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tpjf (tannbmn Statesman Section Two Wednesday, August 29, 1984 Hydro Costs Compared Before we complain about hydro bills being too high, maybe we ought to take a look at some statistics statistics on the price of hydro in other parts of North America. These statistics, which have been compiled by Ontario Hydro, compare compare the costs of electricity in Ontario Ontario with the price of power in 25 other North American cities. The Hydro study shows that Ontario Ontario is getting its electricity at fire sale prices -- at least when compared compared to places such as New York, Boston, or even Charlottetown, Prince Prince Edward Island. Prices for 1000 kilowatt hours of electricity were compared, and coverted into Canadian dollars wherever the comparisons were between between an American and a Canadian centre. According to the Hydro study, it costs $176 for 1,000 kilowatt hours of power in New York. Boston is not far behind, at $134. And the study also revealed that Canada's most expensive power was from Charlottetown, Charlottetown, where the bill for the same amount of electricity was $117. Where was Ontario? Well, the municipal average is a mere $47 per 1,000 kilowatt hours. Only Regina, Montreal, and Winnipeg had lower electrical costs, according to the statistics from the 25 centres surveyed surveyed by Ontario's electrical supplier. It all goes to prove that electricity is still one of the major bargains in today's marketplace. Are Polls Important? A while ago, there was a proposal to the effect that public opinion polls should be banned during elections. elections. Maybe it's time to put that idea into practice. Polls are already blamed for exerting undue influence influence on governments in power. Some will argue that governments merely take a poll on any given topic and then adjust their policies accordingly. It's a classic case of seeing seeing which way the procession is moving and then running to lead the parade. The problems with public opinion opinion polls during elections are numerous. Polls tell people how their neighbours are thinking and foster a "herd instinct" among voters. voters. The reader of a public opinion poll is less likely to make a decision based on issues or party policies or the merits of individual candidates. Instead, he'll read the polls, decide that "everybody" is voting a certain way, and then join the crowd. Moreover, there's always the nagging nagging question as to whether or not a poll is trustworthy. Most of them are touted as being highly scientific, scientific, impartial, and accurate, yet even the most reputable samplings of public opinion are often said to be correct to within two or three percentage points nineteen out of twenty times. Should election results results be influenced by counts which are wrong one time out of twenty? And, while reputable pollsters will not manipulate results, there's no legislation guaranteeing that polls must meet certain standards before they are published. There's nothing to stop the publication of polls which are misleading, biased, or merely inaccurate. There are no rules on the phrasing of questions, the type of sampling required, or any other means of conducting the polls. Legislation against public opinion polls during elections would eliminate any possibility of manipulating data to help a particular particular party or candidate. Then, there's also the tendency for the electorate to misread public opinion polls. Few of us keep in mind the fact that a poll reveals the state of opinion among several thousand individuals days orweeks before its publication. When we read these statistics, we assume they reveal how the electorate is thinking today. Worse still, we assume assume that these numbers predict how voters will act on election day. Both attitudes are wrong, of course. At best, a poll only reveals what people believe on a particular day in the past. It cannot reveal the future. future. There are some who will believe that laws against publishing public opinion surveys will muzzle free speech. And political parties themselves themselves will be hesitant to endorse such an idea. Parties stand to gain a lot when polls are in their favor just as they can lose when the samplings samplings of opinion go against them. It's a two-edged sword and the party which lives by the poll will also die by the polls. Polls tend to turn us into passive spectators watching the democratic process as if it is a horse race. The only vote that means a thing will occur on election day. Attempts Attempts to second-guess the electorate electorate should be treated as the meaningless meaningless clutter that they are. V ery Helpful V isitor As this is being written, the unions that operate the Toronto Transit Commission's vehicles are poised for a strike that could come just a couple of days before His Holiness Pope John II's visit to Toronto. And a similar situation prevails in Winnipeg where the bus drivers have turned down a contract offer Back to School We're not trying to be sadistic by reminding students and teachers that the summer holidays will be over next Monday and it's back to work in the classrooms for the fall term. No doubt for many it was a short summer, but then for them the holiday season is never long enough. Others no doubt will be looking forward to facing the work challenges that lie ahead for both students and teachers. These types may be somewhat difficult to locate right now, but we would presume that there still are quite a few of those eager beavers around. So, without further comment, welcome back. We hope everything will go well with all of you. How many days to Christmas? and could go on strike in time to interfere with the Pope's visit to that city. Ontario Premier Bill Davis has called the heads of the transit union and the TTC to meet with him and a cabinet meeting is scheduled for the same day. So, the general feeling is that if the two sides don't get together and settle their differences, the Ontario legislature will be recalled to pass back to work legislation. legislation. Probably the Premier of Manitoba has something in mind that would achieve the same results. Premier Davis certainly would not welcome turmoil in arrangements for the Papal mass at Downsview where up to a million people are expected. After all, he may well be heading for an election this fall, if the Tories do well in the federal election next week, and political parties and leaders like to keep things running as smoothly as possible before and during an election. Would anyone even suggest that the union heads are using the Pope's visit as justified blackmail to achieve a good settlement? Unthinkable, isn't it? titlfe (Eanabian Statesman 623-3303 (JcNA Durham County's Great Family Journal Established 130 years ago In 1854. Also Incorporating The Bowmanvllle News The Newcaatle Independent The Orono News Second class mall registration number 1561 Produced every Wednesday by THE JAMES PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED 62-66 King St. W., Bowmanvllle, Ontario L1C 3K9 .1 ' » 0 L ► JOHN M. JAMES 1 Editor -- Publisher GEO. P. MORRIS Business Mgr. BRIAN PURDY Advertising Mgr. RICHARD A. JAMES Assistant Publisher DONALD BISHOP Plant Mgr, All layouts and composition ol advertisements produced by the employees of The Canadian Statesman, The Newcastle Independent and The James Publishing Company Limited are proleclod by copyright and must not bo reproduced without written permission ot the publishers, $15,00 nyenr -- Gmonths $8.00 ntrlclly In advance foreign -- $45.00 a year Although every precaution will tie taken to avoid error, the Canadian Statesman accepts adveMiMNij in its columns on the understanding that d will not'be liable tnr any error in the advertisement published hereunder unie 1 .:, a proa! ol such advertisement is requested in writing tiy the advertiser and returned to The Canad.m .Statesman business ollice duty signed by the advertiser and with suc.tr error or corrections plainly noted in willing thereon and in that case if any error so noted is not corrected tiy The Canadian St iloi.rnan its liability shall not exceed such a portion vl the entire cost ot such idvefti-.lmcnt as the space occupied tiy the rioted error bears In the whole space occupied by such One of our readers brought us this picture of the Tall Ship, Marques. This the race in which the Marques tragically sank during a freak storm. The was taken when she was docked at Charleston, Cornwall, sometime before photo is from the Bodmin Guardian, Cornwall, England. SUGAR and SPICE No Helmets Please Since I have been slightly under the weather, we have a guest columnist this week, my daughter Kim. So the Bill Smiley column this week is written by Kim Smiley, who writes better than I do anyway. By Kim Smiley Some people actually pay money to have their brains teased. Compilations of quizzes and mental challenges can be found in any large book store; usually under the Games section, next to Humor. In smaller establishments, brainteaser books, which always assure buyers that correct solutions signify genius, are lumped together with Humor, a connection that escapes the MENSA hopefuls who buy them. "But why pay money for what you can get free?" horse sense inquires. The following brainteaser, free of charge, was recently seen in the window of a Variety store in a small Canadian town: "Please do not wear helmets inside store." We've heard of having to wear certain items of apparel in store, like shoes, but not being allowed to wear something? This is new: and almost as inventive as a sign currently adorning a gas station in that same small town: "Free hat with exhaust system inspection." In my day, not so long ago, it would have been a simple "Free glass with fill-up." But what rich opportunities for the flexing of the imagination this gas station affords lucky passers-by. What kind of..hat, one wonders. One sh;e and color only o'r a smorgasbord of hat choice? A hat you wouldn't be seen dead in, cynics will conclude, reasoning that the use of the term "hat" rather than "cap" means the bonus offer couldn't be some variation on the timelessly fashionable baseball cap. The speculative sit-ups on even this modest, but free brainteaser could keep one mentally Fonda-fit for a week. How much more so the intriguing "Please do not wear helmets in store." I put my brain on the wrack. Here are the only reasons I could come up with for the no-helmet rule in the Variety store. They range from dumb to really dumb. 1. Hardness of helmet causing potential damage to perishable goods and persons. 2. Potential theft, there being room to tuck stolen goods in space between top of head and helmet. 3. Managerial prejudice against motorcycle drivers, as opposed to, say, construction workers. Notice the sign specifies "helmets," not "hardhats." 4. Related to above, simple helmet phobia on the part of the store manager. Isn't there something frightening about the partially disguised face and overly- protected head of the helmet wearer?; 5. Storèmanager's plan in event of holdups is to use club he keeps behind counter on thief's head. Manager lacks imagination to devise alternate plan and therefore forbids helmets in store. 6. Potential use of helmet as weapon - helmeted customer, enraged at rising costs, charges bull-like at storekeeper. 7. Store manager is in league with gas station owner offering free hat with exhaust system inspection. Hats offered are, in fact cheap Taiwan-made helmets. While motorcyclist leaves his helmet draped on handlebars to dash into store for a Coke, gas station owner's thug steals helmet and fouls up exhaust system. My own mental system exhausted, I offered the list to my family for inspection. Discussion settled chiefly around possibility Number Two - potential theft. They decided that the purpose of the sign in the window must be to prevent someone from entering the store with a helmet tucked nonchalantly under his arm, then furtively placing a can of beans or a pound of bacon on his head, quickly donning the helmet and walking through the cash, coolly buying a pack of gum, just to cover up, you understand. Against my protests that allowable purses, bags or large pockets would serve just as well and be less painful, they stood fast. Well, I finally just asked. I went down to the store, and, under the pretext of coolly buying a pack of gum, asked the burning question: "How come you can't wear helmets in the store?" She laughed a little, "Well, they garble, you know." It took me several moments to even begin to see. "But they just have those mouth guard things, don't they?" I made mouth guard gestures, thinking of kids' hockey helmets of 20 years ago. "No," she explained, "they have face visors. A lot of people keep their visors down and we can't make out what they're saying." Letters to the Editor August 25,1984. Dear Mr. James, I would like to use this means of communication to make our community aware of an institution a lot of us take for granted - the Bowmanvllle Memorial Hospital. There arc not many people who haven't needed its services. We often read cards of thanks of those who thank its doctors and staff. Also we read of the board members with meetings and accomplishments. Before last week my only encounter with the hospital were several trips to maternity maternity and occasional emergency. emergency. I am now home recovering recovering from surgery having spent eight days on third floor. Everyone was most helpful, pleasant and understanding. Doctors, nurses and staff arc to be highly praised, they do a super job. Our Bowmanvllle hospital is a place we can be proud of. Sincerely, M. E. Dow, ■ R.R. 4, Bowmanvllle, August 22ml, 1984 Members of Council Corporation of the Town of Newcastle, 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanvllle, Ontario L1C :iA(i Dear Mayor and Council Members; The Bowmanville Jnycees have and always will be com mitted to improve our community. community. We have demonstrated demonstrated this involvement over the last years with the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Terry Fox Baseball Tournament, the Outstanding Young Farmer Recognition Program and the main emphasis of our efforts this year in creating the Bowmanville Jaycees Kids Park on Highway No. 2, located located across from the Bowmanville Bowmanville Zoo. We find it very discouraging as young people of this community, community, to face what at times arc insurmountable odds at trying to improve the community community we live in. The Mayor has publicly asked for assistance assistance from the Business Community, in promoting our Town and we the Bowmanville Jaycees, look at the "Kids Park" project as a good start to this end. II is a well known fact that Bowmanville attracts many out of town visitors to our community, with such facilities facilities as the Port Darlington Marina, Darlington Provincial Provincial Park, Bowmanville Zoo and the Bowmanville Historical Historical Museum. We have designed designed this park to provide a resting place for these weary travellers, parents and children children going through Bowmanville, Bowmanville, in the hopes Hint they will sample our hospitality and wares. As well, the park would provide u play area for the young children of the immediate area and community. community. A well treated visitor will encourage many more to come and see the sites of the Town that the Bowmanville Jaycees are "Proud to Call Home." The Bowmanville Jaycees are disappointed that Council has seen fit to send the matter back to Staff; a Staff that has already endorsed the project, because they iiave worked as hard and as long as the Jaycees Jaycees in putting this proposal together in the best interests of Bowmanville and the Bowmanville Bowmanville Jaycees. This means the Park will not open as expected, to coincide with the year of the Tenth Anniversary of the Town of Newcastle and the Two Hundredth Anniversary Anniversary of the Province of Ontario. I, as President of the Bowmanville Jaycees, am concerned about the statement statement that was made at the last council meeting, that a "Jaycee" went to the Hydro seeking funds from the Hydro Account for the "Kids Park," Tlie inference that was perceived perceived was that the Jaycees were attempting to short- circuit tlie system, where in fact the Jaycees were seeking information on how lo apply to be considered for a grant from these funds. We were instrue- led to prepare a brief that would be forwarded lo the Town of Newcastle Hydro Liaison Committee, that was made up of the seven Members Members of Council and two members members of Hydro who would deal with the proposal. Mrs. Stick- ley was thanked for her information information and we stated that the Jaycees would proceed as instructed. The Jaycees have in no way gone behind anyone's anyone's back to obtain funds from the Hydro. The purpose of the inquiry was for information information only and it makes sense lo me, that you find out what the rules of the game arc, before you play. The Bowmanville Jaycees have always prided themselves on conducting their affairs in a professional and business-like manner and will continue to do so in the future. Please be advised of Ihe following resolution, passed at the last meeting of the Bowmanville Bowmanville Jaycees. Resolution made by Rick Keeler (Project Chairman) that, "The Bowmanville Jaycees Jaycees Incorporated, postpone any further negotiations with Ihe Town of Newcastle on the Kids Park project until Mardi, 1985," Seconded Rick Allen, Carried. The intent of Ibis resolution was made for the following reasons: 1) Due lo the lime Hint this proposal has already taken, tlie Bowmanville Jaycees find it economically unfensuble to pursue this project any further further in 1984. 2) Our Year Plan of Action has many other commitments that have been laid aside, due to the Park Project and we can not accommodate any further delays, which would jeopardize projects that are upcoming. In closing, we would like to thank Staff for their support and many hours in preparing the proposals to Council. We would also like to thank Council for their input and opinions in this matter and look forward to working with you again in March, 1985. Remember, Our Community, Community, Our Responsibility. Yours in Jaycees; Harvey Chappcl President Bowmanville Jaycees Whitby-Oshawa Brandi O.G.S., P.O. Box 174, Whitby, Ontario LIN 5S1 August 19,1984 Dear Sir: Tlie Whitby Brandi of the Ontario Genealogical Society will hold ils next meeting on Tuesday, September 4, from 7:80 to 10:00 p.m. in the auditorium of Hie Whitby Public Librarv at 405 Dundas Street West. Our guest speaker will he Mr. Angus Baxter, author of "In Search of your Roots and In Search of your British and Irish Roots." He will also have copies of his latest book available for sale. Our meetings are free and open to the public, for further information, please call Stephen Wood at CG8-1362. Your continued support is very much appreciated. Thanking you in advance. Yours truly, (Mrs.) J. Hilton, Publicity Director Box 820, Brighton, Ontario. K0K II10 Dear Mr. James: As the 1984 session of the Agricrew Program comes lo a close, I would like lo thank you for all the help in promoting the program. I really appreciate your paper printing all tlie press releases that I sent out and for having a reporter do a story on the program. Without the support of your newspaper, the program would not have been as successful as it was this summer. Thanks again and I hope that you will continue to support the Agricrew Program in the years to come, Sincerely, Stephen Fleming Agricrew Co-ordinator Northumberland, Durham East