The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Would you give the Ontario NDP government a passing grade for its latest provincial budget? Yey: 18 No: 2 Because the system has been heavily funded by the federal and provincial governments many Canadians have always assumed whatever health care is necessary it always be provided. In Canada, health care is often taken for granted. In this new era, we all have to take more responsibility for our own wellâ€"being. Governments will continue to contribute to the cost of hospital buildings and to operatâ€" ing expenses, but the advanced equipment that helps diagâ€" nose problems earlier and more accurately, treat them betâ€" ter and return patients to everyday living more quickly now has to be paid for by the community. Which is why the hospital has embarked upon a $3.5 million New Equipment Campaign. With over $3 million pledged or donated, thanks to the generosity of the volunteer hospital auxiliary, corporate and private citizens and hospital staff, the OTMH new equipment campaign is within striking distance of meeting its $3.5 million goal. Small business is doing its part in the community camâ€" paign. More than 175 establishments have contributed to date, double the number which gave to the building fund campaign 10 years ago. This is a real credit to the small business community, but small business is under great financial pressure and cannot put our community camâ€" paign over the top by itself. But the times are changing. In today‘s climate of govâ€" ernment cutbacks and restrictive budgets, local hospitals are under the gun to provide the best possible level of serâ€" vice to their community. It is now time for the community to show they really care about hospital care in Oakville. Next week, all over town from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 17th, more than 500 volunteers will be calling asking resiâ€" dents to donate to the OTMH New Equipment Campaign. In Glen Abbey, driveâ€"in donation centres have been set up in addition to the doorâ€"toâ€"door canvassing. We urge everyone to seize this opportunity to help equip OTMH with the latest technology to help the professional hospital staff serve the needs of neighbors, business assoâ€" ciates, family members and friends. If everyone gives a little, our community will gain a lot from the new equipment that will make OTMH one of the most advanced community general hospitals in southern Ontario. ____ EDITORIAL _ Time for a healthy donation RESULTS OF LAST WEEK‘S POL! 467 Speers Road, Oakville, Ont. L6K 354 845â€"3824 Fax: 845â€"3085 Should Canada follow Singapore‘s lead and adopt caning as a measure to curb vandalâ€" ism? Cast your ballot by calling 845â€"5585, box 5008 to vote. Callers have until 12 noon Thursday to register their vote. Results of the poll will be published in the next Friday edition of the Oakville Beaver. € Fâ€"ove over Lucien Bouchard and Pierre time to meet Francesca and .. Â¥ A. Robert. And who are they, you might ask? Well ‘to be sure, they have neiâ€" ther the potent political impact, nor the intellectual rigor of a Trudeau or a Bouchard. And yet, although it has been on the shelves for more than two years, the simple story of Francesca and Robert told by Robert James Waller in his novel, The Bridges of Madison County, continues to make a deep and indelible impression on readers everywhere. Today, it is still on the best seller‘s lists. Why? This short novel is neither a sophisticated witty book, nor does it offer the biggerâ€"thanâ€"life personaliâ€" ties of a Lucien or a Pierre. It isn‘t even one of those popular books that tells you how to make a million dollars without ever moving from the couch. But it is a small, fine gem; the kind of book that stays with you long after putting it back on the shelf. quirky, and enjoyable. Perfect fare for lazing about in the warmth of the sun. Enter Waller with his tiny gem. As the story unravels, it begins to alter from a simple summer book. It doesn‘t just promise escapism or entertainâ€" ment. The novel becomes almost like a foreign film... all atmoâ€" sphere and mood. Most imporâ€" tantly, it does what all the sophisticated, trendy, angerâ€" filled books don‘t do â€" it provides a glimpse into a world where anything is possible. And you know, I think people need a little of that now and again. Especially now. When all the world seems depressingly cynical, meanâ€"spirited, and just plain lousy, a glimpse into the world of endless posâ€" sibilities can be enormously cheering. Suspend all disbelief and who knows what will happen. Check your cynicism at the door, the author suggests, and just let magic take over. "...In an increasingly callous world, we all exist with our own At first glance, it seems to be the perfect summer book. A brief but intense affair between a National Geographic photographer and an Iowa farm wife looks to be the perfect thing to while away a few hours on a hot summer‘s evening. You know the kind of book that‘s a perfect sumâ€" mer book â€" a book that is as casual and undemandâ€" ing as the season itself. Opening a summer book can be like puttering about in a chaotic overgrown garâ€" den. Who knows what gems you‘ll find? A perfect summer book promises the reader some entertainment and escapism. Ann Tyler‘s The Accidental Tourist comes to mind or John Mortimer‘s Summer‘s Lease. They are funny, often (Gem of a novel gives glimpse into world where anything is possible Dear Sir: I recently had surgery in the Oakville, Trafalgar Hospital. To my surprise I was placed on the Obstetrical floor due to construction on the surgical floor. I would like to say what the care and help given to me by all the staff was wonderful. Today with our many cutbacks and so many adverse things having been said about our community workers, I wish to say this team did work very efficiently, and the care was excellent. A thank you to all those dedicated people who are serving the community. n in enz 4 Marion Wilson Hospital staff deserves pat on the back And you know, I think people need a little of that now and again. Especially now. When all the world seems depressingly cynical, meanâ€"spirited, and just plain lousy, a glimpse into the world of endless posâ€" sibilities can be enormously cheering. As the story unravels, it begins to alter from a simple summer book. It doesn‘t just promise escapism or entertainâ€" ment. The novel becomes almost like a foreign film... all atmoâ€" sphere and mood. Most imporâ€" tantly, it does what all the sophisticated, trendy, angerâ€" filled books don‘t do â€" it provides a glimpse into a world where anything is possible. Suspend all disbelief and who knows what will happen. Check your cynicism at the door, the author suggests, and just let magic take over. "...In an increasingly callous world, we all exist with our own carapaces of scabbedâ€"over sensibilities..." As the "author" says at the beginning, to quote Coleridge, readers must approach the book with a willing suspension of disbelief. "...Preparing and writing this book has altered my world view, transformed the way I think, and, most of all, reduced my cynicism about what is possible in the arena of human relationships..." Waller weaves a wonderful story full of detail into a sensuous world where anything is possible. In the world of Francesca and Robert, passion lives. So does intelligence, gentleness, decency, humor, and appreciation. Little wonder it remains on the best seller‘s lists.