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2 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, April.28,1993 Section Two 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 139 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, Ross Fisher, Laurens Kaldeway, Doug Lugtenburg, Sharon McMuJlen, y Barb Patterson, Ralph Rozema, Jim Snoek, Vance Sutherland, Jim Tuuramo cciviAyy Advertising Laveme Morrison Editorial Brad Kelly, Lorraine Manfredo, Laura J. Richards Office Angela Luscher, Junia Hodge, Grace McGregor, Nancy Pleasance, Marilyn Rutherford P.O. Box 190,62 King St. W., Bowmanvillc, Ontario, L1C 3K9 416-623-3303 Fax 416-623-6161 Shoplifter versus Shopthief At a time when dumps are called waste management sites and lay-offs are called corporate down-sizing, it's nice to see that some words are not being euphemized. Here's one instance in which the meaning of a word is becoming even more direct: The Retail Council of Canada is suggesting that the term "shoplifter" should become "shopthief' to better illustrate exactly how serious the crime of stealing from retail outlets happens to be. How serious is it, you ask? Well, let's put it this way: If the federal finance minister had at his disposal the amount of money which is annually lost by retailers due . to shoptheft, he'd have a healthy down payment to apply against the federal deficit. The annual losses from retail thieves amount to $2.25 billion per year and over $6 million per day, according to a recent survey completed by The Retail Council of Canada. The vice president of the Council added: "If there were no shoptheft, retailers would be able to create 100,000 new jobs in their stores." Such a statistic shows quite clearly that shoplifting (or should we say, shoptheft) is not a victimless crime. Here are some other facts about this problem as released this month by the Retail Council. •Losses depend on the individual store. But, all sizes of organizations are targets. Losses range from .5 per cent to 2.7 per cent. •Only 20 per cent of businesses said they do not prosecute those customers or employees caught stealing. •Retailers also note that they are catching more thieves in both the customer and employee category. This is the result of both improved vigilance and increased theft. We will conclude with this observation from Mel Fruitman, the Retail Coùncil Vice President. He said: "I shudder to think of how much would be stolen if stores were not taking the actions they are. Shoptheft is one of the most prevalent forms of crime in this country. It is time that society recognized it as such. Who Takes the Blame for Waco? There have'-been plenty of accusations and counter-accusations following last week's tragic end to the stand-off in Waco, Texas. Who is to blame? The federal law enforcement agencies who attempted to force an end to the incident are shouldering much of the criticism. And, with the benefit of hindsight, we can clearly sec that their strategy to end the stalemate went tragically wrong. But, surely the nail of blame must be traced beyond the final explosion and fire which ended the lives of David Koresh and so many of his followers. . Weren't the cult and its leaders the most responsible? Did they not stockpile over a million rounds of ammunition? Did persons within the compound not shoot dead four federal investigators in the incident which started the episode? Did the group's leaders not hold off law enforcement agents for 51 days? And it's even possible that the explosion at the compound was a mass suicide by the cult, although the cause of the blaze has yet to be officially decided. Yes, in the best of all possible worlds, there would have been a successful resolution to this stand-off. Those who were guilty would have been brought to a fair trial and those who were innocent -- most notably the children in the compound -- would have been spared. But, the fact of the matter is that whenever groups of armed outlaws hold police at bay, they arc putting themselves, and anyone around them, in grave danger. And, they do have a choice. Rather than facing the risk of death or injury, they ought to surrender peacefully and let the judicial process take over. Police have no right to be trigger-happy. However, when an individual is killed or injured in the process of committing a enme, it seems to us that the major responsibility rests with the offender. And yet, all-too-oftcn, it is the police who arc immediately placed on trial by public opinion and those gifted with 20-20 hindsight. This is, indeed, a topsy-turvy world if we criticize law enforcement officers because they cannot guarantee die safely of the criminals who arc shooting at them. Laura J. Richards Letter to the Editor M.P.P. Sets Record Straight on Accusations Dear Editor: I am replying to letter, in last,, week's edition of the Canadian Statesman, from a Robert Stiles un- ' dcr the headline, "Reader Rips N.D.P. Policies." I can accept crili-, cism but what I can't accept is down right false information. The only way I am able to rationalize with the i letter from Mr. Stiles is, that he really | lives on another planet only to resur-1 face from time to time through letters to your newspaper. On December 1, 1989 (the Liberal Government) raised the annual registration registration fees for vehicles registered in, the Greater Toronto Area to the fol-| lowing: - passenger cars and commercial ! fr v5 by Rick James Although there are many taxes you hear about, there are a lew that appear as rumours, others that are considered "fees," and still others others that take the form of legislation that can have an even greater impact than taxes. Starting in reverse order, the provincial government government is introducing legislation that will force any company with 20 or more employees to pay for the safety training of at least two people, one from management and one from labour. The Instruction will cost up to $1,000 per person person which pays for a manual and teacher fees. Of greater concern to employers is that the training can take up to three weeks, and employees employees would receive full pay during that time. My objection to the legislation comes from its impact on all employers, rather than targeting those whose safety records are poor. Firstly, Commercial Relations. The information demanded demanded is the corporation name, its address, type of activity, language of preference, a list of directors, and a signature. The "grab" comes when you are legally required to attach a certified certified cheque or money order in the amount of $50 or "face the serious consequences that may affect your corporate status." I have no objection to supplying the information information requested, but it will be a frosty Friday before before I send $50 to help update somebody else's records. Either that, or we'll starting invoicing the government every time we need to update one of its addresses. Now the big one...the tax rumour. In an effort to totally destroy any Incentive to work hard and own your own home, the province is rumoured to be considering an im motor vehicles weighing 3,000 kg or less for personal use, to S90 from $66. - commercial motor vehicles weighing 3,000 kg or less, to $90 from $81, - Motorcycle, to 448 from $36 Driver Licence Fees: Effective August 1, 1989 ( the Liberal government) raised the fees for a driver's licence from $21 to $30 for a three year period (from $7 to $10 per year) On November 23, 1992, (NDP government) extended the driver's licence licence renewal cycle from three years to five years, to reduce administration administration costs. Driver's licence fees remained remained at $10. The tire tax was also introduced by the former Liberal government in 1989, and has remained unchanged since the NDP formed the government. government. I am at a loss as to what Mr. Stiles means by a "consumption tax". I can only presume that he is referring to the Commercial Concentration Tax (parking lot tax). Again this was in- . troduccd by the former Liberal government government in 1989. Insofar as pay and pensions etc. arc concerned. Present members of the government have had their pay and allowances frozen to the level of wliat they were upon election in 1990. There is every reason to believe believe that will be cut back in the near future, to a level less than when elected. elected. I have read the 16th Report of the Commission on Election Finances which said, "The structure of indemnities indemnities and allowances for members of The Legislature has developed into a veritable patchwork which cries out. for reform." The report goes on to say, "The salary of members should be commensurate with their responsibilities responsibilities and comparable to that paid in other larger Canadian jurisdictions, in the senior public service, or in the private sector." If the position of an MPP was compared to that of an MP, as one example, that would translate now (1993) to a little over a S30.0CX) yearly pay increase. If wc were to compare Ontario MPP's with our counterparts in Quebec, that would translate to a 1993 basic pay increase of $16,749. ' The other statements made by Mr. Stiles I refuse to comment on, since they smack of racism. One of his other other bizarre statements, in which he said that women and visible minorities minorities don't have to have qualifications to obtain employment, would I hope, raise the wrath of hundreds of your readers, whom I would suggest are far more articulate and qualified than ever Mr. Stiles could hope to lx*, and I'm sure arc certainly more up to dale with current affairs. Sincerely, Gordon L. Mills, C.D., M.P.P. Durham East Animal on Road The other day, while driving to work, I spotted an animal on the road. It really isn't an unusual thing to see coming from Newcastle Village along Highway Two at 7:40 in the morning. However, sometimes it's sickening. On this particular day, I was driving driving along, thinking about work, when I saw the body on the road in front of me. I swerved the car, looked to the left and saw its legs twitch. The cat was not dead. Saddened by the animal's pain, I became angry because it wasn't the first pet I have seen along the roadway. roadway. Why is it people who own animals allow them to roam free? Domestic animals are just that - domesticated for our pleasure. To this animal lover, that means those who have animals must take care of them by making sure they are safe, provided with medical care, and fed. In return, the pet owner enjoys the animal's loyalty and presence. Presumably, if you love your pet, you want the best for it. So, why let it loose without supervision? This is something that I just can't fathom. Here's another point, while I'm on the topic of pets: Why do some pet owners continue to let their pets roam free to "do their business?" There is nothing worse than going into the parks and finding doo-doo all over the place. If your doggie poops, then scoop! Faulty Genes There seems to be some scientific proof that mutations in the evolution of humans can be traced to men. A study recently reported in the Toronto Star supports a view that genes inherited from men arc more likely to contain mutations, the aberrations aberrations that can cause defects or make beneficial changes that lead to evolution. evolution. It scents that the new research suggests suggests the long-term male mutation rate is approximately six'limes that of females. females. Scientists studied mutations in part of a gene from humans, orangutans, baboons and squirrel monkeys. Prior to the new study, scientists has thought males had higher mutation mutation rates because mutations occur when sex cells divide and in men the sex cells divide more often to make sperm than to make eggs in women. Hmmm, docs this mean that men, in general, arc responsible for birth defects? • It certainly makes one wonder, doesn't it? A Walk on the Wild Side That's what a walk in the Ganaras- ka Forest could be called. For those of us who need to stretch our legs or breathe fresh air into lungs that have been hibernating for most of the past winter, now is the time to haul the hiking shoes out of the closet. Elva Reid called on Friday to tell this reporter about the dates for 'Walks in the Ganaraska Forest.' They arc May 2, May 9 and May 23. Tour guides will be Bill Bunting and Roy Forrester. Bill is knowledgeable knowledgeable in the plants which grow in the forest and Roy is a whiz at identifying bird calls. Continued on Page 3 most companies regard health and safety as a puled income tax that would penalize you for top priority and already have committees estab- owning your home, mortgage-free. lished to address any hazardous situation. To have safety-conscious companies spend $2,000 and send two staff members on a throe- week course lor minimal benefits is a waste of resources. Rather than target everyone, why not concentrate concentrate on the corporate offenders who regularly regularly report numerous injuries at their workplace? workplace? Government resources would bo bettor spent cleaning up a dangerous company, rather than wasting time and money training a company company that Is already sale. Employers with poor safety records would have another Incentive to improve by avoiding the high costs of mandatory training. It would also keep the "sale" company on Its toes to ensure ensure It retains Its high safety rating. One of the most Incredible "foe lor service" grabs to come from the provincial government Is a requirement to complete a corporate public record lor the Ministry of Consumer and Here's how It works. If you own your homo outright, but your neighbour still has a mortgage mortgage to pay, you would pay extra tax at a level equivalent to market value rental payments for your homo. The perception is that since you don't have mortgage payments, you havu a greater ability to pay income taxes compared to your neighbour. Most people work hard to build security for their future so that when their Income earning years end, they can still live comfortably. Senior citizens would bo devastated by such a tax, and everyone else would have tliolr dream of owning owning their own homo legislated away. The long term liability of sucli a tax is mind- boggling. Combining such a tax with the federal policy of allowing RRSP funds to bo used on 5% down pnymonlo lor homos sots taxpayers up lor a huge ponslon crisis In tho future. At tills point, tho Impulod tax Is only a rumour. rumour. Wo can only hope it stays that way. We Asked -- Should Regional Councillors receive severance pay when they lose an election? ... And You Said 1 j r W /' n; Rick Morrison Bowmanvillc "No way. They take Kathy MacLeod Bill Lyall Bowmanvillc Bowmanvillc "No. Why should "No. 1 think they make Ulvn Convier Bowmanvillc "No. Because they go the job as an elected they? Can't think of a enough when they're into this for their own official." reason why they in there." reasons am are amply should." »«"• 1,1 " llK r " ,mls it's their own choice when they go Into office." \i-xt Aivk'x imcMnin VVIi.it ilii mu think .ilxnil the leder.il budget. 1