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\ SECTION TWO WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5,1991 Œfa Cattaîrtatt & ta Usman Durham Region's Great Family Journal © Established 137 years ago in 1854 . I m Also Incorporating The Bowmanville News The Newcastle Independent The Orono News Second Class mail registration number 1561 Produced weekly by James Publishing Company Limited 62 King Street West, Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9 416-623-3303 cn 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. 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 for any error in the advertisement published hereunder unless a proof of such advertisement k 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 thereSn, and in that case If 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 apace occupied by such advertisement. Peaceful Co-existence At some point in the future, environmentalists environmentalists will have to come to grips with the issue of whether we can have a peaceful co-existence between consumerism and environmentalism. There's no doubt that consumerism, as we used to know it, is a threat to the environment. Most of us understand understand now that a throw-away society which sees the garbage heap as the final final location for much of its consumer products is not in the best interest of the planet's environment. And yet, what will happen if we are encouraged to use things up, repair, recycle, and do without? Won't that be almost as dangerous to 'our economic health as rampant consumerism is dangerous to our physical well-being? .Such thoughts might come to mind as one strolled the aisles of an environmental environmental fair such as the one that took place at the Recreation Complex last week. Concern over the environment has given rise to a new creature known as the green consumer. This individual thinks, not just about the cost of a product but about its impact on the environment. And, if environmentalists are correct, it will be quite possible to switch from the sort of consumerism which depletes our resources and damages our planet to the kind of consumerism which is environmentally-friendly. But, is the whole concept of consumerism consumerism compatible with the environment? environment? Even if you buy something as environmentally friendly as a composter, composter, you are using a device which has been constructed Toy depleting some of our natural resources and which has .had to.be transported to the. store by an energy-consuming vehicle. If you purchase the latest books on how to save this planet, you are using up trees. Even the energy-efficient light- bulbs use electricity. And, while many "green" consumer products are genuinely advantageous to the environment, there is also a bandwagon effect that is in the market place. Manufacturers are finding new ... ways to claim that their products are a bonus to the environment. Advertisers who used to say "Buy our widgets because because they're cheap" sometimes switch Hats Off for Heritage It's never easy starting a tradition. And the fdlks responsible for the various various Heritage Week events that have taken place from May 25 to June 2 are to be commended for their effort. The 1991 edition of Heritage Week has included about two dozen special events. These ranged from a. parade and dances to a fireworks display, yard sale and environmental fair. And, of course, that's merely a sample sample of the many Heritage Week activities activities ùnder way this year. If you didn't attend some of them, you missed some very good shows. The concept of Heritage Week has considerable merit. The idea is to bring together the community through a festival whose special events can be enjoyed by everyone'. Heritage Week is also designed to attract tourists and generally promote the municipality. Those who have worked so hard to get Heritage Week off the ground deserve deserve a vote of thanks. In many ways, we live in an era whose philosophy can be generally described not only as "me first," but also "me second," and "me third," Such persons do not volunteer to do things and they can frequently be found criticizing those who do. Anyone Anyone who tries to launch a new project - - especially one as ambitious and complex complex as Heritage Week - is going to find himself or herself swimming upstream. upstream. Nevertheless, we should be proud of those who undertake these projects. And we should be giving them more support. We would suggest, however, that future future organizers might consider adjusting adjusting the dates for Heritage Week. In the past three years, it has occurred in the later spring, which happens to be a time when so many families are busy with such activities as gardening, home maintenance, opening up the cottage, sports banquets, Scouting functions, end-of-school activities, ana so many other events. Perhaps an ear- ly-summer daté would be preferable, although it will be. noted that many people will, by that time, be starting their summer holidays and unable to participate for that reason. No doubt, Heritage Week will occur again next. year. It deserves to succeed. succeed. And it deserves everyone's support support and participation. CAUSE It May Work The upcoming study of downtown Bowmanville by a team of Ontario architects architects has the potential to succeed where other planning studies have failed. But exactly what is it that's so different different about the CAUSE (Community Assist for an Urban Study Effort) study? Won't it be like so many other planning documents which simply gather dust on the shelf? Of course, there is some risk that the recommendations from any study will not be implemented. But CAUSE has some distinct advantages over undertakings undertakings which have occurred in the past. For one thing, this study is more objective objective because it's conducted by outsiders outsiders who have not been hired by any group with pre-conccivcd ideas about the outcome of the investigation. For another thing, a high-profile ef fort such as this one will carry considerable considerable weight if and when the downtown downtown business area applies for funds in the future to implement some of its recommendations. Finally, this study has the full participation participation of the community. Although it's conducted without fees to the architects, architects, the expenses of the project are being paid, in part, by members of the Downtown Business Improvement Area. And throughout the CAUSE process. process. input from the public is encouraged encouraged The findings of the CAUSE study will not belong to the professional politicians politicians or administrators, but to the community. And, in the future, it will.be up to the community to see that the findings are implemented. We arc optimistic that this will happen. happen. their approach to saying "Buy our widgets widgets because they're good for the environment." environment." An environmental cynic might say: "...and it would be even better for the environment if you didn't buy the widget widget at all." The fact of the matter is that we don't entirely know what the impacts of "green consumerism" will be. Perhaps, Perhaps, it doesn't even make sense to compare what our standard of living would be without environmental concerns concerns to a standard of living in which the environment is cherished. If, for example, we have less money but enjoy enjoy clean air and pure water, surely the air and water have a value in themselves. In theory, environmentalists"believe that there will be plenty of jobs in a "green" society because, for example, tne jobs of making throw-away widgets widgets can be replaced by careers which entail the repair and maintenance of longer-lasting widgets. Or, to use a more concrete example, the jobs which might have gone to persons mining steel may go to those collecting such materials for re-use. It seems to us that we are in a transitional transitional stage at this point in our history. history. In a sense, we're like the folks who lived at a time when horses and buggies buggies shared the streets with cars and trucks. There are vestiges of our older throwaway society still veiy much in evidence. And there are glimpses, here and there, of what the newer, more en- vironmentally-conscious society will look like. . It.remains to.be seen what impact the '(green" philosophy will have on us in 10 or 20 years' time. However, as an organizer of last month's environmental fair has pointed pointed out, the first step in any change is awareness of what the problems are and where we ought to-be headed in the future. Undoubtedly, we have reached that stage of the voyage. Or, at least, many of us have. The final destination remains to be seen. But the journey promises to be fascinating. Residents of the Town of Newcastle are fortunate fortunate to have two cultural centres in the midst of the municipal borders. Many may not be aware of their existence and others may not be interested interested in visiting them. But, the Clarke and Bowmanville Bowmanville museums are important aspects of this community. This is a town with a mixture of urban and agricultural agricultural areas and the two museums reflect thé histories of those two distinct distinct backgrounds. While attendance is high at museums in general, general, our understanding of their purpose and our appreciation of their function function isn't quite as spectacular. spectacular. For those unaware of our two museums, they offer a place to go on a rainy day. But they also offer something more. The Bowmanville Museum, Museum, for instance, has had a marine display of local harbours, including Bowmanville's, for the last month. Clarke Museum just concluded a fascinating photographic display about the North American American Indian. Their role is not solely to preserve the history of the area. They explain the past while looking toward toward the future. And they're places, where, in one form or another, another, our roots and our lives connect. People tend to see themselves as the "be all and end all" of the earth. The perception, at times, is that when we are gone it won't matter what happens here. It's a philosophy environmentalists environmentalists are fighting fighting to change. But, it's also an attitude museums have to change as well. They aren't just a place to store old pieces of furniture or glassware or memorabilia. They are places that reflect ourselves ourselves and our heritage. They have the stuff that gives Canadians their personality. - In the latest edition of the Clarke Museum's newsletter "Cures", writers writers discuss heritage and the role of museums in the community. There were a number of interesting observations. observations. However, the most compelling and profound statement came from the executive director of the Canadian Museum Association. Association. He discussed museums as being places where Canadians Canadians can find out who we are and where we are going. In the past year, the media have circulated the theory that we of this nation nation are struggling with our identity. We apparently don't know who we are or where we intend to go. Museums may not have the answers, but they can help in the quest. If you want to find out when Clarke Township was formed or when the first settler arrived in Bowmanville, find a textbook. textbook. But if you want to discover discover how people lived, what people have done to the area, and learn about the human aspect to our history, you should begin at a museum. You may not find all the answers, but you will invent some questions. And that, in part, is something museums should do. They should challenge, entertain and educate. Both of our museums fulfill fulfill those criteria. Let The Hype Begin Census : It's not too late! Last week, following discussion discussion between the leaders of both Opposition parties, normal business resumed in the Legislature. The present session of parliament is scheduled to end June 27th. On Monday afternoon, I was pleased to make a statement statement in the Legislature about the Brooklin Fair. The Brooklin Spring Fair is one of the oldest fairs in Ontario and this year is celebrating its 80th year. The fair has grown over the years and now attracts more than 25,000 people from all over Ontario. There are two important items of legislation being debated debated in the House, Bill 17, the Child Support Payment Bill, and Bill 70 The Wage Protection Act. The passing of Bill 17 will reduce welfare costs by about $344 million. At the moment there are about 15,000 workers qualified qualified to receive $5,000 each under the Wage Protection Act. This money will help those men and w.imen, who through no faeît of 1 their own, have been abandoned by companies who have failed to live up to their obligations obligations as employers. In the debate I raised my concerns about the injustices to ordinary ordinary working men and women women and the need for this protection.. protection.. During the week, the Jus- O.G.H. Hosts Open House The Administration and Staff of Oshawa General Hospital extend an invitation invitation to you, your family and friends to join them for an "Open House" on Wednesday, Wednesday, June 12, 1991, from 4- 8 p.m. The Open House will provide provide you with an opportunity opportunity to get to know your regional regional Hospital through one of the many tours and displays displays being presented. In addition, addition, all visitors to the Open House will be eligible to win a number of door prizes donated to the Hospital Hospital by various suppliers and groups. tice Committee, of which I am a member, discussed proposed legislation regarding regarding the making of a Living Will. This proposal is designed designed to allow people to make decisions about what life extensions they wish if faced with an illness or injury injury where death is inévitable. As I am sure you can imagine, imagine, the discussions were not easy as the issues are very complex. On Friday morning I chaired a meeting held by Whitby Community Care. The guest speaker was the Honourable Zanana Akande, Minister of Community and Social Services. The Minister's Minister's remarks were well received received and led to a useful discussion. In the afternoon, I attended attended the official launch of the Good Neighbours Campaign Campaign for the Town of Newcastle, Newcastle, at the Bowmanville Museum. Everyone involved in the Good Neighbours program program deserves a great deal of credit. I cannot think of any better community activity activity than people helping their neighbours. At the meeting __I was pleased to talk to residents who had questions about government initiatives. One question that kept coming up was the change to the Oath of Allegiance required required by police officers. That has been a lot of misunderstanding about this change to the Oath. It was not part of a New Democratic Democratic agenda, or done to accommodate the new chairperson chairperson of the Toronto Police Services Board as some folks have suggested. The oath change is part of the Police Services Act regulations being being written by Ministry staff. The process for the new regulations started in 1988, and was formulated by civil servants at the direction direction of the previous government. government. The regulations, including the oath change, came about from consultation consultation with groups affected by the changes. These included the Chiefs of Police of Ontario Ontario Association, the Ontario Police Association, and Po lice Services Boards. Groups taking part in this process endorsed the change, including including the Toronto Police Commission Commission whose Chairman at the time was June Rowlands. Rowlands. Only after all this consultation and agreement, was the proposed change presented to the Solicitor General this spring, who in turn presented it to Cabinet. On Saturday morning, I was in Brooklin taking part in their annual Spring Fair Parade. A huge turnout lined the route, the weather was superb and quality of floats was very high. The fair was a huge success thanks to the hard work by the Board and local residents. residents. At noori, I joined area residents residents at Bethany Post Office Office to support them in fight ing the threatened closure of their post office. Following this, I held a constituency clinic in Man- vers Township. A number of constituents took advantage of the chance to drop in and discuss many things. I enjoyed enjoyed meeting everyone. I will be holding clinics in Man vers on a regular basis. Until next week - be kind to one another. Co-op Student Receives Achievement Award St. Stephen s High School held its annual appreciation evening for employers last week and a number of awards were presented to graduating co-op students. be£ !™" lc ^ ar r w , a ? recipient of the Ontario Co-operative Education Association certificate of achievement. The award is presented to the deserving student who has given the most to and benefitted the greatest from his or her co-op education experience. During the past school year, Sean's co-op placement has been in the darkroom and pressroom of The James Publishing Company. Sean is shown here with his supervisor, Rick Patterson. Sean has proven himself to be a capable work- e L au U n £j r* is s bnt at The James Publishing Company. And we all appreciate the effort he has put forth. IF Pressing Matters In One Small Town - by John E. James - "Hello, Chatham, Beware of the Dog" A word or two of explanation is in order for Chatham, Ontario readers, who join us via Chatham This Week this week. Hmmmm. Does that sound a tad weird? Newspaper names are fascinating things. Allow us a few noteworthy examples: examples: "The Grimshaw Mile Zero News", "The Swan Hills Grizzly Gazette", Gazette", and the "Lac La Biche Post" in Alberta; 'The Scratching River Post" in Manitoba; 'The Caledonia Grand River Sachem" in Ontario; and a personal personal favourite, situated on the Ont/ Que border, north of the nation's capitol; capitol; 'The Low Down to Hull & Back News", named so by publisher Art Mantell to obtain a little extra promotional promotional mileage for the coverage area (as far north ns the village of Low) for his paper in Wakefield, Que, Attaboy, Art. You'd wonder how he flew that one past Quebec's language restrictions Act, ,huh? Strikes us more than likely that old Art mav be the type of guy your "French Only" bureaucrats would do wise to take plenty of time getting 'round to visit. Ilcy, don't get us wrong. \ "Chatham This Week" is a perfectly tine, extremely appropriate name for a weekly paper. However, we envision a few awkward scenarios for staff members. members. For example, earnest young reporter reporter calls police: Week^° rter ) " Hell °' this is This (Sgt. Friday) 'Thank you ever so much for that very valuable information. information. This is Friday," (On The Ball Reporter) "No actually, actually, this is Thursday." (Sgt. Friday) "Lookit: this week, last week, next week or until Hell freezes over, THIS is Friday!"..., and so on. L While, we're at it, apologies to Wheatley Journal" readers who have now been victims for months without even so much as a "Howdy" Sorry folks. If Scoop Epplett had remembered remembered to switch the address on our personal copy of The Journal to the house, we mighta remembered sooner, but you know Scoop. Himselfs always too busy trying to tell us your walleye fishing is better than ours, to bother with piddly detail stuff. (30 Laird N. N9V 2T6 Thks. Cathy) Back to the crash course, in reading this column. You need only to he aware of a few background items, which turn up now and then: 1) "Amityville", and 'The Amityville Bugle" are not real names; yi -my 2) Any attempt to suggest they resemble resemble a town called Amherstburg, or a community newspaper like The Amherstburg Amherstburg Echo, would be less than fair play by the perpetrators. The people people of Amherstburg have suffered enough. 3) This column could usually be described described as: "adventures of an average family in a small Ontario Town." On occasion, when yours truly gets mad enough at Brian Mulroney in Ottawa, or whoever's leading Ontario straight to Hell at the moment, subject matter strays further afield. 4) Sometimes opinions expressed in this column will crank up somebody's adrenalin to the point where a "Letter to the Editor" gets written. That's great, feel free. Long ago it became apparent apparent "Infallible" would never describe describe our personal abilities. And if anything mentioned in this column encourages encourages - or provokes - further discussion discussion of important issues affecting us all, this newspaper is doing the job your community heeds it to do. One more thing must be mentioned. The James kids grew up with a wonderful old mutt named Cnamp the Wondcrdog. Champ served ns 'Le Subject Subject Du Jour' for tins column on some memorable occasions. Such as the infamous infamous "Gone With The Wind" episode, episode, when some spicy polish sausage in a Lasagne recipe supplied by the local local grocer produced a 20 minute barrage barrage of 'Blue Darters' from the dog, and had the other three 'kids' convulsed convulsed in tears of laughter on the floor. You had to be there. Champ died just before Christmas. Yours truly lost a best friend, and had a tough time dealing with it. During our editor years at Tne Bugle, particularly particularly in the nightmarish early Eighties, Eighties, there were many days when only the dog would talk to us. A three month mourning period ensued. ensued. Nobody was able to convince us a 'replacement' could (or should) be found. Eventually the local dog pound was visited. Seven trips and $29 later, a candidate surfaced. Not a replacement, mind you. That's not meant to be. Based on early impressions, this youngster is a story in her own right. "Doc" might vciw well be a very expensive expensive purebred Whatsis in disguise. We only know she looks sorta nice a Shepherd, but much more resembles a wolf. She's also going to be juusst a little little larger than anticipated. To date, attempts to instill any sort of civilized behaviour have been a genuine Bitch. No doubt you'll read more in subsequent subsequent issues. Beware. ...see you next week.