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4 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, December 4, 1996 Cl)e 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 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 HOURS: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.ml For 142 Years, Our First Concern Has Been Our Community Publisher - John M. James Plant Manager - Rick Patterson Ad. Manager - Brian G. Purdy Production Assoc. Publisher - Rick James Editor - Peter Parrott Supervisor - Ralph Rozema, Suzanne Bennett, Sharon Cole, Laurens Kaldevvay, 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 On Second Thought R ecently, Ontario's Minister of Finance opted to delay a major economic announcement for Ontario. His decision prompted speculation that the provincial Tories may be less sure of the course of action which lies ahead. Perhaps, they are taking a sober second look at the long list of reforms and cutbacks which are in the works. If they are, it would be a heck of a good idea. Whenever the public goes to the polls, it elects politicians who serve two purposes. They certainly are expected to try and implement any policy or platform diat has been put forward during the election. But, they must also provide good day-to- day government, based on the latest data to come their way. And, sometimes the process of providing good, ongoing government government must take precedence over political platforms. Politicians are often justifiably criticized for failing to do what they say they'll do. But, that doesn't mean a politician must never deviate from a red book or a promise of a common sense revolution or any other political ideology. For example, if Ontario were suddenly faced with a plague, an earthquake, a war or an empting volcano, few citizens would insist that their provincial government hold to the promise of a tax cut because that's what they promised. In fact, a government would be irresponsible if it did not divert funds to help cope with the emergency at hand. While Ontario is not being asked to delay its actions due to any widespread emergency, there are thinking people in the hustings who believe the reforms introduced by the government government are too much and too fast. For example, there are individuals who would rather forego a tax cut if it meant that the Durham Region's policing budget was spared a $4.2 million cut. Much the same observation can be made in the field of health care and education. The provincial government defends its cutbacks by using the analogy of a family in debt. Provincial MPPs remind their constituents and anybody who will listen that you cannot spend more than you earn and that a family which finds itself in such a position must make sometimes painful adjustments to its spending habits. This, of course, is good, common sense advice. But, some would add that a family facing troubled times would not rush to sell all of its possessions and put its children up for adoption in order to rid itself of debt in a few weeks. Ontario must guard itself against administering an economic economic cure which is worse than the disease. Maybe that is why the Finance Minister delayed last week's economic statement. Or maybe he just wanted to avoid delivering delivering bad news so close to Christmas. By the way, it also makes good political sense for the provincial Tories to soft-pedal their cutbacks. If they proceed at full throttle, the provincial government reforms will have disrupted the lives of so many people that there will be no one left to vote for them in the next election. Voters appreciate a tax cut and a balanced budget. The results of the last provincial election proved the point. But, what is more likely to get the voters' attention is over-crowded over-crowded hospitals, crowded classrooms, and unemployment. Mike Harris will stand a better chance with the voters if he claims a partial victory and pleads for another term to complete the reforms he started than if he achieves all his objectives and must explain why Ontario's public institutions are in shambles. Drunk Driving T o argue the merits of refraining from drinking and driving is like arguing in favor of motherhood motherhood and apple pie. Nobody defends drunk driving. driving. And yet, each year, there are thousands who are guilty of such an offence. Last year, 350 were killed in impaired driving crashes in Ontario. Incidents of impaired driving seem to rise during the festive season as more folks travel to and from Christmas or New Year's parties. The latest statistics from the Ministry of Transportation show that 303 drivers in Ontario are serving 90- day administrative licence suspensions after being caught drinking and driving or refusing a breath test over the weekend of December 1 and 2. Closer to home, a total of 12 people were arrested and charged with drinking and driving offences. This resulted in the automatic suspension of their licence for 90 days. These drivers were nabbed either in R.I.D.E. spot checks or by police officers on regular patrols. It was the first official weekend for the R.I.D.E. program. The message in all of this is simple: If you drink, don't drive. Police spot-checks are in operation as usual and your chances of getting stopped are pretty good. If you are one of the lucky ones, it's only your licence that you'll lose. You could lose your life or take the life of someone else. You can help prevent drunk driving by serving and consuming consuming less alcohol during the festive season and by using the designated driver concept or taking a taxi if you're not fit to get behind the wheel. The first batch of information from the police suggests there's room for improvement among Durham Region drivers. Police actually charged more people last weekend titan in the first weekend of the 1995 R.I.D.E. program. Is the message getting through? Gov't. Can't Ban Smoking at Home cp the government will :1? Think about it, folks. NEWS ITEM: High Winds Blow Through Bowmanville Reader Questions Education Reform Outlook Laura J. Richards Statesman Staff Safer Community Dear Editor: In reviewing the proposed changes the Government wishes wishes to make to education, I am struck by the inconsistencies and the double speak inherent in the discussion paper on High School Reform. I have questions about many of the proposals. Firstly, it is staled that these reforms will give us "higher standards of academic excellence." excellence." Yet the pronouncements pronouncements nowhere acknowledge To Tear Down Newcastle P.S. Dear Editor: Hi I'm a student at the new Newcastle Public School and I hope that you will take some time to hear what I have to say. I am just one of the many students students at the school who think that the old school should be tom down. I think this because it is many, many years old and it is very dangerous. It might collapse or bricks could fall down and that could really hurt someone. If we do keep the old school, we will still have to pay for it and pay for the new school, the playgrounds and everything else that the school has brought to make it a better place. Tearing down the old school will give the kids a bigger place to play and we would have a baseball diamond, soccer soccer nets and we would have more room to do special events like playday, track and field, assemblies, fun activities etc. So, yes I do think that the old Newcastle Public School should get tom down. Although Although most of us have memories memories in the old school, we hope to make new ones in the new school. Stacey Green the excellence already recognized recognized worldwide. In Durham, by no means atypical of public education standards, our commitment commitment to excellence and innovation innovation resulted in the winning winning of the Bertelsmann Award. Secondly, the 1 Minister says that he wants an "enhanced technological learning in the classroom." However, because of funding cuts there are now 30 students in a Grade Nine technical classroom where there are work stations for only 24. How does he propose to "enhance" this learning situation situation when it really is not a safe classroom? Thirdly, the discussion paper says that teachers "arc frustrated, frustrated, being asked to run school as usual." In fact, we are not being asked to run "school as .usual" but rather to take on more and more students in each classroom with fewer supplies supplies and less support. Doors are not swept every night; if a pencil sharpener is broken, it is not replaced; atlases are not available for each student and general material supplies have dwindled. During an Honour Roll Assembly, with parents present, one of our ancient caf- ctorium benches collapsed. As we cope with these daily annoyances, annoyances, tile Government says "it's not a matter of money. money. Ontario spends more ... per student than the average of the other provinces." This is not true. Private school spending, as well as public spending, is included in this calculation. Further, in the report the Minister Minister wants to set up an "advisory "advisory or mentor arrangement for teachers." Teachers already function in an atmosphere of collegiality and co-operation. They do not need an externally imposed model for limiting professional autonomy and increasing increasing workloads unnecessarily. unnecessarily. How does the Government Government propose to provide this mentoring while at the same time increasing the number of students in each classroom? I would appreciate a response from the Government. Sincerely, Judy A. llagerman On Dec. 6, 1989, a man walked into a university building in Montreal and shot many women. Fourteen died. In 1992, Clarington joined many communities across Canada where women, men and children have been gathering gathering each year on the date of the Montreal Massacre to remember remember the horrifying actions actions of one man, against the women. This past winter saw a classroom full of children in Britain murdered by a man who shot himself afterwards. This past spring two Bowmanville Bowmanville residents, one a grandmother and the woman's woman's young granddaughter were killed. The police have a suspect in custody. To top it all off, in more recent weeks, a Bowmanville youngster was abducted from her home in the middle of the night. The police have a suspect suspect in custody. These incidents bring home the message that violence violence can happen anywhere and at any time. Clarington needs to look at ways to build a safer community community for women and children. children. This is not just a woman's issue because violence impacts impacts everyone. A couple of years ago the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Municipalities put together a handbook called 'How to Build A Safer Community for Women: A Handbook for Community Leaders.' The report examines different different ways to use input from women to encourage the creation creation of safe public spaces. In the section 'Increase Women's Public Safety' the report states: "Municipal governments must take responsibility responsibility to ensure the reasonable reasonable safely and security of all citizens. One of the primary primary ways to carry out this responsibility is through urban urban planning and design. "...A key part of the struggle struggle to build safer communities communities for women is to minimize opportunities for assault to take place in public areas. "Municipal governments, in collaboration with their local local women's community, can begin to examine land-use planning and development, the provision of public spaces and design and development of buildings and structures to reduce public violence against women." It is time to start building partnerships with community groups and all levels of government. government. How can this municipality help the women who live here? Well for starters Clarington Clarington councillors: • could pass and enforce by-laws regulating the display display of pornographic material on magazine racks or in video video stores; • make recommendations to other institutions and levels levels of government to improve women's safety without resulting resulting in further costs; and, • ask die planning department department to work with Durham Regional Police to create a data base of recorded assault reports to help develop safe design guidelines. With the community and all levels of government working together, anydiing is possible. Maybe it's time to find out just how much can be done, before more women and children children are abducted, sexually assaulted and/or murdered. Now is the time to stop tolerating violence, period. (This year's Dec. 6 Vigil will take place at the Visual Arts Centre in Bowmanville and will start at 7 o'clock on Friday night. Please dress appropriately for the weather since the vigil is held outside.) outside.) School Protesters Make a Point Dear Editor: I heard something on the radio radio I would like to draw to your attention. There will no doubt be many who will not agree with me. There is a motion that is in the air to forbid a person to smoke in their own home if there are children - to the point it is "Child Abuse". This I disagree with very strongly. My father and broth ers smoked, my family all smoke, except me, and so far it has done me NO harm. But the part that bothers me is: If a company sets down rules against smoking in workplace, employers honor it. But, for the government to dictate what a person can do in his or her own home is downright dictatorship. dictatorship. Wo arc supposed to be a Free Country. If we allow this to happen what will be the next steg demand; The Nuclear Plants arc built in our midst, what would happen happen if something goes wrong there? Oh sure Nothing can go wrong and we all know that's a bunch of milnrky. Just think folks what our wonderful Canada will be, if the government is allowed to dictate to us, what we can do in our own homes. B.J. The Port Perry Santa Claus Parade was a popular event on Saturday. The weather did not dampen the spirit. I want to thank all the merchants and volunteer organizers for bringing bringing in the Christmas season, especially for the children. I want to thank the individual parents who came to our community community constituency office to present their views on the proposed proposed changes in education in this province. I am committed to those changes that ensure classroom education is not cut. Our students arc at the very centre of this discussion. The classroom teacher and the entire entire school community is where the money must be spent. Parents Parents and taxpayers demand a voice. I have met with many of the teachers, union executives, school board trustees, and directors. directors. I am anxious to hear from the students and parents. 1 am certain that each one of us have the same vision - an educational educational system that offers affordability, affordability, accountability and a curriculum with high quality standards. In the next weeks, the Honourable Honourable David Crombie will bring forward a series of recommendations recommendations to the provincial provincial government. Over the years, there have been numerous studies which attempted to examine which level of government provided which service and which level of government paid for that service. For instance, education is paid for from the municipal tax Report from Queen's Park John O'Toole Durham East MRP base, as well as the provincial revenue. Welfare is also paid for by both levels (Provincial 80% and Regional 20%). Homes for the aged, roads, water, sewer, police, municipal transit, fann tax rebates and many services have a complicated complicated funding arrangement. lam anxious to hear from students and parents Most reports have recommended recommended that these funding arrangements arrangements must be disentangled. disentangled. We must eliminate duplication and waste so we can afford to maintain those essential essential services at the most appropriate appropriate level. All politicians, school trustees, local and regional regional councillors, mayors, as well as boards and commissions, commissions, must lie examined to clearly determine their roles and accountability to the taxpayer, taxpayer, Provincially, we are reducing the number of MPPs from 130 to 103, the same number as proposed for the federal members. members. You have heard the argument argument about the Toronto Super City, the GTA proposal and the smaller Durham Regional Council. Each proposal is focused focused on fewer politicians with more clearly defined roles. This item will be an important news story over the coming weeks. Drinking and driving is the leading cause of accidents. Our government has brought forward forward tougher penalties similar to those in other provinces. The Administrative License Suspension (ALS) will mean that any driver pulled over and who fails a breathalyzer lest, will have their driver's license suspended on the spot for 90 days. The fines and penalties will also increase for each subsequent subsequent suspension. The message message is clear don't drink and drive. In the next week or so, the Legislature will be sitting until midnight (Monday to Thursday). Thursday). It has not been agreed to by the three party house leaders leaders yet, but the Legislature will probably be extended. The extension extension will mean an extra week before Christmas. It will be recalled in January to sit until until probably near the end of March. This busy agenda is very exceptional when you consider that some governments governments meet for as few as 76 days for an entire year. There is a very large amount of legislation legislation to be debated and there will be many public hearings in the spring. For most people, they arc concerned that we arc doing too much too fast. I ask you to remember, we arc spending in one million dollars each and every hour more than we lake in as revenue. Do you think we have any choice? Do you really believe that you can spend more than you cam? With a debt of almost $100 billion billion and interest at almost $10 billion per year and an annual deficit of over $10 billion, we cannot return to the old spend and tax days. It is my duly to meet and listen listen to each and every citizen in my riding. I wrestle with difficult difficult changes every day. I take no satisfaction seeing individuals individuals affected by these changes. I have faith in people, while at the same time, I hope and pray that if everyone takes no more than they give, we will all be better off in the long run, "It is terribly hard to work for money you have already spent, especially if it was for something something you didn't need,"