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Baker: what Ottawais going to hear Below is the text of the statement made yesterday by Ray Baker concerning the current efforts of the towns of Midland and Penetanguishene - to qualify for a federal program, ILAP, that would encourage the creation of jobs here. The Midland-Pene- tanguishene area has suffered it's worst economic setback in decades with the closing of RCA Inc., in Midland four days ago. A loss of 550 jobs, plus related workers in the service industries being directly affected on a higher than one to one ratio, makes this worse. This is a long term economic blow in a recessionary period when the area is reeling from layoffs in con- struction, automotive parts. textiles, and the service sector. The towns of Midland and Penetanguishene are preparing a_ joint brief for presentation to Edward Lumley, Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce and Regional Economic Expansion, Ottawa. It will be hand carried by a delegation headed by the two Mayors: Mayor Al Roach of Midland and Mayor Ron Bie lel silve o f Penetanguishene. The brief will be an urgent request for designation of the two towns to ILAP status (Industrial Labour Adjustment Program). This program would provide, among other things, interest-free loans of up to 50 per cent of capital costs to in- dustry for expansion, for restructuring and new product develop- ment This program also assists in locating new industry in the area. Through our ILAP Committee, I have been elected spokesman for the following bodies: both town 'councils, both Chambers of Com- merce, Industrial Commissions, and the Labour Council. Today I will give you some details of the brief and its timing. Feb. 1, 1983, is our deadline for having the brief ready. Its presentation will be as soon as humanly possible after that date. Ottawa is aware that we are going, Its contents will be as follows: It will show that plant after plant has closed its doors, from Bausch and Lomb to Motorola, and most recently RCA Ine. in Midland, which from a high of 1,200 em- ployees is down to a maintenance crew. on UIC benefits; the the huge listings up for Between them ones who, having gale, the homes given up thousands of workers exhausted these ang the bankruptcies, with viable skills are benefits, are NOW the jack of housing seeking welfare or are currently on some form of social service. unemployed. It will show the large number of smaller companies which have starts. In a nutshell, all the human misery that goes gone into receivership, There is alsoa hidden along with unem- have quietly folded up, Sector, perhaps the ployment, from the or are running with a Silent majority, who closed down car reduced work force. have moved in with dealerships to corner friends or relatives ona _ stores, from the hard But these are paper statistics. pressed Salvation Army survival basis and do It will try and show not appear on the help to the overworked the economic impact in welfare records. case workers with human terms: the army It will show real. welfare. estate closures versus On the positive side, it of unemployed; the ones Retired women teachers meet at end of 1982 at Baptist Church The Retired Women Teachers of Ontario (O.A.S.W.I.), Midland- Penetanguishene Branch, held its last 1982 meeting in the parlour of Calvary Baptist Church. Twenty-two members and one guest were present. Esther Addison, the president presided. After Phyllis Benson gave thanks to God for the many good things we enjoy from day to day, we enjoyed a delicious smorgasbord with Marjorie Gendron and Irene Marchand as hostesses. The meeting followed when Ann Le Pan told us $200 draw winner The winner of the $200 grand prize in the Midland Business Improvement Area Christmas draw contest is Faye Dollimount of King Street, Midland. of the recent W.T.F. banquet to which, we were invited. Reports from secretary, Violet Lid- stone, the treasurer Olive Cleaver; . good will, Muriel Dane were heard. Frances Bell (a most talented pianist) led us in singing Christmas Carols. Violet Lidstone read a moving story of a Czechoslovakian fa- mily's first Christmas in Canada among strangers and strange customs. Gifts were brought to be given where needed in hospitals and nursing homes. We also enjoyed an exchange of gifts among ourselves. The next meeting is in March and it is then we remember with donations of money the and educational sup- plies, the needy schools in the Underprivileged countries around the world. Centre is always glad of support. Just get in touch with any « 0.A.S.W.T. member. paper, erasers, rulers or any good school sup- plies-excluding books-- the Overseas Book Note: If you don't know what to do with pictures, pencils (new or partly used) crayons, will show a labour force in this area, ready, willing and able. The industrial potential and diver- sification in the form of land and buildings. Of fully serviced industrial lots, well situated to service Ontario with goods, instantly available. Above all, it will show two town councils, chamber of commerce, _ industrial commissions and a labour council waiting to help industry, trade and commerce. In the worst economic depression to hit this area since the 1930s, it will show that two municipalities have mayors who have taken up the challenge of a three-year stint and are saying to Ottawa, "We are ready to go, but we need help, and we need it fast!" FGC 430 able T.V. Color RCA Colortrak 122-Channel Multi-band Tuning Remote Control Reg. 699: PIER *b8 295 14" i Not exactly Bas shown 4 26! GGR691R Remote Control RCA Colortrak 122-Channel Multi-band Tuning *899-95 With trade Sales & Service TED LIGHT'S TV 77 Main St., Penetang 549-7978