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SECTION TWO WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5,1990 s&t Canadian Statesman Durham Region's Great Family Journal Established 136 years ago in 1854 © Also Incorporating ■ m 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 416-623-3303 Fax 416-623-6161 cn John M. James Editor - Publisher Richard A. James Associate Publisher Peter Parrott Brian Purdy. Donald Bishop Associate Editor 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.uu per year Although every precaution will be taken to avoid error, The Canadian Statesman accepts advertising in Us 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 K 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. Report from Queen's Park by Gord Mills, M.P.P., Durham East Comment EL Christmas Arrives Early for Newcastle Man Held Hostage For a Newcastle Village resident who has been stranded in Iraq since the invasion of Kuwait in early August, August, the nightmare is over. Bob Beck is heading home in time for Christmas as we write these words. And, no doubt, the entire community community is heaving a collective sigh of relief. But, for many others, the wait continues. continues. And at this time of the year when Christians celebrate a season of peace, it would appear as though the potential potential for a major war is more likely than it has been in at least the past decade But there is hope. At least both the major players in the crisis - the U.S. and Iraq - are talking. And that bodes well for the future. future. The fact of the matter is that the opposing opposing forces are staring down the gun barrels of a conflict that neither wants. There is increasing public opinion opinion in the western countries against a mid-east battle. And on the other side, now that the impact of economic sanctions sanctions is being felt, it's unlikely that a war is wanted. Nobody should have to list the advantages advantages of peace over war in this instance. instance. They are fairly obvious. A war Senate Keeps Fighting Mulroney's 7% Solution The following article came to us in an envelope with the post mark of the Canadian Senate. That might explain explain why it is, to say the least, somewhat somewhat partisan in nature, although we can't imagine which of the political parties the article is supporting. 'We're printing it here because it does provide provide a very graphic picture of a Christmas with the new GST. Keep it in mind for next year's Yuletide shopping. shopping. Charles Dickens' ghos ild i mas yet-to-come could not have invented invented a gloomier picture than what is being inflicted on us by the Mulroney government. Our first Christmas under the GST will follow our first full year of paying 7% more dozens of times per day. It will apply to everything from the towels towels and toothpaste in the morning to the children's lunch time snacks, from paying the utility bills in the afternoon to turning off the bedside lamp at night. The money we usually try to put aside for Christmas will be eaten up day in and day out paying this new tax. As if that isq't mean enough, the special things we buy at Christmas will also cost us 7% more. Think about it as you pile the kids into the station wagon and head off to pick up the Christmas tree -- just one of.the hundreds of things that will cost you 7% more. Stop at the store to pick up the decorations. decorations. _ - tree lights - 7% more - special ornaments - 7% more - coloured balls - 7% more - icicles - 7% more - a star for the top - 7% more - perhaps some spray-on frost for the windows - 7 % more - some outside lights or a wreath for the door - 7% more Drop in at McDonald's or Harvey's on the way back for some hot chocolate - 7% more - a hot dog or a hamburger for the kids - 7% more - a cup of coffee - 7% more In the freezing weather, the car stalls in the parking lot. Call a tow truck for a boost - 7% more. As you struggle to set up the tree, you accidentally stain the new living room rug. Get it cleaned - 7% more. Turn on the new tree lights. Turn them off two minutes later when you realize that it is now costing you 7% more for electricity, With the tree in place, head to the would bring massive casualty figures on both sides. There would be a destabilization destabilization in the price of oil, vast monetary monetary costs to the western nations, and a destabilization of an already volatile balance of power in the Middle East. At times of crisis, it is easy for leaders leaders on both sides to call each other devils or incarnations of Hitler or madmen. But, it seems to us that if madmen were involved in this crisis, the war would have broken out already. In a sense, every day that war is avoided gives further cause for optimism. Madmen Madmen do not even attempt to negotiate. And, since madmen are not in control control of the situation, then surely there's room for everyone to eventually tiptoe out of the comer into which they have painted themselves. This does not mean that countries shouldn't be prepared to stand up for principles of international law and order. order. It doesn't mean they shouldn't be prepared to put lives on the line to back those principles. But such measures measures may not be necessary. Deliverance from the nightmarish prospect of yet another Middle East conflict would be about the best Christmas present we could receive this year. Recently, I was at the Bowmanville Santa Claus Parade, riding in a 1941 Oldsmobile. The crowds lining the streets were huge. It was a wonderful way to greet the exciting season of Christmas. If the happy faces seen along the route were any indication, my feelings were shared by many. On Monday I was at the Ontario Legislature to take part in the process of electing a new Speaker. This duty was for many of us, the first time we had officially taken our places in the Legislature. As I cast my vote, I felt very proud to have been given the opportunity opportunity by the voters of Durham East to be a part of this process. The following day I was present at the Opening of the 35th Parliament of Ontario. If you were able to watch the ceremonies on television you may have shared some of the excitement that those of us there were feeling. The events of that day have earned a special special place in my life, forever. On Tuesday Tuesday evening, I attended a meeting with organizations in the riding interested interested in energy issues. Representatives Representatives from the Ministiy of Energy were present and a good discussion and exchange exchange of ideas occurred. November is Wife Assault Prevention Prevention Month, and on Wednesday I attended attended a meeting to discuss violence against women in our society. One out of every eight women is assaulted by her husband or live-in partner and 62 per cent of all women murdered in Canada have died as a result of domestic domestic violence. Hundreds of women from all over Ontario attended this meeting, many were moved to tears as the stories of violence were read out. Premier Bob Rae reaffirmed to those gathered that this government will not tolerate violence against women. There is never an excuse for wife as sault. Help is available. For more information information on this issue call my constituency constituency office. That evening at Queen's Part I attended attended a reception for MPP's, given by the legislative interns. It gave me my first chance to chat with members of the other two political parties. On Thursday, I was interviewed by a national police magazine about my experience in the police force, and how that would assist me in my role as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Solicitor Solicitor General. Later in the day, I attended attended a luncheon, hosted by the Solicitor Solicitor General, to honor those who had made significant contributions to fire safety and prevention. I was honored to present an award to The Canadian Statesman, in Bowmanville, in recognition recognition of its outstanding contribution. On Friday, in addition to meeting with several constituents, I was pleased to participate in the official opening of Powerscreen's new facility in Bowmanville. Its decision to locate in Bowmanville is most welcome. As well as providing new employment and injecting millions into the local economy, Powerscreen is working to help the environment by manufacturing manufacturing equipment to reduce waste. Saturday, on behalf of the Solicitor General, I made a presentation to Chief Keith Dewar, of Manvers Township Township Fire Department, who is retiring. Chief Dewar has worked in fire service for 27 years. He spent the last ten years with the Manvers Fire Department. Department. A large number of firefighters from the surrounding area gathered to wish him well. In addition, 18 local firefighters were given the Exemplary Service Medal, in recognition of 20 years of service. Until next week - please be kind to one another. * IN CASE OF * RECESSION .BREAK GLASS* . tljeanwhile, Ottawa, serious measures were about to be taken.., 'Bowmanville' is Quickly Vanishing Report from Parliament Hill in Giirvivp . • .. .. l l ~~~ ByR M.P. for Durham mall to do some Christmas shopping. - pull into the parking lot - 7% more - pick out a nice housecoat for Aunt Mable - 7% more - slippers for Uncle Bob - 7% more - portable typewriter for your teenager teenager - 7% more - a train set for your youngest child - 7% more - a teddy bear for the neighbours' new baby - 7% more - a small bottle of Christmas Cheer for the mailman - 7% more - a wallet for the paperboy - 7% more. -a copy of Trivial Pursuit for Cousin George - 7% more - a Bart Simpson T-shirt for your 4- year-old - 7% more. Stop at the baker for Christmas cookies - 7% more Pick up some candy for the children's children's stockings - 7% more. - paper Christmas table cover - 7% more - Christmas serviettes - 7% more - candles for the table - 7% more - paper hats and crackers - 7% more Buy a nice new quilt for the spare bed because your parents are coming for the holidays - 7% more They arrive from the airport in a taxi - 7% more Take a trip to the sporting goods store to pick out some hockey equipment equipment for your 10-year-old superstar. - skates - 7% more - hockey stick - 7% more - helmet - 7% more - shoulder pads - 7% more Because of the GST, you don't have enough to pay for it all. You take back the shoulder pads. As you wait for the clerk to calculate the refund, it occurs to you that if the GST had been around when Wavne Gretzky was 10, he probably would be selling insurance today instead of scoring his 2,000th goal in the NHL, Back home you realize you forgot to get something for your father-in-law, so you buy him a subscription to Maclean's. Maclean's. As you are writing out the cheque and adding the 7%, you remember remember his boast about voting for the Tories. Cancel the subscription. Send him a free copy of the Senate Report on the GST instead. Finally, it is Christmas Eve, You R ut out an extra stocking. You mark it lichael Wilson just to see what will happen. On Christmas morning, you're not surprised to find that all that is in it is a lump of coal. And that costs 7 % more too. Dear Friend John: I wonder if I could, through your excellent newspaper, just write a nice note to a very nice lady who really means well. Inez Jackman and her nice family family have lived in Bowmanville Bowmanville all their lives, just as I have. Most unfortunately, the head of our local municipality municipality seems to be doing everything she can to obliterate obliterate the name of Bowmanville. Bowmanville. The name is now off the water tank and very soon it will have the name Newcastle Newcastle on the Bowmanville Cemetery. Cemetery. Did you know, Inez, that there is no hospital in the Town of Newcastle? Pretty soon they will want to change that. My father was born in the village of Newcastle but moved to the then village of Bowmanville. He liked both places and so do I, but having having two of one and none of the other is stupid. But that is beside the point, Inez. Think of the poor American who was looking for the United Church to attend a wedding. When he got to the village of Newcastle, someone said that is up in Bowmanville. When he got to Bowmanville, Bowmanville, he found the wedding was in the Village of Newcastle Newcastle and by the time he got back there, the wedding was over. I do not remember the names used, but this occurrence occurrence and other similar ones happened because we have the two Newcastles. I tell you what I am going to do, Inez, in another effort to correct this problem. The provincial government just defeated, did.-nothing to correct correct the name problem, so I think I will write a letter to Bob Rae to see what he thinks. An unconfirmed report report indicates that our new member, Gord Mills, has been contacted on the matter. matter. So, we shall see what comes of our efforts to straighten out the mess. It will be very interesting,/ do you not think so, Inez? Yours truly, for having just one name for each community, community, Robert Kent Writer Critical of Spicer Selection Dear Editor, The selection by the Prime Minister of Mr. Keith Spicer as chairman of the new Canadian Citizens Forum Forum on Canada's Future was an unwise choice. Mr. Spicer has ben quoted quoted as saying that he views the mandate for the Forum as preparing Canada for the results of the Quebec constitutional constitutional debate. This is a dangerous view for Canada, as tne debate in Quebec is being limited to those who want immediate separation from Canada and those who want to gain more power now, for Quebec's eventual separation. This second attempt by Mr. Mulroney to give more powers to Quebec will be lead by a man who, as the Commissioner of Official Languages, successfully ignored ignored tne problems facing the English-speaking minority minority in Quebec, a man whose opinion of those struggling Missing the Festive Spirit Dear Editor: Do you know where your children are and what they are doing? Two boys, ages 12 to 15 were on the loose last Thursday Thursday night from quarter to five until after 10 p.m. pulling pulling down and smashing Christmas ' lights on Flctt Street. These boys were seen and one wore a beige jacket and the other, n gray one with red trim. It takes money and time to beautify our homes for the Holiday Season , and wo do not appreciate this distraction distraction of our property. This only lends to streets being unsafe and sooms to be starting at a very early ago. Let's, ns parents, stop it now. Sincerely, An unhappy homo owner to maintain the English- speaking community in Quebec Quebec was that they were "Westmount Rhodesians." He is a man who is considered considered by the Quebec cultural chauvinists as "enlightened," "enlightened," like our Prime Minister Minister and much of English Canada's media. "Enlightenment," "Enlightenment," in this case, means in agreement that the future of Canada is in the hands of the Quebec nationalists. It also means the acceptance of the denial of individual rights and freedoms in Quebec, Quebec, the support of unilin- gual-French Quebec and, of course, a bilingual Canada. The English-speaking Canadians Canadians in Quebec are totally totally ignored and without representation representation on the Citizens' Forum, although they are the ones that are continually humiliated and whose rights have been trampled upon. Certainly a person ot the stature of Peter Blaikie welcome welcome addition to the Forum and would give some hope that a realistic view of tne domination of Quebec by a cultural chauvinistic minority minority would be made known to Canadians. We can only hope that Canadians will not allow our leaders and media to sacrifice sacrifice Canadian values and principles in order to satisfy a group of Quebec Nationalists. Nationalists. Yours respectfully, Maurice J. King GATT isn't usually what you might call an attention grabber. Generally, when it's mentioned on newscasts you can see most people's eyes start to glaze. GATT's been in the news fairly often recently, and no doubt we'll hear more within the next few days. It will be very important news for all of us. If, like most others, you have little or no idea what GATT is all about, I'll try to give a brief explanation. The name is from the initials for the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. That agreement has been around for 43 years and has im-/ proved significantly our Canadian Canadian standard of living and lifestyle. As tariffs and other trade restrictions were slashed by more than 75 per cent, new international markets opened opened up for Canadian products, products, and goods from all over the world became available in our stores. Trade is vital to Canada - - one in three paycheques depend on our being able to sell wheat, paper and motor cars to foreign buyers. We export. one-third of most things we produce. Trade is even more important to farmers, as one-half of all our agricultural produce must be sold to other countries. countries. The reason is that we are a big country with a small ogulation. Japan and the by comparison, because they have so many people to buy their products at home, only have to export about 10 to 15 per cent of their production. production. With GATT's creation back in 1947, world trade rules were transformed. In the aftermath of World War II everyone wanted to keep away from the myriad of trade walls that helped plunge the world into deep depression during the 1930s. At first only 23 nations participated - now there are almost 100. About every 10 g years they get together to discuss what more can be done to liberalize trade. The current talks - called the Uruguay Round because that's where they began - are now under way at Brussels, Brussels, Belgium. Everyone agrees that opening up markets is an excellent excellent idea. But the details can be troublesome. This time they're focusing on agriculture, agriculture, a particularly sticky issue. Indeed, some observers believe an agricultural agricultural agreement is essential if the whole GATT system is to survive. On opposing sides are the European Community with its 12 member nations, and Canada, the U.S., and most other countries that export farm products. The non-Europeans want major cuts to the hefty subsidies subsidies with which the EC bolsters its farmers. Canada's Canada's position reflects the realities realities of our own agriculture. agriculture. Trade liberalism is sought over a 10-year period, period, with maintenance of our supply-management systems systems and agreement to stop using health and sanitation laws as false trade barriers. There's a long way to go, and so far neither side has offered to concede much.' One might ponder that, as there now is a 155 per cent EC tariff on prime Canadian, wheat, what would happen if we imposed a similar levy on imported European. autos. autos. I'm still optimistic a deal can be reached. The alternative alternative would have to be very bad news for Canada and the rest of the world. Town Spending Questioned {?! Dear. John: Just a short week ago, we all witnessed a truly fine Bowmanville Santa Claus parade, put on by local citizens citizens ana for the most part, local participants. Such enthusiasm for local support doesn't appear to pervade the halls of the Municipal Municipal Administrative Centre. Centre. The article appearing in a neighbouring newspaper respecting respecting the absence of a number of local administrative administrative senior personnel attending attending a management seminar, begs for comment. We have no quarrel with the concept of educational seminars, however, we must question, why Scarborough? Are there no facilities for such an exercise in Bowmanville Bowmanville or Oshawa? Was The Flying Dutchman, The Marina, Hotel or Holiday Inn, to name three, simply ignored? The article suggested a total cost covering the two- day participation of certain staff members to be in the neighbourhood of $2,500, exclusive exclusive of consultant's fees or the cost of telephone calls back to the Municipal Administrative Administrative Centre. With the present state of economic business downturn, downturn, I am certain any one of the local area establishments establishments would have welcomed the opportunity of hosting such a seminar. For our Mayor to give the impressions impressions that the consultant only goes to a particular Scarborough Hotel, as well as stating she was not part and parcel of the place location, location, is only avoiding the obvious. obvious. No local consideration was ever given. Wasn't it just a few weeks ago that Memorial Hospital, Bowmanville, Bowmanville, announced a management management development course for senior staff, provided provided by Durham College? Heavens perish the thought, municipal admin- strative staff utilizing local facilities would be much too frugal. No overnight accommodation, accommodation, less mileage, fewer meals and I would guess, a somewhat smaller "miscellaneous" "miscellaneous" expense account item. Now, some further comment: comment: On Monday evenihg, November November 26th, I decided to tune in Channel 10 to observe observe the proceedings of our local council. What a revelation! To be more specific, the handling of an item raised by Councillor Hamre, concerning concerning a provincial Pride program involving the downtown downtown core was unbelievable. What was initially described described by Councillor Hamre as a process of "minimal" cost, a few meals, some mile age, turned out to be an expenditure expenditure of $15,000 of taxpayers' taxpayers' money plus' $5,000 - provided by BIA. What was even more incredible incredible was the discussion as to where the $15,000 would come from. A tip of the hat to Councillor Hooper who questioned the budgetary budgetary aspect of the issue. However, I was subsequently subsequently saddened that he chose not to pursue his probing. What he did bring out, through a Mr. Wu, was that the $15,000 could come from a budget of $80,000, which to Councillor' Hooper's amazement, hadn't even been itemized. I can appreciate his amazement alright - What items does the $80,000 cover? cover? What amounts to date have been spent? How much of the $80,000 remains? How can an expenditure of $15,000 be justified when it was not known how much monies remained? Nevertheless, Councillor Hamre's motion, duly seconded, seconded, was approved. Does this not raise the question - would you operate your business by approving such an expenditure, without without being absolutely certain such funds were properly budgetted? Well, Folks, I leave it to you to judge the actions of the present caretakers of our public purse. A concerned Taxpayer Andrea Adair u Pressing Matters in One Small Town" and John E. James are on Vacation This Week Three weeks until Christmas and, as usual, not one gift has been bought, not one card addressed addressed and not one plan made to change the current current situation. In fact, I've even thought about waiting until the new year to buy all my gifts. I've been thinking that once the goods and services services tax comes in, gifts should be less expensive Aren't we supposed to see a decrease in the price of some consumer goods as a result of the new tax? Yes and no, I think. I recently spent a few minutes perusing an example example list of items which showed the estimated effect effect the GST will have on prices in the new year, if the tax is passed. One lunch hour last week, boredom set in and I picked up a copy of a "Consumers Guide to the GST and Prices." Someone had left a few of the interesting documents documents sitting on our lunchroom table. It's a very nice booklet. Its contents are in clear English, the information is useful and the paper itself itself was recycled. The book focused on goods and the estimated changes in prices when the federal sales tax is removed removed from goods and the GST is applied. In addition, it supplied information on what was and wasn't taxable. For instance I now know I won't have to pay a tax on prescription drugs or basic groceries. And if I wanted to purchase purchase an existing house, no GST would be charged there, provided the home was within a certain price range. The important important information, though, for the woman who is be hind in her gift shopping and needs to buy a new pair of black flat shoes, is found in the back of the book in the list of impacted impacted goods. Assuming I understand understand the list correctly, I can expect to pay an additional additional $4.34 ii I wait until the new year to buy those shoes. Pantyhose, on the rare occasion when I feel so inclined inclined to wear them with the attire that requires them, invariably sport a run by the end of the day. Replacing them can become become expensive. Thanks to the GST, they will cost even more. The new tax will increase increase the price by 18 cents. And that winter coat I just purchased, well for once the purchase was timely. The estimate is that come 1991 it would have cost $21.54 more. If I wanted to buy the man in my life a wallet for Christmas, the move would be to wait until next year where I could realize a saving of 36 cents. Looking at the estimates estimates I didn't see any great savings for myself at this stage in my life. There were a number of large increases, however. however. So what's the point? The possibility of the GST coming in isn't going to make me change my spending habits. I won't stock up on items now to save a few pennies later. Nor will I wait and purchase purchase goods in the new year when they become a few cents cheaper. So the beau, and all the rest of the people on my'shopping list, will be able to breathe a sigh of relief knowing Santa Andrea Andrea won't be replaced by Andrea Scrooge.