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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday September 10, 2008 - 11 Candidates quick to criticize opponents Continued from page 1 Conservatives) inherited, but what they've done is wasted opportunities and had foolish initiatives," said Brown. "Harper is not a strong fiscal manager; he is a big spender, comparatively speaking, and all the pain we went through to get Mulroney's deficit under control, we could end up with again if we let these people carry on." Young said the situation would be equally apocalyptic under a Liberal government led by Stephane Dion. "What this election is about is certainty versus risk," said Young. "Stephen Harper is a brilliant economist and a decisive leader who will lead Canada successfully through a world wide economic slump. This is no time to time to experiment with Stephane Dion's risky carbon tax, which would increase the cost of gas, electricity, groceries and everything else people buy." Young said the Conservative Party has brought in strict regulations that will make polluters pay and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent by the year 2020. He also pointed out that the Conservatives are investing in clean energy research with $200 million given to the General Motors Oshawa plant, just last week, to fund the development of a new hybrid car. "You're injecting money into the ailing manufacturing sector and at the same time doing the right thing for the environment," said Young. Young is no stranger to the political arena, having served as MPP of North Oakville from 1995 to 1999. This will be his second federal election contest in Oakville's -- he lost to Brown by just 744 votes in the 2006 election. This time will be different, he said. "This time the voters of Oakville have a clear choice between an opposition MP who is absent from parliament for many important votes or someone who will put Oakville front and centre inside caucus with cabinet ministers and the prime minister present," said Young. "In the last session there were 160 votes and she was there for 107." Brown noted she was present for these votes, but abstained as part of a strategy to keep the government from falling. "Mr. Harper does not understand minority government. When a government is put in place in a minority situation they are supposed to listen to the opposition, they are supposed to receive amendments to their bills, but he announced that any amendment would be a confidence issue and he would dissolve the government," said Brown. "Elections are expensive, so what we usually did was pick a few people to vote against his legislation and the rest would stay out of the house in order to not bring the government down." While the election gives Brown and Young the opportunity to cross swords again, they are not the only candidates taking part. This election will see Green Party candidate Marion Schaffer make her return to politics. Schaffer, a retired minister and teacher, made Oakville history during the last provincial election when she became the first Green Party candidate to get more votes than the NDP in this riding. The major issues Schaffer is championing include stimulating the economy and shaking up the health care system by putting a greater focus on prevention. "We're doing it backwards. People go to doctors when they are sick. People come sometimes when it's too late," she said. "Years ago, we proved that children that had phys-ed everyday were healthier, happier and got higher marks in school and then we dropped that. That's just one example of a means of preventing sickness." On the economic side, Schaffer noted the Green Party wants to lower payroll and income taxes, remove none sustainable corporate subsidies and remove income tax for the poor. Despite every party now having an environmental platform, Schaffer said, she's not worried about the Green Party's message becoming lost. "We'd love it if our platform would be stolen," said Schaffer. "I think Stephane Dion should join the Green Party. I love his Green Shift idea, but it doesn't go far enough and it doesn't act quickly enough." The environment will also be a key platform point of NDP candidate Michelle Bilek, but so will women's issues, health care, poverty and withdrawing Canadian soldiers from Afghanistan. "Our role as warmongers is obviously not working," she said. "The billions that we are spending in Afghanistan could be used for social services for all of us here. It could be put toward schools, toward health care and all these things that are important to us." The 34-year-old schoolteacher and self-proclaimed social activist, who once had to sleep in her car to afford tuition fees at McMaster University, admits she does not have political experience and that's the point. "I'm not a politician, I'm a hardworking young woman who lives in Oakville and who wants to make a difference," she said. "I'm not involved with the political machine and I think that's really helpful. I'm giving an honest perspective. I'm very passionate about my country, about my community and about the issues and I want people to feel that when they talk to me or when they hear me speak." SPECIALS All prices slashed to the Max Free Gift with Every Purchase 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE GL Auto, 4 dr, Alarm, Air Alloy, Blue w/grey interior, 54,550 km. $ 16,995 Contact the candidates · Conservative Terence Young, campaign office: 337 Kerr St., phone: 905-3382008. www.terence young.com. · Liberal Bonnie Brown, campaign office: 649 Fourth Line, www.bonniebrown.org. · NDP Michelle Bilek, www.oakvillendp.ca. · Green party Marion Schaffer, Marion_schaffer@yahoo.com, 905-847 6522. $ 13,305 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE GLS Auto, air, alloy wheels, CD player, ps, pw, roof rack, Black, 77,308 km. $ 16,995 2005 HYUNDAI TIBURON GS Auto 2 dr, air, alloy wheels, CD player, fog lights, Black, 46,279 km. New ! Location Decorating a bedroom can be expensive BUT not at Halton Linen HALTON LINEN OUTLET $ 19,995 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE GLS Auto, 5 dr, AM/FM Alloy wheels, air, Steel Blue, 42,891 km. INVENTORY CLEARANCE SEPTEMBER 11, 12, 13TH Brand name bedding up to 70% Off New ocation! L 3 DAYS ONLY 1360 Speers Rd., OAKVILLE $ 2007 HYUNDAI TUCSON GL 4 dr., auto, AM/FM, air, Aqua Silver, 27,149 km. 20,500 (905) 847-2274 Voted Oakville's Best Linen Shop MON. - FRI. 10 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. · SATURDAY 10 A.M.-5 P.M. · SUNDAY. CLOSED $ 14,900 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS Auto, anti-lock brakes, CD player, ps, pw, cruise, Black, 56,090 km. Butterfly project was impractical Board Recruitment Oakville Senior Citizens Residence (OSCR) invites applicants to participate on its Board of Directors. Our mission: Affordable Accommodation and Independent Lifestyle for Seniors. $ Continued from page 6 donated funds. I wonder if the board even had a clue? In the end, perhaps it was the lack of public information that sunk the entire project. We are a forgiving Canadian public for allowing this to go on unchecked. But Ward 1 Councillor Ralph Robinson's comments in the Beaver deserve response. Back in 2006, I attended a public meeting put on by the BBF where community members asked a variety of questions on everything from monies raised to engineering concerns. Many of those present loudly stated that the questions were not answered to their satisfaction. From the lack of information, it appeared that simple logistics had not been thought through after so many years. It is laughable, too, that Robinson would blame a tsunami half way around the world for taking fundraising emphasis away from the BBF. The previous administration, which he also blames, was most concerned about the public and donors. And it's no wonder -- clearly the failed project was not feasible, impractical and an engineering and logistics bamboozle. And that's perhaps another reason why despite everyone's effort, it couldn't go forward. In nature, caterpillars morph into beautiful winged creatures called butterflies. Something to think about. MARGARET MERCER OSCR seeks volunteer Board members who will be committed to our mission: willing to deal with values, vision, change and the future; and having an ability to think strategically. OSCR Board operates under a Carver Policy Governance model. The Board meets the second Thursday of the month. Kindly submit your resume to: The Nominating Committee Oakville Senior Citizens Residence 2220-2222 Lakeshore Road West Oakville ON L6L 5G5 email: oscr@oakvilleseniors.com Applications will be accepted until Friday September 26. 2008. 11,999 2003 NISSAN XTERRA SE Fog lights, auto 4 dr, air, anti-lock brakes, Black, 93,056 km. $ 15,995 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE GL AWD, auto, 4 dr, alarm, air, alloy, anti-lock, Red, 77,391 km. 2500 South Service Rd W. Oakville · 905-845-7791 ddeacon@hyundaiofoakville.ca **Some restrictions apply. *Prices are plus applicable taxes.