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PAGE 4 THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, May 28,2003 www.durhamregion.com Tim Whittaker Publisher Joanne Burghardt Editor-in-Chief Chris Bovie Managing Editor Judi Bobbitt Regional Editor Fred Eismont Director of Advertising Eddie Kolodziejcak Classified Advertising Manager Kirk Bailey Distribution Manager Lillian Hook Office Manager Barb Harrison Composing Manager Hje Cmmbtmt Statesman Clarington's Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1854 HMay 28,2003 Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing Ltd. Rhone 905-579-4405 Classifieds 905-576-9335 Distribution 905-579-4407 General Fax 905-579-2235 Newsroom Fax 905-579-1805 E-Mail newsroom@durhamregion.com 865 Farewell St„ OshawaON L1H7L5 Publications Mail Registration No. 07637 infodurhamregioti.com EDITORIAL e-mail letters to iiewsiooni@(I urlianircgioii.com Replacement flub dishonours trustee's legacy W hen lie passed away from a battle with cancer on March 12, Clarington public school trustee Bob WiUsher left some huge shoes to fill. Evidently, those shoes arc so big, the Kawartha Pine Ridge .District School Board wasn't able to do the work necessary to fill them within the required 60 days of Mr. Willshcr's death. KPR chairman Angela Lloyd says three prospective candidates of more than 10 people who applied to fill the remainder of Mr. Willsher's term weren't interviewed until the May 20 board meeting. That's a week later than the final deadline to submit the board's choice to the Ministry of Education for approval. Now, as a result of being a week late, the board will have to wait to hear from the ministry ministry to see if it will accept its choice for Mr. Willsher's replacement. replacement. It's unfortunate it has come to this point for Mr. Willsher was noted for the tremendous job he did on behalf of the parents, parents, students, teachers and staff who form the public board. Those who live in Clarington Clarington have had to' go more than two months without a replacement. replacement. Furthermore, his death should have come as no surprise surprise to his fellow trustees who were aware he was grave ly ill for many months before he passed away. It should have been easy to meet the two- month replacement guideline clearly laid out by the ministry. ministry. Doubtless the board wants to get the right person for the job; however, it should have been able to accomplish this task well within the timelines set down by the ministry. The board's inability to do so raises raises questions about whether KPR trustees can perform the tasks to which they've been elected. While it's no slight on Mr. Willsher's legacy, he clearly wasn't well for a long stretch before his death in March. That lends some validity to the complaint of his fellow trustee, Nancy Coffin, who is unhappy over the board not meeting the deadline. Ms. Coffin has said, "As the trustee who has been doing the work of two for over a year, I'm not pleased administration and the chair of the board didn't do their homework." Mr. Willsher's term runs out in November when trustees will go to the voters once again. Some may argue a few months make little difference difference but that's not the point. Those who rely on KPR trustees to look out for their interests in a timely fashion can have reason -'to Hvorry. about the board's performance when a simple matter isn't handled as it should be. OPINION e-mail letters to ncwsroom@durlumiregion.com Eves has wrong question on referendum idea W ho in their right mind wants to pay more property taxes? None of us really wants to hand over more of our hard- earned money to government. That's why, at first glance, the Tory election platform promise to require municipalities to get residents' approval before raising raising taxes might sound like good news to many homeowners. Not by me. I never thought I'd see the day when so many municipal politicians are talking sensibly at the same time, but those who've denounced the proposal as ludicrous are right on the money, pun intended. Like all taxpayers, I don't want to pay any more but I do expect regional and municipal services. I want safe, properly treated water to come out of the tap when I turn it on; I want my garbage taken away from the curb and I want to know there are adequate numbers of police officers and firelighters out there in case I have an emergency. emergency. I expect the regional regional and local roads 1 travel to be properly maintained. Since I can't expect those municipal services for nothing, I'll admit I should pay my fair share of municipal taxes, and I do. What I don't want to pay for is a referendum every time my elected officials sit down to work out their annual budget. If we're going to make budget decisions decisions by referendum, why should we have a local council at all? Under the Tory plan, we'll end up paying for the referendum, referendum, in which the neighbours will veto a tax hike, thereby forcing the municipality to slash or cancel services. Once we say no to higher taxes, out will come another referendum, which we'll also pay for, asking out- permission to raise revenue by taxing gasoline, parking spaces and hotel rooms. Does that sound like a better alternative to anyone? Or, the referendum could contain a trick question, like "would you like another one million police officers on the streets this year?", which everyone everyone will say 'yes' to without realizing realizing the tax implications. Apart from the local referendums, referendums, we can also expect regional regional referendums, predicted to cost half a million dollars dollars each. This is not democracy in action. This is anarchy. We already have democracy; we have the right to vole in the municipal election election this November. Exercising that right gives us a better chance of pulling level-headed, responsible responsible people on out- local councils to make budget decisions. While we're at it, we can pay attention attention to those budget deliberations, deliberations, show up at a council meeting meeting and give our politicians our opinions, if we wish. If we don't like the job they do, wc don't have to vote for them again. Meanwhile, if the Tory government government really wants Income up with a great idea on the eve of an election, how about dictating there must he a referendum every time our politicians want to raise their own salaries? That's a referendum I'd buy into. Judi Bobbitt Regional editor LETTERS TO THE EDITOR e-mail letters to iiewsi'oom@dii rhamrcgion.com Mosport has positive local impact To the editor: I am writing to you as a positive positive Mosport neighbour. I hope to counter some of the negative views of the track 1 have seen in the paper recently. It would be sad if council only hears from those who complain about the noise from the track. I live within one-half kilometre of the track and was well aware of its operation when we purchased our home. We decided the days of louder racing that would occur within the months the track operates were not significant enough to prevent us from moving to this beautiful area on the Oak Ridges Moraine. We have been more than happy here and have found the track gradually came to play a significant and positive role in our lives for the months it operates. operates. We hear the sounds of the cars but the noise only brings positive thoughts for us. Our introduction introduction occurred with people people arriving on our doorstep looking for accommodation. It appeared all the hotels were full from Cobourg to Pickering and we realized the track brings a financial benefit to surrounding municipalities, not just Bow- manville and Clarington. Eventually we decided, like at least six other families locally, locally, to operate a bed and breakfast breakfast business from our home. Guests are thrilled to be able to stay close to the track and outlives outlives are richer for the varied personalities and professions we have encountered. Visitors staying with us eat out in restaurants in Bow- manville, and they fill their tanks with gas at local gas stations stations before driving back to the United States. They buy groceries groceries for lunches at local gro cery stores and firewood from neighbours along the road. We have seen guests go antique shopping to Port Hope and Port Perry before returning home. We have even directed injured drivers to local massage therapists. therapists. Yes, we see the dollars from track users spread to many businesses locally. Now our teenagers have joined the large group of other teens and adults finding seasonal seasonal employment at the track. They are happy to have work close to home in such an exciting exciting professional environment. Let's work together as neighbours for the long-term sustainability of the whole neighbourhood of Durham, Clarington and Bowmanville. We may not be able to reduce the noise levels of the cars for the months they run, but we can increase our understanding of the role they play in our economy, economy, and take pleasure in knowing knowing the dollars they create will eventually filter through to our hospitals and other important services, to the benefit of us all for years to come. Christine Stevenson Clarington OPINION e-niiiit letters to iiewsroom@tlurliiiniregion.eoni Premier back in the race A week is a long time in politics, the saying goes, and the reawakening of Ernie Eves is proof of it. The Progressive Conservative premier, after failing miserably for a year to attract support for an election, is suddenly touching buttons and having luck with timing that could win votes. Mr. Eves turned off many electors, after he took over the premiership premiership from Mike Harris, by saying he would sell the province's hydro transmission network but changing his mind. He also subsidized hydro rates to keep them low which discouraged discouraged building new generators, and unveiled unveiled his budget in an auto-parts plant to dodge opposition parties' parties' questions. The kindest thing said about him was he was a ditherer. But Premier Eves has now made promises that will appeal to many voters and one does not have to like them to recognize this. One pledge is to ban strikes and lockouts in teacher-school board disputes, which earlier Tory premiers shied from. This will attract many who always have felt teachers are paid too much for working too few hours. Mr. lives has accused teachers' teachers' unions of being more militant militant than teachers' rank-and-llle, which will spur the many who dislike unions to get enthusiastic about him. Premier lives attacked al an opportune opportune lime, because a dispute between a Catholic board in Toronto and its teachers quickly left 69,000 students without classes, which some will see as proof a ban is needed. Mr. Eves also has attacked unions as a whole. He promised a workers' bill of rights forcing unions to obtain approval of all their members, not just those who turn up at a meeting, before striking or spending on political advertisements, which will delight his business business supporters as they shell out their companies' companies' cash for Tory ads without even consulting consulting their shareholders. The Tories traditionally are strong among older residents and to keep them Premier Eves has promised over-65s a rebate rebate that will eliminate the provincial part of their properly tax and save them an average of $475 per household a year. Seniors are public-spirited and willing to pay their share of taxes, but many need money and will find this lure hard to turn down. Mr. Eves also promises to allow homeowners to deduct part of the interest they pay on mortgages from their taxable income income and eventually save tip to $500 a year, a benefit for only those who can afford to buy homes. Premier Eves Ims promised to gel even tougher on crime and particularly protect children and Public Safety Minister Bob Kunviman, as much of a hawk as any police officer, says he is looking at chemical castration to deal with serial sex offenders, (letting tougher will be supported supported by many particularly be cause around the same time a 10-year-old girl, Holly Jones, was kidnapped and murdered in Toronto. Mr. Eves also has raised, far more than Mr. Harris did, concerns concerns about immigrants. He would refuse refugee claimants help from the Province's legal aid plan even to defend themselves themselves against criminal charges, although this would mean some innocent people would lack proper representation. The premier would also require require some immigrants with skills to sign agreements to live in communities that need them for a minimum period, rather than automatically flock to Toronto. Such distinctions will appeal to many, including those who feel visible-minority immigrants immigrants are not as good as themselves. themselves. Tories now are starting to boast Mr. Eves is "decisive," a claim they would not have dared make a few days earlier. Many voters will ask whether Premier Eves can afford his new policies or be relied on to carry them out, because he has changed his mind before, Some will feel they are too right-wing, or selfish, or so different different from his past views, when lie supported allowing teachers to strike and spoke cordially to unions, that he has dreamed them up for no other purpose than to win an election. It would be foolhardy to predict predict the premier will win an election election on them, but he is back in the race. For (lenities, Eric Dowd has been covering provincial polities polities us <i freelance columnist based out of Queen's Park, Eric Dowd Queen's Park CLICK AND SA^ Today's question: Are you worried about the latest round of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) reports? □ More than last time □ About the same □ Less concerned Cast your vote online at infodurtiamregion.com Last week's question: Would you use the proposed proposed single GTA-wide transit pass? □ Yes 67 per cent □ No 33 per cent Votes cast: 91 HAVE YOUR SAY Question Will you change your usual beef consumption with the discovery of a single case of mad cow disease in Alberta? Alberta? Amy Reid "I don't think you should change your lifestyle for an isolated incident." Rhonda Martin Paul Dobbs "No, I won't change my eating habits. I feel the system has done its job and the cow was found before it went to market." Margo Bischoff No, I won't until they issue a warning." arijc Ciiimtimii Statesman is one of the Metroland Printing, Printing, Publishing and Distributing Distributing group of newspapers. The Statesman is a member of the Bowmanville Clarington Board of Trade, the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, Ontario Ontario Community Newspaper Assoc., Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc., Canadian Circulations Audit Board and the Ontario Press Council. The publisher reserves the right to classify or refuse any advertisement. advertisement. Credit for advertisement advertisement limited to space price error occupies. Editorial and Advertising content of the Canadian Statesman is copyrighted. copyrighted. Unauthorized reproduction reproduction Is prohibited. A°™ irai*!