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PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, November 10, 1987 -- 5 Viewpoint by John B. McClelland Would Prime Minister Brian Mulroney dare to call a snap federal election on the free trade issue? One would think not. After all, Mr. Mulroney's per- sonal popularity in the national polls is somewhere about 25 per cent and his government has been plagued by a series of scandals (some large and others very small) since he took office three years ago. » And of course there is a well-orchestrated opposi- tion to free trade underway led by the big unions, the New Democrats, church groups, cultural nationalists and an assorted collection of groups and individuals who simply dislike the United States. On the surface, one might think the Prime Minister a bit daffy if he called an election quickly on this issue. However, as one pundit noted in a column recently, na- tional opinion polls suggest that Canadians are fairly well split on this issue. If there was an election, about half would support the initiatives and the other half would split their opposition between the Libs and the New Democrats. If that scenario proved true at the polls, the Conservatives would be back in power with a mandate to plow ahead with the free trade deal. Don't rule out anything in the wacky wonderful world of Cana- dian politics. The Conservatives have been criticized over the past several months for doing a damn poor job of ex- plaining free trade to the people of this country. That appears to be changing with a concerted effort to bet- Just last week, a free trade information package, courtesy of External Affairs, arrived on my desk. The package contains five booklets outlining the history of free trade negotiations, the elements of the pre- agreement signed on October 3, a glossary of the free trade terminology, and an outline of Canada's place in the world market through our involvement in GATT as one of the founding members 40 years ago. Presumably, the same package was sent to editors of small-town newspapers all over Canada as "back- grounder information" for a topic that is destined to become one of major significance over the next couple of years. A few weeks ago, I would have doubted very much that Mr. Mulroney would dare go to the polls. Now, I'm not too sure. In fact, I wouldn't bet against an election next spring or early summer, an election that would decide the fate of the free trade deal. THE ROYALS Meanwhile, across the pond, the topic on the minds of most people in England is not free trade, but the future marriage of Prince Charles and Diana. The British tabs have been having a field day with this one, running stories day after day that the Royal marriage is on the rocks, and even the national press in Canada have carried some very unflattering photos of the Royal couple apparently snubbing each other in public. separate ways of late, Charles pursuing his interests and Diana hers. Does it. mean they're heading for the divorce court? They are not the first couple to decide that it may be more healthy for the marriage in the long run if they aren't hide-bound to each other every step of the way. I know some very successful marriages where the partners spent time apart, pursue their own interests. Of course, when the future King of England does this, it attracts national attention. And the British tabs serve it up and feed it to their readers in huge front page gobs day in and day out. It has been suggested that the tabs are focussing on Charles and Diana this year (and their so-called mar- riage problems), because there is no legitimate Royal "happening" this year: no marriage, no births, no pen- ding death, no coronation. In order to keep the insatiable British appetite for anything Royal satisfied, the tabs have jumped all over the fact that Charles and Diana have spent more time apart recently than they've been together. Watching Royalty is a national past-time (obses- sion) in the British Isles. I'm not a great fan of the Monarchy as an institution, but I can sure sympathize with the Royal Family's impatience with the British press. How would you like to live your entire life in such a fish-bowl? A CORRECTION I want to express my regret over a rather serious typo which appeared in the fine letter to the editor in last week's Star written by Jeanne Elliot on the ter inform the country. So the Prince and Princess have been going (Turn to page 6) Yesterday's Memories 70 YEARS AGO Thursday, November 8, 1917 Pte. A. W. Allin who is with the Polish Legion at Camp Niagara spent the weekend at home in Port Perry. "The W.P.A. through the generosity of the Port Perry citizens were able to send 52 boxes valued at $5.00 each to the soldiers overseas. At a mass meeting of the Liberal Party in Whitby, W.E.N. Sinclair was nominated Standard Bearer of the Liberal Party in South Ontario. 45 YEARS AGO Thursday, November 12, 1942 Pte. Lawrence Doble, Ashburn, has been transferred from Toron- to to Orillia for further training. ' Miss Isabel Honey, who is teaching in Green River, was home for the weekend. Mr. Percy Densham sounded the '"'Last Post" at the twenty- fourth Remembrance Service in Port Perry United Church. The ad- dress was given by Rev. Walter R. Tristram who is stationed at Bowmanville on Headquarter Staff. 35 YEARS AGO Thursday, November 13, 1952 Over 700 Cartwright property owners will be polled by a mail vote asking if they are in favour of purchasing a $12,000 fire truck and hose that will cost in the area of $7,751.25. Cecil King, School Board Chairman, announced that the laying of the cornerstone at the new $250,000 public school will be perform- ed next week. 30 YEARS AGO Thursday, November 14, 1957 Miss Jean Vera Crosier, Blackwater, was united in marriage Mr. Ken Norman Buttery, Bowmanville, in Seagrave United Church. Uxbridge Times Journal held open house to give their friends an opportunity to see their new residence. Speaker at the Port Perry Rod and Gun Club annual banquet was Mr. Stanley Branch, Representative of the Lands and Forests Department. 20 YEARS AGO Thursday, November 9, 1967 Susan Tripp on behalf of the Port Perry Guides and Brownies presented a cheque for $220 to Mrs. W. Watson which will be added to the hospital building fund. Wayne King was presented with the Valedictorian Trophy by Stu- dent Council Chairman of the month, Brian Donnelly at the annual Port Perry High School Commencement Exercises. A new regulation by the Department of Education replaced Easter Holidays by Spring Holidays which will fall on the same dates each year (March 16-24). Holidays will still be on Good Friday and Easter Monday. : Congratulations to Mr. Harry Kiezibrink who has been appointed Principal at Prince Albert Public School. (Turn to page 6) Letters Questions about dog control To The Editor: As a responsible dog owner, I would like to comment on the arti- cle in your paper dated October 20, 1987 with respect to the instigation of a dog control by-law. First let me say that I do not mean to take a stand completely against a dog control by-law. I realize and have witnessed that certain types of dogs are dangerous and that these animals should be controlled. However, you can not control all cir- cumstances. What happens if a dog breaks loose, or someone lets him out? What happens if the child goes up to a tied dog or teases a dog and is attacked? Our dog, which is a 160 pound Great Dane is considered the second least likely to bite someone. Yet this summer, when a young child teas- ed him continually, an hour, even after several warnings, he bit her. He did not harm her, but that is not the point. I am sure it was enough of a shock. I felt bad for the child, but can you blame the dog? Our dog has been trained to stay on our premises. We have this dog for the simple reason that we do not want strangers at our farm. Some people just are not aware of the specific "breed characteristics. While this type of dog is considered to be generally good natured, he is very wary of strangers and has strong guarding instincts. If a strange car comes up our driveway, he will stand at the car, his hair on his back will stand up and sometimes he will growl. If the stranger gets out of the car, who can predict what the dog will do. The dog has already warn- ed you. Yet, this is what our dog is for -- protection. Why would we buy a dog for protection and then chain him or fence him as suggested by Councillor Christie? Will the fine be implemented on the first offense? How is the owner going to know if his dog will bite? What if the child teased the dog? Any kind of dog can bite. How is this by-law going to allow for all these circumstances? What if warning signs are posted? I have obtained legal advice in this regard and have been told that if I (Turn to page 6) Residents want sidewalks now To The Editor: I'm addressing this letter to you on behalf of myself and my neighbours. It's really nice to see a new sidewalk along Simcoe St., past the Fairgrounds to Regional Road 8. This town really thinks ahead of itself, installing a sidewalk to a school that will not be constructed for at least 2 years. This takes a tremendous amount of foresight on behalf of Port Perry. Was this sidewalk in the 1987 budget, or did the town feel that if a sidewalk was installed it would speed up the con- struction of the school? We live on Ontario St. across from Philp Pontiac and have small children who walk to the public and catholic schools. Our children have to walk through shrubs, leaves, mud, etc., in order to reach a sidewalk starting at Alva St. Our taxes include snow removal from a non-existing sidewalk. We in- quired as to why we are being tax- ed for such a luxury and were told that we had access to the downtown sidewalks. I would think that the downtown merchants are responsi- ble for such sidewalks through their own taxes. We recently had our road paved, thus reducing the amount of the shoulder of road for us to walk and push our strollers on. Knowing the stretch of road we live on, the new pavement has further encouraged all speed demons to drive faster, further endangering our children. Is it the loudest in this town who gets results? Such would seem ap- parent in the case of the residents of Apple Valley. All the large trucks were going through the subdivision in order to get to the new home sites. The parents asked that Lakeview Drive be extended through the bar- riers and to the construction site and their wishes were promptly attend- ed to. These parents were concern- ed about their childrens safety, as we are also. Apple Valley has numerous houses involved, whereas we are only 5 houscs, but safety is (Turn to page 8) ter to the editor. Letters to the Editor ... our policy It has always been the policy of this newpspaper to encourage our readers to make use of the letters to the editor column. Our readers have a right to freely express their opinions and view- points on just about any subject, and we feel that a lively letters col- umn helps make a better community newspaper. We insist, however, that a letter writer sign his or her name. On rare occasions, we will agree to with-hold publication of a letter writer's name, if we feel there are very good reasons to do so. Under no circumstances will this paper print an anonymous let- While we enjoy receiving letters from our readers, we must con- tinue to insist on knowing the identity of the writer. . SE at