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10 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, August 15, 1989 Letters to the editor School spending much too high Off The Top Green, green the grass isn't green The whole situation of Pollution Probe fighting with Lo- blaws over 'green' products leaves such a foul taste in my mouth - | just want to spit. Dave Nichols is recognized as a great entrepreneur and very successful marketing man. The things he has done in the past decade to bring the Loblaws chain from being in back of the pack to ending up well out in front of the other grocery marts is phenomenal. But as much as Mr. Nichols should be praised, it might also be said that from time to time, his "president's choice" produce is not such a good buy. In fact it is akin to entrapment for smart shoppers who are used to saving a little when they buy "no-name "items. People are in the habit of equating the black and yellow or black and white labels with financial sav- ings. Consumer surveys have shown us that sometimes this ~ isn't the case at all, that Loblaws products cannot compete with the regular sale prices that we see for the large compa- nies like Coca-cola, General Foods, etc. The environmentally friendly product line was a break through for Loblaws. The company who originally began the plastic bag craze in North America, was turning over a new leaf in an effort to promote the best possible public image. They wanted paople to view them as the 'good guys', and as Prcioisrs of an alternative, environmentally conscientious life- style. The band wagon onto which they were jumping was unu- sual for a grocery chain, and as such they were prone to a few mistakes - the biggest being that they underestimated the con- sumer. Nichols threw a lot of energy and money at the green product line. Some of it was obviously well spent, but much of it was wasted. For instance, if Dave had done his homework, he would have realized that disposable diapers are a big issue in environmental circles. Already composed of more than 70 per cent degradable materials, to call them biodegradable when you alter the thin, plastic sheath so it will break down is only increasing degradation by a few per cent, and doubling the price tag. Most environmentalists now agree that a return to cloth di- apers and laundry services is the healthiest way to go for our landfills, environment and overall health. This was just one of many glaring fallacies which Nichols tried to slide past consumers. The real shame of it was that he still pulled off a coup. When Nichdls managed to get Collin Isaacs, former president of Pollution Probe, to endorse his line of products, he had it made in the shade. Pollution Probe is a home grown, well respected organiza- tion, with ties to many other Non Governmental Organizations and consumer groups. To put it simply, if Probe believes in you, you must be great indeed. Isaacs was even convinced to the point where he allowed himself to jecin Nichols in Loblaws' commercials: It is small wonder that when other chains saw what Nichols was doin they scrambled to start their own line - but now, they aren scrambling so fast. Once Pollution Probe sat down and really examined some of the products Nichols was trying to pass off as environmen- tally friendly, they did a double take, sat up and began paying 'attention. They turned some of their resources and talents of the organization to look at exactly what it was they were sup- osedly supporting, and were shocked. = When the entire, Bloak picture came out, there was terrible internal unrest, and condemnation of Colin Isaacs. Eventually, this led to his resig- nation, and his disenfranchisement with Probe. What Environmentalists are afraid of, and what has al- ready begun to happen, is that being seen as environmentally conscious is trendy. When fashion plays a part in what people do with respect to the environment, then common sense is not considered to be the important factor, but rather it becomes appearance and posturing. While | still commend Loblaws for the good. intentions, it will be a long road before anyone can produce a truly environ- mentally friendly line of goods. Research seems to be the only way to prove that one method is superior to another. Let's take the time and get it right, the first try or not bother doing it at all. ) To the Editor: Three cheers for Pete Hvidsten for having the guts to open a rot- ten can of worms. First of all, the school system must be the laughing stock of the rest of the world. Two systems in- deed, closing a school in Raglan and bussing the kids to Port Perry or Oshawa. Closing schools in Brooklin, Oshawa and Whitby or turning some others over to the separate system. What was wrong with Raglan School. This was bought and paid for with tax dollars right? Now it sits boarded up. We also have 2 sets of trustees for these boards. Look at the money wasted right there. Of course we all know school boards do not have to answer to anyone, for what they do. Here in Ontario we have a thousands of kids who can't read or write English, so to remedy this situation, bring in French Im- mersion, that cures that. Right? Peter, you and your paper keep hammering away at these pro- blems, also C.A.U.T do the same. Just maybe we will see some changes. The sheep must have a leader. Yours truly Frank Harris Nestleton Ont. Custom Gunite * Swimming Pool Construction & Service * Concrete & Vinyl Liner * Residential & Commercial "% Vinyl Welding * Concrete Repairs and Restoration * Custom Whirlpools & Swimspas * Marbelliting 434-6581 --OSHAWA-- Editorial Comment (From page 6) day's politicians can't open the public purse fast enough to throw more of your money at their feet. . All but forgotten is 'the little guy' from every sector of society. The meek may still inherit some portion of the earth, but you can bet your tax-riddled rear ends it's going to be pock-marked with landfill sites and toxic waste dumps, and will be carrying a multi-billion dollar mortgage at usurious interest rates! Meanwhile, returning to the paragraph at the start of this editorial, a select group of your fellow citizens will be doing just fine. Some of these folks enjoy indexed pensions. Many of them receive yearly 5 percent increases (or whatever the going rate for top end wage set- tlements is) in their remuneration. Many of them have fully or partially- paid group health plans, and dental plans. The people in this privileged group have plenty of paid holidays. A large number work 185 days per year to earn over $50,000. Some have 17 weeks paid leave when they decide it's time to have a baby. In Ontario, EVERYBODY Is going to have free Medicare... everybody except the business community. The cost of doing business goes up another large notch -- by exactly 2 percent of each firm's payroll costs. An ingenious political maneuver; free health care for the voter! Never mind if it puts a major dent in the unemployment stats, (as firms try to compensate for the increased cost by reducing manpower, adding robotics, etc). Unemployed people rarely bother voting anyway. In January 1991 the federal government will add a whopping 9 percent to the cost of doing business for most firms, with a 'value added' tax. It may take a while, but sooner or later the taxpayer is going to discover who ends up paying that extra 9 percent... the tax- payer. There are precious few businesses who can absorb any part of a 9 percent cost increase under current margins. Enough is enough. We're all fed up with the never-ending series of increases in costs, prices, taxes, housing, gasoline, etc. It is time to put an end "to this chaotic government largess, and time to put an end to the 'two class' system of wage earners in this country. As mentioned earlier, there are those who have it made (them), and those who pay for their comforts (us). "Us' are more than fed up with the continuing demands of "them," and the never-ending annual increases in the cost of benefits - and remuneration levels our own families may never see. It's time to let the rest of us, and the rest of the world, do some 'catching up.' Let's see a public opinion poll on that! » 6 HIGH STREET PORT P FERRY PORT PERRY auto glass & trim AMADEUS _ SEAFOOD ... STEAKHOUSE (BANQUET FACILITIES AVAILABLE) Roast Prime Beef can. 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