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PAGE 6THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, FEBRUARY 21,2001 j X & Opinions FOR 147 YEARS, OUR FIRST CONCERN HAS BEEN OUR COMMUNITY Publisher - Tim Whittaker Editor-in-Chief - Joanne Burghardt Managing Editor - Judi Bobbitt Advertising Manager - Brian G. Purdy Advertising - Laverne Morrison, Christian Ann Goulet Office - Junia Hodge, Nancy Pleasancc-Sturman Editorial - Brad Kelly, Jennifer Stone, Jacquic Mclnnes Ei)t Canadian Statesman Former Publishers and Partners Rev. John M. Climic and W.R. Climic 1854-1878 M.A. James 1878-1935 • Norman S.B. James 1919-1929 G. Elena James, 1929-1947 • Dr. George W. James 1919-1957 John M. James, 1957-1999 Produced by Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing Ltd. Also Publishers of CLARINGTON THIS WEEK P.O. Box 190, 62 King St. W„ Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9 TEL: 905-623-3303 FAX: 905-623-6161 HOURS: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.M. E-mail: judi.bobbitt@durhamnews.net Publications Mail Registraiion No. 07637 EDITORIAL Region working to ensure safe water Plan to purchase lands is a proactive approach The lessons of Walkerton may not be fully known for months or perhaps years to come, but that doesn't mean Durham Region should sit back and wait for the report. No, our local regional chairman and staff are showing leadership leadership on the critical issue of drinking water quality with a plan to spend as much as $4.2 million to purchase land surrounding wells. The program got a start in 1998 when the Region bought 23 acres of land surrounding two wells in Cannington. Plans are now in tire works to buy land around Durham's oilier 30 wells. That's where lire money comes in. There are as yet no specific plans for purchases at identified sites. To make sure tire right amount of land is bought in tire right spot, die Region could decide to set aside $120,000 for studies on tire issue. Regional Chairman Roger Anderson admits $4 million for land acquisitions sounds like a lot of money but the expenditures expenditures are spread over a five-year period and tire chairman says, "we have obligations and we're not going to back away from diem." It's also clear that all the money may not be necessary for die lands required. While government and expenditures are never inseparable, if Walkerton has taught us anything, it's that we can't afford to take for granted our water will be pure. If spending money effectively to ensure safe water is what's needed, you won't get any argument here. Of course, die Region Region must go further. We must ensure all staff who handle our water have received the, proper training, are up-to-date on what's required and are carefully monitored so their work is carried out professionally. Ken Thompson, the Region's director of environmental services, told council last week die water here meets the Province's regulations. Still, it's comforting to know council is not sitting back and waiting for problems to develop. With water, that strategy would prove and has proved fatal. And John Presta, die Region's manager of engineering planning and studies, went a step further in saying, "We took a proactive approach to protect groundwater... we want to ensure ensure the water quality." In die wake of the Walkerton tragedy, these are soothing words and, what's better, they're backed up by dollars. Sometimes Sometimes governments spend foolishly but the protection of our drinking water is a cost we must be willing to bear. We welcome your opinion. Please E-Mail your comments on our opinions to judi.bobbitt@durhamnews.net. Submissions which include a first and last name, as well as the community of residence, will be considered for publication. LOOKING RACK WITH THE STATESMAN 25 YEARS AGO Feb. 18,1976 Trustees with the Northumberland and Newcastle Board of Education voted down a motion to cut their monthly wages from $300 to $250. The trustee who raised the issue said the board should show leadership in attempting to cut spending. 50 YEARS AGO Feb. 15,1951 Veteran Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Turk Broda was expected expected to put in an appearance at the grand opening of the Newcastle Community Memorial Arena. Mr. Broda was expected to be accompanied by other Leafs stars, including Danny Lewieki, Bill Barilko and Tim Daly. 75 YEARS AGO Feb. 18,1926 The Bowmanville Goodyear plant had increased staffing by one-third in the previous year, and $180,000 worth of new buildings and equipment were being added to the site. Information taken front lint archives of The Canadian Statesman LETTERS TO THE EDITOR School uniforms just not needed To the editor: It would seem likely there are most pressing educational issues at stake right now in this province rather than the implementation implementation of school uniforms. But not so as Education Minister Minister Janet Ecker claims parents want this. Exactly who these parents are she doesn't say. Whoever it is has obviously brought into the false arguments arguments put forth by the provincial provincial government when introducing introducing this issue months ago by arguing arguing it will set discipline standards standards therefore prevent school violence. What nonsense? Clothes or uniforms have absolutely noth ing to do with one's behaviour or respect for others or authority. authority. The vast majority of behavioural behavioural problems are much more complicated and deep-rooted than any uniform could correct. Truth is if I believed uniforms uniforms or a legislated dress code would enhance children's educational educational experiences or change their behaviour I would buy into Ms. Ecker's legislation. But there is nothing to suggest a uniformed school outperforms schools that let 'children wear South Park T-shirts. How far do we go teaching children and teens by taking away freedom of thought and freedom of expression and the confidence to make decisions? The counter argument to all this is that uniforms or specific clothing would remove the petty jealousies and the separating separating of cool vs. nerd. A good intention but one that is flawed. No matter what the clothes those distinctions will always exist since they are a lesson of life. In almost every school there ' are vocal active parents who influence influence decisions. You know the ones; they attend every meeting and are members of every committee. committee. They have far too much to say and say far too much. I don't know about you, but I don't want them telling my kids what they can or cannot wear to school. I'd rather the kids make that determination on their own. One thing for certain is the people people malting these decisions won't be wearing the uniforms. There's an old saying that goes like this: Some just look pretty, while some just get the job done. Donald Air Courtice Premier breaks rank with Flaherty Move appears to favour Whitby lawyer for next premier Premier Mike Harris has appeared appeared to indicate whom he would prefer as his successor and it will create a lot of resentment resentment within his party. The Progressive Conservative Conservative premier promoted Jim Flaherty Flaherty to finance minister, the most powerful cabinet post because because it has a say in all ministers' ministers' spending. He also gave him the position of deputy premier. premier. Mr. Flaherty is among a half-dozen members of Mr. Harris's cabinet who already have thoughts of running for premier when he steps down. Naming anyone deputy premier premier sounds like he is in line for premier and Mr. Harris was forced to say quickly he appointed appointed Mr. Flaherty not because because he favours him as his successor, but merely as part of trying to find the right person for each job. Premiers have appointed deputy premiers for a lot of different different reasons, some even devious, devious, since Tory William Davis named the first in 1977. But one common denominator denominator was they all steered clear of appointing anyone who might eventually run to succeed them because premiers, in fairness, are supposed to avoid showing they prefer any candidate over others. This is a tradition Mr. Harris has now broken. Mr. Davis named the first deputy after he had failed in two successive elections to win the majority the Tories had grown accustomed to over the previous three decades and some Tories wanted to replace him. They fell they could never regain a majority under Mr. Davis, might even lose government government in another election, and that Mr. Davis should give way to the powerful treasurer, Eric Dowd At Queen's Park Darcy McKeough, who had run against Mr. Davis for leader but was handicapped by being younger and newer. Mr. Davis said he had no intention intention of leaving, created the post of deputy premier and appointed appointed Robert Welch, who was liked for having kept the government out of trouble in several ministries. Mr. Welch had also been beaten for leader by Mr. Davis, was older than Mr. Davis and no longer had ambition to be premier. Mr. Davis made Mr. Welch nominally his second-in-com- mand and was seen as putting the upstart Mr. McKeough in his place and showing he was still boss. Mr. McKeough reluctantly reluctantly concluded he would have to wait forever and left politics, while Mr. Davis hung in to be the longest-serving premier of recent times. When Frank Miller became Tory premier, he also appointed a deputy premier, Bette Stephenson, an admired education education minister and former president president of the Canadian Medical Association, who had many credentials to be ranked next to the premier. The move would show the Tories cared about women, but she also was older than Mr, Miller and clearly not going to be a candidate for leader when lie stepped down, Liberal David Peterson became became premier in 1985 and appointed appointed Robert Nixon as finance finance minister and deputy premier. premier. Mr. Nixon had huge ca pabilities, was owed a debt by his party, which he had led unsuccessfully unsuccessfully in three elections, and was commonly called the best premier Ontario never had. But he also was much older than Mr. Peterson and would not be trying again for premier. New Democrat premier Bob Rae also named as deputy premier premier his finance minister, Floyd Laughren, who had lengthy experience, was noted as steady, reliable and calm and deserving of special recognition, recognition, but was older than Mr. Rae and unlikely to seek leadership. leadership. And Ernie Eves, who has retired retired as Mr. Harris's finance minister and deputy premier, was the second most useful Tory next to Mr. Harris, but around the same age and again not likely to want to succeed him. Several trends can be spotted. spotted. No deputy premier made it to premier, but none was aiming aiming for it anyway and there would seem to be ways in which a deputy hoping to become become premier could use the post to advance his ambitions. The two premiers immediately immediately before Mr. Harris both named their finance ministers as deputy premiers and Mr. Harris might argue he is merely merely following that tradition. But the longer tradition is premiers appoint as deputy premiers premiers experienced, steady, older members of their cabinets who will not be trying to grab the premier's role for themselves. themselves. Mr. Harris has such people in, say, Bob Runciman and Norm Sterling. Mr. Harris has ignored this tradition and, however he explains explains it, he will find it hard to escape the perception lie wants Mr. Flaherty on the inside track to the top. Legion has earned a tax break David Stell Staff editor Now here's one we can all get behind. behind. . Durham Region is making life easier, financially, for local Royal Canadian Legion branches. Durham is now exempting Legion branches from the regional portion of their tax bills if the municipality requests it. Possibly there will be a few groups out there jealous that the Legion Legion gets this kind of special privilege. privilege. After all, there are many groups deserving, from charity to longstanding longstanding organizations and clubs. And in that vein, the question has to be raised: Should the Legion alone be entitled to this type of exemption? Is it going too far to suggest permanent permanent Lions Clubs properties and the like should have the same benefit? benefit? After all, the money these groups raise go towards the community and other charitable efforts just like the Legion. Why should the Region cut into the amount of money these groups have to spread around? Or even stay viable in the case of groups that are having trouble staying afloat financially? financially? Granted, the Legion, is. in a unique category and deserves the tax exemption. exemption. The Region's finance and administration administration committee defined the exemption as being for "premises used and occupied" by persons who served in the armed services or allies in any war. And because of the enormous value placed on Legion members service service to Canada, you must draw the line there. As a colleague points out, yes, different groups fund-raise and play an important part in the community, community, but Legions represent a higher ideal in the history of our country. If not for the men and women who fought in wars for the freedom we enjoy today, just imagine where we might be. They made it possible for the Lions, Kinsmen, Rotary Clubs and the like to raise funds today. With all the Legions represent and promote, eliminating taxes is a small token we can return to them today. The decision makes even more sense taking into account the Legion's Legion's membership is dwindling as the years pass. Simply put, it is tougher for them to make ends meet when their membership is smaller with less dues to bank on. So here's hoping every municipality municipality in Durham jumps in and requests the tax break for its local Legion. And it looks like Clarington will do just that - the idea already has approval approval from council's general purpose purpose and administration committee. THE CANADIAN STATESMAN is one of the Metroland Printing, Publishing Publishing and Distributing group of newspapers. The Statesman is a member of the Bowmanville Clarington Clarington Board of Trade, the Greater Osliawa Chamber of Commerce, Ontario Community Newspaper Assoc., Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc., Canadian Circulations Circulations Audit Board and the Ontario Ontario Press Council. The publisher reserves the right to classify or refuse any advertisement. 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