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PAGE 8 WEDNESDAY.,DECEMBER 18, 1985,WIIITBY FREE PRESS Work- for- Welfare proposalon "Wrong track" By SUSAN LESJAK Free Press Staff Oshawa council's decision to petition the federal and provincial governments for changes in the welfare act is "entirely on the wrong track," says Whitby regional coun- cillor Tom Edwards. The resolution, cir- culated by the County of Essex and endorsed by the City of Oshawa, urges the government to make welfare recipients work for their paymen- ts. The work-for-welfare The Book Between 113BDUNDASST. W., WHITBY ca6ae ku Designer Fashion Carriers Bunk Beds Diaper Bags Knitted Sets proposal first surfaced at a meeting of the region's social service committee where it was defeated after heated debate. Edwards, who sits on the committee, denoun- ced the proposal then and doesn't understand why it's resurfaced at Oshawa council. (The administration of welfare programs is a regional responsibility). While Edwards is critical of the action taken by Oshawa coun- cil, Oshawa regional councillor Cy Elsey ap- plauds it. An outspoken proponent of the work- for-welfare initiative, it was Elsey who brought about the heated debate on the Essex resolution at the region and later succeeded in getting the resolution endorsed by his local council. According to him, a requirement that ail able-bodied recipients work, would give those "inclined to make welfare a way of life," the incentive to go out and get a job. The picture Elsey paints of lazy recipients "walzing down to the welfare office" to pick up their hand-out, disturbs Edwards. He accuses Elsey and other work-for-welfare ad- vocates of perpetuating inaccurate stereotypes about welfare recipien- ts. "While there will always be those who abuse the system, they represent less than four percent of all people on welfare," says Edwar- ds. "A proposal like this - may punish the four percent, but in doing so it hurts the other 96 per- cent - the sole support mothers, the disabled and the elderly who are on welfare through no fault of their own." Edwards is concerned that Elsey's comments might lead people to believe that the region's case load consists of scores of families that have spent their entire lives on welfare. In fact, however, the com- missioner of social ser- vices estimates that such cases represent less than one half of one percent. Most recipients are on welfare for less than four months, says Doug Johns. Further, he says, "these people are not bums but nice people who have had some trouble. They should not be maligned, but given a hand up." Elsey, however, has no intention of abandon- ning his mission to get welfare recipients out shovelling snow, digging ditches or engaged in some form of gainful employment. As soon as the region's new council has had a chan- ce to settle in, he says he'll be bringing the matter up again. Ed- wards, no doubt, will be waiting for him. Whitby Ambulance December 5-12 During the week of of which were motor Dec. 5 to 12, Whitby vehicle accidents, and Ambulance answered 41 26 stand-by calls for a routine calls, 39 total of 106 calls. emergency calls - four On the Whitby beat By PETER BRAMMA Community Services Branch Durham Regional Police Force The entire community must share in the tasks related to the administration of justice and the prevention of crime. Police cannot solve crimes that are not reported. Courts cannot administer justice if citizens will not act as jurors or come for- ward as witnesses. Citizens must get involved to en- sure their own safety, assist the police and prevent crimes. Suppose that you, perhaps along with others, wit- ness an accident. Would you identify yourself and offer to testify, or would you presume that someone else would volunteer instead? If you saw a crime about to take place. Would you intervene and discourage the participants, call the police to investigate or just shrug it off as none of your business? One can discourage lawbreaking in other ways too. The simplest way to prevent crime is not to do anything that will invite it - not to leave a purse or a wallet where anyone can pick it up, not to leave the key to your home under a mat or in some other ob- vious place, and not to leave a school or club locker unlocked. While common sense alone may dictate that we should obey the laws made by the legislators we elect, and should assist police in upholding the laws that we employ them to enforce, many of our responsibilities have legal as well as a moral basis. The law states, for example, that it is the duty of any private citizen to come to the aid of a police of- ficer who identifies himself or herself as such and requests assistance. The law also imposes a duty to report instances of suspected child abuse, and im- poses a penalty on professionals who fail to do so. Laws are passed in order to protect the rights of everyone. The speed limits at which one can drive a car on various roads, for example, are regulated by law and altered from time to time as conditions change. They are for our protection. The laws that prohibit drivers from using the roads when their judgement and ability are likely to be impaired by alcohol or other drugs are for everyone's protection whether driving, accepting a ride, walking or éycling. Social justice depends upon all citizens assuming their responsibilities to the fullest extent possible. It also depends upon citizens acting jointly to assist others where necessary. With rights come respon- sibilities and, with responsibilities rights. There is much that each of us can do to provent accidents, discourage lawbreaking and promote justice. To the extent that each of us works ai taking on our share of responsibility as family members, as students, as workers and citizens, we will in- dividually and collectively have a greater voice in determining the course and conditions of our future. Let's do what we can to make it a bright and peaceful future. Typevwriter RENTALS [ also SALES & SERVICE 51 KING ST. E., OSHAWA, SUITE 4- UPSTAIRS AMPLE PARKING CORNER OF KING AND ALBERT CHRISTMAS HOURS: EXPERT REPAIR & CUSTOM DESIGN MON..FRI. 10-8:30 28,,5757 IF YOU DON'T SEE IT, WE'LL MAKE IT FOR YOU! SAT. & SUN. 10-4 is