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4 The Canadian Statesman, Bowman ville, Wednesday, August 7, 1996 ®|e Ca nab tan Statesman Former Publishers and Partners Rev. John M. Climie and W. R. Climie 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 lnternet-statesman@ocna.org Fax 905-623-6161 HOURS: Monday to Friday 9:00 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 G. Purdy Editor - Peter Parrott Production Rick Patterson, Laurens Kaldeway, Doug Lugtenburg, Sharon McMullen, Barb Patterson, Ralph Rozema, Jim Snoek, Vance Sutherland, Jim Tuuramo Advertising Editorial Laverne Morrison Brad Kelly, Lorraine Manfredo, Laura J. Richards Office Angela Luscher, Junia Hodge, Grace McGregor, Nancy Pleasance-Sturman, Marilyn Rutherford, Michele Rutherford Editorial Comment Orime Statistics Do you feel you arc safer from crime now than you were last year? According to statistics, the number of violent crimes declined last year. Yet, why do so many Canadians think they are not as safe now as they used to be? It's hard to say, really. For one thing, the numbers of violent crimes have actually actually increased in the last ten years. It's just that tire downturn has occurred in the last two or three years. But there may be other possibilities. For one tiling, Canadians may be so closely tied to American experiences that they just assume the same horror stories happening south of the border are common here. The U.S. is becoming a land of neighbourhoods patrolled patrolled by private security firms and downtown city cores which arc abandoned, after dark, by anyone fortunate fortunate enough to live in the suburbs. There is also the possibility that high profile crimes such as the Bamardo case or the mass slayings in British Columbia earlier this year, have caused Canadians to assume assume crime is more prevalent than it really is. It may also be possible that there is more media coverage coverage of crime than what existed in the past. Again, this creates the impression of widespread violence. Or, perhaps some incidents of crime are going un- reporlcd, thereby creating the impression that crime rales arc declining. It might be helpful if Canadians read the actual crime statistics, rather than making assumptions based what they see on the TV networks. There is room for optimism in the latest crime statistics. statistics. But, you'd belter lock your door at night, just the same. Olympic Moments And so, we bid a fond farewell to the Olympics -- an event which can turn 25 million Canadians into couch potatoes during days best suited for outdoor summer fun. We have enjoyed the Olympic spirit and the Olympic drama. We loved the Olympic dedication and the Olympic Olympic excellence. However, we could do without the Olympic Olympic hype and also without the darker side of the Olympics Olympics -- a side which has included cheating and that sad act of terrorism. Those watching the games on American TV channels are often appalled by the blatantly one-sided coverage of so many events. Games which are supposed to unite the world in a common bond of athletic excellence are seen, south of the border, as a chance for the U.S. to strut its stuff. This attitude of "winning is everything" really detracts detracts from art Olympic competition. The U.S. networks would do well to watch the CBC's coverage to see a better better example of the Olympic spirit at work. Sure, CBC covers the Canadian athletes. But, they don't avoid other major accomplishments just because there are no Canadian Canadian athletes in contention. As might be expected, there has been a number of Olympic calibre cheaters exposed through the drug testing testing procedures. Unfortunately, these athletes cast aspersions aspersions on all Olympians, since a jaded public wonders whether elite athletes achieved their goals through the normal process of dedication, practice and talent. Or did they just avoid getting caught? Finally, there is always the risk that an international spectacle such as the Olympics will attract international terrorists or just some sick person seeking his or her 15 minutes of fame. The bomb blast which occurred at the midway point in the games certainly cast a shadow over all the proceedings. It makes one wonder whether the games arc really worth it. One especially wonders whether Canada (namely Toronto) should even consider the hassle bidding for the games of 2008. And, let's not forget the commercial lie-ins to the Olympics. Sponsorships undoubtedly pay for the games, but they also seem to make them less like the pure celebration celebration of sport that they once were. Arc the Olympics worth the security risks, the traffic jams, the costs, the crass commercialism, and all the other other headaches? Should the Olympics be less of a spectacle. Should they revert back to the days when a few thousand spectators spectators watched some dedicated amateurs compete in the woodland glades of ancient Greece? To anyone who watched Donovan Bailey's world record run or Annie Pelletier's long climb up the standings standings to a bronze medal in diving, or Silken Lauman's performance as a roVvcr, the answer is obvious. Or how about the men's 4x100 relay or the third Olympic gold medal won by rowers Kathleen Meddle and Mamie McBcan. Yes, the Olympic games arc worth it. And, despite their (laws, the games can scivc as a showcase for the positive things human beings can achieve. Where else can you see such an international showcase showcase tor talent, dedication, courage and the pursuit of excellence. excellence. Maybe they should be held every year. Support for Doctors in the Battle Against Wage Cuts Outlook Laura J. Richards Statesman Staff The Ride Home People of Ontario, We Have a Problem. Mike Harris has made a decision to cut and cap our doctors' wages. We need that decision reversed and we need you! Our doctors, nurses and medical staff need our support.- Is cutting and capping our doctors' doctors' wages the payment they get for the tremendous job they do? Doctors have to undergo years of training and work extremely extremely long hours. They deserve deserve any extra pay they get. A doctor who earns $250,000 may see $100,000 of that eaten up in overhead; and half the remaining remaining money taken by taxes. Wo arc so fortunate in Canada Canada with such a great Health Care System - let's stand up for our doctors. We have heard some remarkable remarkable stories from people signing our petition about what To: Statesman@ocna.org Regarding the Regional Government right-sizing local representation to 3 from 4, we, the people have the opportunity opportunity to accomplish four things. We can redefine the ward boundaries to ensure a reasonable reasonable balance of voters in each ward. We cut town council council down to six equal and ordinary ordinary councillors, two from each ward. Then at the election the councillor with the highest number of votes of the six of them gets to also be mayor. The ones with the highest votes in their wards gel to also be regional representatives. We would achieve - rc- their doctors have done for them. Let's put a stop to this before before it's too late - it will filler through to us and it's our care and our families care that will suffer from these cutbacks; as is already happening. If you think Mike Harris will stop here, - he won't. Next he'll take away our privilege of having a second medical opinion opinion and cut our nurses' wages. How far are we the people of Ontario willing to allow this to go before it's loo late to stop it? Once it's gone, we won't get it back! Some wapt it to happen Some wish it would happen Let's make it happen! I would urge you to start your own petition in your area and send it to your MR, or drop by Dickson Flooring, Hwy #2, Cobourg, Ontario and sign ours. duction in politicians by one and we would gain funds from the salary of the eliminated seventh politician to pay for the pensions. We. also would have balanced the wards and finally have left over most of the salary of the eliminated seventh politician for something something truly worthwhile. This is a 14% gain in die efficient efficient use of tax dollars spent on/by politicians. Iain Maciver Bowmanville EDITOR'S NOTE: Sounds like a good idea to present at the upcoming public meetings meetings on the subject of restructuring restructuring municipal council. council. Keep our doctors in Canada. Canada. Let's unite together and stand firm for our doctors and for ourselves. No Cuts, No Caps to Our Doctors' Wages Mike Harris. Keep Your Promise Not to Touch Health Care. Lorna Dickson Cobourg Northumberland County EDITOR'S NOTE: Please keep us informed about the progress of your petition. Volunteer Reunion Pickering Museum Village (formally called the Pickering Museum of Brougham) is planning planning a volunteer reunion and recognition for all who have been a part of it. In addition to the long time regular event History In Action on Sunday, September 8, 1996, volunteers from over the years will be recognized by Federal and Provincial governments for their outstanding contributions contributions to the Pickering Museum Village. The Pickering Museum Village Village Advisory Committee is looking for any volunteers who have been missed in the search. If you have not received any information, but were a volunteer volunteer at either site, please contact contact the Pickering Museum Village Village at (905) 683-8401. This is the Celebration of our 35th Anniversary, we do not want to miss anyone, we want to make it complete. Thank you Lynn Vickers Pickering, Ontario I bet more than a few heads turned to sec what exactly exactly was stuck in Gillian's Firefly on Friday night. We went up to Paddy's Market to buy a stove for the house. We thought we'd either either get a scratch V dent job or one that would last a couple of years. Well, we got a nice scratch V dent -- and slapped down more than a few hundred dollars. Then there was the question question of getting it home. The woman who sold us the stove noted they could deliver deliver it on Tuesday -- a bad day for both of us at work, since we both work at newspapers. newspapers. And it was the day after after the long weekend, which always means headache day. So, we hemmed and hawed, and then the saleswoman saleswoman suggested we Lake it home. Gillian was keen, but I had my doubts. After all, this was not like taking a Christmas tree home. For one thing, a stove is a lot heavier. First the oven door was taken off it. (That's the door of the stove, not the car, we're talking about.) Then the drawer was removed. The elements were taped down, and all the knobs removed. Then, two strong-looking guys put it into the back end of the Firefly. We padded it up with a couple of sweaters we happened to have on hand Many food banks are short of food this summer. I was just thinking, the city could donate unused land for garden plots for needy people. When I flew to Holland I noticed a lot of these plots being being donated. In the town where I was bom there was a big piece of land and it was slated five years later for a sports complex. It was used till then, for garden plots free of charge. People can grow vegetables, vegetables, freeze or preserve them, and use them during the winter and we tied down the hatchback. hatchback. It was an interesting drive back home in the Friday night long weekend traffic. Wc got a lot of strange looks from travellers who went whizzing by. I admit we were going slow -- about 60 kph, but wc weren't about to see the stove popping out of the back end. , When we got home, wc took the stove out of the car and moved it into the house. While it took a lot longer to get in to the house than the guys who used a dolly to get it out of the store, we figure we did pretty well. It took us less than 20 minutes to move it. On Sunday, we came into the Canadian Tire store to get some eaves-troughing, Yes, we put that into the Firefly as well. About two feet stuck out the back end of the hatch back as I held onto the almost two-foot portion that stuck out of the passenger window. That, too, was an interesting drive home. It's kind of funny. When we bought the house, we thought we were going to have to buy a small truck to do all the carting around we've been doing. I guess it just goes to show you, that a Firefly, some ingenuity ingenuity and some rope can take you a long way. And how was your weekend? weekend? months. These would be satisfying to grow, a lot more nutritious and give a person some self worth. It works in Holland, I am sure it could work here. Herman van der Veen Oshawa, Ont. EDITOR'S NOTE: Community Community garden plots were introduced introduced in Bowmanville for the first time this year. However, However, a small fee has been charged for folks interested in using a plot. Restructuring Council Letter to the Editor Garden Plots Thoughts Unlimited Gord's Back Hi Rick, Well! I guess one must never say never 'eh? You know, contrary to what you may think, I would guess that you and I would agree on most of the basics. I am not as radical as you believe. Let me tell you exactly what Mike Harris and his wrecking crew said by way of the Common Sense Revolution document, which was of course their election promise. I quote, "A Fair Share health care levy will be collected through the provincial income tax, with the rich paying more than the middle- class, and people making less than $50,000 a year will pay nothing. At $50,000 the levy will be $100, Under this plan, there will be NO user fees." What they should have done with the drug user fees is to make them collectable under the provincial provincial income tax. If they had done that, the small druggist would then be able to compete with the chains who arc now offering to forgo their $2 minimum charges. I like you and many others, always always thought that income tax information information was the most guarded document handled by government. What next? Perhaps a look sec at by Rick James political contributions to see who supports whom! Well, you never can tell what the next move will be once you have gained access to "the form." Cheers, Gord. R.J. -- As I and many other people people said after the last election, Gord, you were the right guy in the wrong party. Now, being a prominent citizen of Orono and having saved the Tree Nursery from closure once, what do you think of my plan for trying to preserve it? Read on... Save the Tree Nursery With the news that the Orono Tree Nursery would be sold came a number of ideas from the public for its future use. The greatest fear for local residents is residential development development on such a magnificent tract of land. But, that's unlikely since most of the land is not suitable suitable for housing. The most popular idea circulating circulating is a botanical garden, similar to Cullen Gardens. That's not a bad idea for a portion of the available 1,300 acres if someone is interested interested in assuming the risk and reward of such a project. But, one idea that 1 think would be perfect for about 200 acres of the property is a golf course. Now before you start throwing golf balls through my windows, think about what a golf course needs and the resources that would be preserved at the Orono Tree Nursery. A large portion of the trees would stay and the hilly terrain would add character to the course. The sandy soil is ideal for drainage and construction. The creeks and ponds would be used to create signature signature holes and provide irrigation. irrigation. And most important of all, it's only a few minutes from my house! Okay, scratch that last part from the plan. Contrary to popular belief, golf courses are environmentally friendly. In fact, many top courses work closely with organizations like C.L.O.C.A. and wildlife societies, societies, Provincial ministries also set strict guidelines for fertilizer and pesticide use. As part of the course design, nature nature paths could be included in the layout to give access to the public. Part of the splendor of any golf course is the landscaping that enhances enhances the playability. Although I'm taking it to the extreme, Augusta National Golf Club is more manicured and beautiful than most parks and gardens. The only drawback to my plan is money and talent. It costs big bucks to build and operate a high- end golf course. It also requires a skilled golf course architect, builder, manager and professional. Just like a botanical garden, it's a great idea if someone is interested in assuming the risk and reward of such a huge project. New Meaning to "Blow Your Nose" We picked a story from The Globe and Mail last week that should start your nose twitching. Nicholas Villarrucl of Denver came close to being killed when the machine he was operating blew up in his face, lodging an explosive explosive charge in his nose. The charge was equal to five big firecrackers and is used to activate air bags in vehicles. Mr. Villarrucl was taken to a local local hospital where he was operated on partly under water because the explosive initiator is activated by air. The medical team and a member of the bomb squad wore lead-lined gowns during the delicate operation operation and successfully removed the device. After the operation, when doctors doctors asked Mr. Villarrucl to "blow his nose," he declined with thanks.