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6 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, January 3,1996 PRESTON 623-4433 Bowmanville Shop the Rest GED Buy from the Best! i ' "■ V* » ,-~r J ,r*tr i latTfp *Wi-r- '.* '-- Your local General Motors dealer for the past 25years. 166 King St. E. Telephone 623-3396 Printing Professionals Since 1854 Telephone: 623-3303 62 King St. West Bowmanville F;1 f,1H fm JESSOJSpecialists in Heating and Air Conditioning SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATION 350 Lake Road, Bowmanville 623-5516 Predictions for 1996 In die tradition of all writers and commentators with nothing better to do during the days between Christmas and New Year's, we hereby offer the following predictions for 1996: Prediction Number One: The hype associated with the Internet, cyberspace, etc. will fade. The Internet is a great idea, but it's only in its infancy. Think of how long it look between the mass-production of Henry Ford's first cars to the development of freeways and shopping mall parking lots. The Internet is no different. We're at the Tin-Lizzie stage right now. Change will be rapid, but not immediate. And, in the meantime, we will continue our association with the more low-tech instruments of information. They're portable, easy to operate, plentiful and cheap. They're called books, magazines and newspapers. You arc holding one right now. Prediction Number Two: Ontario's Tories will have an appointment with harsh political reality and will rc-lhink their belief that all of Ontario's economic problems can be solved in less than a year. Mike Harris and Company are on the right track. The public wants less government and more efficient government. But, it docs not want to pay fees for borrowing library books, visiting a doctor or taking a walk in a park. And all the predicted cutbacks and layoffs arc giving consumers the willies. It took a couple of decades for Ontarians, Canadians and North Americans to gel into today's economic mess. Chances arc it will take the same amount of lime to get out. (Sorry, Mr. Harris, but that's reality.) Meantime, Mike Harris is in danger of curing the disease, but killing die patient. Prediction Number Three: The war in former Yugoslavia will continue. Everyone hopes that peace has finally broken out. But there's an old saying that if you want to sec what will happen in the future, just look at the past. As we understand it, the conflict is rooted in tribal feuds which have been happening for centuries. It's hard to believe that the problem has been solved. The United Slates will be lucky if it can avoid another Vietnam or Korea in this part of the world. Prediction Number Four: The "Cold War" will heat up. It should come as no surprise to discover that the former Soviet Union's experiment in democracy has not been entirely successful. Let's keep in mind that they lacked the two centuries it took for the western world to develop its democratic traditions. Is it not quite possible that citizens of the former Soviet Union will revert back to the old days when the communist governments at least made sure the trains ran on time. Prediction Number Five: Absolutely nothing will be done to further the cause of unity in Canada. The Parti Québécois will be re-building itself under a new leader. English Canada is tired of hearing about the, national unity question. Until the next inevitable referendum, both sides will remain at a stalemate. Right now, both sides arc basking in the glow of victory, since both sides think they won. Prediction Number Six: Municipal taxes will rise. Local tax increases have been kept at or near zero for several years. Even without the provincial cutbacks announced in November, it's possible that increases would have been required. Municipalities and school boards could opt to chop the services they provide, but the public won't stand for unrepaired roads or more crowded classrooms. Local government is more likely to raise taxes. Prediction Number Seven: The environment will not be a priority. Clean air and water should be a hot issue among Canadian citizens. But, everyone's too preoccupied with the economy to notice. The condition of the environment will have to get much worse before environmental issues get the billing they rightfully deserve. And that's unfortunate. Prediction Number Eight: Somebody (possibly an electronics or furniture store) will launch an advertising gimmick with the slogan "Don't pay this century." Yes, folks, now that we're past the midway point of the decade, you can expect to see the excitement of a new millennium start to build. Before 1996 is over, we'll be tired of talk about the dawning of a new millennium. (And also of the controversy over whether the next century starts in the year 2000 or 2001). Prediction Number Nine: The ongoing soap opera connected with Prince Charles, Lady Di , Buckingham Palace, and all the other lesser players will finally conclude. Can anyone stand another year of revelations and confessions? And what's left to confess or reveal? Prediction Number Ten: No major Toronto professional athletic team will win a championship in anything during 1996. Nor, for that matter, will they win a championship in this millennium. (There goes that M-word again.) Prediction Number Eleven: The last 10 predictions will prove to be wrong. But, our experience is that very few forecasts made at the beginning of the year are ever checked 12 months later. Folks are too busy at that time making new forecasts. In conclusion, no matter what your predictions might be for 1996, we wish you all a happy and successful new year. Let me recognize that there must bo some occasions where political issues and controversy come behind tradition and season. season. The Christmas and New. Year Season arc an appropriate time to stop and reflect, as well as time to give thanks for all that we have (family, health, community and so much more). It is also a time to look ahead and anticipate our challenges, challenges, hopes and dreams. For me, the past year has been filled with so many wonderful tilings to be thankful for. The future also looks brighter and filled with hope. However, it is exactly at this point that I realize that not everyone sees the world in the same light. If one is standing in a certain light or shadow, they will not see what someone else might see from a position in different light. Perhaps in a political political sense, we only see what we want to see or how we prefer prefer to see things. We must each agree that there is no perfection perfection on earth, In our human understanding understanding we tend to form opinions based on what others may have said or what we may have read about. In either case, our individual individual outlooks are somewhat manipulated manipulated by the media, polls or other influences. Good or bad, bright or cloudy, our individual individual futures have much to do with how we choose to see our own world. 1 tend to think of tilings optimistically and lake some responsibility for the outcomes, outcomes, Collectively, we are also somewhat responsible for others, whether they be our children, family, community, (905) 697-1501 by John O'Toole, Durham East MPP j or indeed our province and country. In 1995, two important events have had a profound effect effect on each and every one of us. The Ontario election on June 8th, and the recent Quebec Quebec referendum have set the stage for challenges and change. Again, it is how we view these events that will dc- tcnninc how we allow them to effect our lives. We can sit by and allow the future to unfold before our eyes, or we can choose to become involved in determining the outcomes. I believe that we can grow stronger once we recognize the challenge. The unity rally in Montreal brought Canadians from across this vast country together in a spirit of pride and optimism. The Ontario election also marked an occasion where average people spoke up. Like most of you, I want the best for Ontario and Canada. I strongly believe that we must deal with the symptoms of a weak economy. economy. I do not believe anyone provincially or federally wants to see a weak economy and unemployment unemployment as high as it is, I believe that each and every one of us is prepared to make difficult difficult choices. It may sound problematic hut most of us agree that we can no-longer simply throw money at our problems. 1 also believe that we are each prepared to make individual individual sacrifices for the greater good. Government cannot continue continue to borrow against our futures. futures. Changes must be made in the way we have come to expect that somehow we are all entitled to all the services all the time. Somehow, we have come to think that things are free. At the same lime, everyone everyone would agree that we are taxed to the hilt federally, provincially provincially and municipally. We would also agree that seniors, • young children and the disabled disabled arc the most vulnerable and must be protected. However, However, each of us agrees that the changes must be fair and balanced balanced against the greater needs of society. This column is specifically non political but is intended to make each one of us think about where we are and where we arc going. You elected me to listen and address the concerns concerns of our community at Queen's Park. Please participate participate by calling or writing. Next week, I will begin a scries of articles about Bill 26, The Savings and Restructuring Act, 1995. I will explain the many myths about this legislation legislation that we are reading in the press and seeing on television, The reports of the public meetings meetings are often misleading and it is my responsibility to communicate communicate the correct information and intentions of this legislation. legislation. The first column will deal with the Health Care aspects of the bill. I am templed to start now but will stop myself and conclude by wishing each of you the happiest holiday season. season. Each of us must lake responsibility responsibility for our future. As I look forward to 1996, I am confident in the knowledge that each of us is willing to make the necessary sacrifices to ensure a sustainable future for everyone. I hope we are all standing in the same light, 1 wislt you each a healthy, happy and sustainable 1996. REALLY EASY '96 PREDICTIONS The Clarington Council is faced with some hefty municipal municipal issues and it is our duty as ratepayers to voice our opinions opinions to assist in the decision process. The recent "split" in the council's vote to narrowly proceed proceed with the Courticc Community Community Complex at a time when municipalities arc facing a 47-percent cut in provincial transfers over the next two years puts the decision in question. question. (1) In an 'objective' view, it is a good time for the project to commence in our steadily growing municipality. Economic reasons include low and stable interest rates, keen builder/supplier comped-. tion, an infrastructure grant equivalent to a 4.5% tax increase increase if it did not exist, and one of the leanest staffed municipalities municipalities per capita in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) - good work! It is also reassuring that the private sector is showing confidence confidence in the economy, which includes the recent announcement announcement of HONDA's $300 million million expansion in Alliston, Ontario. Ontario. (2) In a 'subjective' view, I have some doubts in council's decision to make further in- Dear Editor: Thanks to Dave Patterson's letter to the Editor of December December 27,'95, we now know the cause of racism. According to him, Europeans or the "white people" as he calls them, started started it all around 500 years ago by dehumanizing non-whites, and are still doing it here in Canada. This was a surprise to me, because 1 always assumed that no particular ethnic group had a monopoly on racism. How wrong can you be! Also, again according to Dave Patterson, Patterson, "White workers arc afraid to associate with you with the fear that they may be isolated from their friends or lose their popularity." We all know about the caste system in India, which condemns condemns the untouchables to be outcasts in their own country, or about the genocide in Rwanda where the I lulu tried vestments like the large recreation recreation facility in Courticc and some thoughts to consider. For over three years, our family has regularly used the swimming facilities at the 'public' Clarington Fitness Centre adjacent to the Bowmanville Bowmanville High School. We selfishly admit we enjoy the public swim periods that don't usually exceed 16% of the large pool's capacity! Swimming registration, including including long waits in line, arc very heavily utilized, but we ask the 'great' administration and staff if more sessions can be worked into the schedule to alleviate this problem? Perhaps, Perhaps, we can hear from this group to gain another perspective perspective on the necessity of the Courticc Community Complex. Complex. The continuation in plans of a 'modified' library at the Courticc Community Complex is another area in question. Our family has made minimal visits to the Bowmanvillc Library this year. Our children utilize their school library (which most schools have) and we would suggest to council that public libraries look at running their operation within the school boards. This would in to exterminate the Tutsi. And, few people have forgotten how badly the Japanese treated the Koreans, Chinese and other non-Japanese during their colonial colonial expansion period. How can Dave Patterson pin the blame for these racist acts on people of European origin? In short, 1 totally disagree with Mr. Patterson, and I think he owes us an explanation, l ie could start by explaining whether he was speaking for himself, or on behalf of the CAW Local 222 in his official function as Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee. P.S. I am sure Mr. Patterson's Patterson's letter will resurface during during the next election of a now Chairman for the Human Rights Committee, Sincerely, Evert Vroegh Hampton, Ontario elude full access to the public. We anticipate that a complex complex so near the Oshawa border border will be an attraction to Oshawa residents and limit the opportunities for the citizens of Clarington. (3) In conclusion, our friends in Courticc deserve the convenience of a community facility but have to understand the sensitivity of the harsh cutbacks cutbacks of the provincial government. government. We recommend that council look at existing facilities facilities in Clarington to see if they Dear Editor: Like many Canadians, I have found these past few months to have been emotionally challenging. challenging. Through the media, the ongoing constitutional and economic concerns have bombarded bombarded us on it daily basis. It is only recently that I was re-, minded of my good fortune to live in this country. I have just returned from a three-week visit to Ethiopia, through my work with USC Canada. It was an eye-opening experience. My travels took me to rural areas where I witnessed witnessed levels of poverty that I can not begin to put into words, I came across situations that seemed unreal and that 1 hope never to see again, These scenes are forever etched in my memory. But 1 also found reason for hope. For every heart- wrenching episode, there were at least as many that inspired me. I witnessed survival amidst tremendous despair and against seemingly overwhelming overwhelming odds, I stood in fields of wheat, flourishing despite being being exposed to an early frost and pest and wind damage. I met families who had virtually nothing, but they had food on their table. These farmers were participants in a programme called «Seeds of «Survival. Through this programme, they had developed the capacity to grow their own food and they were succeeding despite some serious odds. arc operating at full capacity. Then Council could make the decision to improve these facilities facilities before making large investments investments in new infrastructure. infrastructure. Let's hear some other opinions opinions for council! Paul Reesor Bowmanvillc EDITOR'S NOTE - For better better or worse, the completion of the Courtice Community Complex was a political decision. decision. Make no mistake,...the struggle struggle for survival in Ethiopia is ongoing. Still, practical programmes programmes like Seeds of Survival, Survival, that invest in the local people, people, are making a sizeable difference. difference. Communities can and will prosper, with the help of Canadians. The farmers in Ethiopia have proven they have the knowledge and determination determination to grow their own food. All they are lacking is support. With help, this is a start towards achieving self- reliance. 1 am not diminishing the problems in our own country right now. Strengthened support support at the community level is needed here as well. At this holiday time, I would merely encourage people to remember that, beyond our borders, in countries like Ethiopia, the support of Canada is giving real reasons for hope. Yours truly, Susan Fisher, Manager, Publicity and Marketing, USC Canada. EDITOR'S NOTE » We of. ten do not realize how fortunate fortunate we are, compared to citizens citizens of so many other countries In the world. We Welcome Your Letters To the Editor No Group Can Claim Monopoly on Racism Greater Appreciation For Living in Canada After Visiting Ethiopia