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IE i i i a i SE SS "A Family Tradition for 132 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, August 25, 1998 - 7 LETTERS GM should show more respect To the Editor: General Motors does not allow employees to have a picture of their kids, a Jacket or anything not related to G.M. on their work benches. Not long ago they parachuted in a new head supervisor into the car plant from the USA. He noticed a few Canadian flag stickers, and had them removed immediately. The next day Canadian flags were all over the plant. worker. They should treat employees with respect. Changes are inevitable in this aggressive world car market, but a happy worker makes a good Thanks for supporting Bible camp To the Editor: Thank you, Port Perry and surrounding area, for sending us over 430 chil- dren to experience Sonlight Island Vacation Bible School at Emmanuel Pentecostal Church. What an exciting week we had with our M.C. Rick Bursey, and approximately 120 volunteer staff. We would also like to extend our thanks to the many local businesses and indi- viduals who donated food, drinks, prizes and other needed supplies in order to be able to offer a free pro- gram for the children and their families. We couldn't have done it without you. Because of the tremen- dous response of the com- munity toour annual V.B.S. program we have decided to continue on with it once a month throughout the year. Our first one will be October 30. Call us at (905) 985-4441 for details. We can't wait to see you again.....and be sure to bring a friend! Ruth Chilco Organizer Other competitive car companies have good labor relations and work atmosphere with their employees, and are thriving. They also reward them with handsome bonuses. Employees do not excel under these nerve- racking head games. General Motors needs these employees on their side, if they want to stay number one, Herman van der Veen, Oshawa ~ Editor's Notepad by Jeff Mitchell Slicked back hair, classic autos at Haugen's 'Car Cruise Night' Roll up your collar, slick back your hair, and join us for a walk down memory lane. Check out 300+ of the "best" loved Classic Chevys, Fords and Chryslers, vintage Model "As"...and Corvettes...high performance street rods, hot rods, and all makes and models you've dreamed and heard about. We'll be dressed for the 50s and serving the best bar- becued chicken and ribs, foot- longs, and root beer floats. The "Original" Haugen's Chicken & Ribs BBQ; the Cruisin' Classic Car Club; and our guests from the "Fifth Annual Autofest" (Motor City Car Club) invite you to an "End of Summer" Appreciation Car Cruise Night with live 50s and 60s music by the Barney Adams Boogie Band on Wednesday, Aug. 26. Cruise. starts at 5 p.m. with photos at 6:30 p.m. Join us at the "Original" Haugen's Chicken & Ribs BBQ), Hwy. 12 at TA (Manchester) five minutes west of Port Perry. Get a preview of cars that will be participating at the Fifth Annual Autofest, Aug. 30 ... (1,100 cars in '97). Organizers of Autofest will be available at Haugen's Wednesday. Aug. 26...Car Cruise Night. Film teacher and critic John Foote recieves appointment John Foote, the Port Perry Star film critic, has just accepted a posi- tion as Director of Film and Television Production at the Trebas Institute, Toronto. The appointment is immediate. John is well known throughout Port Perry and area, for his former acting and directing accomplish- ments, and for the past few years has taught "Actor's Workshops" for area children and adults. In addition to his position with Trebas Institute, Mr. Foote also reviews movies and interviews actors for Rogers Cable TV. WHAT'S FAIR IS FAIR... RIGHT? It seems not that long ago | was sitting here, writing of the envy with which | viewed my children as they anticipated the beginning of their summer vacation, that annual stretch of eternity toward which they strive throughout the school year. Now, here we are, nearing the end of that same season. Hard to believe, isn't it? But if you need any other reminders -- besides back to school ads, the appearance of Halloween candy on grocery store shelves and a proliferation of ragweed in the back yard -- here's one. A couple in fact: It's fair time. That right. This coming Saturday they fire up the annual fair in Blackstock, and in a couple of weeks, on Labor Day as usual, the show comes to Port Perry. The fairs -- especially Port Perry's, because of its timing on the last weekend of summer -- serve as a sort of swan song to the summer here. The growing-season Is coming to an end -- just look at the produce submitted for judging! -- and it's time for just one last fling on those terrifying, nausea-inducing rides to which the kids flock, bellies full of carbonated soft drinks and cotton candy and God knows what else. When the fair's over it's back to school, back to work, back to business. | have to confess that although | like summer a lot -- who doesn't? -- it is usually with some relief | accept its conclusion. The arrival of autumn means bigger papers, and lots more meaty stories, and an end to the long, low drone of contented nothingness that is summer. Time to get busy. Speaking of busy, that's just what the organizers of our fall fairs have been as the rest of us have lazed through summer. Both in Blackstock and Port Perry the fair boards are introducing new and exciting features and attractions in attempts to keep the old home town fair exciting and vital to the people who matter most: you. We're lucky to have people who are willing to work so hard and long to put on a show for the enjoyment of the community. Inevitably there are those who will do nothing but criticize (Gosh, folks, thanks for comin' out!), but that's the risk you take. Although the small town agricultural fair is an age-old tradition, it's also entertain- ment, and if you fail to respond to demands and embrace change, you'll be left behind. We all should make a point of coming out to show support for the Blackstock and Port Perry fairs. They belong to us, and much work goes into them. All you're asked in return is to respond. And speaking of September surprises, it should spilling from the sky overflowed eaves troughs, Random Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten THE TAX MAN COMETH Here we are, just days away from September and taxpayers still don't know how they're going to stand financially when the tax bills arrive in the next few weeks. With the last installment of taxes still to be deter- mined, and politicians painting a grim picture of large tax increases for some, winter holidays, new vehicles or even new back to school outfits are being put on hold by many area residents. Scugog's finance committee has been working on the new complicated budget for months, trying to make it as painless as possible, but are bracing for an onslaught once the tax bills are mailed out. No matter what the final outcome... you can be sure there will be a lot of surprises... be no surprise by now, if you have a teenage child preparing to return to high school.... there's a good chance you'll have to entertain them a little longer. Talks between teachers and school board officials broke down last week and it's looking as if neither members of the teacher's federation or the school board are about to back down. Unfortunately, once again the students are put in the middle of the fight... and unfortunately, once again, they'll be the losers. SHOW OF POWER Wasn't that a spectacle? The electrical storm which made its way slowly through the area during the middle of the night last Sunday was unbelievable in its intensity, providing a spectacle of light and sound unlike anything in recent years. This one even topped a storm about six weeks ago, which also gave a magnificent display of power by old Ma Nature. Looking out over the lake from our house, Scugog Island was illuminated time after time as lightning pierced the dark, rolling clouds, while thunder shook the entire house. Although we were in need of rain, the torrents washing out driveways and gardens. RESPECT With all the recent media hype over the Clinton affair, I got me to wondering one day recently, what's happened to respect for our fellow man. From parents to presidents, there appears to be a general lack of respect in our society for any kind of authority figure. There was a time, when people in high ranking positions held respect in our communities. Some of the positions that used to be off limits to a hungry press include Royalty, Prime Ministers, Presidents, physicians, lawyers, judges, clergy and even teachers. By no means should anyone holding any of these offices be above the law, or not subject to public scrutiny, but personal attacks are unwarranted and respect for the profile of these positions should be retained at all cost. When we see a ratings hungry media digging out dirt instead of news, it's not much wonder we witness kids spewing vulgarities at parents and teachers. It all starts with respect... something we seem to have forgotten.