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Last week, a majority of council of the Town of Newcastle approved a proposal that may get them off the ook for the present, but may land them into hotter water later on. In the meantime, they probably hope it will offer them temporary relief from irate taxpayers who feel they are being given rough treatment. The measure asks the provincial government to establish a new system of taxation on property, using market value assessment as its basis, with the hope that current inequities from present formulas will be eliminated. The provincial government has been receiving complaints from rnany parts of Ontario, but so far appears quite' hesitant about inaugurating a new ,system. They probably realize that while the change may pacify one set of ratepayers who are now com- plaining, it might well breed considerable anguish and an- noyance in an entirely new large group. There is every reason to believe that the present method of taxation leaves much to be desired. Tax inequities between properties of comparable value in various parts of the Town of Newcastle have been pointed out on several occasions, with delegations even going to Toronto to meet with provincial representatives to have the pro- blems investigated and straightened out . . . without too much positive reaction so far. We can appreciate town council's dilemma and sympathize with thern as they try to solve the problems involved. So far, no one has come up with the ideal solution and we doubt very much if one will be found that will keep most property owners happy and contented. It's not something that can easily be adjusted or altered at the local level. The lead has to come from higher up and with the Conservative govern- ment in a minority position, a drastic change in the policy is something they will want to think over very carefully before unveiling it. Somebody is going to be hurt if it is changed and continue to suffer if it is not so the government is in the unenviable position of being darnned if it does and damned if it doesn't. Not a happy situation. Once upon a time I spent the best part of a year in a prison camp. The days went by very slowly. Later, I spent a year in bed in a sanatorium, and the days dragged even more slowly. A week seemed like a month. Recently, I spent only two weeks in another situation, and the time snailed so slowly that it seemed longer than prison camp and san put together. We had our grandboys foi two weeks. Migawd, the days seemed endless. I'i sure you'll say: "Nonsense. Dear littie chaps. MIl bet they were a lot of fun. How can he say that?" Sure they were a lot of fun. Or let's switch that to they had a lot of fun. But who wants fun for 16 to 18 hours a day? Not a middle-aged couple, one with a bad back, the other with jangled neryes to the point of screaming when the toast pops up in the toaster. We weren't like that when they arrived, but we were close to stretcher cases by the time they left. And I'm not exaggerating one whit. It all started when my wife got sentimental and decided to help our daughter, who is in the final throes of studying to become a teacher, and was getting behind in her-Work. "Bill, we're going to take the kids for two weeks and give Kim a break. It won't hurt us and it might even be fun. We may never have the chance to have them like this, all to ourselves, again." Well, I've got news for her. We not only might not. We will not. Not unless it's over my dead corpus. That's a lot of nots, but I'm in a rather negative mood. It doesn't help that I get a pain like a knife in the back when I reach for a fag or a beer. Yep, they've sprung my dises again. Just for example, as I write, the TV repairman is working behind me. My wife got a terrible scare today. The littlest tad, who is as destructive as a bull elephant at a quilting bee, got in behind the TV when her back was turned for a second. There was a hiss and a terrible stench of something burning. She snatched him away, tore the plug out of the wall and, much to their disgust, pushed the two of them out of the room. They weren't a bit scared, as older kids might be, but kept trying to push by her to see the fun. Right now, Tom the TV man looked up, grinning and holding a half-scorched piece of Canadian cheddar. The little b.. .oy had tossed his afternoon snack, which had purloined lord knows where, into the innards of the machine. Ever dropped some cheese on to a burner on the stove? It stinks. No wonder the old lady panicked. That's just a sample. Here are some miscellaneous items. One floor lamp with dangling crystals, re- placement value about $160, flatten- ed with a great clanging of chandelier-like glass. Frame bent, shade broken. We sat with .a bare light burning, as though we lived in a cheap hotel room. One Indian rug, recently cleaned at considerable outlay, looking as though a tribe of baboons had been playing football with their own excrement. One chesterfield suite, smeared with jam, honey, tooth- paste, and various other indescrib- able but sticky substances. One hardwood floor, recently refinished, looking as though the Canadiens hockey team had been practising on it. I could go on and on, but it makes me mad, and it makes my wife cry. And that's not to mention all the little stuff, broken, bent out of shape, rendered hors de combat by jumping on it or hitting someone over the head with it. The day begins about 6:30, with the sound of one small boy babbling happily to himself. A few minutes later, there is a thump as he hits the floor, the paddling of bare feet, and you look up to find the tiny turkey by your bedside grinning hugely, probably with your shaving cream in one hand, top off, something dangerous, like a leg off a stool, in the other, and his diapers hanging down to his knees, ready for some action. From there on it's sheer horror. as the biting and the fighting and the dancing and the shouting commence. Try to iron, one of them is attempting to pull the iron on his head. Try to vacuum, and they pull it apart in the middle and use it as a voice tube. Try to sew and the smaller one is stuffing his mouth with pins. Try to read a paper and a body comes hurtling across the room and leaps on to your groin,"', scattering the newspaper. Even worse than the racket are' the silences. If there isn't any sound, you leap to your feet and run to where the silence is. They are:' inevitably pulling the knobs off the TV, tearing up a manuscript, or stuffing their mouths with pennies, they found in some forgotten- drawer. Small boys should be treated like.- monkeys. They should be kept in- cages containing lots of things to climb on, sawdust on the floor, and lots of peanuts lying around for the picking. It's not really what the boys are doing to us or the house. It's what they're doing to our marriage. We're so exhausted and rattled that we're recriminating. "I was up with that child at 6:15." "Yeah, but who changed his diapers?" "Who got them their breakfast?" "Sure, but who took them out for a walk and broke up three fights?" And we start to shout. And the kids wink at each other and grin. Water Available For Subdivision In Enniskillen More than enough water is available in Enniskillen for the levelopment of a 44-lot subdivision aast of the hamlet, Enniskillen residents were told at a public meeting "There's a fantastic supply of water there which we were more ihan grateful for," said Randall Jeffery, developer of the proposed subdivision. Lucky He said a well was drilled in the northern end of the property near Regional Road Three in order to test the availability of water. Mr. Jeffery said it appeared as though luck was on his side since the well has supplied up to 300 gallons of water per minute. John Elton, a hydrologist for the developer, pointed out that the well has pumped 100 gallons per minute for 24 hours during tests conducted at the site. This indicates that the facility would meet the rules and regulations set by the Durham Region for a community well to supply municipal water. These requirements call for a total of one half gallon of water per minute per house for domestic water supply and another one-half gallon per dwelling for fire protection and emergencies. "There is, I'm sure, going to be no effect on the people that have the shallow wells here," Mr. Elton said. He predicted that the effect on drilled wells would be small. The proposed Enniskillen develop- ment was discussed at a public meeting April 19 in the Enniskillen Public School. About 50 area residents were in the audience to hear of the plans for development in the community and to ask questions. Mr. Jeffery, who has built homes in several small hamlets of the Durham Region, explained that his subdivision would grow slowly. Build By Spring? He explained that if the project is given final approval, he would hope to build a few houses by the spring of next year, but he added that the development of the 44 lots would take place over a four or five year period. "No country hamlet needs overnight growth," he told the Enniskillen group. Homes in the subdivision would be approximately one-half acre each and serviced with their own septic tanks. A two-acre park is proposed for the northern part of the subdivision, off Regional Road Three. In addition, the development would have paved streets, street- lights and a walkway connecting it with Scugog Rd. to the west. Prices "We want to construct the type of home that will blend in with existing development," Mr. Jeffery said. He added that he could not commit himself to a definite price but added that homes would not be in the expensive $70,000 to $80,000 price range. Mr. Jeffery told his audience that extra development can help businesses develop in a hamlet. "Sometimes new growth in a hamlet can add a lot to established facilities, Mr. Jeffery said. He noted that new residents may make use of the corner store, the garage and the church in the village. The audience was told that there is am ple room at the Enniskillen Public School to accommodate children who might live in the subdivision. The school has a capacity of 350 persons but only about 180 are at the school at present. The group in Enniskillen was told that plans for development east of the village have been on the books since 1960 when the Darlington Township Official Plan was drawn up. Planning "In a sense, this area has been intended for development since that time," said Town Planner, George Howden. He noted that the area east of Enniskillen has been approved for development in the Durham Region Official Plan. The Ministry of Housing bas also provided a draft approval of the subdivision, however the municipality must still re-zone the property before the subdivision can be built. The re-zoning is now the issue before Newcastle Council. A report being considered by Newcastle's elected officials recommends re- zoning of the land for residential use, provided that a list of eight conditions are met. Some of these include the building of the municipal water supply system by the developer, enlarge- ment of the parkland area and the establishment of architectural controls to make sure houses blend in with the older dwellings in the village. Dear Premier Levesque; We are a group of Ontario High School students who are concerned with the future of Canada. We are presently enrolled in a political history course dealing with the relations between the founding nations of our country. As the future generation, we want to express our views on the subject of the possible separation of Quebec from the Confederation of Canada. A survey held in our class revealed that a significant majority of us are in favor of national unity we feel that Canada cannot survive without Quebec and Quebec cannot survive without Canada We recognize the inner turmoil that the inhabitants of Quebec are currently experiencing however, we feel that separatism is not the solution to your problem. Separatism is not economically sound. Present- ly your province is suffering from inflation, high unemploy- ment and the exodus of large companies. This exists because of the uncertain political future of Quebec. Faced with these overwhelm- ing problems how do you expect to improve your cultural heritage? Also how could you overcome these obstacles? Rather than separating does it not seem more reasonable to compromise? We would suggest amending the B.N.A. Act in order to ensure equal cultural rights for all ethnic groups throughout Canada; this would of course depend upon their population in any given area. This would solve your cultural dilemma. We would appreciate your considering our viewpoint on this crucial matter. Yours Sincerely, Students of History 251-02 at BHS. Mrs. Kathy McLean, Teacher Dear Editor, About five years ago a decision was made which affected the lives of everyone in the Courtice, Bowmanville, Clarke areas. It was decided to enter into regional govern- ment. Few people understood the full impact this decision was to have on their lifestyle or their taxes. Where was the consultation with you the taxpayer before entry into regional government? Now we have yet another bureaucratic event on the horizon. Will you be consulted this time? For years now people in the Municipality of Newcastle have complained about the unfair system of taxation which seems to be in effect. A number of meetings have recently been held by rate- payer groups to bring this unfair situation into focus. Rumour has it that the Provincial Government is leading the way for municipal governments to ask for "market value assessment". Do you know what effect market value assessment will have on your property taxes? Do our mayor and council know what they will be letting themselves in for if they ask for or allow this system to take over to determine municipal taxation? Will you be consult- ed by the provincial govern- ment, the mayor and council before this system takes effect? Will you have a chance to compare the differences in taxes before we are saddled with yet another govern- mental albatross? Is it democratic to have a new tax system without your input or vote? Has our council done a test of selected properties in the various wards to see the differences it will make in your taxes? Will you be able to see the results of these tests? If the answer to these questions is No, then we might be faced with another bureau- cratic problem the people of this area do not want and can not afford. It is time your municipal council gave us some assurance that nothing will be done without proper research and a few sample or test cases to illustrate the effects, positive and negative, market value assessment would have on your taxes and that you will have a chance to voice your concern or support in a meaningful manner, through a referendum or vote, any action which may take place. Gren McOuat President T.O.N.R.A. To the Editor; Granted your readers do not recognize the name Councillor Doug Wilson of Durham Region, but I still feel it imperative to communicate with the people in your area on matters which affect them. Nearly all the politicians at Regional level claim the Region has been a harmful experience for their particular section of the Region. It would seem our main concern must be - are we harming the individuals in the Region - more specifically, the homeowners? A common practice at Regional Council is that a local representative will support expenditures for another area on the basis of being able to get support for similar undertakings in his own area. In many cases, some of these projects are not required, the cost should not be spent and the debt should not be incurred. These matters are quite often over- looked by the politician in his endeavour to thump his chest and tell his constituents what he has done for his area. This form of disorganized and inipractical spending is what has caused excess debt in Durham Region - in turn, it will in the future increase your taxes. A good indication of folly of this nature is the manner in which a nine million dollar water project (Grandview Reservoir) was forced into the Oshawa area and it is now found to be totally unnecessary. Again, an example, the 1.7 million dollar Works Depot for the Oshawa- Whitby area was also forced into this area. In both these cases, the Oshawa delegates and the Whitby delegates, with the exception of one in each case, voted against these projects. In effect, they were forced into the area by outside politicians who were not overly concerned with the pros and cons and the needs of the area. The ultimate debt, however - over ten million dollars - must be paid by all citizens of Durham Region, yourselves included. This means your taxes are increased by over one million dollars per year for interest costs only. I think you will agree with me that this is extremely poor management and we in the Oshawa area would ask for greater cooperation in the future to overcome this debting. I write this letter as a means of urging you to prevail more strongly on your local repre- sentative at Durham Region to cut down spending in every way possible. I feel these are troubled times and hardly the times to play political games at the expense of the taxpayers of Durham Region. I wish to thank you, Mr. Editor, for the opportunity of airing my views on this matter. Yours very truly, Doug Wilson Durham Regional Councillor 80 Prospect St. Bowmanville Dear Garnet, In the last election campaign you stressed communication keep the people advised - minimize secret council meetings and so on. Whether this has been carried thru' or not is a moot question. Shortly after the election a proposal was rec'd from consultants Kellogg and Stevenson (the tab was $16,000 plus) who made many suggestions - we needed a town mgr., a planning chief, quite a gang of additional employees, a new town hall etc. etc. I understood this was a part of the study, the rest was to be released at a later date. If I am correct, I did not see part two-perhaps it is still under review? The odd part of the whole deal is that K and S geared their proposal right to the thinking of our mayor and councillors. You, Mr. Mayor, could have written the same report any afternoon you got around to it. It was Garnet Rickard first to last. We have our town mgr. (his latest gem: increase planning staff by four, making salaries of that dept. $145,000 yearly). The planning chief has been and gone (you will find the story in another area paper) and I would like to communicate with you re the proposed new municipal building. The town mgr. has set a price tag of $3 million, though where he got the figure is not stated. I would remind you when the Newcastle arena was condemned, one of the engineering firms to which the town-region gives con- siderable work said it could be rebuilt on the same location for $300,000.00. The first tender as I recall came in around $450,000.00 and while I don't recollect the final figure, I imagine it is somewhere in the $5 to $6,000.000.00 bracket. Even you, Mr. Mayor, were caught away off base when you said the Bell building was "ail ready for occupancy except for a few partitions." The next thing we read the "few partitions" are costing $12,000.00 and this money is spent on a building we don't even own! So, you will understand when I say the $3 million will ultimately be close to $5 million. For this we will get a spreading one story building, everything very plush, acres of parking (all black topped) nicely landscaped and very impressive. Only catch is we don't need it and can't afford it and you can put that in any order you wish. We have a town hall which is a fine old building, centrally located within walking distance for most people and has enough space for all the offices needed to accommodate the employees 25 Years Ago Thursday, April 23, 1953 Harry Carter, postmaster at Pontypool for the past three years passed away in Peter- borough Hospital on Tuesday. Miss Greta Weiner, Home Economist gave a practical demonstration of simplified cooking at a Monarch Cooking School sponsored by the members of Club 15. Many local housewives won prizes at the event held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the Lions Centre. Considerable damage was done to the garage and a new car by fire at the residence of Art Stackaruk, King St. W., on Saturday afternoon. The adult swimming class of the Bowmanville Recreation Club. ended a successful evening on Thursday with a bathing beauty contest which was won by Miss Oshawa- Eddie Golosky. Also competing were Miss Garden Hill-Bill Bagnell, Miss Bow- manville-Doug Heyland, Miss. East Beach-Jerry Brown. Town council took the needed to run the municipality for ever and ever. Now this will necessitate a complete re-vamp of the interior which I hope you know could take three levels of offices. Neither you, the town mgr. nor myself know how much these renovations would cost but it couldn't run 50 per cent of the money you are contemplating. So, we could be left with a couple million and do you know where we could use money like that? For a start I would say our sidewalks are a disgrace as are our roads, so, a major overhaul in these two areas would be appreciated by the citizens at large. You know, something for all of us, instead of all for the high and mighty few. And about now you think I don't know what I am talking about so let's find out what the taxpayers think, let's have a plebiscite next election day. That, Garnet, is communi- cation. Morgan Dear People of The Region and the World, Why do formal politics ignore the opinions of anit- nuclear citizens and anti- nuclear physiests so completely? How much actual knowledge of nuclearism have any of these key-people in authoritative positions in departments of energy every- where? How much concern for the welfare of humanity? necessary action at the special meeting of council on Monday to approve construction of a water system from the lake which will cost in the neigh- borhood of $350,000. Stan Dunn has been elected Zone Commander of the Royal Canadian Legion for the year 1953-54. The town hall heating system has been awarded to S. Blain Elliott at $7,36,9 who submitted the lowest bid of six tenders-, 49 Years Ago Thursday, April 18th, 1929 "Be An Optomist", a snappy comedy presented by members of the Bowmanville Tennis Club, in the Opera House on Thursday and Friday evening saw Cecil Dudley cast as Isaac Golditch, Helen Osborne as Becky, Bernard Mitchell and Bert Bounsall as two of Golditch's workers, Edsall Oliver as Jimmy Maynard, and Betty Sargent as Madame Goopher. Inquests into the deaths of C.N.R. and C.P.R. engineers, Is the accumulation of wealth and fast-growth economy worth The Life of Planet Earth? Whatever opinions may be held, read Dr. Fred Knel- man's book "The Unforgiving Technology" and re-think the situation. As a well known, and respected Canadian writer has written on the cover of this book, "If you value your own or your children's future, read "The Unforgiving Technology" and act upon the knowledge it contains." Further, Mr. Mowatt has written, "concerning this book..." In a chilling and incisive analysis of the REAL risks inherent in messing - about with the unforgiving atom, F.H. Knelman conclus- ively demonstrates that a future geared to nuclear, power may well prove fatal- not to man alone but to all of - animate creation. He shows: that we do not need the Dr. - Strangeloves of Canadian, polities: and he unmasks and: identifies The Dr. Strange- loves of Canadian politics and shows how little we need to run such tremendous risks. Industry and science insisting that "we must learn to love the nuclear power plant... even if it kills us." In view of the up-coming election the sooner people read this book the more hope we may have of a future and of a less than futile election. Yours truly, Marie Henry ,Dim aub Distant killed in train wrecks caused by washouts near Bowman- ville on April 6th were held here Tuesday night. The victims were Robert Milne of Belleville, and John Kennedy of Toronto. C.A. Smith, manager of R.M. Hollingshead Co. Ltd,, invited members of the local Rotary Club to tour the Whiz plant following the regular Rotary meeting on Friday. Ebenezer Tuxis Square group were the district winners in the recent West Durham Bond Selling Campaign. Ebenezer sold $60.00, Bowmanville $55.50, Newcastle $18.50 and Tyrone $5.00 of the bonds. Miss Elizabeth Hancock received three more new pupils into the beginner's class at Newcastle school on Monday. They are Jean Bonathan, Jean and Clifford Cavanaugh. Mr. Henry Elliott Sr., was appointed first post master in 1851, when the village of Hampton -- nmed. Sugar andSpice Time Out ~~1~t Damned Either Way