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6- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, November 8, 1994 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Ep D> PORT PERRY STAR I'TORIAL Editorial Comment Exercise your right to vote A quick word of warning: This editorial is going to be about the municipal elec- tion. If you're anything like us, you've prob- ably just about had your fill of news and views on the municipal vote, which is tak- ing place Nov. 14 in Scugog, and other municipalities across the province. Like all elections, it seems, the munici- pal vote is done to death by the media, and the politicians. But the fact remains that is is vitally im- portant. To you. Everyone has an opinion on the place in which they live. And everyone has the right to attend council meetings to air their views, or write letters to the editor in the local paper to get the word out to the community at large. That to a degree is participation, and that's what democratic government is all about. And every three years, every eligible voter has the privilege to go to the polls and express their views in the most con- crete way possible: The ballot. Don't think for a minute that your vote doesn't count when it comes to municipal politics. Municipal politicians are the clos- est to you, and therefore hear your voice the loudest. They are also in control of many of the factors that greatly affect your daily life: The roads on which you travel, the trucks that pick up your garbage, the rinks and ball parks in which you and your kids play. School trustees are also municipal poli- ticians, and accountable to you. Your regional representative is your voice on the gigantic body that runs Dur- ham. All of them should have your interests, and concern for your finances, at heart. Therefore, it is up to the individual vot- er to deliver the messages that ought to be carried into the council chamber, the regional building, and the school board room. Don't leave the delivery of that mes- sage to the customary one-third of the population who take the trouble to vote. A right that goes unexercised is a shameful waste, and it is up to every eligible voter to ensure the continuation of that right. Voting day is Nov. 14, and the polls are open throughout the day and evening to make sure polls are accessible. Advance polls occur Wednesday in Port Perry and Nestleton. Do yourself a favor: Take the time to vote. 750 Now A WARDS. | ARE THERE 7 \ SYSTEM WE HAVE MOVED tRoM WHAT WAS A 2 WARD SISTEM TOWARD A HWARD -- WHICH OF COURSE \% GULL LESS THAN = \ Questions? IN ks ONDER "ME NEW 3WARD ony - Py ENR A : : \ o - --2_ -- | i NN RCS , | IA = i PH 1974. Joanne Nightingale and David Litt were Port Perry High School's graduating class valedictorians during the commencement exercises in November of I ETTERS Ellis family thanks the community To the Editor: On Thursday, Oct. 20, our son Warren Ellis was one of the police officers shot during the bank robbery. On behalfof my husband and I and our family, I would like to take this opportu- nity to thank all the kind and thoughtful people who have helped us through this ordeal so far. Thanks to the Port Perry hospital and all the staff for doing an ex- cellent job of coping with such an emer- gency. Thanks to Dr. Gilmour, who took the time to talk to me personally on the phone that night and tried to give me some reassurance as to Warren's condi- tion. Thanks to the Durham Region Police Force. Your consideration and support has been overwhelming and very much appreciated. Thanks to the Toronto Po- lice Force for your support. Thanks to John Fusco of Joe's Pizza for the pizza you sent to our house on F'ri- day night. Your pizza was thoroughly enjoyed by all I sincerely appreciate your thoughtfulness. Last but not least I want to thank all our family and friends; without your en- couraging words of love and support, this ordeal would have been much worse. Thankfully, Warren will make a full recovery To all the other victims and their fami- lies, we wish you a full and speedy recov- ery. Yours truly, Roselyn Ellis Random Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten COMMUNITY WON'T FORGET "In the wake of the traumatic events of Oct. 20 area residents are gradually coming to grips with the horror and anger felt follow- ing the robbery and shootout which sent shockwaves through this community. And while we would all like to forget it happened, we can't... and in fact probably shouldn't, because this type of incident could happen anywhere... anytime. The Port Perry Star has covered this event extensively from moments following the unbelievable events that night, until the present, because we believe it's one of the most shocking incidents the people of this community will ever experience. We sincerely appreciate the comments from police officers and area residents who had nothing but praise for the exten- sive coverage and photographs our staff used in our coverage of this incident. In fact, Durham Regional Police order- ed 18 copies of the Star's dramatic front page photo of Const. Warren Ellis as he was being treated for gunshot wounds in the front seat of his car. The detective ordering the photos said they would be displayed in various offices throughout the department and also used to help other officers deal with the trauma associated with the shooting of a fellow police officer. Thankfully for everyone, the victims... the police officers... the community, this tragic event ended without loss of life. It could have been much worse. Last week we continued our coverage by reporting on the remarkable recovery by Constable Warren Ellis, bank manager Alan Knight and real estate agent Debbie Taylor. In this issue there is a further report on Detective Paul Mooy and Const. Mark McConkey All five are recovering from their physi- cal wounds, although the mental anguish will take much more time to heal. We felt residents of the township want- ed to know what happened that night, and how those injured are recovering. That's why we've devoted more than eight full pages of coverage to this unfortunate incident over the past three weeks. We hope you agree.