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--_-- 2- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, March 19, 1996 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Licence office IS still open despite the OPSEU strike It's almost business as usual at Port Perry's licence bureau, despite the ongoing public service strike. Government appointee Margaret Waite, who runs the Water & office, said last week that "straightforward" transactions continue to be done at the office. The strike by the Ontario Public Service employ- ees Union (OPSEU), though, does mean some more complicated processes -- such as those involving use of the system computer -- are on hold. But transactions like licence renewals, validation tag replacements, and others can still be carried out, said Mrs. Waite. "We are maintaining" despite the strike which enters its fourth week this week, she said. "People can come and do their straightforward transactions "(The office) is still operating, and we're still doing okay." Mrs. Waite added that she and her staff are still being paid by the government during the OPSEU strike. And she wants people to know the office is open for business.' "As long as the office will pay for itself, I will keep it going," she said. Five workers laid off at Pine Ridge From Page 1 Diminno. He said Windcrest is keeping up some opera- tions by buying meat slaughtered at federally- inspected plants in the city, and processing ani- mals that have been slaughtered on farms. The absence of provin- cial meat inspectors pre- vents any custom killing from occurring at the two local abattoirs. The packers had placed their hopes with Durham Regional council, which - voted last Wednesday on a proposal to appoint in- spectors within the region. That vote was lost 25-3 on the recommendation of medical officer of health Robert Kyle, who advised councillors the region might be liable if anyone became ill after eating the locally-inspected meat. Ontario's 290 indepen- dent packers placed less hope in a challenge launched by the provincial government, which asked the Ontario Labor Board to declare more meat in- spectors essential work- ers, said Laurie Murdock, administrator with the Ontario Independent Meat Packers and Proces- sors Association, from her ~ office in Port Perry. That effort was also lost. She said now the pack- ers she represents are finding themselves facing closure, if not bankruptcy. Packers are finding what work they can, but are ei- ther running out of prod- ucts to process or finding opting for federally- inspected meat too expen- sive, she said. "There's no product left to process," said Ms Mur- dock, adding that small packers are avoiding lay- offs as long as they are able to. "A lot of them are fami- ly-run businesses as well, so they're keeping a lot of people on as long as they can." Ms Murdock said small packing operations are In danger of never recovering the "niche markets" -- small butcher shops and freezer meat buyers -- they have worked for years to amass as clien- tele. "It's taken them years to develop a customer base," she said. "Once you lose that, it's going to be very difficult to getit back." Mr. Diminno at Wind hard to recover from. "Easter's a time when we can make some money and bank it for the slower season," he said. "We've got to make some money while we can." He added that it's not just the packers who are hurt by the strike, but farmers and others asso- ciated with meat process- ing. Mr. McLaughlin at Pine crest agrees. He also points to the loss of a busy 'time -- Easter -- as a lost opportunity that will be Ridge agrees: "this is go- ing tobe a greatloss of rev- enue in the area -- for eve- rybody," he said. Farmers back Tories: poll Area farmers back the government in the current public service strike, according to a survey conducted at a recent farm show. The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) last week released results of a study they say show strong support for the Progressive Conservative government in its currents dispute with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). While just 28 farmers were surveyed during the East Central Farm show in Peterborough, 82 per cent favored the government position, as opposed to just 7 per cent who backed the union, the CFFO said last week. The federation also said that 39 per cent of those surveyed indicated their businesses had been affected by the strike. "Of those farmers affected by the strike, most noted a disruption of livestock sales due to-a lack of meat inspection at provincially-inspected plants," said CFFO member Mike Ormiston. "Others have not been able to receive information from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural ~ Affairs." The CFFO conducted its survey from its booth at the East Central Farm show, and also sought opinions on other issues: 0 Farmers indicated an interest in pursuing incineration as a means of waste disposal, said the CFFO, with 75 per cent supporting initiatives by the Harris government to revive interest in it as an option. Incineration was not acceptable to 14 per cent of those poled. 0 Another question indicates that farmers frown on housing severances on agricultural land, the federation said. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Sometimes unexpected events in life take us by surprise. When those situations arise, it's nice to know there are people we can rely on to help. People who follow the Golden Rule and treat others the way they would want to be treated. Wagg Funeral Home is your Golden Rule funeral home. When faced with the unex- pected loss of a loved one, you can depend on our caring staff to be understanding and compassionate. The way we would expect to be treated in the same situation. WAGG FUNERAL HOME LTD. Me Dermott Pranababien Af hapel MYLES G. O'RIORDAN 216 Queen Street /Manager/Funeral Director { Port Perry 985-2171 Dependable Service 10 the Community Since 1846 88 MARY ST. - PORT PERRY - 7K (905) 985-7383 FELLOWES "DESKTOPPER' 00530 - Letter size $7.49 ea. 00540 - Legal size $9.49 ea. Sale ends March 31, 1996 Available in various C CO 3" HEAVY DUTY "ROUND ile BINDER fe] [e]¥] £3] 13160 ESSELTE FILE FOLDERS 100 per box - Manilla 02190 - Letter size $9.99 box 02196 - Legal size $12.99 box rom 9 20