THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2003 THE NEW TANNER 5 The Way I See It withMike OLeary GRAPEVINE Hockey hosts The Acton Tanners Bantam I team added a new word of Swedish to their vocabulary oversattning av which means shut out, after down- ing a visiting Swedish team 10-0 in an exhibition game on Saturday in Acton. Hundreds of fans turned up for the game, which was added to the schedule after several Acton Tan- ner families agreed to billet some Swedish players when their travel arrangements fell through just be- fore their Canadian trip. Two of the Swedes were staying with the Ethier family and mom Pat said language wasnt an issue. They speak almost perfect Eng- lish. The boys got here late this afternoon. They played X-Box and then it was time to get ready for the game, Ethier said, adding the vis- iting Swedes planned to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame, CN Tower and Niagara Falls during their visit. Hamper help Thanks to a generous community and the hard work of volunteers, the annual Acton Christmas Hamper project was a success this holiday season, providing hampers of food to 70 families and individuals who needed help making their holiday a little happier. With donations of food and money the committee, consisting of members from the Rotary Club of Acton, the Lakeside Chapter of the IODE, St. Vincent de Paul Society and Salvation Army, filled the ham- pers and then distributed them in time for Christmas. St. Albans Epiphany The congregation of St. Albans Anglican Church celebrates the Epiphany (Greek for appearance), on Sunday, one day before January 6th, the day recognized by the An- glican, Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. The feast originated, and is still recognized as the anniversary of the baptism of Christ. In the Western churches, Epiphany commemorates the revelation of Christ as the Sav- iour to the Gentiles, and includes the coming of the Three Wise Men, who will be portrayed by three members of the St. Albans congregation. St. Albans service will be fol- lowed by a hot dog lunch and all are welcome. To the editor, I would like to share with your readers some thoughts about the is- sue of cat control, which has surfaced yet again within the past few weeks. As noted by council, it would in- deed be an expensive operation. It would also be never-ending and un- enforceable. There are several colonies of stray cats in Acton and probably just as many in Georget- own. These colonies are created by irresponsible owners who adopt cute kittens and then abandon them rather than bear the cost of spaying, neutering, de-worming, vaccinating, and otherwise provid- ing for them. It would seem to make more sense to attempt to control the owners by passing a law whereby anyone taking ownership of a cat would be required to register as a cat owner and to present proof of necessary veterinary care a t regu- lar intervals. It would also be cheaper for the town to pay the cost of microchipping every adopted cat so that the owners could be identi- fied, tracked down and charged if a cat is found abandoned, neglected or abused than to bear the cost of rounding up strays, finding homes for them or having them euthanized on an ongoing basis. Only through responsible owner- ship will the cat problem ever be solved. Cats, themselves, are not responsible for being a nuisance. I am a bit confused about the health issue; I dont believe I have ever heard of a person in Halton Hills (or anywhere else) getting sick from a cat. There are only two rules to protect oneself from contamina- tion. The first is to not eat the feces, and the second is to wash ones hands after gardening. Those two rules shouldnt be too hard to fol- low and to teach to ones children! The comment that pregnant women are especially at risk is REALLY confusing. Are we to think that pregnant women are more prone to disregard the above rules? I have often wondered why Hu- mane Societies and other pet rescue organizations do not make more of an effort to educate people about the responsibilities of owning cats. Could they not hold in-house ses- sions from time to time on cat behaviour and care? As it stands, it seems anyone can get a cat with no knowledge whatsoever of what its behaviour and needs will be. I also wonder why there cannot be clin- ics, free or for a nominal fee, for pet owners who cannot afford the cost of regular veterinary care. Surely there are retired veterinarians around who would be willing to donate a few hours a month. There has to be a better way than passing yet another unenforceable by-law. The poop and scoop and leash laws for dogs are regularly disregarded by owners and there- fore quite useless. Why should we think cat control laws will have any more clout? I should think it would be an absolute nightmare trying to enforce such a law. In closing, I wonder if the people complaining about stray cats know that there are cat repellant products available? A regular application of repellant in an area to deter digging and spraying would possibly be a more viable solution to the problem than placing another burden on the taxpayers or fighting with ones neighbours. Eileen Hutcheson I remember my Dad saying how quickly the years were flying by. At the time, our kids were small and we were too busy to notice. Now, however, I know what he meant. It seems like yesterday the world was preparing for the long awaited mil- lennium. Today, on the brink of 2003 - I find myself asking What happened to 2002? As for 2001, I think we skipped it. Ive never been a big New Years fan. I always found myself work- ing too hard at having a good time. These days we enjoy a quiet evening with friends and retire rather early. I hasten to explain that this is a choice and not a factor of aging. When party hearty is called for the bride can be quite frisky. Im hard pressed to keep up. Although its traditional, I think making New Years resolutions is masochistic. Invariably, we choose our worst habits to try and change. Its depressing when you break all your good intentions by January 3. Instead, I try to resolve to do things that Ive neglected in the past. Visit relatives, phone or write friends, that kind of thing. I usually intend to become more organized and find more leisure time. Right Fat Chance. If anything, this old world conspires to shrink our lei- sure hours. As for getting organized, a thought occurs to me. If, as they say, a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind; whats an empty desk the sign of? Food for thought. Traditionally, columnists are ex- pected to make pithy observations on the year past and/or fearless pre- dictions of events coming in the new year. Im not sure how pithy or fear- less I feel these days but well give it a go. My first prediction is obvious and a no-brainer. My beloved Leafs will win the Stanley Cup. Laugh if you must, but many snickered when I said the teams poor play in Oct/Nov was a cunning plan by Coach Quinn to lull our opponents into a false sense of security. Have you noticed how they are playing these days? I love it when a plan comes together. A certain anonymous local Mon- treal fan (his initials are Ron McKnight) must by getting that choking feeling. Again! (insert smug laugh here). Ive been mak- ing the same prediction for 35 or so years so the law of averages has to be with me. Truth be told, Im not so sure this is a prediction or a prayer but there you have it. Locally, we finally have some families moving into the Acton East development. It only took 30 plus years. There are still problems with occupancy dates. Charges and coun- ter-charges are flying between the Town and developers. I wish both parties would get their act together. Our new citizens care less whose fault it is and more about moving in. Its not a nice welcome to our Town. Sadly, my prediction is that the prob- lems will continue. I foresee a difficult year for Town politicians and not because of any- thing they have or havent done. People are furious with the federal and provincial governments. At the same time, they feel powerless to do anything about it even though theres going to be a provincial election in 2003. Local politicians are also head- ing to the polls and I think its going to be a lively race. Local issues like the gold plated Leisure Centre, Halton Hills Hydro rates, the Region forc- ing us to use environmentally suspect 70 leaf bags, taxes (as usual) and user fees for using our own facilities will be hot topics. People know they can have a dramatic effect on local election results and are itching to fight back against the system. I predict this years municipal election will not be the sleepwalk it usually is. I predict the Halton Public Bored (sic) of Education will maintain their obstinate, autocratic policies and not sell Speyside school. In spite of re- peated requests for information on maintenance and heating costs all we get is stonewalling. I hope one of the parents who are so upset, and rightly so, with unacceptable maintenance standards at McKenzie-Smith Bennet will consider running for local trus- tee. Taxpayers should not have to put-up with nonsense like this. Provincially, we will have an elec- tion. Voters will have to choose between Liberal Dalton McGinty or Liberal-Lite Premier Eves-Bassett. The Premier has been chucking so much money around you can be for- given if you think Bob Rae (shudder) is back in power. It says here its all for naught. Red Tories will flock to the liberals and conservatives will stay home. Get set for Premier McGinty early next year. Personally, I hope our MPP Chudleigh survives the carnage. I think hes done a good job for us. Unfortunately, he doesnt steer the provincial course and Eves et al are dismantling the Common Sense Revolution. Sad to say but it looks like business as before at Queens Park. Hide your wallets. Our local economy will get a needed shot in the arm with one, if not two good-sized companies lo- cating here. They will bring much needed jobs and industrial tax base. Well continue to have water sup- ply problems as our larger population, and new wells on rural development properties, stress the acquifer. Well have a wet spring, though, which should help allevi- ate the problem in the short term. Regional Health officials will be stressed for cash as this springs West Nile Virus will be worse than expected. Officials in Toronto and the USA are just now discovering that last years outbreak claimed more victims than previously thought. Beleaguered taxpayers might hope the Region would look to existing programs we could do without for funding. Im thinking of the $100,000 plus we spend de- livering condoms and needles to drug addicts (clients if you prefer) while diabetics pay for their own. Needles that is, the Region distrib- utes condoms like confetti through bars who, for the most part, dont want any part of them and throw them away or give them out as gag gifts to regular customers. Such thoughtful uses for taxpayers dol- lars will continue to be hatched treating the symptom instead of addressing the problem. Federally, Paul Martin will win Novembers leadership race. PM Chretien will continue to act like a jerk. After the November conven- tion, Mr. Chretien will be under tremendous pressure to stand aside. Stubbornly, he will hang-on until January. He will leave, a few weeks early, as an embittered, vindictive old man. After 40 years in Parlia- ment, this will be his legacy. Sad, really. As for you, dear reader, my crys- tal shamrock sees a year of good health and prosperity. I dont see you winning the 649 but, even bet- ter, you will enjoy good times with friends and family. Our town will continue to be a wonderful place to live and raise a family in this, the greatest country in the world. Happy New Year To You All. Cat law unenforcable Boy was that ever fast BANTAM BOYS: Members of the Acton Tanners Bantam I team and a visiting Swedish team posed after an exhibition game in Acton on Saturday. Acton downed Sweden 10 0. - Frances Niblock photo