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Run the government like a private corpo- ration and cut the fat. mat was the overall message a handful of local business people sent to Oak Ridges- Marltham MPP Helena laczek. who held a pre-budget consultation at Sleepy Hollow Golf and Country Club near Stouffville Fli- day. 'me Whitchumh-Stouffville Chamber of Commence pm the even} togeth_er. _ Although them is no date set for the release of the provincial budget. Ms iaczek expects it to be in mid- to late April. If it fails to pass, an election will be held within a month. “I'm perfectly happy to fire half of (the mment workers). I'm just wondering when they’ll end up." she asked in the casual back and forth forum. It's a fact of life in the private sector the local business people. who have had to downsize. told their MPP. in 2012. Ontario had 6.5 public sector employees per 1,000 people. The national average was 9.7 employees r 1.000 people. according to material p ed by Ms lacoek. Cutting departments by 5 per cent. for doesnotworkshesaid. notingthe Liberals are woridng with they were given. “\bu can't blame them. You are them." VvquWI “- When it comes to improving local busi- ness. our own transit system is needed. according to Edward Nelles. emcutive direc- tor of the chamber. That. according to Ms laczek is something residents should consider during this year's municipal election. GET CONNECTED WHAI DOYOU THINK? EM yom ov suggestionsto Be more businesslike, merchants tell MPP BY SANDRA BOLAN sbolanGyrmgxom‘ ONTARIO BUDGET said one member in the small cmwd. “We're so fed up it's not funny. People only do what they need to do to survive to the next election." said Patrick Straw of NESS The government is working towards elimi- nating the deficit by 2017/18. she said. but in order to do that. while avoiding across-the- board cuts. there are various avenues that can be taken. Along with reducing government spend- ing. Ms kczek put forwud the option of sell- inggovemmentassetssuchaslandandthe [£80 and increasing corporate taxes “If you hit corporations we'te going to lose them. It's a no-brainer.” said Joe Gallo. a sales rep at Gallo Real estate. It is. however. what the NDP want. accord- ingtoMslaczekAndbasedonthat.ifan election were to be called this spring. the NDPwlllgainmoxeseatsâ€"mmenonhand Windsor am When it comes to improving local busi- STAFF PHOTOISANOIA IOIAN Nelles. exec- utive direc- tor of the chamber of tells MPP Helena lac- ukwhen it comes to ness. our ZERO nowu 60m LEASE (MUN Great ofiers on all 2014 Toyota models. Final Clearance on Remaining 2013 Models ifiifiaifim Stouffvflle ® TOYOTA M: I 0.9%....“ \1.9 0N NOW! HURRY IN. @453.“ 1288 Millard Street, Stouffville Off Hwy# 48 North of Stouffville Road www.5touffvilletoyota.ca 905-642-6688 FINANCE APR IS 0.9%“ 1.9%.“