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i',4 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, September 6,1989 . Efie Canadian Statesman Durham Region's Great Family Journal Established 135 years ago in 1854 Also Incorporating The Bowmanville News The Newcastle Independent The Orono News Second Class mail registration number 1561 Produced weekly by James Publishing Company Limited 62 King Street West, Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9 (♦CNA cn 416-623-3303 Fax 416-623-6161 John M. James Editor - Publisher Richard A. James Associate Publisher Peter Parrott Associate Editor Geo. P. Morris Brian Purdy Donald Bishop Business Mgr. Advertising Mgr. Plant Mgr. All layouts and composition of advertisements produced by the employees of James Publishing Company Limited are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without the permission of the publisher. Subscription Rates Six Months --$11.00 One Year--$20.00 Foreign -- $60.00 per year 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 H any error so noted k not corrected by The Canadian Statesman hs liability shaH riot 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. Major Renovations Take Place at Kingdom Hall See You at the F air! It's quite possible that there are some newcomers to our community .who haven't yet learned to love the Orono Fair as much as we do. Long-time residents of Bowman- ville, Newcastle, Orono, and surrounding surrounding areas, are quite familiar with the Durham Central Agricultural Society's Orono Fair. But it's possible, we suppose, that there are some people who don't know what a country fair is all about. Maybe they've never had a chance to go to a fair. Well, if that's the case, those folks are in for a treat. This is because a fair represents one of Ontario's finest traditions in all- ! round entertainment. In the case of the Orono Fair, there's a 137-year his- itory behind the events which will ; transpire September 7-10 at the Orono ; Fairgrounds. And one of the nicest things about the fair is the fact that it combines the ! best of both the past and the present. With its extensive exhibits of livestock livestock and produce from the field or garden, the fair is true to its rural heritage. heritage. You will find, in Orono, this ! weekend, plenty of cattle, sheep, horses, horses, poultry, flowers, vegetables, and i home cooking. | But that's just the beginning. For, | the Orono Fair never fails to come ! through with exhibits and special | events to please everyone. You see, it 1 combines the best of traditions both ! old and new. For instance, it gives ; fair-goers an opportunity to watch 1 both a fine team of heavy horses and the latest in high-tech agricultural ; equipment within a few feet of each i other. \ . The Orono Fair will include the | midway, the commercial exhibits, and i .special contests and performances ! • such as the 10th annual Fiddlers' Con test, the Queen of the Fair Pageant, the Ontario Provincial Police Golden Helmets motorcycle team, and a demolition demolition derby. Other mainstays of the fair will include include the harness racing on Sunday afternoon, afternoon, a big parade on Saturday, and a special afternoon of events for area elementary school students on Friday. The participation of the students in the fair brings to mind another interesting interesting fact about this traditional late- summer showcase. This fair attracts participants from all ages because it offers events of interest to everybody. Young people are also well- represented in events such as the 4-H show, the special school program and everywhere else. It is not possible to list every attraction attraction at the Orono Fair on this page but we should also mention the fact that there will be a tug-of war contest, a performance by the Mundell musical oup and dancing by the Step in Time oggers. There will be chuckwagon races on Saturday and the annual dance later that same evëning. And, by the way, you won't want to miss the duck races. They're being offered offered this year for the first time. Five young Muscovy ducks will perform in a "biathlon" that includes both running running and swimming. The multitalented multitalented birds will he replacing the piglets who were one of last year's star attractions on the pint-sized track. (No doubt the porkers failed the swimming portion of the new biathlon event). With a line-up that includes everything everything from performing motorcycles to athletic ducks, what more could one expect of the Orono Fair? Drop by for the opening events tomorrow tomorrow night or spend some time at the fair this weekend. You'll find it's everything it's quacked up to be. See you at the fair! GST Makes Us Nervous - There are two large, full-page advertisements advertisements in this week's newspaper brought to you courtesy of the federal government. They reveal various details of the new General Sales Tax which is slated to come into operation in 1991. The advertisements advertisements - appearing in all Canadian Canadian newspapers - are intended to present the government's case for the tax. Now, unless you've spent the last six months climbing mountains in the Himalayas, you've probably heard of the proposed General Sales Tax which • has become known as GST. But how much factual information do Canadians Canadians really have about it? Not very much. And the advertisements attempting attempting to sell the plan do little to add to that knowledge. Take, for example, some of the claims made in the advertising produced produced by the Department of Finance. There is a claim that the GST is "a major part of the ongoing program to reduce the deficit". That statement ignores ignores the fact that the GST is, at best, a mere system for collecting taxes. Whether or not the deficit will be reduced reduced depends on such things as nuclear nuclear submarines, civil service jobs, politicians' salaries and upkeep, and all the other items on the government's government's shopping list. Changing the way taxes are collected has nothing to do with the federal debt and we fan to understand the reasoning by which the government can claim that the GST will cut the Canadian deficit. This claim is even more puzzling when we hear the government state that the net tax impact with the GST will not be much different than the current tax burden. Let's also take a look at the claim that prices will not rise by nine per cent once, the present sales tax has been removed. In some instances (such as the purchase of a magazine or the paying of a utility bill) there will be an automatic nine per cent increase. The increase will appear immediately on goods and services that are not currently currently taxed. But it's somewhat misleading to suggest that the extra nine per cent won't be tacked onto other products. The finance department wants us to believe that retailers will simply take off the pesky 13.5 per cent manufac- Letter Writer Has Tax Plan to Solve Problems It was a big weekend at the Kingdom Hall of Jeho- by a huge army of workers. These photos were taken vah's Witness on Lamb's Road, east of Bowmanville, on Saturday morning when the construction was just when extensive renovations were made to the building getting under way. Dear Mr. Michael Wilson, Federal Finance Minister: Your proposed 9% cross- the-boara sales tax has awakened Canadians from their lethargy. Even when you drop the tax to 6% voters voters will still fight it. Why? It's too broad a grab. I have the answer to our financial woes (the deficit and sundry expenses like renovations at 24 Sussex). My ideas to raise cash will also solve your government's environmental fence-sitting woes. So if you follow my method, everyone wins, and you'll look like a genius, if not a hero. The Joe Plan (copyright 1989): We must wean Canadians Canadians off the fossil fuel burners burners (automobiles) sooner than later because the so- called "greenhouse effect" has to be addressed NOW. Please ask your Environment Environment Minister to explain "greenhouse" if it's still not clear to you. Raise the price of gasoline for all noncommercial noncommercial vehicles to $3.00 per litre. Consumers will' conserve, pollution will lessen lessen and your coffers will swell. Raise home heating oil too, but not as much as gasoline. gasoline. Canadians have to learn about energy conservation: conservation: The nuclear power sickness has to be dismantled dismantled eventually, so raise the energy costs to all consumers consumers of electricity. A lot! Tobacco. More than half of all fires are caused by careless smoking. Smoking also taxes the health care system. So hit back, Mr. Wilson. Wilson. Raise the cost of cigarettes cigarettes to $10 a package. Spirits. Spirits. I don't mean the ghost of Mackenzie King. Alcohol. Alcohol Alcohol also taxes the health care system, so jack up the price of all alcoholic beverages. beverages. A case of beer should cost $50 for 24. Back to automobiles. Make purchasers of heavy vehicles pay. All buyers of sports cars and so-called "recreational" trucks should be taxed to the teeth. A license license sticker for a Mercedes should be $1000 per year. All polluting technologies should be proportionally . burdened with the costs of cleaning up this mess we've created. Tax polluters heavily! heavily! The biggest single drain on our economy is the nuclear nuclear power boondoggle. Canadians Canadians didn't want nuclear- powered subs, and they don't want food irradiation. Canadians don't want nuclear nuclear power period. Cut our losses before some accident demands the same decision. Dismantle Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. Rail transport versus air travel. Airplanes pollute way more than trains. The railroad, like the CBC, is the essential glue that holds this country together. Canadians Canadians must learn to rediscover rediscover rail travel because down the road in 20 years or so this country will have 40 million people. Rail trans-. port will be as essential as our natural resources to the economy of this big land. Finally, I respect that your government wants to balance the books. But the 9% method will just irritate people and get you unelected. unelected. I'll send a copy of this letter to Mr. Mulroney. Yours truly, Mendelson Joe Andrea Adair Have you ever heard the saying, "The more I know men the more I love my dog"? It's a standard joke with a few of my friends and myself. We don't always always mean, it, but sometimes sometimes I agree- with its sentiments, j j; • You see, dogs are pretty pretty easy going. They make mistakes sometimes but they never mean to. They might get caught chewing on someone's sock or may conceal the standable and even for- nay evidence of a knocked- over plant in their fur. Yet they always have an excuse for their errors: They didn't know any better. Unlike humans, they can't stop and -think about the action they are going to perform and decide decide whether it is right or wrong or if they will hurt anyone by doing it. While their mistakes are sometimes under- giveable, people have the ability to think about what they are about to do and decide whether or. not it will harm anyone. There is a half way mark to every mistake and we have the ability to stop the mistake before it occurs. Unfortunately, we frequently frequently proceed with our course of action and end up having to deal with the consequences. The Poet's Corner turers' tax currently applied to certain goods and replace it with the new GST of nine per cent. Nonsense. It's more likely that the retailer will simply add another nine per cent onto each price tag. And you don't have to be a government economist to know that this process of hiking costs will lead to a new round of inflation. In fact, even government economists admit admit that there will be some inflation arising from the new tax. (They just claim that inflationary pressures won't be all that bad.) The federal advertising campaign also hints that the GST will make the collection of federal taxes _ more streamlined and efficient. But, in reality, reality, it will streamline nothing. For instance, instance, the low-income earners eligible for . a sales tax credit will have to fill out yet another form on their tax returns. returns. (One wonders how many people will be discouraged from collecting what is rightfully theirs simply because because they cannot or will not complete the paperwork). Moreover, the new paperwork headaches headaches don't end there. Hundreds of businesses currently not required to collect or pay taxes on certain items will be faced with a horrendous mountain mountain of additional paperwork. It's estimated estimated that the bookkeeping connected with the GST will amount to about an extra 10 per cent. Many business people people note that under the GST they are becoming tax collectors for the government. government. And this additional burden is one which will hit the small business harder than the larger corporation because because the small business doesn't have the battalions of lawyers and accountants accountants ready to cope with the latest government government edict. From what we can see, the government's government's explanation of the federal sales tax outlined in the advertisements is long on rhetoric and short on facts. Indeed, there's a parallel between the free trade campaign which was waged just before the election and the current attempts to sell the new sales tax proposals to the Canadian public. Commentators have also pointed out another interesting fact in connection connection with the GST. Since it doesn't go into effect until 1991 and has not yet been enacted by Parliament, the whole Turn to Page 5 Unless you are a poetry enthusiast or one of my numerous numerous fans do not bother reading on. To continue any further could be dangerous to your health. Or so I am repeatedly told by my hubby, hubby, who detests poetry so much, that the mention of poetry makes him sick. The American Poetry Association Association in Santa Cruz California California invited me, along with approximately 700 poets from Canada, United States and other countries such as Mexico and Wales, to participate in the first annual annual American Poetry Association Association Convention in San Francisco. Of the 700 poets attending the convention nine to 10 percent were Canadians, Canadians, according to Jennifer Jennifer Manes, public relations officer of American Poetiy Association. Early on July 26, I donned my black cotton sundress sundress and headed for my destination - The Marriott Airport Hotel in San Francisco. Francisco. My sister, Shannon, (another one of those poetry- haters in my life who loves me in spite of my one drawback) drawback) flew from Vancouver to join me at the convention., I appreciated Shannon's support. Without her I would have had to do all that darn tipping myself. The poetry convention lived up to all my expectations. expectations. Mike Douglas hosted the event while several performers performers entertained during the three day convention. Mike Douglas delivered a powerful opening. He catered catered to the ego of the poets, commenting "Poets are the finest examples of the human human spirit." To reassure poets of their worth in society he pointed out: "Poetry is where people turn to forget the humdrum of their lives." The convention convention members warmed to the charismatic man who laughed and joked as though talking to old friends. And in a way he was. For 22 years, Mike Douglas was a very well-known face on television. television. "Poets speak out on the depth of their feelings," stated stated Mike Douglas. And ho went on to reveal the depth of his feelings, as ho read words from a U2 Album and by Sandra Haggett Questioned the creativity of the words. His disdain for the U2 aibum was cfearfy evident. I found this judgemental judgemental attitude surprising at a gathering of creative minds. Not all poetry or songs must rhyme. Even though his put- down of a certain type of poetry was remarked on, many felt a strong attachment attachment to the man who admitted admitted "All creative people share a great bond." He was a kindred spirit to the group. When asked to name one of the worst moments of his career, Mike Douglas declared declared without a moment's hesitation that Margaret Trudeau's appearance on his show was unquestionably the worst. I was embarrassed for Canada that a man who hosted a talk show for over 20 years thought our former Prime Minister's wife was his worst experience of the hundreds of thousands of experiences experiences he has had over the years. Talented singer, actress and author, Rosemaiy Clooney, Clooney, performed at the American American Poetry Convention. She delighted the audience with the old time hits. Numerous other entertainers made the three day event a success. My favourite performance performance was by Pat Yankee and her jazz band. She exuded exuded a passion and warmth often often lacking in performers. Pat Yankee received the only standing ovation during during the three days. Following Following her exciting performance, performance, the singer made herself accessible to fans and signed autographs. I was the second in line. And believe me, I do not easily fawn over celebrities. But she was special. The convention was much more than a line-up of celebrities celebrities engaged to entertain. Wo also attend to serious matters such as poetry readings, readings, champagne get- togethers, poetry discussions, discussions, before dinner cocktails... cocktails... It was a dirty job but somebody had to do it. The convention's featured poet, Philip Levine, was a very down-to-earth person. Ho is your everyday run of the mill witty, satirical, hon est, eccentric poet. Levine read some of his work and enhanced the poems with tidbits of humorous introductory introductory dialogue. To the crowds, he commented commented that in his twenties he wrote songs in his dreams. Following a dramatic dramatic pause he interjected 'some were by Frost.' Levine was pointing out how poets regurgitate, regurgitate, at times, things they have read. Philip Levine shared with the audience the reason he has become known for the decidedly short lines in his poetry. "I publish in The New Yorker; they pay by the line." My sister and I marvelled at how many older men and women were at the convention. convention. "It looks like a geriatric convention. This oughta be a lively weekend," joked my sister as she was pushed aside by a cane wielding granny who could probably have outrun both of us if someone had yelled 'Fire!' Meeting interesting individuals individuals from various walks of life was the highlight of the convention. Every person person had a chance to read some of his or her poetic efforts efforts in small groups of 30 or more. For every poet and would-be poet, sharing aloud to à truly interested audience audience is a dream come true. For me it was my first public public reading - an experience I shall endeavor to recreate in the future. One young man who really really made an impression was a waiter in the convention grand, ballroom. Michael Torres, a gentleman with a sense of humour, a dramatic flair and manners galore waited on tables, spreading his charm on young and old. He was a class act for celebrities celebrities to follow. The American Poetry Association Association of Santa Cruz, California, California, holds several poetry contests a year. Numerous Canadians nave participated participated and won prizes over the past 10 years. If you're feeling kind of weak And you think you might be sick It's your own fault for reading A column with poetic kick. Such a mistake happened happened at my house last week. My father was outside on a particulaiy humid afternoon with my dog, Sam. He and the dog were on OUR property and far away from anyone who might have walked on the' sidewàlk. Dad was watering his garden and Sam was sleeping on the grass. Readers may remember remember a column I wrote a few months ago about how much Sam resembles humans. I neglected • at that time to point out another another very human characteristic characteristic she has. Sam, along with thousands thousands of Canadian men, women and children, has diabetes. She receives insulin shots daily but unfortunately, unfortunately, because my family family was late in detecting the disease, it had already already begun its path of destruction. She has developed developed cataracts and soon will be blind. Some days she can see well, others not so well. People or animals suddenly suddenly approaching her cause considerable alarm. She is a good-natured dog and has never, in the near decade she has been with us, purposely bit, scratched or jumped at anyone. (Except for. my little cousin. Sam nipped at her once but only because because the little girl bit Sam's ear.) Due to her deteriorating deteriorating sight, however, we caution people not to approach approach too quickly. We know she won't attack but she might be frightened. frightened. Anyway, on this day last week, while the two were out, a German Shepherd, not on a leash, walked past our house, spotted my dog and lunged at Sam. (Sam, by the way, is always on leash even when she is sitting on our lawn.) Of course Sam was frightened. Fortunately, my father was nearby and he sprayed water at the larger dog to get it 'away.from Samantha. Just as the dog retreated, retreated, the owner of the animal animal came jogging by carrying, carrying, you guessed it, the dog's leash in his hands. I can understand some owners who don't like putting a chain on their dogs because I don't like putting it on my own animal. animal. I feel as if I'm choking choking Sam every time I take her outside. But I also worry about something happening to my pet wnen she doesn't have the leash on. Any number of unknown things could happen to her. She could get hit by a car perhaps, be attacked attacked by another dog, or run through people's gardens. gardens. You don't have adequate adequate control over the animal animal when you let it run on its own and, as the pet owner, you have to take responsibility for its actions. actions. Therefore, to protect our dog and to respect the lives of others, Sam has' to have a leash on when she goes out. Other pet owners are required to do the same. The owner of the Shepherd Shepherd had a responsibility to his dog and to mine that he failed to live up to. He made a mistake. I know he didn't know that his animal would run at a dog that couldn't see very well, but he should have thought that anything could happen in a residential residential neighbourhood when a dog runs unchecked unchecked through it. Dogs don't know they shouldn't be doing something something stupid; people do. :> §®L bb W,' «JP l. - l ' v Dairy Princesses Compete at Exhibition These are the Ontario Dairy Princesses who have been competing at the Canadian Canadian National Exhibition: front row 1-r, Karen Swackhammer, Ilalton; Jan Purnis, Beggs Algoma; Heather Pasco, Glengarry and 1988-89 Ontario Dairy Princess Donna s; second row, Nadine Stapleton, Durham; Sherry Brooks, Brant; Christa ick, Frontenac; third row, Linda Vander Wielen, Stormont; Heather Logan, Oxford; Kelly Little, York: Kim Hamilton, Peterborough; back row, Christine To- mascin, Niagara North; Christine Koeppe, Wentworth; Sandra Swift, Norfolk and Janice Boersen, Perth. This is the 34th year for the Dairy Princess competition.