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6 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, January 10,1996 % Canadian Stausian Former Publishers and Partners Rev. John M. Climic and W. R. Clitnie 1854 -1878 M. A. James, 1878 -1935 • Norman S. B. James, 1919 -1929 G. Elena James, 1929 -1947 • Dr. George W. James, 1919 -1957 Produced weekly by James Publishing Company Limited P.O. Box 190,62 King St. W., Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9 905-623-3303 Internet - canadianstatesman@ocna.org Fax 905-623-6161 HOURS: Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. For 142 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 C. Purdy Editor - Peter Parrott Production Rick Patterson, Laurens Kaldeway, Doug Lugtcnburg, Sharon McMullen, Barb Patterson, Ralph Rozoma, Jim Snoek, Vance Sutherland, Jim Tuuramo Advertising Editorial Laverne Morrison Brad Kelly, Lorraine Mantredo, Laura J. Richards Office Angela Luscher, Debbie Chamberlain, Junia Hodge, Grace McGregor, Nancy Plcasance-Sturman, Marilyn Rutherford LSpli-f::' 'mmi i s ? Fusion Plan Still Alive Is there life in the Canadian bid to bring a fusion reactor lab to either the Darlington Nuclear Station or the Bruce Nuclear Complex? Perhaps. But getting the multi-billion dollar project to locate in Clarington is still about as big a long shot as fusion energy itself. Fusion is the process that occurs in the sun and stars when they release huge amounts of energy through the fusion of atoms. If the process could be duplicated on a smaller scale on this planet, some scientists predict the world's energy problems would be over. Tiny amounts of fuel could power an entire city and there would be fewer problems connected with waste, pollution and all the other nasty side-effects of many other human activities. The only problem is that the idea of creating manageable fusion reactors is still a theory. The next step in fusion research requires massive amounts of equipment, .energy, scientific expertise, and money. Of course, there's no guarantee that the expenditure will pay off. , Whether fusion worked or not, Clarington would stand to gain financially as the site of a fusion research facility. The facility, proposed for the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station site, would bring international scientists and construction jobs. It could result in tire boom associated with construction of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. And, in these dark economic days, few would argue with such an economic windfall in any community. But, the obstacles to a fusion plant in Canada arc staggering. First of all, an international group which includes the Soviet Union, United States, Canada, European nations and Japan must agree on the direction of fusion research and the building of the research facility. We all know how long it lakes an individual country to reach a decision on a. controversial issue. Can you imagine how long it will lake a half dozen countries? Next comçs the problem of money. In order to make a credible bid to become a host for a fusion research facility, Canada would have to contribute to the cost. In these economic times when people are facing fees for using a library or going to a doctor, can this country afford to invest in highly speculative research? Keep in mind the fact that Canada, the provincial government and perhaps the local levels of government would all have to contribute financial support, Canada's federal government is supposedly looking at the project in a more positive light, these days. But, front what we've heard so far, the federal government hasn't deviated from its original position. You may recall the federal government is on record as saying that it wouldn't stand in the way of fusion proponents wanting to bring the research lab. to Canada, but the government would not contribute additional money to fusion research. Oh yes, we should also keep in mind the fact dial fusion is not supported by environmentalists. They sec high-tech solutions to energy problems as a dead end and claim that it still makes more money to invest in energy saving and low-cosls alternatives. Maybe they arc right. Before Canada invests in this mega-project, there had better be some full-scale debate over the implications of this investment. It's just as serious a matter as Canada's decision to send troops overseas for international peacekeeping. Perhaps 1996 is a good time to begin that debate. Meanwhile, Clarington's elected officials shouldn't be hitching their wagons to the fusion program. It's loo big a gamble. The results arc highly unpredictable. Keeping Tabs on Provincial Cuts Because of the size of the provincial funding cuts, it isn't always easy to get a handle on the programs which arc on the chopping block. But, here's a running tally on some of the impacts to date. •The Municipality of Clarington will be coping with a million dollars less in provincial grants in the 1996 budget. •The Regional Municipality of Durham has been hit with S8 million in cutbacks -- about a million more than expected. ■Durham College has laid off 24 staff and cancelled four programs in order to cope with the reduced provincial contributions. The college also streamlined some other programs and announced that 26 staff had taken early retirement. ■The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority has announced plans to cut half its staff. This also is the direct result of less money from Ontario. These arc some of the impacts of the province's financial reforms to date. Stay tuned. There will be more cuts on the way. Tax Treaty Hurts Low Income Seniors tant to see the horrendous hardship hardship she and people like her are now in. Now what about the officials officials in the federal Department of Finance? These cushy bureaucrats, with their $ 100,000-plus- annual pay cheques and benefit packages - the ones who negotiated negotiated the treaty - arc telling these seniors to lobby the U.S. government. Why? Because they were too inept to sec the problem coming in the first place. These seniors have seen their income plummet by 15- to-25 per cent. Let's ask the civil servants who negotiated the treaty to take a similar wage cut and you'll hear them scream from Ottawa all the way to Durham. Americans receiving refunds refunds from the Canadian government, government, while the Canadian government tells low-income Canadian seniors to lobby Washington, speaks volumes about those Canadians who negotiated negotiated treaties like NAFTA. In my mind, Canadians come first all the lime. Isn't it Canadians who pay for these negotiations? I have already written the Minister of Finance on the unfairness unfairness of it all. When I see him in the next few weeks, I will bring it to his attention personally. If you know anyone anyone affected by the legislation, please have them contact your constituency office. 1 want the opportunity to speak with them. I'd like to lake the opportunity opportunity to remind readers to tune into Rogers Cable Television and hear me discuss the issues important to you. In next week's program, 1 will discuss the growth in consumer credit and how it is being pushed upon Canadians by the banks. Accident Victims Say Thanks Canada has failed to protect Canadian low-income seniors while exempting their American American counterparts under the recently recently enacted Canada-U.S, Tax Treaty. This is a deplorable act on the part of Canadian negotiators. negotiators. Simply put, Canadian seniors seniors who worked at one time in the U.S. probably receive American social security payments. payments. The new treaty allows the American government to tax Canadians 25.5 per cent. At the same time, the Canadian Canadian government, under the agreement, taxes Americans receiving receiving Old Age Security Pension Pension 25 per cent. Seems fair enough you might say. But here's the rub. Many of these Canadians, because of low incomes, paid little or no tax in either country to begin with. Even worse, Canada's desire desire for so-called "fairness" allows allows Americans to file a nonresident nonresident return and receive a refund. The U.S. government, however, will not allow a refund refund for Canadians, Some of you might he saying saying this treaty affects very lew. But I caution you we should all he aware of how tax policy evolves in Canada. For example, one lady who came to me for help is in her seventies and attempts to exist on Si4,000 annually, Canadian money. Approximately S4,2(X) of this is made up of American social security payments (Yes, I've made the conversion). She paid no tax prior to the tax treaty change. Now, she must pay $1,153, You don't have to he a chartered accoun- Dcar Sir: On Saturday, December 9lh I was involved in a three vehicle vehicle accident which I was very lucky to have survived. We wish to express our admiration admiration and gratitude to those who came to our assistance when time was so critical, including: including: - the neighbour who immediately immediately called 911, - the motorists who stopped to give first aid, - the firefighters, ambulance ambulance attendants paramedics, - Ihe Red Cross llloixl Donation Service, - everyone in Emergency, Special Care, Surgery, and the Support Staff at the Memorial Hospital in Bowmanville for their decisive action, and warm, friendly, encouraging care, that turned a horrible accident accident into a true family Christmas Christmas which we will always remember. remember. George Valentina and family. EDITOR'S NOTE: We're glad to hear the system worked so well. It's encouraging encouraging to hear that the neighbours neighbours and passers-by helped too. Letter to the Editor Lifeline Thwarts Break-in Dear Editor: I feel compelled to make a reply to the Police Report in The Statesman of last week regarding regarding the break and entry on Mcadowvicw Blvd., New Year's night. My home is the house involved involved and I am the resident. I did not return home to find the invaders here. I was in bed and it was well past midnight. midnight. It started by loud banging on my front door. This I ignored, ignored, thinking perhaps someone someone may have lost his way, celebrating celebrating the New Year. However, all quiet, for awhile, then as if someone was going around the house banging banging frequently. Again, quiet for a short time yet I knew that someone was very close. They had broken the screens of two windows, found the latch, slid the glass panel along, climbed through and landed on the floor. They made no attempt to be quiet now, and I'm sure the previous noise was their way of "Casing the Joint" being hopeful of finding a house, free of people, and thought they'd found it. . It was a break and enter, but they got nothing beyond a real surprise in' finding "an old woman" in there with Life Line equipment which was working perfectly. As I talked to the operator a man appeared in the hallway Turn to page 7 The Case for Testing Senior Drivers Dear Sir: There have been some letters letters in your paper recently regarding regarding the mandatory annual testing for drivers over the age ' of 80. There has been mention made of how upsetting the older older drivers find this test. As well as how inconvenient and mean-spirited it is to take away their independence and their means of getting to the supermarket, supermarket, doctor's appointments, church, and social engagements. engagements. There certainly is merit in all those issues that have been raised. However, one topic that was not discussed was the possible possible injury or death of innocent innocent people by someone who really is no longer fit or capable capable to be driving. If we could count on all seniors citizens over the age of 80 to both be aware themselves of when they were no longer able to drive safely AND be willing to admit to themselves and others that they were no longer able to drive safely, then there wouldn't be a problem. problem. However, I don't think that's a realistic expectation. We all know some people who arc stubborn. And most people don't get less stubborn just because because they've grown older. I have personally experienced experienced this in my own family. I suspected my step-mother's driving wasn't as good as it had been. Then I was with her in the car one clear and sunny summer afternoon when she drove the car up over the curb, 3 times on the way to the supermarket supermarket in her subdivision. There were many children outside outside playing at the time. My step-mother laughed it off and saw absolutely nothing wrong with what she had done. I was horrified at what could have happened to those children who were all around. My step-mother was not yet 80 years old but she was no longer capable of driving safely. Because part of the problem was caused by medication that she was taking and would probably have to take for the remainder of her life (and how many senior citizens do you know who DON'T take medication), medication), I enlisted the help of her family doctor to have her driver's licence revoked. This created a major rift in our family and I was unpopular for quite some time. But I kept thinking of the innocent bystanders bystanders who could have been killed if my step-mother had kept driving when she was no longer capable. And to this day I feel that I did the right thing despite the personal price that I paid. I also know three people who have cither parents or grandparents with whom they will no longer drive because they don ? t' feel-.safe doing 'so. However, their " ,parents ■ or grandparents continue to have their licences renewed each year. They live in small towns and the examiners probably know them and don't wish to cut them off from all the things that they would miss if they weren't allowed to drive. But the examiners' compassion could end in tragedy if someone someone is killed. In a small way, I can understand understand some of the isolation that seniors would feel if they weren't weren't allowed to drive any longer. longer. I have experienced night blindness ever since my twenties. twenties. Unless I'm only going a short distance on roads that all have streetlights (a rarity in this municipality where it can be difficult just having lines painted on the roads in some rural areas - let alone streetlights streetlights put up) I cannot sec well enough to drive safely. Therefore, Therefore, if I cannot find someone who lives nearby who is also going to the function or I can't afford to lake a taxi, then 1 have to stay home and miss the function. This has' been both annoying and disappointing at times. So, I can comprehend some of the frustration that seniors would feel at no longer being able to be independent and drive where they would like when they would like. However, in our society sometimes we have to override the wishes of individuals for the common good. For example, example, it is illegal to drink excessively excessively and then drive your car because you are not capable of driving safely. Unfortunately,' many drivers still feel they' should be able to drive after drinking. But if they arc caught, they arc charged because because they are a danger to themselves and others. So, the: drinking driver's wishes arc sacrificed for the common good. If senior citizens over 80 are no longer able to pass both a road test and a vision test,' then maybe their wishes need' to be sacrificed for the common common good as well. But, I think those of us who arc still accorded the privilege (not the right!) to drive should show some compassion. The next time you arc going somewhere somewhere consider asking an older person that you know if they would like to go along too. This could be a very painless,- and probably quite enjoyable, way for you to help out in your community. Sincerely, Evylin Stroud c.c John O'Toole, MPP EDITOR'S NO IE - It's still discrimination, though. m 0 We Asked... Is Clarington going to be better or worse off in 1996? ...and You Said Dick Lovekin Lovekin Road Probably worse off because the provincial government government will cut their municipal municipal grants. Other Comments Lloyd Nichols Bowmanville I hope it's belter off. I know our taxes will go up. Jan Lyczakowski Bowmanville Should be better Doreen Nannigna Bowmanville Let's say better, You don't want it any worse than it is right now. Next Week's Question Do you think the municipiality should cut back its services to residents to make up for the provincial cutbacks?