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4 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, January 12,1994 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, Ross Fisher, Laurens Kaldcway, Doug Lugtenbuig, Sharon McMullen, Barb Patterson, Ralph Rozema, Jim Snoek, Vance Sutherland, Jim Tuuramo CCNA a ' Advertising Laveme Morrison Editorial Brad Kelly, Lorraine Manfredo, Laura J. Richards paid Office Angela Luscher, Junia Hodge, Grace McGregor, Nancy Pleasance-Sturman, Marilyn Rutherford P.O. Box 190,62 King St. W., Bowmanvillc, Ontario, L1C 3K9 905-623-3303 Fax 905-623-6161 Deep, Deep Public Trough The public trough is much deeper than one might think. On the one hand, we are being told that governments are having to make tough choices and are even being forced to cut back in areas such as health care and education. Yet, on the other hand, the federal and provincial governments can both find it in their hearts and in their pocketbooks to dole out $123,000 towards the Durham Region's 20th anniversary celebrations. Doesn't anybody see an inconsistency here? The provincial government is contributing $36,000; the federal government will provide $87,000 and the Durham Region will kick in $45,000 of its own money for the celebration. We don't want to rain on anybody's anniversary parade. However, it seems as though this is an open-and-shut example of needless government expenditure. First of all, as historic milestones go, a 20th anniversary isn't exactly an earth-shattering event. We arc not celebrating a bicentennial or centennial here. Heck, we're not even talking about a diamond jubilee. We're talking 20 years. The federal and provincial contributions work out to a little over $6,000 per year. Darlington and Bowmanvillc happen to be observing the 200th anniversary of pioneer settlement in 1994. Does that mean Clarington might qualify for $1.2 million if it celebrates a bicentennial? Next, we should face the fact that the Durham Region (having only existed for 20 years) doesn't have a whole lot of history to celebrate. Durham Region was established as a bureaucratic institution to help dozens of smaller municipalities get big-time government which could manage big-time development. Durham Region was established in order to centralize government, so that there would be a co-ordinated effort in urban planning, the construction and maintenance of arterial roads, the construction and maintenance of water and sewer systems and the delivery of social services. TTiese things are all necessary. But, they are not exactly the raw material from which legends are made. The smaller municipalities and former municipalities in the Durham Region have a considerable amount of history and tradition behind them. But, somehow, it is hard to feel the same way about a regional government which contains many historic communities, but has little history of its own. Some may be so bold as to suggest that the formation of a single, large regional government and the disbanding of smaller, local governments actually destroyed some of the community spirit which existed in the past. But that is anodier argument not really related to the question of how much money governments should spend on celebrating a 20-year anniversary When the Durham Region first announced its plans for a 20th anniversary celebration, organizers noted that the intention was to have the anniversary tagged on to existing events. This wotild mean, for example that a longstanding activity such as the Santa Claus Parade in Bowmanvillc could be billed as a "Celebrate Durham '94" activity. If the Durham Region is able to promote its 20-year celebration by tagging on to events that are already planned, surely a huge expenditure isn't needed. It has been explained that much good will come out of the provincial and federal government investment in the Durham Region anniversary because the higher profile of Durham Region will attract tourism and industry, There is some merit in this view. However, we must still question whether spending the money to help promote and co-ordinate regional celebrations is the best way to promote investment. If the intention was to attract industry, then surely it would be best to spend the money strictly on industrial promotion. And, while the tourism industry will appreciate any extra publicity the Durham Region can generate, it seems to us that it's up to private enterprise to attract tourists, not the Durham Region. Tourism is a common buzz-word in economic circles these days. Its importance should not be overlooked. But, we should also note dial it isn't the Durham Region's business to support the tourism industry any more than it is Durham's job to boost business on behalf of a shoe store or a widget factory. The $123,000 will create some jobs and provide training to students hired to co-ordinate and promote and plan the celebrations. But, our understanding is that only three or four jobs will arise from this effort. If job creation and training were the objective, it would have been better to spend the whole wad on job creation alone It might be suggested that $123,000 is a mere drop in the bucket when you consider how much governments must spend. That is true. However, Dear Sir: there is the suspicion among most of us humble taxpayers that governments Mr. Shepherd's recent Report really don't mind the nickels and dimes as carefully as most private from Parliament makes it clear that enterprises. Spending over $100,000 to fund a year-long birthday party in lie supports the idea of marketing Durham tends to confirm that suspicion. todustrv to snit^of toe GATT agreed And, if various branches of government continue to dole out $100,000 There fs another point of vfew. here and $50,000 there, it won't take long for the amounts to get really big. V y c y rough | y twice toe Buffalo So, here we are. Three years into the biggest depression since the 1930s ices lhcse products which we and the federal and provincial governments both agree to contribute a to]d are heavily subsidized by the combined total of $123,000 to an event no more momentous than the 20th u.s. government. No one has defined anniversary of toe Durham Region. The Durham Region also chips in "h e âvily", but I doubt that it is the another $45,000 of its own to raise the grand total to $170,000. ioo% that is, effectively, what we We will leave it to the cynics to suggest that the anniversary celebrations p ay . also could have the advantage of giving incumbent regional politicians a Taxes, generally speaking, are higher profile in an election year. progressive: the poor pay less than Is the money wasted? the rich. Our hated GST is only 1% We leave it to you to draw your own conclusions. and is damned for being regressive: Year of the Family in '94 rx 10^ Cigarette Manufacturers resist Public Call to Peddle their Wares in Plain Wrappers (after all, the young market might miss the brand name image) Letters to the Editor E mmm Another View of Marketing Boards would be employed making sure that the savings reached the consumer and the whole enterprise would be financed financed by toe U.S. taxpayer. If that seems fanciful it is no more so than expecting our other industries to be cost competitive when its workers workers must pay double for basic food. Yours truly, T.C. Lewis Bowmanvillc, Ontario. Thanks for Call Many thanks for toe gift of a free phone call on Christmas Eve. I phoned my mother in New Zealand Zealand and as it was already Christinas Day there, it was a lovely gift for her loo. Sincerely, P. Day. the poor pay the same as the rich. Which is just what they do when they buy eggs, milk or chicken. If there is a case to be made for paying this huge subsidy then let it be done from the general tax base so that the load is carried by those best able to do so. Notwithstanding, Mr. $hcphcrd's talk of import duties of 269% on chicken, etc., I suspect the industry as we know it is doomed. Why not be planning an orderly retreat instead of trying to save the present system. We might try importing subsidized subsidized chicken from toe States, levying levying a 50% duty on it. This would give your consumer a 25% saving and the proceeds of the duty could be used to buy out those farmers who paid vast sums for their production permits. permits. We might find that sonic could even compete. The Boards' staffs Trivia As a child, I loved to read encyclopedias encyclopedias because it fed my love for triv-. ia. As an adult, I still enjoy trivia, but have yet to win a game of Trivial Pursuit. Pursuit. However, I have decided this is because because what I like to read is different than what others read. Since taking over Outlook in July 1 , 1991,1 have devised a couple of quiz-' zes for toe readers of Outlook. This week, I have been reading another another book packed full of trivia. So," I'm passing some questions on to you.. Quiz Questions: (a) Who was Dawson City named, after? (b) Why does newspaper turn yellow? yellow? (c) What country is toe main exporter exporter of potatoes? - Who said toe following quotes: (d) "A bad day to Canada is better than a good day in any other country on toe Globe." (e) "I want to ask you gentlemen, if I cannot give consent to my own death, then whose body is this? Who owns my life." (f) " There's blood on the water." . (g) "Most Canadian executives', idea of spirituality these days is to pray every night that they'll have a job toe next day." (h) "Don't mess with me. I've got tanks." (i) "The older I get, the better I used to be." And other trivia: (j) - Thinking about changing jobs? What career areas do you think will prosper over toe next six years? (k) What is the name and where is the highest waterfall in Canada? (l) Where is this area's closest citizenship citizenship court located? (m) Who was Nancy Teed? (n) Which province has toe greatest greatest number of provincial parks? (o) How many icebergs float by Newfoundland on an average year? (p) Is there an alternative natural resource to wood to use in items like pressed board, particle board, or for paper? (q) What single consumer item most represents toe throw-away society society that has been created? (r) Where is the longest cellular phone corridor in toe world? (s) How many statues are on Parliament Parliament Hill? Answers: Continued on Page 7 Salvation Army Says Thanks for Christmas Help Dear Residents of Bowmanville and surrounding communities: On behalf of The Salvation Army, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the generous giving and support to our Family Services' work over the past year and in particular particular during the Christmas Season. Because of unemployment and the- economy many families were seeking ! extra help. With your generosity and caring we were able to assist those in need, Thank you and may God bless each of you abundantly. Sincerely yours,, Isabelle Jones Family Services Coordinator. New Year's Eve '93 saw me and the Mrs. sitting before the idiot box watching Ray Bradbury's Theatre on Global TV. The children were snuggled snuggled off to bed and we could finally relax when what do we sec: Bradbury's Bradbury's male character buys a laser- sighted six-shooter (only in the States!!!) and proceeds to blow away any telecommunication device he deems to have alienated himself from his wife, children and work place. This includes fax machine, video phone, cellular lapel phone (memories (memories of Dick Tracy), voice- synthesized computer door monitor, remote controlled VCR/TV, stereo or anything else that would honk, tweet, ring, whistle or generate rude noises and disturb his peace of mind and serenity. serenity. And where does good, wholesome family values fit into today's social order? Well, the trend is towards Thoughts Unlimited by Rick James will return in February non-alcoholic family gatherings as attested attested to by such events across the Greater Toronto Area. This trend will surely be re-enforced by the United Nations' International Year of the Family proclaimed for 1994. As members of the Baha'i Faith community community in Clarington and as provider and care-giver of two children, we want to convey our deepest wish and desire to sec our Society transformed to a better place for us and most certainly certainly lor the next-generation. Arc we headed in the right direction? Only as individuals at the personal level can we judge truly, and only can action at the grassroots be really effective! Please accept this poem as our tribute to 1994: 1994: The International Year of the Family (United Nations) Will "Peace on Earth" truly be The ultimate result of Family? The dawn of the Age of Aquarius Must surely lie much more glorious?! Truth and harmony shall abound When the People gather 'round The undying tenet of. Unity that surely begins with the family. But grievous wars and fruitless strife Slash this hone as would a knife Weilded by those who do not care and must lie countered with courage, doing-dare! Unity in Diversity Is tlie pivotal principle Which shall only gradually Conquer what seems so Invincible, The Old Order rolls-up relentlessly But wars and poverty still abase. However, a New Order promotes harmony That will spread out in its place! Red, Brown, Yellow, White or Black, Arc these not die colours of Man. O Stout Heart go forward, not back, For these arc the Days you can. "What!", you say of Judgement Day? Where docs "Search of Truth" take hold? Only by investigation, not play, Will your desire from youth be told. Mahatma Ghandi did exclaim To direct us from our shame: "We must be - Come that we wish to see In our Society." Albert Einstein did confess to scientific duress: "The world needs a new way of thinking; Both hearts and minds must be linking." Ralm'u'llah did declare To lift us up above despair, "O Son of Spirit! My first counsel is this: Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart, That thine may lie a sovereignly Ancient, imperishable and everlasting." The best for 94, Jon and Lindlcy Sigurdson and Family 0 m 0 We Asked... What are your predictions for 1994? .. .And You Said Corey Scott Nancy Kristina Coles Jane Wright Bowmanville MacVarnish Bowmanville Bowmanville "I think Miracle Courticc "1 don't think any- "I really don't sec Mart is going to } , oinj , t0 wln thc thing exciting is going much change. We're lottery." to happen this year!" all going to have to tighten our belts some more." close down whole chain." thc \v\l w<vk's i|in-s|ii>n: What do uni lltink ahoiil I hirlum IxogionX mow to sjvinl s|2TiiDii towards tlu*C olobralo Ihirh.im a l extravagan/a ' 0