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2 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, August 24,1994 Section Two lie Canaiiatt Wsatt 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 P.O. Box 190,62 King St. W., Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9 905-623-3303 Fax 905-623-6161 For 140 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 Editor - Peter Parrott Production Rick Patterson, Laurens Kaldeway, Doug Lugtenburg, Sharon McMullen, Barb Patterson, Ralph Rozema, Jim Snoek, Vance Sutherland, Jim Tuuramo Advertising Editorial Laverne Morrison Brad Kelly, Lorraine Manfredo, Laura J. Richards Office Angela Luscher, Junia Hodge, Grace McGregor, Nancy Pleasance-Sturman, Marilyn Rutherford Where are All The Candidates? Unless a lot more candidates start to come out of the woodwork, the municipal election of 1994 is going to be one of the dullest on record. When we checked last week, there were just a dozen individuals who had gone through the preliminary process of registering their intentions to serve as candidates in November. That's hardly enough people to fill half the positions which will be up for grabs in the November election. And, to have a democratic election, you need at least two candidates per position. People interested in seeking election should really start to register their intentions now. It's only about two and a half months from voting day. And candidates need the time to make certain their name and platform are familiar to the electors. The absence of any single major issue to inflame the opinions of the electorate may be one reason for the ho-hum response to the 1994 local elections. We certainly don't have a garbage dump or highway or controversial development to polarize opinions. And it's traditional for folks to get the summer over with before they embark on any new project in the autumn months. But prospective candidates ought not wait too long. All we can suggest is that the summer is, for all intents and purposes, over. And, whether or not we face a single glaring issue, our community is like all others. It faces an ongoing need for good government by dedicated men and women who are willing to serve as councillors, school trustees, and commissioners with the electric utility commission. Where are the candidates? Likes and Dislikes The thing Clarington residents like most about their community is its small-town atmosphere. The thing they like least is a "lack of stores and businesses." These are two of the findings from a recent poll conducted by Collis and Reed Research. The Bowmanville firm conducted its study during June and July of this year. The findings were compiled by responses from 300 residents across the municipality. This was, by the way, an independent poll. Collis and Reed Research did not receive any compensation for this project. A total of 33 per cent of Clarington residents stated that they liked their community's small-town atmosphere. A further 21 per cent said they liked the open space and countryside the most. Looking at the other side of the coin, about 19 per cent of respondents stated that they least liked Clarington's "lack of stores and businesses." A further 12 per cent disliked the high taxes the most. And another 12 per cent said the lack of "community services and facilities" was the thing they liked the least about their town. When asked what Clarington Council's number one priority should be, 19 per cent of respondents suggested improvements in community services and facilities. A further 14 per cent wanted an improved business environment Nine per cent listed improved road conditions as a number one priority for Clarington's municipal leaders. A further nine per cent suggested that protection of the environment ought to be the first priority. It seems to us that the survey underlines one of the challenges which the municipality must face in the next two decades. People enjoy this municipality for its small-town atmosphere, friendliness and spacious countryside. And yet, many of us also hope for more business opportunities, more shopping facilities, and more community service facilities. In short, we are faced with the challenge of maintaining the community's small-town atmosphere while putting into place the big-city services which will destroy that small-town ambience. Can Clarington achieve both? Can we have growth without becoming a suburban wasteland? Can we protect the environment while still providing jobs and business opportunities that we need in order to strike the proper balance between residential and. commercial growth? Clarington is very much a community in transition. Because we are located close to one of North America's largest urban areas, growth will occur. Unfortunately, that growth has a habit of destroying the small-town atmosphere that people cherish. And so, we too often witness the bizarre spectacle of people moving to communities outside of the big cities for peace and quiet, only to discover that these communities turn into big cities. Perhaps Clarington can be an exception. Perhaps it can maintain the best of both worlds. There are certain strategies which will help achieve that goal. For instance, the municipality is committed to preserving its lakefront and ravines and to developing trails and recreational opportunities in these areas. There might also be strong policies to protect farmland and natural habitats such as the Oak Ridges Moraine. But it will be a major challenge to prevent Clarington from becoming just another city. We Asked -- Do you think the baseball strike will continue much longer? .. .And You Said . ^ \ f fi; . ■ \ Bernard Reid Bowmanville "I don't know. Baseball never worries me, I never watch it." Linda Graham Bowmanville "It better not! I hope not!" Winnie Malcolm Marjorie Bate Bowmanville Bowmanville "Yes. Because the "I couldn't care less. I players were pre- don't like baseball." pared to stay out for a long time."