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Wednesday, September 7, 2005 Subscriptions $32.71 +12.29 GST = $35.00 per year. W ORONO WEEKLY TIMES - 5310 Main St . MTMI. ,M0 Publications Mai Registration No. 0S»1 • Agreement No. 40012366 Jg. Emoti: oronotimesOrooers.com or Phone/Fax 905-98W301 Publishing 48 issues annually at the office of publication. iQi Pubtisher/Editor Margaret Zwart 'We acknowledge the financial support of the Government ofCanada through Sports and Display Advertising - Donna Wood the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mating costs. . Front Office and Classified Advertising - Rosey Bateman --- Canada . AP™* The Orono Weekly Times welcomes tellers to the editor on subjects of Werœtto mur Sümd wJSwS'S' tyOï Sadly--too little too late Can there be anything left to say about Katrina? Why has the rescue operation, or the lack of a rescue operation, become the focal point for such criticism from Black Americans? The first factor that shouts at us is--why did those suburbs suburbs exist below water level? There was a Canadian parallel experience, now forgotten by most people. That was Hurricane Hazel, the only hurricane hurricane that created major havoc in Ontario. Back in 1954, Hazel killed some 100 people in Ontario, and approximately 90 of those deaths occurred in low lying areas, specifically in streets and trailer parks on the banks of the Humber River. Ontario, in 1954, was every bit as unprepared as was New Orleans in 2005. Since then, it has become difficult, or impossible, to build, or locate, in areas that could be subject to floods. We are not suggesting that the rules in Ontario are perfect, but they are a good start. Obviously, such rules were not even thought about in New Orleans. This talks to another factor, which is the idea of paying taxes. Rich Americans do not pay very much in taxes when contrasted to the wealthy of other countries (including Canada). The idea seen in most democratic countries is that the well off pay higher taxes as a benefit the poor. That is not--at all--a popular idea in the States. George Bush won two elections by the slimmest of margins. His margin, and his two victories, were due to the perception that he would do a better job of cutting taxes than would his opponents. Bush (similar to our Mike Harris, a few years ago), kept his promise. The difference was that there was much less to cut in the U.S., because (relative to other democracies) the U.S. has always had low taxes. ... When taxes are too low, that makes it impossible for any government to fund good police forces, good social services, and adequate health care. Then Bush, and his warhawk advisors, advisors, decided to waste hundreds of billons of dollars of that taxpayers' money on wars; wars which cannot be won. What was left for education, hospitals in poor black areas, city planning, training of local police, reinforcing levees, etc? Well--not much--and that is now playing out a song of death and destruction. While we have not independently researched this situation, situation, American media reported that 43 million dollars were earmarked for levee maintenance and repair for the year 2005, by the governments involved. By our rough calculation, calculation, the U.S. is spending over 200 million dollars on wars-- and that is 200 million dollars per day!! Repairing levees doesn't win elections, nor does it make for dramatic movies and T.V. Then enters that hugely worrisome consideration of race. As one American newscaster described it, "the unheard elephant elephant in the room". Another commentator (a Canadian) wondered wondered why the American media was so surprised at the terrible terrible plight of black people. Tragically, as we started to see some whites on our television screens, most were carrying obscenely large automatic weapons. What use were guns to the drowning black people? Many, many Americans are totally unaware of the third world conditions that exist in every large American city, and almost always affect the black population. Of course, the same is true in the Caribbean and elsewhere. It is also true to a lesser degree in Toronto. Ask yourself, how many young white men have been gunned down in Toronto's "Summer of the Gun"? , So, are there any easy or obvious solutions for either ot our beloved countries? Absolutely not! Rather, there are some very tough solutions, solutions, which include; love thy neighbour (regardless of skin colour), pay your taxes, fully and honestly. Remember, we can have law, order, and organized services--only when there is enough tax paid to support those goals and activities; stay informed about political activity in your area, and demand that your elected officials, and paid administrators, do their jobs; support our politicians when they do their jobs, and give generously to charities, especially right now--to the Red Cross. Letters to the Editor Re: "Time for a new sign II ■ ■ ■ Dear Editor, I remember a long, long time ago when the Orono scenic scenic signs were unveiled. They were brand new... clean... shiny... professionally installed... but I really had no idea what they were depicting. Sometime later, I actually stopped to have a better look at the north one. Sorry... I confess... confess... I didn't know what I was looking at. Maybe it was a hologram or 3D or maybe I was just too dumb? Do you think any northbound, northbound, one time 115 driver, had any idea what he just passed at 100K? The "KISS" principle is imperative for highway signs. Our new 115 signs should have our name and the upcoming exit(s) and if there is enough room left... "Est. 1832". I think our website is a neat touch on the other Orono sign. Kelly Adams Orono "Put your ideas on paper and submit..." Dear Marg, Since your August 31st issue of the Orono Weekly times, local residents have been dropping into our shop voicing their opinions on the new sign that we, as a BIA, have taken on to improve. The general consensus that I am noticing is that people are passionate about the slogan, "The Village with a Difference." Difference." Actually, I have not heard one favourable reference to "Be Surprised" which most have scoffed at in jest. This is a big project for our association. Over the years our sign has become more and more weathered, and I am so pleased that we have an aggressive committee and chairman who have taken it upon themselves to finally get the new sign project underway. underway. The costs of such a venture are beyond our budget and this optimistic group have already booked the Orono Community Centre in November to hold a fundraising fundraising dance to help with these costs. 1 am pleading with your readers to please put their ideas on paper and submit them to Di's Pizza by September 16th, because this is the only way to inform the committee who will be open to all ideas. Thank you. Yvonne Maitland The Apple Blossom Shop Orono