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A Scugog Citizen a uesdoy, Ju "VIEWPOINT mi ok John B. McClelland LETTERS TO EDITOR|¢ THE FOX PUCK What's all the fuss about that electronic puck used on an experimental basis by the American Fox network for the NHL all star game in Boston last Saturday night? Some hockey observers north of 'the border called the experiment a travesty, the final insult by the Yanks to the purity and integrity of Canada's national sport and passion. ' One writer wondered how the Yanks would feel if a. Canadian TV 'network put a computer chip jn a baseball so fans in this country could follow it better on televison. What's all the fuss about? Personally, I give Fox credit for this experiment which reportedly cost the network some $3 million, not a small chunk of change even by today's standards. I tuned in a period of the All-Star game on Fox just to see what this what was all about. I found the blue haze around the puck most distracting and it certainly did not the TV tube. But I got a kick out of the red vapor trail from the puck when it exceeded 70 mph.' . Let's face it. Whether we like it or not, professional hockey as we know it is tied to the United States. If Fox a way to attract more viewers, it could land the NHL a very lucrative contract, something the' League has not been able to secure south of the border. US networks say their research has determined that one reason why American viewers are s0-s0 about hockey on the tube is that they cannot follow the puck. So, give Fox some credit, please for at least trying something. If cyber pucks are what it takes to get the NHL on the tube in the US, so be it. The revenue just.might help keep a few Canadian based teams where they are rather than bailing out for the Sun Belt, like the Jets and the Nordique. Still with this sport of hockey that is so near and dear to the hearts of millions of Canadians from September to May/June, is it just me or is the Wayne Gretzky road show starting to turn a bit sour? Will he stay in L.A. or be moved to a "contender" before the end of this season so he can have one more shot at winning a Stanley Cup before his truly brilliant career is over? Does the Great One think somebody owes him another Stanley Cup ring? He already owns a fistful of rings from his'day with the Oilers. Funny, how you don't hear Ray Bourque whining in public about a chance to win a Cup. He probably help me follow the puck better on (or any other US network) can find never will win with Boston, despite a'marvellous 16 year career. Or * Marcel Dionne, who toiled 50 many brilliant years with the pre-Gretzky Kings, or Steve Yzerman, yet to win a ring with the Wings (though that could change this spring unless the Wings go into the tank again) Make no mistake. I am not putting the knock on Gretzky the hockey player or the hockey ambassador. I just wish he'd stop carping all the time, play out his contract with the Kings and then go the free agent route next year with whatever team can spring for the big bucks. A final hockey word. Last Sunday , night's Jynior C tilt at the Scugog Arena between the MoJacks and Uxbridge Bruins was just about as fine a game as this observer has witnessed in 17 wingers. It had everything: fast, wide open play, scoring chances galore, great goaltending, heavy hitting and yet just eight minor penalties. And some dramatic last minute heroics by the home towns lads to eke out a 241 overtime victory. My congrats to both teams for 63 minutes of superb hockey entertainment the way the game should be played. IN CLOSING: This community cares. When Dave Kay found out that Thom Doran is going through some tough health problems these days; he immediately suggested that Port Perry Minor Softball put" on a dance for Thom and his family. He got thé wheels in motion and "the dance is lined up for Saturday, Feb. 17 at our new Scugog Centre. Dave said simply that over the | - years, Thom, through his business Classic Hot Dogs has been a good friend to the organization and now it's time to do something in return. Thom is well known in the community for his Classic Hot Dogs and in fair weather and foul he ran the cart at Gord Lewis' lot on Water Street. Late last summer he joined the staff of the Scugog Citizen as an advertising sales rep. In Dé&cember he underwent successful surgery for the removal of a cancerous kidney and early in the New Year started treatments for a tumour on the brain. Not a day goes by when people stop me to ask how Thom is doing. His health problems have hit all of us at the Citizen hard, and likewise « all who know him as a pleasant, hard working man dedicated to Wendy and their three children. Thom told me he hopes to be at the February 17 dance if he's feeling OK that evening. The way this community cares never ceases to amaze me. Tickets for this dance are on sale now or at the door on Feb. 17. Hope to see you there. "Thanks for your support! To The Editor: . In this day and age when prices are going up and we seem to pay more and get less, it is important to recognize a local business that has made the decision to think of the community first and their revenue second. Beginning in 1996 the Scugog Citizen is allowing the local churches to participate in their "Weekly Worship" column at no charge. In the letter advising us of tWis change they stated that they felt, in light of the difficult economic times, the dollars spent promoting the churches' weekly.service with The Citizen'could be better used helping the needy of our community. These difficult economic times are felt by us all, businesses, families, individuals, . charitable organizations, etc. Our two churches certainly appreciate the generous gesture made by The Citizen and say Thank you for your support!" Pat Bird . Administrative Assistant Port Perry and Prince Albert United " Churches Lucien Bouchard's pension To the Editor: y Only in Canada, Eh? Last night I was reminded of Kipling's story in which the premise was that "in the country of the blind the one-eyed man is king"! How blind are we Canadians at this moment when we not only allow but encourage an avowed traitor to become a leader among us and then pay him a large pension for his former efforts to destroy our country. What does this tell the world about us? No wonder political and criminal trash for their own purposes. We cringe now every time some minority group raises its hackles. Some of us even applaud, simpletons that we are. But to actively promote our own destruction by allowing men like Lifleien Bouchard to run rough- shod over us and call it the "Canadian Way" is an invitation to have the world laugh in our faces and rub their hands at the prospect of easy pickings as we quietly ignore our inevitable Canadian, end. Quo Vadis, Canada? #" Owen R. Neill from every other nation find us easy psy" Port Perry, Ontario' More on 'that pension To The Editor Canada's representative on the International Olympic Committee last week ~ stated that "he fears racism against non- + francophones and that Quebec is in serious danger of becoming ingrained in racism." Richard Pound who is a Quebec lawyer and resident, quoted premier Parizeau for his racist remarks on the loss of the Referendum on ethnic voters. He also quoted Lucien Bouchard the new Premier to-be, as saying Quebecers aren't making enough babies. The remarks triggered an angry reply from PQ House leader Guy Chevrette that Richard Pound was a "Canadian Anglophone Crackpot". Because of the instability in Quebec the Olympic Games were awarded to Salt Lake City. Ottawa had promised $200 million if Quebec City was awarded the games, in 2002. By then they will have separated. In a major four column, press stdry headline "Canada is Polls Apart" the article says "according to recent poll a clear majority of Quebecers say they would support outright separation if a vote were held today". Scary reality. The article says "92% of respondents outside Quebec reject any Constitutional change that would give spetial powers to Quebec." (Financial Post Compas poll) A few days ago the President of General Motors of Cadada said "separation could drive GM out of Quebec". In another reply to the publisher of the Toronto Star from Alain Dubuc, editorial page editor of La Presse in M 1 he would take his $32,136.00 take it. What a price Canadians are paying to a man whose sole purpose is te break up Canada. Canadian taxpayers will top up his $130,000 he will get as Quebec Premier. The only salvation on the horizon is that the Reform Party will replace the Bloc as the Loyal Opposition Party. The Chretien Liberals are speaking out against Reform in fear that they may expose the underlying ties between them and the Bloc for Quebec power. Despite the huge majority of Liberals in the house not one fed blooded MP has come forward to make the Reform Party the Official Opposition, the only Party that truly represents the rest of Canada, not one province as does the Bloc. In closing let me quote a letter published by Carlisle Hanson Q.C. An Ottawa Legal Correspondent (Nov. 15, 1995). It clearly shows the overwhelming "French power" (Trudeau's favourite saying" held by Quebecers. "Chretien and his Quebec Ministers control every major Cabinet portfolio. While Quebec has only 25% of our population, Francophones "occupy more than 75% of ~ the very top jobs" in the Ottawa power structure. (Citizen, 4 Nov, 1994) I say that Canada Can't appease Quebec any further; legislative affirmation of "Distinct Society" would give a harsh bite and dang ethnic itivity to the words "Quebec pour les Quebecois." How much more will Canadians outside Quebec tolerate? The "trudeavite" Chretien as a Queb has failed miserably as seen states "weirdos of Canadian unity take over Federalist Cause". In a previous editorial reply featured in the Star he said "Quebecers aren't interested in love letters from Canada". Is Quebec still, not part of Canada? These insulting remarks clearly shows the contempt that many Quebecers- have for the rest of Canada! Bouchard"s remarks this week that Re in his handling of the Referendum. Many in the Press are saying the honeymoon is over and rightly so. Dean Kelly, President iation of Dedi (since 1967) Port Perry, ON d Canadi Council not stalling on Conway development To the Editor: 1 have just listened to a message on my answering machine which leaves me very frustrated. This caller expressed concern that the Council Was delaying the * development on the Conway property. "There is only one grocery store in town. What's the matter with this Council" Are they only Jookltig after themselves" We | property. We all would like to see should boot them all out in the next election. I am fed up." Unfortunately the irate caller did not leave a name or phone number 80 I could call him back. If 1 may, I would like to answer the "mystery" caller through your paper. This Council is not delaying the development on the Conway the development go ahead. We need to make sure that the development does not add to our costs so that we don't have to raise taxes %o look after costs that the development is sure to bring. I feel confident that the caller does not want to'pay for road improvement or other items which the developer should have to cover. everyone up to date on tl projects before the 1 would also like to point out that the telephone which he called me on is paid for by me so that he and other citizens can call their ®ected representative. I also held a "Town Hall" meeting in December in Utica so that I could bring ouncil, ] ' including the Conway development. This meeting was advertised in both local papers (I paid for the advertisements). I don't remember this caller speaking at the meeting, Call me if you have a concern...if I'm not there leave a message, and your phone number. Doug Moffatt, Councillor, Ward 1 current