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4 The Canadian Statesman. Bowmanville. May 27. 1987 Section Two ( Editorial Comment ] Canadian Statesman 623-3303 Durham Countv's Great Family Journal Established 133 years ago In 1854. Also Incorporating The Bowman ville News The Newcastle 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 JOHN M. JAMES Editor--Publisher GEO. P. MORRIS Business Mgr. RICHARD A. JAMES Assistant Publisher BRIAN PURDY Advertising Mgr. PETER PARROTT Associate Editor DONALD BISHOP Plant Mgr. All layouts and composition ot advertisements produced by the employees of The Canadian Statesman, The Newcastle Independent and The James Publishing Company Limited are protected by copyright and must not be reproduced without permission of the publishers. $17.00 a year--6 months $9.00 foreign--$55.00ayear strictly In advance Although every precaution will be taken to avoid error, The Canadian Statesman accepts advertising in its columns on the understanding that it will not be liable for any error in the advertisement published hereunder unless a proof of such advertisement is requested in writing by the advertiser and returned to The Canadian Statesman business office duly signed by the advertiser and with such error or corrections plainly noted in writing thereon, and in that case it any error so noted is not corrected by The Canadian Statesman ils liability shall not exceed such a portion of the entire cost of such advertisement as the space occupied by the noted error bears to the whole space occupied by such advertisement. The Regional HQ Debate The selection of a new regional headquarters building is important . to Durham's elected officials. It's also important to the Region's citizens. But the matter isn't as important as Durham's Regional Council thinks it is. So, to put it in perspective, we offer ; the following comments: First of all, the entire regional headquarters issue seems to have : crept through a back door or window. In other words, we do not recall any decision being made by the Durham Region to proceed with the building of a new headquarters. Sure, there has been talk surrounding the subject. subject. But talk is cheap. We may stand to be corrected, but ; ■ our recollection is that regional council has not passed a direct, head- on resolution stating that a new regional regional centre will be built. And yet, in the absence of such a -decision, three potential sites have been put forward already. (Four if . you count the option of staying at the existing site and either building an addition or making do with the current current facilities.) The Durham Region headquarters building will be an architectural monument. And it will be a feather Tn the cap of any municipality which wins the battle for the headquarters site. But the fact of the matter is that: Durham should first decide whether ■such a centre is even needed. In today's age of efficient communications communications and computer technology, it may not necessarily make sense to put all regional departments under one roof. Communications between various departments at separate locations locations can be quite effective without the departments being at the same site. While there may be some efficiency resulting from a central regional headquarters, it must be weighed very carefully against costs of about $20 million which have been quoted in connection with the project. Keep in mind the fact that since no decision to proceed with a headquarters has been made, there's little information available as to matters such as construction construction costs and space requirements. requirements. It seems to us that certain minor difficulties in existing accommodations accommodations can be overcome if the only alternative alternative is to spend $20 million on a new building. The argument that a spanking new regional headquarters would enable the Region to convey a better impression impression to the public (especially potential potential investors and industrialists) holds little weight. We doubt very much that a multi-millionaire will say: "Let's build our new factory in Durham because they have a really nice regional council chambers." Economic decisions of that ilk are based solely on business factors. Nothing Nothing more and nothing less. There may be some public relations relations value in a regional showplace. But is the cost of $20 million too high for public relations alone? We think so. Finally, we would observe that the discussions over the headquarters construction and site location have occupied too much valuable time. To hear regional council debates over the subject, you'd think elected officials officials were building something as significant significant as the Canadian Pacific Railway, Railway, the Sky Dome, the Olympic Stadium and the Great Pyramid combined. combined. Well, that just isn't so. A regional headquarters is important^,gqvernment.officials. important^,gqvernment.officials. And the ensuing debates have been- interesting interesting to the'media and to the local government government affectionados who care about such things. But the longer the Durham Region spends on debating the subject, the more it shows itself to be out of touch with the general public. The public wants such things as better roads and adequate water- mains. The public wants improved industrial industrial and commercial assessment to generate jobs and prosperity. The public wants the maintenance of social social services and wise planning for the future. Quite frankly, the public does not care about architectural monuments which it will'rarely, if ever, see from the inside. If there's good, demonstrable economic sense behind a regional headquarters building, let's move in that direction and be done with' it. If not, let's get on with business. Guest Editorials by St. Stephen's Students I am writing about the lack of street lights in this town. I have been living in Bow- manvillc for a little over eight months and one of the first things I noticed was the lack of street lights here. I am not allowed to stay out late but during those winter months it gets dark so quickly. The way home from a friend's house (just a block away) is like walking walking in a box with just a crack of light shining through. One of the areas that I am most concerned about is the area around Waverley Public Public School. My mother and I often go for evening walks and we find that area extremely extremely dark. Now let me ask you something. something. Would you feel safe walking down a dark street at night? Please think about this. --Joanna lleino, Bowman- ville I hardly agree with the name picked for the now Toronto Toronto dome. Just in case you haven't heard, they picked the Skydome for the name. We can see why they called it the Skydome because when open, you can see the sky. However, we think they could have been more creative. creative. It was picked because more than 1,000 people sent that name in. Then they drew one of them. The person person who won was a ,voting mother. She gets two tickets to everything that goes on in the new dome. Some other suggestions for the name of the dome were: Big Bertha, Superdome, E.T. phone home dome, Metrodome, and the I-Iarbourdome. That is only a few, so surely they could find another name that is better. Considering how good the dome is, we think they should at least give it a good name. How do you feel about the name they picked? --Rob Ianlomasi, David Stonehouse, Bowmanville. I would like to comment about the home market in Ontario. The market has dropped rapidly and for some reason in Markham a lot of new homes have burnt down and damages were totalled at about $21,000,000. One hundred and five houses were burnt down and some people who were having a new house built did not know where their house was being built, or if they had been burnt down in the fire. Apparently, it started at one house and since they were so close together the wind blew the liâmes and the fire caught one of the other houses. The firemen would have been able to stop it if there had been enough water water pressure pressure in the pipes. They had to bring water in by tanker from Slouffvillc and they did not have enough time to get the amount of water needed for the fire. I think there should he a law for workers so they cannot smoke when they are working. working. Was it human error or was It natural? --David Clark Have you heard about "LSD Tattos"? They are small sheets of white paper containing blue stars in each corner the size of a pencil eraser. Each star is impregnated with LSD and can be removed from the paper and then placed in the mouth. It can also be absorbed absorbed through the skin by simply handling the paper while applying the tattoo. These brightly colored tabs resemble postage stamps in size and are decorated with Disney characters. They arc packed in a red cardboard box and come in five square sheets of 100 perforated 1/4 inch square stamps. These stamps arc called "Blue Star" and contain acid, parents arc told by Drug Enforcement Officials, Officials, "Not to jump the gun," but I think the Drug Enforcement Enforcement Officials arc not cautious enough. Educating the public is one of our best weapons in combating illegal illegal drugs. Belter to inform inform the public before there is a loss of life. This loss of life is not only through death but also through addiction to drugs. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. They say that LSD is an old thing, but old or new it is still a very fatal drug for young lin'd older children to gel involved with. --Rosamaria Longo, Bow- manville. I am writing to you because because of the cost of fishing derbies and fishing licences. licences. First of all, a fishing Pine Ridge Cloggers Entertain at CHOO Chili Cook-off in Orono x Queen's Park Report By Sam Cureatz M.P.P. Way 18,1987 THRONE SPEECH The promises included in this Throne Speech fall into three broad categories: those which simply expand existing programs: those which involve involve review, study and further consideration;, and, new, programs programs which create more bureaucracy. bureaucracy. Larry Grossman, Progressive Progressive Conservative Leader says there is no agenda for the future, only a grab bag of 157 promises, most of which are simply a continuation of programs programs started by previous governments. Promises abound, however, the Liberals' election commitment commitment to increase provincial education transfers.to a 60-40 percent splib with local taxpayers1 taxpayers 1 wa5'mjssing. Because of shrinking ^provincial support; support; local education taxes have jumped-in some cases two to six times the current inflation rate. As well, the Throne Speech was plagued with unclear policy policy commitments. For example, example, the Liberals promise to encourage moderate consumption consumption of alcohol yet promise promise to improve access through changes in regulations concerning concerning sale and consumption; Mr. Grossman felt that Mr. Peterson said he wanted to introduce more intellectual rigor into the discussion of freer trade with the United States, yet ignored the issue in his Throne Speech. Instead of using the Throne Speech to chart a new course for Ontario, the Liberals used the occasion to urge the House to support a number of its own bills. Pay equity, pension reform, reform, freedom of information and privacy laws are still on the agenda for the upcoming session. In conjunction with the promise promise to increase capital fund ing to education I am pleased the funds will be forthcoming to both Kedron School in Oshawa and Greenbank school in Scugog. CAR INSURANCE RATES The Liberals' recent announcement announcement of a 'cap' on automobile automobile insurance rates is no guarantee that rates will not' continue to increase. In answer to a question by Larry Grossman the Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations told the Legislature that the proposed review board will allow, further increases in such rates. Ontario Ontario consumers must not be confused by the Minister's announcement - under the new system automobile insurance rates will continue to increasè- càp or no cap. . ...... Thank you to Bill Riemer for once again inviting me to thé Christian Businessmen Association's Association's annual Mayor's Breakfast. 1548 Narva Ct., Mississauga, Ont. May 20,1987 To the Editor The Canadian Statesman Dear Sir: Please excuse the pun but "the wrong number was dialed" for the best connection with telephone history in the Dim and Distant Past feature (Statesman, May 20, 1987). . Incomplete was the list of ■ managers in charge of office to Nineteen thirty- seven. As - accurately as can be determined from various company records and early accounts in your paper, the chronology of managers is as follows: Frank Proutt, 1880- 1881; Thomas Bingham, 1881 - 1886; Ida Bingham 1886- Eighteen ninety-three; Harry Simpson Eighteen Ninety- three - 1897; Wm. Wesley Shaw 1897 - Nineteen hundred Baby Show is Part of Brooklin Spring Fair The popular Brooklin Spring Fair Baby Show is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., June 6th, Saturday. Registration for the Baby Show will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on May 30th, Saturday and June 1st, Monday, at the Brooklin United Church, Cassels Road, not the Brooklin Community Centre, as earlier announced. Registration for the Baby Show will also be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. June 3rd, Wednesday, at the Luther Vipond Memorial Arena, Winchester Road,. Brooklin. Please note the change in registration dates; for further information contact Sandy McCormack at 579-6965. Also registration for the Homecrafts Show and the Horticulture Show takes place from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on May 30th, Saturday, and June 1st, Monday, these two dates only, at the Brooklin United Church. For further information information regarding the Homecrafts Show, phone Maureen Jackson 655-4469. For information information regarding the Horticulture Horticulture Show, phone Audrey Young at 655-3534. Information on the Step- dance and Fiddlers Contests, which brings the Brooklin Spring Fair to a conclusion on June 7th, Sunday, can be obtained by phoning Walter Smith at 728-3154. Come to the Annual Spring Fair and enjoy. derby is a contest among people to see who can catch the largest fish. For instance, instance, there is a fishing derby being held at Kingston Kingston on Saturday and Sunday of May 2 and 3,1987, and to enter it costs $10! Now they have fishing licences licences and they cost $10 for persons 18 to 50 and $5 for persons 50 and over. I don't think that these things are fair because people just want to have fun fishing and not pay to fish. --Ric ICrowiak, Bowmanville Bowmanville I do agree with what Jack McCorkell, the Director of Operations for Regional Works had said about closing closing Darlington by September September of this year. In the meantime, why doesn't he see if he cun put a Waste Transfer Station in a differ ent location other than a waterfront. If he can do that, we wouldn't have to take all of our waste to the Brock West site in Pickering. Pickering. It would be nice to have a Waste Transfer Station around here instead of trucking our waste from place to place. --Sherri Metcalf, Bowmanville Bowmanville I am in grade 7 (A) and I would like to comment on our staff at St. Stephen's School, especially my teachers. They talk about very interesting subjects like newspapers. I have enjoyed enjoyed our project on newspapers. newspapers. It was very interesting interesting and it informed me of many things I did not know. They are great teachers and very interesting and caring people in and out of school. --David Clark and three; Harry Dignan Nineteen hundred and three - 1904; Linnett Swinyard 1904 - 1906; Alex Price 1906 - 1911; Arthur Pratt 1911 - 1912; Frank F. Brittain 1912 - 1918; Gladys Palmer 1918 - 1926. There are probably many citizens who will still remember the two other managers of the local telephone office which ceased operations in 1960. They were Frank Williams, who served from 1926 - 1958, and his successor, Miss Mabel Jewell. Jewell. Perhaps this will be of interest to other readers who enjoy, as I do, having lines into the past kept open. Sincerely, Garfield Shaw 140 Ontario Street Bowmanville, Ontario May 22,1987 Dear John: Well, John, it has been some time since I last wrote to you, but then again I too am busy. Since I last wrote to you I have had a long discussion with a councillor in regards to the Fire Dept, and he did not disagree with me and while we were talking a fire call came in and he agreed that there was no shortage of men who responded. I then decided to take an inventory of the equipment and men for my own satisfaction satisfaction as that councillor said that there would be another try to get more full time men at a cost to the taxpayer. The following is what I have come up with and in my opinion we are well equipped not only with equipment but a competent competent group of dedicated men and as I have said before with the exception of one item, no change Is needed. Wc have the following: three answering services 24 hours per days, seven days a week; two private cars radio equipped; 10 fire trucks fully equipped; one emergency vehicle fully equipped; one 4-whccl drive truck fully equipped; one station wagon fully equipped; one suburban van fully equipped; one bout and motor. Personnel: four full-time men; one part-time man; 80 volunteers equipped with answering devices (1 am told these cost $400. each) ; one full time secretary. This appears to me to be a well equipped department at a huge cost to the taxpayer. Now, as I am told, a drive for more full-time men will be put on in a week or so and if this is so then the volunteers will not get as much time, meaning less money and as I read in a report to council, the chief is estimating that this will save $25,000. Again I say, how can you save that much money and at the same time hire the number of full time people that will be proposed? Somebody must have a better calculator than mine. I am advised that this matter will be coming to council in the next week or so and then the people will see how your members of council will vote to spend your money. I say to members of Council and I might say also to those who have prospects of going higher, this is the taxpayers' money and most c.annot stand any mre, so let us stand up and be counted. Yours truly Ken Hooper Outlook By Carolyn Hepburn I always promised myself that as soon as I had my very own column, my very own chance to say whatever I wanted, I would write about really important and thought-provoking world (or in this case Bowmanville) Bowmanville) issues. Well, right off the bat I'm going to break the rules. That isn't to say that there aren't any thought-provoking thought-provoking and important issues in this town. Even in my short time here I've quickly come to realize that there arc many, but I'm just not sure that I'm fully qualified yet to speak about them. So, upon my qualification I shall tackle the larger issues. issues. For now, 1 have a debt to my predecessor to pay. As many of you will know, Rob Savage is tackling the world of daily newspapers in a northern town. I, for one, could wish him all the luck in the world, if not for one thing. He's left some tough footsteps to follow. Even in the short time 1 sat beside Rob in the office, it was obvious obvious that he has contributed contributed a lotto Bowmanville. I could gel some argument argument on that, but I think it would be lough to prove otherwise. Rob's never-say- never altitude and willing ness to tackle any topic, along with his. interesting sense of humour have made him, in my estimation, a very fine journalist. There is a whole world waiting for Mr. Rob Savage, and nothing nothing is going to hold him back. But, back to those shoes. I'm very grateful to the people I have met so far with the patience to wail while the flash on my canv era warmed up, or the ones who gave me the correct spelling of their names, and even the ones who offered me drinks (though I had to decline for work-related reasons). Whether following someone someone as successful as Rob has been is good or bad, 1 don't really know. Frankly, I'm really loo busy to worry about it. I'm thankful for all the help and advice he gave me, and I'm thankful for all the hard work he has done at establishing such good relations with so many people in this town (though if lie know I was saying this he would modestly say it was nothing). Bowmanville has something something very unique about it, something very special. Of course I'm not telling you something you don't already already know. Yet, after coming coming from the big bad city of Mississauga (yes, the one with the train derailment), Bowmanville is small enough to still have that friendly atmosphere, yet large enough to provide all the comforts of home. Not having to pump gas, or fight îqajor traffic is such a change. The friendly smiles on the faces of the sales clerks, bank tellers, school teachers and all the people who come together to make Bowmanville what it is, arc truly a welcome relief relief from the big city scene. Lest this sound like a ploy to gel into the good books of the powers that be, rest in peace. 1 just call 'em as I see 'em. Whether those shoes can ever be filled is anyone's anyone's guess, and I never was any good alguessinggames. For now, it's a matter of figuring out just what is what with council (if that can ever be done), listening lo more talented high school bands, taking more team pictures and finding out that there is life alter 5:00 p.m. in this town. As for Rob, 1 do wish him well. I couldn't think of anyone anyone who I'd rather have had pave the road for me, and 1 intend I ogive it my best shot to not only follow that road, but maybe even take a few side streets. Time will tell.