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6 - The Canadian Champion, Fnlday, October 13, 2000 COMMENT Life in prison a steep price for just $50,OOO How cheap is life? Is it worth $5,000? Five million? How about $50,000, as in the sum former Milton resident David Fiorino pocketed through the 1996 killing of Barrie resident Stephen Andreopoulos in a Milton field? Now Mr. Fiorino will begin paying his own fee- a life sentence with- out parole for first degree murder. The trial took place in Milton to the notice of almost no one. But people are affected. Three children, for example, -will be raised without biologi- cal fathers. AIl for a bungled cbntraband liquor deal and $50,000. But those crimes are secondary. The first took place years before through the slow and steady assassination of values. j The debacle that took one life and imprisoned another was no theft of bread to feed starving mouths. This could have been avoided. But it's so tempting to strive for an easy buck. It's easy to equate self- worth with monetary gain. Comnionplace to believe that if it doesn't hurt someone, it isn't really a crime. But striving for what we can get away with instead of what we can give hurts everyone. Most people used to know this. j That it's so consistently forgotten now is the real crime. I AO MOUN TRUDEA O UR READERS WRITE Milton shouW do more to support our.youth Coverage on hydro issues wanted: reader Deae dktoe Lately, it seems that every time I open The Champi 'on tbere's a letter ta --the e-ditor complaissing about the youth in Milton. People are baving rocks durowus at their property or baving cars broloenin t ùs kaun we as a consu- nity are fed up witls these young "van- daIs" and are ready ta do something about it 1 1en imnagine my surprise upon sce- ing th~e yowsg cadets standing outside of stores last week having little suc- ceas sn obta"ng suppor't. 1 saw aduits walk by these kidse ignoring-tbeir request for a donation. Being a new mother, titis attitude alarms me. On ane bond, we complain about a laclc of supervisions and facili- ties for cbildren. On the other bond, we refuse ta support the kida wbo art participating in constructive activities. ibhis bega thse question: when do we stop consplaining about aur youtb and start supparting and guiding tbem towards a responsible future? W -nyOn Ulfton +THE CANADIA4N CHAMPION Box 248, 191 Main St. E. The Caxadiai Champion, publnbd every Tuesday and Friday at 19i Main St. t., Milon, Ont., L9T 4N19 (Box 248), os one of The Metroland Milton. Ont. L9T 4N9 PrintingPublising & Oistributing Lud. group of suburban conpanxes wtrrch ~ rncluds: Ajax/ickrng News Adoîriser, Alliston ilefald/Coonir, Barrie (905)8 8 -234 1 Adource, Barrys Bay This Week, Boltor Entorprise, Brumpton Guardian, Buonington Post, Bonlingion Shopping Nes, City Fanent, City of York Guandion, ColllngwoodlWasaga Connection, tast Yorkt Mirror, trio Editorial Fax: 878-4943 Adoocate/Counîty Rouses, Etobicoke Guandiun, Flamborougr Fost, Foreoir Toung, Georgetown lrdependenlActon Fiee Press. Huronila Business Advertising Fax: 876-2364 TimesKingston This Week, Lindsay Tis Wîilr, Markhan Econonisi & Son, Midland/Fenetanguishene Mirror, Milon Shopping News, Mississauga Classified: 875-3300 Business Tines, Mîssissuga Neows, Napanee Guide, Nassagaweya Neows, Newnarketldurora Ena-Banner. Northunberland News, North Yort Minnon, Ian Oliver Pub fls er Sukoitie Beaucr, Sukvilto Shopping Nes, Oltihens Hockey Nows, Orillia Today, Sshawa/Whitby/Claringlon/For Ferry This Weeir, Owen Sourd NeilOlivr Asocile ubliherTribune, Peterborough This Week, Ficton County Guide, Richmond Wendy McNab Adveroisiog Maoager HilVThornhillNaoghur Libenal, Scarborough Mitron, Stouttville/Gxrbidge Tribune. Karen Smith Edionor dertisiog ls acceptod on the condition thut, rn the eoent of a typo- CîrulaiooMaogergrphicai error, that portion of te aduerlosing space occopied by the enro- Steve Croomr Cruto aage r neous item, together with a reasonable attownco ton signatune, wiul lot be Tern Casas Office Manager churged lot, but lia balance of the udoertisemnr wiii be pard lot ai the applicable rate. Tht pubtîsher reserves the rîghl 10 cutegonior adverlise- Tim Coles prroductiono Manager mnt or decline. Dear Editor; 1 recently saw an ad in your paper asking people ta cail in with news items. 1 called and left a message s week ago and have flot ao yet been called for my news. As a long-term reader of your paper, t can sec no reason for this ad, as you do flot keep your readers informed of local newo as should be your job as our local community newspaper. 1 refer ta yeur reporting of local happenings at Milton Hydro and their takeover by the Town of Milton. We as citizens of Milton have monthly expenses, such as house payments, car payments, insurance, taxes and hydro is a major one. 1 would like ta be kept informed of happenings at Council and Hydro Meetings. At one time we had a local Hydro Commission elected at municipal elections, as are our counicillors. Although, these commissioners met and discussed expenditures in the millions of dollars of our money, 1 have yet to see a report in your paper cov- ering any hydro commission meetings iti the 25 years I have lived here. The Harris Government, in their common sense revolution, bas recently pbased out our hydro commissions. This is a hydro sys- temn that has evolved over a peri- od of 60 or more years and bas served the people of Ontario rea- sonably well. Perbaps flot as well as it sbould have witb too many political appointments to the Ontario Hydro Board. This old boys club bas led ta many bad decisions, a dangerous Nuclear Energy Generating System, a polluting Coal Fired System, plus $37 billion of debt. The Harris Government with Pud Mr. Harris' fearless common sense revolution wished to elimi- nate 37 billion dollar debt, which, the Province was responsible for, what better way than ta pass it off ta the municipalities. As with aur road system, this is now being done witb little fanfare or news coverage. The Harrassment goverfiment continues ta collect the taxes on gas and is either handing over highway maintenance ta the municîpality or selling themn ta private interests, and we have ta psy ta travel on tbem, and contin- ue ta pay gas taxes. This stupid sense revolution is also happening ta aur local Hydro and 90% of us are unaware or uninformed. Recently in Mîssissauga the Hydro Commission applied for a rate increase. Petro Canada filed - ee READER on page 7 by Steve Nease 1