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published by Scugog Citizen Publishing L.td. editor : john B. 36 WATER ST, PORT PERRY, ONT. L9L1)2 John B. McClelland, Valerie Ellis McClelland CCNA Verified Circulation Controlled OCNA Member CONA Member , free : to over 12,000 homes and businesses in and around Scugog Township Subscriptions sold outside Scugog Township Phone : (905) 985-6397 Fax : (905) 985-1410 Cash hungry CBC GST, PST,CBC - Wait a minute! CBC? That's not a tax But it soon could be if the federal government is serous about a trial balloon it has been floating to help the cash starved Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) In a story revealed last week, the federal government 1s studying options from slapping a levy on theatre tickets to taxing video-cassette rentals, cable subscriptions, radios, TVs, and VCRs--all in an effort to bolster CBC coffers This comes in the shadow of the federal government's announcement last February that it was looking at ways to help the CBC become more financially independent Excuse me, but when did hiking taxes become equated with helping a cash hungry crown corporation become more financially independent? It's like the government announcing that Burger King will receive a 25 cent levy on every other hamburger sold at every restauran} and fast food joint across the country so that Burger King can financially in t" The logic is 80 perverse as to be almost unbelievable The reason that Burger King doesn't need a tax-supported subsidy is because people voluntarily choose to buy their hamburgers--not unlike people going to rent a video movie because they can't stomach what's on the CBC But the very suggestion that the CBC's expenditures be more reflective of the revenues it generates from its programs sends the cultural elite into a frenzy. In the words of CBC Chairman Tony Manera, "revenues are not our mission, and must not drive the programming and scheduling of the network " Then what does' Presumably, the mission of Mr. Manera and his colleagues is to produce such high.quality programming that it is incapable of attracting an audience If enough people watched and listened to CBC programming, advertiser would pay for commercial air time at rates paid to successful private stations. Instead, taxpayers cough up $1 billion a year Years ago it could be argued that in the early 1930s a public broadcaster was necessary for national unity at a time when broadcast media was spotty at best. But today, the CBC is but a flea amongst the hundreds of broadcasters world-wide with which it must compete. And frankly, it's not doing a very good job In commenting on the proposed CBC tax, former CBC Chairman Patrick Watson said Canadians might be willing to pay a small additional fee to support the broadcaster Yet it is this "small fee" salesmanship which turns government entities like the CBC into the white elephants they are. The CBC will always face a "funding shortfall" because it has no desire or incentive to increase self-generated revenues and neither will it run out of innovative things to spend money on (have a look at their studios, staff levels and properties across the country, compared to the private sector) The CBC should be put out to pasture. Privatize it. First of all, we can't afford to fund hospitals let alone TV and radio stations that few people pay any attention to. Secondly, people who enjoy the CBC will still have every opportunity to vote with their remote controls by turning into its programs. Those who don't tune in will not be compelled by law to financially support the preferences of a small minority. Finally, moving the CBC into the taxpaying private sector will make it a financial contributor to the public purse rather than a financial liability (The above column was written by Paul Pagnuelo of the Ontario Taxpayers Federation. Similar columns on taxes and government spending from this Federation are carried on a regular basis in this newspaper) become more AND THE ARGOS ARNT WORTH WATCHING d I'D LIKE TO TRKE THIS OPPORTUNTY TO INTRODUCE vou TO YOUR CHILDREN... Sale of parkette will benefit more people in the long term To the Editor This letter is written in response to Fred Ford's letter published in the September 20th edition of the Scugog Citizen This controversy seems to have come to light all of a sudden. The initia] plans were presented on December 2, 1993. Until now it did not appear that there was a lot of concern regarding the sale of the North Blackstock parkette. Now, nine months later there seems to have been the birth of a major concern Mr. Ford said in his letter that insufficient information was given to the general public. The meeting on December 2nd was held exactly for that purpose. A presentation was given and the public's input was encouraged. My general view from that meeting was one of majority agreement; that it is about time the fairgrounds, rec centre, and attached play area be u; Another point that Mr Ford raised is that the septic system cannot be moved Without exorbitant costs, he is correct It is my understandingtand | stand to be corrected) that the renovation plans call for one ball diamond being elevated to allow for the septic system. This design would not require that the whole system be moved. The plan also called for the large diamond to be moved further to the south and west; allowing for the construction of a junior diamond to the northwest. The suggestion that a junior diamond be added to the parkette raises the possibility of some other problems. Firstly, parking. The parkette area may now allow enough area for the parking of vehicles. Secondly, the parkette does not have enough space for anything other than T-ball. The way that Cartwright Minor Ball has grown in the past few years, a playing field for T-ball only is not economically feasible. The most logical spot is at the fairgrounds where it can be used by all age levels for games and practices, without the danger of balls being hit out onto the road. I realize that Mr. Ford has not voiced the opinion that he is not in favour of upgrading the fairgrounds. The fact remains that neither he, nor anyone else who does not agree with the sale of the parkette, has come forward with an alternative plan to raise the funds i It would be a shame to loose the possible matching funds from the province. If this is the case, | would suggest that if he is successful in defeating the proposed sale, the fairgrounds would not be upgraded in the foreseeable future A parkette is nice to have, Mr. Ford. However, for the amount of people who derive a benefit from it (I suspect less than thirty) its sale would in the long run benefit well over ten times that many from this community Yours Truly David Stapley Nestleton Museum had lots of support To the Editor: As the 8cugog Shores Museum 1s drawing near the end of its special events in this our 25th anniversary year, | would like to take this opportunity to thank the Scugog Citizen for the excellent coverage of events. Also, thanks to the Township council for their backing; businesses from Port Perry and area for their fi ial help; And | want to thank the many volunteers who have helped to make all our special events possible But most important thanks to all the people who have come out to the Museum to support us and make these events so successful. Please watch the paper for Christmas events. Art Richardson, staff and students at the Museum who have been excellent to work with. Scugog Shores Museum, Scugog Island.