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) » T $ = Sougoy Clliven + Buuceduy June 25, 3984 Lo published by Scugosg <itizen Publishing td. co-publishers : John B. McClelland, Valerie Ellis editor : John B. McClelland advertisi : Valerie Ellis , advertising sales : Chris Hudson " reception : Janét Rankin one but still optimistic : Liz Drebit ture writer : Heather McCrae THE SCUGOG CITIZEN an independently owned and operated weekly commun ity newspaper, , is distributed, free of charge, to over 12,000 homes and businesses in and around Scugog Township. Subscriptions sold outside Scugog Township. OCNA Member CCNA Member CCNA (C0 36 WATER ST., PORT PERRY, ONT. LIL1j2 CCNA Verified Circulation Controlled 7] Phone a Fax 905) 985-1410 "Proud Canadians, ts Tem home EDITORIALS 4 Good ang bad The Ontario New Democrat government deserves a pat on the back for bringing down the toughest anti-smoking legislation of any jurisdiction in North America. The new Act will prohibit the sale of tobacco to anyone under 19, does away with the so-called "kiddie" packs of 15 cigarettes, does away with cigarett hi prohibit smoking in all health facilities and designated public places and give municipalities the power to ban smoking in certain public places. The thrust behind this legislation is to keep cigarettes and tobacco away from children and teens because studies have proven that if people are not smokers by the time they reach 20, they most likely will never start. But as this NDP government seems to be doing with so many things, there is an aspect of the new legislation that is most troubling. As of December 31, the sale of tobacco will be banned in all drug stores and pharmacies. Keep in mind that tobacco 1s still a legal product in this country, For the government to pick and choose where it can be sold is a dangerous intrusion into the free market system and could set a precedent. Why exclude drug stores and pharmacies, many of which are family owned? Should this decision not be left with the owners or managers? If the government can dictate where tobacco can or cannot be sold, will it soon start dictating where other legal products can be purchased. Keeping smokes away from kids and teens is welcome. Telling retailers what they can sell and what they can't sell smacks of big brother. Banquet Hall Scugog Township councillors took a collective deep breath late Monday and agreed almost unanimously to push ahead with a $1 million community banquet hall at the Scugog Arena. And in an election year, no less. The decision is both a good one and absolutely necessary at this time. As the members of council agreed on Monday, there will never be a more opportune time to get this much needed facility off the drawing board. Ward 4 councillor David Dietlein was the only dissenting voice. He said the price tag is too high and there is too much uncertainty in the money markets for Scugog to go ahead with this project. The financing of this $1,045,000 project is complicated. Scugog will get about $500,000 in infrastructure grants from the federal and provincial governments. The Township will contribute $220,000 to that grant pool. That leaves about $324,000. The Township will kick in $77,000 from lot levies and a development reserve account, Minor Hockey has pledged $12,000, Minor Softball $9,000 and the Port Perry Rotary Club $20,000 for a total of $118,000. That still leaves a shortfall of $206,000 to be raised. And here council has a tough decision to make-- take this sum from reserves or debenture it. This hall (seating for 460) is badly needed in Scugog and once built, it will get a lot of use from banquets to weddings to meetings and so on. Just as important perhaps, the decision to push ahead with this large project at this time is a clear indication from ou elected officials that they have confidence in the future of hb community. Squgog wil} continye to grow and ten years from now the value of that community hall will have proven itself many times over. And it is not every year that $600,000 in federal/provincial grants arrives in the mail. Get on with it. As for the $206,000 shortfall, let's see the response from the community when it comes to fund-raising. DON'T SUE 'TILL YA SEE THE WHITES OF THEIR EVES GAMING FRCILIT | LETTERS To THE EDITOR Reader suggests Gord Mills should be ashamed To The Editor: GORD MILLS YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED.' Referring to the article in the Scugog Citizen (Port Perry) on Tuesday, June 21, 1994, "MPP Mills says time to try "native love". I was one of the many at the meeting on Thursday, June 26, at the Islander Hall. I attended as a resident of Scugog Island to be enlightened as to the proposed new gaming facility, the meeting was very informative. This meeting, had you attended, or your informant been more accurate, should have disclosed the true facts; it didn't matter who applied for the license, yellow, black, red or white, the same information would have been discussed and the same problems exist. Why would you even suggest "Native Love" when that was not the issue? Are you trying to instigate a feud between the people of Scugog and the First Nation? - This "proposed gaming facility" is another experience in what we too often receive from our elected Provincial Leaders. 'VERY DISAPPOINTING. You, Mr. Gord Mills do not appear to be interested in (and your Minister, Ms. Marilyn Churley is appearing to ignore) very important issues: -Adequacy of well water, an adequate septic system, adequate Hydro, emergency services, sufficient roads, contamination in our Lake. They are significant concerns for all residents of Scugog Island, including the First Nation. Let's change the F word, from FEUD TO FACTS' Sincerely, Margo Gadsden Scugog Island Keep parkland To the Editor: Regarding the proposed sale by the Township council of Township owned parkland in Blackstock, I don't agree with council that this is "surplus" land. I served on the Township council when we had this land designated as a park. And a park does not necessarily need to have playground equipment--trees and grass make a park, too. I am surprised that in a few years, this piece of land could be considered surplus. I know from experience just how hard it is to get a park, after the fact. The subdividers, Morley Bruce and Larry Doble gave this land as a park at no expense to the Township taxpayers. Council insisted and so did the provincial planning board. There will not be much to gain as there is a re-zoning, three wells to drill and lot levies, local and regional. As for the threat by the Mayor that if the land is not sold for three building lots, the plan (to improve and up-grade) the (Blackstock) Fairgrounds won't fly, either. Blackstock is part of Scugog Township. Why do we have to give something away to get something? Would this be an excuse not to spend money in Ward 4? How much will be gained by getting rid of this green space? Vernon Asselstine, RR 2, Blackstock. Letter policy The Scugog Citizen welcomes letters to the Editor on just about any topic, local, national or international in scope. We will enaeavour to print all letters except those that we consider to be outside the laws of libel and slander. We would also ask that letters stay reasonably within the bounds of good taste for a community newspaper. Our policy is to insist that the writer of the letter allow his or her name to' appear with the letter, however, we will make exceptions in certain circumstances. Deadline for letters is Monday at noon. You can mail to 36 Water St., Port Perry, LOL 1J2, or fax to 985-1410.