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/ SECTION TWO WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3,1991 S&t Canadian Statesman cn 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 Jemee Publishing Company Limited 62 King Street West, Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9 416-623-3303 Fax 416-623-6161 (0NA 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 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 H 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 advertkement. Editorial Comment (| Nuclear Paranoia Part Of Darlington Problem There are some issues related to the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station Station which deserve the attention that they receive. And there are others that don't. But the general public and most of the media cannot tell the difference. ' It has reached the point where just about anything that happens at Darlington Darlington is front page news. For example, example, we're looking for the day when a worker falls off the lower rung of a step ladder while changing a light bulb and the headlines will read: "Nuclear "Nuclear Power Plant Causes Injury." All right. That's an imaginary example example of a non-event occurring at the nuclear station. But here's a true story: story: Last week, there emerged through the media some information about very minute cracks which had appeared appeared on the surface of a rotor at Darlington. Perhaps because it was a slow news day, the incident made the front pages of at least one of the major daily newspapers. But was this really a true "Disaster at Darlington" type of story?" Not really. Rather, it was an incident, incident, which points out the fundamental fundamental weakness in the public's understanding understanding of nuclear power. It is very likely that dozens of factories factories in Ontario have machinery which contains rotors and shafts. And, many of them probably develop cracks. But it's seldom that their malfunction gets the attention of the national media. Let us point out that the machinery in question had nothing to do with the nuclear portion of the Darlington plant. It was located in the turbine area of the facility which is, basically, just a big factory. So we are talking about a minor flaw in a big piece of metal used in an .industrial machine. And that's not something that causes many people in the media to yell "Stop the presses!" But if that big piece of metal is located located in a nuclear plant, a great deal of our nuclear paranoia kicks in. And we imagine the worst. This latest problem at the Darlington Darlington plant deserves attention because it's part of the ongoing saga of glitches which have developed in the construction construction of the $13 billion facility. But the incident really has very little to do with the question of the validity of nuclear nuclear power unless the flaw in the rotor rotor turns out to be indicative of greater problems related to putting Darlington into operation. Certainly we, like most of the public, public, have a nagging suspicion that Darlington Darlington is being plagued by problems. There have been constant delays in Two Years : Is it our imagination or does it take longer to get things done now than it used to? A case in point is the new telephone telephone area codes which were announced announced last week by Bell Canada. The Bell folks are, of course, working working on improving the service and have discovered that an entirely new area code is needed. So, in the future^ Metro Metro Toronto will retain the old 416 area code and everybody else who was formerly within the 416 area code will be part of the 905 area. We weren't surprised that such a move should occur. But we were a little amazed at the timing. We had assumed that the new codes would be in effect in a year's time or so. But that's not the case, It will be 1993 before the dialing system is revamped. revamped. Perhaps there are good technical reasons for this, Or is it iust because of the fact that it takes so long for anything anything to get done? If Mn Bell needs to divide up our exchange exchange so desperately, why is the target target (leadline for the 905 area code so far in the future? Who knows? By 1993, they could invent some now device device that would make the new area code unnecessary, 1 i It might be suggested that the length of time required for implcment- the start-up dates for its units and a steady increase in the estimated cost of the facility. But, given the extent to which we examine the power plant under the microscope of media attention, we wonder if the glitches of the past few years are part of the normal difficulty experienced in getting any industry geared up for operation. Anybody who has built a garage or renovated a kitchen knows that projects seldom go according to plan. We realize that the Darlington Nuclear Nuclear Generating Station is no kitchen or garage. The facility swallows up billions billions of dollars of hydro users' money. It's part of a publicly-owned utility and it utilizes a form of technology which deserves scrutiny. But let us also remember that the Darlington plant's staunchest anti-nuclear foes now control the provincial government. government. And, the last time we checked, they hadn't arrived at the front door of the nuclear generating station with a padlock. The New Democrats are unlikely to support the building of new nuclear plants. But it's interesting to note that, with respect to existing plants and those under construction, they have concluded that nuclear energy is an acceptable risk. While nuclear technology deserves and gets careful scrutiny, there can be dangers of over-scrutiny. In fact, paying undue attention to each hitch that develops at the station can prove to be counter-productive in the long run. The problem is that we could fall victim to the "cry wolf' phenomenon. phenomenon. If we grow accustomed to these stories of temporary delays and malfunctions at Darlington, we will eventually tune them out altogether. And that could cause us to ignore or overlook a major problem somewhere down the road. It's a possibility. What is really needed is a better understanding or nuclear power by the public and by those who report on matters related to nuclear power. At the moment, we seem to treat every stubbed toe and every flake of peeling paint that occurs at a nuclear generating station as if it were a sequel sequel to Chernobyl. Surely some balance is required. Let us, by all means, scrutinize and analyze nuclear power. But let us do so out of understanding rather than ignorance. Let's look at it this way: If the Darlington Darlington plant produced compost bins rather tnan nuclear power, would it receive the same kind of scrutiny that it gets today? to Dial 905? ing the new code is simply for the benefit benefit of phone users. And yet, surely 12 months is long enough for anyone to get business cards re-printed or to alter alter their stationery. And, no matter how much advance notice is given, the date that the new area code is introduced introduced there will still be some confusion. confusion. In the newspaper business, we find ourselves thinking mostly in units of one week, one day or one hour. We find it difficult to comprehend projects that are implemented over ears and require such things as feasi- ility studies and committee meetings. And yet, more and more often, when dealing with large institutions and government, we find that there is no sense of urgency in getting things done and that time is a luxury in ample ample supply. In our business, priorities and goals are almost a daily occurrence. But it would seem that the larger the organization, organization, the longer is the time that it takes to respond. Anything, in such organizations, organizations, can be delayed by a month or a year without any apparent ill-effects. Sometimes, it makes us wonder if this phenomenon isn't the key to our tendency low productivity in North America. Can it really require two years to change a telephone area code? Reader Displeased With Canada Post At this point I am very annoyed with our postal service. service. These last years it is going from not good to very bad. Since our Supermailboxes have been installed here in the Village of Newcastle, I very often find mail addressed addressed to somebody else in my box, as I am sure other people will find mail addressed addressed to me, in their box. I, personally, put mail that does not belong to me back into the mail slot. Does everybody do that? Or does it just get thrown into the garbage? My phoning and complaining complaining about it did not seem to help. It still happens. happens. But what Upsets me much more is this: On March 2,1 sent my waterbill and cheque to the Region of Durham, located at the Bond Tower in Oshawa. Well, it took nine days to get there. In the meantime, on March 21 I get an overdue overdue notice and after phoning the Region, they told me my cheque arrived on March 11. So, that means their overdue overdue notice must have been sent out before that and arrived arrived in Newcastle on March 21. It is amazing how efficient efficient our postal service is. In years past it took sometimes only four days for mail to arrive arrive overseas. Here is hoping it will get better. Yours truly, Renate Schmahl Resident is Frustrated By Delays on Mearns Dear Mr. James Re: "Developments May Hurt Lifestyle of Zoo Animals" - March 27,1991 HOLD ON - this does 'not make sense! According to your report the widening of Mearns Avenue and Highway Highway 2 has been postponed until 1992 instead of taking place this year. I have been living in River River Valley Estates (behind the Zoo) since 1987. I've put up with the mud and guck that goes with purchasing a new home. I've waited until January 1990 to finally have street lights installed on Mearns Avenue. I watched the weeds grow along the west side of Mearns Avenue and young mothers risk their life walking their babies babies in carriages along Mearns (which is really as narrow as one and one half lanes in sections) to shop at the Mall. In August 1990, the weeds were finally cut down and a few weeks later bulldozed bulldozed under in preparation for a sidewalk from Orchard Park Road to Soper Creek Drive. The construction of the sidewalk took about two and one half months to complete. To this day, the project is a quagmire. The section from Orchard Park to Highway 2 leaves much to be desired; an asphalt asphalt sidewalk on the west side with a white line as the only security between pedestrians pedestrians and automobiles. Meanwhile, construction has started on homes north on Mearns at Concession. Much of the traffic for this subdivision will pass along Mearns from Highway 2, I'm sure. If Bowmanville is to grow to 85,000 residents in a few years, surely the roadways roadways to these new homes will be prepared in advance of their arrival. There must be a solution to thè problem between the Zoo and our Public Works Department! As a stakeholder stakeholder in this situation I have E ut up with enough delay. et's get back on track before before someone gets hurt. Yours Sincerely, Bradd Anderson Doesn't Agree with Town 'Melting Pot' Dear Johnny: An urbanized lifestyle for Newcastle is it? The truth is that the future that awaits our municipality is whatever whatever future we, the people of our municipality decide it will be. Our planners at the municipal municipal level advocate managing managing growth and learning to accommodate an increasing increasing population in our area. Indeed, what town planner Frank Wu advocates is a balanced and more diverse allocation of available lands in our communities, including including the preservation of agricultural agricultural land, to provide a stable and healthy foundation foundation for future growth. What our elected municipal municipal representatives have unanimously endorsed is a developer-driven Regional plan tor "urbanization" of our lands and a bulldozer approach to existing commu ai "Don't Worr> r ...We're Still Open Sundays" OUTI aOOK by Andr ea Adair nities. In fact, our Regional government isybbblivious to the existence of some villages villages and hamlets in our larger community, this "melting pot" called the Town of Newcastle. Newcastle. It is time for the residents residents of the hamlets and villages villages to let their voices be heard. It is time for our elected representatives on both the Municipal and Regional levels levels to learn that managed growth is to be done on our tenus, not those of the land developers who have no vested interest in maintaining maintaining integrity with the past, nor vision for the future beyond beyond the sale of the land to a milder. If our representatives fail to learn tnis lesson, they will cease to be our elected representatives...this year. Sincerely, Brian J. Elston I think someone just poured Ontario a giant cup of coffee. And the province woke up and smelled it. People are suddenly noticing Canadian consumer consumer dollars are finding their way into cash registers registers across the border. Well, isn't that a surprise! surprise! Who would have thought meek and mild Canadians would actually actually try to save money by shopping in the United States. But the real question, though, is why are people only wising up to this trend now? During the past week, there has been a great deal of press given to border border shoppers. Durham College has taken some flak about a day trip they offer to shop in the U.S. School Marks 50th Birthday To the Editor: Norwell District Secondary Secondary School in Palmerston, Ontario, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary during the weekend of May 24-26. There are many activities and events planned for this weekend. We are attempting to contact contact and inform as many former former staff and students as possible. Through this letter, letter, we wish to issue an invitation invitation to all of these people to assist us in celebrating Norwell's anniversary. Further information on the celebration can be obtained obtained by contacting the school at (519) 343-3107. Yours truly, Douglas Morrell The province has taken taken some flak about the retail retail dollars going to the States because of the absence absence of Sunday shopping here. Some politicians, I noticed, noticed, are somewhat outraged outraged about these happenings. happenings. But, frankly, I am merely amused. I have never been able to understand the shopper shopper who packs up for the weekend and heads south of the border for shopping expeditions. Admittedly there are bargains to be found on every conceivable consumer consumer good from gasoline to appliances. But, it seems to be a betrayal of Canada. If I live and work in Canada, and partake of the benefits I receive from being a Canadian, shouldn't I strive to ensure ensure that I keep contributing contributing to a society that helps me? Would it be fair for me to make a trip to the States once every two or three months to buy things cheaper over there? ' And would it be right for me to then fib at customs customs and say I didn't buy anything when, in fact, I am wearing two bras, two pairs of pants, three shirts and a sweater? _ It may sound ridiculous, ridiculous, but we've all heard those stories before. Maybe consumer goods are cheaper there. But if that is all an individual individual cares about, then I suggest that indi vidual leave Canada and take up residence south of the border. Then that person can shop to his or her heart's content. If you like Canada and want to remain here, quit shopping in the States. Or at least quit lying about the purchases and start paying your fair share of tax on it. Reports during the last week indicated that Canada Canada was losing millions from people not paying duty on the items they bring into the country. Those are dollars that could be helping the. residents residents of Canada, Millions of dollars that could be going toward repairing repairing roads, helping our hospitals or putting money into our school boards are lost. My amusement with the issue arises from the fact the subject isn't new. There are hundreds of Sherlock Holmeses out there that are just putting putting the pieces together now that people are travelling travelling from various points in tne country to cross the 49th parallel to spend, spend, spend. If we are losing money we have to deal with the problem. It's just a pity we heeded a recession -- one that makes people whine about sales being down -- before we looked at the issue. Sam Seeks Bench Society Sam Cureatz has announced announced that he is letting his name stand for the upcoming upcoming Law Society of Upper Canada election for Benchers. There are 40 Bencher positions. Lawyers across Ontario vote for those lawyers who are seeking the position to the governing body of lawyers ot the Law Society. Mr. Cureatz indicated that there are many import- nat issues currently facing the legal profession and none more important than the proposed use of paralegals paralegals and access to the courts. With his extensive experience experience in the legislature, Mr. Cureatz is convinced that he will be able to make a worthwhile contribution to these issues. He feels that it is imperative that Ontario lawyers remain a viable, self-governing profession for the protection of the public; that the public must continue continue to be served by educated, well trained, independent lawyers. NDP FUNDRAISER On Saturday, April 6th, 1991, the Durham Region NDP will be holding its 9th Annual Fundraiser at the General Sikorski Hall in Oshawa. This year's guest speaker will be the controversial ex- minister, Peter Kormos, MPP for Welland-Thorold. The MPPs for the Durham Durham Region, Victoria- Haliburton and Oshawa will also be attending. .Tickets may still be obtained obtained by calling 723-5917 or 986-5411 or 983-6094. r !k ~Y: Pressing Matters In One Small Town - by John E. James - Editor's note: We must thank two readers for taking the time to comment comment on 'Pressing Matters' columns which have appeared in this newspaper. newspaper. We make no apology for publishing publishing the columns and don't agree that their contents are 'vituperative bile.' - maybe 'unmitigated drivel' as suggested, suggested, but that's the stuff that makes interesting interesting reading. And obviously, the author of Pressing Matters has aroused at least two readers to make comments. That's more than most writers can claim. If either of those two experts would like to submit a column column for our perusal at the same rate of pay, we'll be interested in looking it over, but please refrain from using those big words. If you are still waiting waiting for our reply, this is it. We recommend recommend you read the following and send your comments.. . bile or drivel? "There is a Doctor in the House" Once in a while you get lucky. When our time comes to pull over and park it in a rocking chair, then to look back fondly on earlier years; the last week of March '91 will oft come to mind. That was when the lingering ghost of Champ the Wonderdog was finally finally laid to rest, as The James Gang enjoyed one of those genuine "get lucky" situations. Thirteen weeks might not seem like much of a mourning period, compared to all the years Champ gave us. But. when you still walk careful in the middle middle of the night to avoid stepping on n sidekick no longer lying underfoot, or continue slicing scraps from your plate for a mythical mooch who worked the dinner table like a professional panhandler, panhandler, you know it's well past time to lose the black armband. Our old pal will never be forgotten. No sir, no way. But "the way things are" changed dramatically March 28,1991, at 5 p.m. the day "The Doctor" made a house call. Long term readers familiar with our "Close Encounters of the Champ Kind" over the past decade know it'd take a Miracle Mutt to fill that set of paws. We thought it would never happen. A few weeks ago, some whim sent us to the Windsor branch of the Essex County Humane Society. The exploratory exploratory first visit produced a couple of Mightabeens, one definite Hmmmaybe, but no Surebets. Two more trips quickly reduced the field, and a fourth visit returned us to Square One. End of stoiw? Not quite. One week later we were hack. Among the fresh faces was a toughlooking toughlooking customer who arrived that day. Tne cage card said: 8 month old female Shepnerd/Collie." and the animal animal within the cage was not exactly a show-stopper. Her colour was weird; dirty black surface hair, light brown fur underneath, underneath, and dark roots for a base. The head was largo, and mostly black except except for a lifjht brown mask around the eyes....winch did nothing to mellow an intimidating first impression. _ Lassie she wasn't. Plenty of Ger man Shepherd for sure, but more Wolf than anything else. She was pretty BIG. She was scary-looking, but an intriguing intriguing hint of friendly disposition kept sneakng through. A quick tour of other cages produced produced no more candidates, so once again we headed for the door. Those Lone Ranger eyes were staring staring at us. We stopped. Came back, and approached her cage. Moved one hand closer. A big wet nose sniffed through the wire, and several gentle licks landed. landed. Suddenly, a large tan paw offered to shake hands. Sonofagun. There was something about this dog you couldn't pin down, but we sure felt good handing around her. The scenario repeated itself a few days later. We figured her for a good dog, regrettably nothing like the Champ replica this expedition sought. A couple of weeks went by before there was time for another visit. We thought she'd be gone, but the strange young lady was still there....and very happy to see us again. But, this time we received only a small sample of the regular greeting. Then amazingly, we're getting dirty looks and banting from our furry acquaintance. acquaintance. You'd swear she was saying: saying: "Look Buster, we've done the entire entire routine three times, And all I get from you is sappy smiles. Get off your butt and DO SOMETHING." Wc did. Out came the wallet, and $28.75 later we're back in the "Man's Best Friend" club, Nothing happens fast at the pound. Staff inambers scrutinize potential buyers thoroughly, and quickly reject suspicious types. The dog was delivered delivered to the local vet for a health inspection, inspection, and compulsory spaying. We got sent home empty-handed, to attempt attempt describing the dog without scaring scaring anybody. It sorta worked. Her name was going to be "Gilda," in honour of Fort Malden Animal Clinic's Clinic's Dr. Gilda Poitras; a truly wonderful wonderful lady who did so much for Champ. However, further deliberation had us wondering: a) would the good Doctor appreciate the idea, and b) precisely how dumb might we look, running down the street yelling "Gilaa" at this rather imposing animal? "Doc" seemed a sensible compromise. compromise. Two days later we picked up the slightly dazed, newly neutered "Doc," and aimed the van for home. Last time we drove this route, only an old leather leather collar came along for the ride. This time, a sizable gamble sat beside.us on the passenger seat. Nobody else in the family had even seen her. Not to worry. Our first good look at her out in the sunlight got the pump going good. Out of the cage, she was absolutely gorgeous! gorgeous! Even better, the hint of friendly disposition proved legitimate. She's amazingly gentle, but no burglar or bully would every think so. Once in a while you get lucky, Two minutes alter Doc set foot in our driveway, the gamble was toast...and an old leather collar was brought back to life. We're sure the original owner of that old collar is pleased, i< 1 i I