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6-Ttie Canadian Champion, Tuesday, Apri 21. 1998, *CÔMMENT t3x 48, Hl MainSt [ Miton, Ont. L9T 4N9 (905) 878-2341 Fax: 878-4943 Classified: 875-3300 lian Oliver Publisher Neil Oliver Assoimate Publioher David Bos General Manager Rob Kelly Editor Karen Huisman Circulatioin Manager Teri Casas QffSce Manager Tien Coles Productionn Manager The Canadian Champion pjîiinfleiirwoe0y at 191 i ie St E ,Mid oi L91 4N9 (Box 24j s we ) ie, inn dif Prining, Publishing & Disribuiing W sîcrup o suburban conna- nies whch inclodes: Ajax / Pickering News Advertiser, Alliston Heraldlçoorier. Barrie Adance, Barrys tay This Week. Bolton Enterpnîse. Brampton Guardian,. Burlingon Shopping News, Brlington Post, Cty Parent, Colngwod / Wasaga Connection. East York Mirror. trio AdocateCountry Routes, Etoiicotie Suardian, Pamborough Post, Georgetown Indepenident Acton Fre Press, Kngston Tiis Wee, Lndsay Ths Week, Marham tcooomist & Sun, Miand / Penetanguishene Mirror. Mssssauga News. Newmarket / Aurora tra Banner, Nrthumberland News, Noth Yonk Mrror, Oativillo Beanor, Oakoitto Shopping News. Orilia Today. Oshawa / Whtby / Caington This Week. Petrborough This WeBt, Richmond Hillii/ Thornhll / Vaghan Liera. Scarhoroogh Mirror, hlnhitge I Stoufttillo Tribune, Todoo's Seniors. City of Yonk Soardian. Adveodîsing is accepted on the condition that, in the ruent o a typographical eror. that portion of the aduontising space occu- pied Sp the erroneous item, together sit a reasonable allowance ton signature, wii not be chrged to, Sut the balance ot the adortise- ment wit e paid tnt as the applicable rate. The publisher resoroos the right to categorine adertisemets or decline. Chudleigh's last gasp likely won't fit the bill Halton North MPP Ted Chudleigh may be putting the best face on the latest reversai concerning chiorine in Milton, but there really is littie chance that he can gain the upper hand. Mr. Chudleigh says he will attempt to float a private mem- ber's bill at Queen's Park that would, in essence, be one of the last skirmishes in the chiorine war. It would be a muted one as well, in the unlikely event it ever got off the ground. Private member's bis rarely go anywhere at Queen's Park, and this one certainly wouldn't. There are simply too many legal and political risks involved, for potentially marginel gains, when it cornes to the big picture. The Tory govemment will ot go against the prevailing opin- ion at the Ministry of the Environment and Energy, that chlo- rine should be in Milton water. To do so would invite a scathing attack from opposition par-. ties, who would use the opportunity to depict the government as unconcerned about water quality regulations, and contemp- tuous of the health and safety of its citizens. Mr. Chudleigh knows the feelings of the majority of Miltonians when it cornes to chiorine, and so he is unwilling to look as if he is throwing in the towel. But those unacquainted with the technical aspects of goverfi- ment have faint cause for hope. The Halton North MPP can do littie further influence events. And, on a purely tactical political level, the blarne for chiori- nation does not appear to have fallen on Queen's Park politi- cians per se. Instead, Halton's Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Bob Nosal, and the MOEE have by and large taken the heat and provided convenient scapegoats. Therefore, the provincial government has yet less impetus to change the situation. The MOEE has proven unswerving in its commitment to cur- rent water regulations, and would have only granted Milton an exemption if Halton regional politicians had stuck their necks out. In the end, Halton Region proved unwilling to shoulder legal responsibility for Milton's water purity without chlorine. Regional council then put forward the face-saving position that they had neyer opposed Milton's position, either. Once everybody starts rationalizing their lack of success on a given political issue, in the face of a potentially cranky public backlash, one can pretty well assume the fight is for aIl intents and purposes over. That is the case with local chlorination, barring some sort of minor political miracle. Rob Kelly OUR READERS WRITE Enough is enough of teachers' union slamming, says reader Dear Editor: 1 arn an elementary schaai teacher of 29 years. I arn proud ta be a teacher, proud ta have contributed positively to pub- lic education in this province and proud ta have had thei hanour of being a part of so many children's lives. t is my hape that I have had a pasitive influence an my students, developed a strang wark ethic, expected responsi- hie behaviaur and encauraged them ta believe in their var- ied abilities ta became life long leamners and critical thinkers. 1 arn aisa praud ta be an active member af my teachers' fedieratian, the Federatian af Wamen Teachers' Associations af Ontario. At the local level I serve an the executive (a voiuntary nan-paid position) of the Haitan Wamen Teachers' Assaciatian. I arn writing this letter ta caunteract the campaign af the Harris gavemrment against the variaus teachers' federatians in Ontario. When the premier said in his visit ta Milton, "It's nat teachers I slam, it is their unions," 1 knew that I needed ta write ta the editor ta infarm yaur readers af same of aur activities. The Haltan Wamen Teachers' Association put on a fash- ion show recently ta raise more than $2,000 for CAVEAT, and wrate, produced and provided Halton teachers with a curriculum document on TV violence geared for the junior years. Each year aur members arganize and mun the Red Rose White Ribbon campaign against violence within aur Pud in aur society and raise money for the Haiton Rape Crisis Centre and Halton Women's Place. For severai years now we have sponsored chiidren's sparts teams in Oakviile, Burlington, Milton, Georgetown and Acton. Each year we sponsor at least three different teams in Halton. We proudly keep the photos of the numer- aus teams that we have supported. We offer schaiarships and bursaries for bath students in aur Halton high schoois and members' children. Most are in amounts of $500 and mare than a dozen are given out each year. Oh yes, as ail unions we do negotiate with the Haiton District School Board for the best possible collective agree- ment for aur members. We do try ta pramate and advance the image of aur teachers, raise the status of the teaching profession and ensure a high standard of professional ethics. The activities of the Halton Women Teachers' Association that 1 have isted are just a few of what has been offered over many, many years. Ail of these activities have been deiivered by teachers on their own time with only one paid fuil-time president. Now I ask yau, does this sound like a union that needs siammîng as bath aur premier and minister of educatian have suggested timne and time again? I am always confident that when people are encouraged ta, find out ail of the infor- mation that they wiil make infarmed decisions. I let your readers decide. Linda Middaugh Sam Sherratt Public School by Steve Nease ?t~P~ ~ ~t.i FAHE~ i F FYO LÀCoN~TI NU EON TM-lE BUT WANr4A you A~1 upo IlA LIFETIME 0F FRulbTRA110N~ JAL