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THURSDAY: NOVEMBER 20, 2003 THE NEW JONNER Delude ourselves To the Editor, Sub: recent elections The triumph of mayor-elect, Mr. Bonnette is one of the more pleasant surprises de- mocracy is able to deliver. And it's a great shot in the arm for long-suffering Actonites, as a resident of the Galactic Fringe finally gets a chance to sit in the big chair. If nothing else all the contenders, who having sat through decades' worth of council meetings ac- tually want to preside over them, should be heartily con- gratulated. Three things can usually hap- pen at meetings, four of them bad. The political process has an unfortunate propensity for adopting ideas already rusty, for generating reams of paper to grow dusty.... Well, if Mayor Bonnette and Council can take back away from the planning department, that might be a good start. But in the interim the actions of the electorate in both this and the recent Provincial Elec- tion deserve careful scrutiny. Despite four candidates for mayor and the number of hot- button issues on the table, only 34 % turned out. Even the insipid Provincial vote, at a less-than-lukewarm 55 % province-wijde, outgunned our local effort. These numbers are not harbingers of good health for the enterprise we call society. Premier-elect McGuinty, while showing some real class by not responding to the nasty jibes of his disorganized main Opponent, wasn't quite so dis- cerning in his choice of re- marks at VE (Victory over Eves) afterwards; and there is a direct relation to the num- bers cited. "The people have chosen," he more or less as- serted, "hope over hear and so on about a brighter ture for all. The odd media outlet, with breathtakingly in- apt phraseology, called the event "'a landslide victory" for the Liberal Party. There must have been some Golden Age when Messianic political language carried more weight if the speaker had actually saved the world, or at a bare minimum, risen from the dead, Winston Churchill, while under fierce siege from the revisionists at the moment, was unquestion- ably The One for his generation. Now about the 55 % turnout for last month's sorry affair -- 46 % of them voted for a Liberal Candidate. That works out to 25 % or one in four at the most who di- rectly wanted Mr. McGuinty; failing that they either just liked their local Liberal or just detested the status quo and saw the Liberal's as the only realistic alternative. This is no landslide; not even a soggy beach castle. The world has not been made safer for de- mocracy' the people living in darkness haye not seen a great light. It's doubtful the people who abstained from one or both elections. were cowering in fear at home watching for the advent of a thousand point of light. And as to the Liberals' 150 page promise book, ed- ited to a succinct two-page newspaper inset: it had folks in our house years away from voting age snickering and snorting. So much for Civics Class. Mr. McGuinty is, for instance, thoroughly convinced that public service is the only way essentials such as education, medicine and energy can be delivered with honesty, integ- rity and fairness. But at best, experience teaches us it's an ugly saw-off. The Premier is _hot too young to have heard of Jane Steward, Maurice Strong, George Radwanski, Dash Domi, Jean Drapeau, Walkerton, Pickering Airport, the National energy Program. Even so, like most sharing his convictions the Premier be- lieves creating more agencies, commissions, etc. will ensure the ubiquitous "system" works properly. This will take -- surprise -- just a little bit more money. The taxpayers get to pay more for another buffer zone between the rul- ers and accountability. One thing I remember Grade Nine History -- The Magna Carta and No Taxation With- out Representation. The usual outcome however, is prolif- eration of taxes accompanied by the pretence of representa- tion. No wonder Dr. Seuss is still one of the world's wealthiest Men -- like Abel, being dead he still speaks. Fortunately for him, public opinion usually works on a three-week memory cycle. So most of us won't be too dis- appointed or upset when his government fails to save us to the uttermost from SARS and other imported diseases, for- est fires, private MRI clinics, overpriced electricity, under- priced electricity, and private schools. Not to mention the disaster left by the previous government, which means as always "a slight change from our original play. We'll be content enough if we don't get the finger, the forked tongue and the fiduciary sloth we' ve become more accustomed to right up to the recent assem- bly at the ACC. But seriously: no government, and no electorate, can change if we believe election promises human nature, which is the real heart of the matte, not po- litical parties or systems. Leaders delude themselves if they believe their extravagant promises; we delude our- selves if we believe them or expect too much, And as for we the electorate, our turnout simply affirms the proclivity of governments to tell us what we want. We haven't chosen "hope over' fear. We' ve cho- sen fate. Genghis Khan was a violent_ despot, but he made simple promises and kept them (at least in the movie): "Serve me or die. You have one minute to decide." Yours truly, Charles Tysoe metlt OURWAY yAuto Repair ltd. GEORGE'S ed a aa eat fresh: Fast, friendly lunch! Come join us! Ph: 853-5531. Fax: 853-5366 Spectacular New Furniture and Electronics Auction Tuesday November 25, 03 Preview 4:00pm; Auction 6:00pm IDEN Bsr ila Uat tometer 467 Elmira Road North Guelph, ON iperstore has instructed Dan Bai- 's superb collection of new furniture and uction. Approximately 10 three p K LLC LL ed eK LCD CAEL a ae), EOL eae OTL COLLAR aCe DRO MIR Ca Ler eo me ITT eas Coley COMO TORU TEE NETO TT Teal fets, hutches and sideboards, some in solid wood and in Cooma ua mE Tie rteli eye UNA Teme ECe RETO) Co finishes. Elegant bedroom outfits- Stunning Queen-sized pine look with marble finish, serpentine front, Fabulous 8 piece Louis Philippe cherry finish queen sleigh bed suite. 8 piece queen size country oak cannonball suite. All bedrooms include headboard, footboard, ror , man's chest and 2 night coffee, end and sofa tables, bz mahogany plant stand drop fr Tantereity Tava lamps, nd home kmans, micrc appliances, all unde Rees ttt lrar and other local artists. Oak bow-front c elephant glass- nee tab tr nd bo economical to the hi ony oe rr! io cabinet, unique . Top quality mat- jee Cele ea ped Chace) oS suma vases, Limoges, sig / more items, too numerous ulous sale, the best rd to miss it! This sale is subject to (mia 'naman eI ctionsfind.com/unclejoes LOUMAL CONTRACTING - Additions - Crown mouldings - Windows & door -- - Drywall repair - Kitchen & bath -New home inpection - Painting - Molding tim work -Fences & decks - Exterior soffit & facia 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE Please call for consultation (519) 853-1629 CONSTABLE With Village Constable Garry George BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS Braud SF Henry Serving the Community Jor 40 Years 67 Mill Street East Acton 853-1160 It's Now Official The Christmas season has begun. Santa Claus recently visited Acton, for the annual Santa Claus Parade. This is the time of year when the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season kicks into high gear. I know you will be busy, planning and shopping for all those Christmas 54 Mill St. E. 853-2502 E-mail: surveys @ dolliver.com DOLLIVER | SURVEYING INC Land Information Services web: www.dolliver.com goodies. This is also the time of thg:year when we are easily dis- tracted and sometimes forget to take normal safety precautions. Do not let a moment's inattention, ruin your Christmas season. Please remember, thieves don't take a holiday. The following tips should be followed year round, but especially in the hectic holiday season. Pete's Auto Paint Ltd. Custom Paint & Bodywork® = < @Restoration Sandblasting 519-856-9356 4923 7th Line, Eramosa RR* 4 Rockwood ON NOB ZKO AUTOMOBILE SAFETY Park in a well-lighted area. So you can see and be seen. Keep all the car doors locked. "Lock jt or Lose it". Upon returning to the car, have your car key in hand, so you can quickly and easily open the car. Place all parcels out of sight, preferably in the trunk. If your vehicle doesn't have a trunk, cover the parcels with a blanket. If you see someone lurking around you car or the park- ing lot, do not confront them, go to a safe location and call the police with a location a description of the sus- Cylinder Refill $14 incl. GST Tyler Transport Ltd. 379 Queen St. E. Acton 853-1550 OPEN Mon-Fri No Weekend Fills pect. HOME SECURITY This time of year, it gets dark much earlier in the evening. Thieves will use the cover of darkness to commit their crime. Therefore it's a good idea to leave some exterior lights on, especially those lights above doors and windows. Timers can be used to activate interior lights. Leave a radio or television on. When you are leaving home, even if only for a few minutes, take the time to secure all doors and windows. Check to be sure the garage Professional design and printing. Tel. (519) 853-5615 Fax.(519) 853-5731 56 Mill St. E. Acton_gg door is locked too. If you are going to be away for a few days, arrange for someone to shovel your driveway and sidewalk. Have a neighbour park their car in your driveway. Ask a friend to pickup your mail and to gather all those flyers and papers that accumulate this time of year. You want to give the impression that someone is staying at your home. Don't let the "Grinch" ruin your Christmas season. ROAD BUILDING EARTH MOVING RR. #1 Acton 853-0960 BNR) @® 24 Hour Service ¢ Flatbed Service ¢ Lockout Service ¢ Boosting & Gas 853-5848 CARQUEST AUTO PARTS ap 254 Main St. N Acton, ON. L7J 1W9 Tel (519) 853-3410 Fax (519) 853-5052 Wisc Rent-A-Car From 99 Cper hour 856-0000 387 Queen St. East, Acton 286 Alma Street, Rockwood