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SECTION TWO WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7,1990 Sfit Canadian Statesman (+CfoA Durham Region's Great Family Journal Established 136 years ago in 1854 Also Incorporating The Bowmanville News The Newcastle Independent The Orono News Second Class mail registration number 1561 Produced weekly by James Publishing Company Limited cn 62 King Street West, Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9 416-623-3303 Fax 416-623-6161 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 the permission of the publisher. Subscription Rates Six Months --$11.00 One Year -- $20.00 ' Foreign -- $60.00 per year Although every precaution will be taken to avoid error, The Canadian Statesman accepts advertising In its columns on the understanding that it 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 advertiser and with such error or corrections plainly noted In writing thereon, and In that case it 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 bears to the whole space occupied by such advertisement. Writer is Critical of Sign Removal Policy Going 'Round in Circles Let's give one and one-half cheers for the recently-announced federal task force on Canada's future as a nation. nation. Under the circumstances, establishing establishing the National Unity Commission is about the only thing that the prime minister could do. But let's also keep in mind the history of such factfinding factfinding missions. Whether they are called Royal Commissions Commissions or Task Forces or any other name, these groups serve several useful useful political purposes. They allow the public to hurl its anger anger and opinion at someone other than politicians. They are a method of stalling stalling for time. They give an appearance of action while making no positive commitment to any course of action. You may have noticed that nowhere in the above description have we mentioned mentioned that these kinds of get- togethers between a federally appointed appointed committee and a few thousand citizens citizens actually accomplish anything. Look at it this way: Politicians' like to obtain and use political power. They like to call the shots and they especially especially like getting the credit wnen it appears appears as though their actions have achieved something worthwhile.' Politicians generally don't like sharing sharing their power with anybody. And that is why they don't often call for public input. They only do so when they want answers when there appears appears to be no answers. If a task force was such a good idea, why was it not utilized by the Prime Minister and the Premiers three or four years ago? The answer is that the elected officials officials thought they, would solve, the constitutional constitutional problem on their own accord. accord. They wanted to have a shot at being modern-day Fathers (and Mothers) Mothers) of Confederation. Having failed at that attempt, the federal government has now decided to see what the public thinks. It's as if, having steered the ship of state on a course directly towards Niagara Niagara Falls, the captain and crew then invite someone else to take command. Yes, the federal task force has a massive job ahead of it. It's not surprising that the group has already been attacked for not adequately adequately representing certain groups or for being, biased towards certain opinions opinions concerning Canada's future direction. direction. You can be sure that over the next few months, the task force will get plenty of media coverage. It will attract, like a lightning rod, various extreme views which will probably get more headlines and air time than they rightfully deserve. It will listen to the comments of thousands thousands of individuals, but most of them will be representatives of specific interest interest groups. It is highly unlikely that the input will come from many average average Canadians like you or me. In another another decade, such folks were described described as the "silent majority'." These people cannot afford spokespersons spokespersons to represent them at proceedings proceedings such as the aforementioned task force. They express their views chiefly by means of the ballot box. And, therefore, we must point out that although the newly-formed task force can advise, it remains the job of the elected politicians to make the painful decisions. The task force will meet. It will hear a wide variety of diverging views. Then it will prepare a report containing containing vague recommendations. And then, the ball will be back in the court of the elected officials. In other words, in one year's time, our efforts to find a solution to our constitutional woes will have returned to where they started. The newly-appointed National Unity Unity Commission will not save Canada. But at least it will keep the constitutional constitutional issue before the public eye and allow various groups to air their views. Perhaps, in that respect, it will be about as successful as royal commissions commissions can get. Responsible Education Are school kids growing up morally illiterate? Many of them are, according to a report report from a conference which discussed discussed moral values. The president of the Ontario Morals/Values Morals/Values Education Association was quoted as saying that five-year-olds who don't know now to share or say please and thank you are becoming commonplace because families neglect to teach their children about values. The association wants to stress the importance of serving others, respecting respecting other people and caring for others. The conference also concluded that more opportunities should be made available within the school system to raise the issue of moral values. The issue of "moral illiteracy" is an interesting concept. And, although the article which discussed discussed this subject didn't explicitly say so, it hinted that the moral illiteracy problem (if it exists) will be solved by the school system. But that's not necessarily a good idea. Over the last three decades, the average average citizen has displayed the disturbing disturbing tendency toward assigning more and more social responsibilities to the school system. It's as if parents have contracted out their responsibilities responsibilities in many areas to professional educators. educators. Schools are now being called upon to educate children not only in, academic academic subjects but also in areas such as drug awareness, religious tolerance and a variety of other topics. We certainly would not want to fall back to the Neanderthal viewpoint that schools should tench nothing more than rending, writing, and the knack for adding up numbers without the help of fingers and toes. But, on the other hand, there is another another point of view which is equally extreme. extreme. And that viewpoint suggests that schools should somehow engineer perfectly well-rounded and well- adjusted human beings endowed with all the skills Hint are required by the modern world. Somebody scorns to have forgotten that the education of the young is a community responsibility. Schools hnvo certain specialized skills that they can provide. But so do churches, sporting groups, Scouts and Guides, employers, grandparents, parents, and members of tho immediate and ox- tended family. On Saturday, last, as I travelled Taunton Road across the Town of Newcastle, Newcastle, I counted no less that 15 signs advertising real estate fore sale, as well as a multitude multitude of other signs advertising advertising various goods and/or services, services, situated on Town property. While I don't find these personally offensive, they were on Town property. I understand that there is a by-law prohibiting real estate signs on Town property. property. Councillor Wotten nas made the recent motion to investigate the prohibition of the signs put to express opposition to the proposed Ganaraska Dump on Town property. These signs seem to pale in comparison to signs which advertise. Thus, imagine my surprise not to see a squadron of Town exployees, led by Councillor Wotten, eradicating eradicating the landscape of this modern-day blight! While It may have been legal for the honourable Councillor Wotten to put this motion forward, with only three of the voting Councillors present (Councillor (Councillor Stapleton was Acting Mayor, thus did not vote), I question the true democracy and morality of his actions. Only Councillor Hamre was able to vote against Councillor Councillor Wotten's motion, and I understand that both Councillors Councillors Deegan and Hooper supported the motion. None of these gentlemen lives in Ward III where the proposed proposed dump site is located, so probably have little or no opportunity to view the signs. None of the signs contains contains any vulgarity, profanity profanity or inference to any special group. I seriously doubt that any of tho Councillors have been besieged with com plaints from constituents regarding regarding these signs; particularly, particularly, from constituents who live in Ward III and drive by these signs daily. I wonder if there is much difference between these signs on Town property, and, say, possibly, election signs??? Both are trying to make a statement, sway public opinion, convey expression expression and one of these may even be viëwed as being in the best interest of the electorate. I have to wonder if the refusal to allow people to post signs such as these is not a violation of our rights of freedom of speech and self-expression, as Canadians??? Canadians??? While I wouldn't wish a proposed dump site on any- community, I truly question if Councillor Wotten would have put this motion forward forward if the site were located on the west side of Solina Road. Somehow, this writer thinks not. We in Ward III have been continually inundated inundated with one disastrous environmental proposal after after another over the last five year. The Mayor's office stood steadfast behind us in all of our fights against these interlopers ana. has already pledged $100,000 to' help fight this proposed site, based on its environmental unsoundness. For our allies, we are grateful. For our Councillors Wotten, Deegan and Hooper, there is an environmentalist's environmentalist's expression which I would like to loan to you: "IF YOU'RE NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION - YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM!" Sincerely, Robert R. MacDonald, R.R. 1, Newtonville, On., LOA 1 JO Taking Out the Trash "Protest" Signs Seem To be Unfair Targets Report from Queen's Park by Gord Mills, M.P.P., Durham East That's a long list, but one to which many other sources of education might be added. In other words, education is truly a community responsibility. And there's a danger when we assign assign to the school system the responsibility responsibility for teaching something as nebulous nebulous as moral literacy. There are certain values which we all share. However, others vary from one family to another and from one community to another. When a school system sets out to teach a system of values, it is embarking on a rather delicate delicate exercise. Whose values do you choose to accept? accept? And, no matter which values are deemed to be acceptable, there will always always be some individuals or groups who will claim that their children should be taught something different. And, of course, one cannot help but wonder if emphasis on the teaching of social skills might rob the academic curriculum. Such traits as honesty, tolerance, responsible citizenship, a healthy self- image and respect for law and order should be taught by the community as much as they are taught in the classroom. classroom. In fact, we would go so far as to suggest that if "moral literacy" is not valued and fostered in the community, it cannot be taught in the schools. After After all, tho classrooms have the children children for only a few hours of each weekday. weekday. That's not ns much time as many kids will spend in front of the TV set. Although the classroom is important,. important,. it cannot compete with the community community at largo when it comes to the important issue of instilling values and morals. . And even if wo could assign such responsibility responsibility to our school systems, would we really want to do so? Would such a move bo morally right? Although it's true that there arc young people out there unable to share or say please and tlumk you, it's also true that so-called moral illiteracy doesn't stop with those in tho classroom. classroom. Tho young people who arc selfish selfish and ill-mnnncrcd arc undoubtedly reflecting values hold by adults. And. ns any drive in rush-hour traffic will convince you, there are many surly and inconsiderate older individuals out there. If there's any attempt made to achieve moral literacy by classroom instruction, instruction, educators shouldn't stop at tho fivc-yonr-okl. They should also include remedial lessons for adults. Dear Editor, Two weeks ago Councillor Amot Wotten drew attention attention to our NO GANARASKA GANARASKA DUMP signs, questioning questioning their permanence, their legality, and their proximity to the road. Many of us were amazed that the subject even came up. Town council has stated it's support and requested ours in our mutual fight against the Ganaraska Dump Site. The last thing I would want to do is alien- tate that support. I spoke to Mayor Hubbard before we even made our signs, to ask her advice regarding sign placement and any problems we might face. I say we because these signs were a large scale community community effort one that not only had support in terms of dollars and cents, but also in people hours. Referring to our signs as Ma being temporary Mayor Hubbard asked that we make sure they were well away from the reach of the snow ploughs. Then she went on to say that the 6th Concession being a Town of Newcastle Road should not be a problem under these unusual "circumstances. Regional. Regional. Road #9 was the Region's Region's jurisdiction, again I" was told that considering this situation she could not imagine the Region asking us to take our signs down. The reason for this call was to avoid any problems. We were careful to put the signs well back from the road. Many a mail box is far more at risk, and what of the real estate signs at the sides of our roads? Are the legal, dangerous, or just a different issue? It now seems we are to be allowed to go before council Dump Site with a View Dear Editor, I was talking to some folks last night about my ia feelings con- dump thoughts am cerning the propose: site between Henry Road and Jewel Road, bordered by U.N. is Critical Of Our Charter Dear Editor, It is about time that Canada Canada is on the hot sent at the United Nations Human Rights Committee, The Quebec Quebec government and the federal federal government have operated operated as if they wore not subject to any international justice. After their three-day meeting with Canadian representatives representatives (Oct. 22-24), the Human Rights Committee Committee unanimously and severely severely criticized the "Notwithstanding "Notwithstanding Clnuso" of tho Charter of Rights which allowed allowed Quebec to impose Bill 178 banning languages other other than French on commercial commercial signs, which had boon ruled unconstitutional tho supreme court. Tho Committee's com plaints hit at tho heart of Quebec's language law and indicate how tho Committee is going to rule when tho complaint against Bill 178 by Mr. Gordon McIntyre of Huntingdon, Quebec, conics up for review. It moans that tho Committee will decide that Canada and Quebec have violated tho Covenant of Civil and Political Rights and will hnvo to answer to tho United Nations, by Mr. Claude Ryan, tho Quebec isiblo for has Minister now rosponsi tho French-only law, commented that tho Committee Committee doesn't know wlmt is going on hero. I believe they do, and lmvo responded to the petition that supported Mr. Melntryo's complaint, signed by some of tho 10,000 people that hnvo to exist under under those myust and racist laws of Quebec. Maurice J. King 2311 Rockburn Rond, Franklin Center, Quebec the 6th and 7th concession roods of the Town of Newcastle. Newcastle. They asked me to write a letter to you, as I am not only a concerned citizen, I am also a farm owner, in this proposed dump-site. Oh yes, the Durham Region has a polite word for it, they call it a land-fill site, but any way you look at it... IT IS STILL A DUMP!!! Last year, my husband and I tided to got a retirement retirement lot separated from our farm, to build a house for ourselves, so that our son could take over when my husband retires, and his son's to take over from him, $900 later, the planning board said, no, my husband was not old enough to retire.!?) retire.!?) Tills year, the Durham Durham Region says they want our farm for a Dump Site. Well, we are prepared to fight and fight we will, ns I am sure the Good Lord did not make this land some of tho finest farm land in Ontario Ontario and put this hill hero with it's fantastic view, to bo used for garbage. I understand our is located located on tho highest point between between Montreal and Toronto. Toronto. On a clear day wo can sco tho C.N. Tower and tho boats on Lake Ontario, nt night wo can soo tho lighthouse lighthouse in Rochester N.Y. and surrounding area, it is n beautiful sight. In tho summer summer thoro is always a bvoozo and in tho winter witli tho snow and ice it is a Wonderland, Wonderland, Our son and two daughters cannot believe that tho farm they grow up on, may someday bo covered in garbage. So PLEASE, anyone who roads this lottor, would you holp to support us nml our neighbors, In our light to kcop this laud tho way tho Good Lord Intended it to bo... FARM LAND not DUMP LAND Thank You, John and Dorcon Gordon and family R.R. Ù Kondnl, Ontario as a delegation to plead in defence of our signs. With a dump site to fight on our own, lacking as we do the presence of a Regional councillor, councillor, it is amazing that after after attempting to co-operate with our council we have to go before them on this issue. It would be a shame if the pent up anger in. this area found its outlet in' Town Council as they are not the enemy. I would be more of a shame if they refused refused to allow us this symbol of our fight. Apparently it requires a complaint to nave a sign targeted targeted for removal. There are many people who are interested interested as to where Councillor Wotten's . complaint originated. originated. Whom ever you are "TAKE MY DUMP PLEASE" we will no longer need our signs and would be happy to donate them to your cause. My name is at the bottom of this letter, I am willing to listen to your reply. That these signs would be singled out by anyone boggles my mind given the number of non-conforming signs in the Town. I suppose we did not think we would have to be fighting against a dump, let alone the windmills that go along with it. It surprises me that the same council that asked for our support is taking this unfortunate initiative. initiative. I did mention that the Mayor stated that our signs were temporary and I would like to assure council that they are. As temporary as the drop in our property values, values, ns temporary ns our dismay, dismay, ns temporary ns our anger and ns temporary ns this situation. Kristin McCron NO GRANASKA DUMP COMMITTEE Monday started off the week with perhaps the highlight of my life, being sworn in by the Clerk of the Legislature as the MPP for Durham East. The ceremony was very simple and quite short, nevertheless, it was moving. moving. The Clerk of the Legislature, Legislature, Claude L. De- sRosiers, is a kindly man, and following the formal part of the ceremony, he f ave our grandchildren a istory lesson about what they had seen. I suspect that they will both long remember both the day and the occasion. Monday evening was spent at the St. Saviour's Church in Orono, where two Orono Girl Guides received the Canada Cord, the highest award possible in Girl Guiding,. I was pleased to present scrolls on behalf of the Ontario Government, Government, recognizing their achievements. Tuesday was spent at Grosvenor Street as a normal work day. That evening I went to the Girl Guides Meeting in Ponty- pool. The occasion was to present Jalmie Luke with a scroll on behalf of the Ontario Government, which recognized her achievement by earning the Canada Cord. Wednesday morning was spent at Queen's Park, co-ordinating the final final requirements for staff, telephones and equipment for the constituency constituency office in Bowmanville. Bowmanville. The afternoon was spent at Grosvenor Street learning my involvement in "Crime Prevention Week" which commences on November 4th. ta****** r^**** ' 'jf' ' .......... ' ' , - Thursday was spent in Scarborough with the rest of the government, discussing many pressing issues. How to deal with issues that affect us all remains a great responsibility. responsibility. On Friday, I was the guest of Ontario Hydro at the Darlington Nuclear Plant. I was able to meet with the union stewards representing every trade at the plant. I also met with operational staff and management. The meetings meetings were cordial and gave all of us the opportunity opportunity to better understand each other. I look forward to continuing good relations relations between myself and all who provide us with energy from Darlington. Special thanks to Sue Stickley for her coordination coordination of a great day. Friday evening, 1 was at the Commencement Exer cises at Port Perry High School. I was privileged to present Ontario Scholarships Scholarships to graduates on behalf of the Ontario Government. Saturday was spent hearing from constituents at the newly opened office at the Veltri Complex, 68 King St. East., Bowmanville. Bowmanville. My staff, Jenny and Kelly and I, gain a great deal of satisfaction in helping constituents. Saturday Saturday was wrapped up in attending Cartwright High School Commencement Commencement Exercises. Again, it was a pleasure to present Ontario Scholarships on behalf of the Ontario Government. Til next week -- be kind to each other. M.P. Defends Accusations In Statesman Re: Letter to the Editor I'm wilting in response to an "open letter" from E. Dor- rene Powell, of Newcastle, that was addressed to me in the columns of your October 24th edition. Miss Powell stated: "I wrote for information but did not expect a reply," implying implying that n letter she sent me was ignored. This has me puzzled because, while I have received several letters from her about various matters matters over the past two years, in each case she was sent a courteous reply, even though I, may not always agree with her comments and opinions. With best personal regards, regards, Yours very truly, Ross Stevenson, M.P., Durham ATT Andrea Adair The No Ganaraska Dump Committee has devised devised a novel way of looking looking at the landfill issue. It is encouraging residents residents in tho Ganaraska area to refrain from putting putting out their garbage for four weeks. The idea behind the scheme is to determine how much garbage is produced produced in tho aren that would have to go into a landfill. If you aren't aware of it, Durham Region is looking for a long-term solution to its garbage story. MncLnron Engineers, consultants hired by tho Region, identified five candidate sites that had potential for becoming a landfill site. One of those sites is in tho Kondnl hills. Tho No Gnnnrnskn Dump Committoo is try ing to find out how much garbage is really produced produced once waste is recycled, recycled, composted and reduced. reduced. What a great idea! Not only is the committee committee doing something constructive constructive about the situation situation but it is also learning first-hand about amount duccd, the of waste pro- I always thought that if you wore forced to koop nil tho garbage you croate on your front lawn, you would soon diminish the waste you produce. Those pooplo -- 349 of thorn, to bo exact -- arc really interested in examining examining their gnrbngo and arc willing to kcop their trash in their backyard for a month. I don't know if tho final final results will accurately accurately indicate anything about the waste in the area. But there arc a couple of things this study will accomplish. First, those taking part will realize how much garbage is going out at their curb and may change their habits by recycling, recycling, composting or reducing. reducing. Second, ns Kristin McCron, a member of tho No Dump Committee said, it will show members members of Durham Regional Council that people arc willing to do something about their gnrbngo. Somo ol tho households households taking part in tho survey nro nowhere near tho candidate gnrbngo site. This initiative on tho part of tho committoo shows that tho members nro nccopting responsibil ity for their garbage and want to come up with ways to do exactly that. I think officials at the Durham Region should listen to the results. Politicians, if they really really want to do something to reduce trash, should take a tough attitude on it. Perhaps they ought to go so far ns to stop municipal municipal waste collection for four weeks. Every person of tho municipality should take part in nn experiment, such ns tho ono tho No Dump Committoo devised, devised, to get n first-hand education about waste reduction. reduction. Residents could really learn a lot about landfill by having to deal with tho sights and smells of their own garbage for four weeks.