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PAGE 4 THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, NOVEMBER 5,2003 www.durhamregion.com Tim Whittaker Publisher Joanne Burghardt Editor-in-chief Tony Doyle Managing Editor Fred Eismont Director of Advertising Eddie Kolodziejcak Classified Advertising Manager Kirk Bailey Distribution Manager Lillian Hook Office Manager Janice O'Neil Cheryl Hams .Composing Managers Sljc Canadian Statesman Phone 905-579-4400 Classifieds 905-576-9335 Distribution 905-579-4407 General Fax 905-579-2238 Newsroom Fax 905-579-1809 E-Mail newsroom@durhamregion.com 865 Farewell St., Oshawa ON L1H 7L5 Publications Mail Registration No. 07637 Clarington's Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1854 ■NOVEMBER 5,2003 Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing Ltd. infodurhamregion.com EDITORIAL e-mail letters to ncwsroomtfl'durliamrej'ion.com Clarington should stay the course with council No need for change at the top or in other key municipal positions Other than a five-way race tor the up-for-grabs Ward 1 seat on Clarington council, it has been all quiet on the eastern Durham front this municipal election. Sometimes, that's actually a good thing. Recall that three years ago there was a tough four-way fight for mayor to succeed the outgoing Diane Hamre. John Mutton emerged a strong winner in that battle and has done nothing over the past three years to make voters believe he wasn't the right choice. This time, Mayor Mutton faces a single long-shot candidate and is a shoo-in to win. That's as it should be. Wards 1 and 2 Regional Councillor Jim Schell has performed well the last three years and his acclamation is a sign of electorate comfort with the job he's doing. In Regional Wards 3 and 4, there's no need to make a change from the solid Charlie Trim. Local councillors Pat Pingle and Gord Robinson don't even have to bother campaigning after they were acclaimed. Don McArthur faces only one challenger and the hard-working local councillor has earned another term. So that leaves us with Ward 1 (Courtice). Jane Rowe's decision to step down opened up the seat for competition and five candidates candidates have thrown their hats in the ring. There are some well-qualified people seeking election in Ward 1. But our pick is Adrian Foster, who has been a constant in community community activities for many years and will be able to add his network network of experience to a solid crew at council. The likelihood of six incumbents and one newcomer winning Nov. 10 suggests voters in Clarington are happy with the job their municipal representatives are doing. The record over the past three years suggests there is little reason reason or mood for change. Mayor Mutton has worked extremely well with his experienced council. Clarington continues to grow and develop but municipal reps have kept a keen eye on that growth. Council has done a solid job: evidently the electorate agrees. Six candidates are running for the two Clarington spots at the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. Nancy Coffin is the lone incumbent and has been a passionate voice for the growing area. Of the five other candidates, Cathy Abraham has long shown jn interest in getting involved and would make a good voice for Clarington at the board. j Separate board trustee candidates George Ashe and Granville Anderson were acclaimed. Review This Week's June municipal report cards at durhamregion.com CPINION e-mail letters to newsroom@clurhamregion.com Recent incidents may show that kids just can't be trusted anymore Being involved is best answer to keep children out of trouble Arson, home invasions and taking coins from a child. These crimes are taking place in Durham Region and kids are being accused of carrying them out. People, don't trust anyone under the age of 20. Just imagine, a 14-year-old boy was threatened for what turned out to be 50 cents and a necklace in Bowmanville last week. And five boys aged 12 to 16 are charged with arson after a recent fire at the Northview Community Centre in Oshawa. But, not to worry, there is a solution for all of our problems. problems. It's time to scrap the Youth Justice Act and take back full ownership of children. Don't say a few bad apples spoil the barrel. The truth is, they're all capable of these acts. Let's just lake the temptation temptation and the opportunity away from them. Some research is needed to determine whether it's feasible to implant microchips into each child as they start school. It'll be just like the immunization program and we'll have the peace of mind of knowing where all llicse dangerous kids are at all limes. All right, by now you've got the idea, this is a tongue-in- cheek take on how to deal with youth crime. Bottom line: we've gol to get more involved in our children's children's lives and pay allunlion to David Stall what they're doing. A little more vigilance could go a long way. No, don't spy or mistrust them. Simply try harder to talk to them and earn their trust. So many families have both parents parents working today and it's harder than ever to stay involved involved in what they're doing when you're not around. But that's no excuse. Parents have the greatest influence influence and the best chance to set kids on the right path. Either Either offer children more guidance, guidance, or it's time to increase the level of legal responsibility on parents for their children's actions. actions. It's entirely possible the parents parents of kids accused of crimes would take a more active role in their day-to-day activities if they knew they would be held responsible for their acts. If these parents don't know their kids are hanging around bad influences, influences, they are negligent in their duties as parents. In other words, if you aren't the greatest influence on your kids, then you should find out who is. Friends can lead friends down the wrong path if parents don't pay attention to what is happening in their lives. News editor David Stall's column appears every other Wednesday. LETTER TO THE EDITOR e-mail letters to newsrooin@durhamre , |'Um.com Maintain Christian prayer at meetings To the editor: Re: 'There's no place for Christian prayer at council,' Carly Foster column of Oct. 26. When council opens with a prayer, it is recognizing its dependency dependency on God. Atheists don't do this because they do not believe in God. When we as a society ban prayer in public places with the intent of preserving preserving freedom of religion, we are actually observing atheism, which is religion as well. Seeing as Carly Foster did her homework and got all the stats, she knows 80 per cent of the people have a religious affiliation affiliation and that should have been the end of her column. But she seems to ignore the stats and writers, "that brings up the age- old question of the majority ruling ruling the minority." The reality of the situation is that by banning prayer in public places you have the minority ruling the majority. I think what Ms. Foster is actually actually looking for is separation of God and state otherwise known as Hell. John T. Monster Hampton That Durham Region council council opens every meeting with prayer does not surprise me, rather I am pleased. We are, after all, a nation founded on Christian principles. All our laws are based on the 10 commandments, which are not over very sensible but also biblical. The result is a land that is prosperous and blessed, so much so that people from all over the world envy us and thousands try every year to escape escape their land of origin to come and live here. Those who are fortunate to be able to do that must then accept accept our ways and preserve with us the lifestyle we have here and they have so desired. One of our customs is that we acknowledge acknowledge God and thank Him. Jeannette Vander Meulen Whitby Well, of all newspapers, I could not believe what I read on a Sunday afternoon. The Lord's Prayer is not Christian but was read by Christ, a Jew, to his disciples. It has been adopted by many including including Christians as a prayer of peace and love to our lord and mankind. This country of ours, was built on Christian values and practices resulting in a law- abiding peaceful society. It puzzles puzzles me as to why anyone would question anything other. I give praise for our councillors starting a meeting in prayer as many an issue that they must address needs guidance from a greater power. It is too bad this bothers you alone Carly, that you would focus your disrespectful disrespectful thoughts on the Lord's Prayer and not on the great achievements of our Regional council. Dennis Glazier Whitby Hwy. 407 sure is no bargain To the editor: I don't travel through Toronto very often. But my son's recent wedding found us driving into Toronto. Wedding in Scarborough, reception in Leaside. Coming home to Brooklin we took the most direct route: hopped on Hwy. 407 in Wood- bridge and exited at the end of the line in Pickering. Sure it's a toll road, but how much could it cost? One way and late at night? Great drive home! Until the bill arrived yesterday. •Toll charge $3.19 •Video toll charge (what the heck is that all about)? $3.30 •Account fee $2 •Total (with lax) $8.49 Holy cow! A 266 per cent mark up on a single trip! Usurious Usurious or what? Worst of all, all of our local politicians seem to be in favour of extending the 407 toll road through Durham. They claim great economic benefit will follow. Looking at my recent bill I'd say the only ones likely to benefit are the owners of the 407. The little guy taxpayer is only going to get gouged big time. And didn't we (Ontario) used to own the 407? John T. Hulley Brooklin CLICK AND SA^ Today's question: Do you think Durham projects projects will be delayed in light of the $5.6 billion provincial deficit? □ Yes □ No Cast your vote online at infodurhamiegioj^.com Last week's question: How will you determine your choices for municipal council when voting? □ Literature 27 per cent □ Talking to candidates 27 per cent □ Attending debates 9.9 per cent □ Other 18.4 per cent □ Not voting 17.7 per cent Votes cast: 141 HAVE YOUR SAY ? Question Are you casting a", vote in the municipal election? ' Serena! Thatcher! 'No, because Ij don't knowj enough about; the candidates* to make an! honest vote.'! Rick! McEachern: 'Yes, I always,; vote in all the! elections. I arm interested in; politics.'; Sarah; Graham; 'Yes, because I" am of age and |. should.'! Dave Clements 'I've already done it by c mV mail. 4 •J 4 6 < t •f I I l I I I I I TRUE GRIT NOU'D 90® NCR Be m IE (fito rou.. NMNtiDlW/QU R.roUAMDÉDM'MWIt MMUEAND . DM IT I? www.dolighan.com mW-MITM) L0*B...Oil. MM WiMLCtrlMA V__, WE I DEM 15 Ml \* DOS-. I DEWED WE BTB AND HE'S ME OfMNWHWh W X""---- z By Tim Dolighan .mis omm* / ...lM FMI IT tW- mS IDENTO EMVTN THE M -■■WASN'T FELLA if (c)Copyright 2003 Œltc Canabimi SitatrSumn is one of the Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing group of newspapers. The Statesman is a member member of the Bowmanville Clarington Board of Trade, the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, Commerce, Ontario Community Newspaper Assoc,, Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc., Canadian Circulations Audit Board and the Ontario Ontario Press Council. The publisher reserves the right to classify or refuse any advertisement. 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