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Orono Weekly Times, 11 Oct 1989, p. 8

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8-Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday , October 11, 1989 Mainstream Canada Blenkarn's baloney By Ann M. Smith Of all the descriptions ever applied to Tbry Finance Committee Chairman Don Blenkarn, "loose cannon" is probably the most accurate His ability ability to say the wrong thing at the wrong time is nothing if not remarkable So notorious are Mr. Blenkarn's outlandish outlandish comments that many people are beginning to wonder how he has been able to keep his job. Admittedly, Blenkarn has one of the most unenviable tasks in Ottawa. As chairman of the Finance Committee he is publicly responsible for the first phase of the federal government's controversial controversial Goods and Services Tax sales pitch. (The proposed 9 per cent GST will replace the current 13.5 per cent on the sale of goods and broadens the scope to include services. So, for example, example, consumers in Saskatchewan will have to pay the new 9 per cent GST and then apply the 7 per cent provincial rate on the federal'sales tax rate for a combined combined sales tax rate of 16.63 per cent.) Reaction to the GST has been almost unanimous disgust. So enter Blenkarn. It's his job to listen listen to the concerns of Canadians and then make recommendations to the minister of finance on our behalf. It is an essential part of the process and one of the few opportunities that Canadians Canadians have to voice support and/or opposition to a government initiative. Instead of creating a climate for productive negotiations, however, Blenkarn's recent behavior has been marred by a basic lack of sensitivity and, at times, down-right disrespect. Example 1: Blenkarn, GST and senior senior citizens. According to Blenkarn, the GST won't hurt seniors. ' 'They (seniors) live at a slower pace and don't spend money in the same Orono Flower Show results (Continued from page 7) 15 a) Squash - Carol Mostert; Dorothy Barnett; Isabelle Challice. 15b) Squash - Lorna Atkins; Doreen Lowery; Carman White. 16) Pumpkins - Carol Mostert; Verna Verna Robinson; Bertha White. D. Decorative: 17) "Take Me Home Country road" (Arrangement) - Carol Mostert; Isabelle Challice; Shelley Etmanski; Martha Farrow. 18) "Wild and Woody" (Vertical) - Isabelle Challice; Carol Mostert; Martha Farrow. 19) "Natures Blessings" - Carol Mostert; Isabelle Challice; Shelley Etmanski. 20) "Leaves Are Lovely" Table - Carol Mostert; Isabelle Challice; Bertha White. 21) "Autumn Harmony" - Inez Harris. 22) Collection of dried materials Carol Mostert; Minnie Zegers; Isabelle Challice. 23) "An ris. Specials: Kirby St Carol Judges Berry Best Dyball - Most Pc Yvonne Most Po| by Mr. Carol M Mo; 5 C Far Mui Apple a Day" - Inez Har- ore - Best Arrangement - stert. (phoices donated by Kent ms - Lorna Atkins, ms donated by Trudie Doreen Lowery, lints in show donated by 'Irafford - Carol Mostert. nis in Decorative donated and Mrs. Ken Williams : istert. sense that you and I do," he has been quoted as saying. ' ' Older people don't wear out their clothing, their furniture, don't run around... and all of that costs dough. ' ' Needless to say, senior citizens were outraged by these reprehensible remarks and have called for an apology. Example 2: Blenkarn, GST and women. When asked whether his committee will consider including food in the GST, Blenkarn had this to say: "There is no question about it, if I include food I could lower the rate... but madam housewife might be very unhappy about that so we better take a hard look at whether that is going to get us in trouble with our wives. " This little gem came several months ago, so the likelihood of women receiving receiving an apology at this late date is unfortunately unfortunately nil. Example 3: Blenkarn, GST and Atlantic Canada. With reference to expanding the Finance Committee hearings to include a broader scope of Canadian regions, Blenkarn said there wasn't much point going to any city other than Halifax (in the Atlantic region) because the quality of submissions submissions wouldn't be strong enough to warrant the extra expense. Besides, he said, these "boonie" regions stand to make more money from the GST than ; anywhere else. Again, Blenkarn doesn't seem to feel that an apology to the people of Atlantic Canada is necessary. Perhaps one answer to the government's government's desperation to raise more revenue revenue would be to tax Blenkarn for his verbal baloney. If this were to happen we could certainly enjoy a rate much lower than 9 per cent. CFIB Feature Service Dominon Seed House Specials: > Most Points in Vegetables - Carol Mostert. Most Points in Flowers - Isabelle Challice. ■ Press and Publicity, Lorna Atkins To unveil Time Capsule (Continued from page 1) children shall judge us. Nuclear A wareness Project, ■ 1989 The Seventh Generation Monument Monument time capsule will be seladed and placed inside the monument at the ceremony. Contributors to the time capsule include: the Atomic Energy Control Board, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, The Canadian Nuclear Association, the Canadian Nuclear Society, Ontario Hydro, Energy Probe, Greenpeace, the International Institue of Concern Concern for Public Health, Nulcear Awareness Project and the Port Granby/Newcastle Environment Committee. The statements provided provided by contributors for the time capsule capsule Will be made public at the ceremony. Susanne Elston, chairperson of Nuclear Awareness Project, will be pseaking about the significance of the monument to the group assembled. "My sons are the seventh generation generation of our family to live on this land since our house was built in 1827. Ourfamily should at least be able to live here for the next seven generations, free from the worries about nucla)ear mishaps. Unfortunately Unfortunately this may not be the case now." Jack Brackett, an active member of the group who helped build the monument, looks at it as an apology to hsi children and their Children. "I'm sorry I didn't work harder to stop these reactors. This monument monument will serve as a constant reminder that some people have very deep concerns." OWMC to Honour Successful Waste Reduction Farm - Furniture Estate & Antique Auctions Earl Gauslin AUCTIONEER STOUFFVILLE 416-640-5398 416-640-3079 The Corporation of the TOWN OF NEWCASTLE TENDER SEALED TENDERS, clearly marked as to contents, for the following requirements listed below, addressed to the Corporation Corporation of the Town of Newcastle, Office of the Clerk, 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, Ontario, L1C 3A6, will be received on the forms and in the envelope provided until the specified closing time and date. Tender Documents can be obtained from the Purchasing Office Office at 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, Ontario. Tender T89-36 - CHAIN LINK FENCING Closing Time & Date: 12:00 Noon (local time) Tuesday, October 24,1989 The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. Mrs. Lou Ann Birkett Purchasing and Supply Agent Telephone: (416) 623-3379 ext. 267 Ontario Waste Management Corporation (OWMC) has announced the creation of a new industrial waste reduction award program. Each year, two awards will be presented to companies or trade organizations that demonstrate successful industrial industrial waste reduction practices, "Hundreds of companies across Ontario arc helping to solve our industrial Waste problems problems - yet nobody ever hears about them," said OWMC engineer engineer Jody Sabo. "Smart waste reduction programs, which incorporate the 4Rs of reduction, reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery, recovery, have diverted millions of gallons of industrial waste from landfills and sewage treatment plants. We feel it's time to recognize recognize some of these success stories." OWMC's Outstanding Waste Reduction Award is open to any company that has significantly reduced its, generation of waste, or any trade organization* that has successfully promoted waste reduction practices amongst its . members. "We are particularly interested in hearing from companies companies using innovative technologies technologies or waste reduction processes processes that can be adopted by other waste generators," said Sabo. Awards will be presented in two categories; one for small firms (with fewer than 50 employees) and one for larger organizations. A panel of judges selected, from industry, environmental environmental groups, government and the academic community will evaluate the entries and award plaques to the winners. Each employee who contributed to the success of the waste reduction reduction program will receive a certificate. certificate. Application forms have been distributed to more than 14,000 ■ plant managers and trade orga- • nizations throughout Ontario. The deadline for applications is December 1,1989. O. CHATTERTON ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING POLE LINE CONSTRUCTION Phone 983-5546 or 983*5940 . Orono, Ontario Ü The CATERING CONNECTION" ON THE SPOT CATERING Weddings,- Anniversaries - All Banquets CHEESE TRAYS - MEAT PLATTERS - SALADS Lf Fred & Patricia Storsbergen Orono 983-9679 MERVYN B. KELLY Barrister and Solicitor LAW OFFICE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE - REASONABLE RATES Free Initial Consultation 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 6234444 Evening and Week-end Appointments Available Corner Church and Temperance Sts.'; Bowmanville Date of Publication: October 11. 1989 P.O. 2672

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