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Offering performance bonuses to deputy ministers is a disturbing indication of the tendency of this government to model itself on business corporations, thereby subverting its own purpose.

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Government is not motivated by profit and individual gain; it's meant to be driven by justice and the interests of all citizens, which are often at odds with the goals of the private sector.

In any case, bonuses are poor incentives. In the corporate world, they have fed massive greed and corruption.

In the public sector, they do not guarantee better services, because their objectives are usually related to cost-cutting. It's easy enough to revise programs to get the desired results without improving the system.

For example, a waiting list for subsidized housing can be substantially reduced by altering the criteria so that fewer people are eligible to get on the list in the first place. Presto, a benchmark achieved on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens.

We've had corporate principles applied to social programming before, with disastrous results. Let's learn from those experiences.

It's alarming when a Liberal government so blatantly worships at the altar of the private sector. Encouraging business development is one thing; operating like a business is another.

This government recently committed itself to strengthening the third (non-profit) sector to encourage and support New Brunswickers to fulfill their socioeconomic potential. That bonus fund should flow, not to executives, but to the budgets of community organizations who struggle daily, doing the government's work on a shoestring.

Sue Rickards

Lower Queensbury, N.B.

Millbrook Dam is too historic to destroy

After reading the announcement made by Mayor Brad Woodside on the proposed demolition of the Campbell Creek Dam, I would like to respond.

You can imagine my utter shock and surprise upon discovering this was our much-loved Millbrook Dam.

I lived away from my beloved Marysville for 34 years, but Marysville was always home to me. I believe most natives of Marysville living away feel the same way.

When we decided to move back to Marysville, to one of the historical brick houses on Morrison Street (Mud Alley) and we began renovations, a man from Ontario was doing a walk about. As he walked up 'Mud Alley,' he asked me a lot of questions about the mill, the homes and the history of Marysville. I tried, to the best of my ability, to answer his questions.

This man was absolutely astonished, and asked me why this area was such a well-kept tourist secret. He said we should be promoting this area in Canadian tourist brochures, and tour guides should be made available for tourists visiting this area. He said we should be very proud of our heritage, and should be elaborating on this great asset instead of hiding it.

I suggest, instead of expropriating people's property by Killarney Lake, acquire the land next to the Millbrook that is not inhabited by homes, repair the Millbrook Dam and make a park there instead of at Killarney Lake.

If there were a park and easy access to this wonderful landmark, you would soon see it would be used by everyone who loves it, and by those who would fall in love with its majestic beauty.

I have been informed that many tourists from across Canada and the U.S. tour Millbrook while visiting this area.

Please, mayor and council, come to our historic side of Marysville, take a walk around this historical site (we are the oldest historic town still standing in Canada) and speak to the many people who want to preserve our heritage.

Thank you for allowing me to bring awareness to the best kept historic secret in Canada.

Gloria Shanks

Fredericton

The secret to kicking addiction

I would like to comment on the Aug. 16 editorial called Wait times and Crime go hand in hand.

I have been following the situation of addiction, and was an addict myself through alcohol.

I tried many of these 12-step programs for more then eight years, and have found that the spiritual, or "Higher Power" aspect of these fellowships, is something that the members want to wrap around their little finger and control.

While I believe there are those in the different fellowships who are sincere in wanting to be clean and sober from drug addiction and alcoholism, there are still those in the fellowships who want the benefits of being rid of the addiction but they don't want to give credit to the only one who can remove the addiction from their lives.

Every now and then you read in the local newspaper or hear on the evening news that they have the needle exchange program, the methadone program and many other programs which claim to free people from whatever addiction controls their lives.

With needle exchange, you are still providing the drug of choice and the individuals are still in the throes of their addiction. With the methadone program, they are still substituting one drug for another, and the person who is receiving this substance is still addicted.

If they discontinue this substance, lower the dosage or even increase it, the side effects can be uncomfortable to severe, to say the least.

It has been my own personal experience that only a relationship with Jesus Christ can break even the most severe bondage of addiction.

This is the only answer for the problems and addictions of humanity,

I want to go on record that I appreciate the effort of any organization or fellowship that is seeking to point the way to a life free from addiction to drugs, alcohol or other forms of addiction, but without a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, a life completely free from addiction will never be fully realized and there will be no true peace in the heart and soul of the individual.

Michael G. McKay

Fredericton

All languages are worthy of protection

On Aug. 5 the Daily Gleaner published an article on the controversial French immersion program.

Mrs. Linda Buffet-Leger claimed she and her husband Rob have chosen "to transfer their children into the francophone school district." A picture of Mr. Leger throwing a children's English dictionary in the garbage accompanied the article.

The Legers are fortunate indeed to have, not only a school for their children, but also a choice of schools based on what the curriculum contains, at taxpayers' expense.

Countless millions in the world are not so fortunate. Mr. Leger is obviously uninformed about the learning needs of others and the value of this dictionary.

In most of the world, individuals are desperate to learn English and would value that dictionary. Even here in Fredericton, those who teach literacy to the illiterate, immigrants and others, and school libraries would welcome that book.

The Legers would do well to teach their daughters that all languages, written and spoken, are worthy of protection. The destruction of an English dictionary is deplorable.

E. Carrier

Fredericton

The good old days, and they were good

One of my favourite kinds of entertainment is on Saturday watching Turner Classic Movies.

The only sexual expression is a couple dancing together, singing to each other and looking into each other's eyes and sharing their love.

They are wholesome, clean and fit for families .

Watching these movies, one realizes how far we have fallen. It's tragic.

I know, however, there is a way back. I pray we will find it.

Conard Stairs

Fredericton