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PAGE 6 THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, MAY 15,2002 FOR 146 YEARS & OPINIONS OUR FIRST. CONCERN HAS BEEN OUR COMMUNITY Publisher - Tim Whittaker Editor-in-Chief - Joanne Burghardt Managing Editor - Judi Bobbitt Advertising Manager - Fred Eismont Advertising - Lavcrne Morrison, Sharon Goodman Office - Junia Hodge, Nancy Pleasancc-Sturman Editorial - Brad Kelly, Jennifer Stone, Jacquie Mclnnes Œfje Canabtan Statesman Former Publishers and Partners Rev. John M. Climie 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 Mctroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing Ltd. Also Publishers of CLARINGTONTH1S 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 Registration No. 07637 EDITORIAL e-mail responses lo newsmom@durhamnews.nel Ernie Eves is calling the shots now New attitude reflects premier's personality It's fair to say Ernie Eve's, who had a lucrative private sector job, would not have returned to become Premier unless unless he could do things his way. Mr. Eves, who was associated for so long with former premier Mike Harris and the tenets of the Common Sense Revolution, could have easily taken a pass on the race to replace replace Mr. Harris. After all, the party had a wealth of solid, experienced candidates ready to fill the top job. But Mr. Eves, who has more than 20 years experience in the legislature, half-a-dozen as deputy-premier/finance minister, certainly has his own views on what his government government should do. Just as Mr. Harris won a hard-earned majority in 1995 and made quick and dramatic changes to the way Ontario is run - reducing welfare payments by 21 per cent, dropping dropping trustees and school boards, cutting provincial income tax - Mr. Eves now has a chance to make his own mark. Clearly, there are sound political reasons for a more moderate approach. The electorate is worn-out after seven years of rapid-fire change, and battles with unions, teachers, and poverty activists. activists. Much of the CSR originally struck a chord with a vast middle-class constituency, especially in the 905 regions and southwestern Ontario and voters affirmed that commitment commitment by re-electing the Harris Tories in 1999. But the fallout from the May 2000 Walkerton water disaster, disaster, which left seven dead and thousands ill, in addition to ongoing labour strife with teacher unions and questions about Hydro One privatization, have changed the mood of voters in this province. It's likely Mr. Harris himself decided continuing the revolution was a losing proposition and that was probably a defining factor in his decision to step down. Why would Mr. Eves then decide to push policies in the next provincial election even Mr. Harris sees as futile? The throne speech continued the thinking Mr. Eves presented presented during his leadership campaign and echoed what he has said since his victory in late March. He will attempt to reach a consensus with the so-called special-interest groups who often found themselves shut out during the Harris years. His second-ballot election as PC leader, combined with the dozens of MPPs and cabinet ministers who backed him for premier, suggests Mr. Eves represents a majority constituency constituency within the Tory party. Certainly there are some, especially on the right wing, who won't be thrilled with a move to the centre. But Mr. Eves has won the right to call the shots. His efforts at compromise are a refreshing change for Ontario. Question: Lakeridge Health Bowmanville is losing its obstetrics obstetrics unit, but will be getting some programs such as orthopedic, orthopedic, plastic, gynecology surgery, and CAT scan. How do you feel about the changes? Felicia Hills . "I'd rather have them have someone on hand. Obstetrics Obstetrics is as important as the other kinds (of programs), programs), but I don't really use that stuff so it's not really really important to me." Ray Gross "Seeing as I had one of my sons born there, it's a little sad the department's going to be going, but if there arc some positive changes that arc going to be better for the community community as a whole, I'd he all for it." Iten Perkins "I think they should have obstetrics; it's more resources lor delivering your children, hut if they don't have enough people for it, they have to see wlmt their oilier resources are." Lisa Itrillin^cr "I would say it's good and had in a sense to lose one and gain another. I just think it's ridiculous there's not enough people to fill those other (obstetrics) jobs." LETTERS TO THE EDITOR e-mail Idlers to news wom@durhamnews.net Hall decision sets'ugly precedent To the editor: Re: 'Judge needed wisdom of Solomon on decision,' editorial, editorial, May 12. 1 find it ironic you liken the wisdom of Justice Robert MacKinnon's decision in the Marc Hall prom issue to that of King Solomon. Solomon was a revered king - a political political leader who found it necessary necessary and desirable lo dedicate huge amounts of time and resources resources to building a temple to God. Politics and religion were integral to Solomon and his people. The directional boundary in our new separation existence existence has been drawn for the church - however, where is the line in the sand for the government government and courts with respect respect to their staying out of church decisions? Justice MacKinnon's decision decision sets an ugly precedent, not only for the rights of Catholic schools, but for the rights of any organization that sets codes of conduct for its members. Solomon's wisdom was on another level. David Wilson Pickering Congratulations to Marc Hall in winning his right to take his boyfriend to the prom. I read Catholic board officials officials said, while they did not condemn Marc's sexual orientation orientation "the behaviours associated associated with a homosexual lifestyle are not consistent with church teachings." Interesting comment. Does that mean they accept that priests perform sexual acts against young hoys then? Just wondering, because they failed lo mention that. Del) Grossman Oshawa It is absolutely amazing our society is placing more emphasis on Marc Hall's rights, and placing no importance importance on the rights or values, of higher and more important bodies such as the family, society, society, nation and world. Our justice system is willing willing to sacrifice the family for the sake of the individual, or even society for the sake of the individual instead of the individual sacrificing himself for the sake of the family, or even higher units such as the society, nation or world. To me that is the same as saying it is OK lo destroy the family for the sake of the individual, individual, or destroy the nation for the sake of the family. A little backwards wouldn't you say? Mike Brisebois Oshawa As a separate school, taxpayer, taxpayer, I say enough money has been spent in the courts disputing differences. No more money should be spent taking this matter to the Supreme Court. Let's spend the money teaching people to tolerate and respect each other's differences. Joan Gates Oshawa To the editor: Congratulations to Marc for his victory in court. Having Having said that, can the press please pul this on the back pages, since from my view, anyone with 'blue' hair is screaming for attention and you are giving it to him. Unfortunately, Jean-Paul will find that out in time. Cliff Chilcott Oshawa Re: it's a date,' May 12, 2002. The recent judicial decision decision on Marc Hall completely skirls the real issue. Should taxpayers he forced lo support a school system which is vulnerable vulnerable to random decrees by unelected judges? The mean-spirited eleventh hour exotic decree by the judge woiild prompt me to immediately immediately direct my taxes to a private school of my choice, insulated from silly decrees by judges, if that were possible. possible. This silly decree is legal quackery lo be sure, and it will he good for the furtherance furtherance of truly independent private private schools, and it demonstrates demonstrates once again the need for elected judges. R. II. Bosnia Oshawa Congratulations lo Justice MacKinnon on recognizing the real issues in the prom case and to Marc Hall for following following through on principle. I lis parents must he proud. The Catholic church has placed far too much emphasis on sexual issues at the expense expense of human rights, e.g„ its stance on contraception versus parental rights to limit the size of a family. If church leaders choose to emphasize the teachings of the Old Testament over the tolerance preached in the New Testament they need to look at the relevance of those teachings. teachings. Let's look at Leviticus, where we find the much-quoted much-quoted passage about lying with another man being an abomination. abomination. The same book also states after having a child a woman has a period of being unclean and following that she must sacrifice a lamb. Does the church still expect such sacrifices? sacrifices? Leviticus also states the meat of pigs is unclean, but do these Catholic leaders rant about the evils of bacon? No, they cherry pick the issues they want to promote. I suggest the Catholic church leaders need to give some serious thought to the direction of the religion in the 21 st century. ' Linda Taberner Bowmanville It is not accurate or fair to say Marc Hall or other gay Catholic teens choose to attend attend a Catholic secondary school therefore should abide by the rules of Catholicism. One doesn't choose a secondary secondary school in the same sense one docs a college or university. High school students arc, for the most part, minors, therefore, from a legal standpoint, standpoint, they arc incapable of making conscious decisions. You could also argue this should be a question of religious religious belief only, not a legal or civil issue. If we were talking about a Seventh-Day Adventist school, or a Dutch Reformed School, or any other type of religious school, this would he a valid argument because those schools arc all privately funded. The Durham District Catholic School Board is not. The board is government- funded, and the moment you discriminate against anyone within an institution that is backed by government money, it ceases to he a private or religious religious issue, it becomes a public issue. It becomes a violation violation of human rights. If the Roman Catholic Church wants to discriminate against homosexuals or any other social group use religious religious creed to do so, they have that civil right. But they should use their own money to do it, Case closed. Colleen Andrews 0,slut wit Jacquie Mclnnes Staff Writer jmcmncs@durhamncws.nct Physician shortage life and death The Lakeridge Health Bowmanville obstetrics unit is the latest casualty in the ongoing physician shortage and things could get worse. When the hospital's administration announced it would have to close the ward due to a physician shortage last week, the first reaction of some people was scepticism. After all, just a few months ago the board was considering closing the ward due to budget concerns despite the community's affection for it. The Lakeridge Health Corporation, is running a $4-million deficit in its 2002 operating budget and on paper, it wasn't too hard to rationalize the closure. closure. There are maternity wards in the Oshawa and Cobourg hospitals, neither of which is too far down the road depending depending where you live in Clarington (and providing you don't happen to be the one in labour). Last year, 511 babies were born in the Bowmanville hospital in a ward that needs about 800 to meet the Province's efficiency standard. Meanwhile 357 tots were bom in Oshawa lo parents living in Bowmanville or east of the town. Closing Closing the obstetrics ward would also allow other programs, needed in Bowmanville, Bowmanville, to move in. Still, head and heart don't always agree. A huge public outcry backed by local political pressure along with Bowmanville Bowmanville obstetrics' great reputation saved it from the chopping block in January. January. No wonder there was suspicion when, just three months later, the announcement announcement came it will close - but not for budget reasons. A recent Ontario Medical Associa- ; tion report seems to support the hospital's hospital's story. The association reports it's "increasingly and deeply concerned" about the inadequate number of physicians physicians and dramatic declines "especially in a number of specialties... including! obstetrics-gynaecology." ; LHB's Chief Operating Officer Chris Kooy says there are many communities communities competing for the small supply of obstetricians. Bigger centres can offer a better quality of life and resources. Next week local sendee clubs, council council and the hospital are meeting to create a strategy to attract the general practitioners practitioners Clarington desperately needs. They'll be fighting an uphill battle according according to the OMA. "Ontario will have a grossly inadequate number of physicians physicians to meet the future health-care, needs of the public," it says. Their best intentions - while ad mirable - won't be enough to address a long-term problem that must be answered answered with broader provincial and federal federal policies and funding including increases increases in doctor and nurse-practitioner graduates and incentives to even the. playing field for smaller communities.' Otherwise, cuts to more programs will be rationalized, until there is nothing left but the building and the memories. THE CANADIAN STATESMAN is one of the Mctroland Printing, Publishing Publishing and Distributing group of newspapers. The Statesman is a member of the Bowmanville Clarington Clarington Board of Trade, the Greater Os- liawa Chamber of Commerce, Ontario Ontario Community Newspaper Assoc., Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc., Canadian Circulations Audit Board and the Ontario Press Council. 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