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Whitby Free Press, Wednesday, June 9,1993, Page 7 Living with less Let us talk a bit about Bob Rae's Social Contract. First, I should declare my self-interest. Most Whitby Free Press readers see me as a farniliar head and shoulders every week at the top of this column. But in real life I amn a full time academic administrator at Durhamn College. This does two things. First, it makes me into an "educator," whate- ver that is. And second, it makes me part of the broader public sector. No fat jokes, please. This is pertinent context for what we are about to discuss. You see, whatever the details Bob Rae and Floyd Laughren announce today, it will have a significant effect on mue -- and every one of the other five hundred-odd employees at Durhamn College. What kind of effect? Well, let's talk about what seems Iikely here froru my Monday night vantage point. Rae bas two choices. lie could simply eut transfer payînents to government-funded agencies -- places like Whitby General Hospital, the Durham Board of Education, Oshawa General Hospital. And Durham College. But if Rae did eut funding, Durbam ollege would go from a balanced budget to a deficit of about $2 million. That would be Durham's share of the $52-million cut to community colleges. That would be froru 40-80 jobs -- from a work force that is already pulling at two hundred per cent. Other agencies in this area would be hit by the saine mathematies. As I said, that would be the effect if Bob Rae unilaterally eut allowances to each agency -- a let hospitals, sehool boards and colleges deal with the mess as best they might. And deal with them they would -- in harsh, rouh terrus. No ene is suggesting that they woldbe anything but fair. However tey met the challenge, Bob Rae would be blamed.- Therefore, Rae miust do what he has already said he will do: steal froin the "Social Contract" bookiet. Public servants (like myseif) can expect a pay eut which over the next three years will cost frein $5,000 to $10,000. Fair? No - especially whenjyou consider that arnong those are some groups -- adIrittedly at higher pay scales -- who have not had a pay raise this year or last. Any such pay reduction runs the risk of demoraliz- ing employees. And froin where I sit, I see a dedicated group of people working beyond nomal expectations. cannot say that ail would continue to work unpaid overtime after a pay cut. Nevertheless, if this is the solution, or the core of the solution that Bob iRae imposes, I will cheer it. The reasons rnay be surprising. You will not likely agree. Fine. Write a letter. If this were a normal recession, Rae would have been right to let the deficit grow. In an ordinary recession we would pay the deficit down in the good years that follow. That won't happen this tirne. Thousands of manu- facturing jobs have closed up and gone south in the past two years. Much of Ontario's good times have gone with theru. This is not just a recession. This is the beginning of the future. Ontario will, like rnany familles now fallen on hard times, now learn te live in reduced circuru- stances. Which do you prefer, a flive per cent pay eut for everyone? Or a full job loss for five per cent of the work force? I do not like the idea of a pay eut. But I would be hurt much more by massive layoffs. So would Ontario. It is the only choice Bob Rae bas. - - CARINEGIE PUBLIC LII3RARY, C. 1915 The cornerstone for this library at the corner oir Byron and Dundas streets was laid by James Rutledge 80 years ago today. The library served the Town for 59 years, until 1973. It is now a lawyer's office. Wbitby Archives photo lo YEARS AGO fromn the Wednesday, June 8, 1983 edition of the WIIITBY FREE PRESS " Whitby may soon apply te the provincial governiment for designation as a city. " Sixtee-a-year-old Michelle Lucyk is the 1983 Miss Brooklin Spring Fair. " A Governor-Generail's conference, studying our changing Industrial Society, toured Whiùtby and was welcomed by Mayor Bob Att.ersley nt Cullen Gardens. " Neil Murkar bas written a Sth anniversary history of the Whitby Rotary Club. 35 YEARS AGO from the Thursday, June 5, 1958 edition of the WHITBY WEEKLY NEWS " Methods will be studied te protect the growing pedestrian traffic around the Whitby District High School on Henry Street.e " Whitby's financial position is good, despite growing pains, says Mayor H-arry Jermyn. " The Ontario Hospital Nursing School's 3lst graduation exercises wvill be held on June 10. " Benevolent Rebekah Lodge No. 132 is celebrating its 45th anniversary. 80 YEAIIS AGO from the Th ursday, Ju ne 5, 1913 edi ti on of the WIIITBY GAZETTrE AND CHRONICLE " Whitby's banks and post office were closed on June 3, King George V's birthday. " Edmund Stevenson and M.W. Collins donated $25 to the fire brigade for its services at a recent lire. " Officers of the new Whitby Horse Show Association arc president Fred Hatch, vicepresident Thomnas Cussion, secretary W.J.H. Richardson and treasurer Samuel Trees. " Twenty-four young ladies are members of a Bible class at Almond's Mcthodist Church.