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4 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, September 18,1996 ^ 1 Elie Canadian 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 Janies, 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 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 Cameras Would Nab Lousy Drivers B ig Brother will be watching. At least, that's what will happen if a scheme for installing cameras at red lights is approved by provincial authorities. The idea is that a wee camera, strategically placed at stoplights would catch drivers in the act of running red lights. Presumably, their infraction and their licence number would be photographed and they would eventually be presented with a ticket by the authorities. The City of Mississauga and Peel Region like the idea and have sent letters to other municipalities to elicit support. Clarington councillors are among the elected officials who support the concept. But, it has to be approved by the provincial provincial government. Do you think Mike Harris and Company will have some difficulty with this plan? Keep in mind the main reason the Tories won the last election election was the issue of photo radar. There were folks who believed photo radar wasn't designed to make highways safer by nabbing morons driving at warp speed on Highway 401. Nor did they believe photo radar was designed to reduce the number of police needed to patrol the highways in search of speeders, thereby saving money and allowing the police to concentrate on more important matters. Many voters in the last election simply thought photo radar was a cash grab. They saw it as a means by which Bob Rae would suck money out of the wallets of Ontario drivers and probably spend the money on day care centres or some other "socialist indulgence." So now we come to the issue of stoplight cameras to nab drivers who think a green light means go fast; a yellow light means go faster and a red light means go like heck or else you'll have to stop for two minutes. Frankly, we don't care if Mike Harris does a flip-flop on the issue of law enforcement by video tape and puts a camera at every intersection. Sure, there will be a few bleeding hearts who will argue that such cameras infringe on their rights to speed up at intersections intersections and run over senior citizens, children or pets. Let them complain all they want. Even more people will trot out the old argument that these cameras are a cash cow. And they are exactly right. In fact, this might be the best selling point for red light cameras. (Aside from the safety issue, of course.) Running red lights is so common that if Mike Harris installs a camera at each intersection and fines everybody who breaks this law, his government will soon have more money than it knows what to do with. Alright. So, he won't use the extra cash to build day care centres, but maybe he can use the money to pay off the deficit and cut taxes. Or to build those new jails announced last week. Or to pay the doctors. Or to keep up the quality of education and health care. Fining people who run red lights is nothing more than an added tax on inconsiderate, impatient morons. Can you think of a group which is more deserving of taxes? Without putting a cop and a cruiser on every street comer, these lousy drivers will rarely be caught. The intersection camera is a pretty efficient efficient method of law enforcement. It will raise money. It will act as a deterrent. And it may save lives. And what, pray tell, is wrong with that? Too Many Lotteries? A recent Letter to the Editor received by this newspaper speculates on whether the day is coming when members of the public will be able to sit at home and indulge in video gambling gambling via television. The writer also questioned questioned whether this was a good thing for society and wondered whether the churches should take a stand against lotteries. Actually, some churches have been known to use innocuous forms of gambling such as bingos and raffles to raise money for the good of the community. But, that's beside the point. What some people worry about is whether our country is developing an unhealthy appetite for gambling and games of chance. Long ago, there were occasional draws and raffles sponsored sponsored by service clubs and perhaps a few bingo games here and there. Oh yes, there were the odd racetracks where gambling took place and occasionally someone in Canada managed to hit the jackpot in the Irish Sweepstakes. But, around the time of the Montreal Olympics, all dial began to change. There was the first-ever large scale lottery in Canada and then even more lotteries followed. More recently, we've seen the introduction of casinos. Video gambling terminals terminals arc viewed as one of the next inventions in this lucrative lucrative field. Where will it end? Will wc reach a saturation point where it won't be practical to introduce new forms gambling? Is there a co-relation between economic hard times and the tendency tendency for people to buy lottery tickets? Have wc reached the point where the only way to become a millionaire is to pick the lucky numbers at a variety store? Is nobody out there becoming becoming a millionaire by hard work, thrift, talent, and wise investments investments The fact is that human beings arc fascinated by gct-rich- qttick schemes and such dreams will guarantee customers fora goodly number of lotteries. Wc cun take some consolation in the fact that these games arc at least contributing to government government coffers or community betterment. And, if people gamble away money they can't afford, is this the fault of the lotteries and casinos or the people themselves? Perhaps future historians will be able to determine whether lotteries were a blessing or a curse. From our perspective, it's hard to tell. Reader Points out Values Of Agricultural Lifestyle Parliamentary Notebook Alex Shepherd Durham MR Life After the World Cup Dear Editor: We have read the letters to the editor on the comments made by Councillor Novak. Even though an apology has been made, we too, have some comments to make, We are appreciative appreciative of the letters from Mrs. Bowman, Mr. and Mrs. Brown, and commend them for their intelligent and thought- provoking letters referring to us as "A BUNCH OF FARMERS'*. FARMERS'*. We, too, as well as many other farmers in this area, have lived on family farms. I look out our kitchen window many times a day viewing McGill family farm where my parents lived for sixty years, and recall the happy memories of growing growing up in a rural area. The farm has raw material for uncovering unique likes and talents...a crippled pheasant pheasant that generates love for wild life, a creek pasture that keeps the outdoors within walking distance, a country fair that creates competition. Our family family have also been involved in 4-H projects. The farm is a good deal bigger and more scientific now. We, as children, had a job to do - tending farm animals animals as well as helping in many other ways...we were al ways busy. It's still a partnership partnership between parents and their families and we are proud of our heritage., My husband; was bom and raised on his farm and has lived here for 73 years. "A farm background is not be wasted," As farmers, we are also concerned with the time it has taken to complete the work on the Old Scugog road. For eight weeks the dust has been detrimental detrimental in many ways. We have farmers in our area with two excellent dairy herds and it is a concern about the dust parti- Editor: So Oshawa Councillor Nicholson, is against work- fare. Some people on assistance would love to give something back to society, even just to keep busy. Having been in the cles in the feed for our cattle. It has been suggested by the representatives representatives of the OFA to keep samples of the hay that has been put in storage. If the cattle will not eat the hay, just stop and think of the monetary loss we will have. Many residents are very upset upset over the control of dust during during this period of constmction and more comments will follow. follow. Sincerely, Ralph and Joyce Virtue EDITOR'S NOTE - Hope the dust problem can be resolved. resolved. work force for 40 years, I now do volunteer work. There arc many jobs not under the collective collective agreement begging to be filled. You always find excuses, excuses, Brian. Seniors need help looking after their homes such as painting, painting, cutting grass or snow re- Despite the World Cup of Hockey results last Saturday night, one thing is clear to me from watching the game. Canadian Canadian patriotism is still alive and well in Montreal. And it is here in Durham Riding too. Officials with Heritage Heritage Canada report this constituency constituency is in third place in Ontario Ontario in the One In A Million Flag Challenge (5,700 have been ordered). That's a lot of subscribers for the Canadian Flag and every every one of you is to be congratulated. congratulated. I apologize for the delay some of you are experiencing getting the flag, but demand has been overwhelming. It must have been alarming for Mr. Bouchard to be watching watching Saturday night, eh? Are his language police checking to see if the cheers for Team Canada Canada were in English or French? The difference between Mr. Bouchard and Team Canada is that the English and French players recognize each other's abilities and welded them into a force that took the team to the finals. That makes this team a reflection reflection of the real challenge facing Canadians. French and English have got to recognize the benefits each gives to Canada. Canada. And the flag symbolizes this. If Canada fails, it will reflect reflect people's inability to get along in the world as a whole. Years ago, before Nixon finally finally recognized mainland China, China, ping pong was used as a guise to create harmonious relationships relationships between the U.S. and China. At the time it was called ping pong diplomacy. It's pathetic to hear Mr. Bouchard say the constitution is not binding in Quebec, While Quebec didn't sign the Constitution Act 1982 they were a major partner in the creation of Canada and the moval. Helping those who have given so much themselves themselves is gratifying and fulfilling. fulfilling. Our newspapers and bulletin bulletin boards arc always advertising advertising for help and volunteers. Then some people arc givers, givers, while others will be takers British North America Act. What separatists are saying is that when the rules are against them they choose to ignore ignore the rules. Mr. Bouchard therefore believes he can ignore ignore the rale of law. And, if you ignore the mle of law on constitutional matters, matters, what does this mean for minorities in Quebec? Wasn't this the logic that started the conflict in the former Yugoslavia? Yugoslavia? We have to try and resist totalitarian totalitarian views such as Mr. Bouchard's. Mr. Galganov, who is fighting fighting for English language rights in Quebec, maybe over-zealous but he has the right to his views. It's interesting to observe observe the reaction of the separatists separatists to him. Would they, if they had the power to do so, silence him? Then there are the charges laid against some of those who helped organize last year's Montreal Rally. I'm one of the organizers who is still at large. And remember the votetampering votetampering during the referendum? referendum? This» is seen as a minor misdemeanor by the Quebec government, while unity rallies are a hideous crime. As painful as our loss Saturday Saturday night to the Americans was, we all adhere to the concept concept of fair play and the need to be judged by mutually recognized recognized standards. Maybe it's time for Canada to enter the age of hockey diplomacy diplomacy and celebrate our strength through diversity within our nation. Yes we have to meet the separatists head-on but we have to use the vitality of both French and English to do away with the menace. Let's make sure there are no more shots on goal. And, take heart! Canada won the world series twice. all their life. Please give me a break, Councillor Brian Nicholson. Nicholson. Herman Van Der Veen Oshawa. EDITOR'S NOTE - It's the cost of supervising and Implementing Implementing workfare which bothers us. Reader Savs Some Recipients of Welfare Would Welcome Opportunity to Help Out Don't Knock Workfare Proposal Rain, Rain, Go Away Hands up anyone who didn't cut their grass on Monday. If you didn't, you'd better get a goat because because it's the only thing that will trim it back to size now. After à series of rain-filled days last week, it was virtually impossible impossible to do anything outside. But, that didn't stop the grass from growing to about eight inches long in just a few days, It was long enough to force me to hike the mower deck to its highest setting, Even with that, I had to cut the lawn twice. Which brings us to the "Paradox of Grass." Wc homeowners arc not happy if our lawns arc brown and filled with weeds. So, most of us spend hundreds of dollars each season fertilizing, spraying and watering to make our lawns lush and green so wc can cut them more often and complain continuously. Doesn't that seem just a little odd? The good news is that we'll soon be able to put away the fertilizer, fertilizer, weed spray and watering cans. Wc do, however, get to replace replace them with salt and snow shovels. Taking One for the Team The award for dedication to the team this week goes to lobb ball umpire Mike Wade who went above and beyond the call of duty during a game on Monday night in Bowmanville. You would think being an umpire umpire in a lobb ball game should be reasonably safe. It usually is unless unless a disgruntled batter tosses an aluminum bat in frustration. Especially if the bat happens to be about head height. In Mike's case it was and he took it right off the cheekbone. Within a few minutes, it was visibly swollen and no doubt Mike's head was pounding. But, with the help of an ice pack he completed the game. No doubt, the players appreciated appreciated the effort. I remember years ago taking pictures at a Bowmanville Sr. A. hardball game at Soper Creek Park when a similar incident occurred. Bowmanville catcher Jim Burtch was wearing a mask, but helmets were not in style yet. The opposing batter took a mighty swing, producing producing an even bigger follow- through. The bat hit Jim in the back of the head with a huge crack that laid him out flat. I vaguely remember remember that lie only suffered a concussion. But, one thing I'll never forget is the sound that echoed through Soper Creek Park when the bat made contact. During my days as a baseball catcher, 1 used to play against hard hitting Bobby Shunt/.. Instead of stepping forward to hit the hall, Bobby used to step back. I learned the hard way to give him extra room behind the plate after he hit my glove out to the pitcher's mound. Fortunately, my hand wasn't still in it, although it certainly certainly felt like it was. I remember how much that hurt. I don't even want to think about taking a bat in the head. Harpooned on the Highway If you'd like something even more dangerous, check out how police officers in Helsinki arc dealing with speeders and drunk drivers. They're harpooning them. Police in Finland have developed developed a harpoon that mounts on the police cruiser's front bumper. During a pursuit, the police car rams the suspect vehicle from behind, behind, Hydraulic-operated barbs lock in place, allowing the vehicle to be stopped by the cruiser. If that doesn't seem James Bondish enough for you, the police police can also release tear gas through the harpoon if the getaway driver refuses to surrender. The one metre long harpoon swivels so it can be aimed for a precise hit and is equipped with infrared infrared sights for night use. Docs that sound safe to you? I don't think so, But, I can tell you one thing's for sure. If I'm ever in Finland, you can bet 1 won't be renting an old Ford Pinto. Bish is Retiring After 45 Years Take a good look at the masthead masthead on our Editorial page this week because it's the last time you'll see Plant Manager Don Bishop's name there. He's decided to "go fishing" after 45 years at The Statesman. Actually, he turned 65 in June, but stuck around until late August to give us a hand through the vacation vacation season. I tried to convince him to stay longer, but lie tells me that he wants to finally get rid of that wicked slice lie hits on the golf course. Now, there's a challenge! To say we'll miss him is a huge understatement. You couldn't have asked for a more dedicated and hard-working employee. He always always put the company's interest ahead of his own. Well, there was that missing staple gun incident, but, what's one staple gun in 45 years? When you consider that he worked at The Statesman longer than most of our staff's heen alive, he will always be known as a close friend to our family. Thanks, Bish and happy retirement retirement to you, Betty and the rest of your family, As for the slice, forget it. I'm not showing you how to get rid of it unless you come back to work!