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I Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, March 27, 1996 - 3 Staying In Touch John O'Toole, MPP Durham East Monday, March 19 at Queen's Park was a disturb- ing experience for all involved. Members of OPSEU and other unions joined forces to block our access to the opening of the spring Legislative session. I have never 'denied any group's right to demonstrate, however I do have problems with one person interferes with any other person's rights. The Queen's Park Legislative Building is a pub- lic place and last Monday, public access was denied. My real concern was for the safe- ty of all those people who work in the building, many of the employees, press, visitors and MPP's are not members of OPSEU and should have been allowed the freedom of movement around Queen's Park. To be encircled by protesters, yelling and screaming and to be physi- cally blocked from entering the building was frustrating. I do not condone the violence that occurred that day. I was elected to work for you as your MPP and on Monday, I was denied access to my place of work. The current Government offer is fair and reasonable, both for the union and the people of Ontario. Any increase in pay or severance is more money that we would have to bor- row. We cannot.afford the $1 million we are spending on interest each hour on our existing debt. This situation begs the question, who is running this province? Tuesday, March 20 at Blackstock, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Honourable Noble Villeneuve was the guest speaker at the Loin's Club annual Farm Night Dinner. The Minister addressed the issue of the OPSEu strike and its impact on several local meat packers and processors in Durham East. Agriculture is the second largest indus- try in Ontario, involving 12.4% of the labour force and 8.4% of our GDP. This trans- lated into 640,000 jobs and $22.3 billion of Ontario's GDP. I have written to both the Minister of Agriculture and the Chair of the Management Board, the Honourable Dave Johnson, encouraging them to reapply to the Ontario Labour Relations Board to reconsider their decision not to recognize meat inspection as an essen- tial service. I will continue to search for a solution to this problem and an early resolu tion to the OPSEU strike. On Friday, march 22nd, I had an excellent meeting with members of the Power Worker's Union of Ontario Hydro Darlington. Like many of you, I have been listening to the commercials and read- c7L4 ut2511 Aave7.a Heather Rebekahs/Oddfellows Hall News ing their advertisements. I live close to the Darlington Nuclear Plant and have a cou- ple of concerns about this issue. Safety must be the most important issue when we are dealing with a nuclear power plant. My second con- cern is with the discussions around the privatization of Ontario Hydro. Premier Harris has said that he has not made up his mind on pri- vatization and wants to exam- ine all options in order to determine what will best serve the people of Ontario with regards to quality, reliability of service and cost. I am of the opinion that the nuclear generating operations of Ontario Hydro should not be privatized, there are too many potential safety con- cerns. John Murphy, President of the Power Worker's Union, is position- ing his membership for a potential strike with the new date of May 30th, 1996. In a monopoly situation, bargain- ing is unbalanced. Negotiations are complicated by the Macdonald Comniission's proceedings and the position of William Farlinger, Chairmart of Ontario Hydro who is sup- portive of privatization. Furthermore, the Federal Government, AECB (Atomic Energy Control Board), licenses nuclear plants and operators and their guidelines eliminate the possiblity of using replacement workers. A strike at Ontario Hydro would crippie Ontario industry. Labour unrest in Ontario is not a good message for the province to project. We must all realize that everyone suf- fers when a public service is shutdown. If a private sector like General Motors goes on strike, the impact is quickly picked up by the competition. In all things, there must be a balance of power (so to speak). From my meeting with the Power Worker's Union, I am confident that they are willing to negotiate responsibly with Ontario Hydro. On Saturday, March 23rd, the GTA MPP caucus met with Dr. Ann Golden and the Mayors of York Region. We have one more report to receive from the GTA panel (Burnham, Beath and Star). The panel has held public meetings around the GTA and will soon report to the Minister, Al Leach. This exer- cise is worth while as most Regions and Municipalities are responding with options to downsize and become more efficient. My position is to rep- resent the interests of my rid- ing first. We are listening to your input and no decision has been made. School Board Amalgamation and education funding are currently very hot topic. I am continuing to hear from people for and against any change to the existing boundaries. Like the GTA issue, the Sweeny Report is very controversial. However, please keep an open mind as we consider all options. At present, we have some 168 school boards in Ontario, the reports recommends this be changed to 87 boards. Remember, your school build- ing won't move. Ask yourself how often you have to deal with your Trustee or board. We are attempting to down- size administration without affecting theclassroom. I am in the process of meeting with all five school boards and Directors of Education in Durham East. In April, its my desire to hold a couple of Town Hall meetings to gather your input. Many senior citi zens have told me their local tax bill is too highand feel that school boards have got to were 15 tables. The following results are Alice Hooey 1st - 86; Allan Downes 2nd - 77; Inez Harris 3rd - 76. Winner of the 50/50 draw dune Wilson. The Oddfellows and Rebekahs Centre Hall Board would like to thank the com- munity, Oddfellows Lodge #436 and Heather Rebekah Lodge #334 for their support. hold the line on spending, just like the municipalities. If you have any questions, please call my office at 697- 1501 and we will get you the information. In future arti- cles, 1 will discuss this topic in more detail. Ask yourself one final question: Do you think the schools in Clarington should come under the same jurisdiction as the other schools in the Region of Durham? Until next week, I look for- ward with hope. The weather is getting warmer and soon we will each enjoy the spring flowers and the longer evening light. SHOP AROUND, GET YOUR BEST PRICE THEN CALL US FOR YOUR BETTER PRICE We use the full 7% G.S.T. Credit to give youth maximum $$$ for your Trade-In. Toll Free from Area Codes 905 or 705 at 1-800-361-8154 or local calls 885-8154 Authorized Sales & Service Centre for: * Camcorders - VCR's Microwaves TV's Accessories Stereo Systems Telephones • Top 100 CD's & Tapes Over one hundred mem- bers of the community enjoyed the fellowship, deli cious roast beef supper and euchre party held March 19 by the Oddfellows and Rebekahs Centre Hall Board. There were many favourable comments on the tasty meal and the bright appearance of the hall follow- ing the recent decorating. At the euchre party there Alvin & Trudy Souch Come out and help celebrate Mom & Dad's 25th at Newcastle Town Hall, April 6th at 8 p.m. $5.00 per person at the door Buffet • Bar *-Dance e Regional Municipality of Durham Works Department HOLIDAY CLOSURE OF THE REGIOW'SWASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES The Region's Waste Management Facilities in Oshawa, Port Perry and Blackstock will be closed Friday, April 5, 1996, for the Good Friday holiday. Normal operations will resume Saturday, April 6,1996. V.A. SILGAILIS, P. ENG. COMMISSIONER OF WORKS -ýmý le-