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2- Oooi(Weekly imes, Wednesday, May 6. 1998 k QRONO WEEKLY TIMEs Subscriptions $21.50 + $1.50 G.S.T. = $23.00/year. Publications Mail Registration No. 000368 Publishing 50 Issues Annually at the Office of Publication 5310 Main Street, P.O. Box 209, Orono, Ontario LOB ]MO E-Mail Address: oronotimes@speedline.ca Phone/Fax (905) 983-5301 Publisher/ Editor Marg Zwart Maple Leaf forever by Herman Zwart While the NHL playoffs are in full swing, I've had the sudden realization--that my wife has not chastised me for watching too much hockey. As a matter of fact, I've hardly watched any! Also, gone with the hockey are the squibbles regarding who controls the remote. Recalling past years, I'd watch every game on the tube-- sitting on the edge my seat, jumping up, hooting and holler- ing with every goal. Wow! The good old days. Now however, I can't believe what's happened to me! I no longer go out of my way to catch the games. Why you ask? The Maple Leafs--the team I live and breathe by, have missed the playoffs again. The Leafs, having the good fortune to fill the 'Gardens' with fans--win or lose every game, whose T.V. broadcast rights were fought over, seemed to be developing a disturbing losing trend. As a result my interest in hockey has dwindled somewhat (increasing my wife's remote possession time!) But in all honesty, I find myself strangely and patriotically drawn periodically to the games where remaining Canadian teams--Ottawa, Montreal and Edmonton are still playing and pretending they wear a 'leaf on the front of their sweaters! Next year, I predict the Maple Leafs will win Lord Stanley's Cup and--I will once more be king of the remote. Go Leafs go! Dear Marg & Herman, Rosie, Elaine & staff, Thanks so much for your wonderful support, hard work & dedication to our 50th Anniversary, it was a great success. Your support for our community is very special, we appreciate all you do for us. The program book is truly awesome! Thanks again! Yours in Skating, Orono F.S.C. I am pleased to announce that on Tuesday, May 12, I will be hosting a workshop on "Youth Employment Opportunities." This event is designed to assist young peo- ple in Durham East with their summer job search. The "Youth Employment Opportunities" workshop will take place at the Clarington Community Resource Centre in Bowmanville from 4 to 5 p.m. As a parent of five children, I understand many of the challenges facing today's youth. I hope that this work- shop will help more youth in my riding find employment and develop the skills they need to compete in today's marketplace. The primary objective of this workshop is to assist young people in becoming aware of the opportunities available to them in Durham. Presenters at the May 12th workshop will include repre- sentatives from: Human Resources Canada, The Summer Jobs Services Program and the Industrial Accident Prevention Association. As well, informa- tion on using the Internet when searching for employ- ment will also be available. I would appreciate any assistance you could provide In the promotion of the "Youth Employment Opportunities" workshop. By working together, we can make this event successful and help the youth of the community. I appreciate your coopera- tion with this matter. If you have any questions or con- cerns, please contact me at 697-1501. Sincerely, John R. OToole, MPP Durham East There are defining moments i the history of great nationS. Moments that sometimes pass without the populace reJllY grasping the importance of the event. Yet, in years to eome, those who write history will point a fln- ger to sucn an event and wisely state that this was the start of the dollapse of a gov- ernment or àn entire society. Such a defining moment took place this past week when the House of Commons refused to provide financial compensation to thousands of Canadians who became victims of Hepatitis C as a result of a tainted blood sys- tem that was provided to innocent Canadians up to the year 1990. Compensation was offered to those victims who contact- ed the disease between 1986 and 1990, even though Justice Horace Krever stated that there was available test- ing of blood supply as far back as 1981, however the government of the day never acted upon this information. The present government draws the compensation line at 1986, stating that those Canadians that contracted Hepatitis C prior to that time would not receive compensa- tion, leaving thousands. of sick Canadians to fend for themselves in the years to come, while those who con- tacted the disease between 1986 and 1990 will receive the help they deserve from the government we elected. Personally, I know none of these victims. However, I do have a son who, received numerous blood transfusions in the late Eighties and early Nineties as a result of a hor- rible industrial accident that almost cost him a leg. He did not contact Hepatitis C, and has gone on to live a normal life, in spite of the years of hospitalization, operations, skin grafts, and the like. To say that he was Blessed is understanding the situation. However, here we are on the eve of the new millenni- um, part of a society that blindly closes our eyes and our hearts to the sad plight of thousands of our fellow Canadians. The outrageous fact is that the majority of our elected Federal politicians had the opportunity to right a wrong, and failed to do so. One of the great things about being a Canadian is our deeply rooted sense of fair play. It probably goes back to the Plains of Abraham where the English defeated the French and then set them up with their own province, lan- guage, and laws. I often won- der it the "victors" would of handled things differently had they have kriown all the tur- moil that would come to Canada as a result of the decision. The answer is prob- ably "No", Why? Because we are Canadians, and that's the way we do things. We are a compassionate nation, decply proud of those things that make us different from the rest of the worid. Over the years we have been raised with a number of basic beliefs. Our mothers taught us that if we were ever in trouble, we could simply turn to a policeman, and he would help us find our way. When it came to politics, we believed that the system worked. It was a kinder and gentler political system than that practiced by our neigh- bours south of the border, but in the long run, the sys- tem works. The people elect the Government that they deserve, and although most politicians are far from per- fect, they all start down the political path because they want to help society, and they have a deep-rooted admira- tion for the political process. Unfortunately, governments, as a whole, sometime loose their way. This past week saw that special bond between govern- ment and the people over-rid- den by a blatant political steamroller that "whipped" every member of the Govenment to stand in their place and refuse to give finan- cial aide to thousands of Canadians who contacted Hepatitis C prior to 1986, through no fault of their own. Of course, those who sup- ported the decision to close the door on these Canadians NEW PARENTS - We know you're not getting much sleep so you could probably use a laugh. Check out these titles. You just don't duct tape a baby! true tales and sensible suggestions from a veteran pediatrician. By Norman Weinberger, call # 649.1 Wei You might as well laugh: surviving the joys of parent- hood. By Sandi Kahn Shelton, Call # 306.8740207 She We have lots of other great parenting titles..just ask at the information desk at your local branch. IT'S FRANKLIN The Clarington Public Library invites you to come and meet FRANKLIN at the Courtice Carnival on Saturday, May 16. If you come to the Carnival dressed as your favourite character from a book, FRANKLIN will give you a prize! Join FRANKLIN on stage at 1:00 p.m. While at the Carnival don't forget to stop by the Library to pick up some great reading! WHAT TO GET MOM FOR MOTHER'S DAY A Clarington Public Library Book Bag is a great gift idea. These attractive canvas bags come in two convenient sizes. Large bags are $9 and small bags are $6. You can buy Letter to the Editor them at any branch of the Clarington Public Lbrary. SUGGESTION BOXES The Clarington Pubic Library values your input and wants to provide the best facilities, services and prod- ucts we possibly can to the people of Clarington. To gain a better understanding of what the public wants in a library, we have placed sug- gestion boxes in each branch of the library system. Feel free to give us any constructive input or suggestions you have about the library. Clarington Fire Calls The Clarington Fire Department responded to the following calls during the week of April 27th to May 3, 1998: 2 grass fires; 1 fire; 7 motor vehicle accidents; 20 medical assistance calls; 3 911 calls; 1 alarm activation call and 8 check-out calls. in need will rationalize their position by whining about the cost of such compensation. That argument is certainly interesting, coming from a government who has no prob- lem with spending millions on matters like the Pearson Airport Enquiry, helicoptors, submarines, and an uncount- ed number of Canadian flags given away by Sheila Copps. However, every member in the Government ranks stood as one to refuse compensa- tion for all the victims of the scandal surrounding tainted blood. After the vote, the Federal Health Minister, Alan Rock said, "The file is closed." Not really. This action was a defining moment for Canadians. It will either be the beginning of the end for this present Government, or the beginning of the end for a Canadian way of doing things, that most of us have learned to love and respect. 1, for one, have great faith in Canadians. The files are never closed on unjust deci- sions. It may take a long time, but Canadians will see their way clear to assist the victims of this tragedy as they fight to avoid financial ruin. It may be another time, under another government, but it will happen. That's the way we do things in this country. W. H. Stockwell, 107 Freeland Ave. Bowmanville, Ontario May 4, 1998