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wy 8-- Scugog Citizen ~ Tuesday , February 23, 1993 4 RIAL EDIT No more Joe Who In his more than decades in Canadian politics, Joe Clark took more than his share of lumps and knocks. The medid were especially savage in portraying Clark as a limp-wristed wimp out of his element in the rough and tumble world of politics. And how many times did we see the TV clip of him accidently stepping into a rifle bayonet while inspecting troops overseas. He d over the kend that he is getting out of politics and will not be seeking re-election this year when the country goes to the polls. While Canadians won't be-grudge Clark his desire to get on with something else in bis life, his wish to get out of the glare of politics for the first time in two decades, it is ®ad somehow to see him go. Clark's qualities--integrity, loyalty, a willingness to listen among others-- are exactly what this country so badly needs in its political leaders as we struggle through a tough recession and try to find our place in a changing world. 'The man everyone loved to call Joe Who had more political lives than Felix the Cat, bouncing back from personal defeats at the polls and at the hands of those within his own party. Ousted as Conservative leader by Brian Mulroney, few would have blamed Clark for exiting public life after that humiliating experience. But he stuck with it, pledging his support to Mulroney, taking on tough portfolios in which he served both the government and the country very well. From being the guy Canadians liked to call Joe Who, Clark went about his business and éarned the respect of politicians on both sides of the house and a lot of ordinary citizens from one side of the country to the other. Rumours of his departure from the political arena have been swirling around for the and he THE DAYTHE MUSIC STOPPED PLAYING E_MISS You ALREADY EODIE 7 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Community spirit alive To the Editor: I would just like to take a moment to comment on ity spirit. made it official over the end. Too bad. Politicians of his ability, his courage, his honesty and his guts are all too rare these days. It is more than slightly ironic that the guy Canadians held up to ridicule is the same guy a lot of people are wishing would stick around for a few more years at least. Tax system unfair Scugog Township taxpayers are getting the shaft because this municipality serves as the tax collector for Durham Region and the Durham Boards of Education. Figures from the municipal treasury department show that for the 1992 tax year, $1,678,847 has not been paid. That's almost nine per cent of the total levy Scugog was to collect last year. The accumulated tax arrears (1992 and past years) stands at an all-time high $2.8 million or almost 14 per cent of what should have been collected. Blame the recession and the hard times, blame it on anything, the fact remains that this level of un-paid property taxes is becoming a problem for our local council struggling to bring down a budget that does not cut services and at the same time does not add unduly to the mill rate. The problem for Scugog becomes intensified when the Region and the School Boards pass their budgets and hand the requisition over to Scugog for payment. The Region and the Board get their full financial require- ments for the year even if Scugog has not been able to collect 8 or 9% of the total levy. Somebody has to cope with the shortfall and it's not Durham Region or the School Boards. It has been suggested that one way to make this more equitable would be to have property tax collection split three ways: the Township would collect only what it levies for its own purposes, the Region and the School Boards would collect what they levy each year. That won't happen as the last thing the Boards and the Region want to get into these days is the un-popular job of collecting taxes. But maybe Scugog should only be required to turn over to the Region and the Boards the same percentage Scugog is able to collect. , In other words, that $2.3 M in tax arrears should be shared in proportion to the taxes levied by Scugog, the Region and the Board of Ed. Under the present system, Scugog tax-payers are in effect subsidizing the other two. And that's not right. 36 WATER ST., PORT PERRY, ONT. L9L1J2 This is something that many people will tell you does not exist any more. I'd like to say that I know better. The recent Curling Challenge between the Blackstock and Port Perry clubs exhibited community spirit at its best. The curlers not only came out to support this event, but paid to do so. The support of the spectators was tremendous as well and the fact that many businesses got behind this project and really made it go just proves again that community spirit in Scugog is alive and well. I thank everyone who helped out with this fine event. Yours truly, Fred Ford, Blackstock. Not politically "correct" To the Editor: I assume it is not politically correct these days to refer to people as deadbeats, so for the purpose of this letter, we shall refer to them as "donut holes." Once again the surrounding area has 4 new donut shop. In itself there is nothing wrong with that. The people who undertook the renovations should be commended as it is a very colourful place and I wish its new owners the best of luck. For anyone who frequents the donut shops in Port Perry, it is obvious they are a haven for "donut holes." At one certain shop which I frequent on my way to work, you will find the same "donut holes" sitting around at all hours of the day or night. On speaking to one of the counter employees, the same view as mine was exp! And in fact on that very day, four "donut heles" were pointed out who are on some form of government assistance, with nothing better to do than hang around the donut shop. Now, let's get this straight before all the bleeding hearts jump to their feet. I am not saying for one moment that those on government assistance are not entitled to enjoy the same amenities in town as those who are fortunate enough to work each day. They are. There are lote of people in this town genuinely eptitled to various forms of government assistance, but it is obvious there is a group in this town who are just taking advantage of the system, and it is time that somebody blows the whistle on these "donut holes." B. Bashford, " Seagrave, Ont. A job well done! To the Editor: I would like to take the opportunity to thank our road crews who during the snow storms, high winds and freezing rains kept our roads open, sanded and safe. Before dawn, they were out in the cold with the heavy trucks, plows and graders while most of us were still in the warmth of our homes. Also thanks to Scugog administrator Earl Cuddie, Works superintendent Ronn MacDonald and Kim Coates. I would also like to commend Durham Police Chief Trevor McGagherty for implementing the new community involvement policies. Speaking to the Port Perry Rotary Club last week, the Chief outlined the new emphasis on community policing which includes more store-front offices, more foot patrols and officers helping out with community events. These are all good ideas, rather like the "old days" before crime had increased so drastically. Thanks again for a job well done, on two fronts. Dean Kelly, Highland Beach Property Owners Assoc. |] Phone : (416) 985-6397 Fax : (416) 985-1410