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6 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, October 16,1991 Former Publishers Rev. W. R. Climie, 1854-1878 • M.A. James, 1878-1935 • George W. James, 1935-1957 Produced weekly by James Publishing Company Limited For 137 Years, Our First Concern Has Been Our Community Publisher - John M. James Assoc. Publisher - Richard A. James Plant Manager - Donald J. Bishop Ad. Manager - Brian G. Purdy Editor - Peter Parrott Production Rick Patterson, Julie Cashin-Oster, Laurens Kaldcway, Doug Lugtenburg, Sharon McMullen, Barb Patterson, Sean Pickard, Ralph Rozema, Jim Snoek, Vance Sutherland, Jim Tuuramo Advertising Laveme Morrison, Pat Patterson-Savage Editorial Brad Kelly, Lorraine Manfredo, Laura J. Richards Office Angela Luscher, Junia Carnegie, Grace McGregor, Nancy Pleasance, Marilyn Rutherford, Barb Schouten P.O. Box 190,62 King St. W., Bowmanvillc, Ontario, L1C 3K9 416-623-3303 Fax 416-623-6161 A Month Off.. .For What? Newcastle's elected officials have just booked themselves a month of holidays. Well, it won't exactly be a holiday for most of the folks who represent us at the Town Hall. Most, of them will be devoting their time to getting themselves themselves re-elected, no doubt. But, as of Tuesday, October 15, all meetings of Newcastle Council - including including committee sessions -- have ground to a halt. Town councillors will hold their next official get-together on November 18, at which time a meeting meeting of the general puipose and administration committee will take place. If our recollection is correct, this idea of giving elected officials a month for campaigning is unprecedented in this municipality. In the past, elected officials have at least attempted to conduct municipal business during the election campaign. And that's how it should be. If our local government can absent itself for an entire month outside the holiday season, then there's something wrong. Our first suggestion would be that this self-approved holiday is a pretty good indication of the fact that affairs at the Town Hall are not really run by the politicians anyway. If they can take this much time out to run an election campaign, who's running the store? The answer might well be that the shop is being operated by the professional professional civil servants. And, if they can do such a good job of keeping the ship of local government on course, who needs the politicians at all? Why not let them take six months off, or perhaps eight? Maybe nobody would notice their absence at all. We exaggerate a little. But let's imagine what would happen if this situation situation occurred in the real world. Look at it this way: If you took a month off work in the summer and then another month off work during October/ November, wouldn't your boss start to wonder what sort of a contribution you were making to the business? This is more or less what our elected officials officials have decided to do. We'll leave you to draw your own conclusions. It also seems to us that by quitting work early in October, elected officials officials are giving an advantage to the professional politicians and placing newcomers at a distinct disadvantage. We have steadfastly believed that local local politics is no place for the career politician. It should be reserved for the amateur -- the community-minded individual who wants to do something for his or her town. But, whatever incumbents are running for office stand to benefit from a lack of businesses being conducted at the Town Hall. If their opponents have regular day jobs, it's unlikely that any of them are given given a month's leave in order to campaign. In effect, the professional politician politician is getting a full month to conduct a campaign unencumbered by reading reading agendas or attending committee and council sessions. Moreover, the councillors are able to avoid having to make any controversial public decisions decisions during the weeks immediately before an election. This also gives an unequal advantage to the incumbent and stacks the deck against someone challenging an elected official. The only thing that can be said in favor of halting municipal business until until after the election is that committee meetings and council meetings will no longer be opportunities for incumbents to engage in political grandstanding grandstanding on the eve of an election. But, if one were to avoid the risk of politicians using the meetings for this purpose, one would have had to call a recess about a year ago. The fact of the matter is that our town councillors have been elected to do a particular job. Municipal regulations make no provision for the sort of official campaign that is established at the federal and provincial levels. Municipal politics is not supposed to be that intense. And municipal officials officials should do their job through rain and snow and sleet and election cam- paigns. If our town council isn't holding meetings during the next month, then perhaps its members will refuse to accept their salaries for those four weeks. We're only dreaming, of course. being ioarned àbouHhe^ dangers of ex^ssh^cidcr tonSumjyfcion, AljvS persisted by Laura J. Richards Hannah Responds to Letter Dear Sir, I usually do not respond to insidious remarks, however the misleading remarks in the October October 9th issue of The Canadian Canadian Statesman attributed to J. Smith sound like an old rendition rendition of "Sour Grapes", with hubby on the fiddle." Having been bom on a farm in rural Ontario, I well understand understand and know that rural residents residents have far more intelligence intelligence and common sense than what she gives them credit for. (re-blue box distribution to rural residents). My motion, supported by Council to have staff review the proposal to have blue boxes boxes made available to residents outside the urban areas, was In response to resident calls I received received asking for something to convey recyclables to the Igloo systems. I also suggested two ways for staff to look at it: No. 1 Direct distribution, No. 2 Distribution points to be set up for there who wanted them, whereufetould pick them up. T airilTglad to hear the Smith's don't want a blue box, as this would lower the cost-of the proposal by a couple of dollars. Educational material distributed distributed in our total recycling program during the next few years, beginning next year, will be of vital importance for all of us as material changes arc ! '\ by John E. James In One Small To wn v "Breaking Up The Team" Back in the early Echo years, one of our saddest "Editor's Notebook" items began with: "We'd give anything in the world not to be writing these words..." It concerned the untimely death of a middle-aged middle-aged Amherstburg family man. Ronnie Mélodie Mélodie was his name. Over the years, roughly 10,000 "Notebook" items were written; with enough tragic events witnessed by those words to sour many a sound mind. However, to the best of our knowledge, that phrase was never employed employed again...until this week. Aside from wildest hopes and aspirations, what we brought to Am- herslburg in August of '81 consisted of: one wife (Linda), three kids (Sussy, Tom and Martin), a raggedy raggedy old family pet (Champ the Wondcrdog), and one Mother-in-law. Everybody called her 'Nana Rene'. As 'Teams' go, our little little band presented no earth-shattering spectacle; certainly nothing to strike fear into the hearts of those who dared block the path of Truth, Justice and the Great Canadian Dream. Nevertheless (with tons of help from our terrific terrific Echo crew) the job got done. Surprise, suiprisc. When all was said and done, we made a pretty effective effective team. Last year, economic re ality confronted us with a tough choice. Reluctantly, we let The Echo go. An enormous void surfaced. One week before Christmas, Christmas, poor old Champ died. The team was breaking up. Then came Yesterday..., Yesterday..., Once again, we'd give anything in the world not to be writing these words; "Yesterday..., we lost Nana Rene." Life goes on. It's been some time since our column appeared the The Echo. These days it goes out to a bunch of small towns across Ontario, Ontario, new folks now sharing our thoughts each week. Turns out most of 'cm are just as concerned - and just as opinionated - as some of our old pals in the Am- herstbug area. Life goes on... Months after Champ died, we swore no replacement replacement would ever join the Team. Now we have "Doc", as much a part of the Family as Old Original, Original, plus a timely home security security side benefit. Nobody Nobody messes with something that looks half Shepherd, half Wolf. Life goes on, but... There's no replacing Nana Rene. Eldest of four sisters and one brother; a kid selling selling corsets for peanuts during during The Depression. Married later in life, when The War brought a charming Irishman to Canada Canada to train bomber pilots. Abandoned with little daughter, thanks to a "Dear Irene" letter when the conflict came to an end. Stricken with cancer of the colon shortly thereafter, thereafter, as Bad News snowballed snowballed in unfair fashion. Forty years of daily ordeal thanks to a colostomy operation. operation. Harsh realities for the single, working parent; in an age where you solved your own problems, not expecting - or receiving - help, from outside, sources. Breast cancer, came next. Then Crone's Disease. Two or three days after the latter operation, a bad fire at the hospital. Recovery Recovery in a spare bedroom at daughter's home, with three young kids running rampant. Then the idiot who married married her daughter cavalierly cavalierly threw away a secure living, living, packed everybody up, and moved to Amherstburg Amherstburg chasing dreams. Instantly, no questions asked, she bid goodbye to age-old friends, community, community, and family home. Leave daughter and grand- kids? Not on your life! ("You'll need a bookkeeper, bookkeeper, Won't you?" "Yes, we will.") Now over 70, and the clock ticking faster. Barely missing a day's work in nine years -- from the terrifying terrifying recession that began six weeks after we arrived, to the week The Echo was sold. Somewhere along this torturous path, Mother and Daughter became Best Friends. After the business was sold, they had six good months together. Precious Precious little time to enjoy each other's company. By dreary February, Time caught up to them. Emphysema came too. The past six months have been Hell on both of them. Mother and Daughter Daughter fought back with all they had; side by side through every agonizing day. These last six days were beyond any semblance of fairness. Too much pain to lie in bed; fragments of sleep in a living room chair. As if fate wasn't cruel enough already; two fractured discs were discovered. discovered. But not in time to ease the suffering. It was enough to question question the faith of any Believer, Believer, but not enough to change the most wonderful personality in the world. Oh sure, the odd murmur of complaint escaped as vicious vicious spasms relentlessly attacked. Concern about "being a burden" would quickly follow. Irene Elizabeth Roberts: we all called her Nana Rene. Yesterday, she quietly slipped away. Dignity to the end. No more miracle comebacks. No more lucky breaks. No more Time. Helpless, we listened as her Daughter - and Best Friend - said: "You're the most wonderful Mom in the world. There'll never be another like you." Not so. Daughter Linda is exactly the same. Lucky us. Naturally, we have Nana Rene to thank for that too. made in the system. The reality of our recycling costs today is over $250.00 per tonne. Many of our residents In urban areas do not have blue box pickup, of recyclables in residences such as apartments and condominiums, etc. ... Our recycling plant, now runs 24 hours a day. I ani sure the Waste Reduction Committee Committee would love to place a blue box at every door in Durham Durham Region with full pickup. If Smith wishes to pay the $multi-millions for the expansion expansion of the plant and programs, we can do it, but as a taxpayer taxpayer I can't afford It, and I'm sure the rest of my fellow residents residents can't afford It. We are doing our best to give everyone an opportunity in this municipality to recycle, and as John Aker Chairman of Public Works for Durham Region Region pointed out at the official opening of the Igloo ceremonies ceremonies for our corporate sponsors. sponsors. "The Town of Newcastle is the leader In Durham Region." Region." Your truly, Larry Hannah Chairman of Public Works and Member of the Waste Reduction Committee for Durham Region. Ed's note: We have deviated deviated from our announced policy on election letters to give Councillor Hannah and equal time opportunity to reply to a letter published last week. It looks like turkey or ham leftovers tonight for most of us -- unless you're still waiting waiting for a turkey to rest its head on your doorstep. While you were snug in the family warmth on Monday, Monday, during Thanksgiving dinner, someone somewhere was wondering what she or he had to be thankful for. It is hard to be joyous when you're staring at a ration ration of K.D. (Kraft Dinner) on the old plate. Alüiough I have yet to experience experience it, I know it happens. happens. When a parent can't go out and buy some of the basics basics like flour, baking powder or soda along with some margarine margarine or butter, sugar or some other essential household household staples, things can become become depressing. Especially when it's before before a holiday weekend. The Salvation Army Food Bank Drive has begun its pre- Christmas drive towards filling filling its shelves. Wbal is it like to involuntarily involuntarily go without food for many days? What is it like to go to sleep without any food whatsoever whatsoever in one's stomach for many nights? You don't have to go far to see tltis--you didn't have to watch Monday morning's World Vision program to understand understand hunger. It is right here in the Town of Newcastle in the Durham ■ Region. And if you refuse to sec it here, it is in Toronto. With the social services available provided by each of us through our tax dollar and the food banks and soup kitchens provided through donations, no one should go hungry. However, we know from television reports, newspaper articles and radio that many people here and around the world go without nourishing food each day. There are tilings we can do each month to help make sure that our neighbors don't go to bed hungry. --donate time to the local soup kitchen -donate fresh vegetables, fruit and meat to the local soup kitchen -donate the same to the local food bank -set money aside each month to give to a worthy cause like UNICEF, or Save The Children Fund. These particular organizations can use the money to feed, clothe, or give medical care to children. children. I know it's hard, especial ly when you're not making big bucks. However, çven without the big bucks, I've decided that I am going to try to help out some way. Where I live, we try to go out to dinner once a week, to give the chief cook and bottle washer a night off. If I cut one of those off my expenses, I can give $15 per month. Fifteen dollars by 12 months just happens to equal $180 per year. That would buy 180 loaves of bread or 60 kilograms kilograms of flour, or 120 one- kilogram tubs of margarine. It also could buy 12 five- kilogram bags of frozen veggies veggies at a bulk frozen food store, depending on the veggies veggies wanted. I realize that $180 isn't a lot, but it will be my contribution contribution to curbing the hunger in cither Oshawa where I live or Bowmanvillc where I work. So, how are you going to help? LETTER TO THE EDITOR Reader Would Like More Mo For New Residents of Town Dear Sir: I've been paying taxes in this Community for just a little over 10 years now and I'm ashamed to admit that I can never remember what Ward I live in, or who my local representatives representatives are. With so many new residents in this area I know I am not alone in my obliviousness. I also know that I could very easily phone Town Hall and receive the basic basic information I require, but how many of us take the time to do such simple research when we arc so conditioned to expect to receive information like this via the media? I enjoy your paper and read most of it from cover to cover, but except for the odd controversial controversial council meeting, when we readers get to read the names of a few individuals, what do we newer residents really know about the people we have elected or are expected expected to elect? I would. suggest that your paper, over the last 137 years, has grown accustomed to catering catering to long time residents who not only know a very great deal about each other but who also know where each and eve ry concession road, or boun dary is located. I feel that it is taken for granted that we newcomers newcomers also know these things. I would further suggest that a great many of us would appreciate appreciate it if your paper could do what it can to increase our knowledge as to who we arc, not only in the "Town of Newcastle", Newcastle", but how we fit into Durham, and exactly who are the "players" on each and every every "team". Could you produce maps of our boundaries; tell us who are the representatives in each; what are their backgrounds; backgrounds; who are the contenders; contenders; what arc the platforms of each and every person running for elected office etc. etc.,.? I would also welcome seeing something like the above published published on a continuing basis, and not just at election time, in order that new residents to the area will be much more aware of their community structure. Yours truly, William R. Stewart "Rainecliffe" R.R.4 Bowmanville, Ontario Ed's note: We keep trying, but because of all the growth it seems there's more to be done. Ever Thought of Writing? The Statesman welcomes Guest Editorials and Letters to the Editor about any topic that interests you. All material is subject to editing by The Statesman and all submissions must be signed by the author. m B M We Asked.... Do you think the recession is over? .. .And You Said Charles Taws Bowmanville No it's not. The government may say it's over, but people that I've talked to say it's not. People are scared and arc hanging on to their money. Wayne Hodge Bowmanville I don't think so. I just got laid off three weeks ago and there is no word of when I'm going to be called back, Rickie Donovan Bowmanville No, I don't think so. Jobs arc still being lost everyday. James Colliss Havelock I guess it depends where you're looking at it from. For some it is and for some it isn't. It depends on what side of the fence you're on. Next week's question: Is traffic flow becoming a problem in downtown Bowmanville? m