MAGNIFICENT TEAM CANADA

Sometimes things go so well for Canada, as a whole, it just brings a tear of pride to the eye. Certainly that's how I felt when we won our first gold, on our soil - and by a French Canadian. And how I felt again when we won our second gold - by a Westerner AND a woman! And on our third gold in women's speed-skating, I was very conscious of how I called out, "we won another gold"! WE? Yes, we. We who felt the original excitement and rose to the challenge of creating and organizing the Games. We who collectively say "thanks" to the 25,000 volunteers who were so proud to represent their home - Canada. We who came out by the millions to witness the Olympic Torch Run across our great land and back again - to ignite the world to what Vancouver and Canada have to offer as a vacation destination.

I hope that I am not being too presumptuous when, on your behalf and on behalf of the Council of the City of Pickering, I offer our gratitude, our admiration and our appreciation to all of our Olympians for being such fine athletic representatives of Canadian sports - you are all golden in our eyes. You did your country proud.

OPG - A BUSINESS PLAN REQUIRED
It could well go down in the annals of history that Nov. 16, 2010 was a historic day in Pickering.On that date it was announced that the six remaining nuclear reactors would cease their productive lives in 2020.That may sound like a lifetime away to a twelve year old, but time has taught me 10 years goes by in the blink of an eye. And then a period of decommissioning lasting up to eight years will follow. And after that, until the cows come home, the plant will be in a laid-up state having, I presume, a skeleton staff on site - certainly down considerably from the 4300 current jobs directly associated with the nuclear plant.

I did appreciate the head of Pickering nuclear, Pat McNeil, appearing before Council just hours after the announcement. Mr. McNeil was very forthcoming and clearly understood my annoyance at not being part of any discussions between OPG and the Province of Ontario prior to announcing a final decision of such magnitude.

Many Pickering residents work for OPG  and many more work for local businesses which, in turn, do a lot of work for OPG and rely on the plant for much of their business. It is for these people in particular that I would like to see a business plan created that assists in the transition for employees; with the Province and OPG as a partners, let's lay out a strategy to entice new business location here to offset the loss of economic purchasing power by those displaced by the closure. A little vision and a little foresight at this time will go a lot further than beating the Province to death over their lack of sensitivity to the City respecting such a major decision.

We have some lead time - probably two years - to develop a go forward plan in light of the announcement to close up in 10 years. If we use the time wisely, we will be able to replace those lost jobs with new, green employment; and creating that momentum may very well produce twice the lost number of jobs by the end of year 10.

In the meantime, there are any number of important questions to investigate, particularly to determine what commitment the Province is willing to offer Pickering considering what will be 50+ years of hosting their nuclear facility.
 

WAYNE ARTHURS, MPP
Hi Wayne. Just wondering if you've done or heard anything regarding the request to have 'Support Our Troops' banners on the four bridges spanning the 401 through Pickering. I believe all four are in your riding. But don't rush - I assume December and holidays and everything slowed the whole damn process down. But surely by the end of June shouldn't be too much to expect, eh?

EMPLOYMENT ABOUNDS
After first commenting in this space last November about the launch of a new paper - Local Help Wanted - I have been pleasantly impressed with its impact. Employers have commented that serious resumes are being received almost immediately after the paper hits the streets. Others seeking employment have said how much they appreciate that most jobs being advertised are located locally; that the postings range from entry level to higher level management; and that they are current.

If you are looking for employees, or are an employee looking for an employer, first look in Local Help Wanted. You've got nothing to loose and it doesn't cost a dime. Make the right connection and it could be like winning the 649! Almost.