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THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2004 THE NEW TANNER GRAPEV KILLER SKILLS The Town honoured two members of Acton High School's Skills Team, and their teacher, with municipal awards at a June 28 ceremony at the civic centre. Kasimir Kosakowski was hon- oured for earning a Silver medal in the mechanical CADD (computer- aided drafting and design) competition at the recent National Technological Skills competition in Winnipeg. Fellow student Matt Locke repre- sented Acton at the 2004 Ontario Skills Competition in architectural CADD, earning Silver. Teacher Norbert Axtmann was honoured for continuing a 14-year tradition at Acton High of having stu- dents compete -- and win -- at local, provincial and national levels. Acton also competed at thé Vocation Indus- trial Clubs of America Technical Skills Competition in the United States. Tia Hess WESTON AWARD Congrats to Acton High School grad Tia Hess of Mississauga, one of 43 Canadian students to receive a Garfield Weston Merit Scholarship for Colleges award. The $50,000 scholarship includes three years of tuition, $8,000 annu- ally for spending money and $3,500 annually in summer enrichment fund- ing. Hess, an honours student, plans to attend bartending school in August, make a missionary trip to Costa Rica in December, and begin a child and youth worker course, hopefully at Humber College, in January. Hess's prestigious scholarship -- to reward students who demonstrate service to their community, leader- ship potential, entrepreneurial energy and academic excellence -- also earns Acton High School $1,000. BABYSITTING BONUS Babysitters with first aid knowl- edge, skills to care for all ages of children and emergency preparedness are the ones parents want to look af- ter their kids. Those skills, along with safety tips, diapering, rights and responsibilities resume writing and more will be taught at the next Canadian Red Cross babysitting course, on July 21, at the Georgetown police station. The Canadian Red Cross does not have a branch in Acton, but Author- ized Provider, Catherine McEwen is hopeful Acton babysitters will attend the one-day course, for those age 11 years old and up. The cost is $32. For details, call Catherine at 905-877-4490. BABY BASICS Is a baby in your future, or do you have a new baby? Ifso, the Halton Health Department offers a number of free programs for parents and parents-to-be. One group -- Calling New Parents ~ meets weekly with a public health hurse to discuss parenting and infant care for babies under six months, and registrations are now being accepted for the Healthiest Babies Possible pre- natal program. For details call toll free 1-866-442- 5866. YOUTH GOLF Registrations are still being ac- cepted for the first annual Off The Wall golf tournament on August 14, at Acton Meadows. ey Good golfers and duffers are invited to play 18 holes, enjoy dinner and a silent auction -- all to benefit Acton' youth programming. Call 853-9825 for details. POOCH PLEDGES The Upper Credit Humane Society is hosting its summer Walk-A-Thon on Saturday (July 11) at High Willows Country Inn on Erin's Ninth Line, Each participant -- two and four- footed -- that collects pledges will receive a doggie grab bag and a chance to win other prizes. All proceeds will be spent on help- ing animals at the shelter. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and you can get more informa- tion and a registration form at Wwww.uppercredit.com OLYMPIC HOPEFULS Timing is everything this week for Acton Aqua Ducks Swim Club mem- ber and swim mom, Arlene Fritz, who is volunteering as a timer at the Ca- nadian Olympic swim trails at the Etobicoke Olympium. Fritz, a rural Erin resident who swam in the Aqua Ducks masters pro- gram, worked the preliminaries and finals on Tuesday, and will be back poolside for the preliminaries and fi- nals on Saturday (July 10). To qualify for Canada's Olympic swim team, swimmers must finish first or second in the final, with a time equal or better than the best 12-place time in their event from 2000. Approximately 500 athletes will vie for a place on the Canadian team, re- portedly between 20 and 27 athletes who will compete in Athens. From the Editor's desk... continued from page 6 and garages in which to store such items until large item pickup day or phone 'and get special pick up. "This is such an eyesore for their neighbours and visitors. In my opin- ion these people should get a notice for littering and be made to clean up within 24 hours or pay a fine." The writer is right on. Even though we have no place to store this stuff we intend to throw out we've got no business inflicting it on the neigh- bours until garage or collection day is nigh. kaREE The New Tanner gets a lot of sub- missions for free advertising from as far away as the United States. Some of it is legitimate from 'not for profit' organizations which we are glad to support. Unfortunately, most of it is not and once the flood gates are open we drown in it. Newspapers do not survive on free advertising. It takes money, and lots of it, to publish a newspaper. If you have an event or product to see buy an advert. That way you're sure of getting it published. SKILLS CHAMPS: Acton students Kasimir KoSakowski, Matt Locke, were among those honoured by the Town with municipal awards at a Kosakowski was honoured for earning a Silver medal in mechanical design) at the National technical skills competition. Locke was ho architectural CADD at the provincial competition. -- and their teacher Norbert Axtmann, recent ceremony at the Civic Centre. CADD (computer aided drafting and noured for earning a Silver medal in Frances Niblock photo The news that the Provincial Government intends to save the Obstetrics and Paediatric Units at the Georgetown Hospital came as a welcome surprise. Everyone who participated in this fight; writing letters attending rallies, riding buses and making phone calls, should be justifiably proud. Town Council, led by Mayor Bonnette and Town staffers went all out in this effort thanks to all the federal election candidates and our new M.P., Mike Chong, who took time out from campaigning to lend their support. Candidate Bruce Hood obviously got through to the min- ister since he named Mr, Hood during his dramatic statement that the departments would not close. I would like to express the ap- preciation of our community for the action taken by the Minister for Health and Long Term Care -- Mr. George Smitherman. Minister Smitherman stood at his place in the house and said: "this govern- ment and this Minister of Health will not sign off on a plan to shut down, move or cancel obstetrics or programs at the Halton Hills Hos- pital." That seems pretty clear. This column has often said that one of the big problems with gov- ernments today is their refusal to admit a mistake. Because of that, we're stuck with extraordinary un- necessary expense so government can save face. A perfect example is the billions blown on the useless gun registry which will now carry on due to the Liberal's win in the recent election. While the plan to cut obstetrics and paediatrics in Georgetown was not Minister Smitherman's idea, he has ordered the Wm. Osler Board to balance their budget. By step- ping-in Mr. Smitherman has given the board an out for their decision. Politically it was a dangerous move for the minister. He should be ap- plauded for it and I do so here and now. But friends, don't throw away those signs and e-mail addresses. I have a sinking*feeling that there may be an 'Act 2' to our local drama. There is just enough wig- gle room in Mr. Smitherman's statement that the hospital board may try to exploit. From past ex- perience with them, I expect the worst. Actually, unless Smitherman bails the board out with a ton of \uew money, I wouldn't be sur- i --) Citizens -- 1: Osler Board -- 0 The Way I See It with [Mike Oleary prised to see the province fire this board and appoint an administrator much like the conservatives did with the Toronto School Board several years ago. The budget and a new board will be recruited and we can start afresh. To stay abreast of the situation visit the website at : www.savethegeorgetownhospital.ca. Stay tuned. Another prime example of an unelected board making a dumb decision involved the Toronto Po- lice Services Board refusing to extend the contract of Chief Julian Fantino. Using procedural rules, the group hug-gang orchestrated a tie vote, which ended up costing Fantino his job. The question now is: Will this decision stick? Fantino is popular and public re- action was swift. Petitions are being organized and daggers are being flung at the Toronto Mayor's office. David Miller is being accused of being the puppeteer behind the marionettes he hand picked for the board. On Monday, Ontario Minis- ter of Finance Greg Sorbona pointed a finger in Miller's direction. Do we see a trend here? The McGuinty Liberals are in a huge mess because of broken election promises and the budget. First George Smitherman overturns the board decision regarding Georget- own Hospital, and now, the Minister of Finance looks poised to take on the Toronto Police Services Board and possibly Mayor Miller himself. Both causes are popular with the people. Could taking on unpopular unelected board decisions be seen as a way to restore Provincial Lib- eral Fortunes in some small way? This is just idle supposition on my part but I do know that politics at the provincial level is extreme hardball. 1 wonder if the Minister of Edu- cation would be interested in the Halton School Board's foat-drag- ging regarding the sale of Speyside School? Early this year, the board informed Mayor Bonnette and council there were negotiatidhs go- ing on between the board and _ since they harvested the grass. _ days? What could it hurt? Region regarding some of the Speyside property the Region may want to acquire. Since then- Nada. Well actually, your property (Speyside School) has deteriorated even more. Have a look next time you go by. It does look a tad better [realize this transaction is not the most important issue to this board. (Ya think? The school's been closed for more than 10 years!) I also understand the concept of due diligence. But come on --it didn't take this long to negotiate Cana- dian Confederation. RRRKRK The major holiday weeks are upon us. While I wish you all a great vacation, I also add my voice to those advising caution. What brought this to mind was an inci- dent that happened up north last weekend. Our lake is a typical Muskoka lake with lots of rock. There is a sandy beach which, al- though privately owned, most families take the little ones to so they can frolic in the sand and shal- low water. It can only be reached by boat. Last Saturday a little guy of 5 or 6 was running around the sand when he stepped on a broken beer bottle buried in the sand. Some fool, I can't use the words I really want to, had left the shard after a party. The little guy's foot was cut to the bone and will probably re- quire surgery. Several adults, rushing to his aid, also received cuts to toes and heels from smaller pieces of glass. s So my message is that even if you're in a well known location, it's prudent practice to police the area before letting kids loose. If you own shoreline, it should be looked at every day. Residents of our lake will prob- ably never find out who broke the} bottle. Pond scum who do things like this are too cowardly,or stupid, } or both, to take responsibility for their actions. If found, however, |._ there are many really deep spots in our lake. Probably no one would mourn the culprit or find hint. Anyways, between nocturnal idi- ots, west nile, skin cancer, bears and water pollution, have a great summer. It's harder to have a good time outdoors than it used to be. One last thought. I wonder, who is the Minister of Education these y