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The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, January 13, 1999 Page 5 f 1)c Catiatrian talesman C </L*A X ^ 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 Also Publishers of The ClaringtonICourticc 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 lnternet-statesman@ocna.org Publications Mail Registration No. 07637 For 145 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, Tim Bowers, Kevin Britton, Suzanne Christie, Sharon Cole, Laurens Kaldevvay, Barb Patterson, Sean Pickard, Tyler Sellick, Jim Snoek, James Stephenson, Vance Sutherland, Jim Tuuramo Advertising Editorial Laverne Morrison Office Brad Kelly, Jennifer Stone Supervisor - Angela Luscher, Junia Hodge, Grace McGregor, Nancy Pleasance-Sturman, Marilyn Rutherford, Libby Smithson Editorials A Canadian Tradition While Durham Region residents seem to be taking the January snowstorms in stride, the same cannot be said for Toronto residents. For one thing, they seem to have received more snow than Durham Region. So, perhaps they arc entitled to complain complain of unplowcd streets, disruptions in transportation, and the other winter hazards. On the other hand, it also would appear that they have forgotten the fact that we live in a northern climate. It's January. It's Canada. Perhaps we'd be better off to simply co-operate and learn to live with the weather conditions. conditions. The weather is not the fault of governments or politicians. politicians. When a severe storm hits, the number of snow plows we need will always be one more than whatever number we have. However, in these days of strict government spending controls, it just isn't practical to have large quantities of equipment and staff available just in case a big snowstorm hits. In that case, the same folks who arc grumbling about unplowed streets would be complaining about excessive taxes. The one thing that might be helpful is more disasterplanning, disasterplanning, so that Canadians can cope with the extremes of weather that have been reported in the past decade. But, that's beyond the scope of any single local government. And, besides, our latest winter storms do not qualify as oncc-in-a-lifctime disasters. They're just normal weather conditions for this time of the year. The solution is to get back to our Canadian roots and learn how to roll with the punches Old Man Winter aims in our direction. Some experts suggest the winter storms arc the result of La Nina, which is the reverse of last year's mild, El Nino effect. In that case, once this winter is over, we'll probably see a return to the milder climates that have been seen in this part of Ontario over,the past two or three decades. In the midst of next year's mild winter, some of us may even feel a little nostalgic about the cold weather we arc experiencing this month. But only for about five seconds. Our advice is to try and enjoy the snowfall, the skiing, the outdoor skating, the snow-shovelling, the warm fires and hot bowls of stew or chilli on a winter evening. The only thing more Canadian,might be a Stanley Cup victory by the Toronto Maple Leafs, And even that's not entirely out of the question. Turning on The Tap Keep your eye on the progress of the new $157 million water treatment plant proposed for the lakcfront, between Oshawa and Bowmanvillc. If the plant gets a green light and wins speedy approval, it will signal the continued rampant urban development of Clarington. Whatever might be said of development, it moves at the speed with which water and sewer pipes and plants can be built. The growth we have seen in Clarington over the past two decades is the direct result of decisions made in the seventies seventies to build more water and sewer facilities to serve the lakcfront communities. However, it won't be very long before these services will be at capacity and new investment will be required to continue the trend towards rapid development development in east Durham. Continued growth may not be a sure thing, according to local politicians who have been watching developments of the past few years. The establishment of the Greater Toronto Services Board means that there's a tendency to sec all of Toronto and its surrounding regions as a single unit. And that means there could be a decision to concentrate development closer to Toronto before allowing projects such as the $157 million Cotirlicc water treatment plant. In other words, why build a brand new plant out here if there's capacity closer to Toronto? Or, why proceed with a new industrial park in South Courticc if it will compete with available industrial space elsewhere in the GTA. If we arc moving from an environment in which there arc half a dozen Toronto area municipalities competing for commercial and residential growth, then the development of the new Courticc water supply plant must be looked at from the vantage point of the entire Greater Toronto Area. Is it good for the whole GTA or just for the Durham Region? It's just one example of how the outlook will change if we consider ourselves to be part of the Toronto mega-city and not an independent regional municipality. Some will go so far as to suggest that the change in philosophy philosophy means commercial and residential growth will come to a screeching halt in areas far from the heart of Toronto. But, that remains to be seen. It will, after all, depend on some political decisions. SEEN AND Letters to the Editor Doctor Should be Defended The following is a copy of a letter to Ontario's health minister, minister, Elizabeth Winner. Madam: I write to you with the hope that you can intercede in the case of Dr. Josef Krop. This man stands convicted of professional professional misconduct, a man who has treated thousands of people successfully and has, to my knowledge, had no complaint for any patient. I believe that he uses a sophisticated means of treating allergies, together with homeopathic homeopathic principles - principles which are in standard use in many countries in Europe and England.' These principles seek to work by teaching or re-training re-training the body to use its own natural natural defense mechanisms, mechanisms which are often out of balance due to a number of factors; poor nutrition, stressful lifestyles, cigarette smoking, excess alcohol consumption consumption being but a few. These principles lead the body in the direction of health. The same cannot always be said of the more generally accepted practice of prescribing symptom-reducing symptom-reducing drugs. These work by making the symptoms go away! With scant attention being paid to the cause of the problem. Short-term gain, here, is often acquired at the expense of the longer term result as we develop chronic disease. Although this concept is not generally understood by our medical professionals, it is a known truism that if you hold something in long enough, it tries desperately to find its way out. The result can be psychological psychological illness, physical symp toms, or death. Suppression management does not, in short, lead one truly "in the direction of health". On the other hand, Homeopathic and Naturopathic concepts, using natural means of healing, always intend to do so. Yours very truly, Pat Irwin Lycett, Orono Owner wants Information on Missing Goods To your readership: Do you recognize these people? people? One about 17 years of age, or older, who goes riding oil his dirt bike at night with his friend, who rides a narrowtrack All Terrain Vehicle with about a 20" track. This second person is about the size of a smallish 12- 13 year old. They go out equipped with a bolt cutter. On October 22nd, they paid a visit to my truck parked at the corner of Taunton & Ochonski roads, just northeast of Orono, cut the padlock off the door, and loaded my virtually brand new Coleman Powermate 5000 watt generator onto the ATV, along with the plugged-in yellow lOO'cxtcnsion cord. They also unloaded my virtually virtually brand new Scars 110-220 volt air compressor which, unfortunately, was equipped with wheels and a handle, enabling the older person to drag it down the road beside his motorcycle. The air compressor was equipped with a 50 foot light blue air hose having heavy duty couplings on each end. You may know them because they offered you a good buy on either or both of these items, or because they told you they got a real buy (steal) on them; you may know them because one or both of these items showed up suddenly in their garage/shop with the same story attached. In any case, my insurance is $500 deductible, and in order to even claim the loss, I have to re-purchase re-purchase the items all over again. This theft will have left me slightly over $ 1200 out of pocket pocket after all is said and done. I want the equipment back and, to this end, am offering a reward of $300 for information leading to the culprits and my goods, A message can be left at 905-571-1507 at anytime. Thank you. Edward Skakic ROBINS IN WINTER -- We thought it was unusual last week to hear of a robin sighting the same day that we were writing about one of the biggest snowfalls in recent memory. But, that's not necessarily so, according according to bird experts. It seems that some of the northern robins move down to our neck of the woods after the local robins have flown south. We suppose- that, for the northern birds, this is- something like the sunny south. Either- that, or they should have booked a bet- ! ter travel package. Anyhow, the north- ' ern robins feed on fodder such as mountain ash berries and sumacs. In. the Orono area, upwards of 100 robins ; have been seen, according to local nat- 1 uralist, Roy Forrester. He discussed the winter robin phenomenon in a recent Orono Times column. A flock of winter robins has also been seen among the snowdrifts in Blaekstock. OUTDOOR RINKS -- What could be more of a Canadian tradition than the outdoor skating rink? Thanks to the work of local volunteers, there are three public rinks available. Two are at Courticc (in the Highland Gardens Park and the Foxhunt Trail Parkette) and a third rink is behind the Community Hall in Hampton. So far, there's no sign of the outdoor rink being established beneath the clock tower at Rotary Park. That one is maintained by the Municipality of Clarington. No doubt, it has enough to do with the clean-up from the latest snowfalls. GROW YOUR OWN CAR? -- Among the hundreds of uses of industrial industrial hemp crops is the manufacturing of car parts. And, we swear we are not: making this up! The versatile fibre can be used to make durable objects such as table tops and doors as well as cloth, soaps, oils, and much more. The local Soil and Crop Improvement ! Association was told last week that industrial hemp can be used, for example, example, to make the board that separates the back seat of a car from the trunk. ; But, there's no word yet on how to grow the whole car. Furthermore, the production of this crop is carefully. regulated and licensed. So far, most of the crops have been planted only in western Ontario. LIBERAL ASSOC. SPONSORS BIG HOCKEY GAME -- Canada's Women's Hockey Team will face off against Team Finland next Wednesday, January 20th, at Oshawa Civic Auditorium. Game time is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available at the Oshawa Civic Auditorium Complex or through Ticketmaster. Sheila Copps, Minister of Heritage and the Minister responsible responsible for Sport Canada, will be a special guest. She'll drop the puck to start the game. Local Durham Region women's hockey groups and the Durham Federal Liberal Association are sponsoring sponsoring the game. The Clarington Girls' Hockey Association is among the sponsors. Programs for the Ontario Millennium Ontarians have said they want the province to coordinate coordinate a meaningful and inclusive millennium program program that's community- based, supports conserving our heritage and environment, environment, engages Ontario's youth and focuses on the province's proud past and prosperous future. The provincial government is responding with a $20-mil- 1 ion investment in initiatives initiatives that include: • Main Street Ontario: Matching funding - of up to 50 cents per resident - will be provided through munic ipalities, First Nations and local service boards for one-time, community-oriented community-oriented projects between January I and December 31, 2000. Funding will range from $1,000 to a maximum of $350,000. Applicants may propose projects to beautify their communities, promote tourism, or celebrate cultural cultural diversity, history, or achievements in science and technology. (Inquiries: Call 416-314-2020 in the Toronto area, or 1 -877-464- 0444 from elsewhere in the province). Family Action Coalition Forms Durham Chapter Letter to the Editor Dear Pastor, Church Leader, Media: The Family Action Council of Durham Region is pleased to announce our becoming a chapter of Canada Family Action Coalition. Wc arc uniting uniting with other groups like ours to form a "National Pro-family Network" across Canada. Our local activities such as voter's guides, action alerts, seminars, public forums, petitions, etc. will not change. What will change is that eventually over '300 chapters across Canada will be doing something similar! We are planning an official "Press Conference" for the media in Oshawa during the week of February 22, 1999. We are also planning to speak to Pastors and Church Leaders in the very near future to discuss future plans and strategies. Our local chapter will he called "Canada Family Action Coalition of Durham Region" or "CFAC Durham" for short. Sincerely, Terry Ruddell, P.Eng. Chapter Leader • My Ontario: Primary and secondary students will be invited to develop their vision, in words and pictures, pictures, of what Ontario may be like in 2020. A selection will be published in a special special millennium book that will be distributed to schools and libraries across the province. • Spotlight on Tomorrow's Leaders: To build pride in those who will lead the province in the 21st century, 100 young people - between the ages of 15 and 24 - will be honoured. honoured. Nominees must show exceptional leadership leadership in all of the following following areas: academics, academics, community service and creative and healthy living (such as arts endeavours, sports participation and recreational recreational activities), • Millennium memento: Ontario's 2.1 million primary and secondary students will receive a special keepsake to remember this once-in-a-liletime event, They'll be able to pass it on to future generations and say, "I was there in 2000". • The Three Century Club: Individuals whose lives have spanned the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries will be honoured for their contributions contributions to the province's growth, prosperity and diversity. • It's About Time: Three acclaimed provincial tourist attractions - the Ontario Science Centre, the Royal Ontario Museum and Science North - will mount a travelling exhibit scheduled scheduled to visit communities throughout the province during the summer of 2000. It will feature interactive science exhibits, live presentations presentations and a multimedia theatre show built around the theme of lime: how we measure it, how others have measured it in the past - or might measure it in the future - and how time affects our lives. • That's The Ticket: This campaign will offer special links - for Ontario residents and tourists alike - to events in cities, towns and villages across the province in the year 2000. Ontario 2000 will encourage encourage Ontarians and visitors to mark the millennium in Ontario. • Special Projects: Many organizations arc developing their own millennium millennium initiatives. The province recognizes the need to support good ideas that may not fit under Main Street Ontario. Eligible projects would need to demonstrate long-lasting benefits for multiple communities communities in a region. A small advisory group will be appointed to assist in the selection of these partnership partnership opportunities. • Ontario 2000 Connections web site: An interactive web site (www.ontario2000.on.ca), to be launched later in January, will connect Ontario to the world and the world to Ontario's millennium millennium initiatives. It will provide provide a single window for millennium events and give everyone with access to the World Wide Web an opportunity opportunity to learn about and respond to Ontario's millennium millennium program.