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rr So SSS PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, August 14, 1990 -- 7 The Port Perry Star 235 QUEEN STREET - PORT PERRY, ONTARIO PHONE 985-7383 FAX 985-3708 The Port Perry Star is authorized as second dass mail by the EDITORIAL Publisher - J. Peter Hvidsten Editor - John B. McClelland News/Features - Julia Ashton News/Features - Kelly Story BUSINESS OFFICE Office Manager - Gayle Stapley Accounting - Judy Ashby Billing Department - Louise Hope © @ Member of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association Published every Tuesday by the Port Perry Star Co. Ltd. Port Perry, Ontario Retail Sales - Kathy Dudley, Linda Ruhl, Tracy O'Neil Post Office Department, Ottawa, for cash payment of postage. PRODUCTION ADVERTISING Second Class Mail Registration Number 0265 Annabell Harrison Advertising Co-ordinator - Valerie Ellis Subscription Rate: In Canada $20.00 per year Trudy Empringham Advertising Sales Representative - Anna Gouldburn Elsewhere $60.00 per year. Single Copy 50¢ Darlene Hiozan Editorial Comment WELCOME, BEN The announcement last week that sprinter Ben Johnson has had his lifetime ban lifted, will be met with mixed reaction across the country. Some will say that lifting the ban sends the wrong mes- sage to other athletes and indeed all society, about the use - and abuse of drugs. Slapping on a lifetime ban, then waving it a year later, is hardly a deterrent, they likely will say. And perhaps, they have a defensible point in their argu- ment that Johnson's lifetime ban should be just that. Others will take a more charitable approach, noting that Johnson has paid a horrendous price for getting caught at the Seoul Games with anabolic steroids running rampant in his body. He was stri of his gold medal, shamed not just in front of Canada, but the entire world. His lucrative endorse- - ment contracts dried up, and eventually under the public glare . of the Dubin Commission, the details of Ben Johnson's drug abuse became fully known. It was not a happy story. Let's all be honest here. That moment on that September day in the stadium in Seoul when Johnson flashed down the: track to win the 100 metre gold in world record time, putting the arrogant and lippy American Carl Lewis in second place once and for all, there was not a Canadian anywhere who didn't jump for joy at what we all throught was a supreme ath- letic moment for Johnson and this country. It was "Canada's Ben Johnson wins gold" in the newspa- per headlines, and the entire country was his oyster. As the shocking news of steroid abuse became known, including his initial denials, the country began to refer to him simply as "Ben Johnson." And when it was suggested he might return to Ja- Welca, where he was born, some Canadians sniffed "good rid- ance." So, he's now been given clearance by the federal sports ministry to run and compete once again for Canada. It's a good ruling, and one we hope that all fair-minded Canadians will embrace. In fact, we would suggest that ruling could not have come at a better time for Canada and Canadi- ans. What better time to say to one individual "you made a big mistake, you got caught, you brought shame on yourself, your family and your country. But you've paid dearly, and now we are prepared to give you a second chance." There is not one among who hasn't made a mistake. And there is not one among us who hasn't welcomed the opportu- nity for a second chance. Canadians at one time were known the world over for their sense of fairness, understanding, and compassion. In re- cent years, we have lost that; falling to incessant whining and grousing, bickering, complaining, and even the occasional child-like temper tantrum when things don't go quite the way we would like. We owe it ourselves to give Ben Johnson a second chance, and perhaps in doing so, will return some measure of our lost compassion and ability to forgive. As for the message to society about the perils of sub- stance abuse, anyone who has even casually followed the Ben Johnson story can't help but be more aware of just how dangerous the path is. Here's living proof. He has told us he's competing "clean," without the use of steroids. He has pledged to talk to young people (and anyone else) about substance abuse, and he has said he wants to win the Olympic gold to prove to himself and the rest of the coun- try he can do it without drugs. What more can we ask of one young man who made a terrible mistake, and now wants only a second chance? Whether he can ever re-gain his peak performance to win an Olympic gold or set a new world's record in the 100 metres, remains to be seen. It would lovely to see him do it, but is that what's really important in all this? No. What counts most is our sense of fair play, our ability to recognize failure, and not be too quick to junk the human being on some scrap heap. ce mt ETT BACAR WEBE ETE WARN CW WBE WB. SELF - SERVE il EYESORE Not sure what's laking so long but the grav- el and dirt along Water Street, caused by the unfinished work, is creating an unsightly mess. Water Street reconstruction got underway last summer, with the major portion of the pro- ject being completed. But still in the works, as of last report; is interlocking brick between the road and sidewalk, decorative benches, trees, and parking lots. Where are they? Summer is almost over and nothing has been done to date. When all of these things are completed, there is no doubt that Water Street will be one of the gems of the township, but we wonder why it's taking so long. If nothing else, the interlocking brick should be installed immediately. That portion of the project alone would go a long way to cleaning up the mess of gravel on the road and side- walks caused by rain and vehicles entering and exiting from the stores in the area. And speaking of messy spots, it makes one wonder why the owners of the old creamery site on Water Street (home of future condominiums) are not required to keep that lot clean. Trash, broken glass, old building materials and an assortment of weeds clutter the entire property creating a real eyesore downtown. This site is on one of the busiest streets in the township, and seen by thousands of visitors during the summer months, and should be cleaned-up. Surely the township has some teeth in their property standards. bylaw which would require the owner to clean up the mess while waiting to get his condo project underway. "JUTH DIVINE" Good friend Johnny James of Amherstburg fame has managed to get himself into a little trouble with the Lesbian/Gay community recent- ly when he (in his off-coloured humour) joked about pink being the hot colour for men this summer. In his column "Nose for News" he says, "Those amongst us who fail to keep up to the date on fashion trends will be astonished to hear that the hottest colour for men this sum- mer is PINK. It really is, and we've seen tons of 'real men' whistling around town in lovely soft- hued batheball capth that are juth divine." His tongue-in-cheek humour appears to have hit a sour note with the Lesbian/Gay com- munity in Windsor (just a short hop from Am- herstburg) who are reported to be going to ask John for a letter of apology, and consider lodg- ing a complaint with the Ontario Press Council. They obviously don't know John James very well, as | suspect it will be a frosty day in hell before John retracts his comments. GOOD COMMENTS Festival Days "90 is history, but according to the many comments I've heard, it was en- joyed immensely by many of those attending. One of the Chamber of Commerce orga- nizers drop off a packet of comments, from the Festival Days Passports, and it appears as most enjoyed the show. As an example here are a few of the com- ments listed: . Kathy Wasylenky of Uxbridge - "Spanish food excellent, great ideas for events." Genda Kennaway, Cambridge - "We're having an exceptionally good time." Mrs. S. MacDonald, Ajax - "Great! Pre- teens dance was for for the kids and | loved to watch. People are all nice, friendly, polite." G. MacKintosh, Goodwood - "Had a great weekend." Mildred Courts, Toronto - "Can't get over it. So much work done." Barb Allan, Uxbridge - "I thought the festi- val was great. Good food, nice people and ar- ray of activities made it fantastic." Joan Horner, Richmond Hill - "Great com- munity spirit." Penny Boyes, Burkes Falls - "Very good. Hope to be back." Marlene Desautels, Seagrave - "Met lots of friends. Smiling faces on everyone. Stores nice- ly decorated, music everywhere." | would like to add my congratulations as well to the organizers. Great show gang!