6 - Wednesday, January 3, 1990 - SSorth Shere News INSIGHTS Killing the deficit before it kills us! SAVING CANADA painlessly is the mission of an Ontario real estate saiesman who has devised a fun program for reducing te crippling $350 billion national debt without any extra taxes. If that sounds crazy, listen to Rick Arit of Aurora, whose upbeat ideas have already received consid- erable media publicity in his own province. The centrepiece of Arit’s ‘*Save The Country”’ campaign is a na- tional 6/49-type lottery with every dollar of the proceeds going to cut the deficit. Even at chat, the jackpot would likely top $10 mil- lion EVERY week. But while the RICK Arit ...debt-slashing can be fun. lottery would be the biggest ongo- ing fundraiser, Arlt’s concept is much wider than merely providing another weekly flutter for millions of Canadians. His basic aim is to get the coun- try off its collective butt and actu- ally doing something about the deficit — WITHOUT the GST or any additional taxation, which he adamantly opposes. Among his other money-making ideas are: ° A ‘Save the Country’’ theme song created and recorded by Canada’s top musicians and singers — with all proceeds from record sales and special concerts to the deficit fund. « Similar special days at baseball games and other sporting events. © Local walkathons, runathons, school plays, lemonade sales, etc. — with communities challenging each other. e A National Loonie Day — everyone asked to donate their one-dollar coins. © Nationwide garage sales to help save Canada by getting rid of our unwanted items to those ready to buy them. e “Save the Country’’ promo- tions by major corporations (e.g., for one week, five cents per litre of gasoline donated to the deficit fund). To keep the government honest, Arlt would also have each of the major banks open a ‘‘deficit’’ ac- count into which all proceeds from the above activities would be paid directly at local branches. For those who oppose lotteries as a ‘tax on the poor,” his simple answer is that we must ‘kill the deficit before it kills us." Bringing the debt under control will help ALL of us, he points out. We'll never get the better services we all want -—- schools, hospitals, daycare, etc. ~ while we're shell- ing out over $89 million a day for interest. If Canada’s $350 billion in red ink worries you almost as much as paying another cent in taxes, toss in your own ideas on the subject to Rick Arlt, | Henderson Drive, Unit 6, Aurora, Ont, L4G 4J7. And send us a copy of your letter — we'll be glad to print it! cnt ONCE A NURSE, always 2 nurse — so a New Ye.u’s salute to the 3 Rs resolution ECYCLE, REUSE, reduce. That’s the slogan many North Shore kids are learning in school, and it’s a lesson we should all include in our 1990 resolutions. Many personal resolutions are made to be broken because they require unrealistic self-sacrifice and self- denial. (What chocolate lover can last 2 year without chocolate?) Successfully kept resolutions are ones that involve a small but definite change in our lives. So this year we should add to our list an achievable resolution that re- quires a minor change in lifestyle but bolsters the three R’s of environmental survival. For instance, commuters could try to cut down on driving by walking to work, taking the bus, forming a car pool or cycling. One trip less a week per person adds up over a year. Consumers could shop smarter by using stores which stock the most environmentally friendly products at the best prices. Choose cleaning products that are safe for the environment. Residents could recycle tins, botties and newspapers, and make an effort io find out where recycling depots are lecated. And residents chould write to municipal, provincial and federal government officials about their concerns. Small resolutions that are kept are more effective than larger ones that are broken. After all, we can’t realistically become environmental saints overnight, but we can continue to take steps in that direction. “Old Girls” of LGH. Launched five years ago by Marjorie Gagnon with assists from Jean Cowan, Ann Goldman, Peggy Wiggins and the late Ann McDonald, the group now has some 50 members, all retired LGH nurses. They mect six times a year for lunch but their most valuable activity is that they’re still ‘ton call."’ Year-round, the members work in pairs on a rotation basis as reservers and telephoners whenever the heat is on at LGH. eae WRAP-UP: North Shore males seeking healthy exercise for their lungs need look no further than * wednesday world « barbershop harmony singing with the Capilane Chorus — call Clyde Moore, 988-7952, to learn more ... Marjorie and Stewart McGill entertain with Scottish songs at the regular Thursday *‘Lunch and Listen’’ tomorrow, Jan. 4, in West Van Seniors Centre. But be sure to book your 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon funch ($3.50) this Wednesday afternoon latest by calling 926- 4375 ... And for any local Island expatriates who attended Grants Mine or Lantzyville Schools up to 1955, the Lantzville Historical Society is planning a big 1990 re- union bash. Write Armand Caillet or Jack Mrus, P.O. Box 501, Lantzville, B.C. VOR 2HO to learn more, aan WRIGHT OR WRONG: Funny how often people with a lot of brass don’t seem very polished. ard NEWS photo Cindy Goodman NURSES NEVER REALLY QUIT ...Marjorie Gagnon’s ‘Old Girls’’ keep in touch with LGH needs at a re- cent regular lunch meeting in Pat's Restaurant, West Van. NEWS photo Terry Peters INTERNATIONAL I.AND Corporation (ILC) representatives recentiy presented a $1,000 cheque to Silver Harbour cesidents in zppreciation for their patience and cooperation while the development company con- structed a new building close by. Pictured at the cheque-presentation ceremony are (left ¢o right) Bob Jelinek of ILC, Silver Harbour president Tom Silva and ILC vice-president, construction Stephen Bradner. Peter Speck Managing Editor Barrett Fisher Associate Editor Noel Wright Advertising Director Linda Stewart North Shore News, founded in 1969 4s an independent suburban newspaper and qualified under Schedule 111 Paragraph 14 of the Excise Tae Act. is publisned eact Wednesday, Friday art Sunday by Notin Shore Free Press Ltd and disinbuted tu every door on the Nurth Shore Second Class Mal Regstraion Number 3885 Subscnptrens North and West Vancouver, $25 per year Mating fates avadabie on request Subrssions, are welcome dul we cannot accept tesponsibitty far ungoltcited material including manuscipts and pectures. which should be accompanied by 4 stamped, addressed anyone Publisher TRE VOICE UF MONTH AND WEST VANCOUVER SUNDAY + WLOMESDAY + FNDAY 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, B.C V7M 2H4 59,170 (average. Wednesday Friday & Sunday) LJ SOA GIVvIstonys 980-0511 986-6222 985-2131 986-1337 986-1337 965.3227 Display Advertising Classified Advertising Newsroom Distribution Subscriptions Fax — MEMBER ——————— sm & wee ree tmeee