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The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville. September 24. 1997 Pace 4 file Canadian Mid. 4B tatesiman Former Publishers and Partners Rev. John M. Climic and W. R. Climie 1854 - 1878 M. A. James, 1878 -1935 • Norman S. B. James, 1919 - 1929 . G. Plena 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 Publisher - John M. James Plant Manager - Rick Patterson For 143 Years, Our First Concern Has Been Our Community Assoc. Publisher - Rick James Ad. Manager - Brian G. Purdy Editor - Peter Parrott Production Supervisor - Ralph Rozema, Suzanne Bennett, Tim Bowers, Kevin Britton, Sharon Cole, Laurens Kaldeway, Barb Patterson, Jim Snoek, Vance Sutherland, Jim Tuuramo Advertising Editorial Laverne Morrison, Wanda Partrick Brad Kelly, Lorraine Manfredo, Laura J. Richards Office Supervisor - Angela Luscher, Junia Hodge, Grace McGregor, Nancy Pleasance-Sturman, Marilyn Rutherford Anybody Listening? If you recall characters from mythology, you may remember Cassandra. She was the seer who was fated to have a perfect track record when it came to making predictions. predictions. The only problem was that nobody believed her. If anybody had the right to say "I told you so," it was this woman of mythology. Today, Cassandra might be speaking for any of the large number of environmentalists who predict dire consequences consequences if we don't change the ways in which we consume consume the planet's resources. On the weekend, there was a report of yet another Cassandra-stylc prediction over the possibility of drastic changes in the earth's climate. But, this time it was not from the environmental activists, but from an insurance company representative who predicted that severe weather extremes in Canada would, continue and get worse if action is not taken to change greenhouse gas emissions. It seems to us that the impact of environmental changes is an issue bigger than national unity, the economy, economy, local government reform, health-care restructuring or any of the other topics you could care to name. And yet, the potential environmental crisis plays second fiddle fiddle to just about every issue you can name. The reason can be put down to human nature. And it's a trail in human nature which was undoubtedly summed up in the myth of Cassandra. Nobody is listening. First of all, people don't generally respond very well to a danger they cannot see. Some of the most pessimistic pessimistic forecasters believe global warming will cause a massive rise in the world's oceans. But, it's not until people people get water in their own basement that they're likely to heed such a warning. The second problem is the conflicting nature of the advice given by scientists. For every scientist who predicts predicts a trend towards global warming, another scientist can be found to dispute that trend. And, since we're dealing dealing with predictions that arc 10 or 20 years into the •future, it's hard to know who to believe. The third problem is the wish to preserve the status quo. In North America, since the fifties, we've grown accustomed to a lifestyle which places a heavy emphasis on consumerism and the consumption of natural resources; It's going to be hard to change that habit. It will be hard to encourage people to do even the little things which will help the environment. Things like using public transportation or buying appliances and vehicles with energy conservation hr mind. And, there is the nagging fear that it would be unwise to turn North America's economy on it's head jn order to solve an environmental environmental problem which may not be as bad as some forecasters say. > So, where do we go from here? Although nobody can say for sure that the world will be enveloped in a global ecological crisis within the lifetime lifetime of ourselves or our children, it would seem prudent to take action now. It's not just dyed-in-the-wool environmentalists environmentalists who arc worried. It's insurance companies who are concerned that extreme weather conditions now and in the future will leave them feeling the pinch. . To our way of thinking, the alarm bells are going off. But, is anybody listening? New Look It occurs to us that, with the elections not much more than eight weeks away, many voters still do not have a handle on the changes which have been made in local representation. Here is a brief summary of how your ballot will look a little different this fall: New Wards: In the past, there were three wards which long-time residents will recall as corresponding roughly to the former municipalities of Darlington Township, Bowmanville and Clarke Township. On November 10th, those wards will disappear. There will be four wards rather than three, and they won't (in most cases) correspond correspond to the old boundaries. Especially in the case of Bowmanville, which has been divided into two wards that also take in the rural areas north of town. For example, example, Bowmanville residents living east of Liberty St. will find themselves in a ward that includes Tyrone. Re-allocation of Local Council seals: We'll have the same number of representatives serving on Clarington Council, but there will be one more local councillor and one less regional representative. On November 10th, there will be two regional councillors plus the mayor elected to serve on both the local Clarington Council and the larger Durham Regional Council. There will be four local councillors -- one elected from each ward. Changes in the public school board: Perhaps the biggest single change is in the public school board jurisdiction, jurisdiction, where Clarington will have two trustees elceted at large from all lour wards. Previously, we had two trustees elected from each of the six wards. This change arises from the merging of the local board of education (Northumbcrland/Claringlon) with the Peterborough Board. Changes in the separate school board: There will be two separate school representatives to be chosen at large. Previously, there had been three. The Hydro Commission: The Clarington Hydro Electric Commission is essentially unchanged. Four commissioners arc elected at large. Some discussions have been underway concerning the merger of all of Durham's hydro commissions into a single body. But that hasn't been finalized and it may not occur at all. Armed with the above information, it will be a little easier to identify all the players who will be participating participating in the next municipal vote. ..... sir&^Ut- AVteaul io -Hie cAd School stood, Uft past -the bawn -that got -fern down» dnd rfrt Rah -Br ^«ral SW lumbers not only-far Ennergeny Cneytl MRP Shouldn't be Proud of "Common Sense Revolution" Last week, the local MPP was quoted as saying "Our goal is to. achieve a balanced budget. We haven't changed our goal, we've just changed our method of how to get there." It is a real pity that Mr. O'Toole didn't tell the voters during the last election election just how their goals were to change from their much ballyhooéd election document, The Common Sense Revolution. Had Mr. O'Toole and his fellow Conservatives told everyone then: "Elect us Conservatives and we will cut health care, and create lay-offs throughout the health care sector". "We will make you wait for important operations." "Elect me and my Conservative Party and we will cut education like you have never seen before." "Elect me and my party and we will cut the funding to courts, to allow alleged criminals'to get off and cause a sense of betrayal to innocent victims." "Elect me and my party and we will close a whole bunch of jails." "Elect me and my Conservative Party and we will charge married seniors who have an annual income of $12,000 each before taxes, $100 a year up front for their life giving drugs, plus full prescription fees all year lpng." "Elect me and my Conservative Party and we will introduce hundreds' of new user fees that will touch on everyone in one way or another". The user fees that Mike Harris always called a tax under end by saying, the Provincial Conservative's clcctioii(j?tipcument;,' The Commoh' 'Sense Revolution was fun'dàniçhtallÿ based on a deception, and isn't something any of them should be particularly proud of. Gord Mills another name but now calls "service fees". „ "Elect me and. my Conservative Party and wè will download services onto your local government so you pay increased property taxes." And I could go on and on, but I want to escape the pen of the Editor so I will World Loses Humanitarians In ope week this world lost two compassionate humanitarians. humanitarians. Mother Teresa, a truly unique person., lived among the lepers, homeless and destitute of Calcutta, India, feeding and healing, opening hundreds of "The Sisters of the Missionaries of Charities" homes around the world. Princess Diana bettered the cause for hundreds of charities charities around the world, and was instrumental for world leaders to get serious to abolish land mines. She embraced the sick and dying, winning the hearts of millions. Herman van der Veen Oshawa, Ontario. Hospital Gall Bladder Surgery Among the Safest in Ontario Dear Editor, Re: Memorial Hospital Bowmanville -- One of the safest hospitals in Ontario for Gall Bladder Surgery. Memorial Hospital, Bowmanville surgeons have done over 400 laparoscopic cholecystectomies cholecystectomies since the technique was introduced in 1991 with an impressive safety record. The most serious complication complication of the surgery to remove the gall bladder through a keyhole incision is an injury to the common bile duct that drains bile from the liver to the intestine. intestine. The September 21 Toronto Star article by Lisa Priest has incorrectly reported that there were six common bile duct injuries at MHB between 1992 and 1995. In fact, there were none. The code used by Lisa Priest to determine incidence of common bile duct injury is a code which includes other clinical occurrences, which may arise in the case of patients with infected or fragile gall bladders. The code is not exclusive to bile duct injury or laceration as one would interpret from the article. After a comprehensive review of the six noted cases, which were identified identified inv.the Toronto : Star -article,- ip-waif confirmed 1 that MHB had a zero percent percent incidence of common 1 bile duct injury, rather the coding indicated other associated minor complications. complications. As Chief of Staff, it is my role to monitor the quality and appropriateness appropriateness of cafe delivered to patients at Memorial Hospital, Bowmanville. Our Fellowship trained general surgeons arc doing an excellent job,. with a safety record that is better than the provincial average for this type of surgery. Respectfully yours, Leon Irish, M.D. Chief of Staff Thoughts Unlimited How's the New House? Well, we're getting there. There are the little things that need to be done like adding light switches near the entrance to rooms. I haven't quite figured out why the electricians of the day thought it would be a good idea to locate the switches where you have to walk through the dark to find them. I guess a few "Clappers" would solve the problem, but I'd have to buy so many that we'd inadvertently turn one off every time we clapped one on in an adjacent room. Clap on, clap off. We could solve the problem with motion sensors, but that would require having to move every few minutes to keep thé lights on. Once I'm in my Laz-y-boy in front of the TV, there aren't too many things that make me move out of it. I guess I could train the dog to move around every ten minutes to keep the lights on. Nah, we're both getting too old to move that much. I think this one might have to fall under the category of "Moore Electric to the rescue." Besides the lighting problem, we're having having a conflict with the difference in decorating decorating tastes between the existing neo-classical-12th neo-classical-12th century B.C.-renaissance style versus the reality of two kids, a dog, and a mandate that at least one Elmo has to be included in every room. Even in the space designated as my office, my mind is wrestling with the large roses and pink curtains that clash with my six foot TOP GUN poster. My room of megabytes, CD-ROM and high speed printing printing needs something that screams Harley motorcycles, fighter jets, turbo-charged Indy cars, and a 350 mhz. Macintosh Power PC. I must admit, however, it docs seem almost impossible to get angry in this pink room. To be safe, all the rooms should be paint- -- by Rick James ed beige. Beige goes with anything. But, just to make it sound like I have some knowledge of decorating, I'll order a gallon of some trendy name like Malibu Sand or Sahara Fog. Then, when anyone asks, I won't have to say we painted everything beige. That should satisfy all those artsy interior decorators. Let's remember, when it comes to decorating and home improvements, improvements, I think lava lamps should be recognized recognized as a staple of every home. So, with my wallpaper tray and paint brush in hand, we will soon begin to transform transform this century home from pre-Victorian to post Ricky Ricardo. We'll keep you posted posted as the wallpaper unfolds. A Word of Advice I've been told that you should- learn something every time you make a mistake. This week's lesson is about home inspections inspections and the importance of having one before you buy an old house. Inspections cost between $300 and $500 and are meant to identify problems with a structure before you buy a money pit. Being somewhat handy, I thought I would save $500 and check everything myself. I looked at the foundation, the electrical panel and the other items that I knew would be costly to replace, I even looked at the furnace, but apparently, not close enough. When the cool weather moved in last week, I fired up the len-ycar-old forced air gas unit. Better to do it in September than when it gets really cold in November. Everything seemed to function properly, but, I could smell something that just didn't seem right. To be safe, I called someone to clean the unit and sure enough, the heal exchanger was cracked, Black soot and dangerous carbon monoxide fumes were being blown throughout the house. The verdict? An expensive repair or a new furnace. Neither option was one that I wanted to hear. I rather spend money on beige paint than a new furnace. Would a professional home . inspector have found the small crack? Perhaps. But, If he or she didn't, at least you would have some recourse and obtain some financial assistance from the inspection company. The only recourse I have is to go to the pink room to rid myself of any angry thoughts for making a mistake. Good-bye to a Friend It was no surprise to wait in line for more than two hours on Sunday to say good-bye to Mel Putnam. Having known him for almost 30 years and recognizing the positive positive influence lie had on so many p'eople, I knew the queue of friends, colleagues, and former students would be long. Early in his career, Mel taught at Central Public School. I attended Vincent Massey P.S., so I never actually had him as a teacher. But, his reputation and influence extended so far beyond the classroom, it seemed like I had. Whether it was Camp Tawingo, sports, charity events or Lions' functions, Mel always contributed far more than was expected of him. It's a characteristic characteristic that very lew people possess and something that our community needs. Several months ago, I wrote a column about Mel after, his friends honored him at the Bowmanville Senior Public School. I-Ic wanted the event to be a celebration of his accomplishments and thanked me on the telephone for describing it that way in the news paper. Since that time he helped establish a group for victims of cancer, once again contributing more than was expected of him. Our deepest sympathies arc extended to his wife, Joan, and their children. Mel will be truly missed.