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~ OPINION Town not responsive to Trafaigar Park area residents ‘ Writer‘s comments ‘ not based on address _ The belief of the Brian Mulroney government was that it would help lower prices and as an added bonus, raise muchâ€"needed revenue for the coffers of the fedâ€" eral covernment. But if Martin thinks it will be an easy sell, he‘s sadly mistaken. Why, even newlyâ€"elected Parti Quebecois Finance Minister Jean Campeau will be attending. That‘s how seriously the country‘s top spenders view the GST issue. e most controversial piece of legislation put through by former Oakvilleâ€" Milton MP Oftto Jelinek was the nowâ€"infamous, Goods and Servnces Tax or known to all Canadians as the GST. When the idea of the GST came out, it was heralded as a way to tear down old taxes that were really hidden from the consumer and ended up on the price of the goods before you went to the cash register. But the legacy of Mr. Jelinek lives on in Liberal Finance Minister Paul Martin. Curiously, it‘s Martin who is trying bring through some GST reform this week in Toronto, not Revenue Minister David Anderson. No doubt Prime Minister Jean Chretien wanted a higher profile cabinet minister carrying the ball tomorrow when talks start with the country‘s provincial finance ministers. The debate will be anything but dull with each province having something to lose no matter what changes are made to the dreaded tax. Ontario‘s Floyd Laughren has said he would stop collecting sales taxes if the province could take more income tax while Ottawa would then boost the rate of the GST. Everyone wins, right? As with any kind of tax change, there is always only one big loser and that‘s the average working Canadian. In Laughren‘s scenario, its a loseâ€"lose proposition for tax beleaguered citizens. bdninidt uin n And although the GST was supposed to be "revenue neutral" , it has been a cash cow for the feds...that is until the bottom fell out of the economy and more people opted for the underground economy to avoid taxes of all kinds. For its part, Ottawa wants to combine the GST and provincial sales taxes, makâ€" ing the system easier to administer. Sure Paul, sure. 3 Bmb nc t i >A ind lt o uts inb td lt B dhit is i All the while provincial salesâ€"taxâ€"free Alberta must look on in amusement. For the rest of the provinces, the talks are no laughing matter. Toronto are fast coming to the realization that a move outside the canyons of Metro pay dividends in a number of ways. The Thomas Pigeon Design Group is the latest firm to pull up stakes and land in Oakville. For company founder and owner Thomas Pigeon, it was a quality of life thing, not only for himself but also for his staff that has enough pressure without having to deal with big city problems. B usiness owners who once thought they had to be located in downtown When Pigeon meets business associates at his offices at the historic Murray House on Navy Street, they are often taken for a two block walk to the lake for a break or even lunch when weather permits. His international clients can‘t believe how easy it is to get from Pearson International Airport to Oakville and the calmness of the area. As for Pigeon? Both he and his employees love it. We wonder how many other harried inner city business owners will get the message that in a highâ€" tech era, there is often no need to endure high rent, poor parking and expenâ€" sive transportation costs to operate effectively. Dear Sir: Democracy is not always alive and well within our town administration. This is regarding changes to Trafalgar Park. My home for over 40 years is on the northwest corner of Rebecca and Felan, overlooking the southwest corner of the park which is the site of the old greenhouse. Notices were received by residents in the immeâ€" diate vicinity, of a meeting, which would be held on Nov. 19th. Two plans were then presented to the public; the only difference being that in Plan 1, there were two tennis courts on the southwest corâ€" ner and a basketball facility on the east side of the Park, whereas it was the reverse in the latter. Due to the noise factor associated with basketâ€" ball and being in close proximity to my home, my wife and I were in favor of tennis courts, Plan 1; although I should state that those residing at the east end were also against basketball in their viciniâ€" This meeting ended with a statement by counâ€" cillor Kathy Graham that the park plan would not go to the Parks Advisory Committee (which is norâ€" Dear Sir: I am writing in response to your paper‘s Sept. 23rd editorial, "Make it Safe". Dear Sir: The contradiction between the artiâ€" cle on the front page of the weekâ€" end Oakville Beaver of Sept. 25th, and the letter in the "Opinion" secâ€" tion of the Oct. 5th Beaver, left me to wonder whether I had actually attended the Oakville Chamber of Commerce luncheon meeting on Sept. 23rd. After a telephone conversation with the writer of the letter to the Editor, which questioned the motive of my address to the Chamber, I found out that it was, in fact, Peter Tesar, and not I, who did not attend the meetâ€" ing. I, respectfully, submit that the opinâ€" ion expressed by one NOT in attenâ€" dance is not worth as much as his presence! Tragedy of those infected by blood suppy has bettered system The Red Cross has been under Who needs the city? No laughing matter R. Bruce West President C.E.O. Walâ€"Mart Canada Inc. much attack in the media over the infected blood tragedy of the early 1980s. That issue is being dealt with in great detail by the Krever Inquiry, which is the appropriate place for it to be addressed. With so much attention on the inquiry, I think it is important to reassure Canadians about the safety of Canada‘s blood system today. Detailed health assessments of donors and numerous tests on donations have ensured that Canada has one of the safest blood systems in the world. Any medical procedure involves some degree of risk, and blood transfusions are not exempt from mally the next procedure), but directly to the Community Services Committee of Council â€"date to be advised. This meeting was held without notices being received by the residents, perhaps with the exception of two or three individuals, which must have been apparent to councillor Graham and Robert Perkins, director of Parks and Recreation. Notwithstanding this, the meeting was allowed to proceed, with only Plan 2 being presentâ€" ed, and this was passed. Once a decision was made, this meant that it could only now be revoked by at least nine councillors. When I became aware of this meeting, I conâ€" tacted councillor Graham. She felt quite sure that, due to the circumstances, the clause of requiring nine councillors to overturn a decision would not apply. She further stated that another meeting would be held because the missing mail and notices were duly received. Plan 2 only was presented at this meeting also, and it was obvious from the onset, that there would be no change. The clause of requiring nine councillors to overâ€" turn this decision was not rescinded as I was led to believe. At the council meeting on Aug. 8th, counâ€" this universal truth. But the risk of receiving infected blood from a transfusion today is very low. Even normal surgical procedures carry with them higher risks than those associated with a blood transfuâ€" sion. The incidence of infected blood during the early 1980s is a tragedy. But out of that extraordinary set of circumstances has come a much safer blood system. The Red Cross fully supports the public inquiry and is encouraged that recommenâ€" dations made will make the blood system better than ever. As an Oakville resident, I am happy to see the strong community Got a gripe? Give us a call. Readers are invited to express their opinion on a topic of their choice by calling 845â€"5585, box 5250. All callers are allowed 45 secâ€" onds to express their opinion and must provide their name, address and phone number for verification. A cross section of the responsâ€" es will be published in next Wednesday‘s Oakyville Beaver. \SPEAK YOUR MIND s iesns oaimn, . Robert Glasbey Advertising Director | Guardian, Burlingion Post, i%'?g?@;é'"’céafié'uofi"é?‘?iéoi;"'EuZET"éw""“"WA Independent! Acton Free Press, Kingston This Week, Lindsay This Week, Martham * Norman Alexander Editor Economist and Sun, Stouffville/Uxbridge Tribune, Milton Canadian Champion, Mississa 467 Speers Road, Oakville, Ont. L6K 354 Geoff Hill Circulation Director Ngggmfiwé:\thAuom Era-B:nnerg.eNornhmsérk MTror, Oakvgle Beg?:',n 'Orilz Todug)?, 845â€"3824 Fax: 845â€"3085 Teri C o M Oshawa/Whitby This Week, Peterborough This Week, Richmond Hil/ThomhilWaughan Classified Advertising: 845â€"2809 eri Casas Of Te %banr\aalier'al prfl ”'.'r??r’» Oaknville Beaver is protected by . Any reproduction in Circulation: 845â€"9742 or 845â€"9743 Tim Coles Production Manager whole or in part of this material is strictly forbidden without the consent of the publisher. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize and reject advertising. in the event of typographical error, advertising goods or services i i isi > ,W,‘," gflm to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. . The Oakville Beaver welcomes your comments. : All letters must be signed and include the writer‘s address and phone number. Letters should be typed, doubleâ€"spaced and addressed to: Letters to the Editor, The Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, Ont. L6K 3S4 cillor Graham proposed the first staff recommendaâ€" tion that council reconsider the plan, and at the same time made it known that she was still in supâ€" port of Plan 2. This was despite the petition which was presented at this meeting by 147 residents on the perimeter of the park; the majority being on the west side, already having to endure the noise generâ€" ated from its numerous other activities. The vote to reconsider the plan would have passed and there not been the requirement of nine councillors to do so, besides, there were only nine councillors preâ€" sent. Attempts at getting an impartial hearing have been unsuccessful. Attempts to find out about the missing mail have led to some conflicting answers. It is also perplexing, this obsession with pushing basketball in the park when clearly 1t is not the wish of those most affected. I feel I do have a genuine complaint and that there should be an investigation. This desire to fight for one‘s rights becomes a sense of duty to do so, in order that injustice or indifference should not thrive unopposed. THE OAKVILLE BEAVER support at local blood donor clinâ€" ics. Loyal volunteer blood donors, who continue to share their good health, are vital in helping the Red Cross ensure a safe and adequate blood supply for all Canadians in need. Working Canadians in noâ€"win situation To accept that Canada should be run like a business is,â€"indeed, "Scary". It‘s business that should be owned and run by, and for, the good of all people. Both the government of Canada, and business, are today bankrupting working Canadians. This editorial further states Canada should be governed like a business, getâ€" ting a â€" ‘grip on reality‘. But, business in Canada today, as well as, around the globe, serves itself and its thirsts for more. Does this, then, serve the interest of the working Canadian? Business is not a planned strategy or a rational provider of opportunity for people, but, it should be. And it can be. Dear Sir: In reading, with interest, the editorial "Scary Possibilities" in the Oakville Beaver, Sept. 28th, identifiable misconceptions are built. The Federal government thirsts now for more tax from RRSPs. This shows a willingness to further force people to pay for the debt and deficit. In 1961, 21% of the revenue remitted to the Federal government came from corporations; in 1992, 7% came from corporations. Then after seeing this reduction, we must review the wide spectrum of public funds eagerly gifted to corporations. The 7% is then virtually eliminated. Who pays the difference? Profits now are rivalling preâ€"recessionary heights here in Canada. Banks and corporations are experiencing a dramatic recovery. Is the working Canadian? Wendy Lau, M.D. Deputy Medical Director Toronto Blood Centre Ian Oliver Publisher Douglas A. Nash Endangered animals need your support Dear Sir: My name is Leanne. I am sevenâ€"yearsâ€"old. I am worried about Endangered Species. Here are some endangered animals â€" panda, muriquis, manatee, elephant, rhino, and blue whale. When they are gone; they are gone. Please be nice to these animals. â€"â€" LETTER OF THE DAY It goes without saying that the girls, of course, were dressed in pink and taking ballet lessons, while the boys were all tough and masterful. No wonder, we still can‘t break the sexual stereotyping that exists today. Dear Sir: This weekend I thought, as a special treat, I would take my 10â€" yearâ€"old to the movies â€" a mother/daughter outing. Not such an easy task as I was hardâ€"pressed to find a suitable movie. I don‘t know how many of you have had the dubious pleasure of viewing Little Rascals, but if you haven‘t â€" don‘t bother. This movie is a mustâ€"toâ€"avoid. The plot evolves around a group of young children â€" boys and girls, aged seven to eight at the most, and the thwarted love affair between two of them. The theme was adult, and to hear adult words being uttered by these young babes seemed tasteless, yet some would think it cute. To me, it speaks to the disrespect our society has for young chilâ€" dren. Why can‘t we let children be children? They grow up far too quickly as it is without the prompting of movies such as this which infer that at seven, it is quite appropriate for them to have loving fantasies about the opposite sex. We need to cherish our children; protect their childhood and take a stand for family value because without them, we are raising chilâ€" dren without an anchor; without a sense of who they are and what they can become. "Brutal Violence". "Course Language". "Frightening Themes". "Not suitable for Young Children". These warnings were consistent among the local listings. Surely, there had to be a movie that was appropriate. With such slim pickings, we decided to see Little Rascals which was rated F â€" for family. Research movies before taking your child to theatre The Oakville Beaver, published every Sunday, Wednesdaland Friday, at 467 Speers Rd.;" Oakville, is one of the Metroland Printing, Publishing Distributing Ltd, goup of suburban newspapers which includes: Ajaxâ€"Pickering News Advertiser, Barrie Advance, Bram| Guardian, Burlingion Post, Collingwood Connection, Etobicoke Guardian, Georgetown Independent! Acton Free Press, Kingston This Week, Lindsay This Week, Martham Economist and Sun, Stouffville/Uxbridge Tribune, Milton Canadian Champion, Mississauga News, Newmarketâ€"Aurora Eraâ€"Banner, North York Mirror, Oakville Beaver, Orillia Today, Oshawa/Whitby This Week, Peterborough This Week, Richmond Hil/ThomhilWaughan Liberal, Scarborough Mirror. All material publ in the Oakville Beaver is protected by . Any zrvoducflon in whole or in part of this materia! is strictly forbidden without the consent of the publisher. Willie Lambert Leanne Schnurr Anne Day October 12, 1994