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SECTION TWO WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14,1990 Sifjt Canadian §> ta teaman Durham Region's Great Family Journal Established 136 years ago in 1854 Also Incorporating The Bowman ville News The Newcastle Independent The Orono News Second Class mail registration number 1561 Produced weekly by riuuuutiu wrarwy uy James Publishing Company Limited 62 King Street West, Bowmanville, Ontario L1C3K9 416-623-3303 Fax 416-623-6161 John M. James Editor - Publisher Richard A. James Associate Publisher Peter Parrott Associate Editor Brian Purd dy Donald Bishop 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 Allhough 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 lor any error In the advertisement published hereunder unless a proof ol such advertisement is requested in writing by the advertiser and returned to The Canadian Statesman 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 of such advertisement as the space occupied by the noted error bears to the whole space occupied by such advertisement. Editorial Comment Here Comes Santa Claus This Saturday is the morning when children of all ages will line the main streets of Bowmanville in an attempt to catch that first glimpse of our favorite favorite North Pole visitor. Yes, indeed. It is time once again for the Bowmanville Santa Claus Parade. Parade. For the past 29 years, this event has been an important pre-Christmas tradition for Bowmanville and area families. And it's probably the largest non-commercial Santa Claus parade in Ontario. Since this is a non-commercial event, the hundreds of volunteers who participate, gain nothing except the joy that comes from a job well done and the knowledge that they have brought Christmas cheer to about five thousand viewers. They deserve our thanks for adding a special festive touch to the start of the holiday season. season. The parade is a Bowmanville tradition. tradition. So we know that long-time residents residents will be out in force. And we would hope that if you're a newcomer to this town, you will join in the celebration and stay afterwards for shopping, refreshments, and the various craft shows and bazaars which always accompany the parade. See you on Saturday! United Way Needs Help The Oshawa/Whitby/Newcastle United Way is desperately in need of assistance if it hopes to reach its $3 million target this year. Unfortunately, with the end of the six-week campaign rapidly approaching, approaching, it would seem as though the latest tally indicates that the campaign is about 30 per cent short of the target. In other words, about $2.1 million has been raised thus far. That's a sizeable amount. But, it's not even equal to last year's contributions. contributions. Clearly, we can do better. The United Way headquarters notes in a recent news release that some early success was reported in the campaign thanks to the efforts of the employees of some of the larger companies companies who participate. But now it's time for others to help out. Donations from businesses and professionals or individual households are desperately needed now. And if you have yet to finish finish a United Way campaign project, please do so immediately so that the results can be tallied. If you've never given to United Way before, then this is certainly the year to start. Consider this fact: The ongoing support support of this community through United Way donations helps to fund 40 agencies agencies that serve the Durham Region. So your one donation is helping in 40 different different ways. Or, to put it more specifically, ima- a crisis through jr v x, ujkVvvAiiva.iijfj in id- gine your community without a crisis 'hone service provided telep. , the Distress Centre? Or imagine what it would be like to literally have no place of shelter for yourself and your children. Or imagine not being able to afford to send your child to a recreational program with his or her friends through the YMCA or the Boys' and Girls' Club. United Way supports the services that we have noted above, plus many more. We cannot imagine this community doing without their help. The United Way summed up the need most succinctly in the following sentence contained in last week's announcement: announcement: "Giving is caring. Don't let this opportunity opportunity to show you care pass by." Theory and Practice How many times have you heard someone say that although the theories theories of the social democrats are well- meaning, they will never work in practice? practice? Those who hold such views, no doubt found themselves chuckling with glee last week after Ontario's premier premier announced that he would allow the sale of Consumer's Gas to a big multi-national firm. Of course, the incident doesn't prove that the policies of the NDP are unworkable. unworkable. But it does prove that the new government government of Ontario is about to learn the painful differences between theory and practice. As an opposition party, the NDP never had to worry about those "darned-if-you-do" and "darned- if-you-don't" decisions that must be faced by those in power. Until September September 6, the New Democrats didn't have to worry about taking theory and putting putting it into practice. Now they do. Premier Bob Rae declared that although although he would have preferred to see Consumer's Gas remain in Canadian hands, his government couldn't spare the more than $1 billion it would take to buy the company. Therefore, he had to allow the sale. Welcome to the real world, Mr. Rae. There are a number of similar decisions decisions that the new premier will also have to make. These will be instances where NDP doctrine will collide head- on with political reality. A few of the collisions will occur right here in the Durham Region. For one thing, the New Democrats, through their environment minister, will have to decide on the fate of the proposed Whitevale landfill operation. Unless Queen's Park intervenes, the landfill site will be the topic of a hearing hearing under the Environmental Assessment Assessment Act starting the end of this month, The government is faced with the choice of either vetoing Whitevale outright outright -- which it more or less promised to do -- or else let the environmental hearings occur and allow the hearings to decide the issue. Then, of course, there's the Darlington Darlington Nuclear Generating Station ana, indeed, Hydro's entire nuclear generating generating program. The NDP will have to decide whether to kill Hydro's ambitious ambitious plans to build additional nuclear stations over the next 25 years. If it follows its traditional doctrine, it will pull the plug on nuclear power. And yet, what must it do if the realities of the day suggest that more generating capacity is needed? It will be a difficult struggle between between party doctrine on one hand and political reality on the other. Difficult economic times make the NDP role as the government even tougher. No doubt, the party is anxious anxious not to send signals to big business that it will radically change'the way this province operates. The last thing it needs is a withdrawal of big business business money and jobs from Ontario. Moreover, in times of economic hardship, hardship, the party has little extra cash to spend on social programs. The struggle will be especially difficult difficult for the New Democrats because of the fact that they have, in the past, always always been less likely to bend their principles. And, in addition, the party has prided itself on the fact that policy always comes from the grassroots of the party and not from its leadership. And so, the New Democrats must do a delicate balancing act. If they move too far in one direction, they will alienate alienate Ontario's more conservative voters. voters. And yet, if they move too far in the opposite direction, they will alienate alienate longtime supporters, party members, members, and all those people who gave the party its traditional support. Tne situation in Ontario makes us wonder whether whether political ideals make government policy or whether such policy is simply forged minute-by-minute according to the challenges with which a government must cope. And, if political ideals are secondary, secondary, it would seem as though the particular particular brand of political rhetoric espoused espoused by a party really makes little difference to the rough-and-tumble decisions decisions that the party must make when it takes the reins of power, It may just be possible that whoever we elect os premier of Ontario, he or she will eventually take on the characteristics characteristics of long-time ex-premier Bill Davis or, in more recent times, David Peterson. Group in Need Of New Centre Bowmanville Merchants Pay Tribute to War Heroes Dear Editor: Thank you for writing the nice story about Mom's Morning and our desire to grow into a Parent/Child Resource Resource Centre. I feel that what we do and what we are trying to do is important to the village of Newcastle. And I would like to stress that a Resource Centre would undoubtedly create a focal point for families families in the Village of Newcastle. Newcastle. Unfortunately, space did not allow you to print the pictures of the children decorating decorating their pumpkins (which were donated by Browview Farms) or playing in the play house and tug boats or being a train. The mothers at this time were getting inexpensive decorating decorating ideas while the babies were being cared for by the babysitter and her daughter. Our group does a lot in. the two hours allotted them each week and it is because of this that we need a resource resource centre in the Newcastle Newcastle Village. Not all people who would enjoy what we offer offer can fit into that two hour time slot. As well, there is so much more we could" offer. We must rent the space for 365 days a year although at present we might only need it three mornings to start. Although we have not yet se- ' the cured the west library room we are hoping other groups may be interested in snaring this space and hopefully helping in some way to raise funds towards the rent. While the east room will undoubtedly be occupied by Sam Cureatz and his law practice, I feel it is extremely extremely important that at least one of these rooms be kept for community use. Many people object to anyone but a community service or someone providing a community community service to using the Town Hall space but the Town Hall must pay its bills and if we want this space for the community then the townspeople will have to come up with fund raising ideas to allow this to happen. happen. Anyone interested in what is happening in their Town Hall could contact the: chairman or attend the public public meetings held on the third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the upstairs boardroom (November 19th). Anyone interested in sharing space in the Newcastle Newcastle Community Town Hall should contact Corinne Allin at . 987-5145 or Cathy Abraham at 987-1883. Thank you for your generous generous support in the past and undoubtedly in the future future supporting our efforts to establish a parent/child resource centre in the Village Village of Newcastle. Sincerely, Corinne Allin Uniforms and other armed services equipment from the past were on display in local stores over the Remembrance Remembrance Day period, undoubtedly recalling the events and people for those who unwrapped the items that had been kept intact for nearly half a century. The two windows in the above photos were at Cocker- ham Florists and Allouise Fashions, King St. West. Cliffcrest Cleaners also had a Remembrance display. Andrea Adair Sometimes we have to take a step back from our work and analyze how far we've come and deçide how far we still have to go. The same can be said for the work being done for equal rights. Last week I received a piece of junk mail from Gloria Steinem, a famous American feminist and editor of Ms magazine. Usually I don't read junk mail and every time I get a piece, I'm reminded reminded about writing to remove remove my name from the junk mailing list. But this item, I read from beginning to end. It was a request for a contribution to LEAF, the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund, a Canadian Canadian organization promoting promoting equality under Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Ms Steinem took part in their travelling roadshow roadshow last year which served to heighten awareness awareness of the organization and served as a fundraising fundraising tool as well. Of course, the letter was asking for a donation. donation. I started thinking about how far Canada has really come in the drive for equal rights. Ms Steinem said in the letter that "Canada is a beacon of hope to feminists feminists in the U.S." and noted noted that the equality provision provision in the Charter of Rights is something they don't yet have in the States. I started to think about other major accomplishments accomplishments Canada has achieved. We now have equal pay laws. Sexual harassment harassment on the job is no longer tolerated and, according according to the letter, women who are pregnant can't be denied health benefits. I see and meet many women in exciting careers careers accomplishing many different things that, were it not for major attitude changes and acceptance, acceptance, the women might not have been able to do. Accepting equality as a natural, ingrained belief has a tendency to lull one into thinking that we really are forging ahead in the task of makii ciety fairer. I start to think that the press given to women's women's issues isn't needed as ting so- much now because we have equality. But maybe this equality equality only exists in the public public and the political sectors sectors and that the differences between the sexes is still acutely defined defined behind closed doors. Call me a cynic but recently recently I started to think that "old boys clubs" are as present in society as they always were despite the fact that women are making great strides in the business and professional professional world and have showed their capabilities. Changing attitudes that have nad centuries to form is difficult and, for some generations, unachievable. unachievable. I'm counting on changes changes occurring in the next generation. The Northumberland and Newcastle Board of Education is taking progressive progressive steps in eliminating eliminating regressive thinking. thinking. Debbie Nowlan, chairperson chairperson of the Affirmative Action Committee with the Board, said booklets were handed out this year to parents of children children starting kindergarten. kindergarten. The books promoted gender equality. She explained that the board is trying to encourage encourage parents not to discriminate discriminate against their boys if they play in the house centre at school or if their daughter doesn't want to play with dolls. Having women in leadership leadership and authoritative roles, such as vice principal principal and principal also acts as a role model to students. Both sexes are getting exposure to women women in these positions. Both will have to listen to them and will eventually accept them, without question, as being able leaders. With programs such as the one the school board implemented, maybe in 50 years' time we won't need LEAF. Until then, my donation donation is in the mail. /■ Pressing Matters In One Small Town -- by John E. James -- "S| -6 Mulroney'a Tories could screw up a bowl of Corn Flakes It isn't always easy to grasp how others see us, but you must concede that folks from other parts of the planet might think the average Canadian tallies a brick or two short these days. We've all done our share of contributing to Canada's dubious image, but much of the credit falls deservedly at the feet of the 'Top Guns' running the federal Progressive Conservative government in Ottawa. For example, we offer Canada's External Affairs Minister Joe Clark, the man who put the "Dip" in diplomat. Joe was on teevee a while back, declaring "Canada is willing to attack Iraq, with or without the approval of the United Nations." You'd have to be darned insightful to figure out what motivated our Joe to say that. More to the point, why bother? Put yourself in the shoes of Iraq's Saddam Hussein, catching world news via satellite one night, when on comes the Clark clip. Did he quake with fear upon viewing this threat from a nation whose government was recently held for ransom for three months by 120 Bingo Indians near Montreal? Not bloody likely, especially-when said threat is uttered by a statesman whose chin resembles a contour map of Mt. Everest. Or how about RCMP Commander Norman Inkster's latest "Sikh" joke, played on the Mounties? The decision to allow Indians to wear their hair in braids while on duty in the scarlet tunic is another nail in the nation's cultural coffin. At the rate Canada's national police are casting aside tradition(s), school crossing guards will soon be better dressed and command more respect, Ah, but Hussein must admire the manner in which Canada's government has handled the current fiscal downturn. One can envision him saying: "Geez, all I did was invade Kuwait.... lookit what these guys arc getting away with!" There were tv clips of Finance Minister Mike ■ Wilson, finally admitting the country was in a recession. After hearing his explanation of what's causing our current economic malaise, we're ready to believe he really didn't know there was a problem. Equally impressive was a revelation that the finance ministry spent $1,3 million to distribute ten million pamphlets across this great land, The pamphlets were intended to explain how government spends our money. Seeing is believing. Barbara McDougall is Canada's Immigration Minister. Try as we might, it is not easy to figure out why Ms. McDougall will increase the number of immigrants to Canada to 250,000 for each of the next five years. The last thing Toronto needs (where else?) is several hundred thousand more residents who can't speak English, let alone French. We're in a recession, jobs are flowing out of the country because of nigh costs, unemployment lines are growing, businesses are closing down or leaving,, and things will get a lot worse January 1st, when the GST tax comes into effect. For this, we need more people? Hussein's favourite Canadian must bo old Too Ra Loo Ra himself, the Prime Minister. Consider the way Brian Mulroney likes to "get down with the common folks." In a recent attempt to demonstrate his awareness and affinity with the little people, the PM used a brand new pickup truck as an example of how his GST tax would save real money for those who needed it most. In this case, 'real money' was supposed to be $2000. Coops! First off the line in response was a Ford Motor Co. spokesman who observed: "That would hafta be one helluva pickup!" The Ford man then proceeded to explain that $750 might be closer to the truth.... "but don't count on it." Back came Mulroney's minions, explaining that he was (of course) referring to the net results, after things such as the "Farm Tax Credit" ... bla, bla, bla, bla, etc. Ya, sure. The debate could have gone on forever, but .... lucky reader you, your correspondent switches into investigative reporter mode, put on his truck owner's shoes and went to see a local car dealer. Uh, oh. You won't like what we found. The problem isn't merely the NEW truck purchase. Oh no. You also need to worry about what the poor dealer can offer on your trade-in. The possibility of losing thousands of dollars on THAT vehicle exists. (If they'll take a trade-in at all!) Better you should find out the nasty details for yourself. See you next week... -John E. James