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( Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, October 8, 9~~ From Parliam ent HI Alex Shepherd Would you try and find your way to an unknown des- tination wtbout a miap? Not mnany of us would. But the foolliardy would undoubtedly waste immeasurable bours and expense doing that. Past experlence within the realm of government spend- lng to solveproblerus, botli real and perceived, are replete wth examples of tie mapless and wasteful approacli. We don't want govemment using money like casino dice to be thrown on tbe table wti the bope of, hitting the riglit number froru a maze of pos- sibilities. Canadians want a map. a plan and a strategy so that wben government gets to the point wbere it Is directing money for social needs the money Is not wasted. As a society we can agree on some basic prenilses. One is that it is irresponsible to sit back and watcb some senior citizens - often single wldows - live in poverty. Basic Old Age Pension is $406 per montli. Too many seniors are trying to live on this as total income. We are told there is a higli incidence of cbild poverty. And very few of us want to be tagged as an ogre from one of Charles Dickens' novels and not deal with that probleru. So we can agree on these things. Now if we want to work on these social problems we want to be assured we are maklng progress. F or exaru- ple, we might find senior A living witb family and well cared for. Senior B, on the other band, is trylng to live on bis or ber own and forced to eat pet'food. How can gov- ernment be selective? Do resources go to A or B? What about cbildren? Child A suffers from malnu- trition. Not because blis or ber famnily is poor but because tbe parents feed, the child too mucli fast food instead of nutritional foods. This is a probleru and lt's not related to income level. We need to find ways of measurlng and determining wbat policles and prograxns are baving an Impact. 1Teachers and public bealth nurses should be part of the process but in many cases the damage is done to cl- dren before tbey make it to scbool. Tbat's wliy more resources sbould be put Into pre-natal and post-nata] s'up- port prograins. But the measurlng tools must be in place to ensure we are hitting the target. And so it must be with every social prograin of gov- ernment. It has to corne with a regular evaluation system and a report on progress being rmade. Accountability of govern- ment isn't simply about the transparency' in the bud- getary process. Accountability must mean government is responsible for Canadians' money and to govemn wisely. Canadians are demanding that and recipients of social progranis deserve it. Pat Adamus Par-ade Entries Being Ac--cepted Tlhe Bowmanville non com- mercial Santa Claus Parade will be held on Saturday, November lSth at 10:30 a.m. Persons or groups who wlsh entry are lnvlted to cali 905-434-6535 for more Infor- mation. Please no post entries wil be accepted. NATIONAL NEWSPAPER WEEK OCT. 5-11, 1997 Business & Professional Women's Club News The Bowmanvllle Brandi of the Business 'and Professional Women's Club comprises a dynamlic group of women wlth varled inter- ests, work experiences, and backgrounds from alI walks of life. The 1997-1998 pro- gramu invites women to cele- brate the accompllsbments and study the issues affecting women today. In the Wornen Today cate- gory, Diane Harure, Mayor of Clarlngton. was the guest speaker at the September meeting of the Bowmanville BPW Club. Diane's personal mission statement for lier role as mayor in the Munlclpality of Clarlngton, can be summed up in three words: care, commitruent, and con- tributions. Diane is proud of the care shown to residents of all ages througli sucli yen- tures as the proposed Youth Centre, a speclallzed place for youth to meet. Wbat makes thus centre unique Is that stu- dents bave been involved in the planning, prograru and organization of this proj ect froru the beglnnlng. With adult support, a youtb advl- sory body has commltted itself to worklng ln a consul- tation mode so that this need becomes a reallty. A Serîlor's centre, complete wlth accom- modation for the dlsabled bas been establlshed at the Llon'ýs Centre in Bowmanville. The Garnet Rickard Recreational Complex In Bowmanville will soon bouse a new Ice pad enabling more members of the comxnunlty to access Ice time as well as to watch the action as a specta- tor. In Courtice, residents of Clarlngton thrllled to the opening of the new Courtice Communîty Complex whlch boasts a beautiful pool. Ilbrary, day care and work- out facility. The fund raislng group bas been so successful along wlth budget commit- ments froru the munlclpallty, that the building Is free of al debentures! Diane was happy to note that Clarington Is in good shape witb a Triple A credit rating. Diane will participate in an upcoming Ail Candidates Forum to be hosted by the Bowmanville BPWT Club on Tuesday 04 November 1997. It will be held at Bowrnanville High School. AIl are welcome to corne and listen and pre- pare for lnformed voting in the upcomlng election. The Bowrnanvllle BPW Club celebrates Women's Hlstory Montb wtth guest speaker Gail Rlckard, Dean of the Centre for Incividual Studies In Maple Grove. Gal] will inforru us of the many opportunities for adults In this wonderful centre located rlght here in Clarlngton. We welcome guests and invite you to join us at our next meeting on Thursday 20 October 1997 at SIlks Café, 73 Kng Street West, Bowmanville. A social lime begins at 6:00 p.m. and is fol- lowed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. The cost for a full course meal lncludlng appetizer. entree, dessert and beverage Is $20.00. For dinner reserva- lions, please cali Helen Devitt at 623-3915 by Monday 13 October.