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Garth gets settled in Ottawa A Tilt- lit T1A1 11 day December age OTTAWA Dorothy and the dog and I arrived here a few days ago It a really an Impressive city full of massive stone public buildings and carved by waterways and wide boulevards Parliament Hill of course Is spec tacular We drove straight there found a parking spot and piled out of the car I have been to this hill many times In the past Usually It was to come here and write about the latest budget Sometimes it was to give testimony to a Commons committee More than once- it was to lead a public pro test But this time was coming as the first MP for Hal ton Peel and that felt more than wonderful The two of us walked through the door and were Immediately but rounded by several security guards 1 said I was a new member as they call them here and then rcalii why they were looking suspicious We driven straight from the farm and I was wearing Jeans my cowboy boots and a Jacket bought at the to carry firewood Into the house 1 guess I looked more like a hick than a politician and It took them a few moments to believe me Well since then I figured It was best to wear a suit with my boots and a lot has happened I was sworn in as an MP last Wednesday In the chambers of the Speaker of the House moved into my Pari Lam en tary office which overlooks the Bank of Canada Now can keep a real eye on Interest rates 1 ve been to caucus meetings with all the government members and 1 have started to Icam Just how massive and responsible this Job Is The demands In Ottawa are intense I have to be on duty at appointed times In the Commons sit on com attend endless meetings answer mountains of mall and 1 On The Hill have a great deal to learn about how government operates and what an MP can accomplish Once I know the system 1 figure then It can be used to achieve real goals That exactly why I got Into this thing In the first place I am writing this lust before the House of Commons sits Tor the first time Soon we all be debating free trade once again and the House will remain until the legislation Is passed by both the Commons and the Senate What that means is the Christmas holidays for MPs here could be restricted a single day This is quite the Job it took six ths of struggle to get here haven t had a paycheque since September and now Chr could be little more than a hiccup between the bellows of MPs But I am still glad to be here and grateful to those who helped moke it happen I sow number of them last Mon day at the Inaugural Meeting of Coledon Council It was a wonderful made special by the fact over citizens came out to see and hear their councillors take an oath to serve them selflessly 1 love to see people take an interest in democracy and the political process Mayor Kolb the councillors and the firefighters there to be awarded must have felt the same looking out with me over the sea way It of fact That same night of Milton and Hal I on Hills were meeting and 1 would have loved to have been there as well But as we all know this riding is huge and sometimes important con As I said before all 1 can do Is my best I met with Canada Post officials here In the wake of the postal outlet closing the other day and let them know that rural mall service is Important to me We had a good meeting and I came away with a clear sense that they will try to come up with a good solution Believe me the story Is not writ ten yet Several people have talked me as well about Brazil and the rain forests and the role Canada might be playing As you know the rain forests are the world a lungs helping lo generate the oxygen we breathe There are interests In Brazil which want to clear out vast tracts of the forests and usher in development They have asked the World Bank for a loon to do so and Canada has a say in approval of that loan Which side should we take My vote Is with the rain forests So for friends the Journey to the Hill has been so memorable and so moving My days now are Intensely busy but they are filled with pur pose 1 am looking forward to Saying in the House of Commons what I In Acton high school at Humber vlew GDHS and at Herb Camp bell about free trade The deal is the Dorothy Joins me in wishing you a terrific holiday season and she hopes you don have to debate countervailing trade duties on Christmas eve the way I might have to 1 hope that too and I also hope you don t drink and drive this if councils In life in everything Its all in the cards Protect yourself this Christmas The saying goes that it is better to give than to receive During the holt day season many Canadians use their credit cards to purchase gifts but Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada tells that you ore giving without knowing It that another matter This con happen if someone charges purchases to your credit card account without your or if you don t fully appreciate the Interest costs charged tor using your credit card Recently the Minister of Con sumer and Corporate Affairs vie Andre announced that his department would begin providing Canadians with regular information on the cost of using their credit cards Most consumers do not know the real cost of using credit cards and end up paying more than they should Since the Ministers announce ment the department has published a brochure Choosing a Credit Card Tips to Remember sponsored a federalprovincial discussion paper on credit card interest charges and released regular bulletins on credit card costs More recently the Minister announced a joint industry and government in illative to distribute Information to consumers on how to protect themselves against credit card theft and fraud Most of us are aware of the tial cost of losing a credit card But what about the costs of using one Did you real I for example that when you pay only part of your bill you an generally charged interest on the full amount Some depart stores will subtract the amount calculating than half card companies such as VISA Mastercard charge Interest from the day you make your purchase Department stores on the other hand start the interest clock ticking at the date of your monthly slate- Thus ihe way interest is charged on department store cards may off set tneir higher interest rate of typically per cent This would be the case if you pay off your Christmas purchases within a few months Typical rotes for VISA and Mastercard range from per cent to a per cent Of course you can ovoid interest charges entirely If you pay ihe full balance within the grace period This begins at the date of the monthly statement and is usually days for department store cards and days for VISA and Mastercard Otherwise be aware that your credit card Is a relatively expensive source of credit Some cards have additional charges such as transaction fees or annual fees You can save on credit card costs by keeping well informed the terms and conditions that apply to the cards you use This in formation Is provided with your monthly statement and you con con tact the credit card Issuer to clarify any aspects hat you find confusing to avoid being the victim of credit card fraud here are a Tew tips to keep In mind Examine each sales draft before signing it to ensure that your receipt Includes the total amount of your purchases Including taxes so that additional amounts cannot be added later Avoid signing blank sales drafts and moke sure that an Incorrect draft Is destroyed After every pur chase destroy your carbons to pre vent others from using Information obtained from the carbon paper Some Individuals may take of fence when a salesperson checks the signature on their card against the sales draft But this Is done for your protection Watch your card after giving It to a sales clerk and check that the card you get back Is your own It Is easy for sales clerks and to give you the wrong card when they are In a hurry Keep all sales receipts and check them against your monthly state ment Report any discrepancies mediately If your credit card Is lost or stolen report it to the card Issuer mediately If you find It after ting It lost or stolen notify the card Issuer before you Use It again Finally don t be taken in by ottering Region appoints committee members mlttees at Wednesday Region appointed Its three standing com its inaugural meeting administration committee has eight members including Halton Hills Mayor Russ Miller Also sitting on the committee are Burlington Mayor Holy Bird Burl Councillors Tony Whitworth and Joyce Sovollne Milton Mayor Gordon Krantz Oak lie Mayor Ann Mulvale and Councillors Janet Mitchell and John Graham Hills has two represen on the eight member health and social services committee Joe Hewitt and Johnston are both newcomers to Regional politics Other members are James Grieve Ralph and Walter Mulkewlch of Burlington Brad Clements of Milton and Kevin and Peter Arch of Halton Hills two veteran Regional councillors Rick Bonnctte and Marilvn Seiienalson sit on the plan and public works committee Burlington Councillors Pat McLaughlin Barry and Rob Forbes and Oakvllle Councillors Fred Oliver and Lii and Milton a Bill Johnson round out the planning and public works commit tec Regional Chairman Pete Is a member of all three committees Members will likely be shuffled again at the end of 1989 unbelievably Inexpensive trips fun in destinations In ex change for your card number If you do you might be left out In cold with unauthorized charges on your credit card Use your credit card wisely during the holiday season and enjoy a hap pier and more prosperous New For more Information on either credit card fraud or credit card in tcrest charges write to the Com munlcatfons Branch Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada Ottawa Ontario K1A0C9 Murray middle receive the Medal of Merit lor hii are scout Mark the recipient news to touting Mr and the 3rd Ac recently Informed he will Harrison with a Inter of ton Scout troop Photo by Jean Murray Harrison to receive one of top honors llyJfr AN LAYMAN Herald Special Scouts Mark Henderson and Sluart of the 3rd Acton Scout Troop delivered a very important letter to Murray Harrison of George Street Acton on Dec The letter was to inform Mr rison is to receive the Medal of Merit for his exceptional service to scouting in North District Word of Mr award was received by National Commissioner of Canada Morrey Cross from Her Excellency the Right Honorable Jeanne Sauve Governor General and Chief Scout of Canada The medal and certificate will be presented at a later date Mr began his years in scouting as a leader when his son started scouts as many volunteer fathers do and continued to serve CENTRE GuelphSt Georgetown Available at The Herald Office In either 8x10 or 5x7 Sizes theHERAUD Gu luplcedlu K smith 133 WyndhamSt Downtown fjolluotti from He served us Assistant District Commissioner of Scouts 1971 was District Commissioner 1976 79 served as District Representative for Acton 197982 and was Group Committee Chair man 198284 Mr Harrison also coordinated maintenance and hall rental of the Acton Scout Hall during the period While Mr Harrison was District Commissioner he visited all district events in North Halton He was always participating In activities and was of tin seen In the thick of things with the boys right from Beavers on up Scouts Mr Harrison was instrumental In upgrading the Limehousc Memorial Hall when It was used for a number of years for District Council and Scoulers Club meetings Eager to serve In a recent ceremony a total of eight new klu were Into the Heaven at SI George Anglican Church Front row from left Christopher Kirk Matthew Wcllman Colin Edition and Ryan Murray nock row John Murray Scotl Wilson and Kyle Absent was Cameron Photo submitted Mr was also the key per son in the upgrading and maintenance of the Acton Scout Hall The upgrading to meet fire safety standards which involved working ilrtuall un til work was completed helped make a better place for Beavers Cubs Scouts and Venturers to meet In 1981 Mr Harrison attended the Canadian Jamboree in Alberta CJ as a volunteer and worked with the army preparing and cooking meals for the 1 volunteer staff members Mr Harrison is an active Gllwellian and attends the fall at Blue Springs As a resource person he recently gave a presenta tion on coins and coin collecting for the North District Cubs He can also often be seen at District events helping to prepare meals and snacks Mr Harrison was presented with a medal and pin for years service with National Revenue Customs and Excise working both in Bramp ton and Hills The office is at the Royal Bank corner of Street and Mountain view Road The presentation was made by Gerry Roussel and Dolly Green manager of the National Revenue Customs and Excise office In Mr Harrison is an avid coin col lector and has been a member of the Camping Club for many years District Commissioner Blaine Hannah was on hand to offer her congratulations Legion Auxiliary Its that time once again By YVONNE GRAHAM drawing near it Is time to pay dues for 1969 The meeting this Thursday Dec will start at 7 p followed by the Christmas Party and Sup per so bring your favorite dish and come out enjoy yourself There is a Christmas Social In on Saturday Dec 17 Anyone wishing to go should contact Marion Carney Food BLACK FOREST HAMS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Incredible Value 289 lb DONT FORGET ORDER YOUR CHRISTMAS TURKEY TODAY Custom Meats Stat lit We Do Not Comprom On Qua ty 8776082