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The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, March 3, 1999 Page 4 tile Canadian talesman Of For 145 Years, Our First Concern Has Been Our Community Assoc. Publisher - Rick James Editor - Peter Parrott Publisher - John M. James Plant Manager - Rick Patterson ^ Former Publishers and Partners Rev. John M. Climie and VV. R. Climie 1854 - 1878 M. A. James, 1878 - 1935 • Norman S. 13. 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 Clnrington/Courticc 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 Supervisor - Ralph Rozema, Tim Bowers, Kevin Britton, Suzanne Christie, Sharon Cole, Roy Gray, Laurens Kaldeway, Steve Kraavvanger, Barb Patterson, Scan Pickard, Tyler Sellick, Jim Snoek, James Stephenson, Vance Sutherland, Matt Syer, Jim Tuuramo Advertising Editorial Laverne Morrison Brad Kelly, Jennifer Stone, Michelle Wyton Office Supervisor - Angela Luscher, Junia Hodge, Grace McGregor, Nancy Pleasance-Sturman, Marilyn Rutherford, Michele Rutherford Editorials Worldwide Web Well over a eentury ago, it was the railroads which revolutionized revolutionized Canada. As we approach the 21st century, it's the worldwide infonnation network which is having a similar impact. Whether we realize it or not, the launching of internet access in Clarington's local libraries is a major milestone which just might be on par with the days of frantic railroadbuilding railroadbuilding in the last century. The net is now becoming accessible to everybody. And that accessibility has happened within less than a decade. Ten years ago, only a few computer experts knew about the internet concept. Five years ago, internet connections connections were starting to become available to those leading- edge consumers who like to be the first on their block to join a new trend. Within the last few years, many of the rest of us have caught up with the pew technology. However, access has been limited to people with a few thousand dollars dollars to spend on a computer and a few hundred to spend annually on internet fees. The internet access in local libraries will make the worldwide information system open to all. In effect, Clarington's libraries are becoming the on-ramp for the , worldwide information highway. And, what is most signifi- , cant, is the fact that everyone can be included. Someone living on a park bench can still enjoy the same ' access to the information highway as the Nobel laureate. ' And you've got to like that kind of accessibility. Where is this internet feeding frenzy leading us? It's as difficult to answer that question as it would have been for a citizen of the 1800s to predict the impact of railroads. railroads. The internet makes more information available to more people and can link citizens with common interests around ■ the world. Thanks to the internet, data no longer Hows exclusively through mediators who, for example, publish books and magazines. It is possible to obtain data directly. So, rather than reading about a crisis halfway around the world, you can talk to groups or individuals in the middle of the crisis. And that is but one example of how the internet can . change our world. There arc, however, problems associated with the worldwide worldwide web. For instance, shouldn't pornographers and racists be banned from the system? How will the information network affect shopping habits? How will it affect broadcasters and publishers? How will it affect the workplace, commuting patterns, and advertising? advertising? The other unique feature of this phenomenon is that it -grows with a life of its own, Railroad builders of the last century were limited by factors such as geography and capital. capital. The internet seems to be limitless and unregulated. And that happens to be one of its strengths and weaknesses. In any event, Clarington has taken the first step towards ■ achieving universal internet accessibility. Drop down to the library and experience it for yourself. Five Per Cent Solution? One of the proposals being introduced by the provincial government in an offer to its OPSEU workers is a bonus for productivity. There is a suggestion that government workers might receive bonuses of up to five per cent of their salaries if they met certain productivity standards. It's a concept that has a certain appeal.Why shouldn't civil servants be rewarded for hard work and productivity just as a sales person, plumber or farmer might be rewarded rewarded for his or her own initiative? But, such thinking does not take into account the atmosphere atmosphere in which most large government organizations and large corporations operate. Most have very clearly defined job descriptions which limit employees from doing anything anything beyond their assigned tasks. It is not as though government government staffers arc able to gel out and drum up new business business or take on more work on their own initiative. So, what is the point in assigning merit pay to people who arc doing exactly what they arc asked to do? Secondly, we would assume that the staffers' supervisors would be the persons recommending productivity bonuses. In private enterprise, such bosses would be rather cautious in handing out incentive pay without good reason. That's because the costs would have a direct impact on the bottom line. However, government supervisors have government coffers to draw upon. The money isn't coming from then- own pockets. Besides, a supervisor might be hard-pressed to explain why one of two employees doing the same job received a bonus, Wouldn't the tendency be to automatically automatically award merit pay to just about everybody who made a reasonable reasonable effort? Wouldn't the bonus system proposed by the provincial government eventually resemble an across-the- board increase of five per cent? OPSEU leaders have also cautioned that the pay for performance performance system could lead to crony-ism and favoritism in the workplace. Rather than having to decide who deserves performance pay, perhaps it would he better to use a system such as payment payment for suggestions that helped increase productivity in measurable ways. Keeping Downtown Alive Orono's new ratepayer association has been formed just in time to examine the tough question of how to preserve commercial space in the village's downtown. The problem goes something like this: Downtown businesses are wondering if, in the absence of commercial tenants, they might convert their ground floor stores into residential apartments. The problem, of course, is that the conversion of first floor commercial space into residential accommodation won't help business in the downtown. Most downtowns rely on a cluster of offices and stores to attract shoppers. When you take away a few stores, then you limit opportunities for stores already in operation. On the other hand, shouldn't a property owner have the right to, within reason, make whatever use of the property he or she sees 111? And, in the absence of a municipal sewer system for Orono, will the village ever see the kind of growth that will support a downtown? These are the kinds of questions that will crop up at public meetings to discuss the proposed slorefronl by-law, It's dear some creative solutions are needed, And they should he brought to upcoming meetings that will be liekl to help solve the problem. Crafty One Artist At Work ' Shannon Paulin, age six, tries her hand at one of several crafts offered last Friday as part of Ontario Street Public School's "Carnaval" celebrations, The school had special events every day last week in honour of Quebec's Winter Carnival. Events included ice sculpture, funny hat day, and sports day. Nclisha Duff, 6, got' creative during Ontario Street Public School's Carnival celebrations last week. The week boasted special events each day for students at the school. These includ-. ed crowning of the king and queen, skating, and a ball hockey tournament. Letters to the Editor Premier Offers "Simplistic" Dear Editor, Let's hear it for Premier Harris. Once again he has devised a simplistic solution to a complex problem. He has continued to pick on the disadvantaged and disenfranchised. He has found a way to 'get even' with those pesky students who booed him in Skydomc. Yes, our premier will invoke a school uniform and the woes of schools will be solved. Statistics are already hitting the media that show the reduction in discipline problems problems in districts in the United States where school uniforms have been invoked. The spew- ers of these statistics don't mention mention the increase in drop out rates for those districts. But in the new Ontario, we won't worry about those students - the students who may not have parents parents or guardians to encourage them and ensure they stay in school rather than leave in anger over such an irrelevant issue as school uniforms. There are plenty of heating grates and spacious sidewalks for them in Downtown Toronto. Our own Mike (you can call me Dan Quaylc) Harris longs for the days of Leave It To Beaver and Father Knows Best. Well, I've got news for you, Mr. Premier - those were aetors. They were not real people! I can understand your attraction to those shows. They didn't deal with social issues and problems either. They lived in a time when people were building building bomb shelters in their back yards because of the threat of nuclear war. They live in a country where citizens could not travel on certain buses, cat in certain restaurants or attend certain schools because of then- colour. Perhaps, Premier Harris, you long for those days, but I for one don't. Let's not romanticize romanticize the past and bring in irrelevant irrelevant mcanderings to such a serious issue as school discipline. discipline. Showing reruns of Ozzic and Harriet won't ensure the small minority of kids we read about acting in disrespectful ways will change. Neither will requiring school uniforms. School uniforms, however arc consistent with the Common Sense Revolution. They provide a simplistic solution solution to a complex problem. Today's many non-traditional families do not need the trial of struggling with the purchase of school uniforms. They need social supports and assistance to deal with the plethora of problems that face families trying trying to survive in the days of part-time low paying jobs in Ontario. They need well financed school boards that can provide the supports and safety nets for at-risk students and their families. I would also encourage you, Mr. Premier, to try another solution before you throw up trial balloons such as school uniforms. Teach by example. Students have seen over three years of disrespect for teachers, school boards and the Ontario education system beyond Queen's Park from your very own office. They have heard your education minister on videotape asking his department department to create a crisis in education. education. They have seen you, as premier, being sued for slander for your derogatory comments towards teachers. They have seen you, as premier, unilaterally unilaterally force District School Boards on regions so vast and different that teachers arc left feeling lost in a transition that they Icel is out of control. They have seen you, as premier, and your government government bring labour unrest and disruptions to the education of Ontario students as has never been experienced in the history of this province. I would gladly watch Beavis and Butt Head, Soulhpart and The Simpsons rather than view one more Government of Ontario ad trying trying to hide the damage this government government has done to Public Education in Ontario. At least with Carlmcn and the boys from Southpark, what you sec is what you get! You want students to respect teachers, Mr Harris? Then try doing so yourself! Sincerely, Murk Fallis, Peterborough News from Home Dear Peter, Enclosed is a photo of me enjoying the equatorial sun- while reviewing the news from home. Carol and I had a fantastic vacation in Africa. There are many contrasts and disparity situations but the people we met made us feel welcome. You would pass someone and they would say "Jamho" or hello in Swahili, Of course, we stood out as visitors but the children and some adults would smile and wave making us feel welcome. welcome. A few of the highlights...we had a 9 passenger safari van all to ourselves; the safari van driver driver was an ace; the lour director was an allstar; Carol and I, a couple from Chicago, a guide and rifle man had lunch on the hank of a river with 2 hull elephants elephants having their lunch on the other side; as we walked to our lunch we passed the women and children from a Samboro tribe gelling water and doing the laundry in the river just as about 200 goats arrived for a drink; got some interesting photos, 30 rolls in total ! Just the same it is good to return to Canada and enjoy (migrent (migrent way of life and your great weekly newspaper The Canadian Statesman. Pest regards, liradd Anderson llrndd Anderson catches up with local news by reading The Statesman while on vacation in Kenya. DID YOU KNOW? The Bowmanvillc Water Tower was built in 1952. 25 YEARS AGO February 27th CAPS IN HAND -- Orono Public School students collected just over one million bottle caps, creating a heap of metal nearly three feet high and eight feet across. They were sold to Lasco Steel for recycling. The project, which look about two years, raised $175. FAMILIES HOMELESS -- House fires in Lcskard and Kendal left two families homeless. homeless. One lire destroyed the residence residence of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Adams and their five children. The other destroyed the contents of a home owned by Eldon Barnes, of Leskard. March 6. 1974. LOCAL STUDENTS VISIT CHINA -- A contingent of 22 students from Northumberland County was slated to visit China. They were only the third high school group from North America to lour the country since 1949. Local students participating participating in the program included included Rick Conahan, Pam Zakarow and Mark Elliott, all from Bowmanvillc High School. LANDMARK DEMOLISHED -- The old lire station on Church St. which served the community for over 100 years was demolished demolished to make room for an apartment apartment building. The fire station was located across the street from the current Youth Centre and Community Resource Centre. March l.l 1074 BUILDING BOOM -- The Bowmanvillc area expected to welcome 13 new industries during during 1974. Seven plants were already completed, and a further six were expected to be built before the end of the year. March 20. 1974 SCHOOL RENOVATIONS -- A Total of $750,000 was set aside for renovations and alterations alterations to the old Bowmanvillc High School. The building is now the site of the Bowmanvillc Senior Public School. March 20. I97d FORMULA 5000 CARS AT MOSPORT -- Labatt's Breweries announced sponsorship sponsorship of a third major auto race for the June 14, 15 and 16 Lubatl's Can-Ant Weekend, SPRINGS A LEAK -- A second second hole in the Bowmanvillc Water lower had to he welded shut. An Ontario Hydro crane was used to reach the damage. While they were up there, repair crews attempted to remove peace signs that pranksters pul on llie lower many years ago, hut without success.