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-M-etroland Community Newspaper Vol. 140 No. 90 Tuesday, January 25, 2000 40 Pages $ 1.00 (GST ncluded) NHL needs to put own house in order: Reed By IRENE GENTLE The Champion A federal about-face on dipping into the public purse to bail out National Hockey League (NHL) teams in Canada means Halton MP Julian Reed is once more skating in line with his party colleagues. But hie came out with both guna blazing againat a January 18 announicement by Industry Minister John Manley that tbe feda would Iaunch negotiations wibh caah-strapped hockey stakehold- ers. The resulting national hoopla waa enough 10 topple that deci- sion. A chaatened Mr. Manley delivered a follow-up announce- ment st Friday quaahing any hope for taîka between the federal government and the hockey stakeholdera. And that auited Mr. Reed, who noted the NHL should put ils own bouse in order instead of looking 10 the govemrment for a handout. "It'a an indication that the NHL itaelf bas got 10 dlean Up ita act," hie aaid. His stance received an avalanche of support from fed-up tax- payera dead set against having public money dumped into a aport dominated by millionaire playera. "We were deluged with cails," sait! Mr. Reed. ese. GOVERNMENT on page 9 vCouncil considers reducing number of town politicians By IRENE GENTLE The Champion Sometimes bigger is better. And getting rid of politicians docan't always lesd 10 a more efficient and effective govemrment, said Mayor Gord Krantz. III suspect moat of us weoe elected 10 protect democracy," hie said. "There's a real risk of putting too much power in too few people's banda." Inttead, democracy ia beat served by spreading out the power, said Mr. Krantz. Reducing politicians is the motive bebind tbe provincial reatructuring of Toronto, Hamilton-Wentwortb and Ottawa- Carleton mbt giant super cities. And that's a good thing, aaid Councillor Rick Malboeuf. "Basically 1 believe the more politicians you bave, the les effective il is," hoe said. 'Too much rbetoric is being expressed." He cited regional council as an example, noting tbat beavy , se. NUMBER on page 9 Photo by GRAHAM PAINE vWarming up One-year-old Tyler Mifsud gels a big hug from mom Sheila as the two towel off after a weekend AquaTot clm58 at the Milton Leisuoe Centre. Poppy box theft case postponed By LISA CARTWRIGHT The Champion Legion members will have to wait until next month to hear the case against an Ontario Street woman charged with allegedly stealing poppy boxes from Oakville. Several members of Royal Canadian Legion branch 114 in Oakville attended Milton court where Lorraine King, 24, for- merly of Campbellville, appeired on charges of eights counts of thefi. "It's appalling," said Bill Allan, chair of branch 114. "Why would anyone steal from people who fought for their country? The poppy fund is meant t0 help people who are deaperate aa the years go on." Ms King was scheduled to address the theft chargea yeaterday, but the caae waa poatponed until Februaîy. Inatead. Ms King anawered to another charge of fraud stemming frora an October 26 incident. Ms King wrote a $216 cheque to Criatello'a Village Market in Campbellville, but there were insufficient funds in bier account. se. CASE on page 9 Comment Page 6 Communîty Page 8 Business 10 Dateline 11-12 Sports 14-16 Classif led 17-19 Success Pl-PB * Ul* * SMmW* 0 lhrnos Rfoyal Mulrmu* .9Lma Bqy *Plzza Hut'* S usiness Deoer Dr. Green Lawn Cars Seniors on Waich 'Setosted urias emty ý 1 1