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PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, June 20, 1989 -- 7 A SECOND CHANCE Should Ben Johnson be given a "second chance," now that he has "come clean," if you will, and admitted to long time use of anabolic steroids? In my opinion, the answer is yes. The sprinter told the Dubin Commission last week that he was indeed a user of steroids prior to last fall's Olym- pics in Seoul. In fact, he said he had been using he drugs for several year leading up to the Olym- pics. ' Personally, | still find it very disturbing that it has taken a multi-million national commission with witnesses testifying under oath to get at the truth in this sad and sorry affair. | recall the days and weeks after the Olympics last September and all the attempts to cover up and evade the truth. Why Johnson himself even "went public" and issued a brief statement that he had "never knowl- ingly used an illegal substance. His coach, Charlie Francis scurried for cover, saying nothing, and his physician Jamie Astaphan - denied that his star patient had been taking any- thing stronger than vitamins. Why, there were even statements that some mysterious man had "spiked" Johnson's water bot- tle minutes before the. 100 metre final at the Games, and the even more ridiculous suggestion that steroids had got into his system through some linament applied externally to his legs. At one point, somebody even floated out the story that his urine sample had been switched just iewpoin by John B. McClelland prior to the analysis. Johnson, of course, was spirited out of Seoul in the wee hours of the morning surrounded by a small army of lawyers, accountants and business managers. It was pathetic, the big lie and the big attempt to cover it all up. Most Canadians didn't believe a word, and along with the fact that use of banned substances was rampant among many athletes, what upset many people were the blatant bare faced lies. | have heard a lot of people say if only Ben Johnson had told the truth in the hours and days following his positive test at Seoul. Why did it take a hugely expensive public inquiry, paid for by the tax-payers of Canada, to get at the truth. Having said that, | feel that Johnson should be given a second chance, not only to compete once more for this country, but also to take the anti-drug message coast to coast. He has something to prove, not only to himself, but to countless thou- sands of Canadians, young and old. But | personally think Johnson has to get his head down out of the clouds, get back to reality, get rid of the fancy cars, the jet set life-style, and the entourage of financial advisors, lawyers, busi- ness agents, marketing reps, and hangers-on. This young man has had a lot of plain rotten advice over the past few months and years, and frankly, if he wants the Canadian people to give him a chance at a fresh, new start, maybe he should do the same himself. He has to prove himself on two fronts: on the track, and in the even tougher arena of public opin- ion. His life to date has been a circus, but at this moment he has nowhere to go but up. The next Olympics is three years away. If Johnson could get his life together, "stay clean" and win a gold medal, what a statement that would be against all those who have said the only way to win is by using performance enhancing drugs. Of course, on the flip side, if he is allowed to compete, trains hard for the next three years with- out drugs and finishes out of the medals, that might be a statement, too. | have mixed emotions when | think about the Ben Johnson saga. He cheated, flaunted the rules, and when he got caught, he lied and all those around him lied. They only started to tell the truth when the evidence was overwhelming, they had no other choice. And I'm still not sure that we will ever know the full story. Still, | feel a kind of sympathy for Johnson as a human being. | was especially bothered a few weeks ago at a front page story in a Toronto news- paper which delved into his old school records and revealed he has the IQ of a nine year old. That was cheap and low, and nobody's business. I guess | am like a lot of people in Canada who want to believe Johnson when he says he will nev- er use steroids again. And | want to believe that he is sincere when he says he is willing to talk to the young people of this country about the use of drugs of all kinds. And yes, | do believe, like anybody else, he de- serves a second chance. | think we owe him that. Letters to the editor Remember When? " 70 YEARS AGO Thursday, June 27, 1919 In Lake Scugog there is an abundance of bass and those who are accustomed to fishing can secure a plentiful supply of ex- cellent food with half an hours trolling. A movement is underway to build a Consolidated Public School at Centre Island. The cost for a suitable building would be about $11,500. 45 YEARS AGO Thursday, June 29, 1944 Nine of our Port Perry High School cadets are spending 10 days at Camp Bolton. Four of our cadets brought a little fame to their town on Friday night when an amateur contest was held for the whole camp. The Quartet, Bob Dowson, Ted Griffen, Bruce Gerrow and Wesley Jackson sang and won first prize. Sgt. Charles Brignall, R.C.A., who has been overseas for almost three years, arrived home last night. 35 YEARS AGO Thursday, June 30, 1954 The large crowd that assembled at Chalmers Presbyterian Church, Uxbridge, was thrilled as they listened to a concert of sacred music presented by the choir of Port Perry United Church under the direction of Mrs. E. Dobson, ATCM and accompanist Mrs. G. Jackson, ATCM. Mr. W.M. Letcher, President of the Provincial Lawn Bowl- ing Association, accompanied by Mrs. Letcher, will represent Ontario as one of the officials at the Canadian Championship games played at Winnipeg the end of the month. The following is a list of prize winners in the Howdy-Doody rize money contest: Allan Mairs, Elaine Butson, Linda Tripp, rald Reader and Ruth Mark. 30 YEARS AGO Thursday, July 2, 1959 The members of the Port Perry Junior Farmer Boys and Girls Club met at Cedar Stone Park, Greenbank for a very suc- cessful sports night and wiener roast. A A: Ah en was reported at the Head Memorial Church and was filled to capacity to view the fashion parade of Wed- ding Gowns of the last 81 years. June 21st, Port Perry was invaded by sixty members of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, at the summer meeting of the Port Perry Rod and Gun Club held in the Scout Hall. The Ontario County Junior Farmers Association held their Annual Rifle Shoot at the home of Wm. Stearman. (Turn to page 14) To the Editor: As we approach mid 1989, In- dustry and small business have become cost efficient, employees are required to work harder and smarter, duplication of effort or any unnecessary functions have haven't done so have closed their doors and are a "victim of the times." Yet, government and municipal spending is totally out of control, reaching an incredible record high. Business answers to its owner or stockholders and, as an Appalled at use of accident To the Editor: I have always looked forward to reading the Port Perry Star each week, but I feel I must comment on your publication of the picture on last weeks front page (June 13, 1989). I was appalled to say the least that you would print a picture of such a tragedy. There is no need to publish such a picture, a write up yes, but nothing more would provide news. Did you stop to consider his wife's pain and loss without being subjected to seeing that, or her two son's going to the store for a candy bar and seeing the front page of your newspaper? I feel it was uncalled for, insen- sitive and lacked respect for the grieving family and the many who knew and loved him. Mrs. S. Peter WH aT 4 ew BWA BEE been eliminated. Those that' example, General Motors has made a remarkable recovery in the past year by employee sacrifice and good business sense. A majority of the salaried work force have had their wages frozen for up to two years, and not until the profit margin returned were there any funds available for those dedicated people who were partially responsible for the recovery. Who do the Municipalities and Region answer to? Us, and as tax- payers, enough is enough! It is time NOW to stop the ridiculous way that the funds controlled by Scugog and the Region have drained me and you to the point of utter exhaustion and fury. '"Viewpoint" by John B. McClelland on May 24, 1989, warned us of what was to come on our final Billing that we just Smile For The Day 'Taxes - spending is out of control received. . For those of you who ignored your Assessment notice back in late January, and weren't aware of a change, the shock of your final bill should be enough to precipitate a firm reaction to put an end to what government is do- ing to us. In my case, my Assessment rose from 5050 in 1988 to 5960 for 1989. The market value shown, which was used to calculate my new Assessment was $149,000 bas- ed on 1984 market value. 4 percent of this gives you your Assess- ment; since we purchased the home in 1983 for $92,000, I im- mediately compiled an appeal and mailed it to the Peterborough office for review. I have yet to hear from or be contacted by the Provincially controlled Assess- (Turn to page 8)