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Page 6, Whitby Free Press, Wednesday, October 13, 1993 The only Newspaper owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents! MEMBER OF: ONTARIO CANADIAN COMMUNITY COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER NEWSPAPER - ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION CANADIAN CIRCULATIONS CNA DIVISION AUDIT BOARD ISSN#0844-398X 26,500 COPIES DELIVERED WEEKLY Published every Wednesday by 677209 Ontario InC. Box 206, 131 Brock St. N., Whitby, Ontario L1N 5S1 Phone: 668-6111 Toronto Line: 427-1834 Fax: 668-0594 Doug Anderson - Publisher Maurice Pifher - Editor Alexandra Martin - Production Manager Printed on newsprint with minimum 20%M recycled content using vegetable based inks. © All written material, illustrations and advertising contained herein is protected by copyright. Any reproduction by any means for commercial purposes without the express permission of the newspaper s prohibited and sa violation of Canadian copyri aw. Reproduction for non-commercial distribution should bear a credit line to te Witby Free Press. To the editor... Mixed feelings To the editor: I have mixed feelings regarding the accusations of promoting hatred made by Judy Taylor against the Pregnancy Help Centre ('Promoting Hatred,' Free Press, Sept. 29) by their acceptance of funds from a pro-life group. These same mixed feelings restrain me from the pro-life ideals. Although I knew that abortion is not for me, I can't quite see myself, with all of my human inadequacies, sitting in the judge's throne demanding another women to endure a pregnancy. I've been through a grueling pregnancy, and as much as I love my children I could not force another human being to endure that same process without the sheer joy that helped me through each dayof those 38 weeks. There is something inside me that tells me that I am not equipped to make such a decision for another. And yes, I know that there are two lives to consider -- the mother's and the baby's -- but who am I to decide at what point life and spirit begin and the rights Love your neighbour To the editor: Re: Judy Taylor's letter about the Pregnancy Help Centre ('Promoting Hatred,' Free Press, Sept. 29) I have recently been to the Pregnancy Help Centre and I am of a different opinion than Judy. I found their volunteers full of love and compassion towards expecting mothers. The volunteers counsel and comfort during and alter a pregnancy, and do their best to provide those women who have been deserted. Volunteers provide homes, support in a time of crisis and clothes for women and their babies. Al that is donated by caring people who contribute greatly to society. Love your neighbour as yourself. Blake Sweet Oshawa of another end? If both my children were in danger of harm, who would I save? Could God not be asking the same question? I have a problem handing moral questions, such as the one posed by Taylor. Should each agency expose their backers and agendas? Do we as customers, clients and business associates, carry a card detailing our beliefs and ideals? Beliefs are personal, and business, being by its nature a public affair, may be required to expose more of its genetic makeup than the individuals passing through itsdoors. Lori-Ann Graham WhItby No funding from Right to Life To the editor: Re: The Pregnancy Help Centre of Durham We feel compelled to respond to Judy Taylor's letter of Sept. 29. While the centre is a non-profit organization, funded entirely by individuals, businesses and churches, none of the centre's funding is derived from the Right to Life organization. The purpose of the centre is to assist women in crisis, due to pregnancy. We are a non-profit organization, involved in providing accurate information regarding all the available choices. We provide counselling, pregnancy tests, maternity clothes and baby clothes/ paraphernalia free of charge. We hope that this letter clarifies the nature and purpose of the centre for Ms. Taylor and any other interested persons. Further information may be obtained by visiting the centre at 127 Perry St. or by phoning at 430-0805 during office hours. Lori Neuber, Executive Director Melanie Bos Chair, Board of Directors By Peter Smith Durham Health Network Copy of letter to Whitby town clerk Donald McKay. Re: Proposed bylaw to regulate smoking in public places. Dear Mr. McKay: As spokesperson for the Durham Health Network, I am submitting this letter expressing our support of the proposed Bylaw to Regulate Smoking in Public Places that will be before the Town. of Whitby operations committee meeting Oct. 18 and Whitby council shortly thereafter. The Durham Health Network feels that it is essential that the focus be kept on the health issue when considering second-hand smoke in public places. Very simply, it is a fact that second-hand smoke is lethal, and there must be an obligation by council to ensure that people, especially children, can frequent all To the editor... School system a'"disgrace' To the Editor: Copy of letter to Premier Bob Rae and Minister of Education David Cooke The school system is a disgrace. After being held captive for 12 years by the education barons, half the youngsters have only minimal literary skills and probably couldn't pass the Grade 8 exams of 40 years ago. Even among those with 'higher education,' few have much knowledge of history, philosophy and literature. And the cost? It n:ow costs five times as much to Keep a child in grade school a, it did 40 years ago, in constant dollars. An average class of 28 at a cost of $7,000 per pupil, equals $196,000. The teacher's salary of $50,000 is said to be 80 per cent of cost, for a total of $62,500, give or take. Where does the other $133,500 go? The transfer of wealth from homeowners to teachers has reached enormous proportions. I sold real estate for 10 years, and it was sickening to see the older folks selling their homes because they couldn't afford the taxes. Then 10 years later, their rents had doubled and their money was gone. Is it any wonder that teachers' pension funds have become one of Ontario's biggest landlords and the biggest investor in Ontario bonds. In Michigan, the legislature has removed school taxes from property taxes, and so far it has not agreed on a way to replace the funds. The thinking is that they will end up with a school choice and voucher system which could spread across the U.S. Denmark has had such a system for probably 75 years. It has been extended to technical schools, and there is talk of extending it to universities as well. Twenty-five per cent of kids in Denmark attend alternative schools, most of which are self-owned institutions operated by parent groups. In its survey on education, the Economist described Germany as having the best system of education and training among the major countries. To go one better, travel north to Denmark. In Ontario, we cannot expect any help from the legislature. It is firmly controlled by the teachers' union with help from other public service unions. Our servants have become our masters. Even the leaders of both other parties are teachers. This is another form of feudalism -- we give up 50 per cent of our income 'to this ruling class, leaving not enough for some of us to live on. So what choice do we have? Anyone criticizing the teachers or the cops would be facing such a campaign that he/she would never be elected. That leaves one weapon, cut off the money supply. When are these law-abiding, rule-following Canadian doormats going to get together and just refuse to pay? Peter Simonsen Ajax P.S. The Royal Commission is composed of the same established education barons. The parental advisory committee is only that -- advisory. It has no power, and we can be sure that its members will not be the type to pound the table and demand reforms. It is all another smokescreen. public places without endangering their health in any way. The councils of many municipalities in Ontario have already acted quickly to respond to this leading cause of premature death, and have passed bylaws to regulate smoking in public places (e.g. Pickering, Toronto, Scar- borough, North York, Mississauga, Hamilton, Peterborough and Nepean). Scarborough, in particular, should be commended for their total ban of smoking in ail public places. We are encouraged that Whitby has introduced the issue to Durham Region, and we hope that council will act quickly and follow the example of these municipaliti S. Unfortuna%*ly, the relative lack of public education by federal and provincial governmental sources, particularly when compared to less crucial health issues, has caused many people to continue to argue in favour of smokers' conveniences in public places, unaware of the many studies that have proven the harmful and lethal nature of second-hand smoke. An informed public will not tolerate this threat to their health and can be expected to act on the issue of liabilty if no action is taken. Another important point which needs to be raised is that children, who are particularly susceptible to the health effects of exposure to second-hand smoke, really have no say in this issue. Although arguments are raised that adults have the choice to enter public places that contain second-hand smoke, the children often do not. They have no choice but to accompany parents to bowling halls, restaurants, shopping mails, etc., often without even the knowledge or understanding of the harmful effects that second-hand smoke will have on their health. We must not let our children down. We must stop contributing to their early death. With knowledge of the facts concerning the harmful effects of environmental tobacco smoke, it can no longer be denied that it is one of the top preventable health issues that is before us. The arguments conceming smokers' convenience and market profits cannot be balanced against the issues of health and the prevention of death. We urge council to act responsibly and show the people, and especially the children, of Whitby that those in positions of authority can make the world a better and more healthy place in which to live. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Viewpdiat Support for smoking bylaw