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SEE I abun diratnidainenilastid eta od ® [ 4 J <4 8 4 L a A J * LJ 2 ° » LR IF 7 a Reader's Viewpoint Letter in support of Scugog penitentiary ® a Dear Sir: After having lived in Port Perry for almost twenty-two (22) years and not having seen any significant changes in all these years, excepting of course the Flamingo Pas- tries factory and Coulters, I feel that I cannot let my opinion about the issue at hand lie dormant. : I personally feel that the people of Port Perry would benefit from an institution as proposed by the federal government. My reasons for this are as follows. First of all, the obvious, it will create jobs not only in the "fields of security and psychi- atry but also secretarial, financial (bookkeeping) as well administrative. Grant- ed some of these positions will be filled by people who are transferred from other areas simply because exper- ience in these fields is neces- sary to start an operation of this nature. However, this doesn't mean that there aren't people in Port Perry and surrounding area who can't be trained for these jobs. After all, these people with their experience didn't always have this experience. Secondly, if Port Perry businessmen are concerned about these new arrivals (employees) not doing their business in Port Perry, may be they should just sit back and figure out what per centage of the present popul- ation takes their business to Oshawa and other cities right now. I'm sure the figure is staggering but our business- men don't seem to be suffer- ing. Thirdly, I can't really see property values decreasing at any greater a rate than it has of late and I can't think why insurance rates would increase any more than they presently are. As far as decreasing Port Perry's value as a tourist centre, well all I can say is that the Midland- Penetanguishene area cer- tainly hasn't suffered from any setbacks that one could notice. Disgusted by STP note Sir: The letter sent out by the STP committee indicates we already have among us something much more dangerous to the health of our community than a peni- tentiary processing centre; namely, hysteria. The dis- tortion and highly coloured fiction offered as argument by the firm of Redman, Holtby, Benschop, Asselstine and Fedyk are not much of a credit to the township. Perhaps they would like to pick a community they feel Considers STP letter "fiction" Dear Sir: - In the recent controversy regarding the building of a penitentiary in this area, we realize that we are all entitled to an opinion. I would like to object however to propaganda as recently circulated by the S.T.P. committee. Whoever com- posed that "Epistle" missed their calling and should be writing fiction for some of the pulp magazines. Expres- sions - like the 'Federal Government conspiring with our council' etc. Sounds like the C.I. A. Other expressions like "dramatic escapes and cavorting on our streets without restrictions, ete." along with the rest of the letter were insults to the average intelligence. As one who works in a jail, I can say that the public has a very limited and some- times disturbed view about our judicial systems. Any happenings that do take place in these institutions are played up by the news media with the result that the public tend to have an exaggerated and hysterical view of these things. I am sure that Port Perry Letters continue on page 8 deserves these horrors? Bill Graham, Greenbank. imagined The only reason people in this town and its surrounding area think that the Peniten- tiary Services people con- sider them as 'hick farmers' is they (the people) think they are 'hick farmers' and they don't want to be any- thing else because they are comfortable that way. If the proposed reception centre is not staffed with towns people, there can only betworeasons: 1) they either work in General Motors or, 2) they don't want to work anyway because the U.I.C. is paying them enough. Should the penitentiary go to Uxbridge then is the time Penitentiary Dear Sir: Although the decision regarding the establishment of a penitentiary in the Town- ship of Scugog may have already been made, I feel compelled to express my opinion which I know is held by many other residents of this community. The issue is an emotional one as has been said many times. heart of the way we live. Our people chose to live here for a variety of reasons but under- lying these reasons was the TRY THESE 6' PRE CUT UNASSEMBLED PICNIC TABLE '37.95 SAKRETE MIXES MORTAR MIX CONCRETE MIX SAND MIX $949 each St. MARY'S PORTLAND 80 Ib. 66 Ib. MASONRY CEMENT 2.20 12.00 It touches the very people should worry about "rapists and murderers" wandering our streets. If you feel that this is going to do our town some good, by all means, voice your opin- ion. We have a good voice for our conscientious objectors but those in agreement with this and other issues seem to have a bad case of laryngitis. Just a question with which to close. Would the towns people feel the same if this proposed institution was being built to house the mentally retarded? Sincerely, Susan M. Terrett. EN "wn PORT PERRY STAR -- Wednesday, July 9, 1975 -- § Quotes support from Reader's Digest Dear Editor: Keeping an open mind in regard to the Penitentiary in Scugog, I believe readers would be interested in a few facts in an article in March '75 Reader's Digest, entitled Prison Reform. Quoting at randam, "Some prison guards have called rehabilitation a "monu- mental farce costing tax- payers millions of dollars." Killers on Pass. One of Ottawa's most notable reforms - temporary absences - has also caused the greatest public outcry. The program empowers prison directors to grant passes of up to three days to inmates who are considered good risks for rehabilitative or humanitarian purposes.... some of those failures have disturbs emotional climate peace, tranquility and friend- liness that come with a small rural community. Whether or not it can be proven that we have little to fear from the establishment of a penitentiary, the out- come I am sure will be a total change in the outlook and emotional climate that is a great part of the commun- ity's strength. _ We will lock our doors day and night, worry about our children coming from school, think twice about helping a stranger and lie, always aware of the possiblility of riot or escape. We have always been opposed to sudden or great changes for our community. We don't want a "highway" on Lilla Street, or high rise apartment buildings,ter un- controlled development, we didn't want to lose our Post Office or Town Hall. Now we don't want a penitentiary because more than any of these changes it will destroy much that is of value to our way of life. yours truly, Nancy MacMillan. Super Summer Specials STAIN SEMI TRANSPARENT AND SOLID COLOURS Gallons \ 1 4* $ BI Quarts 985-730 OLYMPIC been horrible. In 1972, a convicted sex offender was granted a pass from B.C.'s Agassix Mountain prison and killed the seven-year-old daughter of a prison guard. Last November, a convicted murderer Arthur Gagnier, killed two people after he was granted a pass from Quebec's medium-security Cowansville prison. Tom Ellis, former director of the Saskatchewan Peniten- tiary in Prince Albert, voices adeeper concern :: 'Although we have more temporary absences and a more relaxed atmosphere, we've had more violence. I don't know the answer to that." (Guards) salaries are low (starting at about $175.00 weekly). Guar *; fear for their own safety, are often well founded. "I always figured prisioners were get- ting a tough deal," admits a New Brunswick guard, a former journalist. "But you know that at any time, any place, you can get a knife in the throat." Anyone wishing toread this article in its entirety may obtain it from the Public Library, (Readers Digest, March '75, condensed from Time). Perhaps we should obtainreprints for everyone. Aboveall, let us gather all the, facts available. Typical con- ditions are also described at Warkworth Institution. A concerned citizen, Sylvia Brown. CONCRETE SLABS = PORT PERRY HE REE 12x24 - 24x24 - 24x30 - TERRACE STEPS 20"x24" 1.05 ea. $2.00 ea. 32.50 ea. - 35.10 DRAMEX TEXTURE FINISH 25 Ib. bag 10 Ib. bag 'a LAKE SCUGOG LUMBER 235 WATER ST. - 4.95 12.95 ib SP VTS MITES ER Lens rvs a TR BSE eae ard hd nt a --r Yr ve Cana a o 5 aT A RC Ps SoCal Ey VE i ns PN et A aa