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The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, July 29, 1998 Page 4 ft) e Canadian talesman .© For 144 Years, Our First Concern Has Been Our Community Publisher - John M. James Plant Manager - Rick Patterson ^ Former Publishers and Partners Rev. John M. Clirnie and VV. R. Climie 1854 -1878 M. A. James, 1878 - 1935 • Norman S. B. James, 1919 - 1929 G. Elena James, 1929 -1947 • Dr. George VV. James, 1919 -1957 Produced weekly by James Publishing Company Limited Also Publishers of The Clarinet on! Court ice Independent P.O. Box 190, 62 King St. W., 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 Ad. Manager - Brian G. Purdy Production Assoc. Publisher - Rick James Editor - Peter Parrott Supervisor - Ralph Rozema, Suzanne Bennett, Tim Bowers, Kevin Britton, Sharon Cole, Laurens Kaldcway, Barb Patterson, Tyler Schick, Jim Snock, James Stephenson, Vance Sutherland, Jim Tuuramo Editorial Advertising Lavcme Morrison Brad Kelly, Lorraine Manfredo, Jennifer Stone Office Supervisor - Angela Luscher, Junia Hodge, Grace McGregor, Nancy Pleasancc-Sturman, Marilyn Rutherford, Libby Smithson Editorials The Bill 160 Decision Ontario's education minister lost little lime in putting a positive spin on the recent court challenge over Bill 160. While it's true that the Catholic teachers won their case, Education Minister David Johnson pointed out that the judge upheld five other major facets of the bill, including the provincial government's authority to regulate regulate matters such as school councils, class sizes, trustee honorariums and tax rates. However, that argument may be a little like saying that because there's only one hole in the boat, it should still be quite capable of staying afloat. The reality is, of course, that it only takes one leak to sink an entire vessel. vessel. Similarly, this single successful challenge to Bill 160 may sink the entire document. Much depends, of course, on future court decisions. It's widely believed that the constitutional challenge issued by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association will go all the way to the Supreme Court. Assuming that the challenge is upheld, it would appear that the Catholic school boards will have the right to levy taxes among separate school supporters. The ruling of the court indicates that the Catholic school system has the right to control its own destiny. Those rights arc spelled out in the Constitution Act of 1867. And, although similar rights are not prescribed for public public school supporters, it seems hard to believe that, in practical terms, one group of taxpayers would have the right to self-determination while another group would be under the control of the province. The right of individual communities to control their local educational facilities has been a tradition since the days of the log schoolhouse. It would seem as though that right has been enshrined in law for Catholic school supporters because of concerns that those rights, among the Catholic school community, might one day be taken away. The only reason why public school supporters do not have guarantees is because, in the days prior to Bill 160, it was assumed that all local schools were controlled controlled by their immediate communities. The court ruling does not say that the control of education education should be left in the hands of local communities. That is a philosophical issue which is beyond the strictly strictly legal questions under discussion. But, one of the fears expressed by Bill 160 opponents was that education would be controlled entirely by • "provincial: authorities. The recent court decision gives some support to the notion that education should be a grassroots, community enterprise. Pickering Airport Revisited Sooner or later, there's going to be an airport in Pickering. But, the operative word is "later". The federal government has decided to protect its option for developing an airport at the 18,600 acre site where expropriation first began in 1972. This suggests that the airport is not a dead issue. The government is of the opinion that it must keep the option of a second airport airport at Pickering open. The lands have been more or less in limbo since 1972 and the airport question remained a political football for decades. As of January, about 1,500 tenants were living on the Pickering lands. The site is about four times the size of the international airport at Toronto. One of the reasons against developing the aiiport site in the seventies and eighties was the need to preserve farmland. But, a quick look at the pattern of development development in this area suggests that if those lands had not been earmarked for an airport, they still would not have been preserved for agriculture. Rather, they'd be in line for housing, shopping malls, factories and offices. Given the fact that there's an aggressive building program program already under way at the Pearson International Airport, we'd bet that the Pickering lands won't sec any runways or terminals for at least another decade. And, by that time, much of the lands surrounding the Pickering airport site will have seen extensive development. development. We'd wager the day will come when the only property property preserved in its rural state will be the very same property property that was once slated to be paved over for an airport. In other words, the airport project which was expected expected to destroy the rural landscape of Pickering may actually actually preserve it. Ironic, isn't it? Letter to the Editor Support for Lishman Dear Editor: Our elected council has basically recommended the Lishman Proposal - plus all the safeguards. The two issues here are the possible "added" contamination to the Wilmot Creek and the increase of Taunton Rd. traffic. Let's examine how we have addressed the Wilmot over the last 30 years. We have been polluting it - big lime lor years. If the existing existing neighbouring properties of the Wilmot had to upgrade to the specifications specifications the Lishmans must follow - half would he filing for bankruptcy. Make no mistake, the Wilmol will not suffer with the Lishman venture locating here. Il will quite probably benefit. The needed upgrades lo Taunton Rd. is the other ANCHORS AWEIGH -- Little Michael Lang of Peterborough finds this buried anchor makes a perfect resting stop. He and his family were taking in the sights at the Wooden Boat Festival at the Port of Newcastle Marina on Saturday. ... f \Æ: Letter to the Editor Historic Downtown Defended Dear Mr. Weaver: Thank you for your letter which appeared in the July 22, 1998 issue of The Canadian Statesman, concerning the look of our Historic Downtown Bowmanvillc. Much of what does enhance our Downtown, including the hanging flower baskets and the planters and the flags, arc paid for from our limited budget - monies which are collected as an extra voluntary tax on the business owners. In addition., we hire and pay for a student to work over the summer, whose job it is to attempt to keep the Downtown free from litter and weeds. Our longer range plans, which require municipal assistance because of the costs involved, include new decorative street lighting, similar to that which was recently recently installed on Church and Division Streets (provided by the first federal Infra-structure initiative), new benches and waste receptacles, unipavers and historic historic street signage. While the new self-directed walking tour of Historic Bowmanvillc, which includes the Downtown; the introduction of colourful murals; the provision of free parking for a three hour period in the off- Continued on page 5 Hello Claringfon It's really hard to come up with a way to introduce myself. I mean, I'm to write a whole column about me, about how happy I am to be here. But I'm having trouble doing it. This is probably my 20th attempt. Don't get me wrong - it's not that I'm not happy to be here. I am. Really happy, as a matter of fact. It's just that writing about me isn't what I do. Sec, I write about other people. Always have. Even if you look back to the minor works of fiction I wrote as a child, the stories are not about me. They're about the interesting things I observed other people doing. That's still what I write about. I've only been here for a little better than two weeks. In that time, I've witnessed a lot of people doing a lot of interesting things, which means I've been able to write a lot of stories. That's the thing I love about community newspapers. You get to meet interesting people doing fascinating things. And you get to do it every single day. I used to work for a radio station. There wasn't as much of that -1 did get to meet interesting people, but at most, I'd be able to spend 30 seconds telling their story. This medium gives me the ability to look a little closer at people, spend a little more time getting to know them. So far, that's the thing I like most about Bowmanvillc. For the most part, people have been open and willing to let me gel lo know them. I'm not saying there haven't been exceptions, but the one thing I came to accept a long time ago is not everyone really wants someone bugging bugging them, asking a whole bunch of questions, taking up their time. That's why I really appreciate it when people actually do take the time to put up with my sometimes annoying questions. Especially right now, when I'm just starting out in Clarington. Though I have written for the Statesman before in a freelance capacity, and though I have been working with media outlets in Durham Region for the past two years, there arc still a lot of things that arc new to me, a lot of issues I'm not familiar with, a lot of history that I just don't know about yet. So, please be patient if I'm asking about something that has been a hot issue here for a long time. Please understand if I'm not entirely sure what your name is, even if you're a prominent member of the community. Please be tolerant if I have to ask you for the spelling of your last name, even if you've appeared in the Statesman ump-tccn times in the past. I'll get it figured out, and then I'll be able to do more of what I like best - writing about interesting people doing fascinating things. And so far, it seems like there are lots of those in Clarington. Thoughts Unlimited by Rick James issue. I think we have to rely - once again - on the professionals lo determine the feasibility and necessary upgrades for this project. The old Clarke Township has sent the message message for decades that we arc against change and or development. The (under the microscope) microscope) Lishman development development will he a world-class endeavor and we will all share the notoriety. We elected people to make decisions and should have faith to allow them to fulfil their obligations. My hat is off to Troy Young. His dedication is refreshing. I hope we do not shoot ourselves ourselves in the foot as we contemplate contemplate the Lishman Proposal. Thank you for your time, Kelly Adams Welcome to the Big Leagues How'd you like to be 17 and become a rich celebrity over night? That's exactly what's happened to British teen idol/golfer Justin Rose after an incredible performance in the British Open. Despite his age, he outplayed all but a handful of the world's best to finish in a tie for fourth place. His spectacular wedge shot that found the cup on the last hole solidified his exciting week and guaranteed financial security for the rest of his life through lucrative endorsement contracts. contracts. His immediate reaction following the tournament was to turn professional professional and starting earning cash instead of pats on the back. As an amateur, lie's limited in how much he could win oi; accept. A fourth place tie in the British Open was worth about $175,000. Rose also wants to strike while his irons arc hot and take advantage of his good fortune. Good sponsors arc difficult to find and just has hard to keep happy. It's big business and slapping a name on a hat or sweater means making or losing big bucks to corporations. How big is it? Just ask Justin Rose. During the final round of the British Open, he was noticeably outfitted in a number of brand name products despite being an amateur. The official word is that he just happened to pick these brands to wear, the same way you or I would in a golf shop. He was wearing a Cobra hat and used a Cobra bag. His shirt had a Rccbok logo, while his rain jacket carried the name of the golf ball he was playing, Titlcist. His completed his wardrobe with Footjoy shoes and Oakley sunglasses. Judging by his outfit, you would think he must be well on his way to signing a bunch of contracts with a lot of really happy sponsors. But, no so. During Saturday's foul weather, he annoyed Rccbok when lie donned his Titlcist rain jacket, covering up the Rccbok logo. When the sun disappeared behind the clouds, Rose put his Oakley sunglasses sunglasses on his hat obscuring the Cobra logo. Fortunately, by the time he was interviewed on television, someone had put the word in his ear and dressed him to satisfy all his potential sponsors. Perhaps the most bizarre story relating lo the earnings of amateur athletes involves two of the biggest names in golf. You may recall when Tiger Woods was an amateur, he came under lire for allowing Arnold Palmer to buy him lunch. It contravened the amount of money he was able to accept as an amateur and Tiger had lo re-pay Palmer for a meal that cost less than $20. Needless to say, Antic was furious. Fortunately, Tiger wits able to come up with the cash after he turned professional and Nike signed him lo a deal worth $40 million. No doubt, Tiger is the one paying for lunch now. Dangerous Sport By now you've heard about the three fans who were killed during a car race in Michigan on Sunday. I was there and was silling about 250 yards away from where the race car hit the wall and launched one of its tires over the fence and into the crowd. I saw the car hit the wall, but at more limn 200 miles per hour, everything happened so quickly, we didn't even know debris had gone into the crowd. It wasn't until we were driving home that we heard about the tragedy on the radio. We did speak to someone at a truck stop who was sitting near the scene and saw the tire hit the fans. He said it came over the fence and into the crowd like a blurred boulder, killing two of the fans instantly. instantly. A third died later and about six other people were injured as the tire bounced around. It happened so fast, no one had a chance to get out of its way. A few more yards down the track and that tire could have easily found its way into our section. The most disturbing part about the incident is that before the race started, I commented lo one of my friends about the height of the fence that separates the cars from the grandstand. When we walked from beneath the bleachers to find our scats, we were standing directly directly beside the track. The cars would be flying by within 10 feet of us at more than 240 miles per hour and the only thing between us was a re-in forced chain link fence that curved over the edge of the track. When the cars made their first high speed pass, that fence looked even smaller. Despite wanting to be close to the action, we moved a lot higher in the stands. At top speed, these cars can easily touch wheels and become airborne. Once in the air, they become planes and could easily easily clear the fence by our seats. I'm not sure if a higher fence would have prevented the wheel from flying into the crowd at Michigan. The crash occurred at the end of a turn and the tire flew on just the right trajectory to clear the fence. A few yards cither way and it would have hit the barrier. No doubt, there will he calls for higher and stronger fences. That will he fine until the next lime a fan or driver is killed by Hying debris. Bui, a higher chain link fence wouldn't have helped the fans years ago at the Indy 500 when a spinning car sprayed burning fuel into the grandstand seals. Several fans were killed in that accident as well. 'l'lte bottom line is that racing will always be very dangerous for drivers and fans. The simple answer would be lo totally enclose the track so nothing can escape. Unfortunately, race fans do not want to attend something they can't see, hear, smell, taste and touch. Speaking of Strange Tastes Another Bowinanville resident happened to be in the Michigan area recently and brought me a copy of a classified ad he found on a grocery store bulletin board. One of my old B.H.S. math teachers, J.J. Lemieux, was vacationing vacationing near Detroit when he found this ad, Articles for Sale Have eight piece Wedgewood China set, mini condition. Also, complete works of Beethoven on Jive e.d. collection. Asking $250 for both or willing to trade for a high powered rifle or assault weapon. Phone 810... I'm surprised he didn't want lo keep the plates and compact discs for skeet shooting! Only in America.