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Vol. 14, No. 47 HUNTSVILLE EDITION • Friday, March 20, 2009 Pub. Agreement No. 40009759 $1.00 inc. GST Layton delves into Muskoka’s economic woes

By Karen Longwell BRACEBRIDGE - New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton spoke passionately about the concerns and ideas of residents in today’s economic climate during a visit to Muskoka this week. A crowd of about 90 people gathered to attend Layton’s town hall-style meeting at Nipissing University in Bracebridge on March 18. Residents asked questions on topics like attracting manufacturing businesses, green economic initiatives, public dental programs and a more accessible employ- ment insurance program. Layton promised to take what he heard to parliament. He noted that Muskoka has lost some of its most well paying jobs in the manufacturing sector at places like Fenner Dunlop, Dura and Algonquin Automotive. “You lose those jobs in a community and everybody notices it – right down to the corner store, (and) the gro- cery store,” said Layton. Grant Dart, president of CUPE 1813, asked Layton how Muskoka could bring those kinds of middle class jobs back. “With all our manufacturing jobs that are going out NDP LEADER IN MUSKOKA. Federal NDP leader Jack Layton met Muskoka residents at Nipissing University in Bracebridge on March 18. of Muskoka Parry Sound, it leaves us in a bit of a hole. As Utterson resident Harvey Hole (left) chats with Layton after the town hall style meeting. (Photo by Karen Longwell) a rule manufacturing jobs pay a little bit more than your basic jobs…is there anything we can do with incentives to [bring] these manufacturing facilities back to our area?” said Dart. Ott ers to face Kingston in semifi nal Layton said there is no magic solution, but suggested By Brent Cooper Huntsville Tuesday night. The fourth and against the , winners of infrastructure improvements, investing in a well-trained HUNTSVILLE - The next step toward potential deciding game will be played in the Central Division championship. workforce and developing a strategy for key sectors. the Ontario Junior Hockey League cham- Kingston next Thursday. Kingston possesses a good puck-mov- “I think there is a reason to be optimistic…you have got pionship begins tonight for the Huntsville The Vees won the right to face the Otters ing club and its playoff fortunes are tied to have a strategy – you have got to invest, you have got to Otters. after dispatching of the Peterborough Stars to three players: forwards Brock Higgs train the workers that build these things. We are going to The junior A hockey team will face the in six tough games to win the Ruddock (14 goals in 14 games), Ben Power (14 help the manufacturers that are going to build the plants,” this evening at the Division title. Huntsville beat out the points in nine games after returning from said Layton. Jack Bionda Arena in one semifinal series. Orangeville Crushers in five games to injury) and goalie Shawn Sirman (1.97 Bracebridge resident Joanne Pike asked why there is Game time is 7:30 p.m. Game 2 in the claim the Phillips Division crown. goals-against average, three shutouts, .938 no public plan for dental care and medicine. “A lot of the series is set for Sunday afternoon at 4:30 The other semifinal pits the MacKinnon save percentage). people losing jobs now don’t have benefits. They can still p.m. in Kingston with Game 3 back in Division champs the ■ CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 ■ CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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