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6-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, February 24, 1998 SCOMMENT The Caradiar Champion itnris ,fkuiiai 11Gi n Prnifîg. Pubishiril, &Distri5luiuuLiii Uioup of siîuiurncompa- nies wtich sncindes: Ajax i Pickring News Advertiser. Aiiston Heraid/Courier. Barrie Adance, Barrys Bay This Week. Boton Enterprise, Brampton Suardian, Burington Shopping News. Buriîrgtoni Post, City Parent. Coiiigwood i Wasaga Coreection, East York Miro, Erin AdocateiCountry Routes, Etohcotir Suariiar. Famhorougla Post. Georgetown Incepedenti Acton Free Press, Kigston This Week. Lndsay Ths Weetc. Marhham Economist & Sun. Midianid I Penanguishene Mitron, Missssauga News, Newmartiet / Aurora Ira Barrer. Nothumberand News, Noth York Mrnor. Sakinite Beanen. Sakoie Shopping News. Orilila Today. Oshawa / Whdhby i Clarirgoo Ths Weei, Petrbrough This Week. Rchmord Hiti i Thorrhiii / Vaugan LiSerai. Scarborough Miron. Onbridge i Stouttiiir tribune, Toda's Seniors, City ot York Suardian. Adreisiro is acceptaid or the condition that. in the erent oc a hpognapticai eror. that portion ot the aitoniSirg space OCCO- pied hp the erroreous ierm, together with a easrrabie aiowarce ton signature. wii rot e charged to, but the baance ot the adetise- ment wiii e paid on at the applcable rate. The pubiîSher reserres the right to categorize adondtisements or decire. Get on with it Milton Councillor Rick Malboeuf has every right to be angry at the foot-dragging demonstrated by bis political colleagues with regard to meaningful action on scaling back the number of local elected offi- ciais. Last week Mr. Malboeuf went through an exercise in futility and frustration as he saw his motion to discuss the issue shot down. Tbis after counicillors had paid lip service to the concept during the last municipal election. It's not as if it hasn't been done elsewhere, indeed in places where the council workload is much heavier than in Milton. Even David Hipgrave, Milton's top- civil servant, noted that any new information on the topic would basically mirror the data coun- cillors already had from previous reports. This in response to a cal from Councillor Rick Day to get more input. Ini this era of govemment cutbacks - most of wbich are entirely justifiable - Milton counicil must air out positions on tbe matter. This is especially true, as Mr. Malboeuf suggests, in light of the tough financial decisions counicil must make in the near future to cope witb provincially mandated governiment restructuring. It is as plain as cmn be that the provincial govemment believes there is too much local bureaucracy mnd admiùnistration, at ail levels. It is ime that Milton's politicians came to grips with that. Otherwise, they will simply be reacting, late, when the province makes its move in eamnest. Perhaps there is a rationale at play bere among those supporting tbe deferral. Perhaps they know that îhey face a ime of serious, substan- tial challenge mnd trial in deciding how to cut back. But given that, wouldn't il be wise to stake out a sîrategy for local counicil representation, as Mr. Malboeuf suggested. Tbis would at least give the justifiably nervous municipal govemment employees an inkling as to how their political leaders think, wbere their priori- ties are, mnd bow serious the situation is. Instead, counicil bas opted to wait until laIe Marcb. Perbaps there is method in tbis. Perbaps more will be known at that time, about bow to deal with a matter of weigbt, a senious issue.. Hopefully that is the case. But suspicions, unfortunately, come to the fore. Because local governiment at every level bas been notorious for patting itself on the back, bragging about what a lean operalion it bas become, and going along on its merry way without willingness to confront the deep, tough financial choices. That kind of thinking got this country mnd this province mb otbe mess only now being shaken off. There is more work to do, and Milton's counicil will bave to pitcb in and do il, sooner or later. That is, unless tbey want someone else to do it for tbem, mnd Queen's Park bas sbown every willingness to do that. Silly cniticism Where does that silly woman from Quebec get off in criticizing Canadian athletes, and tbeir fans, for being too nationalistîc at tbe Olympics in Japan? These gamnes were a solid success for tbe country, despite certain disappoiiltmerlts, and tberein lies the rub for tbe separatists. A suc- cess for Canada is a disappoinîment for tbose wbose agenda is dom- inated by attempts to leave il.. Sour grapes, friends, or should we really be calling you friends at aIl? ln gîving, they got so very much more Dear Editor: I'd like to share with you what 1 consider to be an awe- some experience and, in many ways, an unexpected out- corne for the staff at the E.C. Drury School for the Deaf in Milton. This experience centres around a co-worker in the resi- dence program whose years of work have influenced the futures of many students. The type of teamwork with colleagues necessary 10 enhance the students' lives fosters long-lime friendships and shared family activities. So it was a heavy burden for us ail when we leamned that an intruder had entered our co-workers' life - cancer. Early detection and a few surgeries led to the worst of reaiza- ions; the unforgiving, unrelenting disease was incurable. Like millions of other people, we did not realize the depth of the nipple effect tis disease had until il cipped the wings of someone close. Someone you're used 10 seeing every working day is gone. A parlicular laugh is missing. There's an empty chair at the meetings and a point of opinion bas been deleted. The list goes on. 'Me feeling of helplessness is devastating. What are the right words for the family? What do we say when we visil bim in the hospital during his solitary fight? It's a humbling experience. 10 say the least. But in God's own way, He provided us with a means 10 lift our spirits and perk up the workplace. The cost of a television rentaI in is bospital room became a low priority for bis family after a couple of montbs. Other things needed to be addressed. A few co-workers tbought it would be a nice gesture if some money could be gatbered to rent a television for our friend to watcb tbe Olympic games. In the immediate work area, enougb money was collected for the two weeks cov- ering the games. A phone calter encouraged me ho spread the word to other residence staff, wbicb furtber spurred a memo ho other scbool departments, fuelled by the pcnt-up energy of feeling belpless 10 this point. We had found a positive outlet. In a malter of days, the different departments sent their generous donations. The interaction between departments increased tbrough a com- mon cause. Employees began to stop in paosing to discus our friendus present condition witb those who bad managed ho visit him. In today's world of job insecurity and unsure futures for our families, little did we know that reacbing out to a co- worker would retum a gift of mucb greater proportion. Our friend gave us a feeling of unity and a measure of pride. He gave us a diversion fmom focusing on thîngu beyond our control in the workplace, to grab bold of some- tbing much more real; part of an act of buman kindness. Hopefully we let him know that in some way tbrougb the years be bas toucbed our lives. Hopefully be knows wbal he bas given us in bis time of need. David Scott E.C. Druty School for the Deaf Milion by Steve Nease Bttc 48, 191MaiS Mlton, Ont. L9T 4N9 (905) 878-2341 Fax: 878-4943 Classified: 875-3300 Ian Oliver Publisher Neil Oliver Associate Publislter David Bos Genera! 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