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EE NEAT fd 6 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, September 25, 1990 The Port Perry Star 235 QUEEN STREET - PORT PERRY, ONTARIO PHONE 985-7383 FAX 985-3703 The Port Perry Star is authorized as second class mail by the Elsewhere $60.00 per year. Single Copy 50¢ EDITORIAL Publisher - J. Peter Hvidsten Office Manager - Gayle Stapley Editor - John B. McClelland News/Features - Julia Ashton Billing Department - Louise Hope News/Features - Kelly Storry Retail Sales - Kathy Dudley, Lynda Ruhl, Tracy O'Neil Darlene Hlozan BUSINESS OFFICE Accounting - Judy Ashby 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 @ B® Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association Ontario Community Newspaper Association Published every Tuesday by the Port Perry Star Co. Ltd. Port Perry, Ontario Editorial Comment NO PLACE HERE Durham Regional Police were forced to put extra officers and vehicles (including a paddy wagon) in duty last Friday night out of fears that a brawl might break out between groups of white and black youths. No, this wasn't in some large city. It was in downtown Port Perry. The brawl, or whatever was supposed to happen, didn't happen. Perhaps it was the presence of the police, or perhaps it was some other reason. These kinds of incidents with ugly racial overtones have no place in this community, or any community, for that matter. The mere thought of a rumble between blacks and whites is totally repugnant to thinking people of all ages and races. Just how this threat of violence came to be is not clear. But apparently, there was a scuffle at a Latcham Centre teen dance September 14 between white and black youths. Insults and threats were exchanged, including the threat that the groups would "meet again" with lots of help to settle the dispute once and for all. The possibility that serious trouble might break out was real enough that both the Mayor of Scugog, Howard Hall, and the principal at Port Perry High School, Ted Morrison, spoke to the Regional Police about it. In talking about the matter with the Star Monday morning, Durham Police 26 Division Staff Sgt. Bill Van Doleweerd hit the nail right on the head when he said "cooler heads will just have to prevail. There is no room in this community for this kind of thing." Perhaps those "cooler heads," black and white, should have a long talk with the few genuine trouble makers and press upon them just how stupid and foolish this kind of non- sense is. We would like to believe that this was an isolated incident that got blown up in the "heat of the moment," so to speak. But who knows for sure. And the Durham Police to their credit, were taking no chances. They were out in force in downtown Port Perry all Friday evening, just in case. Are there racial problems in Durham Region? Again, that question is hard to answer: But just two weeks ago, there was a threat of violence between blacks and whites at a high school in Pickering. School and school board officials down- played the threat, but some students were quoted in news arti- cles as saying there are problems. Durham Region council has called for the creation of Tas Force on community race relations. At first glance, one won- ders if this is necessary. But in light of the incidents in the last couple of weeks, one has to conclude that such a Task Force may indeed be needed and be of great benefit to halting these problems before they get way out of hand. It may also be appropriate for the schools to start paying particular attention to ways to foster better relations between racial groups. Communication is the first step towards under- standing, which in turn is the best way to break down the ugly barriers of fear, prejudice and hatred. Although the violence that was predicted in Port Perry Fri- day night did not materialize, the matter leaves a bad taste. And it also raises the concern of whether the violence was simply "postponed" because the police were out in force that night and ready to stop any trouble the moment it broke out. But it is very troubling to think that there was even a hint of violence with racial overtones. And it's troubling to think that things could erupt in a week's time or next month, or next year. The police, of course, can only do so much to stem this kind of trouble. Putting an end to it has to come from the young people themselves. Perhaps they should take a long, hard look in the mirror some time and ask themselves just ex- actly what they are trying to prove. There is enough violence, prejudice, and hatred in the world right now. We don't need any more. " UMMM, WE MAY JUST HAVE To MAKE MORE CHAIRS / Random Jottings LOOKIN' GOOD About a months ago, | mentioned in this col- umn about the mess along Water Street. Shortly after that comment, some of the concerns men- tioned were cleaned up, and the street is now undergoing extensive work. A few people mentioned to me it didn't take long after that column hit the street to get the work done. | appreciate them thinking the press has that much influence, but | can assure you the work being done along Water Street now was planned a long time ago and has nothing to do with my few comments. With that said, it is only fitting that | use a few lines of this space to' compliment the town- ship work crews who are doing such a good job laying the inter-locking stone along the road. When it is completed, including decorative lighting to match those on Queen Street, some trees and garbage containers, and the parking lot near the ball diamond completed, the street will indeed take on a new look. All good things take time, and a project the size of Water Street can not be completed in one year. | am told the final phase of the Water Street restoration project will take place next summer from Queen St. north to the library. The work is being done with 50¢ dollars, as every dollar the Township spends, the province kicks in an equal amount. Now that's a good deal! Next year it would be nice to see the pro- ject completed in the Spring rather than having to wait the entire summer to get the work done. And kf that means short term bridge-financing until the grants money arrives, so-be-it. While on the topic of downtown Port Perry, with winter quickly closing in on us, soon the benches, hanging plants, flower containers and the garbage receptacles will be removed from Queen Street. It's important to remove these items from the street during winter, as the road salt and ice could damage them severely, but shouldn't the beautiful cast garbage containers be replaced with something for the winter months? Possibly the 50 gallon drums used as gar- bage containers in the parks during the summer could be placed along Queen and Water Street to help keep the streets from being cluttered with candy wrappers, chip bags and empty cans during the winter months. Instead of storing them away for the winter in the works garage, they could be spread along Queen Street from the schools to the waterfront and help keep our town clean. This idea may already have been thought of, but just thought I'd make a mention. APPLE FEST The third annual Apple Fest gets underway this Saturday, sponsored by the Downtown Port Perry Business Improvement Area. The street will be decorated with the look of fall, as the local merchants present the final sidewalk sale of the season, and there will be Free apples available throughout the area. As in past years, there will be an assort- ment of bake and craft tables along the street, offering home baked pies, cookies, cakes for sale. Many local organizations and groups take part in this event each year, with the proceeds from their tables going to their respective groups. Added to this years Apple Fest is an An- tique and Classic car parade at 12 noon along Queen Street (which will be closed to vehicular traffic). Then a 1:00 p.m the children will be invit- ed to take part in a "Scarecrow Costume Con- test". ' As the posters advertiser, "Bring the family out for a day of old fashioned fun". We couldn't have said it better. IN CLOSING To the anonymous letter writer whose topic was the smell at the lagoons, or anyone else who won't sign their name. It is the policy of this newspaper to only print letters which are signed by the writer along with a telephone number for verification of authenticity. While the writer made some very valid oints in his/her letter, the use of the name, 'Mr. illie Printit' is not acceptable. The Star encourages its readers to use of the Letters to the Editor column to express con- cerns or views on just about any subject matter, but insist the writer signs their name. a of nL NIN TI A TA SR REMI A a | |