The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, January 17,1996 PRESTON Shop the Rest Buy from the Best! James Publishing Co Ltd ^Jiarrison Fuels fcSSOl Specialists in Heating and We Move M Your local General Motors dealer for the past 25 years. [ 25th I 166 King St. E. f 25th 1 |AiuimaqJ Telephone 623-3396 pamiqj Printing Professionals Since 1854 Telephone: 623-3303 Air Conditioning SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATION 350 Lake Road, BowmanvilleS^Mtflfj€£ 623-4433 Bowmanville 62 King St. West Bowmanville 623-5516 5§|8 by Laura J. Richards A Distinct Society 11" Clarington is asked to join the Greater Toronto Area, then residents should declare the municipality to be a "distinct society" and leave the 'blessed union,' Clarington is much different from urbanized Toronto and we should stay that way. Many of you already know how different Clarington is from Metro. Consider the following factors factors which make Clarington unique arid perhaps -- if we etui use the word -- distinct: • rush hour lakes on a whole new meaning when stretched over several hours of a day; • our Golden Mile is made up of com fields, not plazas, car dealerships and factories; • there is no yellow haze over our principal towns and villages; villages; • you can see the CN Tower on a bright-clear day at the top of Stapleton Road Hill; • property-values arc reasonable reasonable enough that even someone who makes less than $30,000 a year can buy a home; , • the municipal government is able to respond to its residents; residents; ° you can go bicycling without without using a face-mask filter; • we have the largest forest in this area of Ontario, that covers our water -- we have fresh, pure water gurgling out of the Oak Ridges Moraine and the G.anaraska Forest; • Clarington has some fabulous fabulous fishing and swimming holes; 0 it's friendly, quiet and safe; the municipal needs of the residents arc taken care of at the local level, not by councillors councillors in downtown Toronto; • a drive to the country is only minutes away, not 45 to 60 minutes away from the hustle hustle and bustle of the big TO; • Toronto is close enough to visit for sporting events, professional professional theatre, concerts, large museums and science centre without living there; Finally: • most folks who were raised here, or in country areas, prefer to continue living here. Claringtonians even speak a different language from our •cousins from the big city. It's called "taking-our-time." This is not a suggestion to use the 'distinct society" to bribe those citified folks in Toronto, Toronto, or hold them over a barrel. barrel. We would prefer to just slip quietly out of the union. Look at it as an annulment. From the remarks this reporter reporter has heard since being at The Canadian Statesman, many of the local folk did not want to join the Durham Region 22 years ago. That was a political decision, and there was no referendum referendum that asked residents about the idea. A nice simple question that can't be misconstrued should be ordered up. It might say: "Do you want to be a part of the Greater Toronto Area Council?" 'Yes, let's talk -- 'No way, Jose--' Some of the ideas put forth by the Golden Report arc really really far-reaching. Have you heard about the idea of user fees on private vehicles vehicles and a region-wide tax on gasoline? That should go over well in areas where there is no public transit (like Clarington). That could prove to be punitive for farmers, too. The report suggests the local municipalities take over delivering delivering welfare and children's services. How do you like them apples? The proposed Greater Toronto Toronto Council would be headed by a six-member executive. Those sitting on the council would be the council's chair, the mayor of Toronto, and a member selected selected by municipalities with the smallest populations. The other three members would be selected at large from among the remaining municipalities. The larger council to which the executive council would report report would be made up of about 24 members. (Frankly, it seems like Golden Golden and her accomplices arc looking at the communities as if they were merely university residences on a large campus.) If you arc like many of those to whom I've spoken recently, you do not want to be a part of the Greater Toronto Area Council. hi that case, you'd better speak up now, since 'Silence will mean Golden.' Faith in Action 1 Evening for i Tyrone UCW On March 6th We opened with 11 ladies in attendance. Carol Southwell opened with some readings and good new year thoughts, after which we sang O God Our Help In Ages Past. Carol then read from the Upper Room, the Bible, and closed with prayer and then a humourous story. Elsie Roy read the minutes, correspondence, and conducted the business. It was decided we would review all requests for charitable donations every six months. U.C.W. Presbyterial will meet at Prince Albert United Church, Tuesday, January 23, Clarington's Engineering Manager, Tony Canclla, and Liberty Street resident Rob- l a ' m " •?, I p " m ' T r hc B ° ok ert Rice discuss the ramifications of the widening of the Liberty/King Street intersec- 9.30^ m'ThcreTa S ™ It 00 m Bowmanville. Rice owns the north-end unit of a row of duplexes at the south- Oration and bring along a bag west comer to be impacted by the changes. • • - - b b Widening of Liberty/King Street Intersection Discussed Moonlight Magic Archives Illegal Pickets Predicted Editor: In 1996, Oshawa can expect illegal pickets to be set up by ventures of CAW and CUPE. My opinion tells me, it is wrong holding any city hostage. hostage. During the London protest, many innocent people including including students, dependent on public transit, paid dearly when they shut it down. One single mother with a young family trying to stay off welfare, welfare, could not get to work. Meanwhile, an out of town pickctcr said he made $80,000 this year. Some well-fed, musically musically entertained, bussed-in picketcrs decided to go Christmas Christmas shopping at local malls. Another hilarious example was, when Board of Education custodians worked on Sunday without pay and on their own time, clearing school parking lots and sidewalks, and then set up picket lines. The London protest did not shut the whole city down. More than 80% of the secondary secondary school teachers did not join their brothers and sisters on the picket lines, but instead went to work. In Windsor, a strong union city, some 85% of callers to a local radio show, did not support the London Strike. What does that tell us of London, where just 30% of the work force is unionized? If Sid Ryan, Buzz Hargrove, Hargrove, and Gord Wilson, manage manage to shut Oshawa and our CAW affiliated transit down, people will not be amused! You have to be pragmatic! You can demonstrate, but not at the expense of innocent folks and businesses desperately desperately trying to stay afloat during this globalization of the Canadian Canadian economy!" hi London, many had no choice when placard-waving, intimidaters, illegally blocked entrances to factory parking lots. There could also be a conflict conflict of interest within the Oshawa Public Utilities Commission. Commission. The majority of the Commissioners arc members of the CAW Local 222, who were elected to provide the people of Oshawa with lop notch transit service. Not to have it shut down illegally. On September 15, General Motors employees in Oshawa will be in a legal strike position. position. Moral and financial support support will then be needed by those same General Motors strikers. The public and local businesses might not be sympathetic sympathetic to them, if Oshawa is held hostage by a possible Illegally Illegally planned shutdown. May cooler heads prevail! Herman van der Veen, Oshawa, Ontario. EDITOR'S NOTE - It remains remains to be seen whether the one-day strikes will continue in 1996. Dear John: As always 1 read the Statesman Statesman and the November 29th issue issue intrigued me with all the Street Washing Isn't Necessary To Members of Clarington Council: In response to an invitation to the ratepayers to suggest budget cuts, I would like to recommend that the works department department cease to wash and sweep the streets with the huge, modem machine. It might be sensible to go over once in the spring, but sure isn't necessary. I have phoned the works department department on occasion to complain complain when it is pouring rain and a good stream of water flowing down the street and along comes the water truck, washing the street. Seems we could use a good measure of common sense. I have yet to talk to anyone who approves of this waste. We arc all asked to cut back and we have all survived for many years without having our streets washed and can again. Yottrs truly, Wylma Allin Newcastle. EDITOR'S NOTE - We've also wondered if the amount of street-sweeping is entirely necessary. "Moonlight Magic" captions re: the upcoming sale. I was immediately reminded of the bit of poetry I wrote when in my teens (many years ago) entitled entitled "Moonlight Magic". I dug back in my souvenir box and came up with it and couldn't resist sending it along to you. Meant to get it off sooner but the weeks go by so quickly prior to Christmas. Greetings of the Season and all the best to the James Family' Family' Sincerely Mildred Huband (Snowden) Returning quite late from a movie or frolic Enchanted, I gaze on a scene quite symbolic • Of fairy talc lore Our lawn now transformed to a bower for fairies Besprinkled with dew drops and cobwebs so airy Now • the moon becomes veiled as a cloud passes o'er And taking advantage I haste to the door With light fleeting footsteps On velvety grass As only the fairies by moonlight may pass! EDITOR'S NOTE: Thanks for writing and have a happy New Year. lunch. Mary Sproule will speak on "Work, Money and Meaning". Meaning". The Annual Presbyterial Meeting will be Wednesday, March 6th at Kingsview United, United, Oshawa. Dorothy Flindall will speak on "Beijing" in the afternoon only. The Devries family will share their gift of music with us in the evening at 7:15. The theme of the day is "Faith In Action". Time 1:30 for registration. Tickets may be obtained from Bessie Vaneyk. The Presbyterial Executive will meet Thursday, February 1st at St. Paul's in Bowmanville. Bowmanville. The time is 9:30 to 3 p.m. Please bring a bag lunch. Year end reports were given for each committee after which refreshments were served as we sorted and gathered our recyclable recyclable items. Thanks to all who brought in items for this project. Sandra Milne (905) 697-1501 by John O'Toole, Durham East MPP Health Care Spending Disappointed with Snow Removal Dear Editor: I just wanted to mention how disappointed I was with our Town Works Department. On Friday morning last week I had to park on King St. to do some banking. It had been sometime since we had any snowfall and when I proceeded to put money in the parking meter, I nearly slipped and fell because there were mounds of snow and pieces of ice surrounding surrounding the meter. It appears to be left over from our last snowfall. We have a lot of seniors seniors who drive and patronize our shops, I hope no one gets hurt, due to this lack of cleanup. cleanup. There is a law in effect to make sure residents clean up the rc- their sidewalks. Docs Town not have the same sponsibility to its citizens? Interesting, isn't it? Regards Pat Goode EDITOR'S NOTE - We wonder wonder if the delay is due to cost- cutting efforts by the municipality. municipality. m We Asked... Do you think the municipiality should cut back its services to residents to make up for the provincial cutbacks? ...and You Said Linda Richardson Bowmanville You have to weigh services services and money, because you just can't go cutting back. at |§ Shelley Allin Newcastle if they don't, then taxes will go up, right? the Norman Hindley Bowmanville No, I don't think we have enough services as it is. Next Week's Question What do you think about the proposed Greater Toronto Council as proposed by the Golden Task Force? m 0 This article is continued from last week and addresses spending on Health Care. Ontario Ontario is spending $17.4 billion dollars each year. The demand for service is rising as I mentioned mentioned last week. Our government government is committed to maintaining maintaining health spending at this level. However, this is not a commitment to the 'status quo'. We have already reinvested millions in areas where health dollars arc needed most. For instance, on December 14th, the Minister announced 9 new kidney dialysis units for Ontario. Ontario. Why should all the high level facilities be in Toronto? There are 2 million people in Metro Toronto and 2 million in the area surrounding Toronto. The Bill 26 establishes the Health Care Restructuring Commission, who.will redistribute redistribute services to where they arc needed most. The District Health Councils generally agree that these changes need to be made. Following is a general breakdown of where the $17.4 billion is spent: ■ Health System Management Management programs = $14.4 billion billion dollars as follows: Hospitals (220 + 16 private) = $7.9 billion. Ontario Drug Benefits, Assistant Assistant Devices, Lab Services = $1.5 billion approx. Health Insurance Benefits = $4.9 billion approx. Psychiatric Services and Hospital = $.6 billion approx. • Population health and Community Services = $1. billion approx, as follows: Health promotion $22 million. million. Community based health services = $.6 billion. District Health Councils = $20.5 million, Emergency health services (ambulance' etc.) = $300 million million • Long Term Care = $2 billion as follows: Residential services for elderly elderly =$1.2 billion. Community based services = $900 million approx. - Ministry of Health Admin. Admin. = $130 million as follows: follows: Administration = $25 million. million. Information Systems = $28 million. Legal appeals etc. = $6 million. million. Research and Planning = $45 million. Main Office = $10 million. I have been part of the Public Public Meetings on Bill 26 and I recognize that this government is listening to the people as well as getting our message out. We can no longer deliver services as we always have. Next week, I will outline the reduction in municipal funding. The reduction amounts to approx. 9.5% of your municipal tax base. To continue services at the same level would result in approximately approximately a 4 to 6% increase on your municipal tax bill. I encourage encourage each and every one of you to get involved. Municipalities, Municipalities, the Province and the Federal government are in this together with you "the lone taxpayer". We cannot accept doing tilings - "the same old way". Call your elected people, municipally, provincially and federally. Do you want to pay more taxes? "The future is purchased purchased by the present". PAINT VALUES SEMI-GLOSS LATEX (0003) •Available in 100 s of pastel colors •Dries in 30 minutes «Washable •Easy soap am! water dean up *OtYColor Your Worlds regular price of SI 8,75 for #0003 WALLPAPER BOOKS Choose your special wallpaper for every room in your home Iroin 10Os ' of the latest patterns ± selected book*. ■ MvH.1 T Details in store, tfohrjc ami accessories excluded, Color Your World -vv^y AtkktlonljMcmpliitdvok Canada's best paint, wallpaper & caqiet value S! nn M<h QVOIOfilltd until Jonvoiy 30,1996. Not oil lltmt oiOiWi otoll ttout. Dfoiutmoynn loi Im, Bowmanville 235 King Street East 623-9750