE NEW TANNERTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2007 7THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 20076 GRAPEVINE The computer leprechauns struck my column last week. I just know my Liberal friends were frustrated that my pity observations regarding the new colours of their roadside signs were deleted. I intended to say that, like Tevye in Fiddler On The Roof, Liberals should respect tradition. Liberals are red; Tories are blue, etc. Whoever came up with the similar colour to the Family Coalition Party deserves, in my opinion, a swift boot in the arse. I promised last week to examine the whole principle of mixed mem- ber proportional or MMP. I should start by declaring my personal bias. After a close examination f the facts, I think this is the dumbest idea ever proposed for a referendum. It is also contrary to every concept of Democracy as I know it. On Oct. 10th, you will be asked to vote for a local candidate as usual. You will also be asked to choose between continuing the current electoral system or switching to a different electoral process. That be- ing Mixed Member Proportional or MMP. Currently, we have 107 MPPs. Now, no matter what your political learnings are, how many think we need another 22 MPPs in the house with all the additional expenses? Raise your hand if you think this is a good idea. I thought so. Each MPP, if you consider salaries, Queens Park office, Riding office, staff for both, expenses, sometimes Toronto apartments, etc, etc, will cost us in the $500,000 - $750,000 range. The revised legislature, if we are crazy enough to buy into this scheme, would see 90 members (MPPs) elected directly by the people. One problem I see here is that we would have to go through yet another horrendously expensive riding redistribution exercise. Why? Because we currently have 107 democratically elected MPPs. But that number would be reduced to 90. While some wags would say thats a good start, the ramifications are with Mike OLeary The Way I See It Make Yourself heard - Vote! severe. Fewer elected MPPs mean they have to service a larger number of Ontarians. So who are these 39 MPPs who would be the so-called List Mem- bers? I have no idea. No one does. Because they will be appointed, (anointed?) by the political parties. We have no opportunity to hear their views, their plans for the fu- ture nothing, nada! Just trust the political parties to do the right thing. Yeah, right! I think well get an assortment of failed candidates, political hacks, party bagmen, ideologues and the like. I dont know why theyre fool- ing around with all this MPP stuff. Why dont they just call it what it re- ally is? The Senate. And we all know how useful that August body is. So who do these 39 proposed List Members represent? No one, except the party who appointed them. What would they do? Nothing, as far as I can see. The elected MPPs would be representing you and I. I suppose these other people could go around cutting ribbons or making speeches. Like I said, its the senate but without jazzy robes. Some people say the new system would be fairer to the fringe parties who attract traditionally single digit support. Cry me a river. Theres a reason they cant get any candidates honestly elected. Their policies, and sometimes their people, are unacceptable to the majority of our citizens. You want to march to the tune of a different drummer? Fine, its a free country. Just stop whin- ing when very few others choose to march in your parade. We have the right to free choice too. You want to get a government that is representative of your friends and neighbours? Turn off the T.V., the radio and cancel your newspapers. Go and talk to the candidates. Look at their biographies and experience. Make an informed decision. Stop listening to red herring political strategies like Daltons A Liar, or the Faith Based Schools issue. I doubt Mr. McGuinty is a liar just like I doubt many of the faith based schools would subject themselves to the dictates of the Ministry of Education. We have real problems in our province. I am especially concerned about the impact the souring loonie is going to have on our manufactur- ing and information technology sectors. I am concerned about the proliferation of illegal handguns. Im incensed with the idiot drivers on our highways. I wish our cus- tom officers would concentrate on stopping drug smuggling instead of expending so much energy trying to catch someone with an extra bottle of booze in the trunk. I gave ol Noel a wee compliment last week but to me the Wellington- Halton Hills riding is a two person race. Ms. Bentley sounds like a fine person. Retired teacher, com- mitted church member, community volunteer, Ms. Bentley appears to be an outstanding citizen. But shes a political neophyte. Ted Arnott, on the other hand, has 17 years experience as an MPP. I can tell you that he has been very involved in our community for the past year. He shows up at various fundraisers and community open houses. He has worked with me at trying to obtain funding for our new Acton Agricultural Society Indoor Sports Field. He has also been in- volved with other local projects. These are serious times and we face serious issues. I think we need a person with the experience neces- sary to represent us to Queens Park. When you pick a doctor, you want one with vast and varied profes- sional experience. Ted Arnott is just what the doctor ordered. Police Office Moved New village Constable Chris Borak says the new Halton Police office is up and working on Queen Street East with a new call box outside the office. The old office downtown has been closed and the call box has been moved across Mill St. next to Links2Care. Constable Borak says the new office is not fully connected to all services yet, but will be soon, giving police a much better commu- nications network. He was formerly posted in Milton and Georgetown and is looking forward to an active polic- ing role as he cycles around town on his bicycle. Kids Safety First Oxford Learning Centre in George- town with be offering a two day Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid and CPR/AED Certification course on Sun. Oct. 14 and Sun. Oct. 28. The course will run from 9 a.m. 4 p.m., and will cost $110, which includes First Aid manual and certifi- cation card. This is a full CPR/AED course which includes infant, child and adult CPR level C, conscious and unconscious choking. You will learn basic first aid for cuts, scrapes, wounds, fractures, strains, sprains, and much more. This is taught at a learner-centered environment. Registration is first come first serve. CALL Catherine at (905) 877-4490. Go MAZE CRAZ-Y! On weekends, now through Oct. 21, visit Ontario farms for clean, green fun. Corn mazes, cedar mazes, straw bale mazes no left turn mazes, shapes like a moose mazes and more. Collect stamps from four participat- ing Maze Craze farms and enter to win a chance to be a Farmer for a Day. Go to www.mazecraze.ca to find a farm near you. Forty-two farms across Ontar- io have joined the Maze Craze, the Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Associations provincial program promoting the 42 Ontario farms with onsite mazes. Movie Madness at Halton Hills Public Library On Oct. 5, Kids are invited to spend their P.A. day watching a free movie a their local library. At 12 p.m. in the Acton Branch, kids can bring their lunch and munch to the movies. In Georgetown, the movie starts at 2 p.m. and will be shown in the John Elliott Theatre. Call the Acton Branch at (519) 853-0301 for details. October is Sign Up Month Adults and kids receiving their first Halton Hills Public Library card will receive a free surprise. Apply for a card online at www.library.hhpl.on.a or visit the Acton Branch at 17 River Street or the Georgetown Branch at 9 Church Street. Children must be ac- companied by a parent or guardian. Free Drop-In Programs at Library Halton Hills Public Library offers several free drop-in programs for grown-ups and young children to enjoy together. Family storytime will be held Tuesdays beginning Oct. 9 Nov. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Acton Community Centre. Community Updates The Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services of Halton provides confidential and non-judg- mental peer support to survivors of sexual assault. All services are FREE. For day or evening coun- selling appointments please call 905-825-3622. 24 Hour Crisis Line call 905-875-1555. Support Program for Family Caregivers Acclaim Healths four session dis- cussion series, facilitated by a nursing professional will help you de-stress if you provide care to an elderly parent, spouse, partner, relative or friend. There will be opportunity to exchange ideas, offer support and share experiences. Sessions every Wednesday from Oct. 17 Nov. 7, 1:30 3:30 p.m. at Martindale Gardens, 45 Martin Street, Milton. To register call (905) 827-8800 ext. 2310. CMHA CMHA is offering peer support for individuals with mood disorder. Weekly meetings are offered at 42 Mill Street from 7:30 8:30 p.m. every 2nd and 4h Thursday of the month. For more information call (519) 853-9793 LCBO Raises Funds Starting Oct. 1, all 600 LCBO stores throughout Ontario will support the cause for missing and exploited children. Child Find On- tario donation boxes will be displayed at LCBo checkout counters until Oct. 31, providing the public opportunity to donate to the prevention of child luring by predators. Burlington Cadet Officer Charged A commissioned Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC) officer of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Corps had been charged with scandalous and dis- graceful conduct under the National Defence Act (NDA). Lieutenant (Navy) Ralph Edwards of Burlington, Ontario, has been charged with two counts of scandal- ous conduct by an officer, contrary to Section 92 of the NDA and two counts of disgraceful conduct, con- trary to Section 93 of the NDA. During an international exchange program in July 2006, where the accused was assigned to escort a group of Canadian Sea Cadets to the Netherlands, he is alleged to have influenced and financially assisted several male sea cadets aged 15-16 in obtaining the services of prostitutes during a visit to Amsterdam. Free Seminar Halton Healthcare Services are offering health education seminar on cataracts and glaucoma for free on Thurs. Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. The seminar will be held in the Activity Room at Georgetown Hospital, 1 Princess Anne Drive, Georgetown and will be feature Dr. Rajiv Bindlish, Ophthal- mologist as speaker. RUN BABY RUN: MSB Principal Sharon French leads the pack at the schols Terry Fox Run Last Friday - Gord Dowling photo