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4 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, October 2, 1996 She Canabtan 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 - Rick James Plant Manager - Rick Patterson Ad. Manager - Brian G. Purdy Editor - Peter Parrott Production Supervisor - Ralph Rozema, Suzanne Bennett, Laurens Kaldeway, Doug Lugtenburg, Sharon McMullen, Barb Patterson, Jim Snoek, Vance Sutherland, Jim Tuuramo Advertising Editorial Laverne Morrison Brad Kelly, Lorraine Manfredo, Laura J. Richards Office Supervisor - Angela Luscher, Junia Hodge, Grace McGregor, Nancy Pleasance-Sturman, Marilyn Rutherford, Sharilyn Carnegie Cautious Approach To Workfare Issue D urham Region is taking a predictably cautious view of "workfare." Elected officials arc holding holding a meeting in Whitby on October 15th to gauge public opinion. But, even before the meeting is held, the outcome is predictable. If regional councillors ever get around to taking a vote on the question, they'll probably cast their vote according according to party lines. Those with a philosophical commitment to the Common Sense Revolution will agree with workfare. The rest will try to put as much distance as possible between themselves themselves and the concept. It is unlikely that any new ideas will come out of the October 15 meeting. But, there is a compromise which just might be possible if anybody wants to put aside politics long enough to look at it. A compromise is desperately needed because Mike Harris and his colleagues are dreaming in technicolor if they believe they can give every able-bodied welfare recipient a work assignment. A few pilot projects might be possible, here and there. But the logistics of matching all eligible social assistance recipients with a job are staggering. These workers would have to be supervised. Job assignments would have to be handed out and somebody would have to ensure people went to their jobs. If they didn't show up for work, someone would have to decide whether they were absent for legitimate reasons. Given the fact that many workfare recipients would not be in a cooperative cooperative frame of mind, the costs of policing an unwilling workforce would be significant. But, aside from that, even the cost of providing these workers with transportation, tools, training and safety gear would be enormous. As one councillor mentioned in last Wednesday's regional council debate, other jurisdictions which tried workfare have discovered that for every dollar saved, it cost six dollars to implement the scheme. So, is workfare a bad idea? Not necessarily. Why not provide an incentive for citizens on social assistance assistance to willingly volunteer for so-called "workfare?" The problem with workfare, as discussed thus far, is that it uses a negative form of motivation. In other words, the provincial government is threatening to take something away if welfare recipients don't earn their benefits. A better approach might be to give welfare recipients the chance to earn additional money or perhaps vouchers for pursuing pursuing higher education if they signed up for workfare. This way, people on social assistance would have a choice and they would have the dignity of working to achieve their own goals rather than the goals of some government. The drawback to this option is that it would cost money. But, it wouldn't be nearly as expensive as the option of policing policing an unwilling army of welfare recipients locked into make- work assignments. A compromise on workfare is possible and probably desirable. desirable. But one is not likely. Both sides on the issue seem to have their minds made up and their speeches written. The battle lines are drawn and nobody is going to budge. Don't expect a compromise on the workfare issue. The battle battle lines seem to be drawn and nobody is going to budge. Just Drumming Up Business? F rankly, we can't understand why there's a problem problem if the City of Oshawa wishes to send letters to businesses in neighbouring communities inviting these businesses to set up shop in Oshawa. The existence of such letters became public knowledge knowledge last week and some members of Claringlon Council see litis kind of promotional effort as controversial. It might be argued that one community is attempting to lure business opportunities away from another. But, it seems pretty clear that the letters are aimed at encouraging businesses to locate a second operation or branch in the city. If politicians in communities outside Oshawa are serving businesses well, their hometown entrepreneurs won't be templed templed to load up the moving van when they read the letter from Oshawa. And, if it's just a matter of establishing a second shop in the neighbouring city, what could possibly be wrong with that? Local politicians should be happy when their corporate citizens are able to expand operations. As die business climate becomes more competitive, municipalities municipalities will have to drum up business wherever they can find it. And Oshawa's decision to send letters to entrepreneurs in nearby communities is simply the result of a more competitive business atmosphere. The old days when municipalities could expect to land a brand new industrial plant or office building from a large, out-of-town corporation arc all but over. (At least for the moment.) Small business people arc a growing source of commercial opportunities. We would, however, wonder just how effective a letter to out-of-town entrepreneurs would be. Nowadays, business people people arc getting so many letters outlining golden opportunities that this kind of correspondence often hits the waste-basket unread, In fact, the waste-basket is exactly where one Clarinton business person we interviewed filed his correspondence from Oshawa. There is also llic philosophical question of whether it is truly the job of a municipality to solicit business for itsclfi Or is it the job of die municipality to merely create a positive economic economic climate and let the realtors, developers, builders, bankers, and entrepreneurs do the rest? Will we eventually see the day when municipalities arc allowed to offer perks such as temporary property tax reductions reductions to companies willing to set up shop within their borders? It's a practice which sometimes occurs in U.S. states, but which isn't allowed in Ontario's towns and cities. If you want to talk about cut-throat competition, tax incentives offered by individual municipalities would certainly fall into that category. category. , , And, as for the question ol Oshawa soliciting business m neighbouring communities, if the concept works, maybe Claringlon should start mailing letters of its own. Letter to thie Editor Durham Region Made Right Decision to Call Meeting on Workfare Dear Sir: Congratulations to all those at the Durham Board of Education Education that have been instrumental instrumental in winning the prestigious Bertelsmann Award for being the best School Board in the world. Also, I would like to add my personal congratulations congratulations to the Durham Region Health and Services Committee Committee for their decision to hold a Public Forum on the pilot project project for Workfare in Durham. Councillors Edwards, Brenner, Clarke, McMaster, and Potti- carry voted to hold a public forum on this matter and they were supported by Chairman Witty and Mr. Cubilt, the two main bureaucrats who will be saddled with the consequences of a Workfare Program in Durham. Durham. The Councillors collectively collectively exercised their right, that has been given to them via the ballot box, to decide on the ex penditure of scarce financial Regional tax dollars on programs programs that Durham Region needs, and not on what is on the agenda at Queen's Park. If Queen's Park wants Workfare, let Queen's Park pay 100% of the cost of implementing it. Bravo, ladies and gentlemen, gentlemen, you have upheld the principles principles of democracy at the level level of local government, which has the most effect oh our daily lives. Your decision crossed all the political party lines and 1 for one commend your courage, courage, especially in the face of considerable intimidation from behind the scenes from our five area Tory MPP's. Queen's Park is certainly not making life very easy for the local politician. politician. Not only are the costs of social programs etc. being down loaded to the local tax payer, but Queen's Park want our taxes used to further their political agenda. There is only one tax payer. As the welfare roll has gone down in Durham by 17% over the last year, Durham Durham Region obviously doesn't have a Welfare Problem. We are handling the needs of all our citizens in a reasonably sensible and caring manner. It would be good if the readers of this letter could phone their local councillor to encourage this independent altitude altitude towards Queen's Park on any issue as well as the Workfare Workfare issue. It would also be useful useful if readers could support and participate in having a Public Fomm on Workfare and other local issues. Democracy has never been cheap, but although tyranny may be good for the "bottom line" of a balance sheet to begin with, it proves to be more expensive than democracy democracy in the long run. Yours faithfully, Gillian Mann. Outlook Laura J. Richards Statesman Staff Not for Women Only YWCA Next week, the YWCA's "Week Without Violence" will be celebrated throughout Durham Region and internationally. internationally. From Sunday, Oct. 6 to Friday, Oct. 11, the Oshawa YWCA is sponsoring sponsoring a number of activities which correspond to a "theme" day: -- SutuUuf, Oct. 6 -- A Day of Remembrance at the YWCA Adelaide House, 33 McGrigor Street, Oshawa. There will be a tree planting ceremony at 2 p.m. to remember remember the victims of violence. violence. T-shirts from The Clothesline Project will be displayed. This project has been growing in popularity as women bear witness to their personal experiences of violence. violence. -- "tttcHcUvf, Oct. 7 -- Protecting Protecting Our Youth at high schools throughout Durham. There will be discussions, videos and other presentations. presentations. -- lucutcuf, Oct. 8 -- Making Our Schools Safer at elementary schools in Durham. Durham. Students will be involved involved in discussions and signing of 'Making My School Safe' pledge cards. -- TCcttuenUaf, Oct. 9 -- Displays on the topic of Confronting Confronting Violence Against Women at the Oshawa Centre and Pickering Town Centre. A number of agencies will be represented, including those which empower women to break away from violence and where they can go for help. -- 'JHu/tAcUof, Oct. to -- Facing Violence Among Men & Replacing Violence with Sports, Recreation and Culture Culture at the YWCA gymnasium, gymnasium, 1 McGrigor Street, Oshawa. At 3 p.m. there will be demonstrations in Karate, basketball, and children's fitness fitness programming. -- "pitdcuf, Oct. 11 --■ Eliminating Racism and Hate Crime at schools throughout Durham. Students will be involved involved in discussions, looking looking at displays and videos on the topic. FOCUS The members of FOCUS, a local women's issues group, is holding an event for Women's History Month on Wednesday, Oct. 16, in Court Room #1 in the former Bowmanville Bowmanville Fire Station building building on Church Street. FOCUS, presents: A Woman's Perspective on Spirituality. This event will consist of a panel and a question question and answer period afterwards. afterwards. And, for those who feel comfortable, there will be an opportunity to participate participate in a brief connecting ritual ritual afterwards. Three interesting women will be sharing their experiences experiences in their spiritual journeys journeys for your inspiration and understanding: • Rev. Ann Tottenham of St. George's Anglican Church in Newcastle and St. Saviour's in Orono; • Thelma Van Alstyne, a Buddhist and world traveller who lives in Port Hope; and, • Melody Crowe of Aldcr- ville First Nations who applauds applauds the revitalization of her native tongue and spirituality. spirituality. Everyone is invited to attend, attend, admission is free, but donations will be accepted to cover the costs of the event. Also, all who attend are asked to bring a serving of bread or fruit or cheese to be shared in common as part of the celebration. Please also, bring a mug for liquid refreshments. refreshments. Letter to the Editor On behalf of the Tyrone Pig Sunday to cover and report on Roast Committee please accept the feast. Around 300 attended our sincere thanks for your the roast. It was a real success, coverage of our annual event. Thanks again Thanks, Peter for coming out Jane Smith r Tough Week for Old Bowmanville As our community grows larger, there seems to be fewer native Bowmanville family family names around. Unfortunately, two of the more well known names in our town suffered terrible losses in the last week with the deaths of Grant FI i n to IT, and Howie Edmondson's son, John. Most people know Howie as the popular letter carrier who practically sprinted from mailbox to mailbox. Tragically, his 27-ycar- old son, John, was killed late last week in an industrial accident. If it's possible to make matters worse, John had also just become the father of a baby girl. At 53 years of age, Grant FIintoff was probably otic of the most active and physically physically fit individuals I know. Besides playing and watching hockey with him over the years, we also spent many hours together on and off the golf course. He was well known and respected respected for his quiet and friendly manner. Unfortunately, an apparent heart attack while playing hockey on Sunday evening ended his life far too early. Our deepest sympathies are extended to both families' relatives and friends. The Rules of Cricket You may recall in last week's column that I asked interested readers to submit a brief explanation about how the game of cricket is played. Judging by the large response, there is definitely interest in the game locally, So, for everyone who wants to know all there is to know about cricket, I offer the fol lowing explanation. For those who would like a longer, but more informative, description, description, Gord Mills took up my challenge and submitted an article about the game and his experiences playing it. Cricket (as explained to a foreign visitor) You have two sides, one out in the field and one in. Each man that's in the side that is in goes out and when he's out he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out. When they arc all out the side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in out. Sometimes you get men still in and not out. When both sides have been in and out including including the not mils THAT'S THE END OF THE GAME I-IOWZAT! From the Marylebonc Cricket Club. Anyone for Cricket? by Gord Mills I have taken up the challenge from Rick to write about cricket in view of the recent Test Matches between Pakistan and India, seen extensively on TSN and beamed back to literally literally millions of cricket fans in India and Pakistan. Having been raised in England, playing the game there was as common as playing baseball is here. I had the opportunity to play cricket at the school level, village club level by Rick James and later in life, for the Canadian Forces Cricket Team which toured Western Canada in the late 1950's, in pursuit of the Fort Garry Cup. What ever your impressions arc of cricket, I can assure you it's a game full of excitement, excitement, thrills unlimited, fielding plays akin to the best Devon White catch at the SkyDomc, and bowling that would compare to pitching a no-hitter. Once you understand the rules and get your interest level up there, it's a game that you can't let go of. In the days when England was playing in a Test Match in Australia I would set the alarm in order to wake up in the early morning hours to follow the commentary from "down- under." The next day I would vow not to do that, since I could hardly keep my eyes open for the rest of the day, hut I always failed to keep my word, such was the hold cricket had on me. A cricket ground is as a rule bigger than your average baseball field. Played at the village village club level, the field is almost every time the village green. Test Matches are played at the large country cricket grounds which cover cover every county in England, The pitch, where the action takes place is 22 yards between wickets. A wicket is made up of three pieces of wood called slumps, all of the same thickness thickness and each being 28 inches in length. Sitting on top of the slumps arc the hails, which lay in a small groove. See Next Week's Column for More Details on Cricket.