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6 - PORT PERRY "WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2000 | PUBUISHER............. J. Peter Hvidsten (| GENERAL MGR.......... Don Macleod i| MANAGING EDITOR.. Jeff Mitchell AQocna OFFICE MANAGER... Gayle Stapley ADVERTISING MGR...Deb McEachem Member Ontario Community REPORTER................. Chris Hall Newspaper Assoc. Freelance Writers- Heather McCrae, John B. McClelland PHONE (905) 985-7383 FAX (905) 985-3708 E-MAIL: port.perry.star@sympatico.ca o : 3 : Member Association Published every Friday by the Port Perry Star Company Limited, 188 Mary Street - Port Perry, Ontario - LOL 1B7 Distributed free in the following communities: Port Perry - Uxbridge - Sunderland - Little Britain - RR Lindsay Janetville " Oakwood - Manilla - Seagrave - Greenbank - Brooklin - Ashburn - Columbus - RR Oshawa Caesarea - Blackstock - Raglan - Nestleton - Yelverton - Prince Albert EDITORIAL POLICY: Opinions expressed by columnists, contributors and letter writers are not necessarily those of The Port Perry Star. Letters must be signed and the telephone number (which will not be published) included. Requests will be corrected if brought to the editor's attention. We reserve the right 10 edit or refuse publication of any material submitted. ADVERTISING POLICY: The publisher is not liable for siight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The publisher is not lable for other erors or omissions in connection with any advertisement in any subsequent issue or the refund of any monies paid for the advertisement. All claims of error in publication must be made by Wednesday, noon, prior 10 the next week's publication, and, if not made, will not be considered. No claim will be allowed for more than one insertion. community (ie CNA that a name be withheld will be honoured only # there is a compelling reason to do so. Errors BUSINESS OFFICE: Judy Ashby, Kathy Dudley, Janet Rankin, Lesley West ADVERTISING: Ginni Todd, Cindy Jobin, Gail Morse, Heather Mack, Linda Clarke, Janet Archer, Malcolm Lennox PRODUCTION: Trudy Empringham, Pam Hickey, Daryle Wright, Arlene Cheel, Robert Taylor, Richard Drew, Scott Ashby OPINION A school code of conduct The so-called code of conduct for students in Ontario's schools is a pledge that was made a long time ago by the Tories, but we're still waiting to see the document in its finished form. Premier Mike Harris this week gave reporters a hint of what the code will contain: Expectations of respect and non-aggression from students, and harsh penalties for those who contravene it. On the surface, it seems not a bad idea to clearly define those expectations. But it is a woeful set of circumstances that necessitates it. The move comes in reaction to what is seen as a deterioration of the respect for teachers and peers that was once largely a given in school yards and classrooms. We won't know all the details until they're released prior to classes beginning next fall, but it appears that many offences - will be punishable by varying lengths of expulsion from school. That may accomplish one goal, which is to discipline those who distract and waste the time of kids who want to learn. But will it solve the root problems of objectionable behaviour? And will being given the boot for a day, or two, or a week, be incentive for borderline students to clean up their act, ora ticket out of classes they dislike? Ontario's education system has an obligation to teach all the young people of the province, not just those who conform to its . standards. We'd like to see measures to deal with and encourage "adherence to behavioural standards for the targeted trouble- ' makers, who are so often, quite simply, troubled children. TM SORRY CHESTER, BUT YOU'RE. GOING TO HAVE TO ] | | TM AFRAID THAT'S) MOVE! | {NOT POSSIBLE MY 7 | |PEAR, You SEE = 1M Quite com- » \ qs FORTABLE AT ote nis a teres I'M SORRY THE INDIGNITY oF CHESTER, BUT | \T.ALL! HAVING TO "YOU'RE GOING SHARE MY HOME WITH To HAVE TO THESE HUMAN BUFFOONS! iii arian Molly the dog and Misty the cat are clearly ready to roll, as this photo from Allister Beattie attests. If you have an interesting picture we could use for Photo of the Week, please drop it by The Star office, or give us LETTERS a call at 0857383 Gays pose no threat to the family To the Editor: Let me be the dissenting voice against those who expressed disapproval of Bill C- 23, which give benefits to same sex couples. Jeannette Vander Meulen states that "Of course many homosexuals are loving and caring people, but children need both a father and a mother to raise them." I'd rather see a child raised by two men who cared for them properly, than in some of the "traditional" homes where they receive abuse or neglect. Bill Tiller asks, "Why is our government so determined to destroy ... the traditional family?" I might buy his argument if hetero- sexual couples weren't. doing such a great job of destroying it themselves. We extend rights and benefits to people on their third marriages who are secretly cheating on their spouses with lovers who are on their second marriages and whose children are scattered across the province with their respective parents. How two men or two women could do much worse is beyond me. Homosexuality has been around for mil- lennia and heterosexual couples still man- age to marry, stay together and raise their children. Maybe if all these so-called Christians remembered the tolerance they were taught and realized that love and mutual respect is more important than the shape of one's sexual organs, the world might be a better place. Jil McIntosh, Oshawa To the Editor: We would like to thank all those who attended the NHL Oldtimers game on Feb. 27.The funds raised will go towards the construction of a second ice pad. We would also like to thank all those whose efforts made this day possible: a All our sponsors a The arena staff and township office 0 The NHL Oldtimers who donated Thanks for supporting arena fundraiser their time freely a The locations who posted advertising 0 All those who worked in the back- ground organizing and helping out in many little ways. This is a strong indication that we should continue to pursue our cause. John Cavers, Stu Rowat, and Steve Webb