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PAGE 6 â€" WATERLOO CHRONICLE, WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8, 1989 (pinion Another example is the heath care situation. Don‘t we all agree that it is in serious need of some changes? Instead of the nurses blaming the governâ€" ment, and the government blaming the hospitals, and the hospitals blaming whoever, shouldn‘t we be all working together to find solutions? And shouldn‘t the government be leading that effort? Power may not really corrupt, as the old saying goes, but in some cases it sure has a negative impact on problem solving and problem solvers. Take David Peterson for example. I was a strong supporter of Peterson and his Liberals through the minority government and during the last election. But it scares the feathers out of my pillow when I hear him speak now. Have you ever heard anyone sound more like Bill Davis in your entire life? I mean good old, inflexible, doâ€"nothing Bill must have left some kind of snake oil on his chair in the premier‘s office. An oil that has rubbed off all over one D. Peterson. The provincial government can do nothing about the Young Offender‘s Act (that one is really in doâ€"nothing hands in Ottawa). But it can move on both Sunday shopping and health care. I, for one, think it‘s long past time that movement Another example is Sunday shopping. It is an emotional, highlyâ€"charged issue that evokes strong feelings both pro and con. But the wishyâ€"washy compromise developed by the provincial government, that will throw the issue back into the laps of municipalities, is not wanted, nor liked, by anybody. And yet the province doesn‘t appear able to even consider the fact it should find a real solution. hat is it about government that makes it so w unweildy as to be useless in times of need? Let‘s take two or three current examples. One is the Young Offender‘s Act, particularly as it relates to the triple murderer who is going free after just three years. Nobody, but nobody, thinks that‘s right. And yet nobody seems willing to take any steps to change the act. It may be too late to make changes to correct that particular situation, but changes made today will help avoid a repetition of the problem in the future. Government, even at its best state, is but a necessary evil In its worst state, an intolerable one. By Jim Merriam Let‘s get a move on Thomas Paine I hope the taxpayers of Waterloo have filled in their priorities by the numbers which apply to them personally with consideration of their neighbors. Please include suggestions. Those who do not fill in the questionnaire have no reason to complain later when actions are taken on the projects May I congratulate Mayor Turnbull on the questionâ€" naire sent by Waterloo City Council which is the first sign of denocracy we have seen in many years. _ Council deserves congratulations for Conservation authorities are being sacrificed for bureaucracy made Ontario a better place to live. They have played a significant role in establishing standards for conservation practices and resource management. Guardians of huge natural preserves, their responsibilities have included the Wc-unbmlindntthn'flity@ln For over four decades, conservation authorities have Busiless Igm ... whew ruo Boarps:.. _ coraPeTiTion is gomeEuwrHay DIminNn/sHED ! protection of lives and property through flood and erosion control; forest, fish, and wildlife management; and outdoor tion to the quality of life in Ontario cannot be understated. Yet our conservation authorities are in hnwfl: recently released government report, "A Review of Conservation Authorities Program," proposes reforms which, if implemented, will dramtically alter their current structure and financing. Local autonomy in program and administrative structure would be lost; and services we have come to take for granted jeopardized. The Ontario Progressive Conservative Caucus is greatly concerned that bureaucratic convenience is being given precedence over the individual needs of conservation horiti Ontario residents must be made aware of this review, and how changes to the Conservation Authorities Program could affect their lifestyle. In working towards a sustainable society, conservation authorities are our first effort at linking conservation of the natural environment with responsible economic development. Proposals to change such a successful system must be brought before the citizens of Ontaric for consultation and approval; we cannot afford the repercusâ€" n'nluofl:nuym urge all Chronicle readers to join with me in ensuring that the quality of our Conservation Authorities Program is maintained; so that in the future, our children will see the nature that we enjoy today. ____ dim Poliock, M.P.P. PC Natural Resource Critic