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=z v4, 1995 _~ published by Scugog Citizen co-publishers : John B. McClelland, Valerie Ellis editor : John B. McClelland 36 WATER ST,, PORT PERRY, ONT. L9L1J2 Phone : (905) 985-6397 Fax : (905) 985-1410 a Br i : Part of the } art of the job You may have read a "good news" story (it made the front page of the Toronto Star) between Christmas and New Years about a small group of federal government employees at the Unemployment Insurance cheque processing centre in Belleville who worked late Christmas Eve and over the holiday weekend to deliver 40,000 UI cheques in southern Ontario. It was a story be-fitting the season as it meant those 40,000 UI claimants got their cheques at the time of year when they needed them most. $ The folks at UI even went so far as to fax a fairly lengthy news release, including one to this newspaper. : Seems the problem with the 40,000 cheques started late December 22 when a glitch developed in the computer system that processes these cheques. Staff got the glitch ironed out and then a small number of employees drove the cheques to post offices all over southern Ontario in time for delivery December 27. Certainly, their efforts beyond the call of regular duty, made the holiday season just a bit brighter for those 40,000 people whose families depend on UI In this driven decade of the 90's, going above and beyond the call of duty is the norm not the exception for a large number of people who work in the private sector. Working late, working weekends and holidays, even late Christmas Eve or December 25 is often the difference between having a job or not having one. The private sector is service-driven these days and the catch- phrase is "do what has to be done no matter what." We are not in any way trying to throw cold water on the efforts of those Ul employees to get those cheques to the claimants. Not at all. But keep in mind people are doing this kind of thing every minute of every day of the year. Welcome to the 90's. No doubt at all Call it a back-door victory. Call'it anything you like. But make no mistake who is the World Junior Hockey champion. Team Canada, that's who. The gold medals will be presented to the members of this outstanding Junior team at the conclusion of the game January 4 against the Swedes. Canada can lose this one by double digits and it won't make a hoot of difference as they gold medal was "in the bag" following Monday's 8-5 thrashing of the Russians andl a 3-3 tie between the Swedes and Finland who scored twice in the final two minutes. This was the third straight World Junior Hockey championship for Canada and it more than captured the attention of hockey- starved fans in all parts of the country. The calibre of play was first rate and if these Juniors are the pro stars of the future, the game is in good shape. In even better shape is Canada's national sport, now firmly on top in the world after a lengthy period of doubt going back to the mid 1970s. # You don't win three world championships in a row (four in five years) by being lucky or flukey. This kind. of thing takes player development at all age lévels, first rate 'éoaching, a strong ization to provide the and total i from everyone. . The Canadian major Junior hockey leagues, and the minor systems that feed them, are the best training grounds for hockey on the planet. Playing in front of partisan crowds in Alberta last week, Team Canada left no doubt who is the best, even in the minds of the most serious of doubters (and there are plenty of those around, even today). Sure, by all means, thank the Finns for tying the Swedes to hand Canada the gold. But it's a dead certainty the Canadians Canadian hockey fans were enthralled by the talent, the iron- clad discipline and enthusiasm for the game displayed by these young men. * Wonder if Bettman and Goodenow tuned in? J OCNA Member CCNA Member cona Publishing Ltd. AB 350255 THE SCUGOG CITIZEN an independently owned and operated is distributed, free of charge, to over 13,800 homes and businesses CCNA Verified > in and around Scugog Township. P JUST ONE THING BEFORE | TAKE. OVER OLD MAN... WHAT THE HECK DID You DO WITH BASEBALL To the Editor; The following is an open letter to Durham MP Alex Shepherd re. Section 745 of the Canadian Criminal Code. Mr. Shepherd, in the December 20 issue of the Scugog Citizen, you posed the question of to keep someone in prison for another ten years at a cost of $60-80,000 per year. Let me first remind you that first degree murder is premeditated, planned and deliberate. Anyone capable of that once is certainly capable a second or third time--witness the notorious Clifford Olsen. I cannot imagine anyone wanting early parole from $80,000 a year worth of lodging, food, clothing, medical and dental care, training, exercise facilities, TV and $35 weekly to spend. Even the Holiday Inn is cheaper. The maximum Old Age Security pension is $9,180 annually. Welfare recipients get ' $7,920 annually. I keep a home and raised and educated a family on less. The majority of the people who elected you live on less, in fact by « a: supposedly had adequate intelligence to elect you. I do not ad t ing tax Listen to the people, Alex convicted first degree murderers. Too many politicians seem pre- dollars, but it is frightening to think that cost becomes part of the criteria for administering justice when dealing with pied with the welfare of murderers. | have a suggestion-- let them rot. R. Dixon Scugog Township. New beginnings To the Editor: Imagine the emotions Old Father Time is feeling right about now, as he fades into the background to make room for The New Baby'- 1995. At the stroke of midnight, when the band strikes up Olde Lang Syne, Old Father Time will undoubtedly brush away a nostalgic tear from his eye as he reflects on this past year. As he reminisces, he will remember the happiness, the peace and love we shared with one another. He will also think back on the sad, hurtful and * angry moments of 1994, and mournfully shake his head. It's no wonder Father Time is old and tired. ' As the clock chimes, announcing the New Year, he will, just for one second, steal a backward glance as we celebrate a new birth - a new beginning, He will be at peace, watching us as we share in the excitement and anticipation of this birth. No-one will notice him slip away.....and he wouldn't want it any other way. Wise old man that he is, he has the knowledge 'and understanding that new beginnings must happen for life to carry on. Thank you, Father Time, for the gift of wisdom you have left us, and Welcome Baby - 1995, in * all your innocence. 1 wish everyone wonderful new beginnings to build happy memories on. Happy New Year! Helen Suzanne, Port Perry far the majority of C: live ap less with the average Canadian income being less than $30,000 per year. Turn some energy and attention to this ludicrous cost victims of crime are supposed to just sit quiet and listen. Do elected representatives have a monopoly on wisdom when they get to Ottawa? Mr. Shepherd, you would do well to listen to the people who taste for a community ne Letters policy The Scugog Citizen welcomes letters to the Editor on just about any topic, local, national or international in scope. We will endeavour to print all letters except those that we consider to be outside the laws of libel and slander. We would also ask that letters stay reasonably within the bounds of good WSpaper. Our policy is to insist that the writer of the letter allow his or her name to appear with the letter, however, we will make P in certain 3 Deadline for letters is Monday at noon. You can mail to 36 'Water St., Port Perry, LOL 1J2, or fax to 985-1410.