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aT Rh a an CE QR La Ed ~~ / YY RN Sue ON FERAVER LTRS RFP AREF SEE Se 2 RCo BO Editorial Comment "No, we'll ee HE GOOD Guys ... YOU BE THE MouriEs oJ ~ChatterBox Today (Friday), is Remembrance Day, and as I sit here thinking about what it means...I get confused. What is the reason for Remembrance Day? Having not had to go through the hell of a war, it is my understanding that it's the traditional day dating back to the war of 1914 - 1918 set aside to remember those who died for us and future generations. A time to participate in the parades and memorial services held in towns and cities throughout the country. But how many do? by J. Peter Hvidsten I fully agree with Remembrance Day in principal. We definitely should set aside some time to remember and learn about the sacrifices that our fore-fathers gave in order to keep Canada a free nation. The Royal Canadian Legion throughout Canada is trying its best ~ to keep people aware of the meaning of this time set aside for remembering. But, if Remembrance Day is just to become another day-off work or school, like so many of our other national holidays, maybe it's time to eliminate it Unfortunately times have changed. It is too far altogether. . , . back to the first, and even the second world war for It's a day meant for remembering. ..let's keep it many of todays youth and young adults to remember. that way. It is difficult to understand the meaning behind some- hanes thing that you know very little about. To most my age and younger, it is just a few stories told by grand- fathers, uncles and dads about the horrors of the trenches and battles. , The senseless killing and "mutilation of human life. Last week, the Ontario legislature voted heavily in favour of raising the legal drinking age for the present 18 to 19 years of age. And according to Premier Davis, he is not so sure that he might raise it to 20 or even back to 21 years. Since lowering the age to 18 in 1971, there has been much talk about the need to raise the drinking age again, with many of those who originally voted to lower it now admitting "it was a mistake". + Now the question is..." "will it do any good to raise the legal age for drinking?" ; Personally, I didn't agree with the original move to lower the drinking age, but now that is have been lowered, I can see no reason to put it back up. If the teens want to drink at 14 - 16 or 18 years, they'll get the booze from some source and drink. The only thing that it will stop, is the teens from drinking in licenced bars. It is far better to have them drinking in a bar, under the surveillance of the owner and the law, than in the back seat of a car parked on a dark road some- where out in the night. And that is just what will happen. It would seem to me that it would be much wiser to leave the age at 18 years, and enforce the law more strictly. Let's hear from some of our,teens, and let us know how you feel. Write to Box 90, Port Perry Star. But having not had to go through a war, we do not fully understand what the veterans are saying. And for this reason it annoys me each year, when schools, banks and government offices are closed on this day of remembrance. It's a farce at the very least in towns such as Port Perry. In hundreds of commun- ities the size of ours, there is no Remembrance Day Service held on November 11, unless it happens to fall on a Sunday. So why the holiday? It is unlikely that any of these students or employees will travel the distance necessary to take part in the services held on November 11 in the larger centres. ) In other words, Remembrance Day to the majority becomes just another holiday. Locally, Branch 419 Royal Canadian Legion hold their Remembrance Day service on Sunday. It would seem that this is a commendable effort on their part to encourage larger crowds to attend the service...but it doesn't work. Even holding the service at a time when hundreds of people should be able to attend, they get only the same handful of veterans year after year. And as the years go by, these numbers are getting fewer. Where are the others? The veterans who served in the forces...have they forgotten? The civil servants, bankers and teachers who got Remembrance Day off...do they not care? The students...have they not been taught the meaning behind Remembrance Day? hh hh If the pressures of today's life-style periodically '"get-you-down'!, you're in luck. A new cure has been found. . ' After extensive research, a U.S. doctor has found a sure way to ease your mind of the everyday problems you encounter. "Blow your top!" Content or Lazy? It must have been somewhat disconcerting for the executive of the Scugog Ratepayers' Association last Thursday evening, when only a handful of people showed up for the general meeting with the members of Scugog Council. . The meeting, which was advertised in advance, KR invited concerned citizens to meet with the members : of council and discuss just about anything pertaining to municipal government in the Township. The poor turn-out tempts one to draw a couple of | conclusions: the citizens of Scugog are either completely content with the way things are going in « this Township, or they just can't be bothered making the effort to get involved. Granted, there are no "burning issues' in Scugog Township to grab the attention of citizens and taxpayers. But surely, one would expect that more people would take advantage of the opportunity to have all their elected representatives sitting around Y the same table ready to answer questions and enter into discussion and debate. Is the vast majority of | taxpayers sintply not interested in the routine busi- ness of the municipality, or must there be a so-called "burning issue' before people will actively involve themselves? People, it seems, are often quick to criticize their » local councils, or gripe about how their tax money is being spent (or not being spent) but when the opportunity comes along for a face-to-face meeting with the politicians, a chance to ask them direct .questions and demand direct answers, less than a dozen show up. Are the citizens of Scugog content with every- thing? Are they simply apathetic? Or are they too lazy to take the time to spend a couple of hours with their local representatives? Worthy Project - Plans are now underway for a project to improve the downtown commercial sector of Port Perry as an attractive shopping area for residents and visitors in Scugog Township. A steering committee of the Chamber of Com- merce has been successful in a request of Scugog * Council for a grant of up to $1,500. to pay for half the costs of preparing a preliminary study by profes- sionals to indicate what is needed and how it can be done. And while there may be some justification for the disagreement over whether the Township should be & directly involved financially at this time (or at any time, for that matter) the concept of making the commercial area more attractive is a good one, and deserves the support of all interested and involved parties. The commercial sector is the heart and lifeblood of any community, and if it is strong, healthy and » flourishing, it contributes to the general well being of the entire township. Scugog Township attracts a considerable number of visitors each year winter and summer. The. revenue generated is a crucial economic factor for this area. Improving the aesthetic qualities just might help to insure that these visitors return to the ¥ community. The Township is actively seeking to develop industry in Scugog, and the general appearance of the community is a factor in enticing a potential investor to locate here. ~ The commercial sector of Port Perry is in direct » competition with several shopping areas to the south. Steps must be taken fo insure: that an increasing amount of the shopping dollar of residents is spent in the community In which they live. Of course, a beautification and revitalization program is going to cost money. That is a fact that can't be denied. However, as members of the - Chamber of Commerce supporting the proposal have pointed out, it is possible to get a lot done, without spending a great deal of money. In some cases a couple of coats of paint would make a world of difference. Improved sidewalks (which are needed' anyway), new lighting, some decorative planters, shrubs or trees should not be cost prohibitive. Besides, most business people would have to agree that one must spend money to make money. When the preliminary report is completed (early in the new year), it should be carefully examined by both the public and the business people of downtown Port Perry. And while it might be too much to expect 100 per cent agreement, it is necessary that the concept of revitalizing the commercial core receiv support in principle at least. ' i