2 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, May 27,1992 Section Two i Rev, W. For 138 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 Kaldeway, Doug Lugtenburg, Sharon McMullen, Barb Patterson, Sean Pickard, Ralph Rozema, Jim Snoek, Vance Sutherland, Jim Tuuramo Advertising Laveme Morrison, Pat Patterson-Savage Editorial V^CNA _ Brad Kelly, Lorraine Manfredo, Laura J. Richards Former Publishers Office R. Climie, 1854-1878 • M.A. James, 1878-1935 • George W. James, 1935-1957 Angela Luscher, Junia Carnegie, Grace McGregor, Nancy Pleasance, Marilyn Rutherford, Barb Schouten Produced weekly by James Publishing Company Limited p.o. Box 190,62 King St. W., Bowminville, Ontario, L1C 3K9 416-623-3303 Fax 416-623-6161 No Easy Solutions To Illegal Dumping These big loads of garbage that arc being dumped in fields and on roadsides are, in a twisted way, the direct result of a greater concern for the environment. Let us elaborate. Because of heightened environmental concerns, it is becoming increasingly impossible to find an acceptable site for new landfill operations. And, because of environmental concerns, it's becoming expensive to dispose of this trash in the dwindling space that is available. Regulations also ban certain types of trash at the local landfill operations. And yet, garbage continues to exist. Although most of us are genuinely interested in a cleaner environment, few of us have reached the stage where we are working for a cleaner world by eliminating trash altogether. The result is a lot of garbage with no place to go. And, in many cases, that means less-than-honest operators will dump garbage somewhere in the countryside. There is a lot of open countryside in the Town of'Newcastle. And we arc close to large urban centres which produce so much of the trash. Put the two facts together and you can sec why we are prime targets for the midnight garbage dumpers. In effect, our roads, ditches and open fields arc becoming unlicenced landfill operations. Given the size of this municipality, such illegal dumping is almost impossible to police. The odds of police or by-law enforcement officers happening upon someone actually dumping trash on private property in the small hours of the morning are slim. And it isn't very likely that the discovery of address labels or other identifying evidence in the garbage would be enough to convict someone of the offence. Just because a letter with a particular business's name appears in the illegally-dumped trash, that doesn't prove the business was the guilty party. So, what's the solution? ' Actually, there is no single answer. Only a combination of actions might stop the illegal disposal of waste. Certainly there should be higher fines for the guilty parlies. Citizens must be encouraged to report anyone they see dumping trash illegally. Perhaps the opening of more waste transfer stations with longer hours of operation would also discourage roadside dumping. It also seems to us that it would be beneficial to make it easier to get rid of certain kinds of waste. For example, brush and tree trimmings are not exactly hazardous substances. Yet they make a mess when dumped on someone's country property. Why not set up a depot (perhaps alongside the existing recycling depots) where such yard wastes could be collected for shredding and composting? Of course, cheap and readily-available landfill sites might do the most to clean up our roadsides. But it's unlikely that inexpensive waste-disposal will ever be seen in Ontario again. Moreover, it would have the disadvantage of discouraging waste reduction. Ongoing education in the virtues of reducing, re-using and recycling trash will probably do the most to help. Whoever is guilty of dumping waste at the roadsides is a throwback to the "throwaway" society. With a proper education and understanding of the problem, we will one day reach the point where wé would no more throw ' garbage on roadsides than set fire to someone's house and rob a bank. Unfortunately, until that time, our empty fields and ditches will continue to suffer. Town ■ Newcastle council PARKING Councillors Seek Ways to Reduce Soaring Mileage Costs Letters to the Editor Page from the Past' Draws Reaction Dear Mr. James: eye for its personal value; namely, a I am writing you as a concerned picture of my father - Judge E. R. reader of your newspaper about an ar- Lovekin and my mother, Wilma Love- ticlc that appeared on Page 5 on the kin, being surrounded by Bob Nixon 25th March, 1992, in the column of and Russ Honey, fluence run deep, Mr. James! I don't respect any individual who chooses to alter or in this case delete any factual information. If it was good enough to print in 1967, why not now, "A Page from the Past." , Secondly, I couldn't help but notice sir? What information will you I have always been interested in : the removal of the information about choose to delete next? Why stop your articles which have always been sôme of the individuals in the picture, there? Is it true... "News is what I reknown reknown for their thoroughness and ac- ijcan only gather one of two conclu- p 0rt| not necessarily what happened." curacy. I've learned to rarely question sions, Mr. James; namely, there is If you choose, Mr. James, I'd be more the validity of facts in your paper; iinlike others that- are published for reader consumption. I admired your constant display of freedom of print and well balanced content; that was until I viewed your article in your historical historical portion of your paper. This particular article caught my Thou by Rick James some "flaw" in your printing opera- hi an happy to restore history for you tion or for some other reason, you did anc j rer nind you that in 1967 niy moth- riot want to publicly disclose the sur- er) Wilma Lovekin, was then married names and relationship to Judge E. R. t 0 an( ) i Oh Yes, " the wife of Mr. E. Lovekin of the three other members r Lovekin" (not even Judge yet), on the picture, namely, Nixon, Honey Shame on you, Mr. James, I was and Mrs. W. Lovekin. raised to believe that you of all men in My opinion of you and your paper, hie community, were well above the Mr. James, has been significantly al- pettiness of small town politics, tered to a low level of 'common' jour- Daughter (still) of both E. R. Love- nalism. A paper that is motivated to ki n and Wilma Lovekin, publish what is politically correct, even if that means to not print the arti- Jonet Lovekin cle as an entire entity. King Street, Oh, how the winds of political in- Hampton, Ont. Dedicated Volunteers Thanked For Contributions to Community I versus me versus we. Somewhere along the line, we must have picked up the idea that it is preferable to use "we" than "I" in columns such as this. But, in the past few weeks, we, or I, have received .many suggestions from readers that "I" would be preferable to "We." So, I will try it, and break ranks with our usual way of doing things in Thoughts Unlimited. Rick the Rebel strikes again. What better week to emphasize "I" than this week's column about questioning motherhood, apple apple pie, and discrimination? I'll start by expressing our disbelief in Bob Rae's plan to push ahead with mandatory employment equity equity for all businesses. Employment equity refers to the government's plan to have employment more accurately reflect the demographics of the community. Studies have shown that women, minority groups, and the disabled disabled are not receiving equal employment opportunities. opportunities. According to a report received last week, the NDP hopes to reach a level of employment where the percentage of women, minority groups and the disabled would equal the percentage of a company's company's payroll. For example, if the physically disabled disabled represents 6% of the community's population, population, then 6% of the community's employed workforce should be handicapped. Have none of these NDP policy makers ever worked in the real world? First of all, of that 6%, how many have the skills, or even want to work al say.. .the local newspaper? We received 98 applications for a position advertised advertised recently. Those 98 were quickly narrowed down to 12, then six, then one. Ollier than interviewing interviewing all 98 applicants, how will an employer know if die person fits one of the disadvantaged groups? After all, you can't ask those questions on the application for employment, 1 Then taken one step further, there arc some positions positions in our company dial would be unavailable because because of die physical or mental requirements of die job. For that tiny percentage left who have die skills and the desire, it is correct to discriminate against anodicr applicant because he's not in a wheelchair? Either way, hiring practices take on new characteristics characteristics that discriminate against everyone, Whatever happened to hiring the best person for die job? I don't care if the applicant is black, white, male, or female. I want the person who is the most qualified for the job, whether that person sits in a wheelchair or not. To compéte in today's tough economic economic climate, businesses have to hire the most qualified people to survive. If they don't, you can bet their competitors will. Thé government will quickly jump in and say dial tiiis will not affect hiring policies. Their "numerical "numerical guidelines" are not quotas for employment. They are only intended to provide guidance for employers. employers. "Numerical guidelines" versus "quotas" is like calling a McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburger... hamburger... a four-ouncer. It's the same thing, one just sounds better. If these guidelines are only intended to provide guidance, dien why is this policy referred to as mandatory employment equity? Each employer will be required to submit a racial roster of staff, indicating indicating cultural heritage, gender, and physical limitations. limitations. I've never drought of our staff as being any- tiling odicr than Canadian, and that's how our forms will be completed. So, why is die NDP pushing ahead with this? They have no choice. To try and argue against it will, be like proclaiming yourself as unfair and discriminatory. discriminatory. Common sense takes a back seat when issues like Uiis arise. The ironic twist to such policies is that it actually promotes discrimination. Decisions must now be made by considering factors dial contradict society's society's philosophy dial all people are created equal. I've always looked beyond skin color, gender, and physical limitations when dealing with anyone. But, because of tiiis column, I'll no doubt receive angry letters accusing me of discrimination and racism, racism, I remember when the former Minister of Agriculture Agriculture Eugene Whelan was branded as a racist because because of a remark lie made during a trip to a third world country. The world press misinterpreted his comment and slammed him as a racist. For those not familiar witii the man, Whelan has devoted a huge portion of his life to helping feed non-white third world countries. The man witii tiro green stetson is universally worshipped by disadvantaged disadvantaged groups for his untiring efforts to help. Yet, some activists still remember him as a racist. If Whelan is a racist, then I too am guilty. Dear Mr. James: Volunteer Recognition Week was celebrated in Canada April 26 - May 2nd. I would like to publicly recognize the Big Brothers, Board and Committee Committee members of The Big Brothers Association Association of Newcastle. In place of our 1992 Annual Recognition Dinner for our volunteers, the agency held an Open House on April 23 in honour of its 15th Anniversary. The list of organizations and agencies agencies in The Town of Newcastle that use volunteers is a lengthy one. Many excellent programs would not exist if we did not have the dedicated and committee volunteers wc have in this community. Thank you to all volunteers in The Town of Newcastle. Keep up the good work. Wc need you. I am proud to be part of such a caring caring and giving community. You should be too. Nancy Scott Executive Director Big Brothers of Newcastle. by Laura J. Richards The discreetly wrapped package appeared on my editor's desk last Friday. Friday. Upon opening the envelope attached attached to the package, Peter discovered discovered a press release from the Arm & Hammer Company. In the box, he found just what Laura needed for her weekend project. The box contained a J-Cloth, a pair of see-through rubber gloves (like the ones the doctor uses when she decides it's time for a PAP smear), instructions, instructions, a seven-ounce bag of washing soda and a stainless steel shaker (a collectible in a few years down the line!) to dispense washing soda. (The added extra was the coupon for a free 1.5 kg box of washing soda.) My job--to see if washing soda really works! Method--cleaning the new apartment. Some of the bits of information which came with this unusual press kit are: • washing soda usually costs about $3 per 1.5 kg box • it is a powerful grease-cutter and water softener, deodorizer and is easy to use, environmentally sound and "unbelievably versatile because it contains contains no phosphates, no NTA or no bleach. (NTA r Nitrolotriacetic acid which is categorized as an organic nitrogen- containing compound and is used as an alternative to phosphates as a water softener. There is some concern in the U.S. that NTA may contribute to the presence of heavy metals in unborn unborn children by solubilizing heavy metals effectively. NTA has been banned in some parts of the U.S., and rather than producing different formulas formulas for different markets manufacturers manufacturers are avoiding its use.) '• use washing soda instead of: bleach, laundry boosters, stain removers, removers, sink, counter, and stove cleaners, sink, tub, tile, and toilet cleaners, silver silver polish (Hmm), linoleum and tile floor cleaners (may dull no-wax floors though), walls and floors (ah-ha) for all those cleaning problems. • washing soda blasts away greasy dirt (sounds like a commercial, n'est- ce que pas?) off laundry, garage floors and wherever else it can be located The brochure also explains how to use washing soda in laundry with your regular detergents, , or for cleaning shower curtains and keeping drains clear. It also tells how to use it to clean grout in the bathroom, and vinyl siding (clean siding with a solution of 25 ml (2 Tbsp.) of washing soda per litre (less than an imperial quart) of warm water. Rinse with a hose (no water, eh?) and let dry in the sun (does one take the siding off the house to do this?) Also, do not use washing soda on aluminum products as it does discolor aluminium, so the literature says. I am now wondering if this stuff will work on the mold that is growing on the window frames, along , the inside inside of the patio doors, and is determinedly determinedly creeping along the closure to the attic at the old apartment. Guess . I'll have to experiment! So how did the cleaning turn out? Friday night saw my roommate and me forking over the last month's rent and getting our keys to the newest apartment in our round of apartments. I tackled the bathroom and she took the kitchen. First, let me tell you, washing soda Continued on Page 3 m 0 m We Asked What do you think of the idea to recognize the Business Improvement Area as 'Historic Downtown' Bowmanvillc? .. .And You Said Elizabeth Canrinus Bowmanvillc "I like the idea. It's a nice 1 idea and important one." Steve Rosenberg Leigh Jacob Natalie Manders Bowmanvillc Bowmanville Oshawa "I think it should be "I think it's a good "I think it's a pretty an recognized. 1 think all idea. It suits the area. If good idea. Downtown the stores should have storcs in thc Bowmanvillc is an a theme to attract ^ïteadTf 0 juThalf intcrcstin S P la ce. It has more people to thc ^ buildings then it improved (in looks) area." (downtown Bowman- and they should go for ville) would look nice." it." Next week's question: What are your views on last week's Heritage Week celebration? m
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