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6--:-TteCànàdià& Champion, Toesday, lMath 24", 1998' SCOMMENT Box 248, 91 Main St EF \IiLîii O. ) I) (905) 878-2341 Fax: 878-4943 Classified: 875-3300 Ian Oliver Publisher Neil Oliver Associate Pubh.eher David Bos General Manager Rob Kelly Edieor Karen Huisman Circulation Manager Teri Casas Office Manager Tim Coles Preducion Manager The Caradian Champion mblsfled twce weekiy ai 191 Mun 1 MM 11'Jr h. ) f h '. la' Pitig u lli&q DistruhuiînqLtd ghùup l .ùburban Luîipâ nies wnh i ncludes: Ajax / Pickering News Adverser Allslon iierald/Courier, Barrie Advance, Barry's Bay This Week. Bolton Enterprise. Brampton Guariian, Brlngton Shtopping News, Burlnnton Post, City Parent, Collingwood / Wasaga Connectien, East York Mrr. Ern AdvncateiCnuntry Routes. Etobicoke Goardiat, Fambornugh Post, Georgetown Initeperdenti Actnn Fee Press, Kingston This Week, Lindsay This Week, Maniitam Econemist & Sun. Midianit / Penetangoîshene Mirrnt. Mississauga News, Newmarket / Accora Ena Banner, Norhumberlandi News, North Yorte Mir. G, akoitie Beaver. akeitie Shopping News, Orilia Tnday, Oshawa / Wbtby / Ciaingone This Week. Petertioaub Ths Week, Rchmond Hllii/IThorebîilI/Vaaghan Liberai. Scarbnrnugb Mrror, Sonndee/ Stnattniiie Tribune, Tniiay'o Seniors, City et Yrk Saardîan Aivenbising os accepted one the conditionrtthat. in the eert ofta typegraphicai error, ta portion nt the advertiting space ncco- pied by tbe erroneno item, together with a easonabie aiinwance tor signature. wiii not be chargoe tor, bt the balance ot the adteentise- ment wiut be paîd tot at the applicable rate. The pablisher reserees the rigt te categorize atvetisemerto or tecline. Deoni must make lis own decision There are some - indeed some at this newspaper - who believe Milton's Joe Deoni should step aside, take a leave of absence, pending resolution of his legal troubles. Mr. Deoni, readers have been informed today, faces a fraud charge, a serious one, in relation to business conducted privately, not as part of his Catholic school board duties. There are compelling arguments in favour of that course of action. First, Mr. Deoni, from this day forward until the matter is answered legally, operates under a cloud as a public servant. Second, taking a leave of absence would be a quick and rela- tîvely painless way to deal with the situation, it appears, given the fact that trustees are now paid only $5,000 per year. Mr. Deoni would sacrifice little financially. In the past we have advocated public off iciaIs stepping down until their legal problems have been resolved. We did so with for- mer municipal councillor Mary Long, and again with former Halton chair Peter Pomeroy. It is Mr. Pomeroy's case that makes us reluctant to take the same position again. Mr. Pomeroy counted on his income as Halton regional chair to make a living. It was a fuli-time job, and one he enjoyed immense- ly. As well, he was good at it by many accounts, including ours. His regional council colleagues offered only cagey lukewarm support and were guilty of much political manoeuvering at Mr. Pomeroy's expense during his ordeal, we would submit, although even today Mr. Pomeroy would say no such thing. After years of legal wrangling and water torture, the judicial death of a thousand cuts and irmuendo, Mr. Pomeroy was not found guilty of anything. Those who investigated' him, and hounded him, were held accounitable for virtually nothing. Their only penalty was a mod- erate backhanded reprimand from a judge. But Mr. Pomeroy's political career was over, or at least very badly damaged. That's what makes us so reluctant today to say Mr. Deoni should resign. Anyone can be accused of anything by anybody. This is not to discount the investigative work done by Halton Regional Police, who have some excellent minds on the force. It is not to downplay the seriousness of the situation confronting Mr. Deoni. Any objective reading of the circumstances indicates Mr. Deoni is in for a rough ride. And if there has been a victim of a theft here, a Milton firm, that alleged crime is one with real, probably substantial consequences. In the end only Mr. Deoni can and will decide his immediate course of action. One can only hope that he answers his con- science, a conscience he has demonstrated, along with other quai- ities, such as courage and compassion, during his tenure as a school board trustee. Rob Kelly Trio upset over Reed's stance on Canadian flags in House (The following letter was sent to Halion MP Jelan Reed and a copy wasfiled wtth The Champion. A response front Mr Reedfollows.) Dear Mr. Reed: We are writing to enquire why you have sided with the Separatists on the issue of having a Canadian flag on your desk in the House. Why would you vote with a party who is trying to break up Canada? We are pleased to see that the Liberals have two members who stand up for wyhat their constituents want (Bryon Wilfert -- Oak Ridges and Ivan Grose -- Oshawa). At the next election we will be looking to vote for a per- son who will stand up to the Bloc and not side with a party whose main objective is to leave Canada. This is just another case of our govemment wasting the already short period of time Parliament is in session. On a recent trip to Ottawa we went to Parliament Hill to see a question and answer session. One word describes it -- disgraceful. These ait our leaders. The need for respect and good manners is most evident. We wish ail Canadians could see how our elected repre- sentatives are behaving on our behaif. Our trip to Ottawa did not make us proud to be Canadians. Syl via, Irvin and Kenneth Johnson Mifton Reed says he's for the flag Dear Sylvia, Irvin and Kennetis Johnson: In response Eu your letter accusing me of siding with the Separatists on the issue of the Canadian tlag, 1 would like to point out that in the text of your letter, you answered your own question. In the second paragrapis yuu described question period as being disgraceful and that our leaders need Eu be taught respect and good manners. Unfortunately, yuu were not in the House when the Member for Medicine Hat desecrated the Canadian flag by throwing in on the floor. These supposed heroes of yours are thse ones who have demonstrated that they wish to use the flag as simply a nationalist prop. The flag means far too much to me, as I'm sure it dues to you. If you had seen the incident and remember the antics of the Reform Party, the party that was going to come to Ottawa tu do things différently, yuu wiII see why I wiIl have nu truck or trade with these people. I wiII neyer support a party that desecrates the Canadian flag however much the press may try to make heroes out of them. I very much agree that it is time for civility in the House of Commons. Please take this message in anyone you know in the Reform Party and tell them tu begin behaving like Parliamentarians for a change. Incidentally I wear a flag into the House everyday as I have dune since tise first I was elected, I will continue Eu do su as long as I have tise honour to serve tise riding of Halton. Jullan Reed, Up Pud by Steve Nease OUR READERS WRJTE Mur-