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4 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, January 13,1993 Former Publishers For 139 Years, Our First Concern Has Been Our Community Publisher - John M. James Assoc. Publisher - Richard A. James Plant Manager-Donald). Bishop Ad. Manager - Brian G. Purdy Editor - Peter Parrott T4 Production Rick Patterson, Julie Cashin-Oster, Ross Fisher, Laurens Kaldeway, Doug Lugtenburg, Sharon McMullen, Barb Patterson, Ralph Rozema, Jim Snoek, Vance Sutherland, Jim Tuuramo ccNA, Advertising Laverne Morrison Editorial Brad Kelly, Lorraine Manfredo, Laura J. Richards Office i ■ Rev. W. 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., Bowmanville, Ontario, L1C3K9 416-623-3303 Fax 416-623-6161 No Easy Answers Regional Councillor Larry Hannah described the situation quite succinctly when he said: "Not all the cards are on the table." He was referring to the possibility that St. Marys Cement may expand its dock in order to accommodate additional Great Lakes ships. One of the major questions pertains to Whether or not the harbour facilities being created at St. Marys are the beginning of a major industrial port which will serve the entire Durham Region. Or is the expansion limited strictly to the needs of St. Marys and its ongoing operations at the cement plant? By the time these words appear in print, Newcastle' Council may have received more details of the dock expansion plan from the company. Perhaps, all the cards will be on the table. It seems to us that if there is a plan to enlarge the St. Marys, Cement dock and accommodate vessels other than those which serve the cement plant, then the issue must be looked at in much greater detail. A major industrial port at this site is something which certainly merits scrutiny and consultation with the public. For, in the discussion over the future of the lakefront we are faced with competing needs. On the one hand are the interests of those who want to see the lakeshore preserved for public enjoyment and access. On the other hand, we have the question of jobs and assessment. St. Marys is a major employer in this municipality and a major industrial taxpayer. It will not be easy for the Town of Newcastle to say No to whatever plans St. Marys might have for the waterfront. On the other hand,, St. Marys is not the only land owner to be considered in the equation. There is also an entire community of lakefront residents who have a stake in the future of the Bowmanville area waterfront. Are their interests of lower priority than those of St. Marys? Ultimately, the subject will boil down to the now familiar theme of jobs and economic improvement versus the environment. Given the state of the economy, it will not be an easy choice. Does anyone know what happened to Canada's constitutional reform process? We received a letter from one group this week which suggests that a new accord is needed in order to establish the concept of "one Canada dedicated to the principles of equal rights to all, special privileges to none." The Orange Lodge of Ontario, an organization which supported the No side in the referendum, is calling for a post-referendum policy in a recent news release. The group claims that it is time to assess the results of the referendum and the constitutional dialogue which occurred last year.- "In the eyes of the people, this accord served only the needs of self interest groups and distinct societies, created division, and spoke of many Canadas,' not one strong unified Canada where all are equal," the Grand Orange Lodge of Ontario East explains in its news release. The group went on to suggest that the victory of the No side is not an endorsement of the status quo and that the constitution still needs to be reformed. It seems as though this is almost the only group still interested in' pursuing die constitutional process. Isn't it odd how a topic which was labelled by everyone as essential to the future of Canada one year ago has been so quickly placed on the back burner by politicians and much of the general public? The Orange Lodge will need a considerable amount of luck and persistence if it hopes to see the constitutional process resurrected. The politicians and most of the campaigners on the yes and no sides seem more willing to sec the subject forgotten. At least until after the next election. Residents Concerned about Rodents Getting into Composters Letter to the Editor Re: Kirkland Lake Adams Mine site This is a letter from one of many Kirkland .Lake residents who is strongly opposed to the Garbage Deal whereby 30 million tonnes of garbage is proposed to be dumped into fractured, fractured, open pits that are 400 to 500 feet below the ground water table. This has been sold as the business deal of a lifetime. A Big Business for Whom? I doubt very much if Kirkland Kirkland Lake would benefit, since most by Rick James Why's everybody always pickin' on me? In this week's Report from Queen's Park by Gord Mills, he lists me as being one of his biggest mistakes mistakes of 1992. Gord, what did I do, other than draw attention to the destructive policies your government unleashed on the people of Ontario? When new policies are introduced, introduced, only a small portion of the public actually understands the effect of government programs on their livelihood. I merely provided accurate information information for our readers in a way that everyone can understand. You, in turn, responded with your interpretation interpretation of how these programs would actually benefit benefit the province. Your opinion versus mine. Our opposing views generated controversy, but even more controversial would be for you.to listen , to your executive assistant who apparently prefers the "shove it down their throat and don't give them an opportunity to talk back" style of communication. As I recall, he was the one who said my opinion was "wrong." Gord, as I mentioned several months ago, there is no such thing as a wrong opinion, unless, of course, you live in a communist state. . I still believe that programs like pay equity, employment employment equity, employer health tax, and Bill 40 will have long term detrimental effects on employment employment in Ontario. All of the above make it harder for small business owners to justify additional hirings. For example, the employer health lax rate is higher for companies with more employees. Would it not make more sense to reward companies for hiring additional additional workers rather than penalizing them? Whether your executive assistant likes it or not, it is very important for you to communicate with your constituents, and that includes using the pages of local local newspapers. It's just unfortunate that you had to spend so much lime toeing the parly line while trying trying to justify the N.D.P. socialist agenda. You say you made a mistake in 1992 by not listening listening to your executive assistant's advice. I.disagree, I.disagree, I think you made a mistake by even considering considering his suggestion. All the best in 1993. After driving past the old arena site on Queen Street, many vivid memories of the historic structure came flashing back after seeing that an outdoor rink had been constructed there. For those of us who grew up in Bowmanvillc's Memorial Arena, fond memories arc always re hashed whenever you meet old teammates. As usual, the stories get bigger and better with time, but most tales still relate to the huge crowds and the team • spirit that would cram in that arena. When fans would fill the rink to the rafters, it was literally to the rafters. There's never been a better arena built for being part of the game, and many fans went home with cuts and bruises to prove it. With no glass around the perimeter of the ice, front rows spectators were vulnerable to sticks and pucks. Even the heavy screen behind the nets afforded afforded little protection as slap shots from players like Ted Puk would push the wire apart. Visiting teams would also pay the price if they didn't know how to play on Bowmanville ice. Never get caught facing the screen or your nose will be pushed through that heavy wire like a hot knife through butter. Unlike the panels of today, the old arena had boards that were uneven 2x8 planks lined up on edge. Many jerseys were ripped to shreds on those boards as defencemen smeared forwards trying trying to speed around the outside. The area behind the west end net was a suicide mission for puck handlers. There was always a small gap at the bottom of the boards that would cither swallow an errant puck, or grab the end of a hockey slick, causing players to pole vault over the end of it. Smoking was prohibited in the building, but everyone did anyway. Cigarette butts were kicked down the cracks in the floor boards, with little concern, concern, as to the danger below. A fire during a jam- packed Junior "C" championship game would be catastrophic as the building gave new meaning to the words, "fire trap." The dressing rooms were too small, too hot, too cold, and always loo dirty. Fights were common as both teams used the same hallway to exit the ice surface. surface. At one point, women has to use the washroom located near dressing room number one. That was eventually moved upstairs. Dozens of Ontario championships, hundreds of great plays, and thousands of energetic fans and teams line the history books of that old arena, There's no question that the new Bowmanville Recreation Complex was needed. The modern facility facility lias all the features that today's hockey fan and player demand. Unfortunately, it's unlikely the new arena will ever capture the spirit that was the backbone of Bowmanvillc's Queen Street Ice Palace. of the recyclable materials would be high-graded before transport, and all that Kirkland Lake would get is trash. In the Metro contract with Kirkland Lake, a token 8% of the total garbage, was to be recyclables, and these were not defined. Toronto's land is seen by Torontonians Torontonians as more valuable than the land surrounding Kirkland Lake and area. Since the early thirties we have had to sacrifice our lakes, valuable timber- land and wildlife habitat for the mining mining and timber industry, which is our main bread and butter/ There was no option for the disposal of mine waste (called tailings), which is the necessary necessary evil that goes with the mining industry. industry. All this lime our raw materials, materials, gold, iron ore, and lumber, to name a few, have been shipped south to be manufactured. The south has gotten very prosperous with our resources. resources. One resource that we must protect for future generations is our ground water. A businessman arrives on the scene with promises that Toronto's garbage is going to save Kirkland Lake by providing hundreds of jobs, millions of tipping fees, and unbelievable unbelievable spin-offs. If it is such a great business deal, then how come every one is so anxious to have us sign the dotted line on the contract: Now, that most of our mines are closed and our timber reserves shrinking, Metro, and Notre Development are going to throw tis the proverbial dog bone. Toronto's Toronto's garbage. Toronto is willing to give up land for Skydome, skyscrapers, racetracks, malls, and housing developments, but their residual trash is better of away up North, in fractured mining pits that arc anywhere from 400 to 500 feet below below the ground water table. I am strongly opposed to this Garbage Garbage Deal for several reasons: • Underground water pollution due to the magnitude of contaminated garbage garbage in direct contact with the ground water, dumped into fractured, open pits. • Kirkland Lake is not a willing host. The referendum question at our municipal election in November 1992, was confusing and worded awkwardly. awkwardly. Kirkland Lake has no jurisdiction jurisdiction over Boston Township where the Adams Mine sits. • Everyone should be responsible for keeping their garbage within their own boundaries. Yours very truly, Mr. F. Fournier Kirkland Lake, Ontario Gobbledegook from Consultants The "Draft Report on Planning and, Development Reform in Ontario" bÿ John Sewell, Toby Vigod and George Penfold seems more concerned about sewage and the public process than ef-. fective communications with the public. public. After boring this reader with 89 pages examining upper-tier and low) er-tier government responsibilities, one comes across a letter from the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Dave Cooke, stating: "It should be made clear to the public in your consultai lions that these are the Commission's goals and policies and have not been, endorsed by the Government." It seems that perhaps the Sewell Commission might have overstepped itself during its public consultation meetings. jjj .The report itself reads like an engineering engineering document that only people in* volved with planning would under!, stand in the first read. jj In the first hour or two of reading the report, I was admittedly enthusiastic enthusiastic about it. That dwindled after the second 12-ounce cup of coffee oif Wednesday afternoon while waiting for my car to be tuned-up. To keep interested, the fluorescent pink highlighter whipped across the page underlining such pertinent de-i. tails like: ' V • The Commission on Planning and Development reform in Ontario was appointed by the Minister of Municir pal Affairs on June 12,1991. il • It was given a broad mandate to: recommend changes both to the Planning Planning Act and to related policy that would restore integrity to the planning! process. '• • It wants to recommend a package! of reforms "that comes to grips with; the problems in planning and the planning planning process, is acceptable to the pub-H lie and those involved in planning,( and has a realistic possibility of being; implemented." • Four working groups established!' in Toronto, Kingston, Sudbury and' London met twice to discuss a draft; paper outlining issues, questions, and- ideas about the planning process. 1 (A question worth considering:!. Does Ontario stop along the west cast' highway numbered 17 where Sudbury; is located? People in Kirkland Lake,! Moosonce, ' and Attawapiskat might! have something different to say.) • Within the section on the munici-i pal role in the planning process under- the heading of Development Permits,! we read: ) "An important question is the ex-;! tent to which the public becomes in-:: volved after council sets policies: about design guidelines and the limits', of staff discretion... an appointed com-; mittee to advise the staff committee-', dealing with applications would seem!' a wise move. Public involvement:; should be limited to two instances be-;! yond the general debate on the guide- ;! lines adopted to limit staff discretion." •; • The Planning Act should be!; amended to include what the purposes: - of the Act are, including the follow-! ing: • - the protection and conservation; of the natural environment and foster-- ing ecosystems for future generations; j - to foster economic, cultural,; physical and social well-being, ; - to provide for planning process- ; cs that arc fair, open, accessible, ac-.- Continued on Page 6 Ü m M m W<e Asked Does St. Mary Cement need a second docking facility? .. .And You Said mu. ! W V Reg Bowen Bowmanville "I wouldn't have any idea. However, if they need one they should get it." Mark Allot! Bowmanville "I don't have any idea. I work over that way and it's pretty busy back there with trucks coming and going all the time." Martin McGrath Bethany "I have no idea and no way of knowing the situation, If they need it then the town should make sure they get it." Next week's question: Do you think it is a good idea to have an outdoor skating rink in downtown Bowmanville? Gwen Feikema Bowmanville "You have to look at it in different ways. With the econorhy, the dock may bring in new jobs. However, the environment environment should be considered considered as well: With so much being done to the Great Lakes that creates pollution, all the factors need to be looked at." Hi