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2 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, September 7,1994 Section Two I|t Croatian toustttatt 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 The distribution of hate literature in Clarington is probably getting more attention than it really deserves. Yes, people should be aware that such trash exists. But, in retrospect, it doesn't deserve the kind of headlines whose size might more suitably be reserved for announcing such things as a cure for cancer or contact with extra-terrestrials. Excessive coverage of hate literature can have two opposite effects. For one thing, it can encourage the public to ignore the more insidious and subtle forms of racism which are far more damaging than anything which appears on neo-nazi pamphlets. Individuals can get the impression that, since they don't believe overtly racist literature and don't support neo-nazis or the Klu Klux Klan, they couldn't possibly be harboring racist attitudes. On the other hand, the community could get an equally false impression that, since racist literature exists and has been distributed, there must be a well-organized underground movement of white supremacists operating in Durham Region. This is highly unlikely. In our experience, people of Clarington are fundamentally decent individuals who abhor the kind of messages which were distributed last week. Just because an unknown person or persons dumps hate literature anonymously, at night, in ditches and driveways, that doesn't mean the Durham Region is rife with bigots and neo-nazis. Since nobody has come forward to reveal exactly who is responsible for these actions, it's entirely possible that they are the work of one individual out of a population of about a quarter million residents. The pamphlets may even be the work of pranksters who don't believe in the material but are trying to play some kind of sick joke and attract attention. For all we know, individuals who strew racist literature on lawns may be the same persons who vandalize rural mailboxes or paint graffiti on bridges. If there are people in the Durham Region who really believe in deporting certain racial minorities or in banning marriages between racial groups, they should follow the course of action available to everybody else in a democracy. They should form a political party and run candidates in federal elections who would represent such views. (And first, they'd have to repeal the hate literature laws in order to get their message out) We expect that any political party which espouses these views would have a membership so small that it could meet in a phone booth. The overwhelming majority would never give such bigots the time of day if they were to use the normal democratic procedures. It is unfortunate if racists get a higher profile than they deserve simply because they leave shocking material at roadsides in the dead of night. It would be especially important if such actions receive more attention than, for example, the Durham Region's committee on multiculturalism. The committee is an example of an organization more representative of the true views of Durham residents. It is supported by community leaders. It operates in full view of the public. It has credible spokespersons and members. And it has taken on the task of helping the community's various cultural and racial groups live in harmony and understanding. If individuals feel they must preach racist views, they should do so according to the traditions of democracy. There should at least be someone willing to come forward and take responsibility for such views, rather than simply tossing hate pamphlets from passing cars. It is likely that we will continue to have further incidents of drive-by bigotry in this municipality. And, for the public record, it should not go unnoticed. We should simply give to these occurrences the sort of credibility they deserve. None whatsoever. And then we should get on with the job of dealing with the less obvious forms of racism which still exist. Nomination Meetings Needed? A lot can be said for the old-style nomination meetings which were used to recruit candidates in municipal elections. Back then, seeking election wasn't just a matter of getting a certain number of bona fide voters to sign nomination papers. Would-be candidates also had to go through a kind of trial-by-fire with a nomination meeting. These were lively affairs in which speakers would rise to nominate their favorite candidates. And those with an interest in municipal goings-on could assess a candidate's support and perhaps judge their potential from the speeches they made at such meetings. There was also some last-minute jockeying for the various positions available. For instance, a candidate planning to contest the mayoralty, reeve, or deputy-reeve's position might discover who the competition would be and back down to a less hotly-contested post. The old-fashioned nomination meetings were, in effect, a kind of trade fair in which the commodities on display were candidates and issues. Of course, the campaigns and election would begin in earnest" once the nomination meeting was over. Our current system makes it even easier for someone to seek election. But, this year at least, there seems to be few takers. Perhaps we need to re-introduce the candidate nomination meetings. Dear John: After two years, I am once again reading the Canadian Statesman, thanks to your special subscription. I really did miss it. Even though it's hard to get used to seeing the name Clarington, I do still recognize quite a few names and places that I read about. I thoroughly enjoy Rick's "Thoughts Unlimited". I do miss all my friends in Bow : manville but am very happy here so guess I'll be staying put. By the way, we had one of the Goodyear Blimps parked at our Airport Airport (across the highway from where I live) this week, but unlike Rick, I didn't get an invitation to have a ride in it. It is here to film the bicycle races races in the Commonwealth Games and her Majesty and Prince Philip's arrival. arrival. The last ten days have been really really busy on the Island, Victoria, where the games were held, is only about ten miles from Sidney, so we have a lot of visitors to our pretty little town. We have one of the best Marina's on the West coast so our American visitors visitors tell us - a wide Main street - with Statesman many wonderful stores and friendly and courteous sales people. If I sound as if I'm bragging about our beautiful town, I am. I love it. Thanks again for giving me the chance to catch up on all the hometown hometown news. My regards to Dorothy. Do hope you are both enjoying good health. Sincerely, Molly Mairs 104-9861 3rd St. Sidney,B.C.V8L3A8: We Asked... Can you think of any issues that should be discussed during the November 1994 municipal election? ...And You Said Audrey Gates Lisa Owen Moira Bonchek , Bowmanville Oshawa Hampton "Lddk." of jobs. I'm "I don't know. I don't "Taxpayers being out of work due to want schools to go all charged too much to the fact that the cost year." obtain legal fee of rent is too high." costs." Susan McFarlane Bowmanville "Should have a seniors' centre and something for the disabled, too." Next week's question: What is your opinion about racist literature being left along roadsides in Clarington? TO