Considering who's ultimately responsible for financing municipal government, it's surprising that the taxpayer has no active voice in the negotiation of a basic service that should never be allowed to be threatened by political interests and objectives.

The union, of course, says it has no answer for what to do with all the garbage that will pile up during the strike, because its only answer to that problem is to give the union what it wants --- a labour monopoly restricting the taxpayer's choice in determining who can provide basic municipal services.

On the other hand, the city government is only taking half-hearted and ineffective measures --- that in no way address the fundamental issue --- by designating temporary dump sites, which during the last municipal garbage strike ended up being in many of London's recreational parks that taxpayers were already paying to keep up. Because they do not wish to provoke further union unrest, the city refuses to open London's already-established and tax-supported dump sites. In so doing, it is denying access to a service and to property that is supposedly "owned" and financially supported by the very people to whom access is being denied.

All this, and no refunds, no tax breaks, and not even an apology from either side in the dispute.

Freedom Party believes that the purpose of government is to protect our freedom of choice, not to restrict it.

It is in this spirit that we recommend contracting out garbage services to the most competitive and efficient companies available as the only proper, practical, and long-term solution to the challenge of providing many of our basic municipal services. But until that happens, the taxpayer's choice will remain restricted.

What can one person do? Plenty. What can five, ten, fifty, or a hundred people do? A lot more. We believe that Londoners can work together even when their paid elected officials and those paid to provide them with services cannot.

Right now, Freedom Party members, supporters, and volunteers are organizing to put their time, money, and efforts into a campaign to help alleviate, admittedly in a small way, the inconvenience caused by a garbage strike. They're willing to pick up your garbage --- free of charge!

We're not trying to imply that Freedom Party is doing this just as a "community service," or that we can possibly accomplish a task that we pay millions of dollars each year to the city to have done for us. We believe that our campaign is a positive, constructive way of registering citizen protest against those who would hold them hostage to their economic or political demands. Unlike the options of picketing, remaining idle, or feeling totally frustrated in expressing our outrage at this turn of events, we think our campaign will send a clear message to both city hall and to CUPE representatives. And at the very least, a small amount of garbage will already have been disposed of in the process of voicing our protest!

That's why, particularly in the early part of our campaign (and depending on how long the strike lasts, and on how much support the community offers us), we can only start by offering LIMITED GARBAGE PICK UP IN RANDOMLY-SELECTED AREAS. If you've received this pamphlet in your mailbox, then you are either in one of these selected areas, or very near to one. (see schedule on back)

Volunteer to deliver pamphlets! Volunteer to drive a truck! Lend a truck!* Volunteer to load garbage. Offer a financial contribution!*

Let yourself be heard! Write or call your alderman, Controller, or Mayor. Tell them what you think! Write a letter to the editor of the London Free Press and let the community know what you think!

Let us know what you think and how you might be willing to help. Just phone our offices.

Turn your frustration & anger into constructive action!