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Coming soon: Peterson versus Reality David Peterson can now begin to reflect on the good old days. He's been in power now for over a year and a half, and things should soon begin to change for him. Ah, remember back in June of '85. Ol' Dave was serving up hot dogs on the lawn of Queen's Park. He was inviting people to take a stroll through the offices at Queen's Park -- the premier's office included. In fact, looking back on it all now, it seems a little reminiscent of what went on in the Phillipines. When Ferdinand Marcos was sent into exile, Cory Aquino opened the halls of power for the general public. The average people partied all night in the old Presiden- tial Palace, and danced on the tables that us- ed to be considered sacred Marcos territory. I guess, in a strange Ontario-sort-of-way, we went through the same thing when the Tories left and the mystique of Bill Davis was gradually filtered out of the corridors of power. David Peterson found himself drown- ing in a sea of smiles, as his red tie lit the dark halls of Queen's Park like a symbol of hope. Well folks, those days-are over, and now Peterson is beginning to realize that power has its price. The realities of power are begin- ning to hit home, as they have in any govern- ment ever formed in the history of this great nation. ' Last week, Peterson's solicitor general, Ken Keyes, was under fire from the Tories for boozing it up on an OPP boat last summer. Sorry Mr. Solicitor General, but that is against the law, and the opposition knows it. Peterson has asked the attorney general to in- vestigate the situation. There is no doubt that Keys will be found guilty. The only honourable thing for Keyes to do would be to resign, or failing that, to be shuffled into some low-profile ministry. Yes Mr. Peterson, power can hurt. Then there is the issue of pay equity. Peter- son promised to introduce equal pay for work of equal value across the boards. It's a com- plicated thing to work out, but he promised it. He backed down, and then introduced legislation to introduce it to a small portion of the public sector. The Tories and the New Democrats forced him to extend it to a much larger portion of the public sector. Peterson. was forced to accept it -- something he didn't want to do. Such is the reality of power. You sometimes can't do everything you want to do, but moreover, you can't promise the world without having to follow through on your promises. Looking at the calendar, one can see that there is barely six months left before the Liberal-NDP accord ends. When it does, Peterson may call an election, or he may have to start making his own decisions in a minori- ty government. Peterson's pals say that the latter is something that Peterson is not good at doing. The Liberal-NDP accord has given Peter- son an agenda he can work with. When it ex- pires, he and his Cabinet will have to decide what to do -- all by themselves. Right now, his Cabinet is tearing itself apart over a com- plex.issue -- pension reform. Half the Cabinet wants to make sweeping progressive reforms on pension reforms. The other half is terrified that there will be a huge backlash from the private sector if those reforms are made. To- day, the premier knows the NDP will force him to make some reforms. But when the NDP are out of the picture, Peterson will have to make the decision all by himself. Peterson can't make decisions quickly. He likes to stall, stall, hum and hah about it, con- sult people, maybe even talk polls. Sound familiar? That's right. It's Bill David all over again. And that's what his aides are concerned about. Peterson has come into office and made sweeping reforms. He's had to do that. It's all part of the accord that put him into power. But how will the media and public Carey Nieuwhof judge a government that goes from sweeping reform to cautious, hesitant conservatism shortly after the accord expires? You see, the premier has a lot of right wingers in his caucus. These people don't like what Peterson has been doing. they'll want their turn to take the stage sooner or later. Moreover, most observers say that Peterson is really a cautious, conservative Liberal by nature. Will this go over well? It's likely that if Peterson wasn't making headlines with francophone rights and beer and wine in the corner store, then Ken Keyes' booze cruise would be on page one. when the reform agenda slows down in a year, there'll be a lot more room on page one for Keyes, Rene Fontaine, Elinor Caplan, and all the other problems that are beginning to surface in the government. In short, Peterson will very soon have to come to grips with the realities of power. If he can't handle it well, then people will begin to turn their attention to another, cautious, conservative and rather familiar party. It will -be the party that governed cautiously but ef- ficiently for 42 years. It will be interesting to see how Peterson handles real power when it hits him. The Tories are waiting for the honeymoon to end. It won't be long. Letters Christmas cheer Dear Editor: Re: Christmas Cheer and Winter Relief Fund. Over the past 100 years, The Salvation Ar- my in Midland, has with the generous sup- port of the people of this area, tried to bring joy into the homes of the less fortunate all during the year, and especially at Christmas. and winter relief We hear carols being played and sung, and we are reminded that this is a joyous Season, but due to continued economic difficulties, many families in our area face hardship. Throughout the year we see these families struggling to cope, but when they would like to give that little extra at Christmas, they are financially unable to provide. Lynn's position strange Dear Editor: My letter concerns the content of CKMP's program "Local Comment': by Moreland Lynr which aired on Friday. October 31, 1986. The general thrust of this broadcast by Mr. Lynn was that the current council of the town of Midland has made an error in judgment in requiring one member of the police depart- ment to walk a beat in the downtown core during certain hours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and that by having 50 per cent of the police on the main street during these times, criminal activities could-be increased in other areas of the municipality with little interference. I found the position taken by Mr. Lynn on this matter to be very strange indeed. On Sept. 22, 1979, when Mr. Lynn was mayor of the town of Midland, a resolution of coun- cil was unanimously passed by the council which required not one, but two officers to walk the beat on the days and times in question! I am left to wonder if something happen- ed to change Mr. Lynn's thoughts on this issue, or whether this is simply another case of political sour grapes. Yours very truly, W. Pilon, Councillor, Ward Two, Town of Midland. ou -- --$-------- Petras say thanks Dear Editor: The P.M.L.H.L. Petras would like to thank the following people for their sponsorship and help in making our First Annual Ladies Hockey Tournament of Nov. 8, 1986 a great Success: Emery Cadeau and Molson's Breweries; Downer's Yacht Yaven; Penetang Bottling; Midland Boatworks Restaurant; Mike Gallagher and Hostess Potato Chips; Ross Palmer and Midland Catering. Midland Fire Department, Ladies Auxiliary of the Midland Fire Dept; Penetang I.A.G.; Dubeau Enterprises; Urb's Home Fur- nishings; Super X Drug Store; Georgian Home Bakery; Jim Blackwell of McDonald's. Midland Chamber of Commerce; Town of -Penetanguishene Citizen-- Published by Bayweb Limited every Tuesday at 74 Main Street, Penetanguishene, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 2327 early subscription rate $34.80 Page 6, Tuesday, November 25, 1986 Penetang; Huronia Trophies; Midland Mayor Allan Roach; Ron Johnson - Midland Free Press; Arnold Burgher - Midland Times; Radio Station CKMP; St. John's Ambulance. Ron Marchildon and the Penetang Arena Staff; Referees - Brent Dubeau, Mark Dubeau, Richard Brennan, Ken St. Amand; Penetang- Midland Ladies Hockey League; Julien Ladouceur; the Timekeepers. And last but not least the Ladies Auxiliary of the Petras: Sally Hamelin, Brenda Johnson, Carol Graham, Julie McKinnon, Barbara McFarland. If we have left anyone out we sincerely apologize. Your help was no less appreciated. Thank you one and all. The Petras 549-2012 Publisher: Andrew Markle Manager: Judy French Editor: Laurie Watt This year, as well as assisting these families, The Salvation Army in Midland has opened it's door to a new venture. We have encountered over and over again the problem of young men from this area who have no place to stay. We felt we must respond to this need because such a person needs to have the resources to help himself. Our Experience House will offer a short term stay until they can find a suitable permanent place to call home, and a job to give purpose and direc- tion in life. As you can understand, it will take generous support for this ministry to run smoothly and efficiently, so we say to you: eres Gearing up A lot of effort is being put into the new Star- dust Bingo Parlour being constructed in Tiny Township. The owners of the hall are work- ing diligently to get the building so that it will be business as usual when they move out of now, more than ever we need your help. The Salvation Arm,y by itself, will ac- complish very little. However, with your financial support we can help those during this Christmas Season and beyond, by pro- viding them with the necessities of life which have been lost because of tragedy in home or work. We wish you God's richest blessing, and may you and your family enjoy the happiness and peace of this Christmas Season. Sincerely, Norman Garcia, Lieutenant their present location of King Street in Midland. Tom Smith of Lockhart Motors in Victoria Harbour is taking over their home in the Town of Midland. -Letters- The Penetanguishene Citizen welcomes Letters to the Editor. They must be legible, signed (by hand), and carry the writer's address and telephone number for verification. Pen names are not allow- ed and anonymous letters will not be published. Lettets published by this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this newspaper, its publisher or editor.