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. TRE 6 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, December 21,1993 | The Port Perry Star 188 MARY STREET - PORT PERRY, ONTARIO - LOL 1B7 PHONE (905) 985-7383 FAX 985-3708 The Port Perry Star is authorized as second class mail by the "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" VN [2 | Gon Member of the BUSINESS OFFICE Office Manager - Gayle Stapley Accounting - Judy Ashby, Louise Hope Retail Sales - Kathy Dudley, Retail Sales - Marlene Moore EDITORIAL Publisher - J. Peter Hvidsten News Editor - Scott Anderson Features Editor - Julia Dempsey Sports Editor - Kelly Lown BLUE RIBBON Post Office Department, Ottawa, for cash payment of postage. LUI ADVERTISING PRODUCTION Canadian Community Newspaper Association Second Class Mail Registration Number 0265 Advertising Manager - AnnaJackman Annabell Harrison, Ontario Community Newspaper Association Subscription Rate: 1 (e]¢) 3 Advertising Sales - Jackie McDonell, Trudy Empringham, Published every Tuesday by the 1Year-$32.10 6Months-$17.72 Foreign -$90.95 Advertising Sales -Paul Hillier Susan Milne, Port Perry Star Co. Lid. Port Perry, Ontario includes $2.10GST includes $1.22 GST includes $5.95GST Production - Pamela Hickey, BarbaraBell Robert Taylor, + GST included in price FE A El a ai an Editorial Comment Planning Ahead Developers got some good news from the Ontario government last week when it announced plans to reform the planning and development system. Developers and municipal officials have expressed concern that projects are either being delayed or were in jeopardy by the waiting period involved to get ap- provals. A wait of three to five years was not uncommon before a project received approval from all the governmental agen- cies. But under new legislation announced last week by Municipal Affairs Minister Ed Philip, this process will be sped up. The province's reforms included three key points: - The planning system will be stream- lined and sped up. This will permit envi- ronmentally-sound proposals to proceed more quickly, creating jobs in the con- struction industry and other sectors. - The environment will be better pro- tected through a series of policy state- ments. These statements will establish policy on river valleys, wildlife habitat and agricultural land. - Municipalities will be given greater control of the local development process. In this framework, the provincial govern- ment will set policy, municipal govern- ments will make development decisions and the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) will resolve disputes. The Sewell Commission spent more than two years studying the province's planning process and came to the conclu- sion that the process is "slow, costly and full of duplication, holding up sound de- velopment proposals and posing an ob- stacle to the current economic recovery." To this end, timeframes have been es- tablished and responsibilities of the vari- ous ministries have been outlined. It is the goal of these reforms to speed up the process and create jobs in the pro- cess. It will also make the planning and development process less costly. These reforms are timely and a wel- come change to the developers and the municipal politicians. Too many develop- ment plans sit on too many desks across the province, stalled by provincial red tape and duplication. This process will speed up develop- ment and help fuel the economy of Onta- rio by encouraging development and the creation of much needed jobs. There couldn't have been a better time for the total reformation of the province's planning and development system. We le ALWAYS WAL GOOD FORTUNE FolLowiNG THE TAQ Before. ,, {27 ANOTHER Wie fd \ x \ \ 3 es, hy 3 ON A BE Ras: / odd EVLA i i Se iat i a 7 NS i LI hy HH 454 "Where Has It Gone? £3 $0 unknown. At Stuer The steamboat Esturian is pictured at Sturgeon Point (upper). "a Da ate of photo Is Letters ito the editor Overwhelmed by support of letter To the Editor: Thank you for the staggering outpour- ing of support re my letter of last week. I am overwhelmed. Now, if we can move to stage two in our return to civility campaign, could the parents/ guardians/friends of those few sad youths practising mindless mayhem or vengeful vindictiveness as their con- cept of "fun," stand tall, refuse to be in- timidated by young cowards and bullies? Make those who enact crimes against their community fully responsible for their actions. Children often hide behind tissues of lies out of fear, guilt, some- times even regret or embarrassment. Demand truth. We ALL stand taller when we can walk in the sunlight or the shadows free of threat, vengefulness, or reprisal. And for those teens who really do have nothing better to do, I speak from experi- ence when I tell you this lovely town has wonderful doorways to your futures: school music programs, cadets, all man- ner of special interest clubs, sports activ- ities, church groups, candy striping, vol- unteering, many more, and yes, the Millar Lights. Try some; you might like them. Sure beats drug deals at mid- night, fried brains -- or trips to the Turn to Page 7 "fidence an | to make use of the letters to the editor column to Random Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten ---y THIRTY YEARS! ik Wednesday night last week the staff of the Port Perry Star enjoyed some laughs and cama- raderie at our annual Christmas Party. It was a time for eve- ryone to relax, forget about the pressures and concerns of our everyday lives and enjoy each others company for a few hours. But for me, it was also an opportunity to reflect on the past three decades. Yes, it's been thirty years since my mother and father, Per and Leila Hvidsten, purchased the Port Perry Star from the fami- ly of the late Samuel Farmer, and those years have provided many memorable moments. But more important than the memories, are the people who have been so much a part of these enjoyable years. No longer working at the Star, but still an important part of my early days are men like Bruce Beare, Clive Boyd, Darcy Morden and Bill Harrison. These were the guys who taught me the newspaper and printing busi- ness during those days of the 1960s and 70s. We are most fortunate to have devoted employees, who have spent the best part of their lives working at the Port Perry Star. Two of these people are - Annabell Harrison, who's been here since the begin- ning and has worked in almost every capaci- ty at the paper, and Gayle Stapley, who has spent the past 21 years of her life greeting the customers at our front counter. The dedication and loyalty of these two people goes without saying, but 1 would be remiss if | did not publicly say, "Thank you sincerely, Annabell and Gayle" for the tremen- dous support and commitment you have shown to me, my father and the Port Perry Star over the past three decades. Words can not adequately express my deep regard for you both, and your support has been very much appreciated. CHRISTMAS GREETINGS Here we are again, only a few days until Christmas, and oh so many things to do. Undoubtedly many of you, like myself, find yourselves shaking your heads in bewil- derment and asking "where did 1993 go?" It's been an interesting year to say the least, but one which I'm sure many are hap- py to see slide by, as the recession drags on, and people are unsure of their futures. But or the brighter side, there is much to be thankful for during this special time of the year. It always amazes me how people's attitudes change when Christmas approach- es and tinsel, lights and garlands begin to appear along the street. Yes, Christmas is a special time! It's when smiles seem wider, we've got more bounce in our steps, greetings are more enthusiastic and giving to those less fortunate becomes a joy instead of a burden. Other things that make Christmas special are, family, youngsters sitting on Santa's knee, Christmas carols, the smell of a freshly cut tree, white snow and crisp, clear nights. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and extend a sincere thank you from the entire Star family for helping make this a very rewarding Jear. Your ongoing support, con- trust only reinforces our feelings that "you the finest people in the Scugog." Thanks from all of us, to all of you! We hope you have a safe, healthy and happy holiday season. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Port Perry Star encourages our readers express their opinions and viewpoints on just about any subject, as we feel a lively letters column helps make us a better community newspaper. We insist, however, that all letter writers sign their name and include a phone number for verification. Sorry, no anonymous letters will be published. The Port Perry Star also reserves the right to edit with respect to libelous comments or length of letter. | i | \ ! { |