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2 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, April 13,1994 Section Two Editor - Peter Parrott Former Publishers Rev. W. R. Climie, 1854-1878 • M.A. James, 1878-1935 • George W. James, 1935-1957 Produced weekly by James Publishing Company Limited For 139 Years, Our First Concern Has Been Our Community Publisher - John M. James Assoc. Publisher - Richard A. James Plant Manager - Donald J. Bishop Ad. Manager - Brian G. Purdy Production Rick Patterson, Ross Fisher, Laurens Kaldeway, Doug Lugtenburg, Sharon McMullen, Barb Patterson, Ralph Rozcma, Jim Snoek, Vance Sutherland, Jim Tuuramo Advertising Lavcme Morrison Editorial Brad Kelly, Lorraine Manfrcdo, Laura J. Richards PAID Office Angela Luscher, Junia Hodge, Grace McGregor, Nancy Pleasancc-Sturman, Marilyn Rutherford P.O. Box 190,62 King St. W., Bowmanville, Ontario, L1C 3K9 905-623-3303 Fax 905-623-6161 Vision for Durham Region Durham's regional chairman thinks it will soon be time to disband the Durham Region. But those who have never been overly fussy about the concept of regional government shouldn't start dancing in the streets. In fact, what the regional chairman is proposing is the replacement of present-day regional government with an even larger regional jurisdiction. The new region envisioned by the chairman would not only include much of present-day Durham, but also the regions of Peel, York and Halton. In fact, the new region he foresees almost amounts to another province. Mr. Herrcma is among the first to admit that it would take ten years to actually develop such a system. And he is, no doubt, proposing the idea partially to encourage discussion over what direction the second-tier of municipal government should take in the future. • But, is a larger regional government necessarily the route to follow? There is another option. By the time ten more years have elapsed, most of the lakeshore municipalities which make up the Durham Region will have become city-sized municipalities if population projections are at all accurate. The municipality of Clarington has already surpassed 50,000 in .population. And, in the early part of the next century, it may. be over 100,000. Similar growth will also take place in Oshawa, Ajax, Whitby and Pickering. „ When regional government was introduced in the early 70's, there was the underlying belief that municipalities had to unite if they were to develop sophisticated planning programs, build new water and sewage treatment plants, operate modem police departments, build major roads or attract industrial and commercial growth. The idea was that smaller communities such as Bowmanville or Darlington or Clarke couldn't provide the urban services which would be needed. Given the rapid growth which has already happened and which will happen in the future, it seems to us that the original reasons for forming regional government have disappeared. Regional government may, indeed, be disbanded in 10 years' time. But why not convert the large lakeshore municipalities into fully-functioning cities which can stand on their own two feet? In other words, there really is no further need to impose a second layer of government. When the lakeshore municipalities are large enough, why not let them run their own show and take over remaining regional responsibilities such as policing, nursing homes, water and sewer services, arterial roads, and planning? The less urbanized northern municipalities might opt to form their own region in the future or might prefer to exist as independent municipalities themselves. Interestingly enough, Chairman Herrema suggested in a recent interview with The Independent that it would have been better if these northern communities had been left out of the regional picture. Municipal governments work best when they are closest to the grassroots communities they serve. We already have sufficient levels of federal and provincial bureaucracy to regulate the affairs of municipalities. Perhaps the added level of regional government can one day be eliminated altogether. The result will be an end to duplication and a municipal government which can call its own shots (subject, as always, to the provincial and federal authorities.) 1 Chairman Herrema is right when he suggests that the Toronto area regional municipalities will have to work together in the future to meet the was fortunate to meet one of the challenges of an increasingly-urbanized community. But there is no reason kindest and most th<aughtful per;sons ! why such input needs a full-blown government structure, complete with DrWeOntario, elections, meetings, and staff. A federation of Toronto area municipalities j became stranded on the 401 at could work together, but remain politically independent. And that would Bowmanville with a school bus trans- seem to be the best of all possible solutions. porting students representing the Na- - Whatever the outcome, it's wise to discuss the future of regional panee District Secondary School law government. Mr. Herrema's suggestions are enabling elected officials to team. We were on our way home Tapestries and Textures Textures -- blue sky cornfields splotched with a spring snowfall Textures -- the crisp crunch of spring frost under under foot air fresh on nose, cheeks and forehead forehead tentative warmth of an early spring sunbeam Textures -- father's voice on the answering machine wishing a belated Happy Easter mother's and nephew's photos on the fridge, missed chances confort foods eaten in front of the television, laughing at Air Farce don't Letters to the Editor Good Samaritan Helps Stranded Students On Saturday, March 26, 1994, I took to the long-term future of their communities. All too often, politicians from a mock are burdened with day-do-day decisions and do not look beyond the next agenda or the next budget or the next election. The regional chairman is to be commended for doing some long-range soul-searching. A long-term vision for Durham's future is certainly warranted. What that vision might include, remains to be seen. trial competition in Whitby. The bus became disabled and we were stranded. Within two minutes, this gentleman stopped and immediately immediately offered assistance. He took me to his home where I phoned by husband, Don, and also Martin's Bus Services Ltd. We also picked up a gas container. Then, off we wept to a gas station to get fuel" where we discovered that diesel fuel was not available. Not discouraged, we then drove North on Hwy. 115 and finally obtained fuel for the bus. Arriving at the bus, we attempted to start it, but we drained the battery. I knew help was on the way from Martin's so I offered Tracy a small remuneration for his time and trouble, trouble, but he refused. I told Tracy wc would be ok and that he might as well leave, which he did. Then, there he was again. He had left, but decided to try again with a new supply of diesel fuel. This time he managed to boost the bus and we were off. He insisted on following us to Port Hope, where he waited with us until help from my employer arrived. arrived. So many horrible things arc happening happening these days as we are reminded everyday in the media. Along comes someone like Tracy Gerald of Newcastle Newcastle who travelled approximately 120 km to help people he didn't know. It makes one realize that we haven't lost the battle of kindness and hope. Sincerely, Mrs. Valerie Murchison RE. #6 Napanee, Ontario. by Rick James Reader Critical of "Thoughts Unlimited 1 ' Dear Editor: I have answered much of the views contained in Rick James' column, "Thoughts Unlimited" of last week, in my weekly column. I didn't think a "Letter to the Editor" was the right medium to address address many of those concerns. Nevertheless, I do take offence to his smug '60s view of Employment Employment Equity. It seems as if he will never be able to come to grips with reality. The equity agenda has been advancing for several years, long before the NDP Government assumed the reins of government government in 1990. The range has included, equality for women, race relations policies, affirmative action, action, employment equity, bilingualism, aboriginal rights and disabled rights. All of which were entrenched entrenched in the Constitution in the form of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982. Now, Employment Equity is the target of unrelenting unrelenting attacks by the Toronto Sun and others, in their demented quest to turn logic on its head. The desire to be fair and equitable seems to have no place on the agenda for some, despite the fact that wc arc now living in the '90s. Should wc return return to the Employment Equity as practised by the Ontario Conservatives during their 42 years in power? You know the kind, government jobs, LCBO jobs, beer store jobs, etc, that were handed out to party supporters and hangers-on, year after year. The only criteria needed in those days was letter of endorsement or a telephone call to the powcrs-that-bc, from your local Tory M.P.P. Without such endorsement, it was impossible to break into that closed shop. I can't remember any public outrage coming forth over that white- male dominated mode of employment equity. Everyone who lived in Ontario during that era knows exactly what I'm talking about, and that includes Rick James. It was the most flagrant form of patronage this province has overseen. Contrary to what Rick James would have us all l>clieve, Employment Equity policies of the Ontario Ontario Government do not exclude any while male from applying for positions in open competitions. The job advertisements simply say that women, the disabled, visible minorities, and aboriginals are ENCOURAGED to apply. Nowhere does it say in any of those job ads that white males need not apply. It just isn't true to say otherwise. Gord Mills, M.P.P., Durham East R.J.'s Note -- My "smug '60s view" and "never comes to grip with reality?" Cord, you've resorted resorted to name calling. I'm disappointed in you. First of all, I didn't realize that part of the government's government's view of the '90s was to suppress thoughts contrary to its own. I'm sorry I upset you by presenting a view that 74% of Canadians support, according to a recent Gallup poll. Secondly, if the goal of your policy is to make access to employment equal for everyone, you contradict yourself every time you preach that "women, the disabled, visible minorities and aboriginals aboriginals arc encouraged to apply." To be tmly fair and equitable, that statement should be dropped from all job advertisements so that everyone is encouraged to apply. Then, if someone is qualified qualified for the position, but not hired because of race, gender, or disability, the employer should be prosecuted under existing human rights and labour labour laws. You may recall a few months ago, your N.D.P. collcgauc Brian Charlton goofed while trying to justify civil service job postings that restricted while males from applying. Charlton referred to the job postings as being, "no different than employment employment equity.' I can't sec the difference cither. Finally, I suggest you add an extra telephone line to field llic calls from people who have been refused an application or interview because they arc not from one of the target groups. To say that, "It just isn't true to say otherwise," reminds me of when you said welfare seams arc not an issue in Ontario. Two years later, your government has finally finally acknowledged that there is a problem. I hope you don't wait two years to address the problems of employment equity. Dear Editor: Rick James incorrectly stated in his recent Thought Unlimited column that 90 part-time court workers arc being replaced by visible minority workers, The government's 'standard line' in Job Mart reads "In accordance accordance with our employment equity goals for this occupation, applications applications are particularly encouraged from aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities and women. The largest target group to benefit from employment equity policies policies is women and more specifically - white women. I would prefer to think that James' article is merely a reflection of his journalistic shortcomings rather than baser, ignoble sentiments, Jenny F. Yorgason 905-986-5441. R.J.'s Note - Jenny, when someone someone is hired for a job, they usually feel a sense of pride and accomplishment accomplishment that they were selected for employment employment from all other applicants. The question to be asked is, would someone feel a similar sense of pride and success knowing that more qualified qualified candidates may have applied for the job, but he or she was hired instead instead to meet a government imposed quota? I would hope most people would prefer to be hired based on their ability, not the colour of their skin, or gender. m n Textures -- changes in the fabric of life interwoven dependencies provide escape it's time to refresh the soul with more textures of life Ijr 0417194 On the way to work today, Thursday, Thursday, April 7, I began looking at the scenery as if it were a tapestry. Sometimes, when winter holds onto onto us too long, I get antsy. By creating abstract tapestries in my mind of how the world is at that particular moment, I can better deal with what the day has to offer. The next time you go out for a walk or take a drive in the countryside countryside with the kids or visitors in tow, look at the textures in the landscape around you. Look at the rough edges -- places where farmers' fields meet grass edges edges or ditches or the forest. Think as a child would. Look for the spot where the smoothness ends and the rough edges begin. See how the century farm houses exude a familiarity with the elements. Notice how vines cover rail fences and trees. Look at the sky, the clouds and the horizon. Go to Richardson's Point on Gana- raska Road 9 and walk up the hill to the look-out; Stand tall or lean against the rail. Close your eyes. Smell the air. Concentrate on smelling just the air. Then, open your eyes and sweep them around you as you gaze at the scene below and all around. Take it all in to refresh your soul. Hmmm, beautiful! Then, head to a lake, any lake. Turn off the car when you get there. Step out and find the point that will take you away from other people and give you a bit of space. Sit down, breathe deeply and relax. Concentrate on being by the lake. Listen Listen for birds, fish, bugs on the water. Block out anything that is not natural, Stretch and come back. During the everyday rash, we tend to forget that every so often we need to refresh ourselves. While some of us like to do it in the country, others like to do it by the ocean or a lake. Others like to do it in the big city. The task of refreshing ourselves is Continued on Page 7 m\ We Asked.... Do you think the Durham Region should be disbanded? ... And You Said Don Stairs Isabelle Payne Bowmanville Hampton "Yes, I do. I think it "It's pretty hard to say. is too expensive everything is too issues." high." Glenn Prout Bowmanville "It has its good causes Helen Jankovich Bowmanville "I think if it was a There's so many side smaller government, it and its bad causes. If would be better able to the general taxpayer look after itself. It can save money, then would take better care k „ J of people that way." 1 Next week's question: Do von think money from the leder.il government's infrastructure program should he spend on beaulilvmg the Bowmanville Recreation Complex grounds?