PAGE 28, WH1nTBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1.1p 1988, LETTER, Tax grab is irrespoInsible To the editor:- NANCY ALSTON (right), Whitby community infor- mation officer, gets help from two members-of the County Town Singers, Lynda Hatfield (left) and Cathy Frame' (centre) to arrange brochures fromn the singers at the information centre in the Whitby Public Library. The singers will be presenting 'Catch the Stars' at the Whitby Curling Club on May 20 at 8:15 p. m. Free Press photo MCDONALD'S MANAGER Kathy Pittens is joined by Marie Landman from Fotomasters in the Whitby Mal to pick the winner of the McDonald's Mother's Day draw. The winner was Jessie Duda of Oshawa. Free Press photo .Since losing the Durham West election last September, I must* admit that there have been a few occasions when I w'anted te write and express a point of 'view on some action, or inaction, on the part of the Liberal government. I did not, because I felt it might be perceived as "sour grapes'." Afte r that* irresponsible $1.25 billion -increased tax grab budget, I cannot remain sulent any longer. With a strong, economy, governnient coffers autematically grow at a rapid rate. The current governiment inherited a strong "and growing economy when it came te, power three. years ago. Without increasing taxes, there bas been each year billions, yes, billions, of dollars of additional revenue going to, the, government. Working Ontarians pay more income taxes, buy more goods and services, hence more sales taxes; profitable corporations- pay more corporation taxes, home buyers pay more; and larger land transfer taxes, etc. In other words, a responsible government can reduce or eliminate deficits and stilI spend more on needed programs without raising taxes. Some facts: The recent. provincial budget was the biggest tax grab in the history of this province; hast year, before the election Nixon said "Fiscal Responsibility" meant no new taxes. This year "Fiscal Responsibility" meant the largest tax increase in our bistory. In four» provincial budgets the Liberal governmnent bas increased its spending by nearly 40 per cent, more than twice the inflation rate. Could you? The previous Conservative government by policy reduced, through attrition, the size of the public service by 5,400. This took eigbt years. In just tbree years the Liberals added 5,300 staff, including more than 2,600 in the past year. The cost of government continues to, increase. as, the bureaucracy increases. What wil the increase be this year?; "Ontario's budget eats up more of the savings resulting from Federal Tax Reform than recent tax increases in any other province." (Source: David Perry,' Cdn. Tax Foundation). In other words the federal governient tried te give it but the province is taking it away. Ail we have heard from the current administration and local member is 'This is ail the fault of the gross under-funding of the system by' the previous Conservative administration." Frankly, this is partially true. Believe it or not, fiscal responsibility by governnient, or anyone for that matter, sometimes means saying "No." It means setting priorities; it means replacing outdated programs, not just- adding new ones; it means "cutting the cloth" te, fit the pocketbook," it also means recognizing that "govermnent money is your money." You, the taxpayer, pay government bills and you do not have a pocketbook that is bottomless. What about promises that would have at least reduced your property tax bill, education funding for exaniple. The Liberals said they would increase the provincial share of education costs te, 60 per cent. The fact (ask your school trustee or administration,) the provincial participation rate has decreased each and every year of the Libera] administration. It 'is heading away » from 60,.per cent not* towards 60 per cent. Provincial policy bas helped to increase your property tax bill as well. -What'about some of the other local problems: The current time frame for the much needed expaânsion of- the Ajax-Pickering Hospital was announced about 10 years ago. The announcement last ýyear during the election caznpaign did not speed up the previously indicated date; the extension of the GO train service to Witby is one year later than it would have been under the Tories, and. te Oshawa who knows how many years later. As to the. timing of the 401 expansion, -the timning irs ridiciulous, so_ the money, your money, is not going there. God help us when our economy gets tighter again and the 'reality of a spend-thrift government strikes home. I arn afraid that for aIl of us, that time bas been advanced by that irresponsible inflationary tax grab broughit down by the provincial treasurer, ,Robert Nixon. Yours sincerely, A concerned citizen George Ashe .Pickering nvestigation is stil ôn- Durbanm Regional Police detec- tives continue to seek information related te the deatb of Beverly Smith of Raglan 13 years ago. She was found, shot in the head, on the kitchen floor of ber home. Detectives say they wish- te again hear fromn people who orig- inahly called police or Crime- stoppers about the case, no matter how insignificant the information mayseem.. They add that ail cails will be confidential and callers won't have to appear in court." Police can be reached at 683- 9100 or 579-1520 or through the Crimestoppers' numbers at 222-8477 or 1-800-387-8477., Welcome Wagon ce1ebrates Erniversary [Sanfone29/ i IceZ (Beside Bi-Way, nort hwest corner of Hwy. 2 and Th ickson.) fée Cail1 Bill Fraser -- 430-1444 WHITBY mayor Bob Attersley presents the Welcome Wagon Wee k proclamation to hostess Mary Rae TolIey, as hostess Hannah Cuffley awards Jeff Bailey, a sponsor for more than 10 years. 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