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"A Family Tradition for 128 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday,August 1, 1995 - 7 =. | LE ITE RS from our readers Do we really need all these extras? From Page 6 up against our property line. Now, I am as community minded as the next person, hav- ing an interest in the improve- ment of the recreational facili- ties for all of Blackstock. However, I do not think that the proposed plan is realistic or desirable. The issue is not so much the development of the fairgrounds, as it is the loss of the park. Perhaps Ron Martyn would reconsider his position if it were suddenly announced that there would be the rear ends of three houses complete with septic systems aligned down the side of his property. The meeting that Fred Ford called was open to the total com- munity in order to discuss the issue. Every household received a written invitation. The con- sensus of those attending was not to sell the park. If the oppos- ing groups chose not to attend, that was indeed unfortunate, as they missed an opportunity to see the other side of the issue and its affect on us. At another meeting Fred Ford called to discuss the issue with all the community user groups, the Baseball Association chose not to attend. Again this was unfortunate because I did not hear an unwil- lingness from the other user groups to consider an alternate proposal. Does Blackstock really need all these extras? Perhaps we will be able to boast that we have the nicest landscaping, the best parking lot, ball field and cattle ties anywhere on which we can have a tractor pull, rural fair and demolition derby. As one long time resident mentioned to me at that partic- ular meeting: "Do you think the cows really care?" The real driving force behind the fairgrounds issue has been the Baseball Association. The major costs of the fairground development involves improve- 'ment to the existing ball dia- mond, including lighting. Please don't tell me this is for the kids. Blackstock probably has more ball diamonds than any other community of its size in Ontario. If more practice space is needed for the kids, then use the "Welcome to Blackstock Park." The idea that one sport last- ing eight or ten weeks during the summer is going to deter- mine what type of community we have is ridiculous. Don't get me wrong: the Minor Ball Association does great work in the community and both of my sons have thoroughly enjoyed playing on teams this summer. We should strive to provide the best facilities possible but lets keep it in perspective. Obviously, we have a situa- tion where it is a fantastic idea to spend some $350,000 and get the best because there are only a few people living near that park. It won't affect us. And heck, the government will kick in a matching amount. Well, the reality is that the value of the park is far below the original estimate of $180,000. The reality is that the government no longer gives away money for these types of projects, and the costs for bring- ing water to the lots, testing septics, culverts, landscape architect fees and potential law suits add up to more than the value of the lots. There are many more objec- tions to the selling of the park from many more residents, whether they be environmen- tal, legal, financial or develop- mental. It 1s inaccurate to assume that only a couple of troublemakers are trying to block the sale of the park. Perhaps if those pushing the sale of the park had been more open to at least talking to those opposed, a scaled down version with 100 per cent support from the community would already be in place. The loss of govern- ment contribution and decreased value of the park due to development costs brings us back to a much reduced plan. In whatever way the issue is resolved, it is indeed unfor- 'tunate my family has been put in this situation. It is not neces- sary to push ahead at all costs without being concerned with the impact there will be on your neighbor. Perhaps we need to consider the entire community to make the best decisions. Yours truly, Paul McKenna, Blackstock Won't sponsor again To the Editor: I am not in the habit of writ- ing letters to the paper because every week it seems the same people are writing complaining about something, be it air pollu- tion, Indians, or blaming each other for not voting right or whatever. However, after reading Ran- dom Jottings in July 25 edition, I thought I would respond. Last spring I was approached to sponsor a team in Scugog Mens Slo-pitch League. After investing in new uniforms, en- try into the league, bond money and $200 worth of tickets for the Field of Dreams Tournament, we were kicked out of the league. The reason: two players did not comply to the residence rules even after submitting rent receipts, driver's licence, and automobile registration. This 1s good enough for the federal and provincial government to de- cide a voters' list, but not good enough for the elite group who run the Scugog Mens Slo-pitch Turnto Page 10 Editor's Notepad by Jeff Mitchell FF ME AND MY BACK ARE BACK OH, MY ACHING... Here itis a bright Monday morning, the last day of July, and I'm back at the computer after a week's absence... Thank God! My week away passed quickly, and though there was time for some family fun, my most poignant -- and painful -- memories revolve around the long list of household tasks that had for some time simmered on the back burner, awaiting my attention. This, of course, came as a surprise. Little did | know when | planned the first week away from my desk in a year that there was such an enormous amount that absolutely, positively had to be done in the days between July 22 and 30. It was desperately important that my wife begin what soon became a huge trench in the driveway, gaping and crying for patio stones. And there was yard work that it was essential to complete, and painting, and oil changes and so on. Why was all this so important? ...I don't know. But all of it was begun to a degree prior to my week's escape, and therefore had to be completed. At least it kept me off the golf course. Now, back in the saddle as it were, | sit (Ahhh! sitting!) and nurse the sore point along my spine. And revel in the notion that | don't have to take another vacation for at least six months and, with any luck at all, it will be somewhere in another hemisphere where someone else does all the work, and my primary source of exertion will be hauling myself in and out of the pool. AS TIME GOES BY: With completion of the summer holiday comes the arrival of a new month -- that sultry devil August -- and the realization that summer is half- way over. It's with a mixture of melancholy and enthusiasm that | allow this thought to sink in. Soon the bright warm mornings and long, slanted-shadow evenings will be a memory, and the dog and | will step more lively in the chill of the new day. Summer, so long and hot and sonorous, will wind down. But the new season ushered in will be Autumn, and with it will come the thrill of cold nights and frost, and changing leaves and quick, frigid dips in the lake. There's plenty of summer left, but time marches on in an undeniable fashion. This season too shall pass and with its exit will come falling leaves and school buses and the World Series. |, for one, look forward to it all. Na iE. ii id li il Ll a rt hoe kil Random Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten teams every year. In fact, minor hockey officials say they only purchase about six uniforms yearly on a rotating base, and a spokesman for ringette indi- cated sweaters are used until they're worn out. In both cases money raised through the generous sponsorship by local companies is not used solely Park swimming area each summer warning par- ents of the condition of the water. The sign, which is regularly posted about this time of the summe,r reads as follows: " Warning - Unsafe For Bathing. High levels of bacteria may pose a risk to your health." MESSAGE WAS MISUNDERSTOOD It's surprising how week after 4 p week goes by without any com- W / 7] ment on this column, then all of a sudden the phone starts ringing when least expected. Such was the case last week, when | commented in this space about how merchants are continually asked to support a variety of community functions. While those I've spoken with agreed with the observations, there is need to clarify of a couple of points. | Representatives of both of Port Perry Minor Hockey and Ringette pointed out their orgariza- tions do not purchase new uniforms for a'l ot the for new uniforms, but also to help to subsidize the cost of keeping the sports affordable for as many as possible. Last week's comments were not aimed solely at organizations looking for team sponsorships, but to any group who seeks the support of local business with a variety of financial requests. Many local companies have found that last four or five years difficult, and yet still support as many groups as possible. My point was simply this - most business people are committed to the communities in which they live and will go out of their way to help... in return they need the help of those asking for their support. NOT WORTH THE RISK It never ceases to amaze me how many people completely ignore the signs posted at the Palmer The message couldn't be much clearer, yet there are regularly parents who stand along the shoreline or in fact knee deep in the lake, watching their youngsters splash and play in hazardous water. We can sympathize for those who may not have the luxury of air conditioning or a home pool to cool down, but to risk their youngsters health is irresponsible. Just a couple of hundred yards to the north in Birdseye Centre is the township's public swimming pool which can be used at a very reasonable cost. The warning sign at the beach in Palmer Park has been posted because the water can cause serious ear. nose and throat infections, in addition to other health hazards. During this hot summer it would be wise for pai - ents to find an alternate place for the kids to swim.