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Page 6= Hatton Hills This Week, Wednesday, August'4; 1993: Opinion Hatton Hills This We HIS WEEK y Georgetown, Ont. L7G 481, and is printed in eck, y edition is publ Calwille at Q.€. Web Printing. Halton Hils This We Y paper any time. Social contract - Not! Welcome to the social contract era in Ontario. Midnight Aug. 1(last Sunday) ‘was the deadline for social contract agreements and with Bill 48 - legislation to cut $2 billion from the $43 billion annual public sec- tor payroll - swaying in the wind like a spectral hang- man’s noose, the majority of those workers and unions affected clambered aboard as sailors would into the orphan lifeboat of a sinking ship. In a classic case of political doublespeak, Ontario Finance Minister (former Pink) Floyd Laughren pro- nounced the aforementioned NDP backroom brainwave a “done deal” at a press conference Monday. Then barely pausing to catch a breath, he admitted it may be months before those workers directly affected (approximately 900,000) in the public sector) find out whether their jobs have been declared ‘surplus’, are laid off for an indefinite period of time or face Pay cuts. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, local governments (read Halton Hills) have until Aug. 10 to clean up the loose ends and reach agreements with their affected unions and workers. Then, one would assume, Bill 48, including the ‘fail- safe’ clause, would kick in. This would mean that those workers or unions unable to meet the social contract demands could face government-imposed wage cuts, possible union contract rollbacks and obligatory unpaid days off. Not really, Laughren, said in an interview. The government would allow time for local cost-cut- ting programs to work before jumping in with Bill 48’s ‘failsafe’ clause. Then, the provincial piggybank guardian offered a verbal slap in the face to recalcitrant workers. “It’s not in their (workers’) interest to demand to know now how many unpaid days off they may have to take this year.......It would be better for them just to .cool their jets.” Laughren was quoted as saying. Now hold the phone here Pinky,......er Floyd. If local governments now have at least until Aug. 10 - and perhaps longer - to bring their people under the social contract; if it might take months for those public sector workers affected by the demanded $2 billion pay slash to find out whether they have to head to the pay window or the UIC window, what the hell was the And how can you have the gall to tell people uncer- tain of their financial future to “cool their jets” when it is obvious your government’s jets haven’t even fired. Was the much-ballyhooed Aug. 1 social contract deadline a carrot ora kick? I doubt if even those currently (although somewhat sheepishly) claiming to be NDP supporters know for sure! To borrow quite liberally from the bard Bill Shakespeare, a misnomer by any other name still stinks. By definition, social is an adjective, of or pertaining to society or its organizations. * Contract is defined as a formal agreement.between two or more parties, esp. one that is legally binding. Going one step further, we find that an agreement can be defined as the state of being in accord which means: To agree; harmonize. In other words the set- tling of differences in a mutually acceptable manner. Do we have agreement with Bill 48? Do we have harmony? Do we have the settling of differences in a mutually acceptable manner? : If this was a quiz or one of the interminable’ polls used to fill blank space in the major newspapers, one would undoubtedly check the box tabbed,” “None of the above”. There is no question that public sector payrolls have to be pared, just as there is no question that Ontarians will have to tighten their belts a bit more in order to - in reality - save our trillium province from bankruptcy. Having noted that, however, the chaotic and dictator- ial manner in which Bob Rae and his cohorts have attempted to ram a solution down Ontarians collective: throats rather than truly working constructively with the various sectors involved to set a realistic timetable for clearing up the province’s red ink and adjusting lifestyles and expectations, leaves a lot to be desired. Colin Gibson PUBLISHER: Ken Bellamy PRODUCTION MANAGER: Kathleen Topolsek __ CIRCULATION MANAGER: Marie Shadbolt ‘ M Gi Ui OFFIC! ; Jean Shewell HALTON HILLS THIS WEEK IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED. INE: 873-2254 FAX:87: The People's Corner EDITOR: Colin Gibson Is Halton Hills tax money well s ent? Margaret Fleet, Vivian Georgetown: “Too much Georgetown: money is being focused on roads and I would like to see the tax money spread around to social programs.” Shaw, “Not enough is being spent on repairing the right roads. More roads should be repaired.” Fred Hodkin, Acton: “I would like lower taxes like everyone else but I really this community but we need have nothing to complain Cindy Gardener, Acton: “I get my Money’s worth. Everything is pretty good in a new‘arena in Acton.” about. The upkeep of our community is looking good.” Ian Syme, Georgetown: “I pay too much in taxes towards garbage services for what I get back in return compared.-to other communi- ties.” Doreen Gibb, Acton: “No, we are not. We are get- ting ripped off. Acton’s tax dollars are being channeled to Georgetown.” Dave Turner, Georgetown: "I think we get our moneys worth. This is a good community, and I haye no complaints.” Rudolf _Hanousek, Rockwood: “No, I don’t get my money’s worth. Rural residents are paying more taxes for less services.” Support downtown Georgetown development To the Editor, The article appearing in your paper last week on downtown Georgetown development greatly dis- turbs me. I have been in business in ‘downtown town, or locally for that Georgetown for nine years matter. They spend their and it has been good, very dollars elsewhere and are good. However, times have _ proud of it. This much-need- changed in Georgetown (as ed development in the everywhere else), especially downtown will create jobs in the downtown core. We and it will also boost the need the development businesses downtown. I too downtown, and we need it wish to retain the identity NOW. and character of our down- town, but I do not wish to see empty stores and our Main Street becoming a sort People want us to remain a quaint country town, with little or no thought for how the businesses will survive. Many of these same peo- ple do not even shop down- There are those who would oppose any changes to the downtown core, these Tag ats and services. _ The staff of the Georgetown : Centre f S of ghost town. Look at small towns across Ontario -~ many of their downtowns are board- ed-up and businesses have relocated elsewhere. We are very fortunate to have a unique downtown area with a great variety of shops and businesses. We all want to survive. I urge people to support development downtown. Call your councillors, write letters. But above all, please support us in our desire to develop and grow and help us to survive. We do not - need any more strip malls or shopping malls period. We have a new mall in Georgetown which is great. There is room for both of us. Support your downtown businesses. Shop locally and support the development in downtown Georgetown. Elizabeth McNeilly, Elizabeth’s Fashions, Main St., Georgetown 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 Send your letter to: The Editor Halton Hills This Week 232 Guelph St., Unit 9 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Or fax to: 416-873-3918