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my-- Scugog Citizen -- Tuesday, Febnruary 13, 1996 -- 9 = LETTERS TO EDITOR 44 ol ' 7 Not impressed with Federal employees _ * To The Editor: A few days ago, | had occasion to go into the local Federal Office in Oshawa, to apply for the Canada Pension Death Benefit for a deceased family member. As it had been many years since I had any exposure to a 'Manpower' office, I wasn't prepared for the modern way of doing things. What a humiliating experience. After waiting for several minutes on the designated spot, I was called by the receptionist, explained my problem, and was handed a numbered ticket & told to take a seat in the large waiting room. , When I pointed out the considerable number of people in the unemployment crowd waiting there also, she.assured me 1 would not Rave to wait for them as I was there for a different purpose. + Well surprise, surprise, she was wrong! After a wait of close to an hour, (very short I'm told) and a good opportunity to observe the work habits of our Government Employees, and staring at an empty cubicle near where I sat, this particular employee wandered in very slowly, looked around for a while, and reluctantly eased herself onto the stool in that spot. She turned'the computer terminal-on, sat there for a few minutes admiring it, looked arcund a bit, picked up a couple of pieces of paper on, the counter, looked at them as if wondering what they were, looked around the area some more and got up and went over to a couple of co-workers to talk for a minute or two before returning to her work station to start the procedure all over again. At this point I was thinking, please God, not that one! She finally had to do something, simply could not avoid it much longer, so she reluctantly reached for a small microphone and called a nurhber. You guessed it, it was for one of the people in_the unemployment crowd. , Not wanting to be there all day, I went over to the receptionist (who by this time had gone on her break and been replaced VIEWPOINT by John B. McClelland WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED My personal sympathies are extended to the Best family on the weekend death of Carolyn. Carolyn had waged a long and brave battle with cancer, and I'm sure I speak for a lot of people in this community when I say she is | going to be deeply missed. Carolyn had a long association with Port Perry Minor Softball, serving many years on the executive, fneluding terms as president. Port Perry Minor Softball has enjoyed a lot of success at the provincial level over the past few years, and the hard work and dedication for that organization by Carolyn and others no doubt had a role in those all-Ontario banners. She also served as a regional director and registrar with the Ontario Amateur Softball Association. She was 48. See "Notice" in this. week's Citizen for time.and location of funeral and visitation. Again, my personal sympathies to Bob, the children, and members of the family. Carolyn was a dedicated volunteer in this community, and she is going to be missed. SECOND SEASON BEGINS. Junior C hockey fans should see an excellent playoff series when the Port MoJacks hook up with their arch-rivals from the north end of the lake--Little Britain Merchants. These two teams have played some dandy hockey over the years and this one should be no different. In fact, if you look at the record the two teams had in the regular schedule, you can hardly slide a dime between them. In six games, Merchants won three (all on home ice) MoJacks won two and tied one on the Port Perry pond. Merchants scored 15 goals in those six games and MoJacks counted 14. Can't get much closer than that. + Several Junior C hockey observers who hang around the arena Sunday nights when ModJacks play their home games, say this series has all the ear-marks of being a seven game affair. I concur. If so, the MoJacks might have an ever so slight edge as they lost but once all season at the Scugog Ice Palace. However, 'as MoJack skipper Chic - Minor Softball the last few years. Carnegie made plainly clear in his post game chat with the assembled media after last Sunday's game, playoffs are a brand new season. Take everything that's happened up to now and chuck it out with the used stick tape. In fact, Chic has been talking about the Merchants in post game raps for the last several weeks now. It will be a great series, and even better if the fans get out and support their teams in big numbers. Game one goes this Friday night in Port at 8:30 and game two is in Britain Saturday night at 7:30. Still with the MoJacks for a moment, a word of congrats to Keith Leslie for his 101 point performance in 41 regular season games. Les gives much of the credit to linemates Todd Dennis and Steve. Barkwell. Rightly so. This triedooks like they have been together for years. hall And the goaltending tandem of Rick Hutchinson and Paul Roberts had a pretty decent season too, In 42 games they allowed just 125 goals, for an average of under three per game. In Junior hockey these days, , that is quite - an accomplishment, Hutch and Roberts played very well, to be sure. Give credit to the blue line boys and to the way the entire team played defensive hockey, which is exactly what head coach Carnegie and assistant Brett Puckrin wanted when the seasan began back in October. Modacks are on a bit of a roll winning ten of their last dozen games. Can they keep it going in what promises to be a tough series with the Merchants. We'll find out. IN CLOSING: Port Perry Minor Softball is hosting a dance this coming Saturday night at the new Scugog Centre Hall in honour of Thom Doran. Through his business Classic Hot Dogs, Thom was a good friend of He's battling some tough health problems right now, and all his friends in the community wish him a solid recovery. Todd and Carolyn Wilbur (aka the Travellin' Wilburs) will provide the music. Tickets at $10 each will be available at the door. by else who didn't particularly care what I wanted) and was told to return to my seat and wait, I would be called in a few minutes. Back to observing the work habits of the "chosen few. My favdurite lady, (she was closest to where I sit) spent about fifteen minutes with her current customers and away they went. She then proceeded to repeat the procedure explained earlier, (i.e..check the monitor, shuffle a few papers, go and talk to a.couple of workers, etc.) She eventually came back and called another number, and would you believe, it was mine. I approached, her counter and asked her if everyo always had to wait in the crowd with of unemployed as the receptionist had told me otherwise. She wasn't impressed, and told me "here there's only one line". I stated my business, and presented the Death Certificate and application form during which time she was slouching sideways on her. stool (pronounced sneer on her face. I kid*You not folks, her body lahguag s clearly saying "I wish you idiots d get lost". I didn't dare say anything for fear of my application beifig Tost in the waste basket. She read »the death certificate and slid it back across the counter, glanced at*the application form and said that's it! I asked her if there was anything else required, and she repeated, no that's it! I then asked her how long this procedure NN would take and Ge said "twg or three. months". I truly believe her if the rest of them have similar work habits. I am retired, & veteran of ten years active service who worked hard all my life, never had any handouts, raised my family dnd always paid my way. You can well imagine my feelings when I left that office. To be treated with contempt at my age, maKe it more than I ean bear. What has this country céme to may I ask? Is this the motm? Is there.no one anywhere in the civil service interesting in doing their jobs? I mean from the top down. Are there no supervisors observing the work habits of their subordinates? Maybe they are all tied up making sure the numbers correspond with the various equity programs, or that all the French translations are readily available in an English speaking area. No wonder we're $500 billion in the hole. Stand by for trillion if this is the way we are going to operate. Surely, I am not the only one awake here! And please don't blame the Unions any more than you can blame the inmates if a prison is not being run properly. Who is in charge of this show? Anyone? The "Peter" principle must be alive and well in this country. Try and remember that the people responsible for this type of service are the same ones who are telling us we must tighten our belts, cghpete, etc... I recall many years ago when Mike Starr was Minister of Labour, during one of the major lay-offs in Oshawa, with line-_ ups of people around the block waiting to apply for UL, he walked in the office, tood with hands on hips in the middle of the floor and announced in a loud voice that if the process didn't speed up, he would fire the whole bunch of them. Zhings moved well after that, I assure you. Where are you now Mike? We sure need an infusion of your type of backbone. By the way, Mr. Editor, I vote Liberal. Thank you for letting me sound off. R.J. Bouffard i Port Perry, Ont. Thanks for support To the Editor: Thank you to the citizens of Scugog Township for your whole hearted . support of the annual Poppy Fund Campaign. The Poppy Fund Chairman, Bob McDonald, Branch President Rory Thompson, the executive members, the Ladies Auxiliary and all members really appreciate your wonderful support. Your generous donations will ensure that Veterans will be taken care of in times of need. Through devotion to duty, during the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean and Gulf War, these Canadians that served and those that supported them, have . helped make the world and this wonderful country of ours a better place to live and for our children to enjoy in freedom. We must not forget those Canadians that still serve in Canada and overseas to help maintain peace in the world. Through your support of the Poppy Fund, veterans, veteran's widows and their children are d of assi These funds are held in trust and can be "used for veterans, their wives, ~biren or widows Who are in need, Bursaries and awards for our youth, for youth education, and under certain 'cases for hospitals, nursing homes and . sqziors housing. Branch 419 of The Royal Canadian Legion, is very proud to be fully committed corporate citizens. To be supportive of many local organizations, especially our youth organizations, and one of the foremost supporters of your local hospital. May I add to those of you who have not gotten around to sending your contribution to the Poppy Trust Fund you may do so by sending it to: ' 'Campaign Chairman B. MacDonald, Poppy Trust Fund, Branch 419, Royal Canadian Legion, 484 Bay Street, Port Perry, Ontario LOL 1M7. Once more to all those that put up with the cold and the damp,' our canvassers, you all have our warmest thanks. The Chairman, the Executive, the C C i would dally like to thank the businesses and for their g support. The 50th Celebration of Branch 419 Receiving its Charter is coming up this year. Yours in Comradeship » Geoff Taylor, Public Relations 'F" Zone, Branch 419°