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6 - PORT PERRY STAR - Wednesday, August 3,1994 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Ep > PORT PERI STAR % I'TORIAL Editorial Comment Applause for gun amnesty Applause is deserved by Durham Re- gional Police and their participation, in a province-wide gun "amnesty", aiméd at getting firearms off the street. It's deserved also by the region's resi- dents who have turned in the weapons. Last week police displayed for report- ers an array of rifles, shotguns and hand- guns, 60 firearms in all. They range from 12 gauge hunting guns to tiny, derringer- like pistols, with some derivations -- a Colt .45, an Uzi submachine gun, a doz- en or so air pistols, frighteningly realistic. Police spokesman Sgt. Sandy Ryrie said what was on everyone's mind: That it's obvious the Bad Guys aren't about to start turning in their guns because an am- nesty is announced across the province. What's important though is that these guns are being removed from circulation. That means they won't fall into the wrong hands after a break-in and turn up in one of the ever-increasing incidents in Dur- ham Region involving weapons. While there are dozens of suggestions and theories regarding how best to coun- ter the increasing violence met with by police, retail employees and the public, one seems incredibly simple, and it's be- ) Al \ Tims I) Ti | | | hn! Naa Naw AN RE -- AND DGHTNING 1CeM WARNING / ing emphasized by the current amnesty : Blt effort: Remove the weapons, and you have to a degree removed the hazard. Another thing to consider is the hazard the weapons in themselves present when they're poorly stored or discovered by those who don't know how to handle them: We've heard too many tragic sto- ries of young people hurt or killed during otherwise innocent play. So if you have guns and are debating the value of hanging onto them, ask your- self it the benefit of retaining posession outweighs the benefit that would be gained from taking them out of circula- tion, and yourself and others out of harm's way. As Sgt. Ryrie said last week, in most cases there's little or no reason for a gun in the house. "In Durham Region in this day and age you don't need guns in your house for your protection," he said. Police will always try to accommodate gun owners who want to dispose of their firearms, but are urging the public to take advantage of the current amnesty, which ends in September. If you have any questions about the amnesty or disposal of weapons, contact your nearest Durham Regional Police of- fice. PHOTO FROM FILES OF PORT PERRY STAR JULY, 1974 45 YEARS AGO Thursday, July 29, 1949 The 50/50 club gave a farewell party fcr their treasurers, Mary and Dave Walker when they left Port Perry to go to St. Thomas. At the Port Perry Field and Crop Competition, the following people won prizes, Lloyd Smith, first, Leslie Smith, second, Roy Robertson, third, Harold Honey, fourth, Eugene Dearborn, sixth, Edward Oyler, sixth, Clifford Redman, seventh and Burnsell Webster, eighth. Port Perry's baseball team drew their best of three semi-finals with Sutton, when they defeated them 7-3. Bill Harper was the pitcher on the mound. 30 YEARS AGO Thursday, July 31, 1964 Mrs. Jessie Hope and her grandson Rick, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Hope, took off from Toronto for a three-week vacation in Scotland. Sixty-five persons attended the annual Ferguson Clan picnic in Cartwright Park. Mr. Sam Oyler, of R.R. 2, Port Perry, was the owner of a calf making a history record after weighing 160 pounds at birth. Rev. A. Rice, of Toronto, was the new minister of the Port Perry United Church. 20 YEARS AGO Wednesday, July 31, 1974 Bill Katocs of Oshawa escaped serious injury when he was forced to land his plane in a field near the Oshawa Skeet Club. Construction was progressing well on three tennis courts at the recreation area on Water Street. Bennett Paving Limited was awarded the contract by Scugog Chamber of Commerce who is spending about $16,000 on the project. Constable Larry Reesor graduated from the Ontario Provincial Police College, Toronto, and was posted at the Downsview Department 5 of the OPP. Congratulations were extended to Mr. and Mrs. Lorne Slute who were guests of honor at a dinner and dance at Utica Hall to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Mary Lynne MacMaster, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Archie MacMaster, Bigelow Street, graduated from the Turn to Page 7 I EFTTERS Report on MP pensions a complete sham To the Editor: The Commission to Review Allowanc- es of Members of Parliament has achieved the impossible. It has managed to make Canadians even more cynical about the political process. Made up of former politicians or by those sympathetic to politicians, this commission was established by active politicians back in January to make rec- ommendations on how to reform the pay, perks and pensions of MPs. That's a lot like asking former tobacco lobbyists to recommend reforms to our smoking laws! It should not surprise anyone then that the commission's recently released report was very kind to MPs. In fact, it even recommended that they get a big fat pay raise. The federal government, to its credit, quickly rejected this. When the report came to MP pen- sions, however, it was a complete sham. MPs qualify for a gold-plated, lifetime, inflation proof pension after only six years in office regardless of age. The com- mission recommended an age require- ment of 55 but that's it. The commission failed to recommend lowering the super-high benefits, it failed to recommend scrapping the un- limited inflation protection features of the plan. In short, the MP pension would contin- ue to remain a lavish MP perk and a cost- ly burden for taxpayers. writers sign their name and include a phone Random Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten HISTORY IN 3 DIMENSION Over the past few years I've become very interested in the history of the Scugog area and for this reason I was truly amazed with a scale model of Port Perry's lakefront, circa 1876, which was on display for Steam and Rail Days recently at the museum. The model, which measures about 10' in length, was created by Larry Murphy of Lindsay from three old photographs of the lakefront found a few years ago by Bill Brock in an old safe at Brock's Departnient Store. Mr. Murphy has painstakingly crafted the old Port Perry railway station and neighboring buildings, a water tower, the old steamship Victoria and many of the railway cars by hand, and the end results are truly spectacular. Anyone with an interest in this community's history, and in particular a three-dimensional view of what Port Perry's waterfront looked like more than 100 years ago, should drop by the museum and see this spectacular model. It will be on display at the museum until September. LOOKING FOR RUNNERS I was pleased to learn a group of local residents have reinitiated the Terry Fox Run in Scugog. It's been a long time since the last Terry Fox run in the township and it's good to see some people taking the initiative to bring it back to our community. Co-ordinator Elizabeth McArthur wants the event to be family oriented, and hopes they can get a lot of people, of all ages involved and taking part. If you're interested in participating or helping and want more information, call 985-0951 or 985-2571. Also, keep your eye on the Port Perry Star for more information and updates as the Terry Fox Run for Cancer nears. While I'm speaking of important, but enjoyable events, why not try your hand at riding on a personal watercraft. These recreational vehicles look similar to a snowmobile but run on water. The local Rotary Club is hosting its second Aquarama for Easter Seals on August 14 and the club hopes to raise $5,000, but they need your help! No need to worry if you've never driven a watercraft because equipment and practice sessions will be given to each participant by staff at Port Perry Marina. For more information on this event call Frank Tielemans at 985-2698. BUSY PLACE It never fails to amaze me how busy this community has become the past few years. Almost every weekend during the summer there is some kind of event or activity taking place. This summer, during the month of July, we've enjoyed Canada Day celebrations, Festival Days, Fields of Dreams Slo-Pitch ournament, Canada/USA International Challenge, Women's International Fastball (Team Canada, Australia, New Zealand), Steam and Railway Days at Scugog Shores Museum and this past weekend the Caesarea Regatta. So, anyone who thinks there's nothing to do in small towns is sadly mistaken. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Port Perry Star encourages its readers to make use of the letters to the editor column to express their opinions and viewpoints on just about any subject, as we feel a lively letters column will help make this a better community newspaper. We insist, however, that all letter number for verification. Sorry, anonymous letter will not be published unless The Star believes it to be in the best interest of the public. We also reserve the right to edit letter with respect to their length, content or libelous comments.