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The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, April 15, 1998 ®fie CanaMan Statesman # 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. Elena James, 1929 -1947 • Dr. George W. James, 1919 -1957 Produced weekly by James Publishing Company Limited Also Publishers of The Cl nriti^loul Courtice Independent P.O. Box 190, 62 King St. W. z Bowmanvillc, Ontario L1C 3K9 Tel: 905-623-3303 HOURS: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Fax: 905-623-6161 Internet - statesman ® ocna.org Publications Mail Registration No. 07637 Page 5 For 144 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, Tim Bowers, Kevin Britton, Sharon Cole, Laurens Kaldeway, Barb Patterson, Tyler Sellick, Jim Snoek, James Stephenson, Vance Sutherland, Jim Tuuramo Advertising Editorial Lavernc Morrison Brad Kelly, Lorraine Manfredo, Laura J. Richards Office Supervisor - Angela Luscher, Junia Hodge, Grace McGregor, Nancy Pleasance-Sturman, Marilyn Rutherford, Libby Smithson Editorials Year of the Tax Increase The oddest thing about the loeal tax levies of 1998 is the fact that the year may be more than half over before we know what the final tax rate will be. Claringlon councillors expect it may be next fall before the budget for the municipality can be officially signed and scaled. And, like so many phenomena affecting life in Ontario these days, it can be blamed on one of two things: the provincial government or the El Nino weather weather patterns. In this case, it's the provincial government reforms which arc to be targeted for blame. Basically, it will take until the fall before the local governments can obtain the necessary information from the government, sort out the downloading impacts and decide how best to respond. You can, however, expect an increase in the tax load. Claringlon Council calculates that, just on the capital portion of their 1998 budget there will be a tax increase of $14 for a typical householder. And the capital tax bill refers only to the big-ticket purchases like roads, bridges and buildings, not the day-to-day municipal operations. Thus ends a five-year stretch during which time the taxes cither stayed the same or went down a penny or two. And the rate increase is going to be even bigger at the regional level. The provincial government's number-crunchers should take a long look at this trend because Ontario officials have sworn that their downloading schemes would be revenue neutral. This year's tax bill will suggest otherwise. Is the provincial government's much trumpeted lax cut merely a case of tax transfer to the junior levels of government? Are the taxes merely being taken off the provincial bill and put onto the local bill? There arc many who would suggest it certainly looks that way. Public Transit Human beings arc not always the most logical of creatures. If we used more public transit and placed less emphasis emphasis on the private automobile, we'd be able to avoid such scourges as crowded parking lots, road rage, red light- Tunners, and congested freeways. Oh yes, we'd also avoid the necessity of building controversial new freeways freeways such as Highway 407 which is coming soon to this municipality. However, judging from what government officials said in two separate presentations in Oshawa last week, it looks like Highway 407 will reach Claringlon long before a GO rail service. And this will happen despite the fact that a single GO Train will save seven kilometres of bumper-to-bumper traffic. Like we said, human beings are not the most logical of creatures. However, we cannot overlook the benefits of the private private motor vehicle. We might start with the fact that they are the lifeblood of the local economy, since the big GM plants in Oshawa, along with the local feeder industries have created the standard of living we enjoy today. Switch the focus to trains, buses, subways and streetcars and there's no telling what the impact might be on the local economy and the spin-off industries which service and sell our cars and trucks. There is also the fact that, given North American distances, distances, the private vehicle is far more convenient. If you need to visit your Aunt Mary at three p.m. on a Sunday afternoon, you can do so without having to consult consult maps and timetables. And, given the vast distances between North American communities, public transit is not practical. Claringlon citizens have been seeking better public transit for years. But, we can't see how buses or trains will efficiently link low-population villages such as Newlonvillc, Hampton, and Enniskillen. There just aren't enough people to make up an efficient bus route available a half dozen times a day between Burkcton and Bowmanvillc, for instance. So there you have it. A few of the pros and cons of public transit. On paper, it may be more logical to boost the public transit network. Our actions take us down an entirely opposite road. And perhaps, at this point in our history, such choices have been made for good reason. Fantastic Volunteers April 19lh to April 25th is National Volunteer Week in Canada. It's a time to lake seriously the huge contributions that thousands of people make to their community by selflessly donating time, talent and energy. Whether they work in areas such as sports, social services, services, health care, or arts, volunteers arc the lifeblood in many community endeavours. Just one example of the work of volunteers can be seen in Durham Region Community Care which took the occasion of National Volunteer Week to tally up the services services they provide through volunteers. It turns out that Durham Region Community Care has over 1,800 volunteers and they help about 5,000 Durham residents. Over the past year, their home support volunteers volunteers have delivered 64,000 meals and made 7,500 friendly visits, not to mention driving over a million kilometres. What is true of Community Care is true of countless other agencies which rely upon volunteers. In fact, the contribution made by the volunteer sector (if translated into regular, paying employment) would be in the billions of dollars. And, when you measure the impact a volunteer can have on a shut-in or a young hockey player or figure skater, or any other person helped by volunteers, the contribution is immeasurable, The best thing you could do to celebrate volunteer week is to find a field in which you have an interest and oiler your services. We have never yet seen an community community organization which could not use more assistance, Volunteers do not just need our praise during volunteer volunteer week. They need our help. Blow Your Horn A young musician from Courtice West Collegiate warms up before performing in the Clarke High School gym on Thursday. April 9. The Courtice West Collegiate hand was one of seven high school hands participating in the 1998 senior hand festival hosted hosted by Clarke High School. 1 Letter to the Editor Gov't. Needs Stability Required reading in my (long ago) history studies included two books titled (If memory serves me) "The Age of Reason" and "The Age of Enlightenment". I was reminded of these titles after listening to my neighbours and other friends discussing the multitude multitude of concerns facing all of us today in Ontario. Here's a sample: Expectant mothers are concerned about the quality quality of health care available for their newborn. Will it be a midwife delivery? Will they be sent home after 24 hours? Parents are wondering (particularly the working mothers) if Junior Kindergarten will still be made available by their local Board of Education. The Harris Government has left the decision with the local Boards dependent dependent upon their ability to finance the program. The taxpayers of Ontario have a great uneasiness regarding the amount of property tax increases they may be facing, facing, the adequacy of the educational system for their children (given the reduction to the school funding programs) and the centralized control at the Provincial level. If you arc a senior, listening listening and reading about all the negative emergency room events occuring because of understaffing and crowded conditions, you are hoping and praying praying you stay healthy. Let's not overlook the teachers, the social service workers, the hydro employee and our local government administrators, administrators, including the politicians. politicians. Teachers are wondering if their job will survive the cuts and realignments, whether they will be teaching teaching in a portable classroom for yet another year, whether the kids sales of chocolate bars will cover the classroom needs. The social worker worries worries about their job sur vival rate and whether they will have the resources to care for those needing help. Hydro is a government- owned enterprise in difficult difficult financial circumstances. circumstances. If you're one of their employees this situation situation is a major additional concern for you and perhaps perhaps to all of us when hydro rates increase. Finally, the local municipal administrators and politicians who are struggling to administer and govern in a centralized provincially controlled environment that is totally new to them. They still lack operating budgets for this year and final agreement agreement on the policies and funding levels that will govern them. No wonder they have a vacant stare when we pose questions to them! Given all the above, the Age of Uncertainty is an apt title. We need more stability and balance from the Harris Government. Arthur Murcott Outlook Auctions for Good Causes Laura J. Richards There are a couple of events coming up over the next two weekends that supporters of the local women's shelter, shelter, Bethcsda House, may want to attend. Those looking for something to add to their hockey memorabilia or art print collections will especially want to attend. The first happens this weekend at MacGregor's Auction Centre at the WOW Market in Bowmanvillc Mike MacGregor has kindly donated his time to raffle off some pretty interesting stuff, including jerseys signed by Tie Domi, and Darryl Sittler, hockey sticks signed by numerous Toronto Maple Leafs, and a tic signed by Mr. Hockey Personality himself...Don Cherry. There will also be a World War One photograph of Conn Smythe from 1915. (This is a true collector's item.) For you non-hockey fans there will be a limited edition edition print of Princess Diana, a bangle with gems, along with some musical items, crafts and more. The auction starts at 10 o'clock, with viewing at 9 a.m. Mary Anne Martin, one of the organizers of this event from which the proceeds will go towards the establishment establishment of a women's resource centre in Claringlon, says: "Last summer we began looking at the possibility of opening a local resource centre for women and children. "This spring we are much closer to it being a reality. We arc working to fill gaps in service for women and children, particularly victims of violence. Right now the shelter is only able to meet some of those needs. The resource centre could complement the shelter by offering ongoing support, drop-in social times, information and referrals, and individual and group counselling for both women and children." The staff and volunteers of Bethcsda House are to be commended for their work on behalf of women in Claringlon, as they lead us into the next level of service to be provided by the shelter. Also, it should be mentioned mentioned that the go-ahead for the new service, was given by the shelter's board of directors late last week. On Sunday, April 26, there will be the second annual art auction by Z Art Gallery of Pickering at the Garnet Rickard Recreation Complex. Viewing will begin at 12 noon and the auction will start at 1 p.m. This auction will be in support of Bethcsda House's operating budget. Mary Howard, Chair of the Board of Directors says, "we raised over $2,000 at last year's sale and hope to do even better this year. The shelter's operating expenses are over $336,000 each year, and we're grateful to Z Art Gallery for helping us to reach our goal.'.' . 1 l- ' 1 1 Be sure to visit each of these worthwhile events) tb ensure that women (with or without children) who need help have places to seek the help they need. Hope to see you there! Editor's Letter Health and Welfare More Important than Money To the Editor; In this letter,-1 would like to demonstrate my views toward the proposed building site of the Lishman Fur Garment Factory. I feel very strongly strongly about this situation, not only due to the fact that I grew up and lived beside Wilmot Creek for twenty- five years, but also because of what the idea entails. As a pre-school teacher for the YMCA I am familiar with children and their interests, as well as what activities are enriching for optimal development and wellbeing. wellbeing. Outdoor exploration, exploration, including the study of nature regarding land, soil, birds, animals, waterways, waterways, fish and other wildlife is a very important important part of childhood learning and exploration to understand the world Continued on page 6 Thoughts Unlimited by Rick James A Thousand Monkeys... Ah...hah! I was right! Remember last week when I was looking for help to solve the mystery behind the television commercial that features "a thousand monkeys on a thousand typewriters re-defining Canada?" I suspected suspected it was an advertisement for Molson Canadian beer and that a new commercial would be forthcoming to solve the puzzle. Well, this past week-end, the follow-up commercial was aired and a small Molson Canadian logo appears at the very end of the spot. Do I know my beer commercials or what? I did receive a number of suggestions from readers who thought they may have also solved the puzzle. The best one I heard was that it was timed with Conrad Black's announcement that a new national newspaper would be published this year. Given his reputation for not liking journalists, it was suggested he was taking a chimp-shot at reporters. Nice thought, but Conrad Black didn't get to where lie is by being stupid. As for what the monkey commercial is supposed to be about, I'm going to have to look at a lew more Rorschach ink-blot tests before I can make another guess about its true meaning. The Wearing of the Green As you may have suspected, I spent most of Saturday and Sunday afternoons watching the Masters golf tournament. It's the one event each year when I take the phone off the hook and seal the hatch door to avoid any interruptions. It's not just a golf tournament, it's the Masters, Most people think watching golf is as exciting as watching paint dry, To most, it's right up there with curling. Unless you're a golfer, you cannot appreciate the magnificence and tradition of Augusta National Golf Club. Add the dramatic stories and exciting finishes The Masters produces annually and you might begin to appreciate why I block off the second week-end in April each year, Two years ago, I was fortunate to get tickets with the help of Seth (Snuffy) Hunt and was able to walk the fairways of Augusta. Words cannot describe how meticulously landscaped the grounds arc kept. It is more impressive than any park or botanical garden I've ever seen. The fairways are more lush than the carpets of your home, despite the thousands of people that walk on them during the tournament. tournament. If you still don't believe me, perhaps this will help. My father-in-law joined me on the trip and was walking down the 8th hole smoking a cigarette. I noticed him butting the ashes in his hand so I asked what he was doing. He revealed a pocket full of butts that lie had been saving all day. Augusta is so beautiful, there is no way you would even consider dropping a cigarette butt on the grass. Something you don't sec on television is the change in elevation. elevation. The 10th hole is straight down hill, while the 18th is almost as steep as the 11th at Newcastle Golf Club. The greens have more hills and valleys than Kendal and is usually responsible for determining the winner of The Masters. Again this year, the putting average leader, Mark O'Meara, won the tournament. The biggest highlight of this tournament had to be the great play by the best of them all, 58-ycar-old Jack Nicklaus. The strong breeze you may heard during the tournament was the wind blowing out of Tiger Woods' sails. Is there any question who the best player of all time really is? • Tiger should have known better than to wake a sleeping bear, especially the golden kind. Yah, Milk- Okay, so within the green jackets and guarded traditions of The Masters, you can find some humour if you really look deep. Not much mind you, and in fact, organizers protect the tournament from letting any non-conforming influences jeopardize the history of the big event. That's why CBS announcer/comic relief man, Gary McCord, is not allowed to work The Masters, He made a comment a lew years ago which just about cost CBS the broadcast rights. So, based on that, don't look for my brother, John, to be working working at The Masters in the near future. While visiting his place with the rest of the family on Saturday, he made the comment that third round contender, Jay Haas, was named after a mule team. Okay, say it again with some flair...Jaaay 1-Iaaas! Okay, so I sealed the hatch a little too tightly on Sunday. One more time, Jaaay I-laaas!