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.6 - "WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2000 PURLIS 2h a ary J. Peter Hvidsten RAL MGR.......... Don Macleod MANAGING EDITOR.. Jeff Mitchell Aocna OFFICE MANAGER.... Gayle Stapley » ADVERTISING MGR...Deb McEachemn Member Ontario Community REPORTER................. Chris Hall Newspaper Assoc. Freelance Writers- Heather McCrae, John B. McClelland, Rik Davie PHONE (905) 985-7383 FAX (905) 985-3708 E-MAIL: port.perry.star@sympatico.ca Published every Friday by the Port Perry Star Company Limited, 188 Mary Street - Port Perry, Ontario - L9L 187 Distributed free in the following communities: Port Perry - Uxbridge - Sunderland - Little Britain - RR Lindsay Janetville Oakwood - Manilla - Seagrave - Greenbank - Brooklin - Ashbum - Columbus - RR Oshawa Caesarea - Blackstock - Raglan - Nestieton - Yelverton - Prince Albert EDITORIAL POLICY: Opinions expressed by columnists, contributors and letter writers are not necessarily those of The Port Perry Star. Letters must be signed and the 4 bo comected i brought to the editors attention. We reserve the right to edi o refuse publication of any material submitted. ADVERTISING POLICY: The publisher is not able for sight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement, The publisher is not able for ofher eTors of omissions | connection with any advertisement in any subsequent issue of the refund of any monies paid for the advertisement. All claims of error in publication must be made by Wednesday, noon, prior to the next week's publication, and, if not made, will not be considered. No claim wil be allowed for more than one inseron. telephone number (which will not be published) included. Requests that a name be withheld will be honoured only if there is a compelling reason 10 do $0. Ermors BUSINESS OFFICE: Judy Ashby, Kathy Dudley, Janet Rankin, Lesley West, Heather Callan ADVERTISING: Ginni Todd, Cindy Jobin, Gail Morse, Heather McGregor, Linda Clarke, Janet Archer, Malcolm Lennox, Lisa Monk PRODUCTION MANAGER: Pamela Hickey Production Staff: Trudy Empringham, Daryle Wright, Arlene Cheel, Richard Drew OPINION We can see the signs You'll have to forgive us if we're running a little late in our appointed rounds these days; see, we're constantly whizzing by and missing our landmarks, because the horizon is being blotted out by election signs. Yes, they've sprung like foul mushrooms everywhere, imploring us to vote for Whozit and Whatzit and The Other Feller. The first crop came with the beginning of the municipal election campaign. We saw some some dusted off and propped up again, just like three years ago, and three years before that, familiar as a visit from distant relatives who don't visit often. And they were joined by eager newcomers, vying to outdo the recycled signs by employing brighter colours, wittier slogans, and, when possible, better positioning. ) Then came the federal election writ, and we knew we could kiss our autumn landscape goodbye. Bigger campaigns mean bigger budgets, and that means bigger signs - billboard size, some of 'em - in bigger numbers, making bigger promises. So far it's the Grit incumbents and their ambitious Alliance oppo- nents shouldering each other for our attention and allegiance; when the NDP and Tories get their acts together, we'll be able to count on another crop... almost like a second cut of hay, only not nearly as useful. And these guys wonder why we begin to get a bit cranky as the sideshow drones on, all of us suffering from election fatigue and wishing they'd bugger off to Ottawa, and leave us alone... Democracy. You gotta love it. \ HTT - ay PRL FTE Lani) es mm ow - - A ------ <S --- oa- Keith and Lesley Handley of Campbellcroft submitted this photo of their pooch, catching some rest after romping in the snow. If you have an interesting picture we could use for Photo of the Week, please drop it by The Star office, or give us a call at 985-7383. SOMETHING ABOUT: WHAT'S ALL THAT YELLING ABOUT? A "WHO LEFT THE TRASH BIN UNLOCKED?' 'Right wing element' is onto something To the Editor: This is in response to R.]. Bouffard's letter about Pierre Trudeau. Never before in my life have I heard such left-wing rhetor- ical garbage. Trudeau did not care for all the people. Those out west still hate him because the National Energy Policy took away jobs and money just to give it to another part of the country. And for the 'oil men' in Alberta, it is really cold, callous and heartless to say they wanted people on the east coast to freeze in the winter. It is absolutely laughable that he man- ages to describe Stockwell Day without naming him. Too chicken to mention his name? Or too chicken to mention the fact that his policies will benefit all of us not just the rich. He wanted a free vote on cutting the gas taxes. Chretien wouldn't allow it. Yet this province still falls over the current day Liberals. As for Stock's platform, he's a Christian, big deal. He has his beliefs, which the last time | checked he was still entitled to. As is usually about the left, they think that capitalism is wrong. Well isn't all the money that is generated in this country done through people making money? God forbid anyone should make an hon- est dollar in this world. You say we are interested in the bottom line and you are correct. We realize that Trudeau gave us a huge deficit, which took years to get rid of (on the backs of taxpayers as well) and a monster debt that my grandchildren will have to deal with. But you don't seem to realize this. You talk about the "right wing element." Well out in Alberta under Ralph Klein and the PC government they will have their provincial debt paid off in two years. They will be the only state or province in all of North America to be totally debt free. It's actually mind boggling to contemplate. The "right wing element" is for lower taxes, less government and more govern- ment accountability. Liberals talk about needing a "strong national government." We need a strong national government like we need a hole in the head. Trudeau bankrupted the country for years to come and it is the "right wing ele- ment" that will bring it back to respectabil- ity. Travis Gray, Port Perry