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pte ere ---- MIR LOR DIN TRI wn en, Brill ATEN RRR 6 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, May 10,1994 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" FE Dr PORT PERRY STAR Q TORIAL Editorial Comment Gunning For Action In the wake of recent violent crimes and deaths, handguns and other weap- ons have to be put front and centre in the news. The death of a young woman in Toron- to, the drive-by shooting in Ottawa and another death in Edmonton has prompted the call for tighter gun controls and stiffer penalties. The call has been great in the larger ur- ban centres, and although not as great as in the large cities, the call for more strin- gent measures was heard in Scugog as well. More than 150 people attended an in- formation session on Saturday to provide local politicians at all levels of govern- ment with up-to-date statistics. And more than a few eyes were opened at the meeting. According to a representative from the Ontario Handgun Association, only five per cent of the violent crimes committed in Canada from 1988-91 involved guns. Of this total, 2.3 per cent were handguns and 2.8 per cent were long guns such as shotguns and rifles. Larry Whitmore argued that while the government is spending millions of dol- lars on gun controls, it is only affecting a small minority. Another representative argued that there was no deterrent in the present Ca- nadian laws to prevent the use of hand- guns in crimes. Bill Rantz from the Na- tional Firearms Association called on the politicians to take action to keep the crim- inals off the streets, instead of releasing them after a token sentence. Gun enthusiasts for years have argued that they are the only ones affected by stricter gun control legislations. While the government makes it increasingly more difficult to obtain handguns, through com- prehensive licencing procedures and in- creased fees, it is only the legitimate owner that is affected. The criminial will always find a way to obtain these weapons, laws will not keep them from arming themselves. Despite the call from concerned resi- dents and politicians for stricter gun con- trols, these laws are not needed to com- bat the crime and use of the guns. What is needed instead is stricter penalties for the use of these weapons. There are laws on the books right now, it is up to the government to ensure that these laws are enforced and handed out in court. Then and only then will the streets begin to be safer. PONITSC Kn a I ETTERS Kinsmen ask your support for "Raise The Flag Day" To the Editor: As you know or are becoming aware of, Saturday, May 14 is "Raise The Flag" day in communities coast to coast. This is the third annual event, the second of which your own Port Perry Kinsmen and Kinettes have been asked to spearhead in Scugog Township. We are also re- sponding to the challenge issued by the mayor of Uxbridge and their Kinsmen Club. The challenge is to see which town- ship will have the most Canadian Flags flying starting on Saturday, May 14. I personally hope that "Raise The Flag" day 1994 will be the biggest yet! From the 127,000 Flags for Canada National Campaign to our level in Scugog Town- ship, itis an opportunity to show our Ca- nadian pride. pride. And feeling good about yourself, your community and your country. "Together" We can "Raise The Flag" on May 14 at noon at Palmer Park on Water Street in Port Perry. Howard Hall will be M.C. for the event which will include, starting at 11:30 a.m., music provided by the S.A. Cawker band led by Susan Mor- "Raise The Flag" is not a political rison as well as other guests. We hope event. It is about creation of an opportu- nity to express your feelings. And about Turn to Page 7 Random Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten RAISE THE FLAG SCUGOG Following the suc- cess of the Proud To Be Canadian tour two years ago, the Kinsmen Club of Port Perry is once again asking resi- dents to show their pride of Canada by flying or displaying a Canadian flag starting this weekend. Saturday May 14 has been designated as "Raise The Flag Day" across Canada, and the Port Perry Kinsmen are asking resi- dents to show pride in your community and country by taking part in the event. It's all quite simple! Beginning this Saturday area businesses, residents, schools, institutions and individ- uals are being asked to fly, wave, or wear a Canadian flag with pride. Flags are available through Scugog Shores Museum or local stores which also carry t-shirts, hats and buttons. For those who want to participate, but don't have the money to spend, the Port Perry Star has provided a colorful Canada flag on the back page of this issue of the paper. Cut it out and tape it to a window in your home, business or car and help the Kinsmen make Scugog one of Canada's biggest boosters of "Raise The Flag Day." s you will see in a letter to the editor from the Kinsmen on page 4, Uxbridge Township has issued a challenge to Scugog to see which township can fly the most Canadian flags starting this Saturday. Show your pride this week and all year by flying or cepLayin a Canadian flag. AB T PARK It's been close to a year since I last took a walk along the shoreline of Lake Scugog near the boat launch, but it won't be that long before my next jaunt. Our family headed out for a walk Sunday morning, to wear off some of our Mothers Day breakfast, and I was sur- prised at how much work has been done to the environmental park located just north of Birdseye Park and the boat launch. This peaceful area, with it's trellised . entrance, offers a relaxing place to stroll in a natural setting. There are park benches for resting, a floating dock where you can get right down to the water, and a long, wooden foot bridge over the marshy areas to the far north with two look-outs. Trees, brush, long grass and marsh are undisturbed in this beautiful passive park, which has been made accessible by stone and wood chip pathways. Wildlife is in abundance. On Sunday we were within steps of wild Canada Geese and other birds that frequent the habitat, including a number of Purple Martin families nesting near the lake. Our kids squealed with joy at the sight of their first mud turtle. And there wasn't just one. We counted 17 turtles of various sizes bathing in the warm morning sun with their necks and heads craned into the air keeping watch for trouble. We saw frogs, toads, water beetles and polly wogs as we wandered along the foot- paths gazing into the murky waters. Our family would like to thank those responsible for creating and caring for this natural park in the middle of Scugog. It's a great place for a quiet walk and to enjoy the sounds of the wild. Anyone who hasn't explored this area, but enjoys get- ting out into the fresh air to enjoy what nature has to offer, should do so'soon. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Port Perry Star encourages its readers to make use of the letters to the editor column to express their opinions and viewpoints on just 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. l