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SECTION TWO WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21. 1987 Ef)£ Canadian Statesman 623-3303 Durham Courrtv'i Great Famltv Journal Established 133 yea^m ago in 1854. ATiô TncocporiEnfl The Bowmen vt He News The Newcastle Independent The Or one News Second class mall registration number 1561 Produced every Wednesday by THE JANES PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED 62-66 King St. W., Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9 JOHN M. JAMES Editor--Publisher GEO. R. MORRIS Business Mgr. RICHARD A. JAMES Assistant Publisher BRIAN PURDY Advertising Mgr. PETER PARROTT Associate Editor DONALD BISHOP Plant Mgr. All layouts and composition of 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 -- $55.00 a year 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 if any error so noted is not corrected by The Canadian Statesman its 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. Political Massacres The latest elections at the federal and provincial levels have turned out to be massacres for certain political parties. Whether it was the Tory federal landslide a few years ago or the Liberal Liberal victory in Ontario or the Liberal shut-out in New Brunswick, the pattern pattern has been the same. Members of the government would have had a better better chance for survival at Custer's last stand than among the slings and arrows arrows of recent national and provincial provincial elections. And, in some cases, we have the unusual unusual spectacle of the successful candidates candidates almost apologizing for their party's margin of victory the morning after the election. While not wishing to turn over their newly-won seats to opposition members, members, the victorious government leaders leaders usually admit that government with an overwhelming majority is difficult. difficult. Canadians should be a little concerned concerned over this extremism in the nation's nation's politics. It seems, almost, as though we are desperately looking for the white knight who will save us. And, of course, we are bound to be disappointed because (at least in Ottawa, Ottawa, Queen's Park, and in New Brunswick) we have given governments governments the sort of overwhelming support support that no human beings will be able to live up to. This could lead to a sudden surge of disappointment by the electorate and then another slaughter of incum bent politicians at the next election. In other words, the pendulum may be swinging towards extremes in government. government. Does this tendency for voting en masse contradict the belief that the public has developed a taste for variety? variety? Not neces sarily, since each party strives to be all things for all people and each party contains supporters of a host of special interests. The fact that we, as a people have opted for a life of multiple choices suggests that we really should have diverse political parties in government. government. A single party containing warring warring factions while trying to run a government government cannot be all that effective. And, of course, the weakened opposition opposition parties lack the resources to effectively serve as critics of the government government in power. True, the media may act as government government critics.(They usually do.) But they are not elected by anyone and therefore cannot really claim to be speaking for the people. In addition, they must cover a long list of news events, not just the workings of parliament. parliament. The public's taste for supporting governments behind the landslide victories seems to indicate that we want to believe in the existence of a quick fix for what ails us or an easy answer to political issues. Unfortunately, Unfortunately, such things do.not exist. Let's hope for a more even response in future elections. California School Days Mention a summer vacation from school and idyllic pictures of swimming swimming in the favorite waterhole or fishing fishing in the creek come to mind. Yes, school vacations are part of our most cherished childhood memories. They represent a time when the difficult teacher or the troublesome bully encountered between between September and June diminished diminished to a vague and unrealistic shadow. Everyone loved their summer summer vacations away from school. That's why a new idea from California California seems to be such a sharp break from educational tradition. Faced with the problem of overcrowded schools, the educational authorities in that western state have decided to leave the classrooms open year- round. This would supposedly make maximum use of the school buildings and eliminate the need for additional construction of new buildings. Students (and, presumably, staff) will still have their vacation. But it will be on a staggered schedule and could, for example, occur in November November or February or some other less- favored month. Now it should be pointed out that this idea comes from California. And, given the climate of that sunny state, it may be hard to tell exactly when summer starts and winter leaves off. For Californians, the scheme might work. After all, to give a new twist to an old Canadian joke, you might say that the weather in California consists of 50 weeks of summer and two weeks of chilly surfing. But what about Canadians? Can you imagine a child joyfully coming home for his or her 12 weeks of rest in February. Whoopee! Twelve whole weeks to cavort in the slush! And, of course, Mom and Dad would be forced to take their vacations around the same time of the year as their children. It's not exactly an exciting exciting prospect in February or November. November. We assume that the school boards would arrange matters so that siblings would have their "summer" holidays at the same time. There are a lot of wild and crazy ideas which originated in California. Let's hope this one doesn't cross the border. Predictable Patterns There was a time when you could have your choice in automobile colors colors as long as that choice was black. Ice cream was limited to perhaps a half dozen flavors. Store hours were always from nine a m. to five p.m. And, in general, the world followed certain predictable patterns. But then came the era of multiple choice. In the book Megatrends, John Nesbitt Nesbitt says that the endless possibilities facing today's citizens represent one of the major trends of our times, Consider, for example, the endless variety which is being encountered in the workplace. In days of yore, it was generally understood that males were the main job-holders in the workforce and that they were usually employed by one firm for their entire productive life. Today, the workforce lias had to make room for female job seekers and also those who arc physically handicapped or members of minority groups. Nor do people necessarily hold traditional nine-to-five jobs. Arrangements Arrangements arc sometimes made for job sharing between two persons. And other innovations such as working working at home by the use of computers or working flexible hours are well- known. There's a growth in part-time employment and encouragement for individuals to create small businesses businesses of their own. Consider, as another example, the educational field. Conventional wisdom wisdom held that one's formal education ended with high school or university after which the graduate learned the rest of his lessons in the school of hard knocks. Today, there are multiple multiple options in education. Certain aspects aspects of the old system are still with us. But education is developing into a process which individuals are free to enter at various stages of their lives, up to and including the retire- mentyears. Moreover, programs such as co-op education arc designed to better integrate the classroom with the workplace. And schools no longer arc restricted to one curriculum which every student had to pass or fail. Not only is there a variety of subjects subjects but also there's a variety of subject subject levels. And the emphasis is on providing an education to every student. student. Most of us don't have to be told of the changes which have occurred in education or the workplace. And, with a little thought, one could come up with a wide range of other areas in which multiple options are available available to the public. But has anyone slopped to think of how difficult it has become to govern Volunteers Needed to Assist Teachers with Programs by Gretchen Ballantyne Bowmanville High School is looking for adult volunteers volunteers to assist the teaching staff with special programs in the school. There is a tremendous necessity at Bowmanville High School, which has over 1,100 students, for volunteers volunteers to give their time and services to help students with special needs, and help in the library and other school departments. "Until now we have only called on adults to help out in extra-curricular activities. activities. Now we are asking them to come right into the school and become part of the classroom situation. It is a big change," said Norm Johnson, the adult volunteer volunteer co-ordinator, and a special education teacher at Bowmanville High. The program is a new concept concept that has not been implemented, implemented, at a high school level, anywhere in the region. region. The main goal of the adult volunteer program is to give students with special needs one-on-one attention. "This approach will benefit benefit the students tremendously. tremendously. Students in "special ed" classes need that extra Letters to the Editor Dear John:- I would appreciate your consideration in printing printing this open letter to the Mayor and Councillors. In the past I wrote to them individually individually about another matter matter and Marie Hubbard was the only one to acknowledge me by response. I am hoping that some of them will read your letters to the editor. Dear Mayor and Councillors :- As a taxpayer and a yearly paid up member to the Splash Pool Fitness which supposedly allows me to swim every day from 11.45 a.m. to 1.15 p.m. reference reference to the adult swim schedule. I have been informed informed that I may no longer be able to swim on Tuesday and Thursday and the noon swim will start at 12. due to the shortage of staff. Now I ask you as our elected representatives how on earth could this happen? You have the big chore of taking on the job of giving the O.K. to a millions of dollars dollars Arena and yet you allow the pool door to be closed to the public due to the staff. Many, many people gave of their time, sweat and long and thankless hours campaigning in every way they could to get the money so that we could have such a beautiful pool, whirlpool, sauna and squash courts and the only way .it is going to pay is tç- keep those doors open to us" the public or'the next thing you know you will be closing it down as it will be too expensive. It will meet a fate the same as the outdoor pool, at the Memorial Memorial Park where they just bulldozed bulldozed it in. I have heard that the shortage is of lifeguards. Have you checked into the wages that are being paid to them? A lifeguard is a very important member of the staff in this operation, they must have a Bronze medal and have to take a very rigid test every year. I am not Begrudging Begrudging our local workers of their hard earned money but check in the books and see what an unskilled labourer labourer is paid and does not have to have any qualifications, or save any lives. We not only have been cheated out of our rights in our membership but have also lost a couple of the best lifeguards ever bom. It really will not seem the same. Their loving, caring and warm smiles and concern concern for old and young will be missed. They have moved on to better pay and who can blame them? It has been a privilege to have known them. So, come on dig into that budget and give the life guards a decent wage and give us back our equal time at the pool that our membership membership pays for. I hope that you will forget about tne millions that you are going to spend on the arena and get the fitness fitness center back in its proper hours. I do hope someone will have a listening ear as I am not the only one who is a little upset over this. I have been ordered by my rheumatologist rheumatologist to attend daillv and it has been very rewarding rewarding for me and my condition. condition. Yours Truly, Helen P. Cook. Dear Mr. James: On behalf of Community Care I would like to thank you and your staff for your excellent coverage of our annual annual Birthday party celebrations. celebrations. The article stressing Community Community Care's growth over' the past ten years was a tribute tribute to both our administration administration and our many volunteers. volunteers. Many thanks for your continued continued support. Sincerely, Sally Barrie Chairman, Newcastle Community Community Care a Thing of the Past a multiple-choice society? As we see it, the problem is one of achieving a consensus. In order to function, a democracy must reach a stage where a very large number of people have a basic agreement on a certain course of action. One might question whether such a consensus is still possible in a world consisting of multiple choice. The recent free trade talks are a case in point. There are so many differing differing voices raised for and against the free trade question that it is becoming becoming impossible to say whether Canadians are for or against this initiative. initiative. At the local government level, there's the basic question of what new facilities should municipal council provide in order to meet the needs of a growing community. Should the town build better roads? Improve its administrative centres? Construct arenas? Enlarge the libraries? libraries? Improve arts and crafts facilities? facilities? Build a senior citizens' centre? Endorse the expansion programs requested requested by museums? Develop community community parkland? At the local level alone, support for all of the above areas of endeavour can be found. Unfortunately, the funds needed to provide those things arc limited. A consensus eludes us. Governments who must set policies for such a wide variety of individual and collective interests run the risks of responding to only a narrow range of interests and being chastised for failing to meet the requirements of the day. Or, they may try to become all things to all people and embark on an endless spending spree in which programs are created for every possible interest. We might add that the more we provide provide specialized programs for diverse diverse groups, the more widely divergent divergent the interests in the community will become. It seems that society is catering so much to individual needs that collective collective requirements arc overlooked. We would hate to sec the individual's individual's desire for self-fulfillment denied. denied. But, on the other hand, it seems to us that the individual must keep in mind that he or she is a part of the wider community. The requirements of the community community at large should not be seen as a burden to individual aspirations. They arc just as important as the rights of tlie individual. For without the wider community, none of us could survive. 'one-on-one contact, once they have learned the lesson, lesson, to reinforce the skills being taught. The volunteers volunteers will fill this vital role," explained Mr. Johnson. No specific skills, training training or talent are required from the adults. The special ,students each have individual individual programmes to follow, follow, and the adults will be under the supervision of a staff member during their time with the student. Other programs in the school also need volunteers. volunteers. The library needs them for desk duty and the physical education department department requires volunteers to help the handicapped students. students. The English department department also wishes to use volunteers. volunteers. "We will set the priorities as to where the adults will be placed, but if they have a particular area they would like to work in, we will do our best to accom- .modate them," noted Mr. Johnson. The time commitment made by adults is entirely their choice. They may volunteer volunteer for any time between between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. during the school week. "We would prefer it if the adults, that plan to take part, remain for the whole year. If the program is successful, successful, we hope it will become become a permanent part of our system," remarked the co-ordinator. "We are expecting a mini- mun ofseven oreight volunteers, volunteers, but we can use as many as we get. The important important thing for the adults to remember is the work they will be dealing with will not be high level courses, like grade 13 calculus." he explained. The program is expected, to get under way by December, December, once the application application and interview process is completed. By Carolyn Hepburn Libraries are like sewers. sewers. That was a comment I heard at the Courtice Secondary School meeting meeting which was part of the Newcastle Public Library Library Community Needs Assessment Workshop. I have to agree with that statement which was made in the thick of discussion over the future future of the town's public libraries and how they can best spend their funds. The author of that rather interesting observation observation made the comparison comparison because he believes believes that libraries should be expected in a community. We wouldn't expect a lack of sewers in a new community because because they're necessary. And, similarly, we should expect libraries. There should be no question about it, libraries libraries should be a "given". Still, for residents of the Town of Newcastle there are some questions. questions. The study that is presently presently under way is looking looking at how the library can best meet the needs of the community and it is hoping for input from the very people it strives to serve. By the time this column column is published there will have been three meetings to gather comments comments from residents in hopes of best assessing where future funding can be most productive in making the library a place everyone wants to go. I attended the meeting at Courtice Secondary School with some reservations. reservations. Since starting work in Bowmanville 1 have done so many stories on studies for so many different topics that they all seem to be the same after a while. I came away from that meeting frightened about what is happening to our library system. Firstly, there were only a handful of Courtice Courtice residents at the meeting. For a community community that seems to think it is hard done by at every tax, community centre, sidewalk, arena and water turn, they didn't take a very large interest in the chance to have a say in the future of the library. O.K. So maybe some didn't hear about the meeting. But I know for certain that a letter went home from one school to at least 130 families and not even five percent of those showed up. Secondly, our library board has the LOWEST municipal funding in the province. We are also the LOWEST overall in per capita funding of all medium sized (populations (populations between 30,000- 50,000) libraries. Lastly, we have the fewest staff members for equal size communities province-wide. Let's forget for a moment moment the other financial responsibilities that our town council must approve. approve. Let's forget the $10 million being spent on two buildings. Pretending that the library library is the only fiscal concern, it is going to take a heck of a lot more than a yearly budget of $438,000 to improve our libraries. I'm not just speaking of money. There arc 10,000 cardholders cardholders in the Town of Newcastle. And every one of those people is needed to send a message message to town council that it is time to bring our libraries libraries into the modern, age. We are trying to do much the same thing with the new administration administration facility and a sports complex. It pales me to think of all the needs that this town has at the present time, and for many years to come. Yet, the libraries are a need that if allowed to falter any further, will produce repercussions for the entire population. population. I'm not for a moment suggesting that a nice new arena and a flashy administration building aren't an asset to the town. Of course they have their place in the scheme of things. Still, if you've priced a best-seller, or an atlas, or a children's fiction book, you will know that our libraries can't run on a wing and a prayer. Our libraries are vital to our education systems. systems. They are also crucial crucial to our social growth. Who doesn't remember heading down to the library library on a Saturday morning as a child to pick out the latest Nancy Drew, or Anne of Green Gables? Residents of this town can continue to head to Oshawa (as most at the Courtice meeting said they do) for their library needs, or they can throw their support behind a revitalized library system. system. It isn't too late to have a say and make a difference. difference. Whether you spend your Sunday afternoon at an arena or sitting in front of the fire reading a book, one thing is for sure. There is room in this town for everything. We just need to make sure we don't destroy what we already have.