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4 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, November 27, 1996 II)e 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 Internet - statesman @ ocna.org Fax 905-623-6161 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, Sharon Cole, Laurens Kaldeway, Doug Lugtenburg, 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 School Demolition T he survival of the old Newcastle Public School building amounts to a million-dollar question. A million dollars is the amount school officials estimate that it would cost to update the old building and make it suitable for present-day use. So, the first question that must be asked in any bid to restore the building is a financial one. Is there any group, organization, private company or government agency which might want to spend that kind of money or raise those dollars in order to keep the building? But, a number of other questions also arise. For one thing, there is the issue of whether another land use at the old school property would be compatible with the neighbouring school- yard. Even if there was a potential user for the school, trustees would want to make certain that traffic, for example, did not interfere with the new school nearby or, for that matter, the surrounding surrounding homes. Moreover, there is the question of whether ihe land on which the old school sits should become part of the playground for the new school. Plans call for the playground to be extended once the old school is demolished. If the school and surrounding property such as the parking lot are to be retained, is there other nearby land which could be used as part of the Newcastle Public School playground? The next question is whether or not a suitable tenant or buyer for the property could be found. Durham College has been cited as an organization that might be interested in using this building for a satellite campus. But, given the cutbacks facing all educational systems, could Durham be expected to expand its programs into Newcastle? What other organizations -- public or private --- might be interested in the building? Another question which needs to be àddressed is the historical historical value of the building. If the 100-year-old landmark has some significant architectural features, there may be a more compelling reason to keep it. Who knows, there may still be funds available to help preserve historic buildings. But, so far, there are more questions than answers. A number of Newcastle residents believe the building should be preserved. They deserve a fair hearing before the building is bulldozed. In this community, there have been too many occasions when our architectural heritage has been sacrificed sacrificed in the name of progress and modernity. In view of concerns in the community, the Northumberland and Clarington Board of Education has agreed to extend the time limit on the demolition of the building. In the meantime, the school's supporters must get together and try to answer some of the above questions. If the responses are favorable, it may still be possible to save the school.. T he provincial government may not have turned its back on workfare yet. But, it is certainly starting starting to waver a little as it considers how to implement implement the scheme. Although workfare sells itself well from the election podiums, it is a bit of a nightmare to implement and enforce without hiring hiring social workers and civil servants by the truckload. The provincial minister in charge of social services has made a speech which was considered to show a softening of the government stance on workfare. However, the speech only said that the government was committed to the idea, although not every aspect of workfare would apply to everyone. Or words to that effect. The remarks were enough to send the Durham Regional Council back to a committee to review the latest government government stance and perhaps to try and find out if the proposal is supposed to be compulsory or voluntary or somewhere in between. Maybe Regional councillors are hoping that if the scheme moves to the realm of voluntary work-for-benefits, they can approve workfare and avoid the ongoing controversy over whether the concept is taking away individual freedoms, stealing stealing legitimate jobs, etc. etc. But, Durham's elected officials should not get their hopes up. There isn't going to be a clear answer to the question because it's a political hot potato. The provincial government is going to remain committed to workfare in theory while being, in practical terms, unable to implement the concept in any far-reaching and universal fashion. Sometimes, political questions just don't have a clear answer. Many politicians prefer it that way. Area Churches Help Those Less Fortunate Dear Editor: In his column recently, the local local MPP, John O'Toole, loaded up on church leaders who call for social justice, to put up or shut up by forgoing any purchases purchases of items that enhance worship, and spend the money to feed the hungry. What an affront! affront! I am not aware of any church not involved in helping those less fortunate. All United Churches, of which 4 am familiar, familiar, collect millions each year for their Mission and Services funds that work miracles among the poor and needy. Local Local churches have always seen to it that needy families get taken care of in a special way at Christmas. All the local churches in the riding of Durham East, represented represented by Mr, O'Toole, collect food for the hungry in the church every week. If Mr. O'Toole has such a concern over how an organiza tion disposes of their funds why doesn't he turn his attention attention to those who have really big money at their disposal. Why doesn't he launch his attack attack and innuendo toward the banks? Surely they have cash to spare! Why doesn't he tell big-business that they shouldn't be buying things for the business but should be giving giving that money to feed the hungry? hungry? Of course you will never hear Mr. O'Toole direct snide remarks remarks at anything associated with business, after all that's who the Mike Harris crowd arc there to represent, As for asking asking for people who want their taxes increased to give him a call, I for one and many like me, would tell Mike Harris to stuff his tax cuts, and use those lax cuts for the rich to feed the poor. Now that would be really something to shout about. Sincerely, Gordon Mills l_J 1 1 LI i V r NEWS ITEM: Parents want input into education reforms proposed by John Snobelen • Those Flashing Lights Outlook Laura J. Richards Statesman Staff Have you ever driven by a stopped school bus, just as the lights began flashing? Do you feel guilty for doing doing so? Tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 28, marks the second reading of a private member's member's bill at Queen's Park to amend the Traffic Control Act to stiffen fines and make it easier to prosecute those who fail to stop. The bill was introduced by MPP Pat Hoy (Liberal - Es- sex-Kent) in response to the number of deaths in Ontario caused by inattentive drivers passing school buses discharging discharging children. Hoy wants to amend the Highway Traffic Act. His amendment would stiffen penalties for the owners of vehicles which disobey the law requiring drivers to stop for school buses. This would get through the message that it doesn't matter who did it, it is your car and you are responsible for it. Even though you weren't weren't driving it at the time.. The bill calls for the doubling doubling of the existing fine for first offences to between $500 to $1,000. Subsequent offences would cost $2,000 to $3,000. Over the past five years about 11 children have died and more than 80 children have been injured in Ontario by drivers who failed to stop for school bus warning lights. It makes you stop to think, doesn't it? On Friday morning, as I was coming into work, I drove for part of the way behind behind a school bus. It kept stopping along the way, putting putting on the flashing lights but no kids were getting on. After about 10 minutes and about six to seven stops, I began to feel a bit teed-off. I began to think about how to get around the bus, because the bus would speed up along the broken lines and slow down along the solid lines. I was frustrated, as were the vehicles behind me. Being Being slightly paranoid, I began to wonder if they thought I was the problem, not the bus in front of us. When the bus driver final ly pulled to the side of the road to let us by, (which they really don't have to do) I bet I wasn't the only one feeling more than a little peeved. It makes you think, that perhaps given the right/ Dear Editor: Allan Rocke, our Justice Minister, has completely lost his sense of direction. He believes in the soft policy towards criminals. It pays to commit a crime. Yes folks!, we now have a great place for them. In Kingston, Ontario, the taxpayers of this great-forgiving great-forgiving nation have built a village for criminals. Criminals have their own home with nice trees and lights. Come on over, criminal neighbour, and watch the hockey hockey game at my place! What a life those criminals have! Christmas is coming up. Will wrong set of circumstances, any one of us, could have broken the rules and headed around the bus when it stopped to put on its flashing lights. Let's hope the private member's bill will pass its second reading tomorrow. This bill affects everyone from drivers to parents to children and it needs to be dealt with. According to a message left on my desk on Monday, Durham East MPP John O'Toole will be supporting the school bus safety bill. Thanks, John! they get the frozen turlceys at 89 cents a pound, or arc they flying in fresh ones for them at 2.89 a pound? This is total lunacy. They have completely gone made with reasoning and with reality. We, as a society, have to rethink our priorities on crime and punishment. We do not need Club Mods, Mr. Rocke! We need a deterrent like jails and forced labour that punishes those who break our laws. You are now completely destroying our sense of security!!!! security!!!! Herman van derveen, ■ Oshawa, Ont. Why Save The School? Dear Editor: While it is easy to understand understand that both Ms Richards and the members of this committee committee have strong feelings for the history of the old school building in Newcastle Village, it is very difficult for me to understand understand the many justifications justifications given for saving the building. a) If the School was worth bringing up to code and updating, updating, you must believe that the Board of Education and the Ministry of Education would have the students still in that building. In this time of cutting and slashing of budgets it would be difficult to believe that the new building was built when it was not needed. b) The building was offered to several groups prior to the decision to demolish being made. There wasn't anyone who felt the building was worth saving. Not one group, organization etc. wanted the old building due to the cost involved involved in making it habitable. c) If this is such a fine, historical historical building why does it not have historical designation? d) It has been mentioned that there is a need in the village village for space for groups to meet and for meetings to be held. The village does have a Community Hall that is not used to its fullest capacity every every night of the week. The village village also has the old Massey House. This is a beautiful old building that right now is sitting sitting empty. Perhaps the members members of this committee would like to find the funds to rent this building for meetings etc. This is truly a "Historical Building" and it is not being used. e) Ms Richards: As a parent parent of two children that attend Newcastle Public School I do not want to see this old building building saved at the expense of our baseball diamond and two soccer soccer pitches. Indeed, many schools did not have the facilities facilities for physical education in years past, and now we are dealing with at least one generation generation of people that are physically physically inactive and tend to be obese. Physical Education is recognized as an important part of learning. Just because something was good enough during our time doesn't mean it was actually good enough. f) Finally, the School Board Trustees were indeed elected by the people and I will be keeping a close eye on the progress of this issue. I would be very disappointed to think that our School Board Trustees are somewhat less than forward forward thinking. While it is important important to recognize the importance importance of our past (which is represented in the design of the new school), it is more important important not to do this at the expense expense of our future--the children. children. Yours truly, Cathy Abraham Soft Policies Aid Criminals Thoughts Unlimited by Rick James -- -- Baby Boomers Getting Older Just when you thought there was an organization organization or interest group for just about everything, everything, six middle-aged families have united to form Canadian Baby Boomers Inc. , The mandate of the organization is to protect and improve the rights and lifestyles of Canada's 9.8 million baby boomers. To qualify as a "Boomer," you must have been born!between born!between 1947 and 1965. After World War II, birth rates rose dramatically dramatically in many parts of the world. This phenomenon phenomenon was due partly to the soaring economy and the widespread feeling of hope brought by the war's end. Also, quite frankly, couples made up for lost time when the boys came home ! In most countries, this birth spurt lasted only three to six years. But, in the United States, New Zealand and Canada, the boom lasted for nearly two decades. In fact, Canada had the largest per capita baby boom of all. One third of Canadians arc boomers and for the reason alone, everyone sits up and takes notice notice when boomers become intrigued with an idea, product or cause. According to the group's president, "We boomers have been used to calling the shots. To date we've never been very interested in joining joining groups or associations. Suddenly, however, we find that we're facing an uncertain future for both ourselves and our children." The organization's news release goes on to say that baby boomers need representation to address such issues ns companies downsizing, and governments cutting back on health care just as boomers arc reaching middle age. Many of them are confused and bewildered about how and when they're going to retire...and if they will be able to afford it. Beyond an advocacy role, Canadian Baby Boomers Inc. has arranged group discounts for members on a wide variety of products and services. services. These include financial services; insurance insurance (life, disability, home and auto), travel, computers, and buying, leasing or renting automobiles. automobiles. Until recently, baby boomers needed no such special representation. They have been the focus focus of Canada's social and marketing fabric for almost half a century. They were responsible for a renewed interest in babies and baby products, products, an explosion in our education system, the workplace, the real estate and automobile markets. markets. Because of their sheer numbers and earning earning power, they have been the target of a wide range of marketers. Although boomers are defined ns anyone bom between 1947 and 1965, the CBB1 breaks the group down even further. Leading the way arc the Senior Boomers, those born after 1947. They arc described ns having done pretty well for themselves. They own up-scale homes, have a sound investment portfolio and most arc firmly firmly entrenched in solid careers. These "front- end" boomers got there first during a period of flourishing economic times. Next come the Middle Boomers. Those born in the latter part of the 1950s are generally in good shape, but did not fare as well. Generally, most members of this boomer sub-group have managed to buy a house, but it's in the suburbs and the value crashed during the early 1990s. Most have a career, but arc stalled on a corporate corporate ladder clogged with older boomers still 15 to 20 years from retirement. Bringing up the rear arc the Junior Boomers. These 2.6 million boomers were born between 1960 and 1966. They have it the toughest and, according to the CBBI, they face the same problems as Generation Xcrs. Many arc still living with their parents because they have jobs, not careers, and few have any savings. So, how do I feel about this new organization organization and the challenges facing Canada's Baby Boomers? Despite being born smack in the middle of 1958,1 don't have one ounce of sympathy sympathy for the organization or the members it's trying to represent. At a time when many Canadians arc worried about being able to afford food, clothing and shelter, this organization is offering discounts for travel and new cars. Even the poor Junior Boomers arc stuck in jobs, not careers, while the Senior Boomers arc wasting away in their up-scale homes. I'm surprised the CBBI didn't include a 1-800 number boomers could phone if they were having trouble finding parts for their two BMWs in the driveway. Quit your whining and get off your butt. Assume some responsibility for the future. It's tough to feel sorry for a section of society that was given every opportunity to succeed, but worried more about having fun today than planning planning for tomorrow,