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> Town HalVs Cupola Restored to Its Former Place of Distinction m Curious spectators gathered on Temperance Street in Bowmanville last Wednesday, December 9, to watch construction workers manoeuvre the 1500 pound cupola towards its roost, high atop the new Town Hall. The entire procedure took about 30 minutes. A few surface repairs were made to the 84-year-old structure before it was returned to the top of the Town Hall. That's the position it has enjoyed since 1903, when it crowned the original Bowmanville Town Hall. The on-site engineer assured us the cupola will last many more years. ®be Canadian Statesman 623-3303 Durham County's Great FamHv Journal Established 133 yeap ago In 1854. Alio Incorporating The BowmenvWe Maws ■ ■ ^ The Newcastle Independent The Orono News Second dees mall registration number 1561 Produced every Wednesday by THE JAMES PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED 62-66 King St W., Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9 JOHN M. JAMES Editor--Publisher GEO. P. MORRIS Business Mgr. 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The cupola reaches its final destination. It will be painted and screened in, to prevent pigeons from nesting in it. Completion of the Town Hall is expected to be in March of the new year. This Monday, We Shall Be Sharing the Olympic Flame The Risk Isn't Worth It! Many Ontario drivers seem to be totally totally unaware of the consequences of drinking and driving. They are especially especially heedless of those risks during the festive season when, of course, the temptation to drink and drive may be the strongest. Statistics show that there were 75 fatal motor vehicle accidents in Ontario Ontario in December of 1986. Not all of those would have been related to alcohol, alcohol, of course. But many of them were. In fact, during 1986, just under half the drivers killed in the province had been drinking. Moreover, their blood alcohol levels were not necessarily necessarily .08. Statistics from the Addiction Research Research Foundation for 1986 indicate that three quarters of the drivers killed killed in crashes between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. had either been drinking or were legally impaired. During that same year, 91 per cent of fatal single vehicle accidents occurring occurring between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. involved involved drivers who had been drinking drinking or were legally impaired. In other words, it's quite, possible that close to half of the traffic fatalities during the year in question could have been avoided had the victims victims chosen not to mix drinking and driving. You .know, it's ironic that folks would probably be quite concerned if that number of people died from some newly discovered disease. Every effort would be made to attempt attempt to find a cure. But the epidemic of drinking and driving often goes totally ignored or at least the problem docs not always get the attention it deserves. Alcohol-related traffic fatalities are preventable if the victims had only followed certain precautions to ensure that they did not find themselves themselves behind drunk behind the wheel. The Addiction Research Foundation Foundation offers the following advice on alcohol alcohol consumption -- advice which should be taken seriously by anyone who will even think about drinking and driving during this holiday season. season. The Foundation advises that people should not drink and drive. Period. That's an absolutely safe means of remaining sober. But if it is necessary to drink and drive, the Foundation recommends that the drinker limit himself or herself herself to less than one standard drink per hour. That's how long the average 160 pound male's body takes to rid itself of the effects of alcohol. The Addiction Research Foundation Foundation hastens to add that no one should assume that he or she is average. One's capacity for drinking may be less than what is noted above, especially especially if one is a woman of slight build or if one is taking medication. A standard drink, by the way, is defined defined as one and one-half ounces of spirits (40% alcohol content), 5 ounces of table wine (10-14 % alcohol content) or 12 ounces (one bottle) of regular beer having a 5% alcohol content. content. Moreover, there is no miraculous means of sobering up quickly after drinking. Nature has to take its course. And trying to return to sobriety sobriety with coffee or fresh air does not work. Coffee only turns a drowsy drunk into a wide-awake drunk who may be even more of a menace on the As the evening darkness darkness approaches, crowds begin to form at the four corners in downtown Bowmanville. It isn't the many Christmas bargains that can be found in the stores that have brought the folks out just prior to suppertime. It isn't the. joy of an early evening stroll through town that has them waiting in anticipation. anticipation. For the moment, moment, all thoughts of presents, presents, eggnog and Santa Cluas himself are swept onto the back burner. Why have the crowds come then? It is the chance to witness witness the making of history. history. On December 21, the Petro-Canada Torch Run will enter our town and it can only be hoped that many are there to greet it. It is an opportunity to witness the now almost commonplace "passing of the torch" from one runner to another. It is the chance to believe that Canada is indeed (at least for the duration of the run) a united country. country. Still, for the torchbear- ers involved, the day is anything but ordinary. They meet hours before before their designated run and are briefed on the procedures for accepting accepting the torch, where they will run and how to pass the torch on to the next runner. The participants participants also receive their red and white track suits which they will run in and then be allowed to keep as a life-long memory. I received a call from the father of one of the runners last week. He was calling to inform me when his daughter would be collecting the torch to make her one kilometre jaunt. The excitement excitement in his voice was proof that the opportunity opportunity to carry the torch goes much further than the actual athletes chosen chosen for the job. Who can't picture themselves, arm held high, torch glowing brightly, confidently jogging jogging down King Street to a hero's welcome? It could be everyone's dream come true. The events • of December December 21 will also allow the town to honor outstanding outstanding athletes, sponsors sponsors and volunteers whose contributions have greatly inproved the area's sporting life. A skating party and various various demonstrations at the Bowmanville Arena earlier in the afternoon will give everyone the chance to get into the "torch spirit." When the torch arrives downtown on December 21, I hope that the dreamer in all of us will be there. Sure, the temporary ceremonies on King Street may slow the traffic traffic and inconvenience some people for a period of time.. Unfortunately, that can't really be helped. Hopefully the spirit of the moment will be enough to make the slight inconvenience bearable. Thé number of Canadians Canadians honored with the chance to make an historical historical run is slightly over 6000. Obviously not everyone who entered was lucky enough to have their name slip out the magical computer slot. Nevertheless, whether selected or not, we all can imagine what the experience experience is like. I won't miss the torch when it comes through town. Whether I'm there in the official capacity or just as an observer, it's a once-in-a-lifetime shot that I don't intend to ignore. ignore. Sometimes, you just have to let someone else live a dream for you. Share the flame is, indeed, an excellent excellent motto for the Olympic Torch Relay. And this Monday, December 21, is our opportunity to do just that. The Olympic Games have a history which goes back at least as far as 1,397 B.C., and possibly before that time. And today the games, with their motto of "Swifter, Higher, Stronger" (Citius, Altius, Fortius) have come to symbolize symbolize a truly international event in which people can put aside barriers of nationality or race and compete as members of the athletic fraternity. The Olympic Torch Relay is a concept concept which was only started in this century and yet it conveys the idea that the Olympic ideals can be shared by all people, not just the competitors themselves. In addition, we can share the Olympics as participants rather than as passive spectators alone. This year and next, some 7,000 Canadians will share in the carrying of the Olympic flame across this vast country. And through ceremonies such as the one planned for Bowmanville Bowmanville on Monday, December 21, we can all become a part of a very important Olympic moment. The holding of an Olympic competition competition occurs very rarely in the life of â nation. So it's no exaggeration to say that the Olympic torch procession through Bowmanville is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. Our best information indicates that the torch will be here shortly after 4 Turkey Draw Winners p.m. (That's slightly earlier than originally originally expected.) And the special celebrations leading leading up to the arrival will commence at approximately 3:30 p.m. In addition, addition, there will be a free public skating skating session and demonstrations by the town's hockey and figure skating groups at the Bowmanville Arena earlier in the afternoon. The Olympic Torch ceremony itself will include presentations of the Celebration '88 medallions, musical selections, a few short speeches, and then the arrival of the torch itself. But it adds up to a celebration in which all facets of the community -- sporting groups, schools, business, local government and the public at large -- are represented.; Some of us might wonder if the arrival of the Olympic torch during the height of the Christmas season is a little inconvenient. inconvenient. Indeed, there would have been better opportunity to give the torch the reception it deserves if the arrival were at a less busy time of year. But, in fact, it seems to us that this event can only enhance the Yuletide festivities. After all, the Olympic spirit is a close approximation to the spirit of peace on earth and goodwill towards men which is embodied in the Christmas Christmas tradition. If at all possible, let's take the opportunity opportunity to share the flame this Monday. Monday. For the Olympic torch won't be passing this way for a very long time. Reap Reward in Cash highway because of a mistaken belief that he or she is capable of driving. Of course, the drinking and driving scenario is not entirely a matter of doom and gloom. Thanks to increased publicity and police spot checks, there are ideas such as the "designated "designated driver" concept which are now widely practised. High school programs programs such as S.A.D.D. (Students Against Drunk Driving) are also of value. But we're hoping to see a day when the responsible use of alcohol is not something that has to be preached or taught or reinforced by police spot checks. The dangers of drinking and driving driving should be sufficient to halt the practice. But, unfortunately, there are always those who try to live dangerously and hope that they can beat the odds. These unfortunate individuals should also be aware of the fact that even if they do not kill themselves or someone else, they are running the risk of severe penalties, both legally and financially. Statistics noted by the Addiction Research Foundation in a recent news release show that almost 26,000 mandatory licence suspensions were issued in 1986 as a result of impaired driving or driving with a blood alcohol alcohol level of over .08. Such suspensions suspensions last a minimum of one year for a first conviction. Moreover, insurance premiums increase increase by 50 per cent automatically in Ontario following a first conviction for any federal drinking and driving offence. And, in addition, insurance companies are riot legally obligated to pay the collision damages on your car. A second conviction results in a further 100 per cent increase in premiums. premiums. No matter how you look at it, the costs of drinking and driving are just too high for anyone to even consider such a practice. As always, the best advice on the subject can be contained in the following following warning: "If you drink, don't drive". iVrt '«•/; - vrl!" v-, _ M&S rm Jo L ancl T , ecl Wcrry arc '1 il00() richer, thanks to the Bowmanville Lions Cli the Werrys name was drawn in the Lions'Turkey Draw held Friday, Decemb 4, at the Coronation Restaurant in Bowmanville. The lucky ticket, number 30' made it possible for the Enniskillen couple to purchase the snow blower they* had then eyes on. Moo Richards (left), chairman of the draw, is pictured a bo giving the prize money, a $1000 bill, to the Werrys.