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SECTION TWO WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20,1991 S&t Canadian ta Usman Durham Region's Great Family Journal Established 137 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 416-623-3303 John M, James Editor-Publisher Fax 416-623-6161 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 including G.S.T. 12 months - $23.54 6 months - $13.91 Foreign - $74.90 Although every precaution will be taken to avoid error, The Canadian Statesman accepts advertising In its columns on the understanding that H will not be liable for any error In the advertisement published hereunder unless a proof of such advertisement k 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 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 advertkement as the space occupied by the noted error bears to the whole space occupied by such advertkement. I Editorial Comment Safety Should be First In School Bus Decision Several years ago, when the Northumberland Northumberland and Newcastle Board of Education voted to provide bus transit for students in the Waverley subdivision subdivision of Bowmanville, the decision was made for two reasons. Those reasons pertained to safety and distance. Now, the Board has decided to take away the bus service even though the concerns pertaining to safety of students students walking to high school or senior public school nas not changed one iota. And certainly the distance remains unchanged. The schools are as far away from the subdivision as they ever were. Some people feel that it's unreasonable unreasonable to expect teenagers to walk almost almost two kilometres to the high school. Even in rural areas, it's doubtful doubtful that anyone is required to travel that far to get to their bus stop. The problem, of course, is that some municipalities municipalities such as Port Hope have ublic transit which can be used by igh school students. But the Bowmanville Bowmanville students living a long distance distance from the high school have little option but to get to classes on foot or by car. But, aside from the question of whether the walking distance is reasonable, reasonable, there's also the question of safety. Local trustees (including the two Bowmanville representatives) who have opposed the discontinued busing are concerned that the large number of students are at risk when they cross the Highway Two bridge at the Van- stone Mill. They believe the municipality municipality should erect a barrier to keep the pedestrian traffic separate from the vehicles and/or make a commitment to ensuring that the pedestrian roadway is promptly cleared of snow so that students are not forced to walk on Highway Two. If the municipality agreed to install the barrier or guarantee snow removal, removal, it would be possible for the students students to get to their school with a greater degree of safety. But, as we understand it, the municipality municipality has not yet made any such firm commitment. Since the Town of Newcastle has not yet indicated whether or not it can take the steps needed to make the Highway Two bridge safer, why has the Board of Education Education agreed to discontinue the bus service in the Waverley subdivision next month? One would think that the Board of Education would have first made certain certain that the safety of the overpass was upgraded and then proceeded to withdraw the busing. The Board would appear in the case to have the cart before the horse, And, at the very least, a delay is needed- to sort out the safety- issues- which were one of the reasons why the bus route was needed in the first place. Even if a barrier could be put in place to keep the pedestrians away from the cars, it would surely take some time for the work to be done. Why withdraw the busing while the safety concerns remain? Many Questions Face New Courtice Facility One of the more interesting announcements announcements to come forward this ear will be the one pertaining to the uilding of a community centre in Courtice. There's a general feeling that the Courtice community needs a recreational recreational focal point which would give identity to a community which, at the moment, resembles a. suburb of Oshawa. Over the past year or so, work has been under way in order to establish how the centre might be established. And, no doubt, these efforts will produce produce some clue as to exactly what kind of community centre should be available. available. Would it, for example, resemble Bowmanville's new arena complex? Or would it have a pool and squash courts? Might it include a library or an arts centre or meeting rooms? All of these questions will, presumably, receive receive answers in March when the feasibility feasibility study on the Courtice complex is released. An even more ticklish question will relate to the funding of the facility. Exactly Exactly who will pay for it and how? Given the fact that this is an election election year, there will be considerable pressure towards getting the building under way quickly. But one of the first priorities will be to decide where the funds will come from. Basically, the money will probably come from a combination of three sources: recreation facilities grants such as Wintario; the municipality; and private donations. Wintario grants do not account for a huge portion of the total. The Town of Newcastle will, no doubt, be able to use revenue earned from development fees over the past few years to help build the complex. It remains to be seen whether outright tax dollars will be part of the equation and what role, if any, will be played by public fundraising, fundraising, Fund-raising will entail forming a committee of citizen volunteers, seeking seeking corporate and private sponsorships and organizing special fund-raising events, Given the economic conditions of today, it goes without saying that fund-raising will bo difficult. And keep in mind the fact that any fund-raising efforts undertaken at this time will have to compete with a rather massive fund-raising drive under way on behalf behalf of Oshawa General Hospital. Questions such as the ones posed above will, no doubt, be tentatively answered answered when the upcoming report is released by the municipality. Other questions that come to mind pertain to the timetable of the construction construction and the possibility that whatever is built in Courtice might be shared with the adjoining Oshawa neighbourhoods. In our experience, developments like this one will take between two and three years to complete. Optimistically, Optimistically, it would probably require about a year to get the building planned and another year to build it. But, just to be on the safe side, one can probably add another year to that forecast. And as for the possibility of the Centre being used jointly with Oshawa, only time will tell if that possibility possibility is to be considered. Who knows? Perhaps Oshawa could contribute contribute towards the cost. Despite all of the unanswered questions, questions, it is pretty clear, that a community community centre facility is needed in Courtice Courtice and that it snould be built soon. Although the area has grown rapidly, the neighbourhood's community facilities facilities have not kept pace with that expansion. expansion. We seem to recall that there was a move to establish a library branch in Courtice five years ago. And yet, there's still no library. The need for some kind of community facility is obvious. Now it's a question of deciding deciding what to build and how to pay for it. Since discussions are taking place in an election year, there's a danger, of course, that tne centre will become a political football and that real progress will be lacking because any decision will have to be implemented by the incoming incoming town council. Call us cynics, if you will. But wo should point out that there are a considerable considerable number of political points to ho scored here. Lot's hope, however, that the politicking politicking docs not push the project forward forward before nil tne details have been worked out, Details concerning not only the design of the facilities but also cost estimates and a realistic plan for raising the required funds must be in place before the project can proceed. Writer Explains Other View of Co-op Homes Dear Sir, I am writing in response to an article printed in last week's paper on Co- Operative Housing. Yes, we are sponsored by the government, but by way of loans, which will be paid back through rents that are charged to each unit. It has been explained time and Citizen Upset By Councillor Dear John, I must admit a wry smile has crossed my face as I read of the bemoaning of the closing of the Newcastle and Newtonville post offices by Councillor Frank Stapleton. I note that he has suddenly discovered a link between these community facilities and the people affected by them. As per the Oshav/a Times and I quote "such closing is a fragmentation of our Canadian heritage." Is this not the same Councillor Stapleton that will have nothing to do with the Bowmanville Boosters request concerning their heritage. Wasn't it Councillor Councillor Stapleton who moved the 6000 signed petition be received received for information only. Talk about a double standard. standard. How much longer are good people going to put up with this type of narrowminded narrowminded politician. A Concerned Citizen time again to the neighbouring neighbouring residents that we are not completely subsidized. Twenty-five percent of the total units will be paying full market value rent. The idea of the government government buying full market value value homes to rent out being cheaper is ridiculous. This is where it would cost the taxpayers, taxpayers, and control of the upkeep to homes would be lost. You see in a Co- Operative development there are rules and regulations regulations to follow. If these rules are not abided by the tenants tenants will be asked to leave after a fair warning. . Not all of the council sat on the fence as was mentioned. mentioned. Two council members members realize the need for affordable affordable housing in this area. Planning staff also recommended recommended our plans be approved. approved. Co-Operative Housing works well in many other cities and towns and there is no reason why it can't work in our town. It's time to stop this prejudice attitude and give people (of this town) who are in a lower income bracket a chance to prove themselves. Thank-you for hearing our side of the story. Sincerely, Wendy Maynard Treasure of Bowmanville Valley Co-Operative Homes Inc. Holding a Blood Stained White Flag User Pay Trash Problems Every year thii I say the same thing: I'm going to practise this time so I don't make a fool of myself. myself. And every year the same thing happens. I don't practise. I go to the lanes and come home once again feeling humiliated humiliated at my in anility to break 100. Saturday was the third time I put forth the effort and bowled in Big Brothers Brothers "Celebrity" Bowl for Millions. Nancy Scott, executive director of the organization organization in Newcastle, knew back in 1989 when she first asked me to bowl, that inviting me to bowl vo'IT ; the ! '"celebrity day" would make it difficult for my ego to decline. The first year on the lanes, I finished the day with an incredible score of 88. Chris Clark was working working at the Statesman with me at the time. To make sure no one missed hearing about my prowess prowess on the alleys, Chris put a sign up in the lunch room listing my score and the difference between that and a perfect game. The jokes subsided and life went back to normal until it was time to show my ability once again the following year. Some of my "friends" here at work pledged a donation to the fund raiser raiser with the stipulation that I had my photo taken taken bowling and that it appear appear in the paper the following following week. Knowing it was for a good cause, I agreed. But a promise was elicited elicited from new co-worker Brad Kelly, that only the picture would be used and that no mention was to be made of my score. The following week, the ( picture was in the paper and the cutline made reference to my "remarkable "remarkable score of 93." Even though I increased increased my previous record by "ffyb points, I somehow managed to capture the title of lowest adult score. All was not lost, though, as I won a trophy for winning the Bowmanville Bowmanville Business Challenge for raising the most money money in that group. This year there were no conditions placed on any pledges and no promises promises made. People wished me luck, hoping I could capture the trophy yet again. I'm happy to report that I finally broke 100. Since my record is finally finally improving, I'm sure next year I'll Be back to try ' to improve the score yet again. Because in spite of all the chuckles and head shakes from my friends, embarrassing myself seems like a small price to pay for the many benefits benefits of the event. Bowl for Millions is the Big Brothers organization's organization's annual fund-raiser. While they receive financial financial support from the United Way, they rely heavily on this event to keep the organization operating. operating. Big Brothers is a community community organization too. They help young boys here in the community by providing solid role models models for young men and,' we hope, preventing behavioral behavioral problems from occurring in the future. Going through a little bit of good-natured embarrassment embarrassment really doesn't hurt that much when so much good can come from it. Next year if you're asked to come out to the lanes for some fun, please consider it. Even if you're not a good bowler, it makes . no difference. There are a number* of boys in this community who will thank you for it. And the odds are you'll always beat the score of one person on the lanes. Dear Editor, In the February 8th edition edition of the Oshawa Times, it was reported that on March 4th, Town of Newcastle , will be requested to consider taking taking part in a test project for 'user-pay' trash collection. This worries me. The concept concept is great! I have no problem problem with that part of it. But, as we all know, there isn't a market out there yet for all those items that are actually recyclable. How can we recycle recycle effectively, and cut our landfill use without those markets? What use is a user-pay system to us if nothing changes? The article goes on to mention that in a user-pay system, credits might tie considered to those who use the blue box system. Problem Problem is, with the limited kinds of items accepted at present with the blue box system, there is no real chance to reduce that portion portion of our trash destined for landfill. Before any community can consider implementing a user-pay system, they must firstly decide how best to ap-- proach the problem of recycling. recycling. Do they pass a by-law? Do they build a recycling plant? If council passes a by-law making recycling mandato ry, who will enforce it? Council can't even enforce its snow removal by-law, which deals with something highly visible. How could it be enforced? Higher user " terms ' build a recycling plant, what will that plant recycle? Cans? Paper? Glass? Plastic? Cardboard? Cardboard? All of the above? Who will manufacture these recycled recycled goods? Who will purchase purchase these manufactured goods? These questions are never never acted upon by municipal councils. That is a field left to the private sector. Oh, yes, they all discuss the problems, but no one has the courage of their convictions. And why should they do anything? Council doesn't have to pay for trash collection collection in :any form - we do - the taxpayers. And as long as we are paying they are negated of any responsibility no matter what systems they opt to implement within within the community. The article mentioned that the average monies set aside for trash collection from municipal taxes is about $165.00 per household per year. In a user pay system system I would suggest that my costs could be lowered to about $50.00. I'd like to save that kind of money - so would everyone. But it's not possible if recycling isn't given given a wider mandate than it has now. As Town of Newcastle is primarily residential, that is, the industrial component is less than the residential component, the onus is on the general public to lobby council for a solution. This is election year. Councillors who wish to be returned to office in November will be hoping that the electorate will forget their past indiscretions indiscretions and judge their worthiness by their actions in the next few months. So, I put a challenge to council. Forget your politics. Do something using your moral conscience for . a change. Prove to us you are worthy of re-election by making a positive move, perhaps perhaps setting a precedent in Canada, in this fight to save our environment and stamp out landfill in this area. Give us a reason to recycle and compost our waste in the area where most decisions decisions are made - the wallet!! Lip service just isn't enough anymore. Submitted by: Sher Leetooze, 80 Roser Gres., Bowmanville. Queen's Park Report Kirby Ski Hill Packed After Heavy Snowfall Thousands of skiers must have boon overjoyed to see that heavy snowfall over the weekend after wondering earlier if their season was over for this year. Many of them made the trip to the Oshawa Ski Club's facilities at Kirby on Sunday, including including this skier framed in a picturesque setting, by Gord Mills, M.P.P. This has been a week for good causes! causes! Let me tell you about just a few in which I had the privilege to participate. participate. MPPs from all parties were invited by TV Ontario to spend Wednesday evening taking pledge calls. Thanks to the support of generous viewers, we were able to help raise money to make sure we'll all continue to enjoy TV Ontario's Ontario's excellent programs. And yes, Polkadot Door fans, there really is a Polkaroo. We had our picture taken together. together. On Saturday, Oshawa, Whitby Big Brothers kicked off their "Bowl for Millions" campaign in Oshawa while Newcastle Big Brothers kicked off theirs in Bowmanville. Luckily, all the folks who signed my pledge sheet gave a fixed sum -- mv score was 137! Not too bad, I hope, for someone who has never bowled before! Everyone had a great time. A big thank you to all those people who sponsored us. I'm looking forward to seeing many of you again at future Big Brothers events. They're a great way to help a worthy organization and have fun too! Local Big Brothers Associations receive receive approximately 60 per cent of their funding from the United Way of Oshawa-Whitby-Newcastle. the other 40 per cent is raised through fund raisers such as the Bowl for Millions. Every dollar raised in the 1991 campaign campaign goes to the agency, while those participating get a chance to have some fun. That's why your participation participation is so important. Big Brothers matches young boys from male-absent homes with male volunteers from the community who act as role models and friends. On Sunday I was pleased, on behalf of the government, to present a scroll to Mr. Melville Jones, of Newtonville, in honor of his 90 th birthday. The high esteem in which Mr. Jones is held by the community was obvious by the large crowd of friends and family who garnered at the Newtonville United church to express their best wishes. Reaching 90 years of ngo is n great cause for a celebration. Many lmppy returns, Mr. Jonos, on Justice, of which I am a member, heard from the public on Bill 17, an Act to amend the law related to the enforcement of support and custody orders. orders. Bill 17 was introduced by our government government to ensure that more women and children who are owed court- ordered spousal support actually receive receive it. More than 100,000 children depend on spousal support; 75 per cent of existing orders are currently in default, default, with $334 million owing. The committee heard submissions from individuals, women's groups, and unions. As a former member of OP- SEU, Local 340,1 was pleased to listen to OPSEU's submission to the committee. committee. On Friday,- in Kitchener, the Solicitor Solicitor General and Minister Responsible for the Anti-Drug Strategy, Mike Far- nan, to whom I am Parliamentary Assistant, Assistant, kicked off the first in a series of 11 public forums on addiction treatment treatment in Ontario. As a member of the Task Group, I spent the day listening to submissions from individuals and oups responding to a report called rearing Alcohol and Drug Problems in Ontario - A Vision for. the '90's" which was submitted to the Minister in December. Our Task group will be travelling the province seeking public input on this report. I'll keep you posted. posted. February 18th kicked off Heritage iry Week in Ontario. Trips to museums, libraries, art galleries, historical centres centres arc enjoyable ways to celebrate and learn about your community's heritage, heritage, so check the many facilities in Durham East. The Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) is one of the largest heritage organizations organizations in Ontario. Each of the Society's Society's 27 branches throughout Ontario Ontario collects resources about their geographic area and encourages members members to submit family histories. Many branches have workshops or training sessions on a variety of heritage-related heritage-related topics. Some of these include: include: Getting Started at Genealogy; and Putting Your Family History into Print. For more information, call the Whitby-Oshawa branch of the OGS at (416) 683-2476. Until next week -- bo kind to one another. It makes a difference! This week, the Standing Committee