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Tg Tw RY AMY WW. - (WV pe 1 od ie ww I- -- Jd Vs = (vv 0a SH pA WET NL ERC 2,0 <O HB HE Php cope CL LR ED anand a ow A ---- ------ WN lS SET PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, September 16, 1986 -- 5 Viewpoint . ms woe GOOD ADVICE _ I'couldn't agre: more with the letter to the editc this week from John den Boer, who quite simply asks that the hatciict not only be buried, but thrown into Lake Ontario in the dispute over the Fairgrounds land as the site for a new school. _ This issue raised strong emotions last spring when it bubbled over, and apparently, feelings are still runn- ing high if the letters column last week is any indication. Mr. den Boer, who is a member of the Fair Board of directors hits the nail on the head when he says it's time to put the emotions and differences of opinion to 6 aie! It's a good letter, to the point and the message is clear. As editor of this paper, I have been asked more than | once in the past couple of weeks why I allow certain let- ters to be published, when it is obvious that the content of the letters will stir more controversy. My answer is this. I am an editor, not a censor. To start filtering out letters which may be controversial in content or tone is folly. People have a right to publicly express their views of opinions on any subject, and " believe me, there are letters printed in this paper which I sometimes wish had never arrived on my desk. As long as my name is on this paper as editor, the policy will be to print all letters provided they are sign- ed with the writer's name and address, are in reasonably good taste and not outside the legal con- straints of libel and slander. Mr. den Boer's letter this week happens to be one I agree with totally. The Fairgrounds issue has caused enough divisions within the community. The Durham desire to securing some of the land as the site for a new school, and Township council has agreed to at least discuss the idea with the Fair Board executive and directors. I say to them, get on with the discussions. Find out if there is some common ground to come up with a solu- tion that everyone can live with. And remember what Mr. den Beer said in his letter this week. It's good ad- vice for a community like Scugog at this time. FIRST SHOCK I know summer is really over when my kids arrive home from school all excited about the fact that skating has started at the Scugog Arena. That's what happened last Thursday night. So, off we went to the arena which has been freshly painted inside, and looks pretty spiffy. The fears I harboured all summer were quickly realized when the oldest son came off the ice after a few minutes complaining that his skates were too tight. No doubt about it, he needs new skates. But not just any new skates. No sir, he has champagne tastes when it comes to skates. It's cheque book time. The hockey season has not even started and already I've been hit for $160 in registration fees. Now, new skates. And youngest son is making noises about a whole set of new equipment. I'm trying to stall until Christmas, but that looks impossible. Oh, well, grin and bear it, I guess. I was hoping against all odds that my two boys could get one more hockey season (this one) out of the skates and equip- ment they wore last year. That would let dear old Dad Now I know why my Dad used to get a grim look on his face at the start of hockey season when I was a kid and needed new skates, gloves, pants, etc. Hockey is a great game for kids, but you need to have your cheque book handy. Speaking of hockey, there will be an organizational meeting' September 22 in. the Blackstock Recreation Centre for. parents interested in keeping the 'Minor Hockey organization going this year in Blackstock. The meeting gets underway at 7:30 P.M. If there are not sufficient numbers of parents willing to work on the executive and as coaches, Blackstock Minor Hockey may have to fold for this season. Minor Hockey in Blackstock gears its programs for kids in the five to 11-year age group. There were about 40 registered last year. If the September 22 meeting indicates there is enough adult interest, a registration will be held later A NICE AFTERNOON Had a most enjoyable afternoon and evening last week participating in the annual golf tournament put on by Port Perry Rotary Club at Sunnybrae. I use the word "'participate" because my golf game was far from what it should be this time of year. It's not helped by the fact that I've only played about half a dozen rounds this summer. But teamed up with Greg Heffering, Rotary presi- dent Glen Van Camp and Les Kababik from Oshawa, we had a good day, and even managed to win the team prize. Glen will probably never speak to me again for Board of Education has once again expressed a strong buy the new set of golf clubs he badly needs. Say good- bye to the clubs, Dad. , (Turn to page 6) Yesterday's Memories 60 YEARS AGO Thursday, Sept. 16, 1926 Mr. John Medd, Reach Twp. brought a big puff-ball to town Saturday evening, being 50 inches in circumference and weighing about 15 pounds. - Mr. Frank Sheperd, Port Perry, motored to Detroit and back last week. He says that next year it will be possible to go from Brooklin to Detroit without leaving cement road-wonderful achieve- ment in road making. : Mr. A.E. Rogerson has had eighteen cottages built at Lakeside Beach since he took over the property. Some 4000 trees have also been planted. 35 YEARS AGO Thursday, Sept. 13, 1951 On Thursday evening last, a very enjoyable time was spent at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Wanamaker, near Seagrave for the reunion of the Mark family. : Port Perry Fair hit an all time high this year when the Gate Receipts amounted to $2,069.75 from 3,650 adult admissions and a thousand autos. There were an estimated 6,000 people and children in attendance. Members of Prince Albert and Port Perry United Churches gathered together Monday evening to say farewell to Rev. Clifford and Mrs. Smith who are leaving Port Perry to go to Grand Bend. 25 YEARS AGO Thurs., Sept. 14, 1961 : J.C. Read of Port Perry will be one of 77 High School students who will attend a Science Seminar at the Ontario Agricultural Col- lege in October. Dial telephone service will be introduced in Blackstock this week. New all figure numbers will consist of the exchange prefix 986 and four other figures. Schools opened last week in Scugog with the same teachers in charge; Mr. Aldred at the Head with the intermediates, Mrs. Beckett at the Centre with the Juniors and Miss Sleep at the Foot with the Seniors. 20 YEARS AGO Thursday, Sept. 15, 1966 The Port Perry Merchants girls softball team coached by Jim Rider and Ken Moore won the Dr. Dymond Trophy by defeating the Scugog Ramettes in three straight games. Demolition started Tuesday on the building occupied by the Brewer's Retail Store for the past 10 years. It is being replaced by a new, modern structure located directly behind it. A quartette comprised of former Ontario County J unior Farmers, Ken Skerratt, Bruce McMillan, Ralph Honey and Ron King has been formed in Port Perry. Coached by Mrs. Grace Hastings, the group will perform under the name, "Hastings Four." 10 YEARS AGO Thursday, September 15, 197% Mayor Lawrence Malcolm and councillors Reg. Ros? and Jerry Taylor have all announced they will be seeking re-election in the up- coming election. oo Scugog schools revealed a slow growth trend with Cartwright Central enrolling 611 students, Cartwright High School, 96 students; Prince Albert P.S., 311 students; R.H. Cornish, 900 students; Green- bank and Epsom (combined) 230 students, and Port Perry High School, 1,230 students. Letters Education is fundamental issue Dear Sir: I find this absurd that 22 people from the Fair Board can determine the future development of Scugog and likewise the education of our, most important commodity -- our young. To the Fair Board -- it is not a matter of deciding whether or not to vote on a new plaza or amusement centre. We are talking about a fun- damental issue; the right to educa- tion. In that light there is no decision -- regardless of the so-called é 'issues. " The overcrowding at Cornish is a disgrace and although I have no children attending Cornish, as a parent and taxpayer, I am outrag- - ed at the power of the Fair Board's position. Are they aware of how their irresponsible decision is affec- ting the quality of education in an overcrowded institution? Let's get our priorities in order. I feel our young are far more impor- tant 365 days a year, than one fair 3 days a year. Yours truly, Anne Ingram R.R. 1, Nestleton Spirit of co-operation needed To The Editor: ; I have read the recent letters to the editor concerning the Fair and School Boards with some concern. It appears that people have allow- ed their feelings and biases to exag- gerate the issue. It's high time we not only bury the hatchet, but throw it into Lake On- tario. Both sides ought to forgive and forget and not allow their emo- tions to dominate. A spirit of co- operation is very much needed if we hope that future negotiations bet- ween Township Council and the Fairboard will bear fruit. The editorial of last week held out the hope that in a couple of years this community can have two things: a badly needed school and a fair that has the support of all the residents of the Township. This can be done, but only with the right at- titudes of consideration, love and honesty. Let's hope that our town can have peace again. Yours sincerely, John den Boer, Fairboard Director, R.R.2, Port Perry. Pays more but is getting less To The Editor: As I pay the final 1986 tax to the township, I calculate that my taxes have increased by 73 percent over the last five years, at the same time the services received from the township have been reduced by 71 percent (the dump from 168 hours to 48 hours per week). As an advocate of user pay I can assure council and my represen- tative Neil McLaughlin (election Hospital report WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 11 Admitted .................................. 37 Births ..............oooviii 4 Deaths.........................coooiiienn. 2 Emergencies........................... 216 Operations.....................cc...couee 13 Discharged............................... 30 Remaining..... .......................... 39 advertising...' 'for reliable, honest representation..'"') that it's suppos- ed to work the other way, you pay more, you get more. Perhaps Mr. McLaughlin can pass on some of that honest, reliable stuff to the rest of council so that they can at least to the editor. Letters to the Editor ... our policy | It has always been the policy of this newspaper to encourage our readers to make use of the letters to the editor column. Our readers have a right to freely express their opinions and view- points on just about any subject, and we feel that a lively letters column helps make a better community newspaper. We insist, however, that a letter writer sign his or her name. On rare occasions, we will agree to with-hold publication of a letter writer's name, if we feel there are very good reasons to do so. Under no circumstances will this paper print an anonymous letter | While we enjoy receiving letters from our readers, we must continue to insist on knowing the identity of the writer. think about giving the taxpayers value for money. Sincerely, Colin L. Kemp, Nestleton.