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PAGE 4 THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, DECEMBER 31,2003 www.durhamregion.com Tim Whittaker Publisher Joanne Burghardt Editor-in-Chief Chris Bovie Managing Editor Fred Eismont Director of Advertising Eddie Kolodziejcak Classified Advertising Manager Kirk Bailey Distribution Manager Lillian Hook Office Manager Janice O'Neil Cheryl Haines Composing Managers Clarington's Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1854 Œfjc Canatuan Statesman Phone 905-579-440C Classifieds 905-576-9335 Distribution 905-579-4407 General Fax 905-579-223$ Newsroom Fax 905-579-180{j E-Mail newsroom@durhamregion.com 865 Farewell St., Oshawa ON L1H 7L| Publications Mail Registration No. 07637 % [December 31, 2003 Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing Ltd. infodurhamregion.com! =5 EDITORIAL e-mail letters to newsroom@durliiiniregion.com There's plenty on the wish list for 2004 In 2003, Ontarians voted for change - or, in the case of the federal government, had change happen for them. So, what should we expect from our elected officials in 2004? Well, it would be nice if somebody somewhere would show us the money! So far, it's been so bad. First, the Province moaned about a $5.6-billion deficit and having no money to spend on anything just yet. Then, we had our new prime minister, Paul Martin, tell us there is a freeze on federal spending and that all departments are being reviewed. But we in Durham have been waiting a long time for projects promised nearly a decade ago and it's time these goodies were delivered to us. First, the Durham Regional Cancer Centre must be built as soon as possible. It seems the foundation for the structure was dug a long time ago. When will we ' see real progress on the building itself? Think of all the people in this region who are lined up and waiting to get radiation treatment. treatment. Think of the people who have suffered over the past 10 years and who have waited and waited and waited while one government, then another and now a third have come to power. Stop the rhetoric and the excuses and get it built. Now! Second, it's high time Durham received the badly needed consolidated regional courthouse. The hodge-podge of buildings stuck here and there and hidden in strip malls is a joke and a disservice to our justice system. There are a number of ideal sites in the Region and there are private partners just waiting for the Province to say the word. In 2004, approval must be given and a shovel should hit the ground. Our overburdened justice justice officials need this state-of- the-art building. Third, we must have assurances, assurances, despite the provincial deficit, that funding will continue continue to flow to the new University University of Ontario Institute of Technology. This excellent post-secondary facility is a model for Ontario, indeed for the country. Promises made by the Mike Harris-Ernie Eves government cannot be slowed down or scrapped by the cash- strapped Dalton McGuinty crew. Let's make sure we finish what we have started. Finally, the Province must get to the bottom of the Ontario Ontario Power Generation mess. We must have elite and experienced experienced managers in place who have respect for taxpayers' money and who have a realistic realistic and reliable plan to get Pickering A back up and running running so we have the power supply we need in future. If governments do their jobs as we trust they will, then, and only then, it will be a happy new year. OPINION e-mail letters to newsroom@durhamrcgion.com Without a doubt, this is my last smoke, I swear p m going to start the new year off right. I will greet 2004 with a sore throat, a blinding headache and an upset stomach. stomach. Next, I will launch into fits of coughing and lash out at my loved ones on the slightest pretext. I will be restless, sleepless and lethargic. It won't be a picnic but, oddly enough, I'm looking forward forward to it. That's because, unlike unlike the requisite New Year's Day hangover I will inevitably endure, these symptoms symptoms won't be a well- deserved punishment for over-indulgence. Instead, nicotine withdrawal will be my reward for kicking kicking a 14-year bad habit. No pain, no gain, as they say. According to Health Canada, my New Year's resolution resolution is a sign I've reached Stage 3 (Preparation), of the five 'Stages of Change.' I've already passed through the Pre-contemplation and Contemplation Contemplation phases, and by tomorrow tomorrow I will have graduated to Stage 4: Action. Because I'm not alone in my resolve (Statistics Canada reported this year that the country's smoking rate has continued to decline, with about 21 percent of Canadians aged 15 or older smoking on a daily or occasional basis, compared compared with 35 per cent in 1985), there is no shortage of help for me as I move toward the Maintenance stage. At www.gosmokefree.ca, for instance, instance, I can sign up for e- Quit, which will deliver two months of daily email support direct to my inbox. I can also call Health Canada's telephone support hotline at 1-877-513- 5333. Admittedly, recent antismoking antismoking legislation, including a Durham Region bylaw that will ban smoking in public places - including bars and restaurants - in June 2004, helped convince me it was time to think about quitting. After all, who wants to feel like a social pariah, condemned condemned to huddle under awnings in the rain to have a puff? And while some smokers might complain complain they are being unfairly treated by law-makers, smoker that 1 am, I couldn't help but agree with a comedian who quipped that if smokers feel they are treated worse than serial serial killers, it may be because serial killers only bother one person at a time. For now, though, having finished this column and with the clock ticking its way ever closer to midnight, I'm stepping stepping out for a smoke. News editor Jennifer Paige's column appears every other Wednesday. Jennifer Paige NewsEditor Letters to the Editor To submit a teller, please include your name, address and daytime telephone number, Tellers should be under 200 words, The editor reserves reserves the right lo edit copy length and clarity, l ! ax: 005-570-11100, U- tnail: newsrootn@durhamregion,e.otn LETTERS TO THE EDITOR e-mail letters to ncwsrooni@(lurhiimrenion.eoin New way to educate stresses old values To the editor: Re: 'Embracing a new way to educate,' Dec. 19. I applaud the direction of defining 10 character attributes to nurture in students; however, 1 must respectfully disagree with the KPR chairman, Angela Lloyd, regarding her claim the attributes "have nothing to do with religion or personality." Many years ago, a Free Methodist minister named Egerton Ryerson issued a blueprint blueprint for the development of public schools in Ontario called The Report of 1846. Among other things, it stated education is religious and moral. Even though that document was released well before our time, it rightly highlighted that any set of moral definitions emerges from a belief about how responsible citizens must behave. That belief, in turn, is part of a conscious framework tha't guides decisions, actions, or thoughts. That framework may be humanism, agnosticism, Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, etc. Rev. Ryerson's vision for public education came from the Christian Biblical framework that included many of the character character traits defined by the cross- section of community representatives. representatives. Funny, isn't it, that the character character traits we talk about today come from a Biblical perspective perspective that was to shape our education education system many years ago. 1 would love to hear a discussion between Ms. Lloyd and Rev. Ryerson about the matter Religion may be more prevalent than we think. George Petrusma Bowmanville Questions abound about new term To the editor: The new council has just been installed and we are getting getting the good news out of Municipal Municipal Hall. First, the International Thermonuclear Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor Reactor program has been cancelled. cancelled. The best time to let the voters know is right after the election so they will have three years to digest it. Second, we hear the mayor would like to use the vacant property on the south side of the 401 for more nuclear reac- OPINION tors. Let's repeat Pickering's $4-billion boondoggle right here in Clarington. Third, there has been a major shakeup at Veridian Hydro. Eleven directors out of 13 have been given their pink slips and the CEO of the company company is retiring. This very successful successful company, the flagship of the new deregulated market has been decimated. " Here in Clarington two people people with 32 years experience have been replaced by our mayor's campaign manager and a regional councillor with zero experience and our mayor with three years' worth. They will be in charge of a company worth well over $200 million. The excuse was that the move would make the company more accountable to the people of Clarington. The stipend had nothing to do with it. For weeks we had notices in the paper for experienced, qualified people to apply. I saw nothing about having to be a politician or a campaign chairman. chairman. This makes a farce out of the whole process. We expect openness, truthfulness truthfulness and transparency from our elected members. This sure brings it all into question. David Smith Newcastle e-mail letters to iicwsrooiii@(lurlianm!ginii.cnni Good riddance, 2003 Dear 2003: Just wanted to drop you a final note before you left, share a few thoughts for the road with you. First and foremost, I want you to know that, although we're going our separate ways, 1 hope we can both be friends. 1 know you probably hate me for running into the open arms of 2004 like I did. But you have to believe me when 1 say it was nothing personal. personal. It's just the calendar. calendar. I couldn't help myself. 1 think, if we're being honest, both of us have to take a share of the blame for things not working out between between us, I mean, I freely admit to not living living up to a lot of the promises I made you back on New Year's Eve last year, I still like potato chips and 1 know you hale it, but I'm actually beginning beginning to think beer is good for me. And, frankly, I think we both realized realized I was aiming a little loo high with that whole running a marathon thing. But sometimes, early in a relationship, you say stupid stuff. Besides, I was drunk. A lot of people were. You weren't exactly being honest with your big world peace deal. And you never even mentioned George W. Isn't that kind of like saying 'Oh yeah, 1 forgot to tell you, my father's a cannibal?' Also, 1 know I told you I didn't think it was your fault, but I'm still kind of pissed about the SARS issue. What were you thinking? Did you think I wouldn't notice? And I know you're gonna trot out that old 'to every season, turn, turn, turn,' chestnut, but quite frankly 2003, you were a downer. You took a lot of great people out of the picture for good: Art Carney, Boh Hope, Gregory Gregory Peck, Johnny Cash and even Mr. Rogers! You feel good about that? Are you proud of yourself/' OK, OK, 1 know you tried to make up for it by knocking off kli Amin and Nell Carter, bill Mr. Rogers? Come off it! And yes, the Saddam tiling was greatly appreciated, appreciated, bill it's too little loo late, you know? The party's over. Look, I didn't want this lo turn into a big shouting match. I'm grateful for my health and my family and my friends 2003,1 really really am. Thank you. But you and I both know this thing has run its course. There's no point in hanging hanging on any longer. We'd just be embarrassing ourselves and then there's that little matter of the lime-space continuum. You can't go back. 1 know you hate her guts because because she's young and full of promise, but I think if you just gave 2004 a chance you'd like her. She's smart, funny and she's got a great set of economic indicators. indicators. Plus, 1 think she really likes me. I know these words probably hurl, 2003, but as your own President President Bush likes lo say, sometimes sometimes you have to be cruel lo be kind. Please don't take this too hard. I'm sure you'll make some nice friends in the history books. Why don't you look up 1929; I'm sure she's dying for company. company. I'll pop by and say hello sometime, promise, Anywlto, gotta run, 2004 is at the door. Sunderland resilient Neil Crone, aclor-comic-wrilci; saves some of his best lines for his columns. Neil Crone Enter Laughing CLICK AND Sfit % Today's question: ,, 2A $ Is the provincial government'* development moratorium in the Golden Horseshoe green- belt, including some Durham land, too restrictive, or is it a ! step in the right direction to ! protect prime agricultural land? □ Too restrictive □ The right move Cast your vote online at infodurhamregi jirt.com Last week's question: Did you donate to a food or toy drive this holiday season? □ No 37.1% □ Yes 62.9% Votes cast: 97 HAVE YOUR SAY Question What is your New Year's resolution? Loraine Miller "To take more vaca- ■ lions. I need to enjoy life : more." Bryan McClure "I plan to quit smok- 1 ing, but 1 ■> don't know if that's going 1 to happen" Jennifer Jack "I'd like to -j do better in / school when ■ I go into my ' next year of ! university." Pat Dowling "Getting more stuff done around the house to quiet the wife a little." 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