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The Canadian Statesman, Btnvmanvillc, Wednesday, February 17, 1999 Pace 4 ®I je Canabian Statesman 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 Clnrington/Courticc Independent P.O. Box 190, 62 King St. VV., 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 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 Kaldeway, Barb Patterson, Sean Pickard, Tyler Sellick, Jim Snock, James Stephenson, Vance Sutherland, Jim Tuuramo Advertising Editorial Laverne Morrison Brad Kelly, Jennifer Stone Office Supervisor - Angela Luscher, Junia Hodge, Grace McGregor, Nancy Pleasance-Sturman, Marilyn Rutherford, Libby Smithson Editorials Power to The People For about the past year, Newcastle has had the benefit of a thriving ratepayers' group to raise important issues in the village. Now, the village of Orono has opted for a similar organization organization and held a meeting last week to launch its ratepayer association. We hope other centres such as Bowmanville, Courtice, Hampton and Clarington's rural community will follow suit. In fact, without ratepayer organizations to champion important local causes, there's every indication that vast sections of Clarington will turn into one big Metro Toronto subdivision. The problem is that local government is going through some changes. There's a pretty good chance that some regional and local services will be amalgamated. There's the possibility that the local Municipality of Clarington could be eliminated altogether if the provincial government opts to dismantle our two-tier system of regional and local powers. And, even if governments do not change one iota, the fact remains that Clarington has grown substantially to a population of something like 70,000. And yet, the number of elected representatives to serve the communities of Clarington hasn't changed from the days when the population population was about half that size. Local municipalities are getting bigger and units of government government seem to be getting larger. If there are fewer additional additional elected politicians to serve the public, then the answer has to be local community groups. Such organizations have much in their favor. As volunteers, volunteers, they work for free to better the municipality. Ratepayer groups are open to anybody willing to work and contribute, not just whoever won an election. In fact, one of the advantages to a ratepayer group is that it can unabashedly unabashedly lobby strictly for its own local interests. Elected officials are often restricted in their actions because they must defend the decisions of local government, try to please everybody and try to get re-elected in the next election. In other words, ratepayer groups can concentrate on the issues surrounding the villages and neighbourhoods where the members live. Speeding traffic, parking, preservation of historic buildings, buildings, local sidewalks, parks, recreation facilities, beautification beautification of public lands, and issues related to crime and security security are but a few topics that ratepayer groups might want to investigate. Moreover, by banding together, a group of informed and "articulate ratepayers can stand a better chance of getting action front the municipal authorities. Citizens might take their cue from business groups who are already operating in Clarington. We have Business Improvement Associations in Orono, Newcastle and Bowmanville. We have Chambers of Commerce, the Clarington Business Group and the Clarington Board of Trade. They exist for much the same reasons as ratepayer groups. However, their focus is generally restricted to matters matters related to trade and commerce. Moreover, they cannot be expected to cover all issues. Ratepayer organizations arc an important component to a healthy grassroots democracy. Newcastle and Orono are already leading the way. And, as for Clarington's other communities, we have only one question. What's holding you back? Feast or Famine A headline Tuesday morning proclaimed that upwards of 10,000 nurses must be hired to shore up our medical system. system. And, although this is being written before the new federal federal budget on Tuesday, it's generally agreed that huge amounts of federal cash arc about to be funnelled into medical medical care. There can be little doubt that such expenditures arc needed. But, why can there not be a balanced approach? Alter years of cutbacks, the federal government -- and governments at other levels-- arc loosening the pursestrings. pursestrings. After firing close to 10,000 nurses in the cutback process, Ontario now is on the verge of hiring many of them back. The challenge will be to ensure that the large amounts of new cash being pumped back into the health care system is used most efficiently. Otherwise, we could start another cycle of deficits, followed by cutbacks. It's also possible that increased government spending in so many quarters will resurrect a problem not seen in about a decade. Does anybody here remember inflation and the problems it triggered? triggered? Governments must try to steer a more even course and avoid the cycles of boom and bust by policies that veer dangerously dangerously in the direction of over-spending or under-spending. under-spending. Perhaps, the experiences of the past live years in taming deficits and returning to fiscal responsibility will teach us something. But, don't count on it. We may he returning very quickly to the politics of spend, spend and spend. It would be unfortunate if this were the outcome. Having just begun to get the deficit under control, now is not the time to crank up the cash machines. In Pursuit The issue of police pursuits docs not have easy answers. The safety of the general public must he considered. But, there is also the importance of nabbing the criminal. The obligation of police to chase suspects must he respected. Otherwise, we are sending a message that whenever whenever criminals flee they can do so without being impeded. Fortunately, a recent report from the Solicitor General outlines outlines some ideas that might protect the general public while allowing police to do their job. Three of the more interesting ideas cited as alternatives to police pursuit include helicopters, tire-deflation devices and electromagnetic devices that can stop engines. The first two options -- helicopters and tire deflation equipment -- - arc part ol the Solicitor-General's solution to the problem. The electromagnetic devices arc still in the research stage. Also recommended are amendments to the Highway Traffic Act to strengthen lines and penalties for drivers attempting to flee police, Additional training and supervision supervision plus a new three-part lest to decide if a pursuit is to he initiated have been suggested by the provincial government, O Canada! Students at Newcastle Public School gathered outside on Monday to salute the flag. Durham MP Alex Shepherd was on hand to help with the flag-raising ceremony and to lead the crowd in the singing of O Canada. Letter to the Editor Facts About Teen Dances in Newcastle Dear Editor: In response to all the recent articles regarding regarding the Pre-Teen dances being held by the Municipality we thought it would be a good opportunity to write and give details of the Teen dances and other activities for youth sponsored by The Optimist Club of Newcastle Village. Did you know the club has been a part of the community since July 12, 1990 and the mandate of this organization is "Friend of Youth"? The Optimist Club of Newcastle Village holds monthly teen dances right in Newcastle at the Community Hall. These dances were started as a program but have grown into a fund-raiser because of the large number of teens who attend. Cost of admission is $4.00 per person. (Much Music is $5.00) and water, chips and pop arc sold for .50 cents each. The funds raised at the dances help us to provide many of the free activities we offer. The Pineridge/Kawartha School Board had given us permission to display our dance posters in the schools plus local businesses and newspapers are very supportive in allow ing us to advertise. There is a minimum of 10-12 experienced adult volunteer supervisors at each of our dances and 15 volunteers at our Optimist sponsored Much Music Video Dances. We do our best to screen the kids for signs of alcohol/drugs as they enter the hall and bags etc. are checked. Two supervisors do an exterior perimeter walk of the grounds every 15-30 minutes. The rules arc simple, no running, swearing, fighting, smoking, alcohol or drugs allowed. If they wish to leave the hall they are not permitted permitted to come back in. Volunteers are assigned to monitor the bathrooms, the doors and walk about the hall. The kids are well behaved and we have been fortunate to have very few problems. Parents are always welcome. Future dance dates are: March 12 - Much Music, April 23, May 28, June 25, August 12 and September 24. We are not affiliated with any other dances being held in Newcastle. But dances are not all we do. We sponsor numerous programs, many of them free, for children, teens and families. We celebrate Youth Appreciation Week by recognizing youths from the community, selected by schools, Cubs, Brownies, etc. with a special night where they receive a certificate of recognition in front of family and friends. We offer skating on P.A. days, bike decorating at the Fall Festival, Drop-In Sports Night at Newcastle Public School, Family Flicks at the Community Hall and March Break activities which include FREE skating, bowling and swimming. For a small fee a baby-sitting course by St. John's Ambulance is being offered this year as well. Every year for the past 8 years we have had Breakfast With- Santa in the Community Hall and judging by the over 600 people who have attended each year, this is very popular. Now you know, who we are and what we do. If you have any questions/comments regarding the dances call Diane or Reg at 987- 5653. If you would like to know more about our programs/club call our President, Lucinda Cull at 987-1148. Friend of Youth Thoughts Unlimited by Rick James Loose Ends There arc a couple issues lingering from last week's column that I should clear up before we get too far into this week's ramblings. The first item involves the question as to whether there will be an extra day in the year 2000. Last week I mentioned that rumours were circulating that the year 2000 was not a leap year and there would be no birthday celebrations for anyone born on February 29th. Well, according to a reader who stopped by our office within an hour of The Statesman being on the street, February 29th will be observed in the year 2000. But, there wasn't a leap year in 1700, 1800 or 1900. And there won't be one in 2100, 2200 or 2300. Why not? Here's the secret. A leap year is observed on the turn of a century when the first two digits can be divided by four evenly. So, 2000 is in, but 2100 is out. The reader who answered the mystery wished to remain anonymous, anonymous, but come to think of it, he looked a lot like Galileo. Silent Snowboarders I figured after my rip at snowboarders last week, I would have been swamped by angry boarders challenging me to a race down Ml. Kirby. The only comment I received was from my nephew who quietly retaliated with, "Be more aggressive." Whooooo, tough guy. Something I did neglect to mention about my trip to Mont-Ste. Anne last week was one of the most incredibly stupid pranks I've ever seen. Mont-Stc.-Anne has enough elevation and bitter cold to justify a gondola. For those non-skiers, a gondola is an enclosed capsule that holds up to eight people and protects you from the elements as it speeds to the top of the mountain. It's a little tight on head room for most people, so the ceiling is covered with carpet to take away a bit of the Homer Simpson "Doooh" from hitting your head on the hare metal. It's a considerate considerate touch, hut not when some idiots decide to leave their mark on Mt.-Slc.-Annc by burning their names in the ceiling carpel with cigarette lighters. Think about this. Even though most carpets arc fire-resistant, it really doesn't seem like a good idea to me to set something ablaze when you arc locked in a capsule that is hanging from a thin cable several hundred leet in the air. Where do you think you're going,Jo go? 'I he toxic lûmes from the carpet would probably be enough to kill you. When I saw this, the first thing I thought of was Apollo One. For those who don't remember what happened to it, the entire crew was incinerated when a spark in the space capsule ignited pure oxygen during a training exercise on the ground. Now, ol course, I would never he naive enough to suggest that just snowboarders were responsible lor such foolish behaviour. It's just a coincidence that this appears in the same paragraph. Honest. Old Bowmanville I just saw a death notice arrive at our office for a character that any Bowmanville native will recognize. Gord "Wiener" Sellers died earlier this week after a lengthy illness. illness. If you don't recognize the name, you would certainly recognize recognize the person if you imagine someone driving a red pick-up truck for the Municipality of Clarington. I don't know how long "Wiener" worked for the town, but it had to be close to 50 years. Although I never saw him play, my brothers tell me he was a great athlete in his day. I'm told he was one of the best baseball pitchers Bowmanville has ever seen. He and the Sellers name will most certainly certainly be remembered as one of the most recognizable of native Bowinanvillians And when I say Bowmanville native, I mean someone who refers to our old town as "Bowmville," not Bow-man-villc." You have to be a true Bowmanville native to understand that one. Go Leafs Go Okay, so it was a little sappy. But, what the heck, I found myself getting misty during the closing closing ceremonies of Maple Leaf Gardens. All my childhood Leaf hockey heroes were there. "Red" Kelly, Johnny Bower, George Armstrong, The Big "M." But, where the heck was Dave Kcon? I understand lie boycotted the closing after vowing to never step foot in The Gardens again because of Harold Ballard. Sorry Dave, you need a slap up the side of the head. Despite all the sportsmanship lie displayed during his playing career, lie blew it by not showing up Saturday night. Harold Ballard is long gone, but the fans who worshipped him in Toronto were there and deserved better. And, unless 1 missed it when they were honouring previous captains captains of the Leafs, I don't recall them mentioning Rick Vaivc. And, although he wasn't a captain, how about the player that scored the most famous goal of all time, Paul Henderson? No doubt it took a lot of effort to gel all the players there, but it was unfortunate for the fans that some of the most famous were missed or unable to attend. And who gels my top award for the evening? It has to go the current current Leaf Captain, Mats Sundin. I do not have a lot of respect for most professional athletes. The demands and high salaries have inade it too expensive for most families to see a professional spoiling spoiling event. And the attitudes of the Dennis Rodmans of the world are chipping away at the pedestal our heroes are supposed to stand on. But, Sundin helped rebuild the hockey hero image on Saturday night when former Leaf great "Red" Horner passed him the ceremonial ceremonial banner to continue the Leaf tradition at the Air Canada Centre. Sundin accepted it and then embraced the veteran. And you know what, I'm not so sure it wasn't for Stuidin's benefit. It even brought tears to the eyes of tough guys like Tie Domi and Tiger Williams, It was a class act and shows why Sundin deserves to wear the "C" on his Toronto Maple Leaf jersey.