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' ari aati SiC as od ps ord ails 6 - PORT PERRY STAR - Wednesday, September 4, 1991 "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 per year '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 Retail Sales - Kathy Dudley, Lynda Ruhl, Tracy O'Neil Trudy Empringham Robert Taylor an) *CNA (7) Member of the Co Canadian Community Newspaper Association Ontario Community Newspaper Association Published every Tuesday by the Port Perry Star Co. Ltd. Port Perry, Ontario * GST included in price Editorial Comment Back To School It's back to school for more than 50,000 school children in Durham Region. Summer came and went quickly, and the feeling of relief that was felt when June finally rolled around, has been dis- placed by a feeling of disbelief that the summer was so short. For the students who have been through the rituals be- fore, back to school is nothing new to them. But for the young- er children, the excitement of the first few days of school is un- bearable. The thoughts of sharing their adventures of the past summer with friends new and old makes the beginning of the school year something to look forward to. Many excitedly rush off to school on that long-awaited Tuesday morning with a fresh skip in their stride, and cherubic smile on their innocent faces. The first days of school can also be tragic times for many students as well. Eager to get to school, eager to get off the bus, and eager to see their friends, they forget about the dan- gers that lurk around them. They dart in front of traffic, they fail to look all ways before crossing, or fail to obey traffic signals. Sometimes the oncoming traffic will stop, but often it is too late for the driver to react. Young children don't seem to realize the dangers of traf- fic. According to the Ontario Safety League, children have one-third less peripheral vision than adults. They can't see ap- proaching vehicles out of the corners of their eyes, and are un- able to judge distance, speed of vehicles, or gaps in traffic. They also assume that since they can see the driver, the driver can see them. Children also don't understand the reali- ties of death. When watching television, they see their cartoon heroes bounce right back after being run over, they think this will happen to them as well. When asked what they would do if they saw a car about to hit them, some simply replied "I would hold up my hand and stop it." Many of the youngsters don't un- derstand the rules of the road and the traffic signals that go along with them. In order to prevent tragedies from occurring this school year, the Ontario Safety League, suggests "we make the effort to enter the realm of the child's mind, and try to understand how they look at the world, in order to teach our youngsters the vital lessons of traffic safety." Ensuring the safe return of the students for yet another year is wholly the responsibility of the adult. It requires a two- pronged approach on the part of the adult. Firstly, the adults must drive cautiously, especially in school zones, always on the watch for students, watching for children on the cross- walks, between parked cars, and getting off the school buses. It is important to drive defensively and watch out for the mis- takes that the children make. Secondly, it is important for the adults to educate and re- educate their children at home concerning the rules of the road and all the necessary traffic rules. Although Durham Re- gional Police conduct in school training of traffic safety, Con- stable Pat Judges from the Community Services division, says it is important to reinforce these basic rules again at home, and reinforce them often. The rules such as obeying traffic signals and crossing guards, walking and not running across the street, looking "all ways" before crossing, and no horseplay in intersections and between parked cars are as applicable today as when we went to school. The childhood days of one's life are the most enjoyable and carefree days. But too often they are also marred by trag- edy because the children were not educated about the dan- gers that are forever looming. Most of the school children will get through their lives without learning the hard way, but oth- ers will learn the harsh realities of the dangers of traffic by ex- perience. If a few precious minutes are taken to reinforce the rules and street proof the children, many more will be able to enjoy all the pleasures of growing up. But the onus is on the parents to ensure that the childrens' safety is protected. Through the proper education these tragedies can be avoided. Take the time now before it is too late. MIFFED Qos, avs L KNoW You'Re NOW 18 NOT "THe 4iMe «0 (0? AALKiNg 10 0 AM ePcH oTHeR Bur ANVTRER NE Jottings GIMME - GIMME The Postal workers are still out on strike as [ write this week's column, and I'm sure over the next few months there will be various other union strikes for increased salaries and/or job security. Regardless of the current economic down- turn, employees of most companies, whether they're private, corporate or public, desire wage increases. And in most cases, increases are warranted as the cost of living continues to escalate. Increases in wages, to help keep up with the cost of ,are necessary for most workers, and I dare say there is anyone out there reading this column that does not want, or expect an increase in their pay each year. If that's the case, why is it that many peo- ple feel the same consideration should not be given to politicians? In my opinion, if there is one group of peo- ple who deserve more for the work they do, it's our politicians. Sure, there are some politicians who earn more than they're worth, and there are others who milk the system for whatever they can get, but in large, I believe most people who set oot into public office do so because they have a genuine desire to try and make our com- munity a better place to live. But there are few people willing to put u with the long meetings, late hours, inconsid- erate people and abuse that comes with being a politician, and the compensation they receive for the job they're asked to do does not reflect the time they spend working on behalf of their constituents. With this said, it seems that a suggestion by the Taxpayers' Coalition Scugog, as well as efforts by councillor Glenn Malcolm's at council last week, who both call for a freeze of salaries at current levels for the next three- year term, is unfair and unwarranted. In fact, it would appear that Mr. Malcolm's efforts to freeze wages during this election year is politically motivated. There are probably few people in Scugog Township who enjoy paying the ever increas- ing taxes. But it's highly unlikely any would be willing to give up any of the present services those tax dollars provide. Freezing councillors wages and asking for a zero percent increase in local munici taxes may seem like a noble cause, and no doubt they will gain popularity with the mass- es, but they will do little to curb the current trend of taxes rising every year. The problem of escalating taxes is not one created solely by elected representatives and bungling bureaucrats. Much of the blame lies with us, the taxpayers, who seem to have an incessive appetite for more service and a hor- rendous case of the "gimme's." We want access to the best education, top of the line health care, good roads, parks, are- nas, hospitals, ball diamonds, street lights, garbage disposal, libraries and so many other services provided by the community. As long as we keep asking for increased services, there is absolutely no way any incoming council can hold the line. The cost of inflation alone dictates that there will have to be some increase in taxes Just to maintain the level of services we have grown accustomed to. And asking this year's council to freeze incomes of the next council is ludicrous. Those advocating such a "freeze" should ask themselves if they are prepared to hold their own incomes at present levels for the next three years. It's much easier to point a finger at council as being the cause of our high taxes rather than accept some of the blame ourselves. Scugog Council spends approximately 25 per cent of our entire tax dollars, with the other 75 per cent being gobbled up by educa- tion and regional services. The freezing of councillors wages might save the taxpayers of the township a few thousands dollars over the next few years, but in the larger scope of things, the wage freeze would only amount to a drop in the bucket. If we're really concerned with taxes, as I'm sure we all are, we're going to have to stop demanding more and more services. But that's easier said than done in these days of the "gimme's." Fat FT Mlmcatbad SEE B= Adie