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I IT I TR 235 QUEEN STREET - PORT PERRY, ONTARIO PHONE 985-7383 FAX 985-3708 The Port Perry Star is authorized as second dass mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa, for cash payment of postage. Second Class Mail Registration Number 0265 Subscription Rate: In Canada $20.00 per year Elsewhere $60.00 per year. Single Copy 50¢ BUSINESS OFFICE Office Manager - Gayle Stapley Accounting - Judy Ashby Billing Department - Louise Hope EDITORIAL Publisher - J. Peter Hvidsten Editor - John B. McClelland News/Features - Julia Ashton News/Features - Kelly Storry PRODUCTION Annabell Harrison Trudy Empringham Darlene Hlozan ADVERTISING Advertising Co-ordinator - Valerie Ellis Advertising Sales Representative - Anna Gouldburn Eon @ Canadian Community Newspaper Association Ontario Community Newspaper Association Published every Tuesday by the Port Perry Star Co. Lid. Port Perry, Ontario Retail Sales - Kathy Dudley, Linda Ruhl, Tracy O'Neil Editorial NO CHOICE Meeting in Houston last week, the leaders of the world's richest industrial nations spent a good deal of their time dis- cussing ways to assist the Soviet Union out of its economic doldrums. The leaders skirted around an appeal by the West Ger- mans to divert some $15 billion in economic assistance, opting instead to set up a committee of bankers, economists and oth- er specialists to spend the next six months studying and ana- lyzing the problems facing the Soviet Union, and report by the end of the year. That does not exclude individual western nations from striking their own assistance deals with the Soviets. Since the walls surrounding the Communist Empire be- gan tumbling down a couple of years ago, the west has been able to observe in graphic detail what has long been suspect- ed. Namely that the Soviet economy, and the economies of eastern Europe nations are literally in shambles. There are shortages of just about everything; consumer goods that we take for granted are non-existent for all but the most privi- leged; factories are operating with equipment decades old, computer technology is in its infancy, the centralized bureau- cracy is all pervasive, and the people who do the real work in the mines, the factories and on the farms, toil under abject conditions, live in housing that is sub-standard, and are lack- ing in motivation and morale. In short, close to 400 million people from the borders of western Europe to the far reaches of Siberia, are now part of what can best be described as an economic basket-case. Like it or not, the western industrialized nations have no choice but to under-take a massive "Marshall Plan of the 1990's" Sending a team of bankers and economic specialists to Moscow to study the problems is fine in itself, but action, dol- lars, technological assistance and trade deals are needed, and needed now. The world has never had a better opportunity to bury the Cold War once and for all, put an end to the ideological war- fare that dominated Europe since 1945, and at the same time save hundreds of billions of dollars in defense and military spending. The West (mainly the United States) has to face the fact that the Soviet Union poses no threat (militarily or ideological- ly) and that country and its former satellites need help, lots of go help, and they need it now. If ever there existed a moment in history to really "turn the swords into plowshares," it is today. It is no secret that Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev faces intense political pressure at home. If his bold gambles fail, the "hard-liners" are poised to strike, perhaps turning back the clock ten or 20 years. If that happens, the old ideological hobias will raise their ugly heads to dominate once agains re- ations between east and west. Any headway in the area of human rights and freedoms, economic and social reforms will be lost. For the sake of future generations on both sides the west has no choice but to act. Not only is it in the best interests of the west to see a stronger economy in Eastern Europe, there is another reason equally as pressing, one that directly affects the well being of this planet. 6 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, July 17, 19% The Port Perry Star | Western scientific observers are finding to their absolute horror that the Soviet Union and many areas of Eastern Eu- rope are nothing more than giant cess pools, literally. Over the last seven or eight decades, the heavy industry ] that characterized the Soviet economy has spewed its toxins un-checked into the air the soil and the water. A recent article in the Globe and Mail newspaper drove this frightening point home in explicit detail. Journalist Louise Penny accompanied a delegation of (Turn to page 8) Comment DESERVE CREDIT By the time this issue of the Star hits the street, Festival Days World Tour will be history, and those organizing the event will be recuper- ating from four days of non-stop work. For anyone who has never had anything to do with organizing a large event like Festival Days, it would be hard to comprehend the amount of time, effort and work that is required to bring a successful event of this calibre to the community. Having chaired Festival Days for about five years, (a few years back) | am well aware of the dedication and effort needed to pull-it-off, and | take my hat off to those individuals of the Scu- Chamber of Commerce who have worked so hard these past few days. Naming individuals is always dangerous (someone is inevitably missed), but almost goes without saying that Larry Emmerson and Bill Barr should be given much of the praise for this years success. | know there are countless others who pitched in during the last few weeks, but for Larry and Bill the work has been under- way for many months. Unfortunately, the weatherman did not co- operate fully this year. While Thursday evening and Friday's events were blessed with warm, summer weather, Saturday's overcast skies and light drizzle for most of the day appeared to reduce crowd sizes on the street. But the real unfortunate day came Sunday, when a concert, pipe tattoo and the Tour de Monde had to be cancelled due to the heavy rain during the night and morning. The success of these summer festivals de- nds a lot on the weather and over the years, estival Days has been very lucky. Unfortunate- ly, old Mother Nature didn't look favourably on us this year, putting a damper on the finale. Festival Days and it's fore-runner Western Weekend have now been a part of our commu- nity for almost 20 years. This popular summer festival is eagerly awaited each year by local residents and visitors to the community, many who plan their vacations around its activities. Congratulations to all who made this won- ss a 5 derful weekend a success. We eagerly await the 1991 version of Festival Days. Incidentally, next summer will be the 20th anniversary of a summer festival in this commu- nity, the first being Port Perry's Centennial cel- ebrations held in 1971. A great reason to continue the tradition. SEAT BELTS The latest statistics released on seat belt use is startling. ~ Almost half of all Canadian children, and six out of ten preschoolers are being put at risk every day when they're put into a car to drive to school; go to grandma's for a visit; or just a quick trip downtown to pick up a loaf of bread. | hope you are not one of those parents who props your child up on your knee, or lets him/her stand on the seat or floor in front of the windshield? Did you know if you had to stop quickly (even if you're just going 30 km per hour) your child would become a human projectile, smash- ing through the windshield and either killing or maiming for life? Think about it, because those are facts! Surely to God you love your children enough to ensure they are not injured through your carelessness or forgetfulness | can't ima- gine anyone wanting to see their child's face cut to ribbons from an unexpected trip through the windshield of a vehicle! Police, many who have to deal with harsh reality of death and injury to little ones, say it's frustrating when people are killed needlessly, and when it's a child it's especially hard to take. Failure to use seat belts in a passenger ve- hicle is a violation of the traffic code and even though there is a fine of close to $80, many people still aren't getting the message. The OPP report that about 5,000 people pe! month are given tickets for not using seat its and regional police forces are also on the lookout for negligent drivers and passengers. Statistics show one-quarter of the traffic fa- talities the OPP handled this year have involved people who don't wear seat belts. Turn to Page 8 a a OT WEIR re Ngee ;