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For Vol. 2, No. 39 Tuesday, Apr! 6, 1993 CIRC. 11,600 32 pages 39280 Mills says get ready for some strong medicine: Durham East MPP Gord Mills says the economic package unveiled last week by NDP Premier Bob Rae "is the only way the government can invest in jobs and protect services such as health care and education." "We all need to work together to secure jobs now and for the future and to keep our Colour this team glittering silver! Port Perry Ivory Forest Belles are the Ontario Silver medalists after a strong showing at the Provincial finals in Ottawa recently. The Belles had company that weekend as the Tweens also came home with sliver medals. (Stories on sports pages) In the photo front are: Megan Marlowe, Tanya Towns, Tracy Pelow, Melanie Demmer, Kim Poppleton. Back are: Sharon Marlowe, assistant coach, Leea Kinnunen, Michelle Fitzpatrick, Amy Parliament, Jennifer Smith, Valerie Payne, Karen Kett and Coach Don Kett. Not present Ter! Kiyne, Jennifer Savage and Katherine Ellis. The Citizen salutes the Belles and the . Tweens and all youth teams who competed at all levels for the community this past winter. : Hospital recommends contractor Dineen Construction of Toronto has been recommended for the contract to build the multi-million addition to Community Memorial Hospital. The Hospital Board reviewed several bids last week and has recommended that the contract be awarded to Dineen, said hospital administrator David Brown. However, Mr. Br cautioned Shat final approval 'apply on Monday. Happy Easter The business 'office of the Scugog Citizen at 36 Water Street will be closed on Good Friday, April 9. We will be open for business on Monday, April 12 "at 8:30 AM for publication of the April 13 issue of the Citizen. Normal deadlines for ads and copy will On behalf of all of us at the Citizen, we extend best wishes to our valued readers and customers for a safe and enjoyable Easter Weekend.' Givi IM: {eISIAS Heol BE of awarding the contract rests with the provipofal Health Ministry. "We, (the hospital board) are ob¥iously hoping that we get a (favourable) response from the Ministry in the very near future," said Mr. Brown. And he said the timetable for breaking ground on the project remains mid-May. Dineen"s bid of $5.297 million was the lowest of six received by the Board. It was about $120,000 under the next lowest of the bids that ranged upwards to a high 6f $5.693 million. Mr. Brown said the construction company has an extensive background building hospital projects and he's fident the Pp will get the green light from the provincial government. "I can't see any reason why the government would stop this project now," he said. The addition to the west side of the hospital has been in the planning stage for several years. Once complete, it will allow the hospital to enlarge several departments including emergency, physiotherapy and day surgery. The community of Scugog has been solidly behind the project financially since a fund-raising drive got underway five years ago, Once construction starts, it is expected to take about 18 months before the addition is r essential services such as health care and education. But we can't do that unless we reduce overall government spending and control the provincial debt. This is a problem we all share and the economic package is the fairest way to do that," said Mr. Mills in a statement Friday. The economic package outlined by the NDP has several key elements in it such as: investment in jobs through the jobsOntario training and capital, and other programs. -the reduction of government's overall costs with immediate steps to restructure and reform departments and programs. -negotiate a social contract aimed at restructuring the public sector to reduce its costs. This includes provincial employees and those in the broader public sector. -to increase revenues through a combination of tax and non- tax measures and the sale of assets. Mr. Mills said these are difficult steps to take but the government of Ontario has no choice. "The fact is that we have a $68 billion debt because governments of Ontario, including® this one, have borrowed against the future. If "We continue to add to the debt at current rates it would rise to $120 billion by 1996. Interest payments on this debt would consume 26 cents out of every tax dollar and billions of dollars that could have been used to invest in jobs, training and education would simply be used to pay interest on. that debt," he said. He went om to say that he personally "is not very happy" about these tough measures. "But I have a responsibility to the people of my riding and to their children's future." He pledged the NDP government will work to ensure the economic package is developed in a way that is fair and balanced as possible. Negotiations are already underway between the government and public service employee reps to find ways to cut spending. Tax measures will not be announced until a new budget is unveiled later this spring. Mr. Mills said the economic recovery that has started in the province will not solve the government's revenue Without the e¢onomic package in place, the deficit this year will increase to $12 billion due to stagnant revenues, The government goal is to keep the deficit this year under $10 billion. Please see page two EASTER FOOD DRIVI H.