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Section Two The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, April 13,1994 3 Opinions and Comments by Gord Mills, M.P.P, Durham East Last week, I once again earned the wrath of a local newspaper columnist over Employment Equity. This time round the topic was the court officers, officers, some of whom are WW II veterans, veterans, who will lose their jobs because they arc over the age of 65 and the province has the legal right to terminate terminate their contracts. The column concludes by asking if I, being over the age of 65, and a former military man, will approve of the government's decision, or will I protest such discrimination. Lastly, I have been told by the columnist that if I toe the party line on this matter I should resign, or be fired to help achieve employment equity at Queen's Park. When I read the newspaper reports reports that older workers, including war veterans, were being forced to retire, retire, I was very upset! After all, didn't the Premier appoint me as Chair of a Committee of Parliamentary Parliamentary Assistants to be responsible for .Veterans' Affairs in Ontario? And nobody told me about these actions! I was even more upset to read that our government was alleged to be forcing war veterans off the government payroll to make room for visible minorities! minorities! This isn't my vision of fairness. fairness. How could this be allowed to happen was my instant thought? I immediately called the Headquarters Headquarters of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, who traditionally have been responsible for the placement placement of ex-servicemen and veterans at government offices and courts. I was told that the issue had nothing to do with their organization or their Commissionaires. I then called the Minister's office to find out what was going on. And what I learned was that, once again, the Toronto Sun's reporter had done a hatchet job on the government by distorting the facts to fit their prejudices and thereby alarmed and upset a lot of people. And, unfortunately, other news media media have picked up on the story without without checking the facts. The misinformation misinformation is being spread by journalists who, I consider, unprofcssionally accepted accepted such reports without going to the trouble of finding out the truth. Let me say that employment equity equity had nothing to do with the decision. decision. Under the Public Service Act, there are various categories of government government employees. Most are called "classified" employees and the rules have long been that there is a mandatory mandatory retirement age of 65 for all classified classified employees. A decision was made that it . was not fair that the same rules that" applied to the classified classified employees were not applied to the non-classified employees. The new policy is to be phased in over two years. Employees over the age of 75 will have their contracts until June 30th, 1994. Employees between between the ages of 70 and 75 will have contracts renewed to March 31st, 1995. Employees between 65 and 70 will have their contracts renewed renewed to March 31st, 1996. I think it is easy to sec that no one is suddenly firing a bunch of war veterans veterans to make way for employment equity hiring. In fact it is another distortion distortion to describe these older workers workers as a group of war veterans at all. If you took any group of men in the upper age limits you would find that some would be veterans, including those court workers. But they are not all veterans. I have attempted to find out how many of the 90 men are in fact war veterans. The best I have been able to come up with is that around 30 of them fit that category. A couple of years ago, I appeared before an all-party parliamentary committee to speak to an amendment to the Human Rights Code that would have ruled compulsory retirement retirement at the age of 65 to be discriminatory. discriminatory. I also spoke to Bill 15 an amendement to the Human Rights Code in the Legislature on 30th April 1992. I said then, and still say, that ageism today is as odious as racism or sexism. Age-based retirement squanders people's talents and, in some cases, drives the elderly into despair. I can tell you that my comments comments were not wcll-rcccivcd by the Canadian Federation of Labour who let me know their displeasure in no uncertain terms, Likewise, I can tell you that my comments were not very well received by some of my govem- NEED To KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT YoUR NEW COMMUNITY? o Call Sandra Yates 623-5873 Our hostess will bring gilts and grootlngs, along with holpful community Information. ment colleagues, bo you can see, I am not a supporter of compulsory retirement. retirement. And I really wonder if this decision was a good one in spite of all the valid rationale offered. This leads, finally, to the suggestion suggestion by the columnist of "toeing the party line and resignation over this issue." From time to time, I get letters letters or receive telephone calls from constituents, urging me not to vote for this or that, and to represent the people on various issues. I can tell you that I raise and will continue to raise, constituents' concerns over a variety of issues, in our weekly caucus caucus meetings, with the Premier and with respective ministers. I always have been, and will continue to be, quite forceful in my presentations on behalf of all those I represent. I can also say that I have only once said I will not support the government. And this issue was over the suggestion of a small charge for a doctor's visit and drug charges for seniors. This didn't mean me acting like some yahoo. It meant speaking to the Premier and the Minister of Health of my nonsupport nonsupport on principle, and in a reasonable reasonable manner. I don't believe it to be in the best interests of those I serve to act like some have, by bad-mouthing the government, or just behaving like a jerk. To be effective as a member, one has to cam the respect of colleagues, colleagues, including the Premier and his ministers. Once this kind of respect respect is earned, then the real service to constituents becomes a reality. It enables decisions made to be looked at again. Like the Orono Tree Nursery Nursery closing, extra money for unfor- sccn hospital expansion costs, getting hospital expansion plans on track, getting money for a new fire engine where the tax base is so small that the purchase would be impossible, getting getting money for special road needs, over and above the standard grants, getting traffic signals, getting turning lanes built into highways to enable people to exit their turn safely, getting getting water into a community, acting on behalf of seniors and the poor, and the list goes on. I guess what makes me madder than anything is those yahoos who jump at any excuse to attack this government government regardless of the truth or what is fair and reasonable. Until next week - take care. . , X by Alex Shepherd, M.R Longer sentences for capital crimes, from five to ten years, is one of the amendments government is proposing for the Young Offenders Act. Government also wants to make young offenders' records available to other courts as well as publishing their names. The objectives of these moves are to strengthen the Act which, we all know by now, is a piece of legislation legislation that shields irresponsible behaviour behaviour by some youth. In other words, that behaviour is being sanctioned by government. Although I back these amendments, amendments, and want a tougher Young Offenders Offenders Act, I think the root causes of youth crime run deep and are not cured simply by longer periods of incarceration. incarceration. Look at the United States. If longer longer jail sentences were the answer, the U.S. would be the safest country in the world. Society has got to make a commitment commitment to be a positive role model if we are going to battle youth crime. And the media as well has a signify cant role to play. At least I have noticed noticed that institution making an effort effort to police itself. There is also the problem of parental parental supervision. Society has not made it easy for parents to bring up families in the way most of us were used to. Will that change? I don't have the answer to that. I'm trying to ensure that government-sponsored government-sponsored youth programs will give youth some direction by teaching teaching them the benefits of hard word and working to achieve. The government has already committed committed itself to a Youth Core program which attempts to train those who have dropped out of school. The thrust will be to provide employable skills while developing the attitude in themselves that they can take their rightful place in the workforce. Recently, Allan Rock, the federal minister of justice, met with his provincial provincial counterparts to try and get agreement on what I consider reasonable reasonable changes to the Young Offenders Act. If changes to the Act are to be made, agreement with the provinces will be necessary since the Act's administration administration is a provincial responsibility. responsibility. But the provinces couldn't agree. I will work to bring more pressure to bear on the provinces. Please write me with your concerns on the proposed proposed changes to the Young Offenders Offenders Act. No postage is necessary. The address is 1240 Simcoe St. N, Unit 3, L1G 4X3. I will see that every person's comment comment is given to the Justice Committee. Committee. Car Goes Over Bank at Overhead Miss Virginia Smelko, age 17, R.R. 1, Oshawa, who was driving her father's Volkswagen lost control of the vehicle on King Street West near the CPR overhead bridge on Saturday at 10:30 p.m. The car crashed through the guard rails on the north side of the road, went down over the steep bank, and crashed near the railway tracks. Fortunately the young driver, and her 17-year-old passenger, passenger, Miss Chris Wawrzyniak. Oshawa, both escaped with very minor injuries. injuries. The car was so extensively damaged that it could be considered a write-off. Sergeant John McGucy was the investigating officer. Council Authorizes Sub-Division Agreement Port Hope Men Buy Land Here to Establish Cement Mixing Plant Expect Walk to Raise $60,000 A new industry is to start in Bowmanville. Town Council Council on Monday evening by passing By-Law 69-11 authorized authorized the sale of 4.9 acres of industrial land, located south of the CNR west of Simpson Avenue, to Edward George J^acey and Joseph John ^Cleary, both of Port Hope, xvho are going to establish a cement mixing business here. A second By-Law was also passed by council at the meet- SPUING IS HERE FOR SURF. The best assurance that Spring Is really here came on Tuesday afternoon when we were stopped on the way to Newcastle by a crew of OI'P officers doing their regular spot checks on vehicles. We must admit to kidding them a little because they were located Just east of Wllmot Creek where enthusiastic enthusiastic fishermen have been lining the banks lately looking looking for trout. Hut there were no poles In evidence so we doubt very much If the ofilecrs were trying their luck <m the side. ing in the Council Chamber on Monday evening. By-Law No. 69-10 authorizes an agreement agreement with A. Wilson Developments Developments for the building of a sub-division on land known as the Anderson farm on Wavcrloy Road. His Worship. Mayor Ivan Hobbs appointed. Councillor Robert Dykstra, Councillor Leslie Coombes and Councillor Councillor Colin Cooke to be the three member 'committee to recommend the 1669 sidewalk program. Deputy Reeve E. J. Rundle, seconded by Councillor Keith Shackelton, moved that the next meeting of the Committee Committee of the Whole be held on Monday evening, May 26th, as the date originally set for it, Monday. May 19th, Is a public holiday. This motion was carried. Museum Opening for '69SeusononMay29 According to the latest estimates, the organizers of the "Miles for Millions" Millions" walk on Saturday in this area expect the returns will reach a total of about $60,000. Many of the marchers still have to report their results. A surprisingly large number from this area went the full route that began in Oshawa at the Shopping Centre shortly after 8:00; a.m. They surged east onto King St., completely blocking traffic as they proceeded through the Oshawa downtown shopping section section and continued to fill the eastbound lane of Highway 2 as they continued walking to Bowmanville, back to Whitby and returned to the starting point. His Worship Mayor Hobbs was present at the start, along with other dignitaries from Oshawa and Whitby, but because of other commitments commitments he did not complete complete the walk, although his daughter Shelley did. Later in the day, he expressed expressed great admiration for those who had taken part, especially those who had walked the full distance. There was some confusion confusion at Bowmanville High School earlier in the day when buses'supposed buses'supposed to have been laid ,un..io. take -the. local marchers to the / starting point, did not appear and private cars were used for transport. The walk- (TURN TO PAGE TWO) This was the unbelievable mob scene at the first checkpoint (bundle's Garden Centre) just east of Harmony on Saturday when the thousands of marchers in the "Miles for Millions" 30-mile walk all tried to go through at the same time. This was manned by members members of Bowmanville Lions Club who had been issued only six rubber stamps to mark each walker's card. It was a good-natured madhouse, but they went through surprisingly fast. Just beyond, the club had water available for the thirsty ones and did a roaring business. In fact the demand was so great that the Lions and some of the Lionettes were soaked by the spillage as they tried to fill the paper cups. Bowmanville Museum will open for the 1969 season on May 29. At n meeting of the Museum Board held April 30, the curator. Mrs. M. Wiseman, reported that the date for opening had been set, and that work on the rooms and displays displays Is making good progress. progress. New this year will be a doctor's office of-around 1900, and other featured displays will Include objects of some of the Industries situated In Ontario (some In Bowman- ville) In the last century, such ns Iron from blacksmith shops and foundries; pottery jugs and crocks; furniture; and glassware. An Item the Museum would very much like to borrow Is a blanket chest. If anyone has one would you please 'phone Mrs. M. Wiseman and Mrs. Roy Lunncy who will appreciate hearing from them. 1st Home Show This Weekend At Port Hope Port Hope--The doors of Peter Campbell Arena open Friday and Saturday to the largest show of Its kind ever held In this district with the irescntatlon of the first Home ihow. Over 30 exhibitors are taking taking part In this event which features everything for the home from basement to attic. Garden is not forgotten and for the traveller mobile homes and trailers will be on display. display. Building a new home or (TURN TO'PAGE TWO) GGHQ PLANS REUNION Canada's oldest and senior militia unit, the Governor General's Horse Guards marks the 25th anniversary of Its entry Into action In World Wav II with a "Gath- erinr of the Guards" weekend weekend on May 23, 24, and 25. This memorable event will be held at the Queen Elisa- beth Building, Exhibition Park, Toronto. Former members or those who have had any connection connection with the GGllG's should contact Lt. Col. P. W. Hunter Hunter at 58 Harper Avc., Toronto 7. Regional Disparity Problem Will Be Difficult One to Solve Minister Tells Liberal Meeting BANTAM PRACTICE Bowmanville Leilonnalres Bantam baseball team will be holding practices on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and again Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Memaela! Park. Canada's greatness as a large ' and complex country, its problems, and the work being done to achieve their final solution were outlned on Saturday in an address by the Honorable Jean Marchand, Marchand, Minister of '•Regional Economic Expansion. He was Retroactive to Jan. 1st Large Crowd Attends Annual Liberal Get Together 'At Coltourg mi Satiiidiiv ulimimm amt evening, I,i(Sials from Nnilhumbmimil amt Dm ham livlil panel flheuHilona cm many topic» ol current Inirrcit unit lain In tin- evening heard an address by the linn- Ill-aide ,le,III Man-hand, Mlnlstei id llei'linud Hviinimile Kxpaimun. llu u tliuwn hciu at unlit, Uutliig the I reception at the poll club with lit» Parliamentary See- i clary, Itiisaeil C, Honey. M.P, (or thl» conitltucncy, centre, ami at left Jcan-Plorr# (loyer, Parliamentary Secretary in the Secretary of Slnla for External Affair». MAMA -- Just a quick reminder that this Sunday is that great occasion, Mother's Day, when sons, daughters and most husbands try to make up for all the sins of omission and commission during the year by treating the long-neglected, hard-working woman of the house like royalty, complete with lavish gifts ... and maybe even breakfast in bed, t t t t t FLAP -- There was plenty of excitement around the town halt yesterday when officials from the Customs and Excise Dept, popped into town intent on closing out the Customs office In the federal building and moving it to Oshawa. The phones began ringing between Bowmanville and Ottawa and It wasn't long before Bussell C. Honey, the M.P. for this area, was able to halt the operation. A special meeting of all concerned concerned has been set up to discuss the proposal later this month, t t t t t DANGEROUS -- A train wreck was averted last week by good luck. Somebody, cither deliberately trying to cause a disaster or with a most peculiar sense of humor, Is reported to have placed™ couple of wooden railroad ties across the CPR tracks east of Bowmanville in the middle of tin night. Fortunately, Fortunately, they were discovered and removed before causing any damage. + + LETTER -- A Letter to the Editor concerning union, activities at the Honeywell plant appears on the editorial page this week. It Is signed "Disillusioned 11 but the writer W. M, Prime asked to have his name Included Instead. Unfortunately, the page had already been completed, completed, so the change Is being noted here, t t t , t t MALE -- A Toronto dally had an interesting Item tills week about a former Bowmanville girl, Jidda Gould applying for a marriage licence at Toronto's City Hall, The clerk fatted to notice that her birth certificate, Issued In error at the registry office, Incorrectly Identified her as a male. The licence was given to Ndda and her flanco Brian Dawson without question, which brings up on Interesting question whether two males could really bo married, ♦ t • t t t FOUND -- Art- Simpson who has been doing some surveying at the Intersection of the Base Line and Liberty was .In finite n flap early Hits week, He had.lost his official Field Surveyor's notebook. Fortunately, It wai fourni by Bill Bartlett Bartlett of 127 Ontario Street who must have realised Its Importance amt reported the find. Mr., Simpson Simpson heaved a big algh of relief and gave Bill a new bat and hall as a reward. t t t 1 t VOLUNTEERS -- The Slmcoo Hall Crippled Child- ron's Centro needs volunteers from July 2 to Aug, 15th, during the', hour» 11 a.m. to ,1 p.m,, Monday through Friday, Please phone 728-1673 If you can 1,ClP ' t ♦ t t t • BAZAAR -- Don't forget the Second Pack Brownie and Guide Mothers Old-Fsslilniied llstaar this Saturday from 2 lo 4i30 at SI. Andrew's Church when baking and all manner of other Items will he available, Also, the Kinsmen Kinsmen are holding their big auction all day Saturday, Saturday, May llllli at Brock's IIP station with that fail-talking teacher Harvey Webster as auctioneer, auctioneer, Approve Boost in Pay for Mayor and Council Members Bowmanville's mayor and members of Town Council received a retroactive raise in their annual remuneration on Monday, when they unanimously unanimously adopted the minutes of a Committee of the Whole meeting held on April 28th. The approval motion was made by Deputy-Reeve E. J. Rundle and seconded by Reeve Annie Oke. At the committee meeting, Clerk-Controller R. L. Byron apparently recommended. the Increased remuneration follow- speaking at the North umber- land-Durham Liberal Association's Association's Annual Dinner where a large audience filled Co- bourg East Collegiate's spacious spacious hall to capacity. Russell C. Honey, M.P. for Northumberland and Durham. Parti amenta r/ Secretary to Mr. Marchand, introduced his chief, one of the country*! leading cabinet ministers. Acting President Roger Kirkpatrick, Kirkpatrick, Port Hope, presided at the dinner. During the afternoon at the annual meeting of the Northumberland Northumberland - Durham Liberal Association tfffifors of the or- (TURN TO PAGE TWO) Ing a survey of five neighboring neighboring municipalities and what they paid their elected officials. officials. The annual remuneration to be paid the Mayor will be $2,500 per annum and to each other member of Town Council Council will be $1,250 a year effective effective January 1st, 1969, and the present By-Law will be amended amended accordingly. Previously lt was $1,500 for the mayor and $750 for other members of council. (TURN TO PAGE TWO) NEW CAR DEALER This appears to be the year for changes In car dealerships. dealerships. First it was Tom Cowan who took over the former Robson Motors establishment. establishment. Now, following the closing of Trent Motors, It Is understood a new firm will be in business there shortly. At the moment, no details are available for publication, publication, except that the Shell service station 1 will open tomorrow. tomorrow. Hospital Staff Honors Retiring Nurse foil ... Mr*. M. K. Morrison yrcsents gifts to Mrs, Aurn li. Squnlr Mn. Aura 11, 8qua r, Reg, N.. one of the most valuable ami popular member! of her pro- foulon, was the Kuril of honor *t n dinner given at the Dow» mnnville Country Club hint Wednesday evening by the staff of Memorial Hospital. Mrs, Squnlr retired on April 30th after an cxtciulvi career on the nursing staff of the hospital, More than 70 colleagues colleagues of Mrs, Squnlr were present to give her their con Krntulntloni and best wishes, Exquisite arrangements of pink and white cnrnntlbns centred centred the tables. A wonderful buffet dinner hud been prepared prepared by Chet Don Cox for the occasion. The attractive arrangement of the bullet with Its array of delicious entrees, delectable salads, tasty vegetables, vegetables, relishes ami wonderful (leaierti was n treat for the eye as well ns tho palate. The committee In charge of arrangements for the event trurtN io i'aoi two»