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VIEWPOINT _ Scugog Cllizén -- Tuesday, June 14, 907 = 9 - SHOT IN THE ARM The local economy should get a nice shot in the atm when Port Perry Metal Processing goes into production this fall in the former Johnson Control building just south of Port Perry. The new company is a division of Makagon Industries of Missasauga and will be involved in high tech metal welding and Semplnt for the auto indu 5 Compa officials ®ve in Port Perry last Friday afternoon to make the official announcement with local politicians. Scugog resident Randy MacLeod will be plant manager. The company will be purchasing high tech equipment from Switzerland and expects to go into duction this Sep . Initially, thete will be 20 employees, but this could increase to as many as 75 at the end of the second year. While y officials declined to put a dollar tag on what the investment will be, it is "significant," said general manager Gord Hawkins. He also said the company looked at other potential locations, but decided on Port Perry mostly because it will be able to hire locally as many people as possible. That's certainly a vote of confidence for Scugog Township when a new company opts to locate here and make a substantial investment in hew equipment and refurbishings. Hopefully, it is a.sign that the lingering recession has bottomed out and things are improving. And hopefully, this is a sign that other + companies will find Scugog to their liking and make the decision to set up business here. We wish Port Perry Metal Pr g and plant Randy MacLeod all the best. While I'm jn' the mood to wish people best of luck, Phil and Sylvia McBride have sold Galley Fish and Seafood, and for the time being, yway, are going to enjoy some well eserved time to relax. They have put in long, long hours at the Galley over the years and Phil said last week it time to slow down « and taking things a little easier. I've known Phil for years, He's a regular at hockey and baseball games .in this community, and if he doesn't by John B. McClelland jam have at least one joke to tell, he's having an off day. Anyway, 1 ro. both Phil and Sylvia well in their "retirement" and on any endeavours they may pursue some time in the future. Also, best wishes to the new owners of the Galley, sisters Vivi and Dora who have big plans for the restaurant. It will be called "The Sisters Galley," and they will be adding Greek cuisine to the menu. They will also be doing extensive renovations and plan to re-open in aboug two weeks time. Several other new businesses have opened recently fn the Port Perry area including Metro Video at the Plaza, and Scooters ice cream and popcorn on Water Street, just a couple of doors from the Citizen office. Is all this activity an indication of confidence in Scugog Township? It sure is. Starting a new business or buyipg an existing one involves a certain amount of risk, no matter what it is. Not to mention truck-loads of hard work, long hours and so on. But if these people don't think their new ventures would go, they would not make the considerable investment in time and money. IN CLOSING: Newly elected Minor Hockey president Bill Van Camp said week's annual meeting that his goals (no pun intended) ming season is to get more e involved in the organization-- specifically outside fund-raising. This is crucial if Minor Hockey is to avoid an increase in registration fees. As it stands now, there may have to be a slight increase in fees, but the Board wants to keep it minimal. If there is anything more, some youngsters may simply not be able to afford to play hockey. Hopefully, Bill is able to "recruit™ enough people to really do some serious outside fund-raising. If you're interested in helping with' this all important venture, I'm sure Bill would be glad to hear from you anytime. Last week's annual meeting was attended by about 30 people, same number as last year and the same number who are usually there. Lesbian mom makes plea for tolerance To the Editor; This is an open letter to the dens of 'Durham Region. On the eve of the MPPs Aoting on Bill 1674the bill that would grant same sex ois the rights and responsibilities hat heterosexual couples take for granted in our province, witing to express my disappointment and heartbreak at Marion Boyd's announcement that the NDP is watering down its piece of legislation. I am a relative newcomer to Durham Region. I moved here four years ago with my children. Since then I've made a home for us here. I have a job I love, that puts me in the public eye a lot. I've worked hard to make a difference in this area. I pay my taxes and I try to be a good, contributing citizen to this country. Almost two years ago, I met the person I wanted to share my life with. My kids love my spouse and want my spouse to be able to adopt them. The fact that my spouse is a woman doesn't make them feel any different. She loves them more than their natural father ever did and she wants to have the same rights and responsibilities that a spouse in a heterosexual relationship would have. I want to know that should anything happen to me, I don't have to worry about how my ten and eleven year old are going to be taken care of. My kids are pealiifey articulate, intelligent children, who have learned _tolerance and understanding because of my life. They want and need the stability that a caring, loving home and a supportive society brings them. It hurts and bewilders me that people who don't know us can be so hateful and hurtful. In the same breath they speak of Christian values and then say they hate Gays and Lesbians. We are all human beings deserving of love and respect and the basic human rights we should expgct from this country. We are your sons and daughters; your grandchildren, your moms and dads, your friends, your neighbours and workmates. 80 many of us never allow you to get close to us even though we live and work with your because we are afraid. Afraid of the rejection and hurt and disappointment' and fear you show- us if we reveal our true natures. Should this bill not pass, I fear we will be taking a huge step backwards in eliminating intolerance and prejudice. When one class of people deny another's rights, we are destroying what this country stands for. Look around today and talk to your friends and neighbours, your workmates and your loved ones. You will be seeing the people whose rights you are denying. Allow us to be honest with you. You may learn a great lesson in tolerance and love. Louise Anderson Whitby, Ontario (Editors note: The Ontario Legislature voted last Thursday night to reject bill 167 even before amendments could be made). hadulad Meeting on hold Negotiations between Scugog Township and the Port Perry Agricultural Society over a new lease for the Fairgrounds have been put off, for the time being. Scugog Mayor Howard Hall informed council Monday that the Fair Board has asked that a ng be lled "until further notice." one yeafh written notice. in 1996 and efforts the so-called termination clause. He said the Board remains y opposed to a clause within the proposed lease that would give either the Fair Board or the Apwadhiip the right to terminate the lease on The Township owns the 22-acres Poirgromiy in northwest Port Perry, but has, leased the land to the Agriculture Society. The current 20-year lease is due to expire negotiate a new lease of ten years have run into trouble over The Fair Board feels there'is no point in having a ten year lease if it can be terminated by the Township at any time on one year's notice. Efforts by Natives should be lauded To the Editor; : It seems that our beloved hometown newspapers have become something akin to soapbox platforms for several Scugog residents on a fairly regular basis. I admit, I too anticipate the weekly paper «=n order to peruse each week's hottest issues, This week (May 31) two letters caught my eye; the first from the President of the "Save Scugog Island Committee": his was an open letter to every politician from Queen's Park to. Queen Street, decrying, yet again, efforts by the 4 Island Mississaugas to grow within our community. Several weeks ago, as I read about the Band's plans for a proposed gaming hall, my first reaction was that of respect; the same respect | experienced when Native Perspectives opened their doors a couple of years ago. My family and I have made the Island our home, and although we are not "oldtimers", we plan to be, one day. Prior to reading the Committee's letter, I was unaware of the existence of their group, nor had any of our friends and neighbours" here on the Island (nor in town, for that matter), mentioned how threatened they felt by thé potential existence of the hall. Further, one neighbour even ventured a . that she thought it was "nop a bad idea". The Committee seems to be 'suggesting that this project will not be subject to the same regulation, building codes and township standards as any other facility of this type constructed elsewhere. I wonder upon what basis thebe «essumptions have been made. + Bingo halls are relatively common in other communities, as well, Monte Carlo-type activities are frequently operated by charitable organizations for fund raising. The proposed location of Island Road at Mississauga Trail is well into the interior of the Island and would not seem to pose an environmental peril. By contrast, no one expressed concern last year when the resort on the west shore erected a new recreational facility, which I Eta is licensed and well patronized by Islanders; boaters and snowmobilers alike. It is obvious that the resident$ of Island Road will suffer increased traffic, hoWever those merchdnts located along the way will surely enjoy a boost in business (not the least of which will be the variety store at the 11th congession). The second letter, submitted - by a resident of Abs, commented on the obvious need for some groups in this area to settle their differences. It seems that our reader from so far away can see the forest and the trees. Well, it's not often that this lass hops up onto a soapbox, but I felt the need to make an exception in this case, Personally, 1 applaud the Mississauga's efforts, and trusting that since they are no less responsible than the rest of us, they will take their best shot at successfully . contributing jobs, recreation and economic growth to our community, Deborah McBride Scugog Island