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SECTION TWO WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1988 S\ tEfjc Canadian Statesman 623-3303 Durham County's Greet Family Journal Established 134 years ago In 1854. Aieo IncOrporatmq T he BowmenvWe New The Newcaede Independent The Orono News Second claaa mail registration number 1561 Produced every Wednesday by THE JAMES PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED 62-66 King SL W„ BowmanviNe, 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 of advertisement»*produced by the employee», of The Canadian Statesman, The Newcastle Independent and The James Publishing Company Limited are protected by copyright and muat not be reproduced without permission of the publishers. $20.00 a year -- 6 months $11.00 foreign -- $60.00 a year strictly In advance Allhough every precaulion will be taken lo 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 returnêd lo The Canadian Stalesman business office duly signed by Ihe 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 ol suoh advertisement as the space occupied by Ihe noted error bears to Ihe whole space occupied by such advertisement. Bowmanville High School Students Perform 'Twelfth Night' in the 1920s The Potential is There The potential of Bowmanville's western creek valley and mill pond is great. All that has been lacking, in recent years, is the community's eyes to see that potential and the will to develop it. Our comments are sparked by a petition petition at the mill which seeks public support for Ralph Pypker and his plans to restore the Bowmanville Mill Pond and the dam. The scenic property could quite easily become a focal point in the future future development of the downtown core -- especially if the downtown is to make the. most of its heritage buildings buildings and create a streetscape which preserves the atmosphere of an early Ontario business district while offering offering progressive 20th century marketing marketing and products. But proposals for re-establishing the pond and dam will not see completion completion overnight. For one thing, there are a number of agencies which have jurisdiction over the creek valley area. Groups such as the Conservation Authority, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Town of Newcastle Council will all wish to have input. So will the anglers' association, which will want to ensure that future plans for the creek make provision for the upward migration of spawning trout and salmon. salmon. Moreover, we would hope that funding funding is available from outside sources to accomplish some of the objectives listed above. While it's true that the pond and mill are in private ownership, it's equally true that the buildings and grounds are a part of the town's heritage heritage and are, therefore, partially in the public domain. Indeed, the owner of the mill has stated his willingness to make part of the lands available as a public park. The mill itself has possibilities in the future. The day may come, for example, example, when its high-profile location and unique architecture could make it a suitable candidate for conversion into a restaurant or series of shops. Of course, the disposition of the property is up to the landowner who has no immediate immediate plans tor changing the mill. But that's just one long-term possibility. possibility. Meanwhile, the restoration of the pond and dam should be the immediate immediate priority. The fact of the matter is that the existing existing course of the Bowmanville creek is nothing more than a muddy gulch. It's a far cry from the postcara- perfect setting which once marked the entrance to Bowmanville. Restoration Restoration of the pond and dam (in connection connection with improvements to the creek valley area and. the downtown street- scape) is a highly desirable objective. We are currently in the midst of a number of high-profile developments which will greatly benefit the town. These are the new town hall, the new hospital wing, and the new Bowmanville, Bowmanville, Arena. In the private sector, new houses and entire subdivisions are springing up overnight. Perhaps, it's time to preserve some of the old as well as building from scratch. While we do not wish to minimize the impact of the new projects cited above, we would point out that all it takes is blueprints, materials, and a building permit to create something new. It requires à community with roots, tradition, and a sense of history to maintain the unique character and charm of existing buildings of historic historic importance. Bowmanville has a charming 19th Century streetscape and, to the west, a mill with more than a century of history history behind it. It's time that some effort was made to preserve these assets which have to do with our history and our géographe géographe restoration of the Vanstone mill and pond is a good place to start that process and it should be high on the public agenda. Showing your support for the rebuilding rebuilding of this piece of the past will help to set that priority. The petition is, available at the Vanstone Mill. Political Tax Juggling A proposed provincial government bill could bring big-league politics to small town elections. We're referring specifically to a proposal in which campaign donations donations to candidates for local government government positions such as town council could be tax deductible. The scheme, as outlined by the proposed proposed Bill 106, would allow the funds donated to a candidate for local office to be deducted from the property tax bill. From what we've read of this scheme so far, the details are somewhat somewhat sketchy. For instance, we're not sure of what sort of limits there might be on this kind of campaign donation. donation. On the surface, there may be some points in favor of the scheme. Letting donors towards political campaigns benefit through a reduction in their property taxes might result in a greater greater interest in tho political process. But the advantages to this ill- conceived idea begin and end there. Let's mention a few of the flaws. For one thing, the idea could become become popular and could result in a large slice of tax dollars being refunded refunded to certain ratepayers. In fact, in a report on the proposal, the Durham Durham Region estimated that it could cost a half million dollars in tax refunds refunds if the plan were to be implemented implemented in the regional municipality. That amount of money will have to be collected somehow, and the only way we can sec this being collected is by a slight increase in taxes for all the ratepayers. So, indirectly speaking, everybody will be contributing towards the political political campaigns oi municipal politicians politicians whether they. like it or not. Only a few will be making direct contributions contributions and claiming tax credits as a result. Wc should also point out that the suggested tax refund for political contributors contributors is a proposal of the provincial provincial government. From what we've seen, it hasn't been requested by the municipalities and certainly not by Minore, John Alexander, Harry Cowling Munday, Leon Moore, Morgan Lunney, Free Elgin Billctt, •n The above photo, probably taken by Bow- Night" sometime during the 1920s on the Town Hall 1V iunaav ueon ivroore iviorcan uunnev rreu jdiuull .manville photographer Cap Humphries was brought s t a g e . Members include Jim Devitt, Marion Rick- j 0 h n James Wallace Horn Howard' Bickle and into the Statesman office by Lyla Fice who found it arc i Tom Svkes Gordon Osborne Esther Wallace donl * aames, a P ce •ii orn ' J d 7. when (Tnine thrnmrh her grandmother Winnifred ir \°tt / t/' ^oraon usDorne, Lstner wanace, teachers Miss I. K. Smith and Miss Hicks. A few of when going tnrougn ner granamocner winnnrea yera Wood, Kenneth Morris, Morley Vanstone, these thesnians are still around and subscribing to SSlKrSlSo'Kf &£& ! 'T»em A1 "" The State'smarL """S to . Special Delivery Letter from Rural Canadians Rural Canadians who oppose Canada Canada Post's plan to privatize, amalga mate or shut down more than 5,000 small post offices over the next 10 Letter Writer Responds to Nuclear Power Editorial "Few Nuclear Alternatives" We are responding to your editorial entitled "Few Nuclear Alternatives" (Statesman, April 13th.) The author starts by mentioning the April 9th demonstration against Ontario Hydro's plan to transport tritium (a radioactive form of hydrogen) hydrogen) from the Bruce to Darlington Darlington Nuclear Generating Stations. The critical stance taken by anti-nuclear activists is questioned. The writer says, "Those who would call for an end to nuclear power or who 'seek to tie the hands of the n'uclear industry have an easy- time of it. As critics, they really don't have to come up with workable alternatives. alternatives. Sure, they can suggest theoretical altena- tives. But they do not have the job of going to work Monday morning and putting putting those ideas into effect". To begin, as Ontario taxpayers taxpayers and utility users, we are all shareholders in the nuclear industry. (By the way, Ontario houses 16 of Canada's 18 nuclear reactors - one of the greatest concentrations concentrations of this power source in the world!) Despite grave public uncertainty about nuclear nuclear power, this technology receives the lion's share of energy research and "development "development subsidies by the government. government. Naturally, Joe Tax- lowing hypothetical situation: situation: Farmers are given huge government subsidies to grow beans and only beans. You have to eat, but your only choice is beans, so you eat the beans (reluctantly). But you prefer eggs. Natu- true. The nuclear industry is regulated by the Atomic Energy Energy Control Board of Canada Canada (AECB), who shares a collective collective commitment to promoting the industry they regulate. The AECB has never never held a licensing or rule- rally, you have a right to de- making meeting in public, mand that your government The AECB is "responsible" to fork over the eggs! After all, the federal Ministry of Ener- they're spending your mon- gy Mines and Resources, the ey producing food. We, too, governmental branch that's have the same right to insist hellbent on promoting our that our elected representatives representatives administer safe alternatives alternatives to nuclear power, including including comprehensive conservation measures. Why should a scientific elite who are possessed of certain kinds^l of technological knowledge, dictate.broad so nuclear program. This situation situation is comparable to restaurants restaurants inspecting their own kitchens! Furthermore, many Canadians Canadians are learning about a perverse, obscure federal law called the Nuclear Liability Liability Act. Under this legisla- cietâl development patterns - tion, the government has - especially when the public agreed to let the operators of is cfearly reluctant to take nuclear energy plants (and the associated health and ec-. their parts manufacturers) onomic risks? off the legal hook from sub- Ontario Hydro (or stantial citizens' claims "Ontario Nuclear", as it should a reactor accident 'should be named) shoulders throw our lives and health a debt of $23 billion (Toronto into chaos. No insurance Star, April 20th, 1988, p A21). company will cover our The government should be homes and propety from nu- paying brilliant scientists clear accidents: The number (who can split atoms and il)' -crunchers employed by into into the moon) to more fully sufance companies know the develop ecologically- nuclear risk is too high, sustainable energy sources However, the Nuclear Liabil- (that already exist). If the nu- ity Act bestows upon the nuclear nuclear industry was given as clear industry a virtual exlittle exlittle support as safe, less empt-from-responsibility wasteful alternatives, it clause not enjoyed by any years are sending a "Special Delivery" Delivery" message to Ottawa. A national campaign, organized by Rural Dignity of Canada and called "Coast to Coast for Rural Post", was launched on May 18. Two trucks, one starting out from Petty Harbour, Newfoundland, and the other from Westholme, Vancouver Island, are making their way through rural communities communities gathering cards and letters for delivery to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney on Parliament Hill June 7th. The Campaign Logo, a heart superimposed on a map of Canada, was chosen because rural Canadians have described the post office as "the heart of our small community." "We need to make a strong, united 1 statement," says Woodrow Mullett, president of Rural Dignity, a grassroots grassroots citizens' group. "We're determined determined to put this important issue on the political agenda." According to Mullett, communities in every province province have been fighting Canada Post's closure/privatization plan for the past year and a half. "We have the support of provincial governments, municipal councils, churches, seniors and women's groups," adds Cynthia Patterson, coordinator coordinator of Rural Dignity. "But the government is still not listening. They have even ignored the recommenda tions of their own Standing Committee Committee on Government Operations." This all-party committee, which has a Conservative Conservative majority and is chaired by, MP Felix Holtman, said in its second report, released March '87, that "Canada "Canada Post is not going to solve its fiscal problems by closing rural post offices or by changing rural postal service" and recommended the Crown Corporation Corporation "look elsewhere for savings in its operating budget." In spite of thé broad public and political opposition, Canada Post's plan continues to be implemented. "We've lost over 200 rural post offices to closure and privatization in the past two years," states Patterson. "No post office is exempt. In 10 years it will be too late to fight. The time to act is now." "In the past," she explains, "most rural Canadians facing post office closures thought they were alone. And others, not yet affected by the plan, assumed they were safe. Now peple are realizing this plan seriously seriously threatens our mail service, our rural economy and our way of life. Canada Post is picking us off village by village. The only way we can win is to stand together. That's what this campaign is all about: rural Canadians Canadians uniting to claim the quality of postal service to which we have a right." by Carolyn Hepburn would quickly die.Conservation and ener- paying Public has every gy-efficiency (including bet- right to_a meaningful role in ter architectural design) the municipalities of the Durham Region. Region. So why should the Province of Ontario Ontario ingratiate itself with voters by promising them that if they contribute to local government candidates they will receive a tax break funded by local local government coffers? If Ontario wants to give back tax money, let them do it with their own provincial dollars. At least the province province has a wider tax base from which it can draw funds. But even if the rebates to contributors contributors came from the provincial level, we believe that the idea of tax breaks for local political contributions is a bad one. And it goes without saying that it's a self-serving concept for those politicians who might endorse such a scheme. For one thing, it will increase the stakes in a local election campaign and result in higher costs for a campaign. campaign. One of the advantages to local government government seems to be the fact that it lacks some of the sophistication and organization of politics at the more senior levels. It's a place where (in theory, at least) a person without connections connections and finances but with good ideas, and other personal qualities can still get elected. Bring in the trappings of big league politics such as tax deductible contributions contributions and you will eventually drive the average citizen out of local government, government, leaving this level of grassroots grassroots democracy in the hands of the professional politician, There are two things which we should point out before concluding our remarks concerning deductions to local local political candidates. Firstly, the bill which would make this idea law has not yet been passed. Secondly, the tax rebates for local political contributors would be optional. optional. Municipalities would not be obligated obligated to implement the proposal, even if the bill were passed. Let's hope they do not. the nuclear energy decisionmaking decisionmaking process. And yes- this could mean the complete phasing out of nuclear power, power, if deemed necessary for public safety.So much of our money has been poured ito this one monopoly, yet we don't call the shots. Admittedly, we all use nuclear nuclear power, although many of us are practicing conservation. conservation. Let's think of the fol- must be financially encouraged encouraged to the same extent as is the nuclear industry. The writer says, "although an accident at a nuclear power plant would be devastating, the fact remains remains that the nuclear industry's industry's more highly regulated than any imaginable undertaking. undertaking. While the risks .are great, so are the safeguards". This assertion is simply un- Courtice Students Host Spring Festival . - ' V: * •• '■ ■, ■ •' M other manufacturer. If proponents proponents of nuclear power expect expect to convince us of their grand safety claims, we might well ask why they are battling Energy Probe and: othes in court to retain the Nuclear Liability Act (Globe & Mail, September 9th, 1987, p A13; Toronto Star, September September 9th, 1987, pA27). If they won't even insure themselves themselves without this legislative crutch, how are we to be comfortable with their safety assurances?The article dis- To page 9. At the Courtico South Elementary School Inst week, tho students and guests enjoyed enjoyed a spring festival which included a number of performances in the Ebenezer Ebenezer United Church Hall, In the above photo, members of the grade two/threo class perform a play entitled 'The Poppy Seed Cakes". In this scene, the character identified as "The Greedy Green Goose" demands poppy seed cakes from one of the characters in the tale. Ernst Zundel has been found guilty. Again. According to the many newspaper reports and radio broadcasts, the 49- year-old Zundel was found guilty of "knowingly" "knowingly" spreading false news about the Holocaust by publishing a pamphlet titled "Did Six Million Really Dio?" Apparently, Zundel thinks that the number of Jews who were brutally executed during the Second Second World War is considerably considerably less. I could care less what Ernst Zundel thinks. Whether the exact figure figure is six million or less, having any figure at all is inexcusable. I sometimes wonder what good there is for people to dig up what must surely be horrifying horrifying and sickening memories of an attempt to exterminate a race of people. I'm not Jewish, nor can I claim an even slight familiarization with their many beliefs and customs. Yet, if Ernst Zundel was claiming publicly that something didn't take place when I knew right well it had, I would bo outraged. Who is this man to waste taxpayers' money on the cost of a trial and bring back bitter bitter memories to many people who have tried to continue with their lives? Who is Ernst Zundel Zundel to say that only 300,000 Jews were killed in gas chambers during the war? The words I would like to uso to describe this person wouldn't fit in one column, and many would border on tho unprintable. unprintable. Still, I have tried to look at Zundcl's side of the argument, even if just for a very brief instant. What I see is a man ho is trying to fight history. history. Zundel is a man who is attempting to refute refute what many history books and historians have claimed for years. Now, just because someone someone wrote that six million million Jews died doesn't necessarily make it true. However, a simple question to any survivor of the horror would surely surely convince me. When someone takes an unpopular stance I'm often the first to say something smart or wonder wonder what their motive could be. Like many people people I can find it hard to put myself in someone else's shoes. Yet, I wouldn't want to even look at Ernst Zundel's shoes. I wouldn't want to have to live with the guilt and suffering I have caused many more living living innocent people by my statements. One of the worst things about the fact that Zundel has been in the limelight for so long and been the subject of so much controversy controversy is that his trials and appeals all cost money. It is taxpayers' money and it really cats at me that it is being spent to prosecute this man. For while ho is being being prosecuted ho is allowed allowed to attract public at- tention and make statements such as this: "Of course I'll appeal; I'll appeal on principle. I don't think Jesus Christ himself could win a situation situation like this." I find it appalling that tho man has the nerve to make a comparison to Jesus Christ. There is no question that the Lord himself would over bo in such a situation. But, Zundel's worst and final injustice is inferring inferring that the Holocaust Holocaust is a hoax. Is the extermination extermination any better in anyone's eyes if ONLY 300,000 Jews died? I sincerely doubt it. While the actual number number of Jews that died is important, I think that more important still is, that Zundel got a free ride of publicity and opened even more wounds. A man like Zundel ALMOST makes me question whether freedom of speech is such a good thing. It is unfortunate unfortunate that for every nine people with something worthwhile to say, a man like Zundel nabs the spotlight. I may not be able tb relate relate to the feelings of a Holocaust survivor, but I can understand fighting to prove that such a horrible horrible thing happened. I can't understand refuting refuting that it did. I can't feel sorry for Zundel nor do I apologize for the way I feel about the man. It is the people who know that the Holocaust Holocaust happened, the peo- 1 pie who lived it, that J worry about. Once again they nave had to drag out old memories and fears for all to see. No one wants another Holocaust, the survivors most of all. Unfortunately a guilty verdict can do nothing to replace loved ones and dismantled families, But maybe, just maybe, the Canadian justice system can send a message message to other people like Zundel. After all, his guilty conviction for the second time proves that history sometimes docs repeat itself. itself.