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SECTION TWO WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14,1990 W Canafrtatt Statesman Durham Region's Great Family Journal Established 136 years ago in 1854 Also Incorporating W * a m The Bowman ville News ■ The Newcastle Independent V ^The Orono News Second Class mail registration number 1561 Produced weekly by James Publishing Company Limited 62 King Street West, Bowmanville, Ontario L1C3K9 416-623-3303 Fax 416-623-6161 cn John M. James Editor - Publisher Richard A. James Associate Publisher Peter Parrott Brian Purdy Donald Bishop Associate Editor Advertising Mgr. Plant Mgr. All layouts and composition of advertisements produced by the employees of James Publishing Company Limited are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without thé permission of the publisher. Subscription Rates Six Months --$11,00 One Year--$20.00 Foreign -- $60.00 per year Although evety precaution will be taken to avoid error, The Canadian States mail accept» advertising In He column» on the understanding that h will not be liable lor any error In the advertisement published hereunder unless a proof of such advertisement Is requested In writing by the advertiser and returned to The Canadian Statesman business office duly signed by the âdvetllser and With such error or corrections plainly noted In writing thereon, and In that case * any error so noted Is not corrected by The Canadian Statesman Its liability shall not exceed such a portion of the entire cost of such advertisement as the space occupied by the noted error béats to the whole space occupied by such advertisement. Name Change Option Ever Had a Party... And Nobody Came? Information Centres were held recently recently in Oshawa and Bowmanville to discuss the recently-released emergency emergency plan for the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. Nobody came. Well, almost nobody. Only 32 citizens citizens ventured out to the three Information Information Centres. The one in Bowmanville had the best attendance, with 18 citizens present. The Centre at the Darlington Generating Station and the one in Oshawa had only eight and six persons persons in attendance respectively. ' Considering the fact that there were probably close to 32,000 people in the 10 kilometre evacuation area surrounding surrounding Darlington, this is truly amazing. In other words, only one person in one thousand was curious enough about the Darlington evacuation plans to try and find out more details. There are several possible explanations explanations for this fact. Perhaps, the E amphlets sent to the various house- olds were so informative that no further further explanations were needed. This, however, is unlikely. Perhaps, people are generally apathetic apathetic about issues which affect their community. This isn't true either. Well over 100 persons showed up at an evening evening meeting in the Bowmanville High School to discuss the preliminaries of a . plan to develop a Durham-only waste disposal site. And everybody knows about the petition being circulated circulated now to change the municipality's name. It has garnered around 3,000 signatures and is still gaining momentum. momentum. People in this community are not apathetic and they're not uninterested in local issues. , It's also possible that not enough people were notified of the information centres held to discuss the Darlington emergency plans. But if that's the case, it's hard to imagine how the public public could be better notified. Substantial advertisements were placed in area newspapers and numerous news re tv.' II v A Lighter Look at The Federal Budget Well, folks, it's going to be a whisper of protest. tough federal budget, How do we know? Simple. It's because of the fact that the government has already leaked a copy of the document to The Canadian Canadian Statesman. The way we figure it, the government government of Canada expects us to print the budget contents today, approximately approximately a week before its scheduled release in the House of Commons. This will create such an uproar that about two weeks will be spent discussing how The Canadian Statesman in Bowmanville (or should that be Town of Newcastle) could have possibly laid its hands on the financial blueprint for Canada's Canada's next 365 days. The RCMP will launch and investigation investigation into the exact location of Bowmanville and the source of the budget leak. There will be calls for the resignation of the finance minis- • ter and perhaps the entire government government up to and including the governor governor general. Journalism professors will appear appear on open-line talk shows to discuss discuss the ethics of reporting budget leaks. The major national newspapers will bo demanding to know why they failed to receive their copy of the budget. Moreover, The Statesman's Statesman's entire editorial staff will bo interviewed live on The Journal. Wo will all become celebrities, able to got the best seats in local restaurants restaurants for at least a week or two. ■ And, of course, in all the confusion, confusion, tlio budget will sail through parliament without so much as a pri It will call for income taxes of 101 per cent of all net income. It will demand demand that smokers not only be taxed at triple the regular rate but also be sent to dungeons. And those are just some of the more innocuous features of the budget leaked exclusively exclusively to The Statesman last week. It's true that the publishing of the budget is a major ethical dilemma. dilemma. If we were to print it, we would all become journalistic superstars but we would give the government the sort of smokescreen which would guarantee quick and easy passage of the document. If we decline to publish it, we will delay the public's right to know and force the government to answer hard questions about excessive taxation taxation and excessive spending rather than easy questions about how The Canadain Statesman might have acquired the budget and where is Bowmanville, anyway? And so, we're doing the only honorable honorable thing. We're putting the budget under the miscellaneous file on our desk, along with the envelopes tolling us wo have just won three years' supply supply of ballroom dancing lessons and the Letter to the Editor from C. Little Little regarding the possibility that the depletion of the ozone layer is causing causing the sky to fall. We're going to purposely overlook it for n week and then act genuinely surprised when Michael Wilson laces laces up his now shoos and heads for the House of Commons on February 20 to inform the nation just how bad the latest spending cuts or Lax increases are going to bo. Dear Mr. James: I am pleased to see the Town name issue gathering some momentum is it election year? Obviously, we all have a strong desire to retrieve the name "Bowmanville." But, do we really wish to simply replace the "Corporation of the Town of Newcastle" with "Corporation of the Town of Bowmanville?" If that is the case, I have some concerns. A simple switch in names leaves the people in Kendal, Kirby, Brownsdale, Tyrone, still' with the issue, just a new undesirable name. Secondly, to give back the identity requires the reincorporation reincorporation of the Town of Bowmanville in addition to out of the Town of opting Nèwcas leases were issued. If people didn't show up at the Open Houses, it surely could not be because they were not informed informed of the times and the dates. And we cannot assume that the Centres were held at an inconvenient time, since they were open to the public public both afternoons and evenings. Moreover, they were open on three separate days and in three locations. It is possible that the Information Centre concept is, in itself, at fault. We suspect that members of the public are more intimidated when they walk into such a centre staffed by numerous experts than when they are part of a crowd attending a town hall type meeting to discuss a particular issue. And yet, there has been greater turnouts turnouts at similar Information Centres held to discuss issues such as landfill site expansion plans. As we begin to eliminate some of the reasons for the public's lack of response response to the Darlington emergency plan Information Centres, we are left with only one conclusion. People didn't attend these meetings in any great numbers because, to put it bluntly, they don't perceive Darlington Darlington as a threat. Or, to be more precise, they don't see it as a big enough threat to be worth spending a few nours to become better informed about the Dar : . lington evacuation proceedings. This may be construed as a vote of confidence, of sorts, for Ontario Hydro in general and its Darlington project in particular. Or, perhaps it merely represents an all-to-human trait of procrastination. Until the public perceives a more direct direct threat, they'll tend to avoid worrying worrying about evacuation plans. Unfortunately, Unfortunately, if a direct threat occurs, it will be much too late to attend meetings such as the ones which occurred last week. There is considerable opposition to nuclear power in certain quarters. And nuclear power opponents raise important important points. But it's safe to assume that this concern has not yet reached the majority majority of citizens. Newcastle. The remaining parts of the Town of Newcastle Newcastle will be fragmented with Bowmanville geographically geographically in the middle of them. We would still be a member of the Regional Municipality of Durham, but now on a much diluted representation basis. Just to confuse it more, our Board of Education Education would still be Northumberland Northumberland & Newcastle. Is it possible to start all over again? Let's abandon the Region of Durham as well as dis-enfranchise ourselves ourselves from the Town of Newcastle moniker. But we should retain our affiliation with the rest of the residents residents of the Town of Newcastle. Newcastle. We could replace the Regional Regional Municipality of Durham Durham with "Regional Municipality Municipality of Pine Ridge" (named after the geological feature that runs through the Town) and replace the Town of Newcastle with three new towns to replace the existing wards, namely "Town of Darlington or Courtice." "Town of Bowmanville" and Town of Clarke". Each of these new towns would have their own Council just as the current Town of Newcastle does. They would; also send a Regional Councillor to the new Regional Municipality of Pine Ridge. I ..think the three parts are ready for this structure. Additionally, it gives the Courtice area more say in the control of their neighborhood affairs. This will eliminate the duplication of the usage of the Newcastle name, it gets us out of the duplication issue issue with the Bruce Peninsula Peninsula community of Durham. It provides a non-offensive name for the new Region, something more appropriate for the area. And finally, all three areas of the Town of Newcastle will regain their own original identity or "distinct "distinct society." ■ Sincerely, Iain Maciver 7 Hetherington Dr. Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3P9. Thanks for Help Dear Sir: The Executive and membership membership of the Durham Re- S "on Branch of the Canadian iabetes Association wish to thank all the residents of Bowmanville and area who so kindly donated to our 1989 Annual Appeal. All of the monies raised will be used for local pro-' grams and much needed Diabetes Diabetes Research. Once again, Thank you, to all who donated. •' Yours Sincerely, George Cackette President PAT1EMTS, IT'S OPeiWtifi SOOtL. Reader Questions Town Appointments Dear Sir: A recent article in the Statesman quotes Diane Hamre as commending Mayor Mayor Hubbard for increasing the industrial component of the town by saying, "It takes guts to put your money where your mouth is." We will ignore, for the moment, the fact that the residential/industrial imbalance imbalance could be also improved if the council would stop recommending recommending for approval housing developments on land zoned agricultural or environmentally protected. But, it would also be nice if the Mayor would put lier "money where her mouth is" in respect to the appointment appointment of the town's citizens to various municipal committees committees and groups. At a recent council meeting meeting the Mayor publicly scolded scolded people and said she was ' fed up with people wasting their time spreading rumours rumours about senior staff (this remark made me perk up and wonder what I had missed as the last rumours I had heard had to do with the hush-up, hurry-up departure departure of the then Treasiir- er - but that was quite a while ago) and that if people wanted more constructive things to do they should see her office as there was lots to do. Diane Hamre, during her public tirade against freedom of the press, also mentioned how difficult it was to find people willing to serve on these committees. But when you look at the list of people who have been appointed, some questions are raised. There are 2 people people who are named to both the Property Standards Committee and the Newcastle Newcastle Community Services Advisory Advisory Board. I do not know either one of these 2 people. I am sure that they are probably fine upstanding citizens. citizens. But it is my understanding understanding that more people applied for positions on these 2 committees than there were places available, so there was some choice in the matter. Wouldn't the town be better served by choosing the greatest number number of different citizens in order to represent the widest widest possible segment of our town's experience and viewpoints? viewpoints? Some of our councillors tried to address this matter. They pointed out that the Striking Committee who make the recommendations about the citizens' committees committees consists of 4 of tlie 7 councillors.! Tl'isiiîpiviità|.utcs a majority of thé pound!. So, .that even if tixfc other - 3 councillors have Iconcerns or objections about! the people appointed, there! is nothing they can do. They are outvoted outvoted from the start. These councilors tried to have a motion passed that would have all 7 councillors sit on the Striking Committee. But of course tne Striking Committee Committee voted against tne motion motion and it lost. That is a shame. Because I think the citizens of the Town are beginning beginning to get the feeling that these appointments are like the public trough at the Senate in Ottawa. Recently, the Parks Policy Policy Committee (which for that meeting consisted of Hubbard, Hamre & Staple- ton) voted to fill one of their vacancies by appointing someone from the Community Community Services Advisory Board. They also voted to increase the number of people on this Parks Policy Committee by appointing yet another person person from the Community Services Advisory Board. It will be interesting to see who they appoint. It would also be interesting to know why they did not post notices notices to fill these vacancies from members of the public. A Statesman reporter recently recently asked Councillor Wot- ten if being a councillor and being appointed, to the 3 po- sitions of poundkeeper, fenccviowor and livestock evaluator raised the point of conflict of interest for him? He said no because he has attended most of the council meetings and was instrumental instrumental in getting the new fire station built in Enniskillen. Enniskillen. As far as I'm concerned, his answer had nothing to do with the question. I would still like him to answer answer that question. It is my understanding that at least 2 of the 3 positions positions Wotten applied, for had more people apply than there were positions available available so he did not have to he appointed in order to keep things running. At the public public council meeting he declared declared a conflict of interest and did not vote for his own appointment. But I find it difficult to imagine that at the _ Striking Committee meeting where there was just himself, Hubbard and Hamre (Deegan being absent) absent) he would say, "No, please don't appoint me, there are other citizens willing willing and able to do the job." Some recent letters to the Statesman have pointed out that the jobs of fenceviewer, poundkeeper and livestock valuer involve considerable work and low pay. That may well be. But Wotten was not forced to take the positions. There were other people willing to do them. So, all in all, I don't think that council members who are on the Striking Committee Committee really distinguished themselves this time around during the appointments of citizens to the municipal committees. The cloak of secrecy secrecy that they try to draw around the appointments does not help either. It has been pointed out that both the Region of Durham and the City of Oshawa deal with these types of appointments appointments in a more public forum. forum. Perhaps it's time that our council came out of the closet on this issue of appointments appointments as well. Sincerely, Evylin Stroud. 'Bowmanville Boosters' is Dear John, A beautiful sight to see the last few issues of the Statesman. The Editorial comment on our good name Bowmanville was priceless. Also all the good merchants supporting our town. I also am happy to boost the name Bowmanville,. just to prove it I would like to contribute to the cause and whoever is collecting can call me any time. You know from the last quote from Mayor Hubbard I kind of feel she is getting, the message when she feels a referendum is called for on the next vote. Do you.suppose you.suppose some one whispered in her ear? No use waiting till next vote. Why not. do it now, when we have the petition going around. Seems as if all our friends on Queen St. are with the rest of us. Just as a safety point, let's make sure when the petition is all signed let's send a full copy on to Queen's Park to make sure the Mayor & Council don't lose all the signatures. I think council should move on this very quickly, they might just forget it by the next election. Perhaps we should take a stronger move to make sure the good people of Bowmanville at least have on opportunity to cast a vote on the issue. I have heard from quite a few people who feel if there is no action on the referendum referendum they will withhold paying paying taxes. Wouldn't that be exciting? At any rate, I feel the cost we are hearing from some of the councillors is a way off the beam. I would be willing to bet it will not touch the cost of the monstrosity monstrosity they stole from Bowmanville Bowmanville and now call the Newcastle Hall. I am very pleased to hear tha, Courtice folks are get ting a post office again. I remember remember when they had the office and post master right across from Nichols garage, that was in the thirties. Lots of luck Marie. Sincerely, Robert Kent. Support for Bowmanville Dear Editor: I wish to congratulate you and your paper on the recent campaign among businesses for retaining or returning the name "Bow- No Room for Two Names In the Town of Newcastle Mrs. M. Hubbard The Mayor Town of Newcastle 40 Temperance Street Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3A6 Dear Mrs. Hubbard: "Let's take Newcastle off the Map." There just isn't room for two Newcnstles in such close proximity. The small village of Newcastle Newcastle is fine the way it is, but the larger area now known as The Town of Newcastle" should be renamed renamed - call it anything you want to except don't call it after one of the existing communities communities in the immediate vicinity. If it was renamed the Town of Bowmanville, (as has been suggested) the confusion that exists now would still be there. Surely, the people in this area have enough imagination to come up with a completely new name to call the town. How about holding a contest with a prize for anyone who can come up with a suitable name. Yours truly, Bill Coleman R.R. #5, Bowmanville, Ontario (In the Town of Newcastle, I Think!) manville" to our town, it's time someone took the initiative initiative on this issue. Surely her Worship the Mayor, and her "fence sitters" sitters" or are they "viewers" (personally I think there are more sitters than viewers) cannot ignore this issue any longer. However, one can't help but think the typical politi cian does exist at the Municipal Municipal level. Politicians are noted for short memories, they quickly forget how they reached office, that they are the representatives of the people. Let's hope they remember this and start taking some action on what the people want; Eastern Europe today is a good example of what happens to governments that ignore the people. Yours truly, Fred Beaucngc Bowmanville. Education is Answer to Name Problem Dear John: There has been considerable considerable attention in the media recently concerning the name of our Municipality. Specifically, residents in the former Town of Bowman- ville feel the name should bo changed from tho Town of Newcastle to tho Town of Bowmanville. If one wore to a o tho issue solely on tho in it would appear all residents support this movement. movement. Certainly tho residents in the former Town of Bowmanville Bowmanville have a lot of pride in their community. They have every reason to bo proud. Bowmanville has a rich history and contributes much to tho quality of life for every jierson in tho Town of Newcastle, But tho same can bo said of tho residents of tho Orono, Nowtonvlllo. Newcastle, I-Iamnton and tho dozen other "communities" "communities" that now are a part of tlio Town. The issue when it first appeared, highlighted tho confusion that occurs when visitors from outside of our Town come to visit, I cannot deny that it is in fact a little confusing. However. I fail to see how changing the name to the Town of Bowmanville will contribute to eliminating eliminating this problem for Bowmanville Bowmanville residents or anyone anyone else. Think about it. You are driving from Kingston and are looking for Bowmanville. A few kilometers oast of Nowtonvillo you see tho sign "Town of Bowmanville" then you see tho sign "Nowtonvillo" "Nowtonvillo" and between those two signs there is no exit. In fact, changing the sign to any other name, whether it exists in tho Town or not, will not solve tho problem. Education will, Perhaps a largo map along tho highway highway at each entrance to tho town is tho only answer. But not very practical. But, 1 suspect the issue goes much ftirthor than the simple "confusion" caused by tho Town of Newcastle signs at the entrance to tho Town. I believe tho good people of Bowmanville are afraid of losing their identity. I sympathize sympathize with thejn. But then tho people in all of tho other communities are just ns concerned. concerned. But I do not believe that their current course of action solves any problems. It creates thorn. Contrary to your recent editorial, John, I believe that council has a responsibility responsibility to continue with tho "Nowcnstloficntion Process" to use your words. Wo did not create this marriage. But you must bo realistic enough to know tho Province Province will not permit us to divorce. divorce. Tho Town of Newcastle Newcastle is a legal municipal entity. Tlio Village of Newcastle Newcastle no longer exists. Tho other former municipal structures no longer exist. But tho communities do and always will. There is no reason why wo cannot keep our Identities. Identities. Each community In tlio Town offers much to the to tal organization. Together wo can help each other achieve goals not possible on our own. The pooling of our resources can only strengthen strengthen our individual parts. Certainly Certainly when the Bowman- ville Arena was built it was with tho assistance of many beyond tho "Bowmanville" community. That's tho way it should bo. This Council has much to do. They have worked hard to bring now assessment to tho Town. That assessment is needed to help balance tho tax bill. They inco a challenge challenge to meet tho growing needs of a very diverse community. community. But they need the constructive support of everyone everyone in tlio Town to meet their objectives. Tho Town of Newcastle has many assets and tho people are tlio most important. Tlio current campaign to change tho name is not a positive action to support Council's efforts. I cannot see any positive outcome even if the name is changed. How would all of the resi- dents of the Town benefit from this change? Is the cost to complete this change ap- propriato use of already thin tax dollars? I don't believe it is. I am proud of tho Town of Newcastle and what it has to offer. That pride does not in any way diminish my ability to support and contribute contribute to tho community in which I live. It does make it easier to support and contribute contribute to all communities in tho Town, however. I urge tho residents in Bowmanville to objectively consider tho issue. Weigh all of tho facts. Think of others outside of your own area and their feelings ns well. Wo cannot change tho legal structure of tho Town. Working together wo can have tho benefits of our own community and tho others in tlio Town ns well. R.L. Wlllshor Newcastle,