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PUA EAT yy | VIEWPOINT Fk ANOTHER LEAF TURNED A significant leaf in the McClelland family book was turned on Tuesday morning. Our youngest child headed out the * door about 8:20 on her way to Port Perry High School where she starts . grade nine. With the two older kids already at PPHS, Tuesday marked the first time that we do not have a child in elementary school. Yes, indeed, the time really does fly. I can vividly remember the day when all three of the kids started Kindergarten, and new they are in high school. Speaking of back to school Tuesday, it was quite a change of pace around «our place, Over the summer months, mornings have beep fairly quiet, peaceful even. And yours truly has been able to take a stroll through the morning paper while nursing that second cup of coffee. But all that came to an end Tuesday as three teen-agers got themselves ready for the first day back to school. They were grumbling about it, of course, but I think deep down they were all looking forward to getting back after a long, hot summer. I know I used to complain about back to school, but there was always a sense of excitement of meeting new friends, who the teachers would be, and what new duds the fashion plates would be wearing. Watching my youngest go out the door on Tuesday morning left me with a sense of pride and also with a sense that time really won't stand still. Yes. I set down the morning paper and turned the leaf quietly before finishing the last of my coffee. I suspect a lot of other parents felt the same that Tuesday morning. There are many events in the lives of your children that tug at the emotions and that was one of them. ELECTION HEATING UP The municipal election in Scugog Township is going to be an interesting one this fall. What had been a fairly routine campaign to date went up several degrees at the Port Perry Fair over the weekend. The Port Perry Fair Board jumped into the political arena with both feet by erecting a very prominent sign which said "This Fairgrounds is in danger." It went on to say that the lease between the Fair Board and the Township expires in July, 1997 and "many councillors do not want to renew our lease. They want to sell this parkland for an undisclosed development." As might be expected, members of council were more than livid when they saw this sign, claiming its message was simply un-true, especially the suggestion about "undisclosed development." For the record, a committée from "council and a committee from the Fair Board has been negotiating a new 10-year lease for the last several months. The stumbling block, and it's a big block, has been th® escape clause. The council committee has asked for a clause in the lease stating the lease can be terminated by either side on one year's written notice. The Fair Board Aays that, in effect, would amount to adne-year lease and by John B. McClelland fue the Board can't do long range planning or spending on up-grading the grounds if the possibility exists of terminating the lease on a year's notice. Because the land is owned by the Township, the council committee feels the termination clause should be included just in case there ever is an opportunity for a different use of those lands. For the record, Mayor Howard Hall stated firmly there have been absolutely, no disgussions with anyone on a new use for the Fairgrounds. Tempers flared on more than one occasion over the weekend at the Fair over the wording on this sign. What the Fair Board has done is make a conscious decision to force this lease issue onto the citizens of Scugog in this fall's municipal election. Should the Fair Board get a new ten year lease with no restriction, or should there be a termination clause in that lease? This is the question the Fair Board has thrown into the election cauldron. Since it is not likely that the present committees from the Fair Board or the council will resume lease negotiations which are at an impasse, it appears it will be decided November 14, the day Scugog voters go to the polls. In short, let the people decide. This is a volatile issue. A lot of _ people have very vivid memories of eight years ago when the Board of Education wanted a chunk of the Fairgrounds (six acres) as the site for a new public school. The Board eventually found an alternate site for S.A. Cawker PS, but not before the Board threatened to expropriate to get the school site and there were many angry public meetings. If the voters of Scugog were looking for an election issue--they just got it. This one is not going to go away, folks. IN CLOSING....... The Port Perry Junior C MoJacks open training camp this week.....another sure sign that the summer of '94 is history. First regular season game is October 2. Home games this year start at 7:00 PM so you can take the kids to the Arena and still get them home at a decent hour for school the next day. Best of luck to the Junior C's again this season. We'll be watching. ~"Scugog- Citizen on Wednesda, September 7, 1994 -- 0] Mills speaks ep the Island gambling facility To the Editor: the reality is that this vision will have to While walking around Blackstock Fair 'last weekend I had the opportunity to meet and chat with many be translated into specifics after studies and analysis which are still to be Some of the folks I spoke with who live on Scugog Island told me they were unhappy about the gambling facility proposed by their neighbours, the Mississaugas of Scugog Firgt Nation. One man blamed me and this government for the whole thing, which is fine, except he really didn't have his facts straight or understand the process or where the scheme stands right now. I have been saying it all along, but | believe I need to say it again. I will not support any development, if§gluding the proposed gambling facility on the Scugog reserve, if I believe it will harm the natural environment and adversely effect the community on Scugog Island. What 1 have been urgirfg from the start is that communities work together in a spirit of good will and co-operation. Some people have taken the position that the Province should not have . delegated the authority to licence charitable gaming to the Mississaugas of Scugog until the specific proposal for a facility to house the gaming activities was acceptable to residents of the area. These critics are failing to recognize the difference between the delegation of the authority to issue a gaming permit and the establishment of a gaming facility in a particular site. At this time, there is no concrete proposal with details that allow the concerns about the impact of a facility to be adequately addressed. Such a concrete proposal must be developed and the impact questions answered before it goes ahead. Chief Gary Edgar and the council may have a vision of what they would like to do, but Part of the problem is that so many issues are being mixed together in this discussion. It would be helpful if they could be separated so they could be examined more clearly. These are the issues surrounding native self-government, native land claims and the social and economic future of native * communities. Then there are the concerns about gambling in our society. And there are concerns being raised about the impact of the proposed facility on the surrounding community and on the ndtural environment. . Although all of these issues are important, there has been a very unfortunate over-reaction born partly on mis-understanding of the process and a mis-trust of the good will and good intentions of both the government and the native community. It is not true that anyone involved is trying to be secretive or is unwilling to address the community concerns. There are good reaons for the process taking place the way it has. There are important divisions of responsibility and authority between the local municipality, the Provincial and Federal governments, and the First Nation Council, which need to be acknowledged and addressed. I am convinced that there will be opportunities for consultation and input that should satisify the legitimate concerns of all fair-minded people of Scugog. Sincerely, Gord Mills, €.D., MPP Durham East. Joel Aldred replies To the Editor: The August 31 letter from MPP Gord Mills points out in paragraph two how correct we the Save .Scugog Island Committee have been. Mr. Mills has reversed his field. He now understands that it is his responsibility to represent all of the people, and not just the handful of residents on the Mississaugas Reserve. Paragraph 4 (of Mills' letter) points out that there are no concrete proposals, etc; that the Chief may have a vision; that there are no specifics. Mr. Mills now confirms that the "order in council" and the applicable "gaming code," 13 months in the drafting are "pie in the sky." Paragraph 5 is where Mr. Mills again muddies his own waters by thrgwing in native self-government, land claims and the sotial and economic future of mative communities. He does admit, though, that there are impact concerns relative to the surrounding community and the natural environment. I should point out that this latter point is a first for Mr. Mills. Chief Gary Edgar in his August 29 letter to me in answering my letter to him August 4 covgrs Mr. Mills paragraphs 6 and 7. The Band is concerned at thi time Turn to page ten Must show more compassion To the Editor: Congratulations to the Township of Scugog and to the person or persons who complained about my small bike repair business on Highway 7A. You have won! There is a possibility that 1 will have to pay out $4,000 in fines for trying desperately to earn a living and stay away from any handouts. This will be a major portion of my current income. 'Our family has suffered major set-backs financially over the last two years, and because I was unable to get a job, I started a small bike business outside the town to try to survive. Well, I did not know that you are not allowed to make a living without harassment from people. Do you realize that if one person does not like what you are doing, he or she can lodge a complaint (with the Township) and maintain full anonymity? This is Township policy. They may not even know your circumstances, but they can totally destroy your lifestyle by putting the by- law officers on your case. Since we established this business, we have been constantly harassed by the Township, but on the good side we have helped numerous families purchase bikes at much less cost than they would have. We have recycled over 250 bikes without having them dumped at our local site. Numerous people have used my services and were entirely satisfied. The Township has to learn to show compassion, and with the current council, this is not happening. '& This bike repair business is my onty- source of income right now and believe me, I work long hours just to earn enough to pay the bills and feed my family. Yes, I am running for council (in the November municipal election) Wouldn't you? Believe me, it's time this township started to use discretion with people trying to get on with their lives. This has been a ridiculous situation. Barry Johnston, Scugog Township. (Editor's Note: On August 29, Mr. Johnston ws found guilty of breaking Te hip zoning by-l mely for outside storage and display of bicycles at his place of business. The Township asked fire on each count. The judge will hand down a decision on the amount of the fine October 17.)