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6 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, August 11, 1992 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" The Port Perry Star 188 MARY STREET - PORT PERRY, ONTARIO - LOL 187 PHONE (416) 985-7383 FAX (416) 985-3708 The Port Perry Star is authorized as second class mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa, for cash payment of postage. Second Class Mail Registration Number 0265 Subscription Rate: 6Months-$17.72 includes $1.22GST BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1992 1Year-$32.10 includes $2.10 GST Foreign -$90.95 includes $5.95GST Advertising Sales - Jackie Metz EDITORIAL BUSINESS OFFICE Publisher - J. Peter Hvidsten News Editor - Scott Anderson Features Editor - Julia Dempsey Sports Co-ordinator - Kelly Lown Reporter/Photographer - Marnie Luke ADVERTISING Advertising Manager - AnnaJackman Accounting - Judy Ashby PRODUCTION Production - Pamela Hickey, BarbaraBell Barbara Lachapelle Office Manager - Gayle Stapley Billing Department - Louise Hope Retail Sales - Kathy Dudley Annabell Harrison, Trudy Empringham Robert Taylor, Marlene Moore, © @ Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association Ontario Community Newspaper Association Published every Tuesday by the Port Perry Star Co. Lid. Port Perry, Ontario * GST included in price Editorial Comment Stoop and Scoop Summertime is the obvious time of the year for the many residents in the Township of Scugog to flock to the beach to enjoy the cool water and bright sunshine. Although the summer days have not been tremen- dous times for this type of activity, there is nonetheless ample opportunity to take the kids for an afternoon at the beach. But unclean conditions brought on by irresponsible pet owners is making Kinsmen Beach in .Port Perry, an undesireable location to enjoy what little sunshine we have been experiencing. There have been complaints in the past few weeks concerning the presence of dog droppings in the popular park, and more importantly in the .sandy beach area where the children like to play. One woman wrote to the local media recently dis- gusted with the large amounts of the excretement in the park. She threatened to take her child to Oshawa if the problem wasn't cleaned up. Steve Bull, a park attendant for the Township of Scu- gog, is also frustrated by the amount of dog waste found in the parks. Mr. Bull says the parks department cleans up the park a number of times a week but feels it still is not enough. In fact on a ftecent evening visit to the park Mr. Bull witnessed a number of dogs running at large, messing up the park. Although there is a sign at the beach informing the owners of the leash laws, many still choose to ignore the laws. There are bylaws in the township which set out the rules for pet owners and specify the duties of the pet own- er. Under these bylaws the pets are not allowed to run at large in a public place, nor are they permitted to swim in a public area, including Kinsmen Beach. Also if a pet defi- cates the owner is forced to clean it up. Failure to do so could result in a fine upwards of $1,000. But Bylaw enforcement officer Bill Henshall says the bylaw is difficult to enforce as the park would have to be patrolled 24 hours a day to catch the animals in the act. Mr. Henshall says he is yet to charge anybody contraven- ing the bylaw. The irony of the whole situation is that this bylaw should not have to be enforced. Common sense and re- sponsibility on the part of the pet owners should tell them to control their dogs in public and clean up after them. As owners we enter into an unwritten agreement when we acquire this pet to take care of the pet and its well-being. The care of the pet includes cleaning up after it on public property. It is not only common sense, but it is also courtesy. After all it is the same beach where you and your family might one day decide to play. Brother Big Somewhere in North Durham there is a young boy look- ing for a big brother or a young girl looking for big sister. Across Canada there are thousands more of these young people going through the same search. These children are not looking for anyone specifically, they are just seeking the companionship of an older person to share one of the most prized possessions a person can provide -- time. . Big Brothers/Big Sisters of North Durham are seekin a number of people who can commit to a year of providing time and companionship to a young boy or girl. It only re- quires a few hours each week. It may be one of the most rewarding things you do. nay = dA 3 Wie re Z, / A UP GOING 10 Gi iilinss A [ ng oa yo A WHOLE DigrsRENT BEACH MAINTENANCE A letter to the editor published in the Star last week pointed out a situation at the Kinsmen Beach in Palmer Park which is dis- gusting and also a potential health hazard. The problem is not only dog dropping as the letter states, but also includes large amounts of seagull and Canada Geese drop- ping along the sandy beach and in the park. Not a nice sight or smell for kids to contend with when building sand castles and splashing along the water's edge. Palmer Park has had new life breathed into it over the past two summers thanks to a parks committee with a vision. New playground equipment, trees, benches, decorative light standards and an enlarged beach area have all helped to make the arca onc of the most popu- lar family spots in the township. On any given night or during warm sum- mer days hundreds of kids can be seen using the swings, slides and climbing devices at the Kinsmen Beach. In Palmer Park, the grass is kept trimmed, garbage containers arc emptied and the beach is cleaned three times a week. Unfortunately the beach may have to be maintained cven more regularly if the birds and dogs continue to usc it as a washroom. The fecal droppings from a variety of ani- mals and birds arc not an uncommon sight along the edge of the water and unfortunately take away from the delight children have play- ing in the sand and water. The droppings are also believed to be part of the reason that warning signs have been posted at the beach for much of the summer. Samples of the water taken weekly since carly June have shown bacteria levels which are con- sidered a risk to human health. Although the cool, wet weather we've experienced this summer has probably deterred many from using the Kinsmen Beach, the dis- gusting appearance of dog and bird droppings along the beach has probably turned away far more and will continue to do so until it is cleaned on a regular basis. WORLD CLASS The 1992 Olympic Games are history and more than 10,000 athletes from 176 countries arc now making their way home. Canadian athletes won a total of 18 medals during these games, proving to be one of their best showings in some time. Unfortunately for some competitors, like Michacl Smith who injured his leg, the games were a bitter disappointment. He was expected to be in the medals, and a gold was not consid- cred out of the question until an injury to his hamstring left him unable to compete cffectively. The odds were against Silken Laumann, yet this courageous woman battled back from a broken leg just cight weeks before the Olympics and rowed her way to a bronze medal. While only 18 Canadian athletes received medals, there were hundreds of other winners. In fact, every athlete who was able to compete in the Olympics proved they were winners going into the games. As Ms. Laumann said in a press conference, "winnings not as important as being here and doing your best." Doing your best. That all anyone can ask of an athlete. Instead of placing so much emphasis on winning, we should all think of the sacrific- es and training that each athlete has performed in order to be ranked as one of the best in the world. The medals are the icing! ANTHEMS There was some criticism by athletes, broadcasters and officials at the national anthems being shortened when played while athletes were receiving medals. Apparently the American anthem was the only one not abbreviated for the ceremonies as they would not agree to the shortened version as did all the other countries. Speculation is that the American network TV paid a lot of money to the Olympics and that a deal was struck because of this amount. If this information is true, it's apparent that money really does talk! ao le SL i i RE J