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36 WATER ST, PORT PERRY, ONT. LIL1J2 Phone : (416) 985-6397. Fax : (416) 985-1410 Sign of the times knocks on your door, your first reaction should be suspicion. In fact, | if you answer the door and are greeted by a stranger aiming to be lost, on looking forgust about -| any other kind of information, you should note the description, take the licence number of any vehicle and notify police. a That's the advice from Durham Region Police Inspector Ross Smith of 26 Division Who says it's common procedure these days | and if nobody answers, break in and help themselves to valuable household goods. : If somebody does answer the door, the thieves simply come with any excuse (need directions, 'etc) and move on to anothe house, - This is" exactly what happened in neighbouring Uxbridge T Pp Two men knocked on a door and when the left and.a short while later, a nearby home was burglarized. Police suspect it was the same pair. The number of break and enters insplaces like Scugog and Uxbridge has been on the rise for several years. And they take place at all hours of the day and night. It is a sad commentary on the times we live in thgt strangers are immediately greeted with suspicion. Most adults can rémember not too many years ago when it was not this way if a stranger knocked on the door. There are some who like to boast that they never locked their doors, even when away from home. ,| A stranger seeking directions was just that, nothing more, nothing less and in many cases, people would go out of their way to assist strangers. Not any: more. Sadly, those days are long gone. Being a Good Samaritin is a dangerous thing. Is it any wonder that people in small towns'and rural areas are going to great lengths to protect their properties. Automatic alarm and lighting systems-are hot sellers. Many people are buying large, loud dogs and leaving them home with instructions to protect the house no matter who comes to the door. This may be but a small example of how times have changed for all of us. And not for the better, either. - Another sign The Lakefield Chiefs hockey club folded last week, less than a month before the team was to start a new sqason in the Central Ontario Junior C League. So what? Another hockey team going r is nothing new these days, and hardly a priority as companies shut their doors putting real people on the streét in record numbers. happening in small towns and villages all over this province and the country. The Chiefs fell victim to, the same forces that are hurting or killing any number of organizations that at one time were the very fabric of small towns Lakefield, or Port Perry. Declining interest, rising costs, competition for the "entertainment" dollar, declining numbers in the Minor Hockey. system that served as a "feeder" to the local junior team, young players who have to juggle senior high school years and part time jobs who don't have the time to make a commitment to hockey: these are cited for the demise of the Chiefs. , in recent years, fans in Lakefield avoided Chief games in atever the reasons, the very fabricPthe heart and soul of small town Canada is under; ehysices these days. Apathy, the and i was just. another hockey "team; tomorrow it may be a different organization, one close and dear to your heart. As the old saying goes, you don't miss something til it's gone forever. " There has been junior hockey in Lakefield for more than three decades. Lakefield will survive without the Chiefs, no doubt. If you wonder why the small town seems to be changing right before your eyes (and not necessarily for the better) there are a lot of answers in the death of one hockey team. co-publishers : John B. McClelland, Valerie Ellis editor John B. McCrea It is a sad sign of the times we live in that when a stranger for would-be thieves to walk up to the front door, ring the bell | owner answered, "they appeared nervous and surprised. They | |. published by Scugog Citizen Publishing Ltd. ire Scugog Cittaen, kenya nd eid " But the demise of the Lakefield Chiefs is symbolic of what is | ts. In this case it | ro TO bm en rd nd Tenshi. Subscriptions sold outside Scugog Township. OGNA Member Pi : Su CCNA Member. CCNA Verified Circulation Controlled, » LETTERS To THE EDITOR Some words of wisdom from a 'sidewalk super' To the Editor: Yes, I admit I am one of Port Perry's "sidewalk superintendents," also known by spme people as the © eyes and T thought NO PARKING signs would be in place by now) also in Apple Valley, anywhere there is a sidewalk. If you doubt me, take a look for ears of S Thom, Jimmy, Marilyn, Rick, = Dick, myself and a great number of other concerned citizens are ticked off with the Lights at the Water Street tennis courts and ball fields that are léft on long after the players have gone home. The powers that be should come up with some kind of meter system. If all teams had to pay for the lighting, and also the lights at the picnic shelter, I am sure the lights would be turned off. Well, thingéare not all bad, I have watched many projects completed in the past The Township ought to re- think the parking spaces on "Port Perfy streets. If only a small space (angle parking space) is needed at Palmer Park area, then why all the space af each fire hydrant on Water Street? More street parking should be marked in front. of the Township office on Perry Street. A few weeks ago, I watched Scugog Hydro with their project at the Port Perry Fairgrounds. The three men worked like poetry in motion, moles mostly with hand It was fantastic as of years. When ithe new street lights along Water Street were being put in, one worker asked me if 1 was spying on their work. My ".angwer was if youl are doing your job right, you should not ave to worry about me. Many citizens believe a second active by-law enforcement officer is needed. An officer should be around on all 'evenings and weekends. The same people week after week are breaking the parking by-laws. The Township keeps building more sidewalks and more and more vehicles are parked on or over the sidewalks in Port Perry. Paxton Street, North Street (I each seemed to know what the : others were doing at all times. 1 can assure you we are certainly getting our money's worth and ndore. A tip of the hat to the Hydro staff. Disappointi To the Editor: I would like to congratulate those responsible for the musical performances in Palmer Park on Sunday evenings. This past Sunday, there was an excellent group playing. But it is a shame that more Right now, the reconstruction of Regional Road 2 (Simcoe St., Oshawa Rd., take your pick) is underway. The crews doing this work are also like poetry in motion, again using mostly hand signals. It is something else, I can-assure you. There is very little talking, so 'no bad language. This I am sure is very unusual in the best of times. In the case of Regional Road 2, the men take "their noon hour meal under a shade tyee on people's lawns. They' leave no garbage whatsoever, not even a cigarette butt. If you see Barry, who is often hired by the Township and others, here is another contractor who gives us our money's worth and more. Yes, atipofthe hat to Barry. . Finally, remember to add Canada to all addresses in your letters. Have a happy and safe summer. - Roy Walker Smith, Port Perry, Ont. Canada. le don't go there to ( - the shows, 'There were only: a few eople scattered around the park Sunday evening. This must be disappointing to the entertainers. ? . Jim Heayn, Port Perry.