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8- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, November 1, 1994 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" I ETTERS Personal attacks on credibili There's an old debating strat- agem that says if you can't re- fute your opponent's argu- ments, then you should attack her personally, or insult her mother. In the case of Dianne Lackie's recent letter criticizing Carol Switzer and her bid tor a seat on the local Board of Education, this was exactly her tactic. The entire letter was nothing but a pompous exercise in bureau- cratic arrogance. It's been a long time since I've seen some- one use so many words to say so A growing concern? To the Editor: I may be wrong, but it seems to me that every time I read about the coming Casino, it gets bigger. Started at 25,000, last week it was up to 50,000. Gives me an uneasy feeling as does the thought of the peace and beauty of this unique Is- land being sacrificed on the al- ter ofthe almighty dollar. Even more troubling: the hu- man lives put at risk. I shudder to think of tired, inebriated drivers negotiating the Island road late at night. Yes, I know, they said there would be no alcohol, but anyone who believes that is far too good for this wicked world. Personally, I can't help feel- ing I've been patted on the back and fobbed off with a few facts and figures. Hope I'm wrong, for all our sakes. Yours truly, Joan Holman, Scugog Island C.O. says thanks To the Editor: As Commanding Officer of the local Cadet Corps I would like to express my appreciation for the support given the cadets on Friday and Saturday during their tag days. The money is Guides to sell cookies To the Editor: Girl Guides of Canada are selling their chocolate mint cookies again this year. They were a real hit last year and are being sold just in time for the Christmas season. They are $2.50 a box. Blackstock District Girl Guides and branches thereof 'will be holding a door to door cookie blitz on Saturday, Nov. 5 between 9 a.m.and 1 p.m. Revenue from the sale of these cookies helps offset costs for camps, outings and pro- grams geared to help our girls become useful, responsible young women. Michelle Adams, Blackstock District Girl Guides Willicoom Sandiford Strategies for Small Enterprises | * Business Concepts & Solutions e Computerized Accounting set-up * Electronic Countermeasures * Local Area Networks (LAN'S) * Software and Hardware * Training and Support (905) 985-1877 Agriculture - Commercial Industrial and Retail earmarked to help offset the bulk of the expenses of a citizen- ship trip to Ottawa. The support is particularly appreciated when one has to consider the trials and tribula- tions you, the local citizens have had to face over the past few days. This support has given me the means of providing a goal for attracting more young peo- ple to the Cadets. It is hoped that the financial support is indicative of the in- terest the community has in ca- dets and that it indicates the will of the community to main- tain the corps in Port Perry. Economic times in Canada are not the very best and parts of the governmental services must be reduced or sacrificed to reduce the staggering deficit. The cadet services are now on the firing point. It is proving ad- vantageous to reduce costs by closing down those services that the general public seem to have little interest in. In effect, only those corps that have the sup- port of the community are going toremain intact. Even with 97 years service #41 PPHSCC could very well be placed on the "hit list." In what ' appears to be my last year of 35 "years serving, with almost 30 years associated with this corps, I am prepared, and will- ing to meet with and discuss with any group how the longevi- ty of the corps can be ensured and, hopefully, see another 100 "years. I can be contacted at work at 985-7337 or after work hours at 723-9930. Major Patrick Dooley CD11 Commanding Officer little. If anyone is building her case on solid facts and Jagical argu- ments, it's Carol Switzer, and not Ms. Lackie. All anyone has to do is read a newspaper or watch the 11 o'clock news to re- alize that our society is going to hell in a handcart. Crime is rampant, teenage pregnancies are increasing at an alarming rate, (despite all the emphasis on "safe sex"), many high school graduates are functionally illit- erate, and most teenage store clerks cannot even figure out a 10 per cent discount without a calculator. While Ms. Lackie is busy pat- ting herself on the back for the fine job the educational system is doing, Mrs. Switzer sees a bit of a problem in the above sce- nario, and would like to do something about it, ifit's not too ate. For many years now, the pub- lic education system has been busy trying to program our chil- dren away from the Judeo- Christian heritage that this once-great country was built upon. Unfortunately, they've been very successful. While most parents thought their children were being edu- cated in the "3 Rs," their teach- ers were busy making sure they knew their rights, in case their parents ever tried to discipline them; showing them the proper way to use a condom; promoting homosexuality and lesbianism as normal, alternate lifestyles; and teaching them that there is no such thing as absolute right orwrong. In short, they've been so busy indoctrinating our children with their New Age socialistic propaganda, that they've ne- glected to give them the basic education most taxpayers thought they were paying for. It's no secret that educational costs are spiralling out of con- trol, while our levels of academ- ic competence are plummeting. Our children just can't cut it ac- ademically when it comes to competing with students from other countries. Most employ- ers are appalled at the general ineptitude of our young people when it comes to basic skills in written communications and simple arithmetic. Despite all the protestations to the con- trary by our bloated education- al bureaucracy, just about every working stiff out there in the real world knows this to be true. Unfortunately, most people feel ty won't change voter's mind powerless to do anything about it. Instead of hiding her head in the sand and ignoring this sad state of affairs, as Ms. Lackie is, Carol Switzer wants to do some- thing about it. She has shown in the past that she's not afraid to take on the bureaucrats when she knows she's right, and she won't be intimidated by vacu- ous rhetoric masquerading as higher education. I would wager my next pay- cheque (what's left of it after taxes), that there are more peo- ple that would agree with Mrs. Switzer that there's something drastically wrong with the sys- tem, than there are who, like Ms. Lackie, think that things are progressing along quite nicely, thank you very much. So, Carol, don't give up the fight. There are more people be- hind you than you think, and the time is right for people with a little common sense and a lot of nerve to challenge the sys- tem. After all as everybody knows, the emperor has no clothes, only as usual, he's the last one to admit it. David Mothersill, Oshawa Chief responds to Shepherd survey Dear Mr. Shepherd: This letter is in response to our ill-conceived survey and etter dated Sept. 14, 1994 which you sent to the residents of Scugog Island regarding the charitable gaming facility being developed on the lands of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island. Your package contained serious allegations which must be ad- dressed by our First Nation and by the Prime Minister, Your package is misleading. Canada permits the provinces to regulate gaming. Sur First Nation applied for and received a lawful licence from the Gov- ernment of Ontario to operate this charitable gaming facility on our lands. We have entered into a lawful agreement with the provincial government which will regulate how and when this facility will operate. You failed to explain this key fact. You also failed to state that we are following all of the proce- dures required by the provincial government. Your package is derogatory towards aboriginal people! You have included boxes and ques- tions in the survey only for "to- tally opposed," "need more in- formation," and "no opinion." Where is the box for "totally support!" Why was this positive position excluded? It would ap- pear that as the Member of Par- liament for Durham you do not believe that you also represent BOBBIE DREW [Wf Public School TRUSTEE BOBBIE BELIEVES IN: * ACCOUNTABILITY » Student Achievement » Getting the most for your tax dollar * TEACHING BASICS WITH METHODS THAT WILL WORK FOR CHILDREN * BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS WITH PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY * REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITY'S VIEW AND WISHES . --- BECAUSE EDUCATION COUNTS Authorized by C.F.0. Bobbie Drew Campaign the interests of the Mississau- gas of Scugog Island. Your package is inaccurate. You stated that "it is obvious no consultation is being taken by the Province of Ontario or the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation with the people the native community share the is- land with." On the contrary dis- cussions have taken place and more are being planned. In fact, you attended one of these meet- ings. Furthermore, I have regu- larly shared the facts and infor- mation regarding our project -with all of the local newspapers in order to correct the miscon- ceptions and allay the fears which have surfaced in the neighboring communities. I would add, however, that when other areas of Scugog Island were being developed, particu- larly along the water, no one ever discussed these projects and the possible impact on our community. Your package is defamatory. You describe the charitable gaming facility as a "gambling" acility - twice in the survey and twice in your letter to constitu- ents. You are poorly informed. The term charitable gaming re- fers to "bingo" and "monte car- lo" events with a maximum bet- ting limit of $10. The profits will go not only to the First Nation, but to various registered chari- table organizations. Clearly this term charitable gaming is quite different from, and should not be confused with, "gam- bling" which is a criminal activi- ty. This was explained in great detail at the meeting which you attended in our First Nation boardroom. By erroneously referring to a "gambling facility," you have in- ferred that the Mississaugas of Scugog Island will be engaging in criminal activities. The only "criminal" activity is the survey by the Member of Parliament for Durham which appears to be designed to encourage obstruc- tion of our lawful agreement with the Government of Onta- rio and to infect the relationship between our community and our neighbors. You never had the courtesy or common sense to call and ask our First Nation - constituents whom you alleged- ly represent in Ottawa - for an update on any of the aspects of the new facility or to indicate that you were about to send out your letter and survey. I am writing to Prime Minis- ter Chretien and Minister Irwin and forwarding to them a copy of your survey and letter. I be- lieve that the Prime Minister would not view your actions as properly reflecting the conduct of a Member of Parliament rep- resenting the Liberal Party or properly reflecting the aborigi- nal policy of the new Federal Government. I know from my meetings with Minister Irwin that he supports economic de- velopment on First Nation lands and the related employ- ment and revenue benefits that will assist First Nation. I will be asking the Prime Minister: *to confirm to me that your actions do not reflect the aborig- inal policy of the federal govern- ment, and *to instruct you to write to each person who received your survey and letter and publically apologize to the Mississaugas of Scugog Island for distributing such an ill-conceived package. Yours truly, Chief Gary Edgar, Mississaugas of "aa "tt SeagogTeland