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6- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, Oct.4, 1994 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Ep > PORT PERRY STAR ITORIAL Editorial Comment Time for truce on the Island Our letters section this week once more. raises the issue of the proposed gaming facilty on Scugog Island, and the concerns residents in the vicinity may have. Sparking the discussion this week was a survey sent out by Durham MP Alex Shepherd, which asks residents to put forth their views on the matter. While Mr. Shepherd points out, cor- rectly, that the issuance of a licence for the hall is a provincial decision,he notes, also correctly, that the question touches on a number of matters, including self- determination for native communities, that fall within the jurisdiction of the fed- eral government. The Liberal MP adds that he feels there has not been sufficient information on particulars of the proposal circulated to area residents. That statement strikes at the heart of "the often acrimonious debate surround- ing the gaming facility. Some Island landowners feel the have been left out of the process, and that their concerns, when voiced, fall on deaf ears. Mississaugas of Scugog band chief Gary Edgar, on the other hand, has ex- pressed feelings of being beseiged by derogatory commentary in response to the plan. It seems the problem here is not so much the proposal -- which the province promises will be studied thoroughly be- fore it proceeds -- but the manner in which it is being debated. Reasoned debate has been sacrificed for hyperbole; that makes it impossible for the issue to be discussed in any kind of rational manner, and serves only to stack more bricks on the wall of mistrust and hard feelings that has been erected between the band and some residents. The Chief has taken the hard line in stating the project will proceed, come hell or high water; but he also lists the potential benefits to the community, in- cluding jobs, enhanced tourism, and the opportunity for community groups to hold lucrative fuindraisers at the facility. Those are attractive propositions, but do nothing to allay the fears of some neighbors, who see their way of life un- der attack by a project that will forever change the nature of Scugog Island. What is needed is a calm and rea- soned approach, with an ear lent to the people who aren't band members, but say they recognize the potential bene- fits. It's time for a truce -- and talk. Pred | ALCooL \WNTERVENTION 101 60 THEN- SHOULD THis \d > NJ ~7, J / Re J IRE, Pe A ANY 2% 4 Twenty-five years Mrs. George Skerratt. Remember When ? PHOTO FROM FILES OF PORT PERRY STAR 3 ago the Women's Hospital Au Community Memorial Hospital. Above, volunteer Mrs. Victor Aldred is seen with £2 xiliary opened a Tuck Shop at I _EFTTERS Reader offers suggestions to reduce firearms crimes To the Editor: I was saddened to read the article by Janice Holtby but glad she didn't take her anger out on sportsmen who love hunting. I finally decided I'd better write a letter to the Star. Hopefully, it will do some good. Last month a friend was senselessly murdered in a sporting goods store hold- up. These criminals did not obey any laws but took the law into their own hands. To what end would gun laws have stopped these two felons? We can have all kinds of laws written in the law books but to no avail since these types of peo- ple don't follow the law (if they can even read). They have banned handguns in Brit- ain for many years but what has hap- pened is that the criminals were using guns so the British Bobbies had to be armed with guns. This is a matter of history which shows banning guns will not get rid of them, especially since they can readily be gotten across the border... in spite of what Justice Minister Allan Rock says. The justice system must also share the blame; convicted felons can plea bargain away jail time with reduced sentencing where firearm offenses are concerned. Here ar > some suggestions which should help 1., reduce firearms crime (Allan Rock, a-e you listening?) 1. 15 year mandatory sentences for uge Turn to Page 7 Random Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten DOWNTOWN COMPROMISED I find it hard to believe the owners of the Royal Bank building have been allowed to go ahead and cover the front and side with a coat of stucco. I'm not doubting the word of the contrac- tor, that the condition of the brick and mor- tar has deteriorated, but there has to be a better solution than stucco. And if that solu- tion is more costly - so be it. Downtown Port Perry is far too unique to be haphazardly covered with a sterile coat of cement just because it will cost more to fix it properly. Port Perry's unique Victorian flavor is exactly what attracts people to visit the downtown and allowing this sort of patch- work repair is not only intolerable, but a slap in the face to those business people who have worked so hard to create the dis- tinctive image the town has today. Just imagine if the Mitchell's had capped the top of their building when a large deco- rative section plunged to the ground a number of years ago. It was expensive to repair the damage, but because it was done properly, their building continues to be a landmark in the downtown. The owners of Brock's Dept. Store, Nuts About Chocolate and currently the Re/Max building, have all spent enormous sums of money to preserve the town's heritage. Ten years ago we made an attempt to salvage the historic nature of the old Port Perry Star office on Queen St. when bricks across the top became loose and brittle. In order to conserve the building we removed a large number of rows of bricks then replaced them with new mortar and reconstructed the decorative brickwork along the top of the building. The project ~ was costly, but one I've never regretted, because it was the right thing to do. The Royal Bank building is located on one of the town's major intersections and while a compromise might have been necessary because of deterioration, the owners should not have been allowed to sacrifice the character of the town with this important building. When landmark structures in other cities and towns, which are two or three times older than this building, can be saved and restored... | find it hard to believe stucco was the only alternative. The west side of the building now looks like something we might see in Florida or Georgia, and although it may be attractive to some.... it's not in character with our Victorian era downtown Port Perry. The township already has the mechan- ism to make sure it this is not repeated, so all we need is people with the determina- tion to make sure it doesn't. The system now in place relies on town- ship officials to demand repairs conform - with the bylaws, but because there are changes every three years, there is no con- sistency in the decisions. I suggest it's time to form a Heritage Committee, consisting of councillors and residents interested in maintaining the town's unique flavor, to be the watchdog over the future of the downtown. .The current repairs to the Royal Bank building should be ample evidence that a Heritage Committee is badly needed... and needed now! 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 writers sign their name and include a phone 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 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Port Perry Star encourages its readers to Et i . Os 5 A wr Tr -- » Eo Bee FH in CRIES LA RTE