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MP's casino survey biased says reader To the Editor: Today, in my mail box, I received a letter from Mr. Alex Shepherd (M.P. ) requesting that I fill out his (or is it his?) survey regarding the much talked about gambling casino already approved for Scugog Island pending environmental studies. His cover letter, both in context and tone, clearly demonstrates his negative feelings regarding this venture but his survey is, to me anyway, extremely bias. Mr. Shepherd sfygests in his letter that he "would like to know what you think of a gambling facility being built on the island". He then begins the survey asking you to clearly reflect your views........... "Totally opposed, need more information, and no opinion" why has he left out "in favour of" as this is the box I would have crossed off to "clearly" let him know how this resident and tax payer feels. 1 feel that this survey is very unprofessi as people like myself that are in favour of the casino, will indicate "need for more info" and then Mr Shepherd (and others) will read between the lines suggesting that far more people are concerned and upset... which may not be the true picture at all. Had this survey not projected such a predominant negativity, I would have taken the time to fill it out thoroughly and forwarded on tq the writer. I would like to have filled in the block stating I am "In favour of", so he clearly understood that, and then, in the comment area, I would have stated that I would like more information on how it may affect people living on the island. The truly last amusing part of Mr. Shepherds letter is his statement, "I will leave it up to you whether or not you put "VIEWPOINT by John B. McClelland -- - BEST TIME OF THE YEAR The first two weeks of October used to be the best time of year for sports fans. They could happily pig out on a huge banquet of sports on the tube-- the World Series. the start of a brand new NHL season, NFL, CFL and college football. But in this dismal October in the year 1994, there will be no World Series, the start of the NHL season (as I write this) is very much in doubt and CFL football, well, it's dead in Hamilton and dying in Toronto and Ottawa, if anybody cares. As a youngster, how vividly I recall those brilliant Saturdays in early October when the TV set in our place went on at 1:00 PM for a World Series game, stayed on at 4:00 for the CFL (Ottawa-Hamilton was always a favourite) and was still on at 8:00 for the Leafs or Canadiens against anybody. Between games, the neighbourhood kids would get together for touch football in the Hillcrest Stzeet Park. The shadows would lengthen at 5:00 in the afternoon and an hour later there was a most certain chill in the air; a chill that all of us knew was just the first taste of those bitter winds that would soon sink northeastern Ontario into the slumber of a long cold winter. Strikes and/or lock-outs in the world of sports were un-heard of in those days. And a good thing, too. Could we, as wide-eyed ten year olds, in love with hockey, baseball and football, ever understang what is going on today. Hey, 35 years later, I don't understand what's going on and I'm supposed to have the wisdom of the years, a university degree and a few bumps and bruises from the school of hard knocks. Had this foolishness in the world of sport taken place when I was a ten- year old I would have turned to my father for answers. These days I'm sure a lot of dads are having a great deal of trouble explaining the baseball strike to a ten-year old. Or even tougher, here in Canada, telling young boys with (hockey) stars in their eyes, why there could very well be no start to the season for weeks or even months. "It's like this, son. On the one hand there are team owners who are billionaires, and on the other hand the players who are millionaires, an they both want more money. Understand? No? Ah, let me put it this way, son, it's not a sport, it's a. . Come on, get your glove, we mn have a game of catch before supper." A ten year old who lives and dies by his favourite sport or team, just doesn't understand. Nor should he be expected to understand. But as Gary Bettman and Bob Goodenow sat in front of each other in a Toronto hotel last week and got absolutely nowhere trying to resolve the differences between owners and players, I wonder if they knew how many ten year olds were waiting for the drop of the first puck. I wonder if they knew how many kids may turn off their favourite sport, how many dreams have been shattered because grown men who play the game and own the teams aren't happy with what they've got. Happy October. INCLOSING......... Had a first-hand look around the new emergency and x-ray departments a week ago Sunday night. Very impressive. My son Matt tore up a knee in a bad way at a hockey practice and had to be taken to hospital by ambulance. I want to publicly thank the ambulance guys, the staff on duty that stormy Sunday night in the emergency department at Community Memorial for their expert care, and the Minor Hockey coaches who showed up at the hospital late at night to see how Matt was doing. He's still in a fair amount of pain and hobbling about on crutches, but I think he's going to live. However, with ligament damage, his hockey playing days for this season may be over. These things happen in contact sports, but I was impressed with the reaction of all concerned. your name and address on the (his) survey" is he suggesting that this is such a tremendously hot issue if it proceeds, that you or I may be in some kind of trouble if "someone" or "some group" sees that we are positive to the casino. Mr. Shepherd, of all people, should realize that we, as Canadians, live in a great country that allows us to express ourselves without fear or consequence. Both he and our so-called "Island Defenders" against the casino, should know that Port Perry residents, living on and off the island, are more than capable of forming and expressing their nwn opinions and do not appreciate manipulation by others. I am in favour of the gambling casino largely because it will offer employment, add tax dollars, assist community funding, increase other local business revenue and generate further awareness in our ity as a tourist attracti 1, like others, am concerned about traffic along the island road and how the facility may affect the environment. Rather than form a committee, I discussed my concerns with Chief Edgar, of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and having done so, feel assured that neither he or our provincial government would proceed with construction if this project would cause any hardship to our island community. I know I will hate the additional traffic on the island but the pluses far outnumber the when ider the this business can and will bring to our town and region. The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation should be applauded for their efforts in this project, particularly Chief Edgar. He has taken much abuse by #gome" in our local papers but had held his ground because he believes this will benefit us all, not just the First Nation. Scugog Township needs some radical thinking to promote new business in the area if we expect our youth to stay....otherwise, we will all be heading out west where the jobs are. On Baturday morning,(Oct. 1) I received a phone call from a resident on the Island asking if I had the mailer from Mr. Shepherd regarding his casino survey. After acknowledging that I had, she urged me to fill it out and return it immediately. I then advised her that I would not because I felt that Mr. Shepherd was obviously biased to the gambling facility. 1 was then told that my caller did not feel that he was. She did however agree that the survey itself was poorly structured and a column should have been included stating "in favour of". The caller seemed to understand my concerns on how this unprofessional survey could be interpreted depending on how the originator'may possibly read between the lines and come to an incorrect conclusion. At this point, she said again, and I quote, "Mr. Shepherd is not negative (to hzr knowledge) regarding the casino. He is only concerned because no one has called him to express their concerns and he merely wants to know how people feel about it". Can you believe this? I certainly can't. If no one is calling his office, maybe, and I repeat, just maybe, the majority of Scugog residence are not as up tight about the whole thing as "few lead us to believe." Would our politician's time riot be better spent addressing the many letters and phone calls they receive daily, regarding cutbacks to our social services etc.? [ as a Port Perry resident, am far more concerned about the future of our local Hospital and Ambulance/Police services within our region. In defence of Mr. Shepherd, my caller may possibly have uttered incorrect information to "lighted up" our phone - conversation and I may have interpreted it incorrectly..........and this is my point. If one is going to survey, it should be done independently by unbiased people and it should offer all the known facts and options for a proper response....This avoids any misinterpretation of the survey findings. No more from this writer (I promise) Dave Halligan, Fralicks's Beach. Multi-talented Relyea Family on Town Hall 1873 stage Oct. 17 The mylti-talented Relyea Family have delighted audiences and critics with their rich and expressive voices and varied programs of opera, musical theatre, and Victorian parlour songs. Each member of the Relyea Family possesses a strikingly beautiful voice and a commanding stage presence. Come to the Town Hall 1873 on Saturday, October 17th, at 8:00 p.m., for the Voices-Relyea concert--A Victorian Parlour Party. Set in a vintage Victorian parlour, this concert is nostalgic, amusing, and serious at the same time. The singers wear period costumes and accompany each other on the piano, in the manner of the day. The songs range from the comical to the serioug, Tickets available at Irwin Smith's or at the door--$20.00 each. Bass-baritone, Gary Relyea, one of Canada's most popular performing artists, has an international career performing with symphony orchestras around the world. Gary will sing in Handel's Messiah with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra this December, marking over 70 performances with that orchestra. - Mezzo soprano, Deanna Relyea, has performed major oratorio works with symphony orchestras and choral societies in Canada and the United States. She is Founder/Artistic Director of an award-winning chamber music concert hall and arts facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Estonian born soprano Anna Tamm- Relyea has performed with choral organizations across Ontario, including the Elmer Isler Singers, toured with the Canadian Opera Company, and has been featured on the CBC-TV's "Music to See". Bass-baritone, John Haley- Relyea, made his recital debut last May in a Duo-Recital with his father, Gary, and already has an impressive list of credits. John switched from th8 electric guitar to singing opera with an astounding voice and an extraordinary stage manner in three short years.' Currently ttending the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, this season John has his debut with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Handel's Messiah.