The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Politicians beware. Voters watch and wait! To the Editor: Canadians have had a little more than a week now to chronicle yet another example of the Liberal government's lack of political conviction - namely their proposal of harmonizing the federal GST with provincial sales taxes. The promise made during the last federal election to replace this much hated tax was a corner stone of the Liberal campaign. On April 23, the Finance Minister announced that the Liberals agreed to pay almost $1 billion each year for the next four years to three A p who ted his issues that are of primary importance to /political process by so many Canadians. the people of those issues ham Riding, especially irectly affecting their tax merger idea. On that same' day, Durham Riding MP Alex Shepherd issued a press release calling for the end of the monarchy in Canada. It would seem to me that this issue pales in comparison with those ' VIEWPOINT by John B. McClellgnd THE ISLAND or I think enough has been said (and written) about the casino being planned for Scugog Island. In this edition of the Citizen, columnist David Daniels raises several points (sée By the Book, page ten David -has been writing this column for about a year ith and when he first approached me, I told him point-blank that the column is his, he can write on any subject or topic he pleases so long as the content is within the bounds of the libel and slander laws of the land. However, there have been occasions when I dis-agree with what he writes. Nothing wrong with that. After all, a column is a persopal expression and no two people are going to agree all the time. This week is one of those ogcasions. David cites American studies on the social problems that can accompany gambling (legal or otherwise) I can't help but wonder if the American experience is on the same level with what is proposed for the casino on Scugog Island. Apparently, there are no corresponding Canadian studies. But the Island casino is not going to be a Mississippi River-style wide open operation. It should be kept in * mind that the Island 'casino will operate under the Ontario Gaming Control Commission. There will be limits on the betting ($10 I am told) and in my personal view these limits will go a long-way to keeping the "high rollers" at bay. Unlike un-limited stakes casinos, there will rot be the chance to win or lose huge amounts of money in a day or an evening. And that won't have much appeal to the so-called hard core gamblers. don't play the horses. I have never I» been to Vegas, have never been inside a casino. I have played poker on occasion when the stakes were reasonable. I have no opinio way or another on the ra mp gon of gambling. Thay's up tH the governments reap huge profits from lotteries, bingos, monte carlo nights and horse racing. The operatots of the Island casino have said 220 jobs will be created. That is significant for a community individual. matin in mind that» gambling is legal in Ontario and like Scugog. Likewise, local suppliers and trades will have a chance to bid on sub-contracts for this $13 million project. That should not be over-looked, either. Finally, as was pointed out in a Citizen editorial last week, the casino oy dui will have to attract a lot of Visitors. Surely, our local Chamber of Commerce, the BIA and the I's committee can find Ways to "tap into" this influx of .visitors to generate tourist dollars in-the rest of the Township. These organizations go to great lengths and expense to attract visitors fo Scugog. Enpugh said on ° this topic. But I have 2 feeling we haven't heard the last word on the Island casino. DON'T PITY NUNCIATA: Pobr John Nunciata. He's the Toronto MP who got turfed from the Liberal party by the big guy himself for voting against the budget i By the time you read this, Nunciata will probably have declared himself a candidate for the Ontario provincial Liberal leadership. Why not? He's riding a boat-load of publicity iwith great deal of sympathy. And who else is in the race to replace Lyn McLeod? The ex-director of a Toronto food bank and some obscure back-bencher. Nunciata would be a shoo-in for the job, if he wants it. B put where, in heaven's name, are the heavy hitters dmong provincial Liberals? IN CLOSING: Last week, I used some of this column space to pay tribute to Scugog citizens who have been recognized . for their contributions in sports and the arts. They deserve the accolades. This week, with pleasure, I offer personal congrats to Bob Douglas on Personally, I am not a gambler. 1 "receiving the Distinguished Service Star from the Korea Veterans Assoc. Bob is a veteran of the Korean War and a long time member of KVA. The medal is the highest honour presented by the Association--just six in Ontario. You may recall the July 1 celebrations in Palmer Park last summer in which many local war veterans were presented with certificates. Bob had a big role in organizing that impressive event. He told me that receiving the medal means a great deal.to him. You can bet he'll wear it with pride. I cannot forget what Jean' Chretien said in his angry response to the Tories, after they had forced this tax through the Senat. D ber 1990. "Canadi won't forgive the Brian Mulroney government for imposing the goods and services tax duting the recession." The Liberals then stated they would continue their fight against the GST. Senator Michael Kirby stated at that time "The battle against the GST inués when Enough is enough. The time has come for this nt = to act responsibly, og oe held to ihe ultimate test of accounthbility; by calli ng a federal election. How can Mr. Sh honestly begin debating the role of the onarchy in Canada, ;when his * government has so sériously comprofiised" the integrity of the very institution he is a part of. Has the Ottawa bug so utterly pitten our MP thatthe believes that of all the issues facing his constituents today, the the next federal election is called, led by Jean Olretien." . Perhap¢ the most meorable quote on this issue came from prominent Liberal, Sheila Copps in October 1992." "I've bolition of the Monarchy is of primary importance to them? If so, then I suggest there appears to be a serious disconnect bet our ber of parli: and the people he was elected to represent. The Canadian Parliamentary system already said personally and very directly that if the GST is not 'abolished, I'll " resign. I don't know how clear you can get. I think you've got to be accountable for the things that you're going to do and you have to del jver on it." Not only should Ms. Copps be held ble as she previously stated, but so should Alex Shepherd and the entire Liberal government. It is this sort of old- style politics that has led to the type of cynicism now felt towards the entire will to be brought into disrep: by a government that seems bent on treating the democratic proces with arrogance and contempt. Politicians who thwart the will of the people shoul. _ beware, the Voters gge watching and waiting. . lan Smyth Courtice, Ontario ' .~ (Editor' s Note: Mr. Smyth was Reform Party candidate in Durham riding in the last federal election). Problem with CAS system To the Editor: 1 would like to take this time to tell you something that took place a couple of weeks ago. With an anonymous call to the CAS (Children's Aid Society) office at eight o'clock with no name left, my house was searched the next day. The person thay left the message is very well known by the CAS but their office' Sent the police to my house the next day. After talking to the person at the CAS .office they stated that they felt most of the call was totally false, but the police should follow up the call anyway. I don't know how you would feel having four police officers searching your house but I felt my rights and privacy were totally violated. One thing I was thankful for was that the police that came to my house were very pleasant considering the circumstances. The officers were allowed in hecause I had nothing to hide. The police told me his is the case there is a very serioup problem with the system. After the police left I called the CAS office and the worker told me that next time this happens | should get the three of my children dressed and go for a walk while the police Ia fia this kind of call is quite common. If search my house. 1 have a serious*problem with this. I do not want to explain, to my children, or the neighbours, 1 that due to arf anon, hine my life is being, tuned upside down. The police tell me that they are often caught in between custody fights as well as disgruntled neighbours through this office. The way the system is set up right pow the CAS office is causing parents much stress without thinking there are any consequences. Let me tell you that after you have the police show up at your house and search it, it does cause a lot of stress. Aftgr talking to many parents jt is quite incredible how'many of them haye been touched by the CAS office. I have yet to talk to a family that has been influenced in a positive way by this office. | feel that there should be some safeguards put into effect to stop the harassment this office causes at the present time. In closing I can only hope this does not happen to anyone in the future because it has a very serious riegative effgct on good parents.' - Kevin Ausman 4 Oshawa WCB crisis created by Harris? To the Editor: The Workers' Compensation Board recently released its 1995 financial statement. The WCB had a cash surplus last year of $510 million. This follows a surplus of $130 million in 1994. The Board has never borrowed a dime and has close to $8 billion in investments, which earn double digit returns. New claims costs have Steadily declined over the last five years, bringing Ontario's WCB premiums lower than the average U.S. rate. Administration costs have done the same, $13 million lower last year than in 1904. Premier Hafris says that he will slash' WCB benefits and take away pension money from unemployed workers with disabilities because the Workers' Compensation Board is in crisis. Does this appear an organization in crisis, as the government tlaims? It seems they are trying to create a crisis in order to Justify an Weslogicn policy position. Come on Mike, no more baloney! Treat workers who are disabled at the work with the dignity they deserve. The can afford it! Wayne R. Shred Secretary Treasurer Durham Regional Labour Council Stulens say 'Thanks' To the Editor: Port Perry and surrounding areas may we thank you from the bottem of our hearts for your great support in sponsoring both of us in the Super City Walk for M.S. on Sunday April 21. Through your geperosity we reached our goal of $8,000. Also thanks to John McClelland of the Scugog Citizen paper for his cover story about the walk and M.S, also Compton T.V. for the notice on Siam 10. Agri thank you all, and God Bers and Chri Salen Pot Perry