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Section Two The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, September 14,1994 3 Gord Just as Happy Cutting His Grass Dear Editor: I am writing to comment on reporter reporter Laura Richards' column in the August 31st Statesman regarding my recent announcement of support from Queen's Park for two non-profit housing projects in the area. Ms. Richards attended the brief press conference conference in Oshawa and took the opportunity opportunity to speak to me, among others, others, about the announcements. Unfortunately, its seems from her, column that she found the event a waste of time because there were too many details which were yet to be finalized finalized and were, therefore, not part of the announcement. I attended the press conference, which was hosted by the Durham Region Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation, Corporation, on behalf of the Minister of Housing. They were the sponsoring group for the project which we hope will be built in Bowmanville on the site of the former Specialty Paper Products building. I understand the intention is for die project to house seniors, although there may also be some units for people with other special special needs such as those in wheel chairs. But these details are far from finalized. The jobsOntario Homes program of the Ministry of Housing will provide provide 20,000 new non-profit homes across the province and generate Reader Urges Council to Review Previous Decision About Parking Dear Sir: At a recent Town Council meeting, meeting, a public meeting was held regarding regarding a request for an exemption from the requirement to have 49 parking spaces. TJ's wants to move to bigger quarters across the road and due to zoning requirements would need to provide these extra parking spaces. People fàmiliar with the area of King and Division know that there isn't anywhere to put 49 more parking spaces. I stood up at the public meeting and expressed my concern because of the enormous parking problems in that area already. The parking lot that contains the Sears outlet is the worst parking lot for congestion in the whole town. This is happening because when the plaza was constructed, constructed, they were allowed to reduce the number of spaces for parking that they should have provided. Some of the Councillors felt that because the majority of TJ's business was after regular store hours, there wouldn't be a problem. I pointed out, however, that many-times my husband and I wanted to have dinner at Hanc's Chicken and Ribs on Friday night but could not find a parking space either on the street or in the plaza. So, instead instead of going to Hanc's, we drove on to another restaurant. Council showed no sign that they believed that customers using the stores in that area had a problem. So, if anyone else has experienced problems problems parking in the area on King St. between Division and George and in the Sears outlet parking lot (especially (especially in the evening), I suggest you phone your Councillor and the Mayor to let them know about it. Some people have asked, if TJ's is already across the street what difference difference will this make to the parking problem? If TJ's moves, then someone someone else will fill the vacancy in the Veltri complex so more people will be trying to park in the same area. Frank Stapleton said that either we were for business or against it. That's a very simplistic reply from someone who obviously has never experienced the frustration of not finding a parking spot in that area when he needed one. It would be nice if Council could learn from past mistakes. The present parking mess stems from the previous previous exemption that was granted when the plaza was built. Wouldn't it be logical to assume the problem is going going to get worse instead of better if further exemptions are granted? I only hope someone sees the light before before the citizens are stuck again having having to deal on a daily basis with the problems caused by another poorly made decision. Sincerely, Evylin Stroud more than 33,000 jobs in construction construction and related industries. The Dur- ham/Clarington projects are part of the 5750 new non-profit homes announced announced in August. Let me try to clearly explain the process which is being followed here. First, the province announced the program and called for proposals from sponsoring groups. The next step is to review the proposals and decide which of them will receive initial initial approval in principle (called a "Stage 1 commitment.)" The Ministry Ministry evaluation of the proposals includes includes assessment of the relative need for the project, the capability of the sponsoring group, and the cost- effectiveness in comparison to the other proposals. The announcement of a Stage 1 commitment is not an insignificant step in the process. The Ministry has selected the most promising proposals proposals to proceed to more detailed planning. The sponsoring group is then able to gather information on specific issues related to a site or sites which would be appropriate for the project in order to move to Stage 2 when approval will allow more detailed detailed costing, architectural drawings, etc. A final commitment means that the Ministry will make arrangements with a private sector lender to lend money to the sponsoring group for the construction of the development. Other than the ; actual groundbreaking groundbreaking when construction begins, the Stage 1 announcement is probably probably the most significant event in the . process leading to thè opening of the new housing. Although I would have been just as happy to be home mowing my lawn that morning, I took the time to go to make this announcement because because I thought it was important to the community I represent. I'm sorry that Ms. Richards didn't see it that way. Sincerely, Gordon L. Mills, C.D., M.P.P. Durham East. Editor's Note: There was something something missing at the press conference when we had to get more details from the Clarington Mayor. The vague information information you provided could have been sent to us by fax. And you could have cut your grass. by Laura J. Richards Now is the time for all groups in Clarington wanting to help victims of spousal abuse to come to. the aid of each other. While it is not the same sentence I used to practise in typing classes in the mid-1970's, it is one that must be put forth now. Chances are that Clarington could lose out on an opportunity for a women women and children's shelter due to "turf wars," as Mayor Diane Hamre so eloquently eloquently said during last week's committee committee meeting. Three groups appear to have aligned themselves against Bethesda House. If they succeed in blocking Bethesda House, they will destroy that group's hopes and dreams of opening a shelter. Is that what anyone wants? Bethesda House could be a reality within the year. A house has been bought, and the group is cleaning it up and making plans to install security equipment. While squabbles are breaking out between the two groups as to who gets what, the solution to the problem should be a simple one: Combine efforts efforts of Bethesda House and Alliance House to create a shelter which will take Clarington into the next century and beyond. As the reporter who checks the police police stats every week, I know the need for a shelter is great in Clarington. That need should transcend the bitter bitter squabbles that have taken place. Nor is the Clarington Council Chamber the proper forum for the groups to argue their positions. That has been made clear by Mayor Mayor Harare's response to a barrage of comments that took place there last Tuesday night when three people rose to speak on their concerns over where Bethesda House would like to locate. While people spoke during last week's meeting about the location of the house, it would appear that there is not one area that would be a perfect location. (That was pointed out many times by Councillor John O'Toole.) In fact, if it were Alliance House looking for a site instead of Bethesda House, would any location be better than the current one Bethesda House members have bought? On the surface, the issue seems to be the location. However, the underlying underlying issue seems to be how the shelter will be run. It's time to raise those questions and see what the answers are. I am sure that many people within our community are concerned with the idea of Bethesda House and the obvious obvious (so I have been told, however, it was not obvious to me) connection with the Catholic Church. Some of the questions that need to be asked are: • Will the shelter staff provide information information when women ask about sexual sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual orientation, orientation, and anything else sexual? • Will the staff of the shelter treat a woman who has been abused by her female companion any differently than a woman abused by a boyfriend or husband? • Will the shelter staff understand when a woman says she doesn't want to go back because she feels her husband/boyfriend/companion husband/boyfriend/companion will kill her? • If a woman is pregnant and wants an abortion, will she be given information information on where she can go and what an abortion consists of without being demeaned? These are some of the basic questions questions that need answers, too. These are the questions some people are wanting wanting to ask, yet don't. Safety is the biggest concern, granted. But, let us hope some hard and true facts, no one is at any time, safe from harm's range. With today being Monday, and council happening tonight, I don't know what Robert Pinheiro, a representative representative of Bethesda House, will be discussing during his delegation to council. I hope that both groups will come together to resolve the conflicts that Contined on Page 4 by Rick James "I told you so, I told you so" You may recall at the start of this year's Indy Car racing season that I predicted big things for Canadian rookie driver Jacques Villeneuve. After placing second in the Indy 500 in May, he finally scored his first win on Sunday at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Even more impressive is the fact that he won with a rookie team, and an unproven car. At the tender age of 23, he's displaying the legendary skills of his famous father, Gilles, who many local fans enjoyed watching race cars and snowmobiles in this area two decades ago. Now that Jacques has his first win under under his seatbelt, watch for his career to really really take off. My prediction is that he'll spend two more years in Indy racing before before following in his father's Formula One footsteps. I just hope his career doesn't end the same way. "Where are the Jays of Old?" Although it would appear the baseball season of 1994 is history, there is still lots of interest in the Blue Jays. Some are even hoping the season does end now, so the Jays have a chance at Three-Peating next year. To fill the interest gap left by the baseball baseball strike, Benjamin Moore paints has put together a pamphlet called, "Where Are They Now?" It lists all the former players and was written by Jays' broadcaster Jerry Howarth. I picked up my copy from Abernethy's last week and everyone keeps asking to borrow it. It's interesting to see how the big names have made the transition transition from being in "The Show" to watching watching from the seats. Although I don't have room to list all of them, here's a collection of some of the most popular Jays from yesteryear. Jim Acker -- '83-'86, '89-'91. Jim, 35, lives in Freer, Texas, where he is a rancher. rancher. He and his wife Jamie have one son. Willie Aikens -- '84 - '85. Willie, 40, retired retired from baseball in 1993 after spending the previous five season in Mexico playing playing in the winter and summer leagues, putting up big numbers in home runs and R.B.I.s. He now makes his home in Kansas City, Missouri. Doyle Alexander-- '83-'86. Doyle, 43, is retired and lives with his wife, Pat, and two children in Arlington, Texas. Jesse Barfield -- '81-'89. Jesse, 34, has returned from Japan where he hit 26 homers with the Toyko Giants. He was released released by the Houston Astros in the spring of 1994 after a brief tryout. He and wife Marla have three children and live in Houston where he own "Sports Design by Jesse Barfield," a custom made furniture company. Rick Bosetti -- '78-'81. Rick, 40, coowns coowns a computer sale service support company called Team Solutions, providing providing accounting systems for businesses. Jim Clancy -- '77-'88. Jim, 38, is retired from baseball and lives in Dunedin, Fla. Mike Flanagan -- '87-'90. Mike was a 1994 spring training coach with the Baltimore Orioles and will broadcast 30 Orioles television games in 1994. Damaso Garcia -- '80-'86. Damaso, 39, fought brain cancer two years ago and is now in remission. His vision has improved but his voice is still weak. He lives in the Dominican Republic. Roy Howell -- '77-'80. Roy, 40, works with New York Life selling individual pensions and retirement plans. He also deals in trusts and estate work. He lives in Southern California and conducts ten baseball clinics a year throughout his local area. Garth Iorg -- '78, '80-'87. Garth, 39, starts his 15th year in the Blue Jay organization organization and his fifth as a manager. He will manage the Blue Jay A A Knoxville Club for a third season. Cliff Johnson -- '83-'86. Cliff, 46, farms 130 acres in Texas, planting corn and hay. He and his wife, Pam, also own and race quarter horses. John Mayberry -- '78-'82. John, 45, hosts a pregame show on the Kansas City Royal Radio Network. Lloyd Moseby -- '80-'89. Lloyd, 34, spent 1992 and 1993 in Japan with the Tokyo Giants. He was injured for most of the 1993 season. He was seeking a big league job as DH in the American League for the 1994 season. Ranee Mulliniks -- '82-'92. Ranee, 38, is retired and living in El Paso, Texas. He plays golf and comes to Toronto for various various promotions and activities. Phil Niekro -- '87. Phil, 55, was recently named manager of an all-female professional professional baseball team, the Colorado Silver Bullets, a team of 20 women slated to play 30 games against all-male minor league professional clubs. Dave Stieb -- '79-'92. Dave, 36, was considering considering a comeback on the mound in 1994 but "discovered that no one was interested in having me." Willie Upshaw -- '78, '80-'87. Willie, 37, is in his second season as hitting coach for the Texas Rangers. Ernie Whitt -- '77-'78, '80-'89. Ernie, 41, is putting together a baseball skills camp for boys and girls in the Detroit and Toronto area. Mookie Wilson -- Mookie, 38, now works for the New York Mets as a minor league instructor and community liaison. liaison. Mookie was brought back to the Mets to help change the team's battered image. And Last, But Who Really Cares?... Kelly Gruber -- '84-'92.. Kelly, 32, was released by the California Angels at the end of the '93 season. Kelly is out of baseball and living in Austin, Texas. He said, "I am going to take six months to a year off and try and heal my neck without without surgery. I have two disks that are bothering me, and I have little range of motion. Hopefully, with rest, I can play again in 1995. I feel I was misunderstood misunderstood by the fans, the media and my teammates."