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4 The Canadian Statesman, Boxvmanville, Wednesday, August 14,1996 file Catiabtan 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. VV., Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9 905-623-3303 Internet - statesman@ocna.org Fax 905-623-6161 HOURS: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m, until 5:00 pan. 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 Ward Boundaries Weaken Community All we would ask of any scheme to rc-align the ward boundaries boundaries of Claringlon is that the boundaries attempt to recognize the make-up of traditional communities within this municipality. municipality. But, why should anybody care where Claringlon's elected officials draw the lines on the town's electoral map? Isn't this pretty boring stuff? Well, let's put it litis way: If the boundaries of our wards arc drawn without any sensitivity sensitivity to Claringlon's communities, we could sec neighbourhoods neighbourhoods split up and some geographic areas left without much say in local politics. When you put it that way, the drawing up of ward boundaries becomes more than an academic exercise. First, let's review what the existing ward boundaries happen happen to be. When the Durham Region was founded in 1974, our municipality was called the Town of Newcastle. Its wards coincided coincided with the historic political divisions already existing in the municipality. Ward One consisted of former Darlington Township. Ward Two consisted of the old Town of Bowmanville. Bowmanville. Ward Three was the old Clarke Township, with its major communities of Newcastle and Orono. A few years ago, the name was changed to Claringlon, but the wards of Darlington, Bowmanville and Clarke (or Wards one, two and three) remained unchanged. Since 1974, much has happened. For one thing, Courlicc has appeared at the western boundaries boundaries of old Darlington Township. Bowmanville has grown in leaps and bounds, as has the village of Newcastle. Also, the new Wilmot Creek retirement community has emerged. Wards have to be re-adjusted to reflect new realities. Unfortunately, we can see few advantages to die ward system system which Claringlon Council favors. Under this scheme, the municipality would be divided into four wards. Bowmanville would be split along Liberty St., with the area to the west becoming part of Ward Two and the area east of Liberty St. becoming part of Ward Three. Moreover, Moreover, the wards would not just include Bowmqnvillc's urban area. They would extend north to the border of Manvcrs Township and south as far as Lake Ontario. This re-distribution of the wards fails to recognize the unique features of this municipality, dividing the town as if it were all one urban unit and not a place consisting of urban, rural rural and small hamlets. For example, the new wards-in which Bowmanville finds itself also include large amounts of rural territory and places such as Hampton, Enniskillen, Tyrone and Burkcton. Does it really make sense to pub Burkcton in the ' same ward as Bowmanville? Can one person speak for both the rural and urban areas when their needs arc often so different? different? The proposed new wards have the virtue of ensuring that each of the town's political jurisdictions has about the same number of voters. And, by going from three wards to four, • there is the added advantage being able to give each of the two regional councillors responsibility for two wards. But, surely there arc other options. Claringlon will be a weaker municipality if individual neighbourhoods and urban areas are no longer recognized and if we are to become a melting pot of urban, rural and semi- rural communities. Park Has Potential Since James Publishing was a co-sponsor ol last 1 hurs- day's concert in the Rotary Park, we are less than objective about this topic. Nevertheless, it seems to us that die large crowd in attendance attendance proves that the tradition of weeknight concerts in a municipal park can be revived. Upwards of 300 were in attendance. attendance. And, dial number could go even higher in the future, if concerts such as these become a regular event. The park certainly certainly has the capacity to hold a large number of spectators. This could be the start of something big. But, the park concerts need our support if they are to become become a summer tradition. Midnight Madness Strikes Bowmanville ^1 Æ'i&M Laura J. Richards - Jkui Statesman Staff Letters to the Editor CHAMP Thanks Dear Editor: The War Amps and its Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program Program would like to thank you for your recent article about the Bowmanville Mall and A&P's donation presented to PLAYS AFE Manager Rob Larman and Champ Jamie Jordan Jordan on behalf of the Association. Association. Since 1975, the CHAMP Program has provided financial assistance for artificial limbs and counselling to child amputees amputees and their families. Through CHAMP, amputees also benefits from special recreational recreational devices that enable them to participate in sports and other activities along with their peers. We would also like to commend commend the A&P staff for their generosity. The money raised will go towards the purchase of new artificial limbs for Champs in Ontario. The War Amps is funded solely through public support of the Key Tag and Address Label Service. Those who wish to order Key Tags or Address Labels can do so by accessing The War Amps Web site on the Internet at http:// www.waramps.ca or by using E-ZEE ACCESS: telephone toll-free 1-800-268-8821 or fax toll-free 1-800-219-8988. Sincerely, H.C. Chadderton, OC, O.Ont., DCL, LLD Chief Executive Officer Praise for Edenfest Dear Editor: It was so refreshing to read Carson Elliott's positive and uplifting letter regarding Edenfest. Edenfest. It was also, I might add, a relief to know 1 wasn't the oldest oldest one there! V Clarington's influential figures figures have now realized the economic economic importance of this very special event, but never, until now, have I heard any one of them mention just how much FUN, it was! After 20 years of commuting commuting to Toronto to view world- class musical entertainment, what a thrill it was to simply drive 10 minutes to enjoy some of today's most exciting bands. For myself, dancing on a beautiful summer night, in communion (for once!) with my teenage sons, was truly a memory that will last a lifetime. lifetime. Pauline Hammerstrom Newcastle EDITOR'S NOTE: Evidently the concert appealed to all ages. How would you divide up Claringlon to ensure that everyone everyone is equally represented? Well, by the time you read this column, Claringlon councillors councillors will have already made up their minds. During interviews with various councillors bodi on and not on die Restructuring Committee, it was easy to recognize that they were leaning leaning towards one of four options. options. The option they arc leaning leaning towards splits up Bowmanville Bowmanville and elongates it from the beach to Boundary Road in the north. While it is only a ward designation, this is going to hinder the growth of community community spirit in Bowmanville and will ensure that only the urban areas arc represented. So, what about the agricultural agricultural sector of this municipality? municipality? I remember how former Chair Gary Hcrrcma of Durham Durham Region would tell farmers farmers at agricultural meetings that dicy had to stand up for themselves. He told them that if they didn't stand up, no one would do it for them. Who arc the rural people? Why they're the folks who live, along the Concession Roads, in the liny hamlets, and those who own the 400 to 500 acre farms with their families. Some have hobby farms and work in Oshawa or Toronto or elsewhere. A person who represents the rural sector of the municipality municipality should be one who is aware of the different issues. And, what arc rural issues? issues? One of the major rural issues, issues, is land use. It seems everyone and their dog has an idea to develop develop or dig up the rural landscape landscape to cither industrialize or urbanize it. Some politicians and developers developers only sec agricultural land as a 'sub-division waiting waiting to happen.' Ugh! Other people sec agricultural agricultural land as woodlols or as garbage dumps. The spending of taxes from rural residents is another another issue. Rural folks do. pay for the parks, streets, street lighting and sewers that those in urban areas get and use. However, for the most part, the same rural people do not get to use the parks in the urban areas. The proposed ward system would basically leave former Clarke Township as it is, but split up the former Darlington Township into three almost equal north to south slivers and Bowmanville into two pieces. Docs that make any sense? The councillors were so concerned concerned about not breaking up Courlicc, yet, Bowman- yillc...well, it seems Bowmanville Bowmanville will be losing out-- again. Perhaps, that is what the politicians wanted to do. But, is that what you want? Let your councillors know how you think about the issue at 623-3379. Amazing Band Performance at Mosport Concert Dear Editor I would like to extend my congratulations and thanks to the organizers and promoters of Eden Musicfcst. They put on an excellent concert and I was very impressed by how smoothly the whole weekend went. The bands' performances were amazing, and it was such an experience to see so many groups at one time, in such a large venue. I met people from all over Canada and the United States, and everyone I met was friendly and having a great time, and this contributed to an awesome sense of community. The S.I.S. Event Security staff are to be commended as well - I couldn't get over how friend ly and helpful those working • around the stage were to us. In that area, where injuries can easily happen in the mosh pit, they kept us in good spirits, joking around, handing out ice and water, and watching out for us. We returned in kind by helping them lift people out of the crowd when necessary. All weekend, we were encouraged encouraged to "look out for each other" by the organizers and security guards, and I watched this happen over and over. I know there were some incidents incidents that occurred, but I suppose suppose that in a crowd of 50,000 people there are always a few jerks who try and ruin things for everyone else. However, the police and security who I talked to were amazed that in a crowd of that size the number of occurrences wasn't higher. Even though Mr. Dorst was unable unable to secure surprise guests fro us Sunday night, I left Mosport Mosport on Monday morning totally totally satisfied with the bands I had seen, the people I had met and the piece of history I had been a part of. So, a great big thank-you goes from me to the organizers, organizers, promoters, security and po lice, Claringlon Council for allowing allowing this event to take place, and the surrounding residents for putting up with the extra noise and other discomforts of the weekend. Thank-you, and I hope I can return to Eden Musicfcst Musicfcst in 1997. Sincerely, Alicia Fogarty Enniskillen, Ontario EDITOR'S NOTE: It sounds as if the concert had very few dissatisfied customers. Maybe Maybe it will return in 1997. Thoughts Unlimited Edenfest Keeps Drawing Rave Reviews Although it occurred more than a month ago, our office is still receiving phone calls and letters to the editor about the huge success success of Edenfest. In this week's edition of the Statesman, there are at least three letters singing the praises of the concert and the economic benefits it brought to Claringlon. But, the rave reviews are not limited to local local music fans who ventured to Mosport to be part of the week-end. In the July 15th edition of the Detroit Free Press, columnist Brian McCollum devoted an entire column to Edenfest. He wrote, "The music at Eden Musicfcst wasn't stellar. The food was expensive. expensive. And there was enough dust kicked up from the sandy mosh pit to choke a moose. But, Eden got awfully close to rock paradise this week-end." He continued, "In a summer that's shaping up as the concert industry's worst moneymaker moneymaker in ages,- Eden emerged as the largest rock event in North America so far this year." He makes little mention of the economic impact it had on Claringlon, but I can remember remember trying to drive through one of the local coffee shops on the Sunday evening of the concert. The place was packed and a very tired employee stuck her head out of the kiosk saying, "This is nuts. We've been going non-stop since Thursday." As for noise in the neighborhood, I spoke to a resident who lives near Mosport to see if their windows were rattling. Surprisingly, the - by Rick James homeowner told me he can hear the race cars more than the rock concert. Considering there were only five complaints complaints lodged during the entire event, and the impact of the mini-economic boom it brought to our community, opponents of the concert will have a difficult time blocking Edenfest '97. Door to Door Salespeople Have No Limits Ding...dong! It's another door-to-door salesperson pushing their wares through your front door while you're trying to cook supper and change the baby's diaper all in one motion. motion. We get our fair share of pushy salespeople coming to the door trying to sell their widgets widgets and gizmos, not to mention the regular troop of kids who arc always selling something something for a school trip. But, on Saturday, I was interrupted by the rudest, most inconsiderate, inconsiderate, obnoxious, pushy pair of door-to-door salespeople imaginable. Kim, Morgan, Maverick and I were sitting in our backyard, while Miranda was having her afternoon nap. We had our hack to the house when two male voices said, "Hello folks, how arc you today?" I didn't have my glasses on and couldn't see who was speaking. Maverick went nuts and shifted into "rip your throat out" mode. I called him back, but felt like letting him go after the two ding-dongs made their pitch about pre-packaged frozen food. Especially, after they wouldn't leave when requested to do so. It wasn't until after they left that I realized realized they had come through the garage to get into the backyard. That's the last time the garage door stays up, even when we arc home. Incredibly, they came back the next night to sec if we might have changed our minds. At least this time, they came to the front door. Now I had something I could slam in their face ! Luck was on their side, however, when they invaded our backyard. They could have made their surprise sales pilch when Kim was soaking up some rays in her bathing suit. Even I don't step into the backyard unannounced unannounced when she's sunbathing. If they had, they wouldn't have to worry about the dog. Beware of its female owner! Worth the Trip to Newcastle The next time you're out for a drive, take a tour down to the Newcastle Marina. It's magnificent magnificent and charming. We've been working closely with The Kaitlin Group on the development planned for the area, giving us an opportunity to visit the area frequently. It's a hidden gem of a harbour and waterway that most people don't even know exists. The Port of Newcastle is also a source of information for history buffs looking for early developments in the area. Go south on Mill Street in Newcastle, under under the train bridge and then turn right, Follow the signs and enjoy the view. And Still More Praise For Edenfest Concert To: statesman@ocna.org The ideas and notions that Edenfest was a non-useful, non-practical event are totally absurd. These claims are not founded founded in any objective truths, but merely are expressions of subjective subjective elitism. In fact, Edenfest was actually one of most important cultural events to happen in this decade and we should all be proud that it put our little piece of "paradise" "paradise" on the global map. Music festivals play a vital role in the development of cultural cultural values and concerns of a people, especially this one which was promoted globally via Internet communications. Aside from the fact dial music brings enjoyment to our everyday everyday lives, it also transmits and preserves our culture's customs, customs, collusiveness and solidarity. solidarity. The individuals who attended Edenfest were of all ages, race, creed and nationality. No one was there under protest. Just as we need food and shelter to survive, wc also need to nourish and exercise our creative, active minds. While others have opted out of the human race, for whatever whatever reasons, they should not condemn those who enjoy these kinds of socially interactive interactive and participatory events which contribute so much to the well-being and significance of our lives. Face it. For the young and die young at heart, music festivals festivals arc fun and the more people the better die event. Also, in today's society where cvcrydiing from your job, to your government is unstable, you can always look to music as being solid. Musicians today arc shaping and interpreting the physical world into die myths and folklores folklores of tomorrow. And, just as you should not judge a book by its cover, you certainly shouldn't judge a group by its name. Bands like Porno For Pyros have contributed and donated diousands of dollars toward AIDs research, and their lyrics communicate with young people people the social and moral values of protected sex and love as the basis for a human relationship. You can also look to other bands with strange names like the Barcnakcd Ladies or the Grateful Dead and conclude that names have nothing to do with die content of those artists endeavors. There is an enormous variety of forms and modes of artistic expression in this world. If wc could all just accept the beauty of each one, what a wonderful world it would be. Sincerely, Karla Ingleton Bowmanville. EDITOR'S NOTE: Where do those bunds get their names, anyhow?