OPINION: Last-minute gift ideas

Dear Santa, With the hours ticking down to Christmas Day we thought we'd send you a last-minute wish list for some newsmakers from the past year. Some have been naughty; some have been nice. We'll leave it to you to decide which is which. A drawing board for Prime Minister Stephen Harper so he has something to go back to in an effort to rethink his government's environmental strategy. A mirror for new Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion to watch his back now that he named leadership runner-up Michael Ignatieff his deputy leader. A second chance for Halton Catholic District School Board officials to rethink their decision not to join Halton Region, Halton District School Board and Halton Regional Police in their bid to construct a Region Campus for all four organizations. A big bowl of stability for the Georgetown Raiders' Jr. A hockey team which goes through coaches the way Paris Hilton goes through boyfriends. Earplugs for Halton Hills councillors and staffers who are likely to get an earful from local sports groups when the Town gets down to the nitty-gritty in its recreational facilities study next year, not to mention its budget. A phone book for Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong who obviously has forgotten this newspaper's number. It's great to make a national splash by resigning your seat over a matter of principle, but the likeable young MP should remember he owed a direct explanation for his actions-- through the local media-- to the people who elected him. A press release doesn't cut it. The nation's support and a safe return home (whenever that may be) to our troops in Afghanistan. A new record player for Halton MPP Ted Chudleigh to play his "All Liberals are evil" album on. Perhaps with a new player his broken record of a column might sound somewhat fresh. A round of applause and a pat on the back to all the volunteers in Halton Hills who have given time and energy to a wide array of causes. These selfless individuals have worked tirelessly to make this community better for all of us. A hefty raise for Liberal and Conservative MPPs for the hard work they do on behalf of their constituents year-round and to bring their pay to a level of other politicians. Wait, scratch that idea Santa...they took care of it themselves.