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10 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, August 1, 1989 Letters to the editor Sympathize with VIA frustrations To the Editor: Ifeel that I must respond to the current crisis and concerns over the "Toronto-Havelock' Rail Line. Although I no longer ride the train as the result of a move to by Rob Streich Let ain, let it rain - please? turn on the tap and there it is. lakes and rivers - we could never run out of water, could we? many of the town reservoir ran dry. Not just low pressure, or sludge from the tank bottom, but bone (not a drop for your morning coffee) dry. tices until it is much too late. Did they think it couldn't happen? to give their lawn a really go water run continuously when they are in the bathroom. not limitless. They should also be aware that excesses will ~ eventually be paid for trough their water bill. "So what, no big deal, water is cheap." Maybe now, but for how much longer? Unpolluted water is becoming ever more precious. tions dropping the water table well below 'normal' levels. People 'city folk' and anyone not in touch with the land may not have al- lowed it to concern them. Some pessimists refer to the Green- house Effect - that this is just the start of decades of gradual heating trends which will shake up the traditions of Ontarians. But conserving water is no great hardship. There are many simple measures which one can take which cut down on usage ear-round; the old brick in the toilet tank trick (because most orth American designed toilets use much more water than they need), the energy/water saving showerheads which reduce the volume of water, not the pressure or temperature. Good mainte- nance will help to prevent leaks and drips - wrapping the pipes prevents heat loss and condensation problems. There are other good habits' to get into which are common actice in most of Europe where water is not so plentiful. ings like turning off the water as you soap up, shampoo, ap- y shaving cream or brush your teeth are helpful. Planting a lawn with some shade or using creative ground cover that hose, why not use rain water or dishwater for the garden? If people don't accept self-imposed restrictions, and the wa- ter situation continues to worsen, the Region may force a calen- dar lawn watering on Port Perry with other controls to follow. Nobody really wants that to happen now, do they? Off The Top Water is frequently Someliing we take for granted, we just e live in a land of bountiful There was a rude awakening last Thursday morning for people of Greenbank. Sometime late at night, the I really don't know how the 85 families in Greenbank feel about this, but it isn't happy. A friend of mine recently had water problems, and | know how frustrated she got, filling all available containers with water, washing hands, face etc. in a plastic pan, going out for coffee and to use a washroom. Not a pretty picture! Without casting aspersions on the Regional Works Depart- ment in charge of the water, there is a problem when a village like Greenbank can drain an 80,000 gallon tank and nobody no- But the people of Greenbank should take some of the credit and responsibility as well. How many people gave it a second thought when they put their sprinklers on overnight last week - soaking? How many bothered to wonder what would happen when they left the hose filling their pool over a few days? How many think twice about letting the Greenbankers now know first hand that our water supply is This has been a bad month, with hot and very dry condi- on wells have been very conscious of the approaching crisis, but doesn't need as much water. Instead of taking water from the - For Better or For Worse® Whitby 11 months ago, I sym- pathize with the frustrations of the riders of the train, who see the government acting without regard to some of their strongest supporters. I see a government largely sup- ported by the rural regions of On- tario (when was the last time a non P.C. federal candidate was elected in the Port Perry riding district ??) and yet the govern- ment is blatantly turning its back on these ridings. It is worth mentioning that I do support deficit reduction. However, as in the case with Canada Post, which until recent- ly was a big money loser, hard work, negotiation, patience and a concerned effort have turned a losing Crown Corporation into a winner (recent profit of $92 million). Why then can't the government use these same tools that were applied to the post of- fice and use this approach to VIA. This, I believe would satisfy all in- terested parties. It appears from what I hear, that the government has no real interest in such an ap- proach as they don't appear to be open to negotiation, as the lack of response currently being ex- perienced by Mr. Paul Pagnuelo of the Passenger Association would seem to indicate. I just can't help wondering how the government can turn blind eye to the obvious concerns of the affected ridings, who have sup- ported and put into office the cur- rent government for many years. As much as I personally sup- port the P.C. party, they really leave me with few options, as long as this lack of response continues. The only options I see are: 1) wait until the next federal election and give them the silent treatment currently being received. 2) when the party comes looking for dona- tions, hit them where it hurts the most (the pocketbook), ask when your riding will be given the at- tention it deserves and give them the response they gave you, "a kick in the pants." They don't seem to respond to everything else the Toronto-Havelock Line Passenger Association has tried. In the meantime, letters remin- ding our Members of Parliament along the line, that you elected them for a reason and that you ex- pect them to live up to the respon- sibility of Public Office, if they desire to be elected again. It may be a desperate measure, but I don't really see what other op- tions are available. It is very easy for an electorate to forget-a Member of Parliament come election time, as I am sure many a former Quebec liberal Member of Parliament can tell you. I challenge, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and the cabinet of the current session of Parliament to deny the allegations mention- Appreciates help from local business To the Editor: After a seven month "dif- ference of opinion' with Bell Canada, I am finally getting a phone installed on Monday. I may still be waiting had my washing machine not required repairs. Although these items seem unrelated they do have something in common -- Dr. Morely Pitts. Dr. Pitts is President of the Port Perry division of Small Business Control Centres of Canada Ltd. and serves as a com- mon base for 34 local businesses. When I called Buckler's Ap- pliance Service to get my washing machine fixed and had to leave my neighbour's phone number and mentioned my trouble with Bell, the friendly voice on the other end asked what problem I was having with them. I needed to Fax a proof of payment to them and he said he had a Fax machine I could use. Not only did Dr. Pitts Fax my statements, but he call- ed the Oshawa Bell Office to clear up the discrepancy and arranged for my phone installation -- all for a very modest fee. Had I known something like Small Business Control Centres and someone like Dr. Pitts was out there, I certainly would have" sought their help sooner. Thank you Dr. Pitts for all your help and I hope others who read this will realize there is someone right here in Port Perry who may be able to lend a hand. Sincerely, Rebecca Pickering Nobody's business (From page 7) But a few people, including the Lukes and the Mitchells had a lit- tle foresight and a whole lot of guts. They went about their business and played a major role in the downtown Port Perry we know today. They employ a great number of people and we all have enjoyed the prosperity commen- surate with the success of downtown. Why should we be so quick to take shots at these people. ed above and to work with the associations to arrive at more financially viable solution to rail travel not only for the '"Toronto - Havelock Line,"' but also for the rest of Canada. And I encourage those who feel as I do, to contact their Member of Parliament or the 'Toronto - Havelock Line Passenger Association' at (705) 786-3201. This is too important an issue to die a meaningless death. + Sincerely, Wayne Mac Donald, Whitby, Ont. If the Mitchells, or anybody else, wants to build a home and have satisfied all of the re- quirements of the various permits issued by the proper authorities, why should council want answers to their landscape plan? If everything else these people have done has been in good taste, why would we assume their home would not be? Is it any of our business? This is scarey stuff! Will I have to defend the height of my trees one day to a tribunal of "tree height marshalls?" My point, in closing, is this: I feel this is a family's private home. It must meet all by-law provisions as stated by Mr. Milligan, an able man who knows his job, or the permits would not have been issued. This matter is none of our business, 1984 ¢ and went and "Big Brother" is not with us yet. The way I see it is when Mr. Mitchell tells me what to do in my back yard I will claim the same privilege in his! 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