6 - The Canadian Champion, Friday, May 7,1999 oi LET K COMMENT 'ELET1O PIE-E-TON Let cooler heads prevail Less than a month from now Ontario voters are going to have to make a choice about who they want to run the provincial govemrment for the next several years. We urge constituents to devote substantial attention to the carnpaign, and separate the facts from the rhetoric. od /0 It's no secret that there is a great deal of animosity among the big three political parties in the province right now. , One doesn't need a crystal bail to predict that this is shaping up to be '..' a nasty camrpaign. The posturing and catcalls have begun already as protesters dogged Premier Mike Harris Wednesday, the day the elec- #II tion was announced. ( Many will say the state of provincial affairs is as dire as it has ever . been in peacetime, thanks to what are perceived in those quarters as Mr. Harris' draconian cutbacks. Others will say that the province is basking in the glow of brisk eco- nomic growth, due to the steady and predictable course stayed by Mr. Harrs. Whatever one's view of the prevailing situation, messages could be lost, and meaningfül debate forsaken as raw emotion precipitates par- tisan warring. No matter what actions some may take, we ail must resist being drawn into pointless quarreling. Let's make our ballots meaningful because they are thoughtful. O UR READERS WRITE THE CANADIAN CHAMPION Box 248, 191 Main St. E., The Cadlan Champion, publishnd every Tuesday and Friday Milton, Ont. L9T 4N9 at 191 Main St. E ., Milton, Ont., L9T 4N9 (Box 248), is ont oftThe Metroland Printing, Publisting & Distrlbuting Ltd. groap nf sub- Q~7Q~1A1 rban companiex which inctudes: Ajax I Pickering News (905)87 -2 4 Advertiser; Ailiston MeraidlCourier; Barrie Advance; Brampton Guardian; Buriiogton Post; City Parent; Collingwood 1 Wasaga Editorial Fax: 878-4943 Connection; East Yorkr Mirror; Etoicoke Guardian; Georgetown tndependent/ Acton Free Press; KInguton Titis Week; Lindsay This Advertising Fax: 876-2364 Week; Martrham Economist & Son; Midiand I Penetanguisheite Classified: 875-3300 Mirror; Missisxauga News; Newmarket / Aurora Era Banner; Northumberiand Newx; North York Mirror, Ontivitie Beaver; Orillia Ian Oliver Publisher Today; Oshiawu 1 Whitby / Ciarington / Port Pnrry Thtis Week; Peterboroughr This Week; Richmond Hili / Thomirili Vaughan Neil Oliver Associate Publisher Liberai; Scarborough Mirror; Uxbridge / Stoettviiie Tribune; Bill Begin Generai Manager Today's Seniors. Rob ell Edtor Advertising ix accnpled on the condition that, in thre ement nf a Rob Klly Eitortypographicai error, that portion ut the advertising space occu- Karen Cross Circulation Manager pied by the erroneoux item, together wittr a reaxonable aliowance TeriCass OficeManaerlor signature, wiii not be charged for, but thre balance ut the Teri aaas Offie Maageradvertisement will be paid tor at the applicable rate. Tire publisher Tim Coles Production Manager reserves the right to categorize advertisements or dectine. Changing the rules is flot fair play Dear ditor: These locals knew the speed from them. Wbenever societ: They had erected a large sign limit wben tbey bought theïr road- makes a Iaw, it makes a criminal. 'that posted the speed, in bright red side homes. The commuters they Unlesu road building provide lights, of each passing car as ils dri- are monitoring also knew the speed more, and more free-flowing, tral ver hurried soutb to tackle a new limit. In fact, they were counting fic routes for commuters, I do nc day's worlc. on it! think such speed reductions ar Near their radar, sitting self- They put in a lot of planning and reasonable or right. righteously erect in white patio personal money, seeking to create a Taxpaying locals bave no mor chairs, clipboards and pencils in home away from the small lots and rigbt to the road than taxpayin hand, were several 'locals'. They prying neigbbors of suburbia. One commuters. were obviously noting the speed of of their considerations was driving Indeed, if majority use is th commutera traversing the short time. standard, then commutera deserv stretcb of Fifth Line that dips into a Yet bureauciats and locals, prob- the retention of higb speed limit; amaîl creek valley juat nortb of ably like those mentioned above, by democratic principle. Steeles Avenue. tbink it reasonable and rigbt to However, the issue is uleazie That stretch of Fifth Line bas slow traffic once a route hegins to tban that. been posted ait 80kmi/b for years. become busy, or wben it becomes The locals are seeking to chan~ No so long ago the speed was lined with mure homes. Gradually the mIles of a game to which the dropped to 701cmn/b. the commutera' travel times bad previously agreed. Certainly these locala, as 1 will increase. Usually people wbo behave th cal) tbem, were finding a very high, The extra time on the road way are disliked, but in our socie proportion of speeders. They must becomes a daily frustration, one speeding commutera, wbo are vi be very irate that commutera are that was not there when tbey made timized by the rule changes, a not respecting that new speed limrit, their moving plans. assumed to be reckless drivers fir after aIl, tbey bave made quite an Now, adding insult to injury, so tbey find no sympathy as bar effort to set up their radar 'trap'. I these citizens become traffic working men and women. have no sympathy for them, wbat- offenders sbould they drive to Richard Bramwu soever. recoup the rime tbat bas heen taken Milti s e e g e 'e ait ty c- re