6 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, August 20, 1991 --" Tr "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice " The Port Perry Star 188 MARY STREET - PORT PERRY, ONTARIO PHONE 985-7383 FAX 985-3708 The Port Perry Star is authorized as second class mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa, for cash payment of postage. Second Class Mail Registration Number 0265 Subscription Rate: In*Canada $26.75 peryear "Elsewhere $74.90 peryear. * Single Copy 65¢ EDITORIAL Publisher - J. Peter Hvidsten News Editor - Scott Anderson Features Editor - Julia Dempsey Sports Co-ordinator - Kelly Lown News/Features - Gillian Barfoot ADVERTISING Advertising Manager - Anna Gouldburn Production - Pamela Hickey, Deanne Petts BUSINESS OFFICE Office Manager - Gayle Stapley Accounting - Judy Ashby Billing Department - Louise Hope PRODUCTION Annabell Harrison Barbara Lachapelle Trudy Empringham Robert Taylor @- @ Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association Ontario Community Newspaper Association Published every Tuesday by the Port Perry Star Co. Lid. Port Perry, Ontario * GST included in price Retail Sales - Kathy Dudley, Lynda Ruhl, Tracy O'Neil Editorial Comment Public Consultation With the introduction of the Draft Approach and Criteria to the media two weeks ago, the search for a landfill site in Dur- ham has begun. The 160-page plus document outlines the search process in six easy steps. The aim of the Interim Waste Authority, the agency estab- lished by the provincial government to spearhead the search, is to involve the public at all stages of the process. In introducing the process the document says "This Draft Approach and Criteria document outlines the planning pro- cess, criteria and the broad issues that need to be addressed for the landfill site search within the Regional Municipality of Durham. Its role is to allow for public and agency review and discussion in the planning process as early as possible. Re- sponse from the public and participating agencies to the infor- mation in this document will ensure that concerns are taken fully into account. The consultation process will help refine the approach and criteria in this document." But many closely associated with the Township and con- cerned with the possibility of a landfill site in the area have mixed reactions to the public consultation idea. The most supportive of the public consultative process is Bill Lishman, chairman of Zero Garbage/Scugog. He believes the authors of the reports are "starting three steps further back" than Durham's previous site search document, and is in- volving the public a lot sooner. He argues that with more peo- ple involved in the process not only will there be more creative input, but also "a better solution." Some Township council members are skeptical 'of the public consultative process however. Regional councillor Yvonne Christie attacked the report claiming it was a duplicate of Durham's previous attempt. She was also critical of the pub- lic involvement idea. IWA plans on holding one consultative meeting in the Scugog area, but with the previous report a number of meetings were held. Councillor Christie wonders how they can claim to more consultative than the last time. Mayor Howard Hall has the strongest argument and makes the most valid point as to why many are skeptical of the public consultation process. Mayor Hall says the IWA is providing itself with enough documentation and enough public approval to support its decision. When the public comes screaming to the selection committee after the site has been selected, it can merely point to the fact that it was the public that had the ultimate say. He says the end result will be that "it will be more defendable." But he adds no matter where it is located, not everybody will be happy. It appears all the public consultation angle is doing for the entire process is providing the agency with an escape route from the public when the decision is announced next August. It can simply point to the piles of paperwork and claim that it was the public that had the input. The residents of Scugog have a chance to be involved in the process and let the IWA know at the beginning of the pro- cess how it feels about the issue. The public can be involved by writing letters, phoning the agency on a toll-free number, or attending the public session in Port Perry on September 9. Whatever method you choose, it is your chance to let them know your feelings and ideas on the issue. But there is a method to arguing the point, and expressing your feelings about the subject. One cannot simply say you don't want the site in your area, that you're not in favor of it. A stronger argument is based on research, homework and sup- plying alternatives. Opposing something without reason does not indicate a very strong position, nor will it be taken with any amount of seriousness. The success or failure of the entire process hinges on the public. If they become involved early in the process, before much of the work is done, the more the public will be able to influence the decision makers. It is a crucial time over the next few weeks. On the one hand it will finally put an end to Durham's garbage problems, but on the other hand it could be the beginning of an even larger problem for Scugog. Get out and express your feelings before it's too late. = ' a LC Nice GEE' You Aahin Bozo, NE REALLY SHOULD GET AOGETHER MORE THAN ONCE A YEAR AT 4g FAIR AIME. Ranmndom Jottings It's hard to believe that we're mid-way through August, and as summer rapidly comes to and end we must prepare our kids for school days once again. It's no easy chore for parents or kids as they switch from thoughts of loose all summer to September's long forgotten "learning-mode." In just two weeks homes will be a state of confusion as moms and dads attempt to wrestle dirty T-shirts and worn out shoes from soiled bodies and scrub the dirt of sum- mer off of little hands and feet. And on the first day of school there is the task of getting hair combed, teeth brushed and dressing them in neatly pressed clothes before pushing them out the door towards the familiar yellow and black school bus waiting to take them back to school. All this is ahead. But in Scugog Township we can still look forward to a couple of the best small fall fairs in the area. Blackstock Fair gets underway this Sat- urday, August 24 with a great one day fair, and Port Perry Fair falls in line one week later with its three day Labor Day weekend fair. And of course there's bound to be a last minute trip to Wonderland or the C.N.E. There's lots to do before its time to scrub and shine the kids for school, but summer's closing in quickly and it will soon be little more than a memory. / CLASS OF '6 Turned back the hands of time 25 years last Saturday night attending a reunion of classmates from Uxbridge High School dur- ing the years 1965-66." It's was a little frightening heading out to see old friends and acquaintances, many of whom I hadn't seen since we graduated a quarter century ago. A glance through my old yearbook, the Astra,brought back many fond memories. And when I came across my class picture, I suddenly realized remembering faces and names of those I'd lost contact with such a long time ago would not be easy. The first part of our reunion took place at long-time friends, Sandy and Betty-Anne Williamson. They had graciously arranged for a meeting of a few close friends at his home before heading off to see the others. : There was Lloyd (Stoney) Stonehouse, Dave (Toenail) Taylor, Jot Home, Bruce Richardson, Sandy (Axe) Williamson myself, along with our spouses. Without a doubt, some of us had aged bet- ter than others, but for the first time in 25 years we were all together again. It took only a few moments of hugs, handshakes , friendly rubs on heads (without hair) and pats on sto- machs (which had enlarged somewhat) before we felt comfortable with each other again. We had a unbelievable couple of hours remembering nostalgic moments of our youth, and s g laughs and stories from days long-gone by. Later, we headed off to the Music Hall in Uxbridge, where we had all attended teen dances for so many years. It was an incredible experience. A night to remember, reacquaint and promise, time and time again, to meet within ten years. I can hardly wait. BOORISH BALL PLAYERS Watching Blue Jays fumble their way through the last part of the ball season is frus- trating enough, but some of the closeups of the players are disgusting. Chewing, spitting, scratching and lifting, they go through their crude wr day re and day out in front of millions of fans. While we at home try to teach our kids manners, these full grown men stuff wads of tobacco into their mouths, spit on the field and grab at their crotches for three hours eve- ry day while on the playing field. Watching Sunday afternoon's game I was angered to see the camera zoom in on a couple of youngsters seated near the players. Decked ont In a outfits, on. kids emulated their heros ewing, and spit on the ground between their feet. pg An unfortunate example of primitive, boorish behaviour for our kids to witness. Clean up your act guys!