SECTION TWO WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20,1991 W Canadian gtattsmatt cn Durham Region's Great Family Journal © Established 137 years ago in 1854 . I m Also Incorporating MA 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 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. Although every precaution will be taken to avoid error, The Canadian State»man accept» advertising In h» column» on the understanding that It will not be liable tor any error In the adverlhement published hereunder unlee* 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 If any error so noted Is not corrected by The Canadian Statesman Its Hability 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 Region Puts Feelers Out For Concept of Road Tolls The idea of charging tolls on major Ontario highways is being floated before before the general public these days. Chances are that the government is trying to see whether there's any support support for the concept before going any further. Durham's Regional Chairman, Gary Herrema, was quoted last week as saying saying that, given the recent federal government government cutbacks in transfer payments, payments, it might be a wise idea to place tollbooths on the new Highway 407 to recover some of the costs. And he wasn't joking. He stated that in recent years, property property taxes have begun to carry too much of the fiscal load. The added regional regional welfare burden is one of the biggest concerns at the Durham Region Region right now. Mr. Herrema claimed that the tolls have worked well in the United States, where they have been in existence existence for a long time. And, at first glance, the toll proposal proposal makes sense. Why shouldn't the drivers be charged for the use that they make of major thoroughfares? And those who use them more frequently frequently should pay higher fees than those who don't use them very often. The way it stands today, the person who logs 50,000 kilometres per year gets the same bargain as someone who drives on Highway 401 once a year. Is that fair? Perhaps not. But, the fact of the matter is that the superhighways are there for every motorist to use. And we are already paying for their upkeep in the numerous numerous other taxes that we pay. The problem with the toll proposal is that it's just another tax. Rather than dig themselves deeper into the deficit ditch and rather than raising regular taxes, government might seize upon the idea of tollgates as a means to raise taxes invisibly. And, at the same time, government can boast that it is acting equitably because of the fact that it's only charging those individuals individuals who use the highways. Taxes and expenditures should be up-front and visible to the public. Whenever you introduce tolls and user-fees, you are actually introducing hidden taxes. And it becomes virtually Election in impossible for the average person to understand exactly what they are paying paying on the tax bill each year. The other problem that occurs when governments find these new sources of revenue is that they are tempted to continue to increase spending in other areas. It would be nice to imagine that if the provincial highway authorities were to collect a billion dollars in toll fees, the government could then deduct deduct a billion from the annual provincial provincial budget. But it doesn't work that way. The billion dollars in toll revenue would be spent over and above the growing government budgets. Already Canadians are among the most highly- taxed people on the face of the earth. It is estimated that we spend about half of our year at work just paying the taxes claimed by various levels of government. Sooner or later, the powers-that-be must get the message that what the public deeply wants is a reduction in government spending. Although governments may wish to cut back on expenditures, they are reluctant reluctant to do so because of the fact that anv move they make will be attacked attacked by some group affected by the cutbacks. The idea of charging for highway travel is just another way to extract money from the general public by picking picking yet another pocket. But, sooner or later, government will run out of pockets and Toe forced to do some real exercises in fiscal responsibility. responsibility. Finally, there is a practical drawback drawback to tolls. For one thing, they will likely delay traffic because drivers have to face long line-ups at the booths. In addition, the proposal for making Highway 407 a toll-paying road would probably discourage its use. In other words, although the highway highway is being created to take pressure off other traffic arteries, it would be used less frequently than Highway 401 because drivers would want to avoid the toll. That sounds to us like a self- defeating proposition. Fall Could Keep Tax Hikes Down To the surprise of nobody, the Town of Newcastle's elected councillors are placing the 1991 budget on the chopping chopping block. Such actions are to be expected since, after all, this is an election year. Consequently, a mill rate increase which started out at 7.2 per cent over last year's rate has now been lowered to 5.8 per cent. And, a more recent draft of the budget lowers the increase to 4,8 per cent. Who knows how much lower the 1991 tax hike can sink? Of course, one of the things that isn't always considered when the municipality municipality sets its budget is the fact that the mill rate increase is put into place after assessment growth has been taken into account.. In other words, although new housing housing and development has brought additional additional assessment into our town, the mill rate must still rise by three or four per cent, even in an election year. This puts the budget process a little more clearly into perspective, doesn't it? In its latest round of budget talks, town councillors lopped an extra $100,000 off the 1991 budget. If you look at the items which were axed, you'll find that many of them fall into the category of furniture, fixtures, staff training, travel, and convention expenses. In short, the items pruned from the büdgot are not exactly things that would cause the municipality to fall apart at the seams if they were deleted deleted from the 1991 financial blueprint, Any municipality that can afford its own dishwasher surely can't be lacking lacking much in the category of office equipment or fixtures. The idea of tax increases is something something that we have come to accept as routine. But, in view of the fact that the last $100,000 subtracted from the budget seems to have been relatively painless, we can't imagine why the municipality should stop now. Maybe there doesn't have to be a Town of Newcastle tax increase increase at all this year. Perhaps a zero per cent increase is possible. If town councillors want to get some attention in an election year, that would be a good way to do it. Their chances for re-election and the voters' bank balances would both look better as a result. And, who knows? Perhaps such prudence prudence could be extended into non- election years. Of course, we are obligated to point out that whatever happens to the local municipal mill rate, it still represents about one-quarter of the total tax bill. The boards of education now swallow up more than half of the. annual tax levy and the Durham Region accounts for the remainder, Faced with its well-publicized, welfare welfare increase, Durham will have n hard time keeping its share of the tax increase below the rate of inflation. And boards of education will probably be in a similar situation. Nevertheless, Newcastle Council is in an ideal position to set a good example. example. Conley'S SUNSHINE BOYS Talk about your pslib'cal beefcake/ Fan favourite Petex Kormos has returned bo ■Wiese paa« wifh his friend, Alan Red way. Alan says he- tnjoys political discussions, water po(o, and joking about guns in airports. These are just two uind fllnd crazy guys; Concern for Unwanted Critters LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Towards the end of March, many native species of wildlife will begin giving birth to their young. Spring is when many homeowners become aware that a wild animal has taken up residence residence in either their chimney, chimney, attic or other house "appendage". "appendage". Often, upon learning that their home is being "rented" by wild creatures, creatures, people panic and, without giving any regard to the animals, try to evict their new found tenants. Unfortunately, for the animals animals this is the very worst time of year to remove wildlife. wildlife. In the majority of cases it will be the nursing female who will be removed, and the young left to perish. Some of the very young will be fortunate enough to make their presence known through cries, and they will be removed and taken either to humane societies or wildlife wildlife rehabilitation centres. Of these, a large number will die because they were simply too young, or were suffering from hypothermia due to exposure, or will be euthanized by the various organizations. Some will be lucky enough to be raised, rehabilitated and released. Not all wildlife finding its way to rehabilitation centres and humane societies can be cared for. This indiscriminate trapping trapping and removal often causing causing untimely death of immature immature wildlife is unnecessary. A little tolerance and patience patience on our part could result result in a humane ending for those animals • which nave taken up residence in human human dwellings. Often a nursing mother raccoon or squirrel will change the nesting site when the young are six weeks old. This is especially especially true of those nesting in small areas. When their home becomes too small for the family, they seek out a new arèa. When this occurs, homeowners can safely make the necessary repairs or modifications to their home to prevent future unwanted unwanted residents. If animals must be removed because they are causing damage, make sure the removal company company does the job properly and removes the young along with the mother. Some reputable wildlife removal removal companies go to great lengths to ensure the mother mother is placed in a suitable release release area along with her babies, others which are not so reputable will simply "dump them" virtually anywhere. anywhere. In these cases, the mother is so scared she runs off leaving her young. These immature creatures may starve or be eaten by predators. predators. As we are all aware that many species of wildlife can live quite happily in our homes, the onus is on us to prevent them from taking up residence in the first place. This can be done by "wildlife proofing" our homes in the fall. Chimney caps, covering outside bathroom bathroom or dryer vents with mesh, ensuring the roof is in a good state of repair, etc., are all tried and proven methods of preventing wildlife wildlife from taking residence in human dwellings. When baby birds fledge (leave the nest for the first time) they are unable to fly for about six days. This is the most dangerous time for them. Parent birds keep a close eye on their young, feeding and observing them. On about the sixth day the fledglings can fly. Thousands Thousands of fledgling birds are picked up each season by well-meaning individuals who think they have been abandoned. In most cases these young birds have not Heritage Week Planners Patiently Wait for Funds Heritage Week is still going ahead, even though the Heritage Week Planning Planning Committee is without without funds at this time. Groups who have applied applied for Town of Newcastle Newcastle grants won't know until until the end of March if or what they will receive, said Heritage Week Planning Planning Committee Chairman Chairman Sher Leetooze. "It all comes down to dollars - and cents," said - Mrs. Leetooze. "The grants aren't finalized and we just have to hang in until the end of the month." Not only has the committee committee applied for a town grant but also for one from the provincial government. government. ' But still they are without without money at a time when they need it, said Mrs. Leetooze. The committee has begun begun to call groups who have expressed an interest interest in participating in Heritage Week for promotional promotional work. Some of the events that are being worked on and finalized are the Heritage Heritage Week parade and opening ceremonies. There will also be a raft race for commercial and non-commercial entrants, entrants, an essay contest, a t-shirt logo contest for children and adults and "hopefully displays from the schools in gymnastics." gymnastics." The committee would also like to see a number of sports events take place or a sports night. However, all of this takes money and right now the committee members members "are in the dark" as to how much money they will receive in grants and when they will receive it. Accused of Printing 'Vituperative Bile" Re: Postal Hikes and 'Pressing Matters' Pressing Matters. No doubt he will he delighted to reply next week after he investigates investigates the meaning of 'vituperative 'vituperative bile.' Thanks for your comments. Y Registration Regi YWCA Dear Mr. James: I read your comments on Canada Post's rate hikes with great interest. As the owner of a small business, I have also been subjected to Tq T Tnrlpr'XXZflXZ the vagaries of government ^ li.vJ.CI Wtij decree. In my case it was the provincial government under under the Most Arrogant Ex- Premier David Peterson. My enthusiastic support for your cause vanished in the nausea I felt after reading reading "Pressing Matters in One Small Town." If these postage hikes do result in a reduction in your readership I can only be thankful that there is at least one effective way of curbing the spread of such vituperative bile. Sincerely, Neil Lucy, Box 147, Newtonville Ed's note: We're passing your comments along to son John E. James, author of istration for all ft. programs has begun and will continue until each course is filled. Summer Camp information is also available now and registration registration for summer camps is also being accepted. On March 27, Gardening with Perennials is a two hour information-packed - session instructed by Sharon Magee of the Bramble Bush Garden and Floral Design Centre. Learn about planting, planting, caring for and organizing organizing your garden. To register or to receive more information call the Bowmanville YWCA office at 623-9922 or drop in and see them at 133 Church St. been left to fend for themselves. themselves. Leave them where they are. If they appear to be in a dangerous situation, gently pick them up and move them to a safer area, in close proximity to where they were found. Rest assured assured the parents are close by watching you. They will then continue to take care of the bird. Each year humane societies, societies, municipal pounds and wildlife centres receive thousands thousands of immature species unnecessarily. The work is labour and cost intensive. At certain times we just cannot keep up with the demand on our services. The only way to decrease this workload is for everyone to adopt a more tolerant attitude and respect for our wildlife. They have every right to live out their lives in their own environment environment as we do. We are responsible responsible for destroying much of their habitat. We further jeopardize their existence existence by unintentionally attracting attracting these creatures to our homes. This occurs because because we provide excellent nesting locations for wildlife. wildlife. In addition we provide a food base in the form of garbage garbage which encourages wildlife wildlife to remain in those area which are unsuitable. Last year the wildlife facility facility of the Ontario S.P.C.A. in Newmarket received over one thousand animals. This increase was approximately 50% more than tne previous year. Other humane societies societies and centres reported a similar increase in their intake. intake. We have stewardship of our wildlife, and it is therefore therefore up to us all to take a proactive stand on their behalf behalf and try to prevent their indiscriminate removal and destruction. Christine Mason Wildlife Coordinator Every now and then I run into someone who is mug-a-lugging. They choose to carry a cup with them to use instead instead of reaching for more styrofoam cups to throw into the trash. Elsewhere in the region region recycling boxes are in use. Other people are gift , wrapping presents with recycled wrap or placing them in inventive boxes or in plain bags. Awareness of the environment environment has grown and continues to grow and the bandwagon is getting a little full with all the jumpers trying to find a place. The problem with jumpers, though, is that sometimes they either fall or jump off again. They enjoy the ride while the wagon travels over smooth, fairly familiar familiar territory. But when the road gets bumpy and the street is unknown, it's easier to jump off and head back for home. Environmentalists should prepare themselves themselves to stop those newborn newborn green people from leaving the fold when it's just coming together. They have to begin approaching approaching the public with new . methods to keep their enthusiasm up, to keep telling them that the ride could be rough for a while but it will smooth out again and to keep them committed to what they are doing. Enthusiasm and commitment commitment are tough elements elements to deal with. When I heard Stingos newest single I thought it was good. A week later, after I had heard it three or four times a day, I was bored of it before I even had a chance to purchase his new album. Environmentalists, who want people to change, have to be careful not to play the same message message over and over again or the audience will turn off and out. It seems this is what the environmental groups in Newcastle have realized. realized. The Environment Fair they are planning for late spring is designed not to lecture or to jump-start people into realizing the earth is facing a problem. They want to let the people who want to learn, who want to do something something themselves, come to them. The groups are organizing organizing an event that will most likely provide "everything you always wanted to know about the earth, but were afraid to ask". They will offer information, information, answer questions, questions, give instructions and will encourage people to come to them. This, perhaps, is the most important part. To effect change, people people have to want to change. You can tell someone with any form of detrimental detrimental nabit that they are doing harm to themselves, themselves, or in this case the earth, but if that person doesn't believe it or doesn't want to listen, then you are wasting your time. But if that person with the harmful vice comes to you and says, "hey I have a problem I want to know how to fix it", then you can bet that person is at least 50 per cent more willing to change than the person who has heard the same lecture for the tenth time. I am not criticizing environment environment groups for going going to the public and telling telling them to change. If it wasn't for the people dedicated dedicated and genuinely concerned concerned about the situation situation in our communities, no one ever would have jumped on that bandwagon bandwagon first. But, at the same time, I think the groups locally are moving in the right direction now. They have to remain visible. They have to be willing to get their message message out. But at the same time, they have to iudge when to pull back a little, let people digest information, information, and be available and encouraging for those who want to make a change. The bottom line is to truly become dedicated to making a change in your own environment, you have to make the first step on your own. Telling someone to change their lifestyle won't be as effective or as lasting as being told by someone that they want to make a change. Pressing Matters In One Small Town - by John E. James - Vt "How Did We Manage toWrcck This Country? Okay, folks, let's go down the road to the bottom line on this "Future of Canada" dilemma. At the rate things are going, we're bound to screw this up for good. Will that make everybody happy? It should, 'cause to the last bod in the land, we're earned such a disastrous outcome fair and square. Hard to accept, nevertheless true. We are so lucky. Canadians have the best deal on the planet, Unfortunately, that doesn't prevent us from constantly doing a hig-leaguc bitching job on an infinite number of perceived personal injustices. injustices. Those threats to the perfect order arc considered by most of us to bo absolutely, absolutely, positively, ruining each and every day of our perfect lives. Allow us to demonstrate. Time for a little "smell the (lowers" stuff: "Way down here in Southwestern Ontario, Spring is ready to make its annual appearance. At 6:15 n.m, on a gorgeous mid-March morning, wc'ro out on the back stops with the day's first coffco, watching Ma Nature strut her stuff. Mu's doing a pretty spectac ular job this fine day, and we can tell just by looking around that things are only going to get better as the hours go by. Tne toughest challenge will be getting getting up, ana breaking the trance. We are so lucky. Pick some hapless waif. One stranded stranded near any burned-out hovel in southeastern southeastern Iraq will serve the purpose. Drop that poor soul off at any doorstep in Canada, and watch the unsuccessful unsuccessful attempt to comprehend and cope with all the riches we so disgustingly consider a God-given right, and then take completely for granted. Maybe that won't do the trick. Maybe we need something a little more dramatic to open our eyes, and broaden our minds. Maybe Canadians need to he plucked from their rcc room Lazy Boys, and set down on some bombed-out doorstop in Baghdad, or left for a few days amongst the famished millions in Ethiopia, or dumped in one of those Palestinian refugee camps wc see between between yawns on the evening nows. We arc so lucky. The Detroit River is a giant piece of glass this fine morning, moving millions millions of tons of water beneath its placid placid surface along the Canadian shore line. Across the Big Muddy, two miles to the west, an equally fortunate American sits on his steps, marvelling at the vivid sunrise soaring skyward behind our back. No deadly weapons point menacingly menacingly across that water. No barbed wire stretches along the boundary line. No desperate souls are gunned down as they lurch pitifully towards a better life on the other side. We are so lucky. Televisions, telephones, every imaginable imaginable kind of appliance in every home. How many Canadians don't have electricity, or running water, or at least one car? How many Canadian kids never see the inside of a school? Anybody starving? Only for new movies at the video store, Anybody struggling through tough times? The biggest struggle for the average Canadian is keeping up with the Joneses, Joneses, and you'd swear it was a matter of life and death. Parity is the watchword. Everyone wants parity, and you'd swear nobody has it. What everybody really wants is to make damned sure nobody else has a better deal than they do. Canadians are the worst bunch of spoiled brats in the entire world, bar none. What are we doing to ourselves, and to our country? What or who is responsible responsible for this incredible attitude problem problem Canadians have developed? Back in the old days, Canadians were known world-wide as a caring, concerned, unselfish and compassionate compassionate people. The image has changed. Somehow, somebody suckers us into believing we're owed not just a living, but the opulent lifestyle of Kings and Queens. Should we blame the culprits or the suckers who bought the goods? It would be nice to assume some day we'll conic up with the proper answer answer to that question.' It would bo even nicer if that answer answer was forthcoming before our kids ot stuck with an enormous stack of ills... Say, where's a folia go to pay his ecological ecological bill, and do you happen to know how many government grants are gonna ho available to pay for part of it?
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