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Scugog Citizen -- Tuesday, September 12, 1995 -- 9 dm VIEWPOINT by John B. McClelland ETTERS TO EDITOR DUAL CITIZENSHIP-- JUST WHAT I NEED Glancing through the text of the Referendum Bill tabled by Quebec Premier Jacques Parizeau, I was intrigued by a clause referring to citizénship. : "My reading of the clause leads me to believe that since I was born in la belle province, I would be eligible for citizenship in the new Quebec. What's more, so would my wife, by virtue of the fact she too was born in Quebec. And even though our three children were born outside Quebec, "they could become citizens because their parents are citizens. It would be rather interesting to carry dual citizenship, being able to flash a couple of passports when travellinggabroad, using whichever one suits the occasion. For example, getting into France would be a lark with a Quebec passport. Leave the Canadian passport in the bottom of the suitcase. Aside from that, however, I can't think of any tangible benefit to be derived from being a citizen of the new Quebec and the new Canada. Thanks for the offer, Jacques. But if Quebec ever does become some kind of independent or quasi- independent country, I think the McClellands will opt to remain just what they are now--citizens of one country--Canada. ' "Hin said that, I strongly doubt it will ever come to pass. Surely, the people of Quebec can see through the Parizeau charade and will vote NON once and for all. They must understand that the rest of the country will never tolerate an arrangement in which Quebec gets to keep things like currency, but would be "first among equals" in just about everything else. And by the way, a totally independent Quebec would have about as much clout on the world stage as Luxembourg. HOMOLKA/BERNARDO So much has been written and said in the wake of the trial and conviction of Bernardo. Frankly, this was 'a trial of such ionstrous circumstances that I have yet to be able to clearly formulate my thoughts. The big papers in Toronto gave the trial un-precedented coverage. | read just about every word. Obviously, seeing Bernardo convicted of both counts of first degree' murder gave me some satisfaction. (Though he has launched an appeal) Like most people, I find myself struggling with the deal cut by his ex-wife- 12 years for manslaughter in exchange for her testimony against Bernardo. Homolka will be up for day parole in 16 months. Let us hope the Parole Board turns down her application. In light of the evidence that came out at Bernardo's trial, Homolka's deal, on the surface, cries out to high Heaven. Plea bargaining is 'however, a necessary evil, in our justice system. The Crown must continue to have the legal right to cut a deal in exchange for testimony that will net the bigger fish. I accept that completely. Without plea bargaining, a lot of very serious crimes would not even get to court, let alone a conviction. What is so appalling about the Homolka deal is that it appears she was every bit as big a fish as her former husband in the horrid and gut wrenching sequence of events. Better minds (legal and otherwise) than mine will be pouring over this tase for years to come. Maybe somebody, somewhere will eventually make some kind of sense out of it all. One fact that remains in my mind is the incredible courage shown by the families of the murdered teen- agers. How they could sit through that trial is beyond my comprehension. What inner strength or human resource did they draw from day in and day out as they not only heard the testimony but heard on those videos how their children suffered and died. A nine year old says thank you CMB coaches To the Editor; My son' wrote the following letter to thank his C.M.B. baseball coach and I would like you to consider publishing it as a Letter to the Editor. The coaches did a great job this season and deserve public recognition and thanks. JoAnne Cerguich Blackstock Dear Coaches; This letter is to thank you for helping IGA Hometown Proud Mites get through the baseball season. At the beginning of the year, the only thing | was kind of good at was running, but the first time I caught the ball, threw it in to my second base man and got someone out, I knew it was from four things. One, team work. Two, supportive parents. Three, supportive coaches, and four, lots and lots of practice. And that is what led us to our undefeated victory, not being a stacked team like I heard some of the parents on the other teams call us. True, we won évery game, but you made, a policy to never tell us the score during a game. We , went out there to play our best and to have fun. The other teams played great and we never knew who was winning or losing until after the game. When we won - it was a Bonus! There were many of us that didn't play well at the beginning of the season. But we learned from our mistakes and you taught us how to play as a team, Now I would like to end by saying thank you very much Coach John (McNamara) and Coach Dale (Newman) for teaching and helping us and being our coaches. I would also like to point out that my friend won the most improved player award and | had hoped to win it. But | cheered for him anyway because that's what teamwork is all about. From the pencil of Matthew Cerovich, 9 years old, ' Blackstock, Ontario Help make Fox Run bigger than ever To the Editor; I want to begin by thanking the Scugog Citizen for their support in promoting the Port Perry and area Terry Fox Run to be held Sunday, September 17. The provincial Terry Fox foundation office has frequently used the example of the media coverage in Port Perry as an example of the importance of the media to promote local run sites. The committee members including Janice Beechey, Ken Crawford, Laura Elliott, Kim McCann, Leo Plue, Marjorie Stewart-Medford, Kelvin Todd and Mary Lynn West-Moynes have been working hard to ensure a great route, easy registration, a delicious barbecue and fun and entertaining activities for children. If you were one of the 420 people who participated last year, we hope to see you again. This year bring a friend! The total funds raised last year were almost $25,000. This includes $16,000 raised on run day and almost $9000 raised by local schools. The Terry Team members will again be an important part of our local run/walk/ride/stroll/rollerblade. Terry's team are individuals in our commupity who have survived cancer, or are living with cancer. These individuals represent the fact that cancer can be beaten and that research must continue to find new cures for cancer. Come out to the Port Perry fairgrounds on Sunday September 17 and together we can show families, friends, neighbours and co-workers that our community cares. This year's Terry's Team members are Jeffrey Blair, Patricia Price, Tot Holtby, Allen Love, Ruth Marconi, Eileen Warnke, Ann Ferguson, Kim McCann, Carey Moluchi, Kaitlin Wilson and Jack Moore. The Run/Walk begins at 9:00 with registration beginning at 8:00, remember the event goes rain or shine. Elizabeth McArthur Port Perry and Area Terry Fox Run Coordinator You're invited to discover the Cadet Corps To the Editor; My name is Chief W.O. Officer M. Tolpa and I am the Regimental Sergeant Major of #41 Royal Canadian Army Cadets Corps. The Corps is in the process of conducting a recruitment drive. , If you are not familiar with the army cadet organization, . the following information is included as a brief outline of our aims and objectives: To promote citizenship and a pride in being a Canadian (Canadian of landed immigrant), Self worth and determination, Leadership, Self discipline, Teamwork, Self challenge, Community service, and self confidence. The cadet system is not used as a recruiting tool to interest young people in joining the militia or the regular forces. Also, the cadet system is not run by the regular force, but is supported by them for clothing, training and the supply of technical support services. Cadets are not subject to any military code of discipline and do not "sign on" for any specific time period. When a cadet has "had enough" of the organization, they are free to leave. We are interested in young people, both male and female, between the ages of 12 and 18 ' years of age. The Corps meets at Port Perry High School on Wednegdays from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Each new candidate completes an initial training period and at the end of this period is'issued a complete uniform. The uniform is issued free of charge, but the cadet must return this on completion of service. All activities within the Cadet system are free. Weekend activities include camping, orienteering, rifle range, military parades and a variety of sports. The cadets also visit military establishments on a regular basis, and' all transportation, accommo- dation, activities and food are provided free of charge. Cadets can also sp eir summer vacation at summer camps, at various Canadian Armed Forces Bases throughout the country where they are taught advanced skills in an atmosphere of friendship and competitiveness. This is all free of charge. At the age of 16, cadets are eligible for instructional postings at these summer camps, depending on their skill levels, and are paid for their attendance, as Cadet Instructers. Each summer, cadets are eligible for international exchanges with cadets from other Commonwealth countries, and again, this is all provided free of charge. Being a cadet means that a young person has taken on a personal challenge and he or she will be rewarded with a lifetime of memories of good times, good friends and the knowledge that in completing the program, he or she will be a better all-round citizen. Yours Sincerely, Chief Warrant Officer Mike Tolpa RSM #41, Port Perry Letters policy The Scugog Citizen welcomes letters to the Editor on just about any topic, local, national or international in scope. We will endeavour 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 54 Water St., Port Perry, LIL 1J2, or fax to 985-1410.