poanviony 467 Speers Road, Oakville, Ont. L6K 354 845â€"3824 Fax: 845â€"3085 Classified Advertising: 845â€"2809 Circulation: 845â€"9742 or 845â€"9743 The Beaver, published every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, at 467 Ian oliver Pu.blish.er Speers Rd., Oakville, is one of the Metroland Printing, Publishing Distributing Robert Glasbey Advertising Director Norman Alexander Editor Geoff Hill Circulation Director Advertiser, Barrie Advance, Brampton Guardian, Burlington Post, Collingwood Connection, Etobicoke Guardian, Georgetown Independent Acton Free Press, Kingston This Week, Lindsay This Week, Markham Economist and Sun, Stoutfville/Uxbridge Tribune, Milton Canadian Champion, Mississauga News, Newmarketâ€"Aurora Eraâ€"Banner, North York Mirror, Oakville Beaver, Orillia Today, Oshawa/Whitby This Week, Peterborough This Week, Richmond HiV Teri Casas Office Manager Thomhil/Vaughan Liberal, Scarborough Mirror. All material published in the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Any reproduction in whole or in part of this material is strictly forbidden without the Tim Coles Production Manager consent of the publisher. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of the advertising space occupied by the errongous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize and reject advertising. in the event of typographical error, advertising goods or services at the wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, December 16, 1994 â€" 6 sn EDITORIAL PQ‘s ‘other‘ worry What a surprise! The newlyâ€"elected Parti Quebecois government of Jacques Parizeau has discovered that, wonder of wonders, the province‘s deficit is $1.3â€"billion higher than the former Liberal govâ€" ernment‘s forecasts. That puts the total deficit at $5.7â€"billion and that means trouble for Quebec. + It means the money lenders and credit agencies, such as the Canadian Bond Rating Service have put the province on what‘s known as a credit watch. The province has already been warned by Moody‘s and Standard and Poors in New York, that the province‘s bonds will be downâ€"graded if the government doesn‘t deal with the deficit. Characteristically, Quebec finance minister Jean Campeau has blamed the former Liberal government for the problem. Now he‘s got to decide what he‘s going to do about it but don‘t look for a tax hike...at least until after the referâ€" s Hitting bottom There is an old bromide that goes something like this: ‘give a man enough rope and he‘ll hang himself.‘ That might well be the case with wouldâ€"be Ontario premier and Progressive Conservative leader Mike Harris. A month ago we condemned Harris for his party‘s antics at their convenâ€" tion in Hamilton. The party had ‘infiltrated‘ the NDP convention in London on the same November weekend, and filmed some of the activities for showâ€" ing at the Tory gathering. Laughs all around.....but not for long. The childish action was condemned by just about everyone and the party faithful, looking to make a good showing in the coming provincial election, must have winced at the tacky and inappropriate behaviour. Well, it looks like Harris and the gang didn‘t learn anything from this disâ€" graceful episode. Instead, they‘ve gone one even better..or worse. A letter supposedly signed by Premier Bob Rae, that appeared on the Internet computer system, critical of Ontario Attorneyâ€"General Marion Boyd and making reference to the Karla Homolka trial, was held up in the legislaâ€" ture by Mike Harris. The PC leader‘s point, was that there could be a security lapse in the Premier‘s office. The problem here was that Harris knew the letter was a fake before he made a fool of himself and his party in the legislature. Despite knowing the letter was fraudulent, the letter was distributed to he media. Harris defended the move by saying it was worrisome that fake mesâ€" sages could be placed on the Internet concerning government business. The Premier‘s office was aware of the message on the Ont.general bulletin board but did nothing since only someone who places a message on the board may remove it. ; Even though the message was placed through a Californiaâ€"based bulletin | board service, computer experts say the original sender could be traced in time. In the countdown to a probable spring election, the people of Ontario will be looking closely at the alternatives to the status quo at Queen‘s Park. Liberal leader Lyn McLeod is keeping a low profile and by doing so, will come out ahead of Mr. Harris. As for the Conservative leader and his ‘handlers‘? The party faithful and the people of Ontario deserve better. ,- « Th Oakuitce BEaviR â€" NE NE CALL845â€"5585 RESULTS OF LAST WEEK‘S POLL Are you in favor of the town using more sand than salt on the town‘s roads? Are you in favor of the federal governâ€" ment taxing RRSPs? Cast your ballot by calling 845â€"5585, box 5008 to vote. register their vote. Beaver. Yes: 14 No: 3 Ltd. group of suburban newspapers which includes: Ajaxâ€"Pickering News / Callers have until 12 noon Thursday to Results of the poll will be published in the next Friday edition of the Oakville 1 T ,_.. Pss s dsc ol is a Wz l d ie 20 sA o t e Alook back at the events that made headliines in Oakvile. Debate comes to an end over fractious flag issue 40 years ago eeve William Anderson will not ask for a R recount of ballots in the mayoralty race that . reâ€"elected Mayor Lachlan McArthur by a one vote margin â€" 1,111 to 1,110 â€" he announced Tuesday night. "During the past week I‘ve had many calls from electors suggesting that I appeal for a recount," he declared. "I‘ve given the matter careful consideration , and I‘ve sought legal advice. I‘m informed that it is possible I might win the election a recount , and also that the validity of the election could be contested. This might eventually result in a new election." Mr. Anderson, who last week declared that he "just didn‘t like" recounts, went on to state: "that being the case, I don‘t feel that I should subject the electorate to another election and its added cost. I feel the best course is to refrain from any action." â€"Oakvilleâ€"Trafalgar Journal, Dec. 16, 1954 30 years ago One of the longest and most bitter debates in modâ€" ern Canadian parliamentary history ended at 2;12 a.m. EST today when the House of Commons voted 163 to 78 to give Canada a redâ€"andâ€"white maple leaf flag. Dr. Harry Harley, MP Halton, said that the scene probably will never be forgotten by the 600 persons who jammed the galleries Monday night to see the House of Commons, with an emotional outburst, bring the great flag debate to an end. "I‘m really quite pleased with the results," said Dr. Harley. "It was my feeling all along, after talking with many of my constituents, that the majority favored a new flag." â€"Daily Journalâ€"Record, Dec. 15, 1964 ### The gasoline war which started again in Toronto yesterday when prices were slashed from 41.9 cents per gallon to 35.9 cents has not affected the Oakville area services yet. Most service station proprietors are still recuperatâ€" ing from the 9 cent gasoline price reduction a few | weeks ago. Prices came back to normal,.Friday, last week. â€"Daily Journalâ€"Record, Dec. 11, 1964 20 years ago Ron Cooksley, who has served as the town‘s director of industrial development, has submitted his resignation . In a letter to the mayor and members of council, _ , Cooksley explains he is leaving the employment of _ the municipality because "I have not felt I have been carrying out my primary responsibilities â€" that of business development." When regional government was introduced in ___ Halton at the beginning of this year, the town‘s | industrial development department ceased its operaâ€" tions. According to Bill 1512 which brought the region into existence, this department was to become _ a regional responsibility. | "As a result, the town and more particularly myself, have lost contact, continuity and rapport with those many external agencies and organizations whose principal business is assisting municipal busiâ€" ness development," Cooksley writes. â€" Oakville Journal Record, Dec. 16, 1974 10 years ago Oakville may have a fullâ€"time business developâ€" ment coâ€"ordinator installed at the town offices by next year. Planning department director Ron Foy suggested at a recent planning committee that the town set up a business development section in the planning departâ€" ment for the next year, at an estimated cost of $60,000. The estimated figure includes the salary of the fullâ€"time business coâ€"ordinator, secretarial and drafting assistance, advertising, conferences, profesâ€" sional training and membership fees. At present the town works on a partâ€"time basis with the Region of Halton‘s Business Development branch attracting industries to Oakville. â€"Oakville Beaver Dec. 16, 1984 s n o Ne s dn ons sA n ut Taken from the archives of the Oakville Beaver including stoâ€" ries from The Oakville Recordâ€"Star, The Oakville Trafalgar .. ~, dournal, the Oakville Journal:Record and the OakvilleBeaver. >