Clarington Digital Newspaper Collections

Canadian Statesman (Bowmanville, ON), 22 Apr 1998, p. 5

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The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, April 22, 1998 Page 5 Canadian 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 Clarinet on! Courticc Independent P.O. Box 190, 62 King St. W., Bowmanville, 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 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 Laverne Morrison Brad Kelly, Lorraine Manfredo, Laura J. Richards Office Supervisor - Angela Luscher, Junia Hodge, Grace McGregor, Nancy Pleasance-Sturman, Marilyn Rutherford, Libby Smithson Editorials Is ITER Dead Or Alive? It seems to us that what the ITER fusion research project project badly needs is not a political breakthrough but a scientific scientific one. But first, a brief review might be in order. Fusion energy is touted as the energy source of the future because it would release power by fusing atoms together rather than splitting them apart (as is the case in nuclear power.) The problem is that fusion is still in the very early stages of research and nobody knows whether or not it would work. Proponents of the concept arc suggesting, however, that the countries doing fusion research gel together and build a research lab. The Darlington nuclear plant, right here in Clarington, is one of the potential sites. A major drawback building a fusion lab in Canada is the fact that it will require cash by the truckload from all the international partners. And there is no guarantee that fusion will ever be anything more than somebody's king- sized science project. Even the believers in fusion think it might take 30 years for the concept to be practical enough to, for example, generate electricity. The potential (in theory) is to rid the world of its dcpdndencc on nuclear energy or fossil fuels or any resource which will eventually disappear. The theory is to have a tiny thermonuclear reaction (similar to what goes on in the sun) churning out energy that's clean, cheap and plentiful. But, that's only the theory. At the moment, proponents are working on the political political front to seek support for the laboratory from the federal, federal, provincial and municipal levels of government. Naturally, governments arc a little skittish about embarking embarking on Star Trek-style projects of tomorrow when they're having trouble putting together funding for schools and hospitals today. If, on the other hand, fusion technology were to be the power of the future, it would be to Canada's advantage to become a centre for such research, development and manufacturing. It's a difficult dilemma facing governments thinking ahead to the next millennium. What fusion energy really needs is a scientific breakthrough. breakthrough. It needs the equivalent to that historic first flight by the Wright brothers which convinced forward- thinkers that the F-18 warplane or the 747 passenger aircraft aircraft were not too far away. Until that happens, it's hard to imagine how the plan will gain more than lukewarm support from any government. government. Taking Public Pulse With Referendums Whether it's Quebec separation, prohibition or a name change for our local municipality, referendums are often launched when politicians face a tough decision. Ontario is currently looking at the possibility of using the province-wide vote more frequently. But, will referendum referendum legislation only be used as a way out for politicians politicians facing hot political issues? Or will it make citizens regular partners in government decision-making? Certainly there.are compelling reasons for plebiscites. The public's level of education and knowledge is high. Communications such as the Internet, radio, television, and print media would guarantee that any important question would have a thorough airing in public. . However, politicians in general do not like to share power. It's not necessarily because they're power-hungry, power-hungry, but also because of the fact that it's difficult to achieve leadership if every decision is second-guessed. Governments are reluctant to share power for the same reason that a small business owner might be reluctant reluctant to take on partners. It becomes more difficult to get things done when the decision-making process bccoriies more tangled. And yet, the democratic process would seem to call out for the referendum process. Certainly, a referendum would have quashed the provincial government's amalgamation of Toronto municipalities. It's possible that a referendum would have halted the Bill 160 education reforms or at least toned them down. Likewise, referendums would probably probably result in more hospitals being kept open. Such votes would also stand in the way of a majority government implementing its vision for the country or for a province. For example, there arc times when a government government must do what's unpopular in order to do what it believes to be right. That could never happen in a referendum-driven referendum-driven system. Also, public votes might result in an unfair distribution distribution of power in Ontario, since the biggest bloc of votes (Metro Toronto and the GTA) could vote against measures measures that might be good for Northern or Eastern Ontario. The question of referendums has a lot to do with the rules which might be attached to such votes. Would public public voles only be possible on issues affecting an entire province or the whole country? Or could there be local votes on local matters? Would government have ultimate veto power? And what would it take to reverse a referendum referendum decision later on? Would the referendum process be triggered automatically on certain issues or would governments still have the final say in deciding which questions would go to the people? All of these questions and more must be asked as the provincial government attempts to give formal status to the concept of province-wide voles. Maybe the referendum issue itself should be the subject subject of a public vote. Letter to the Editor W.l. Extends Thanks Dear Editor, On behalf of Solinn Women's Institute 1 wish to thank you and your staff for the excellent coverage you have given us over the past year April '97 to March '98, This publicity is gratefully appreciated. Wishing The Canadian Statesman continued success. Solina Women !v Institute B.R.O. Alma Linn maid Editor's Letter BHS Parents Oppose Semesters In a recent meeting of the Bowmanville High School Council the issue" of switching to a semester system was discussed. As a result of that meeting and the surveys conducted the Executive would like to inform the community of their rcc> ommendation to the. Administration. The School Council; Executive has recoin-; mended that Bowmanvillei High School remain a two' day cycle (non-semester): school for the benefit of, the majority of the stu-; dents at Bowmanville High School. A majority of the parents parents (55%), who; expressed their views, felt: the present system served: their child(ren) well. While there are bene-; fits on both sides of the issue our concern is for' the well being of the entire^ student body. : As one parent wrote,; "Doing the same thing as- the rest of the board or- most of the province does: not make it the right: choice. The educational; system is well known for; its swinging pendulum.; Closed classroom-open i classroom, dictatorial-' laissez faire... Let's think, about this one this time!" ; Sincerely, Arlene Bons met' Bowmanville High School' Council Chair '. Cyclist Finds Hills and Hospitality in Tennessee John Veldhuis is travelling travelling around North America by bicycle to raise funds for Haitian students wishing to study in Canadian Universities. The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga is only a few minutes away from where 1 am staying so a visit to this modern 15 exhibit glass and brick building is definitely in order. The escalator carries you way up to the top of the building, after which you zig-zag down ramps past the various exhibits. Each exhibit is a recreation of a river or a lake and includes the St. Lawrence. So for a few minutes, I am transported transported in my imagination to Canada. I also visited the beautifully beautifully restored Tivoli Opera Theatre within walking distance distance of the aquarium. Here a contemporary opera, Suzannah, by Carlisle Floyd is today's presentation. There is a full house tonight and this sad story of Suzannah and the Elders' is brought alive on stage accompanied by the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. The audience is very appreciative of the excellent production and gives the opera a standing ovation. Finally we have a break in the weather and I prepare myself for my next part of the journey. The sun is shining shining and the temperature is in the mid 70's. It only takes a few minutes minutes to pack and load the bike. It is a routine which is very familiar to me by now. 1 bid my very kind hosts goodbye and I am on the road again. The temperature reaches the 80's as 1 start the 32 mile long climb up into the Appalachian mountains. My long rest has softened my muscles. 1 am starting to suffer suffer from exhaustion and 1 wonder if I will ever reach the top. A young man in a pick up truck stops and offers to take me the last ten steep miles to the summit. 1 accept his kind offer and realize these last few miles to the summit were probably the most dangerous and steepest climb yet. I appreciate appreciate my benefactor's kindness kindness as he lets me off near the summit and 1 now continue continue up and down the rest of the mountains, Even though these mountains are only 5,000 ft, high 1 can feel exhaustion creeping up on me. I stopped at a fast food vistas at each turn of the' road and 1 enjoy the scenery and the company. The church is nearly full : as these tine mountain folk come to hear this stranger from Canada with that funny Canadian accent speak to, them about the 8,000 miles ; he has travelled, the sites and experiences lie has seen and had and the many tales of friendly people he has met along the way. Late Sunday night I ; finally fall asleep realizing 1 have added one more set of friends to my ever lengthening lengthening list. It is a wonderful 1 journey and although difficult difficult at times, it is also rewarding. -i Monday I will start off on ; a very difficult five mile' climb to the highway and;-! then one more day of moun- ; tains before the land levels'.; off again. J. Veldlmis ] Asked at Darlington Provincial Park during Monday's lakefront clean-up. WeAskb>. What can people do hr Earth Day? And You Said Letter to the Editor restaurant and met Mr. and Mrs. McKinney and once again I am invited by total strangers to spend the night at their home. After a shower, some cake and a refreshing drink, I am given the guest room and I am soon off into a deep sleep. The next morning it is warm, breezy with temperatures temperatures in the 80's and I continue continue to climb up the mountains. mountains. A large industrial staple results in slowing me down and I have to replace yet another tube. That night 1 camped deep into the forest and right beside a waterfall. What a beautiful spot to camp. The water from the mountain stream was cool but ideal for washing up and there was lots of water left to fill up my drinking bottles. Saturday and I am on my way again, only by noon hour I realize 1 have made a wrong turn and I have to retrace by route. It is very hot and I am perspiring all day long. The road is difficult, difficult, winding and narrow up and down these mountains. By nightfall I come upon a southern Baptist Church. I asked Dr. R. Odom if 1 might put my tent on his property but he will not hear of it. I must come in, ure his shower and stay in his guest room. This is true southern Christian hospitality. On Sunday 1 attend his church and am invited to speak to the congregation for the evening service. I gratefully accept the invitation. invitation. Dr. and Mrs. Odom arc very gracious and seem genuinely genuinely pleased to have this stranger from Canada ir their home. Everyone calls Dr. Odoir 'Preacher' and a friendly conversation is always going on. "Preacher, what's that thang on your fanger?" "Preacher, y'all gotta pray for my brother he ain'l bin feelin' so good". That afternoon Preacher, his gracious wife Virginia and their lovely daughter June, take me on a sightseeing sightseeing tour of the area. We travel travel to South Carolina as well as a few places in North Carolina and see beautiful waterfalls. The road provides great

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