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2 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, November 9,1994 Section Two fit Canadian 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 Youth and Violence The incident of mob violence and mob vandalism in downtown Bowmanville on Halloween is part of a disturbing trend. As far as we are concerned, the argument that this is just part of traditional Halloween shenanigans doesn't really apply. When someone gets hurt and when police have to be called to break up the crowd, we have overstepped the boundary of Halloween pranks. In addition, there is growing evidence that acts of vandalism in the downtown are not confined to Halloween, but are becoming more common throughout the year. In fact, we are sad to report that we may be looking at a time when Bowmanville's downtown -- and other downtowns in our community -- will not be safe places after dark. But, it doesn't have to happen. There are certain things which can be done to make the community safer. Some of these can be accomplished at the local level, while others will require more of a nation-wide shift in attitudes and laws. Most people running for local election have indicated that they will do whatever can be done on.a municipal level to keep the community safe. This may mean the passing of by-laws prohibiting loitering and controlling the assembly of large groups of people. Presumably, candidates will continue to support police foot patrols and other steps to increase police presence in the community. But the efforts need not stop there. We also must ensure that regardless of what kind of shopping development occurs outside of the core area, there will still be viable businesses in the downtown. In other words, the municipality's business improvement areas must be encouraged to keep up their good work, making sure the downtown remains the heart and soul of the community. At the local level, it also seems to us that steps should be taken to encourage reasonable re-development in areas of the downtown core where such development is feasible. For example, there have been several proposals for seniors' housing downtown. It would seem only logical that increasing the number of responsible, tax-paying residents in the downtown core would help solve problems of vandalism. Finally, an increase in youth recreational programming might offset the problem. These are local efforts. On a national footing, there is also much to be done. After all, the petty crime we are seeing in Clarington is not just a local phenomenon. One of the best deterrents to crime is a thriving economy which gives people jobs and opportunities. There is evidence that a lack of jobs or a lack of hope gives rise to crime. Another deterrent might be to review and toughen the Young Offenders' Act. There is a widespread impression among most citizens that current laws essentially exempt youths from responsibility. Yet another deterrent would be to take a strong stand against violence in society. In the past week, there has been widespread debate over the depiction of violence in the children's Power Rangers show. Yet, adults who are quick to pull the plug on violent kids' shows seem to feel violence in mainstream television, movies and other media is quite all right. Surely, what we need is a repudiation of violence in all its forms, not just the mistaken idea that banning violent children's shows will instantly produce non-violent adults. It would also be advisable if parents simply took more time to nurture, guide, direct and encourage their own children. It's a very basic concept, but a necessary one. It may well be that in our fast-paced society, we simply don't have time to give our kids the attention they deserve. The result may be some of the youth violence and vandalism we see today. Above all, we should keep the incidents of violence in perspective. Although there is room for concern over the fate of our downtown, the fact remains that most citizens -- and that includes youths -- are law-abiding and willing to contribute something to their community. It's a matter of making certain that these values of the majority are not eroded by a trouble-making minority. Mariners Were Heroes Too Canada's wartime merchant navy has sometimes been overlooked when we remember the contributions of those in the armed forces who served in this century's major conflicts. The importance of the merchant navy is undeniable. Canada's merchant mariners were responsible for delivering the clothing, fuel, steel, lumber, tanks, guns, munitions, aircraft, and everything else that was needed for the war effort. Their effort was especially important during the Battle of Britain, between 1941 andl943. The merchant navy, which had over 180 ships and 12,000 personnel by the end of the war, was a prime target for German U-boats and surface raiders during the Battle of the Atlantic. Although the merchant ships travelled with escorted convoys and some were lightly-armed, the war took a heavy toll. In fact, the Canadian Merchant Navy Association notes that the death rale in this wartime service was around 13 per cent, compared with about four per cent overall for the three armed forces.. In more recent years, the merchant navy's role has received at least some of the official recognition it deserves. Merchant sailors were recognized as veterans in 1992. This year, they will be further honored with a Book of Remembrance to be placed in the Peace Tower in Ottawa on November 11th. When we remember the fallen this year, let us also remember this group and the contribution its members made to our freedom. We Asked -- Are you going to vote in the Monday, Nov. 14 municipal election? Why or why not? ... And You Said Ej Robert Bate Nellie Buckley Bowmanville Bowmanville "I hope to. Just because it's "Yes I am going to. It's my the natural thing to do duty to vote.. You can't when council comes up for complain if you don't re-election." vote." Roger Barker Bowmanville "Yes. If I get put on the voter's list. I have to talk to someone as 1 am not sure how long you have to have lived here." Next week's question: It is six weeks until Christmas. Have you begun shopping yet?