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S - The Canadien Champion, Friday, August 25. 2000 SCOMMENT +THE CAVADMN~i CHMPION Box 248, 191 Main St. E.. The Canadien Champion, published eoery Tuesday and Pniday at 191 Milton, Ont. L9T 4N9 Main S t. E., Milton, Ont., .91 4N9 (Box 248), is one ofThte Mettoland Ptmnting, Pubtisning & Distributing LUI. group nt subuntan cnmpanties whictt m 41 icludes: Aîax/Picketing News Adventiselson, Hrl/oreBri (905)87 -2 4 Aduance, Bannys Bay This Week, Bntten Enteepnmse, Bnampton udin Butlington Post, Bunlingtnn Stiopping News, City Panent, City nf Yrk Guandian, CollingwondlWasaga Connecton, East Yorka Minnot, Erin Editorial Fax: 878-4943 AdvncatelCountnj Routes, Etoticotie Guardian, Flambonsugh Post, Frevet Ysung, Georgetown Independentldctnn Fnee Press, Hutonia Business Advertising Fax: 876-2364 limes, Kiîngston This Weetî, Lindsay Tis Weels. Manlaa Ecnnmist & Sun, Miland/Peresanguishene Mirent, Miton Shopping Newu, Mississauga Classified: 875-3300 Business imes. Missionauga News, Napanee Guide, Nassagaweya Nenws, Newmantmt/Aunona Eta-Bannen, Northumbeeland News, North Vont Mitron, Ian Oliaver PubliShter Qakvilte Beaer, Salaud). Shopping News, Oldtimers Hockey Newu, Onillia Today, OstawalWhitby/Ctatlsgton/Pott Penny This Week, Owen Sound -Neti Oliver Asnnnciale Publisher Tinîtie. Peterborough This Week. Plctse County Guide, Richmond Bill Begin General Manager HittfthotntltNaughan Libetat, Scantonougt Miense, Stouttoilli/Sobridge Tribune. Karen Smith Editor Adoertising is accepted os the condition taC, in the evnet of a typo- Steve Crozier Circultion Manager grapticat meot. that portion ot the adnertislng space occupîed bn the enes- meous item, Cogethet with a teasonabte atlowance ton signature, mili sot te Teni Casa Offce Manager ctarget! ton, but the balance of te advetsemoot miii Cm paid ton as the applicable rte. The pubtishon tesesnes the tuons to'categoieadooitise- Ttm Coles Production Manager mats se dectîne. Enougli of this strike talk, please, telachers Teachers - 700 of tbemn in Oakville, Milton and Burlington - gave their union a strong mandate last week afier voting an overwhelrmng 92 per cent in favour of a strike. One hardy soul was even said to bave driven ail tbe way from Manitoulin Island to ensure his or ber vote was counted. If this keeps up, tbe knowi "edge kids-will most likely associate witb Labour Day is tbat somewbere, some teacbers' union is going to talk strike. An ostensible purpose of the recent strike vote is, ironically, to avert a strike. This makes perfect sense to tbose wbo also believe tbat arming people keeps crime down and stockpiling nuclear arsenals is a sure way to keep a cold war appropriately icy. Contract negotiations between the scbool board and the teachers' union began yesterday, witb work load and compensation being bot issues. The bottom line is this: The Province wants teachers to take on seven classes over the year instead of six, and teachers dontt want to. They also want a raise, wbich they baven't bad for years. Teachers provide a critical, under-appreciated service. In a real way, the nation's future is in their bands. But, ideally, teacbing is one of those professions that really sbould be entered into for the love of it - long bours, strife and ail. Tbat's strife, not strike. Witb virtually everyone working more for the same money, public support will fade fast if the wrong word is chosen. OUR READERS WRITE Thanks for a great flrst four years, Milton Dear Editor: On August 25, 1996, Amity Goodwull amrved in Milton ai the corner of Ontario Street and Deniy Road. Mayor Gordon Krantz cul the ribbon and officially welcomed us to town. For me it wss like a homecoming as 1 had lived in Milton for 14 wonderful years. Amity Goodwill is a charitable, non-profit. agency that provides job-training programs for people with disabilities and employment barriers. We collect oaleable, sur- plus used clothing and household items tor seli at bargain prices in our stores throughout Halton and Hamilton. Our stores flot only pro- vide affordable quality goods, but provide job-training sites for our clients as well. We also bave a pos- itive environmental impact by diverting tons of items otherwise destined for landfill sites. Students in Milton bave also been recipients of Amity Goodwill Fund Buruaries for students with diaabilities. Tbe warmth and acceptance, which we have received from the people of Milton and the sunfound- ing communities, bas been grstify- ing. We look forward 10 a long and mutually beneficial relationship especially as the town of Milton experiences dramatic population growtb. From the management snd staff of the Amity Goodwill store in Milton, s sincere thank you for your support dursng the past mem- orable four yeaas. A reminder that we rely on your continured supply of donated cloth- ing and household items. Before you empty your closet, garage or bssement this faîl please think sbout the positive impact your donation can have. If you're a student conduct s clothing drive on our behaîf. Pcrhaps your parish can conduct spring and faîl clothing drives for US. Plese contact me personally about donation options and our tsx receipt progrsm. Thank you again, Milton, for four great years. We look forward to msny, many more. Barry Co., vIce-realdent Communlty relations and marketing Goodwii - The Amlly Group Hopefully some day, vandals, you 'il appreciate this town There have been a few letters to the editor recently about the fnastrating issue of vandalismi and its connection with a lack of recreational activities available to youths locally. I can agree that no, there's isn't a bowling alley. roller rink or even a movie theatre any more, but I don't buy for a minute that a short- age of such facilities is a significant factor in why tonte youths are causing such destruction and big headaches for many residents. Earlier this month, we heard about a Woodward Avenue couple who have been vic- tims of vandals ait least four limes this summer. On two occasions, the fence surrounding the their home was broken. and boards were scat- tered around the Street. And John Street residents reporled having their fence spray-painted snd rocks being repeat- edly thrown in their pool. I'm unsure of the reasons behind youth van- dalism, but I have a theory. It's a deadly combi- nation of low self esteem and a general lack of respect. As I once heard a neise older woman say, "Those who go out of their way 10 mar other people's property don't think very much of themselves."' And more often than not, 1 think, low self- esteem develops in thse home. Parenting, which is tacîng even more chal- lenges today with the magnitsude of violence and mayhem in the mass media, certainly isn't easy. But 1 believe a functional, supportive family life is key 10 giving youths the ability to make responsible decisions, especially when peer pres- sure is involved. Learning 10 have respect for others goeo part and parcel with Uiat. IFrom the editor's desk Parents must encourage their kids 10 find con- structive ways 10 spend their lime and take an active role in seeing it through. While recreational opportunities in Milton may nos be as plentiful as in the ciîy, there are ways for youths 10 occupy themselves. There's a wide range of sports, a skste board park, Xcape Youth Drop-in Centre, dances aI the Milton Leisure Centre, community gsxsups such as cadets and Kelso Conservation Ares. And part-time work is available if the cool of such activities are beyond parents' financial means. Or youths can make their own fun in their own homes, renting movies or playing video games. Earlier I emphasized that only some youths are commiîîing vandalism because I believe just a small minoriîy are involved. Many youths are making valuable contributions 10 îown. For instance, recently we heard about Uic wonderful students who spent part of their summer volun- teering aI Allendale. But here's a message 10 the ones who are inclined 10 be destructive: One day if you have kids of your own. you wilIl appreciate being able 10, mise them in a relatively safe, quiet town like Milton. So don't pur a damper on Uic quality of life for others now.