Whitby Free Press, 30 Jul 1980, p. 10

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PAGE 10, WEDNESDAY, J ULY 30e, 1980, Wl ITBY FREE PR E Ottawa Report Bx' SCOTT FENNELL. MP (PC - ONTARIO) ~ju It is clear from the Auditor-General's efficiency test, men- tioned in last week's column, that taxpayers would be getting 10A N N E'S 7owr~i &Ç4Ci- WVe Have Corne A Long Way To Open This New Shop For Vou. *Good Selection of Wicker & Ceramics *Specializing in Silk Flowers for Weddings *Gifts and Floral Arrangements for Ail Occasions *Naturel Sea Coral Bond Towors Mail (Do wnstalrs) IX~IM»44 Bond Street West Oshawa 579-5269 Ess much more out of their civil servants if the government in- troduced the right sort of management and management systems. When the 60.8 per cent efficiency result was announced there was a big cry over how we mustn't disturb morale in the bureaucracies. It was naturally upper and middle level management - the cause of the problems - which voiced this view most vocally. I have been in the private sector ail my life and I do not under- stand governiment, thoroughly but I do know that 1 have no hesitation in telling an employee that he is not doing a job. In the private sector, if we have a profit centre that is not making money, but that could make money, we get rid of the manager. If we can't get rid of hlm we move himr sideways or somewhere else. This is not happening in governiment today. Why do high level managers get this special treatmnent in government? They don't geL iL in the private sector. In the private sector there is a question of survival. We talk about a 60.8 per cent efficiency ratîng. In the private sector, you will go out of business at that rate. The unpunished inefficiencies, unpunished waste, unpumished blunders are bad enough. What makes them particularly offen- sive is that they are paid for with our taxdollars. From this per- spective, a strong case could be made for the requirement that government managers be superior in ability Lo those in the private sector. What is the most agonizing for a businessman like myseif is that our civil service, with the right sort of changes and with the right sort of management, could be top-notch. As with any big organization, government has some weak links. But there are also some extremnely bright and dedicated men and women buried in our bureaucracies. Because of poor and undisciplined management, these people are operating with one hand tied behind their backs. Governent could set those hands free by making some changes. I suggest we consider paying our top level civil servants such as deputy cabinet ministers, much more money. It's a good. way to attract experienced and talented minds. Let's also cut some salaries. One of the most ridiculous bult- in idiocies in Ottawa is the way upper management with large responsibilities is paid too littie and middle managers - who are too numerous - are paid too much. The private sector hires and fires people. Governinent knows only how to hire. Last year, out of a governiment workforce of 266,865, on1y 525 employees, or .2 per cent, were dismissed. As tax-payers we shouldn't settle for 60.8 per cent efficiency. The private sector isn't perfect but management techniques used there could be adopted by government to improve its ef- ficiency. Ontario Premier William Davis will be in Whitby to address a special Iftlcheon meeting of the Whitbý Rotary Club on August 7. The Rotary Club is spon- soring the Premier's ad- dress as part of their celebrations of the Town of Whitby's 125th Anniversary. The luncheon begins at noon and will be held at the Haydenshore Pavilion. Tickets for the even art $15 per. person and may be ob- tained by calling Pat John- son at 668-335; Harry Town at 688-3410; or Eve DeHarL at 579-1822. PHOE 1gsI'm n*Io (tfa senior citizen says i err ALU8NU1L633E CONT'D FROM PG. 3 security for the people who said adding that it was an contribution was all in thi ALMNMLMTD the operation can provide work for him. "4opting out of the main- past."1 845 FAR EWELL AVE., something for his two He 18 still ambitious,- stream" of 111e. However, by his own aÉ OSHAWA daughters and four gran- anxious to geL on the road to "I'd go to an old folks mission, Lofthouse sai dchildren but will provide see the parts of the world that he has yet Lo see. But then again, he's not too ambitious. 1"When you're 70", he said, "lyou're first ambition is to live as long as you cal!.-" Despite his age, Lofthouse doesn't consider himself to be a senion citizen. "I've neyer considered myself a senior citizen," he they let me run it. " Lofthouse 18 a forwarid looking man, he h as reached the age when most people think about slowing down theirlife's pace but he just keeps on going. He "lwas surprised" at being named Peter Perry for' 1979 saying that "I Lhought I was too old. my Le d- Jd to appreciate lt.'1 PaRh7UOL7oR I Davis to visit

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