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"A Family Tradition for 128 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, July 18, 1995 - 7 LE TTE RS from our readers On Blackstock park issue: Enough, already! To the Editor: Fred Ford - enough already! Please stop speaking on behalf of "the majority of. people of Blackstock" with respect to park development and improve- ments. At last look, you don't speak for the majority. The facts show that: 1. Council followed all the proper procedures in this park development process, including listening to you and one other concerned resident at the offi- cial community hearing. There were approximately 30 to 40 other people from the communi- ty at that meeting. who ex- pressed no concern about the proposal. 2. You held your own special meeting to generate support for your effort to stop the project. You gathered names of support for your position against the council position, which you took to council. At the same time, other community groups and citizens made submissions to council in favor of the proposal. When compared, the communi- ty presentation included more names in support of the project than your submission against. Council moved ahead with their decision. 3. The Blackstock Recreation Committee, made up of the vari- ous user groups in the commu- nity, voted in favor of the propo- sal. 4. In the fall of 1994, you ran for council in Ward 4, running on a platform of stopping this project. You were defeated in that election. Fred, your position reminds me of that of Mr. Parizeau in re- gard to separation. When asked what he would do if the people voted against his separation proposal, he basically said that he would keep asking them un- til they got it right! This proposal, from day one, has involved all the interested parties - the Fair Board, the adult and minor ball associa- tions, the nursery school and the Blackstock Recreation Com- mittee. Throughout the process, these groups have been in- volved in the development of a project that would meet the many different needs of these various interest groups. This is not a plan just for ballplayers. It involves improvement for all us- ers of the small park, the Recre- ation Centre, the parking areas, the Fair facilities and the ball diamonds. Until now I haven't taken ex- ception with how you have pre- sented your position. But your letter this past week goes too far. You have resorted to sin- gling out a group of adults who are using park space on Satur- days as an example of people us- ing "prime Saturday morning kids practice time" for their own use, thereby proving, in your mind, that minor ball doesn't Pesticides can harm From page 6 Dichloroprop. I won't go into the hazards of this compound, but if you call the Region at 668-7721, they can fax you the info. Apparently, some members of the Agricultural community have put pressure on the region to spray the wild carrot (Queen Anne's Lace) because it is hav- ing a negative impact on their crops. It is my hope that 1 have not turned anyone away in anger, because the need for dialogue, education, and sharing of ideas is imperative if we wish to have a healthy future for our chil- dren. If anyone wishes to express their concern over the recent decision for selective pesticide spraying in the region, you can call Vic Silgailes from the Regional Works Committee at 905-668-7721. Brenda Stevenson, Port Perry. Te need more diamond time. The reality is this adult ball league approached Cartwright Minor Ball and asked about available, low usage diamond space. Saturday morning was identified as a prime example of low use time (i.e. not popular with minor ball teams), and the adults were welcome to it. You go on to take another swipe at these adults who "would not take time on week- ends to work with the kids but apparently they do have time to play themselves." Among the more than 40 adults playing in the Saturday morning NoT League, there are a total of 15 current and former Cartwright Minor Ball coaches, and six cur- rent and former Cartwright Mi- nor Ball executive members - the people you say won't give time for their children. These people have given and continue to give of their time for the children of this community, with no expectation of remuner- ation, and with no political mo- tives. As one of these people, I take exception to your accusa- tion, particularly when I know that I have coached your son in the past when you did not have - the time yourself. You see, Fred, you don't have exclusive rights to this "better- ment of the community" angle. The reality is that a lot of us have the improvement of our community in mind. There are different ways to make things better, and just because this plan doesn't fitinto your scheme of how things should be done, does not mean itis wrong. We will need the support of everyone to reach the financial targets that will be required. Help us to make this a better community - put your energy into making something happen, rather than trying to stop what the majority have said they want. Don't lose this opportunity to help meet the recreation needs of our entire community Ron Martyn Blackstock Editor's Notepad by Jeff Mitchell DEATH FROM ABOVE? WEATHER OR NOT: After all our heartfelt musings on the treasure that is Canada in the last couple of weeks, it is difficult, yet necessary, to turn to a topic that is cause for some consternation: The weather. And the fact that the elements seem constantly in conspiracy to kill one. From January through March, the north winds blow in bearing snow and ice and sleet, all of which accumulate on the roadways to create a travelling grid which is, at best, dangerous. At its worst, of course, it is lethal. Then comes spring, a gentle and reassuring time. A respite from the ravages of winter and the sub-zero temperatures which freeze flesh and threaten our existence. Just as quickly as it arrives spring is over and we launch into summer, which brings with it blazing days and humidity which suck the breath from your very body. And afternoons and evenings during which black-green clouds assemble on the horizon, waiting to pounce and spawn tornadoes that try to sweep away anything that stands in their paths. Take note: This is not a complaint, merely an observation. The climate plays a large role in defining Canada and its identity, as much as hockey, lager beer, and Separatistes. We stand on guard for Thee, O Canada. | ...And keep looking over our shoulders to see what the weather's going to throw at us next. | ARE WE HAVING FUN YET? ...Summer, as it happens, is approaching its midway point, and those of us with kids are wondering just what we can do next to keep the little beggars amused for another five or six weeks. My little girl is safely tucked away with her grandparents up north for a week, so she's no worry. But my boy is turning to means of amusement that are just not acceptable. The other night, for instance, he phoned Memphis. Tennessee. Just sat pushing buttons until he came up with the combination that allowed him to talk, in his own way, to someone on the other end of the line. Cameron has a speech delay that means that while he talks plenty, he's incapable of forming words very well. So he passed some time saying "Blah blah blah" and "Ooop!" to a confused southern telephone operator. She called us back to let us know the boy had placed the call, and that she wouldn't charge us for it if we hadn't authorized it. | had a talk with him about it, but | have a sneaking suspicion that even as | write this he is huddled over the phone, attempting to reach the Pope. Maybe | should buy him a wood-burning set... SEE YOU FRIDAY: A lack of space and an abundance of photos means we're not able to bring you today all the stuff we gathered at the Festival Days bash in Port Perry. But never fear: We've got another entire page of shots, and we'll bring 'em to you in the Weekend Star Friday. Random Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten yg gave us plenty to talk about. IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMER TIME | Talking about the weather is a favorite pastime for Canadians, and last week old Mother Nature From the sweltering 37° C heat of Friday after- Saturday morning by the roaring sound of wind. We were awestruck as we sat by the window and watched the trees being whipped and twisted like blades of grass in the tornado-like winds. Thankfully, in Scugog Township, damage was minimal to property. There were a few building damaged, and power was reported being out in some areas for long periods of time, but overall we weathered the storm rather well. THE TRADITION CONTINUES Festival Days is over for another year, and the directors and volunteers who work for the Chamber of Commerce should be given a vote of thanks from area residents. kend can be for the directors. By Sunday morning, when it's time to clean up, you literally have to drag yourself out of bed. Festival Days has been a part of the summer activities of this community for 25 years. The fore- runner of this event was Port Perry's Centennial celebrations held in 1971. This was followed the next year with the first of a dozen or more success- ful Western Weekends, before the theme was changed to the current Festival Days in 1984. Whatever it's called, it's a great weekend. We extend our thanks to all those, past and present, who have dedicated their time and energy to bring it to the residents of this community each summer. noon, to the violent wind storm which swept down on the area in the early hours of Saturday morning, we had plenty to talk about. The unbearable heat on Friday set new records all across southern Ontario as weather forecasters announced the temperature and humidity (humi- dex) reached 50° C in many parts of the south. Nancy and |, like hundreds of others around the It appeared at times the weather inay play a major factor in the success of the weekend, but in the end it co-operated for most of the events. Every year there seems to be some who like to criticize the event and how it was run, and this wee- kend was not without it's critics. From personal experience | remember clearly the countless hours spent planning and organizing, but even more, | remember how exhausting the wee- As for the many armchair critics... get involved, offer your help... then offer your suggestions. IN CLOSING - Nancy and | took in the Borelians latest show, "Sinners", at Town Hall 1873 Friday night and enjoyed every minute of this murder mys- tery, comedy. The director, producers and actors should all be congratulated for a great show. It continues this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Flan to attend Sinners, it's well worth seeing. township were awakened about 2:30 a.m. A ya