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ia AER ES iad ii JER LAE ii EE GSE RE LE EE id fa I a nes <ueer. AREER Bac 6 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, March 22,1994 El "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Ep D=PORTIE RR STA ITORIAL Editorial Comment United We Stand... Oshawa's ongoing battle with regional officials reached new heights recently and in the process threatens the very ex- istence of Durham as we know it. Oshawa councillors are calling for the dismantling of the 20-year-old region, ar- guing that the City of Oshawa can go it alone. Leading the way is Councillor Brian Nicholson who claims Oshawa is being taken advantage of, while the other mu- nicipalities are along for the ride. The councillor argues that in the last 20 years, the city has paid more than $1 bil- lion in taxes to the region's coffers and has seen very little benefit in return. He says less than half that amount has been used to upgrade sewers, roads and water mains in the city. His solution to this is a plebiscite in the fall election. According to the councillor, a number of municipalities across the prov- ince are challenging their existences in regional governments. He believes public discontent is high enough to warrant a change. Other councillors see Oshawa taking a slightly different route to achieve a similar goal. Former mayor and now regional councillor Jim Potticary suggests the join- ing of some municipalities together to share services. Under his scheme, Oshawa, Whitby and Clarington would band together, Ajax and Pickering would form another alliance, while the three northern communities of Scugog, Ux- bridge and Brock would be brought to- gether. Councillor Potticary believes this would reduce the number of municipal employ- ees needed to perform the civic func- tions. But while the councillors use well cal- culated arguments to support their goal, others argue these are disgruntled politi- cians who are disillusioned and angry over failed deals, including a new region- al building in Oshawa. Like spoiled chil- dren, they are picking up their ball and going home. These councillors fail to see the need and the purpose of the Region of Dur- ham. One city does not make a region. Durham Region is not Oshawa. It is not Whitby, Clarington or Pickering. Nor is it Scugog or Uxbridge, Brock or Ajax. It is all of these municipalities combined. The Region of Durham is dynamic and growing because of the strengths of the combined areas and not just one. United we stand, but divided... IT NOW APPEARS THAT WE ARE, WEACT, ESS HAN ZERO. 45 YEARS AGO Thursday, March 24, 1949 Mr. and Mrs. Bob Carnegie and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Durkin attended the dance in the Royal York Hotel, in conjunction with the reception to the Worthy Grand Matron and Patron of Ontario, Order of the Eastern Star. The township hall, Scugog, was filled to capacity for the amateur program sponsored by the Head W.A. The :] judges, Mrs. Sleep of Seagrave and 4 Mrs. Orde of Port Perry, had a rough time determining how to divide the prize money between the equally talented contestants. Mr. Joe Dowson, Scugog, was busy harvesting ice last week. Private Teddy Williams, who has been stationed in British Columbia, visited the Prince Albert area. 30 YEARS AGO Thursday, March 19, 1964 The rented home of Mr. and Mrs. Merrill in Reach Township was completely gutted by fir 1n a five-hour blaze on Tuesday. Reeve J.J. Gibson prescnted the keys of a newly purchased half ton truck to the town foreman, Clare McNenly. The truck door carries the words, "Port Perry Works Dept." and was to be used for light work around the village. Stanley R. Bruton of Bruton's Drugs announced the second prize winner in the recent Spectrocin "Holiday in Nassau" contest. He was presented with a portable television set at the Skyline Hotel, Toronto. 20 YEARS AGO Wednesday, March 20, 1974 Three young competitors from Port Perry made a good showing in Judo competitions held in Oshawa recently. They were Susan Gribben, first place; Glen MacDonald, first place; and David Gribben, third place in their respective divisions. Stereo equipment belonging to Jerry Taylor of Scugog Township was stolen from his car. The theft occurred in front of the Port Perry High School. Another theft was reported on Friday evening when a Port Perry resident reported $700 missing from his residence. Turn to Page 8 -- I _ETTERS We can't afford luxury of junior kindergarten Random Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten DESPERATE FOR VOLUNTEERS Around Scugog Township, when one thinks about spring.and summer there are a cou- ple of things that come immediately to mind. First of these comes early in the spring when winters shroud of white begins to disappear and people begin to make predictions about when the ice will disappear from Lake Scugog. The second comes in early June with the running of Scugog Township's popular annual event, Canoe the Nonquon. This canoe race (or excursion for some) through lush vegetation along the meander- ing Nonquon River to Lake Scugog has been going on for so many years, I'm sure many people in this community don't remember when it didn't exist. This year will be the 26th annual Canoe the Nonquon race, but only if enough "new blood" can be found to assist the organizers who are quickly running out of steam. Canoe the Nonquon officials are appeal- ing for help, saying the people who have been organizing the race for so many years, are all but "burnt out" and if they don't get an injection of new blood they may be forced to cancel the race. This would be unfortunate for not only the hundreds of competitors who take part every year, but for the entire Township. Canoe the Nonquon has been a major attractor of visitors to our community for more than a quarter of a century. And visi- tors to our community help to keep the community and businesses healthy. Canoe the Nonquon is also a major fun- draiser for Scugog Shores Museum Village, and without the funds raised by this event the museum will be sadly lacking in fund-- ing for the many events and services it tries to provide the community. o our way of thinking, canceling Canoe the Nonquon is unthinkable! But unless help is found quickly, Canoe the Nonquon, like so many other worth- while events or projects that have failed may well take the plunge. Anyone interested in offering their help can contact Joan Scott at 985-7014, Bill Brock at 985-7134 or leave your name at the Port Perry Star by calling 985-7383. With paddle dipping season only about one month away, it's important to act quick- ly as there is much organization to take place before the bow of the first canoe splashes into the Nonquon River. Call today and offer your help! CHARMING COUPLE Congratulations to David and Helen Chow on the anniversary of their 21st year in business in Port Perry. This charming couple has been serving up their delicious Chinese cuisine to area cus- tomers for over two decades and it's nice to see they plan to continue the tradition for ears to come. While it's only occasionally we see David poke his head around the kitchen door to drop off a take-out order, Helen's smilin face greets her customers daily from behind the counter or while waiting on tables. A few years back, Helen and David cut their 16-hour/seven day-a-week grind to a modest 12-hour /6 day schedule and use the free time to spend with their family. Congratulations David and Helen! We wish you many more years of success. ---- LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: vincial debt is piling up at a rate of $9 bil- Seniors in particular who have just La Fon A ory Sar SnEoLrages its readers fo The headline reads -- "Frill Seekers lion per year. been hit with new taxes by reduction in express oe opinions. and nv or hop wo Run Education." Right on. We cannot afford this luxu- the Old Age tax credits imposed by Otta- po bs about any subject, as we feel a lively letters column will help make this a better community newspaper. We insist, however, that all letter writers sign their name and include a phone number for verification. Sorry, anonymous letters will not be published unless The Star believes it to be in the best interest of the public. We also reserves the right to edit letters with respect to their length, content or libelous comments. wa. I am informed that Vanier trades school is facing a possible closure due to lack of funds. At the same time a feasibil- ity study is being done for a new all French school in Durham. Ridgeway The issue: Ontario Ministry of Educa- tion plans to force Durham schools to of- fer junior kindergarten. Many people rightly so took the posi- tion we can't afford it. Nearly 4,000 four-year-olds would cost Durham Region a whopping $100 million a year, at a time when our pro- What alarms me is the fact that the Rae government can force this on tax- payers. Likewise for federal government day care estimated at $12 billion a year. Education already takes more than 50 per cent of our local taxes -- we just can- not take any more tax increases! Turn to Page 7