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SECTION TWO WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27,1991 s&e Canadian §> ta teaman cn Durham Region's Great Family Journal © Established 137 years ago in 1854 .■ • Also Incorporating A 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. 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 lot 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 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. Worked Out for the Best Ontario's brief flirtation with open Sunday shopping is over. And it seems to us that at least a few merchants are heaving a sigh of relief. The recent court appeal has ruled that that original Sunday shopping laws are valid after all. And there are very few store owners (at least in the Metro Toronto area) who are clamoring clamoring for a return to wide-open Sunday shopping. In a sense, the experiences over the past nine months have worked out for the best. Without the passage of a formal formal law allowing widespread Sunday openings, Ontarians have had a taste of what Sunday shopping would be like. And, it would certainly seem as though the extra day of merchandising has not been the financial bonanza that everyone had hoped for. Once the courts ruled that the original Sunday shopping legislation was legal, the merchants who had opened on the Sabbath quietly closed up shop without without protest. Few expressed concern over the decision. We suspect that they were, secretly, relieved. And the only exception to this view is among border towns where Sunday shopping opportunities in the U.S. still threaten to seriously erode local business. business. We suspect that much of what has been said about the disadvantages of Sunday shopping has proved to be true. For example, many of us suspected suspected that Sunday shopping would merely merely result in the same amount of dollars being spent over a greater number of days. In other words, merchants sold the same number of widgets in seven days that they used to sell in six. But, unfortunately, they had all the extra overhead associated with keeping the store open on Sunday. All in all, there was no net benefit. Yet many merchants felt that they had to open their doors on Sunday just to keep pace with their competitors. In short, they were in a bind. They couldn't gain by Sunday shopping. But they could lose reyenue if they failed to open on Sunday while the competition competition did. I Store owners probably are wonder- hg what Sunday shopping would be ike if the recession had not occurred. But, since we are in a downturn, it seems all the more obvious that open- ng the doors on another day makes ittle sense. When sales are down, An Urbanized Lifestyle Get ready for a switch to an urbanized urbanized lifestyle. That seems to be the message from the municipality's planners to a recent meeting of a committee of town council. council. Like it or not, our municipality is rapidly switching to what is essentially essentially an urban community. If you want to see what the municipality will look like in 10 to 15 years, take a look at the urbanized sprawl of a centre such as Mississauga. That is the future which awaits Newcastle. Building reports have consistently emphasized this trend over the past five years. And even 1990, which was an off-year for development, saw 594 units under construction. The previous year, 1989, produced 1359 units. Planners have stated that the municipality municipality cannot stop growth; the best it can do is successfully manage development development which is occurring. And, given a free market economy, it would seem Tribute to a Friend For our Dear Friend- John Luffman You awoke every morning To see us through the day To make sure wo had everything wc needed In your kind and caring way You taught us the meaning of kindness And all the nice things people can do You'll never bo forgotten It's impossible to forget someone like you You have sadly been taken away from us Only to go to a special place High in the skies above But wo can still see your shining face We thank you for all you have done Wc thank you for being you. Our lives have been enriched by knowing you -Your friends Mandy and Jane Postmasters Need Help To Save Rural Services Editorial Comment ] Dear Editor: Is your community still reeling from the proposed rate hike which threatened weekly newspapers across the Country? Now the latest -- how about that new brochure brochure from Canada Post and the Better Business Bureau! Now the idea is, that it suggests, suggests, if you have complaints or inquiries about postal service, service, you can now contact your local Better Business Bureau (if all else fails). Nowhere in the flyer is any mention of how to get in touch with your "local" BBB. On checking, wé discovered there are six bureaus in Ontario, Ontario, none of which has a toll free 1-800 number. And none, as you'll see from the following list, will be of much help to people outside Ottawa, Metro Toronto, the heavily-populated areas of al c central or western Ontario. But, here they are anyway: Bureau nyvi Better Business Bl there's no point increasing costs by lengthening out the hours of operation. operation. Now, at least, things are back to what they used to be. Premier Bob Rae is promising some kind of public consultation consultation process with respect to the Sunday hours. But it's likely that the status quo will prevail for the foreseeable foreseeable future. There are those who object to Sabbath Sabbath shopping on moral, humanitarian and religious grounds. But these arguments arguments (in our particular society) seem to be less convincing than the financial ones. And if Sunday shopping remains curtailed, it will probably be mainly for financial reasons. And what of the shoppers who wanted to shop on Sunday? Many of ùs liked the option of being able to run to the building supply shop or the supermarket supermarket any day of the week. But what is convenient may not be the most practical. Some of us also might like to shop at midnight or at one a.m. But it's just not financially viable for most retail outlets to operate around the clock. Sooner or later, businesses reach the point of diminishing returns. Operating Operating 24 hours per day might be feasible. But not if only a handful of shoppers are attracted to the store in the wee hours of the morning. Similarly, Sunday shopping is feasible feasible only if it increases sales. Evidence indicates that it hasn't. The only changes we might see in the near future are special provisions to allow border town retail outlets the option of Sunday hours in order to compete with retailers in the U.S. Otherwise, Sunday store hours will, no doubt, remain much the same as they have always been. And, as has been pointed out earlier in the debate over this subject, the existing exemptions, exemptions, tourist districts, and other exceptions exceptions to Sunday shopping rules should guarantee that, in an emergency, emergency, consumers can still obtain what they need -- even on Sunday. The events over the past nine months have proven that (with a few exceptions), the community generally favors the existing regulations.. We have had the best of both worlds. We have had an opportunity to try out a new Sunday shopping policy without the legal entanglements of drafting and passing new legislation. The public generally supports the status quo. Let's put the issue behind us for a few years, at least. James Jr. in More Trouble With "Drivel" Re: Vituperative Bile Here, here! Well said! It's long since time that the column column "Pressing Matters..." should be scrapped. It is beneath beneath the dignity of your newspaper. More often than not, it is in poor taste, and at best it is unmitigated drivel! It should be retitled "Messing Prattles" and relegated to another small town. Yours vew truly, John G. J. Manuel Bowmanville Ed's note: Reply coming. of Ottawa & Hull; Sovereign Building, 71 Bank Street, #503, Ottawa K1P5N2 (613- OQO OCÇCT BBB of Metropolitan Toronto Toronto Inc., 1 St. John's Road, #501 Toronto M6P 4C7 (416- 766-5744) BBB of South Central Ontario; 50 Bay Street South, Hamilton L8P 4V9 (416-526-1111) BBB of Western Ontario; P.O. Box 2153. Station A, London N6A 4È3 (519-673- 2222) . BBB of Midwestern Ontario; Ontario; 220 Charles Street East, Kitchener N2G 2P7 (519- 579-3080) BBB of Windsor & District; District; 500 Riverside Drive West, Windsor N9A 5K6 (519-258-7222) One of the reasons you may find this list useful is that Canada Post is now stepping up its efforts to close Corporate post offices in rural Ontario and replace them with private outlets. These outlets seriously devalue devalue work traditionally .done by postmasters; in fact, the contracts are so poor that many business people refuse to sign them. Over the past four years Canada Post has closed 246 federal post offices to date in Ontario. Canada Post is specifically specifically targeting 50 post offices offices now staffedby so-called "term" employees, many of whom have provided years of committed service to their communities. We urge you to take action action now. Write or phone the Better Business Bureau. Call your Member of Parliament. Parliament. You can make a difference, difference, just as the recent, vocal campaign by weekly newspapers to stop Canada Post's March 1 postal rate increases made a difference. It does pay to speak up! We want to continue serving rural communities as we nave for the past ninety ninety years -- with dedication. Call us too, if you need help. Yours sincerely, Mary Anne Doyle, President, Ontario Branch Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Assoc. Finch, Ontario K0K1K0 Tel: 613-984-2460 Fax: 613-984-2790 Looking for Lost Alumni Dear Mr. James: I am writing to seek your assistance in locating "Lost" St. Lawrence College Alumni. Alumni. Our Alumni Association is continuing to grow and we look forward to celebrating the College's 25th anniversary anniversary in 1992/93. Beginning this spnni the College will publish "Voyageur, a new magazine for alumni. This publication will be distributed to all graduates who have a current current address on record at the College. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at the Co- lege. Thank you for your consideration of this request. request. Regards Frank Lockington Alumni Development Project Kingston, Ontario K7L 5A6 ii\ w Andrea Adair to be quite true that growth cannot be stopped. But will development be successfully successfully managed? We are concerned that there is a danger of the municipality developing into nothing more than wall-to-wall subdivisions. Everything which has happened in this town, to date, points to such a fate. What we would like to see is a more balanced community containing both job opportunities, commercial ventures, ventures, and housing. At the same time, we should protect some of our existing traditions. For example, the numerous villages and hamlets should retain their identity rather than being tossed into the melting pot known as the Town of Newcastle. And, of course, our heritage of agriculture, forests, valleys and rivers should also be protected. Perhaps these ideals would be one place to start in any consideration of ^managed growth." It's something to think about. Especially, Especially, since this is an election year. For one exciting day last week, I got to be The Statesman's Queen's Park reporter. I didn't have an office at the park, nor did I have the chance to sit in the press gallery. And I didn't have to race back to Bowmanville and file any pressing story. But what I did get to do. was . see where the movers and shakers of the province carry their briefcases eveiw day. Durham East MPP Gord Mills invited representatives representatives of community newspapers in the area to visit him in Toronto last Thursday. He was presenting a member's statement opposing opposing the postal increases increases community newspapers newspapers are facing. I took the GO Train to Toronto (thanking you- know-who that I don't have to commute every day) and met up with Roy Forrester, from the Orono Weekly Times and followed followed him to the government government buildings. (If I hadn't, I still would have been looking for them.) Queen's Park is an impressive impressive place, boasting red carpeting throughout the building, carved wood banisters and beautiful chandeliers in the legislative legislative assembly. There are recycling boxes everywhere you look, too. In the press gallery, gallery, in hallways, and near water fountains I spotted recycling boxes. The only place I didn't see a recycling box was in the legislative chambers, which, by the way, beat the pants off any municipal municipal council chamber I've seen. Being guests, Gord obtained obtained passes for us to sit in the visitors' gallery, right on the floor with all the bigwigs, ; * including Bob, Mike and Robert. I noticed a couple of things when I was sitting there. Bob Rae has blonde hair. No wonder he's been called the "golden "golden boy." Newspaper shots don't do him justice. And the MPP's seem to like each other, too. Strip the politics away, hide the television cameras, cameras, take cable TV coverage coverage out of the house and you would discover that all those people are friends. Obviously there are a few dislikes -- probably even within each other's parties. But, for the most part, they all seem to get along. Before the house sat, as the members started to filter in, the NDP's were joking with the Lib-, erals and the Tories and vice versa. All that yelling is done to get attention. When Gord started to give his speech, people were rustling rustling papers and talking amongst themselves. But when he raised his voice and started pointing across the room to the Tory members, he caught the attention of the house and elicited some applause. applause. However, he only had 90 seconds to speak. When members present a member's statement, that is all the time they are allotted. allotted. There is a clock on each side of the house that starts counting back as soon as the member stands to speak. If you ever thought politicians politicians were long winded you should be at the Legislative Legislative Assembly when they are making a members members statement. You'd think they were auctioneers auctioneers because they finish so quickly. My little adventure down to the place that makes this province tick was fun. But, most importantly, I saw that those we elected elected to office are just like you and me. Some of them may have more education education than the average Joe or Jane but the bottom bottom line is they are people, people, no better and .no worse than we are. Keep that in mind, the next time you are apprehensive apprehensive about approaching approaching your member about a concern you have. They are in power to help you. And if they don't want to help, they shouldn't have taken the job. & Queen's Park Report by Gord Mills, M.P.P. The Spring Session of the Legislature resumed this week and promises to be very busy. One of the highlights of this week was the Ontario Court of Appeal decision which ruled that the province's Retail Business and Holidays Act is legal. As a result of this decision, the Solicitor General, to whom I am Parliamentary Assistant, has asked police to enforce the law which restricts Sunday openings. As you may recall from the Throne Speech, our government is committed to a common pause day. The court decision provides our government with a basis to improve the legislation to make it more responsive to the needs of Ontarians. In the meantime, the ministry of the Solicitor General is reviewing the court's decision and consulting with interested groups from across the province. On Tuesday and Wednesday, I had the honour of representing the Solicitor General at the Crime Prevention Awards in Windsor and Brampton. These, awards are presented for outstanding work in crime prevention, and pay tribute to local residents and community groups, businesses, and police, all working together as partners. These award winners are among thousands of volunteers throughout our province who work quietly in the background, making our communities safer and more secure. These are people who make a real difference in the lives of those around us. Some of award recipients are involved in the Values, Influences and Peers Program (V.I.P.), a self improvement program aimed at grade six students. It teaches students to become better people by learning how not to get involved in crime. The program focuses on topics as diversified as values, shoplifting and the dangers of drugs. On Thursday, in support of rural revitalization day, I made a statement in the Legislature about the importance of community newspapers and the current threat to the survival of some of these newspapers. This month, Canada Post drastically increased postal rates (as much. as 508% for The Canadian Statesman in Bowmanville) for weekly newspapers. Some community newspapers may be forced to close because of these increases. I urge residents in Durham East to write or phone the Minister Responsible for Canada Post, Harvey Andre at 613-922-6124 to demand that these rate increases by reviewed. On Friday I had the privilege and honour of meeting with Gary Edgar, economic development officer, and other members of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. This was a good opportunity to hear their concerns and I look forward to working closely with the First Nations in the future. Pressing Matters In One Small Town - by John E. James - v. =sl vs 'Brian Will Save Us from Something" There's a pretty good chance we all know the root cause of what's wrong with Canada today: Canadian politicians. Hey, completely overlook the fact that we elect them, Or that we also defeat them when they don't give us what we want. It's their fault, not ours. There is, of course, some truth in the last sentence. Politicians, being VERY Canadian, quickly learn (quicker than most, as it turns out), to put their own concerns ahead of all others. Nobody's better at this game than Prime Minister Brian Muironey. Best example of what we're talking about is the way Lyin' Brian has used, and continues to use, the Quebec "crisis." Everybody observed Mulronev's incredibly ^nept response to the Separatist movement over the last two years, right? Don't worry, you aren't alone in wondering why his blunderbuss tactics seem destined to merely fuel the flames of discontent. Ever cross you mind there might bo some subtle ' side benefits for Mr. Muironey and his buddies ... if the question of Canada's survival manages to stick around until after the next election, or maybe even two or three additional elections? We have a theory on the subject, and here's how it goes: Was there a genuine need for Meech Lake? Not in our opinion, but we can think of one group that certainly thought so. Mr. Mulroney's Tories would have looked awfully good ... if Meech Lake had worked. Will Keith Spicer's Commission save Canada? Don't be silly, of course not, The script calls for Brian to do that single-handed, at a later date, probably real close to another election, Besides, if you've watched closely, ou know Spicer couldn't save beans, ot with the Tribunal of Tokens he's loading around the country. Everybody loves a circus, and this is just one more carnival coming to town, But make that a very useful carnival, if it suits your purpose to frighten people into believeing the sky is falling. By trumpeting the reputed unrest in Quebec as a threat to the country's survival, wc suspect the Tories are S suckering concerned Canadians with what amounts to a shameful attempt to keep the "crisis" on the front pages, whilst simultaneously portraying themselves as the noblest of modern-day Horatios. While various political groups and "Citizens Who Care" nullify each other's efforts in fruitless face to face shouting matches, and numb the general public with reams of redundant rhetoric, the Tories gleefully prepare to assume the position of saviours: "Please colour us good guys, the last REAL hope for Canada/ And when the next election rolls around, back will come Brian for another term. Sound far-fetched? Well, Mister and Missus Canuck, let us whisper in your car a scary thought; the Tories haven't reached "far-fetched" yet. Mind you, they came close. One of the biggestdisappointments in Brian Mulroney's political career will surely be the "premature" end of the Persian Gulf War. Imagine the photo* opportunities that conflict would have presented, if only it hod lingered the appropriate number of months: ""Brian on the foredeck of a forty year old Canadian destroyer, staring menacingly at Iraqi troops on Kuwait's shores (200 miles away). ""Brian presenting medals to wounded Canadian soldiers. ""Brian and George Bush in the Oval office, planning the next attack. ""Brian grieving at grave-side with Joe Clark's widow, after Joe is lost during a tour of Israeli Scud Missile landing sites. (Also killed were two pregnant Iraqi women and their Iranian Freedom Fighter husbands, hoping to enter Canada by stowing away in Joe's baggage.) "'Shirt-sleeved Brian in a munitions factory back home, working beside an illiterate, (but bilingual), single-parent female Inuit amputee, who (after completing a federal government retraining program) recently employed that one good arm to craft a stirring poem about Canadian unity. Want to bet the Tory public relations folks didn't have that sort of stuff racked up and ready to go? Wait and sec. Less than two years to go 'till the next federal election, and Brian is determined to save us from Something. The big question is: "Who will save us from Brian?"