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"A Family Tradition for 131 Years" I _ETTERS s---- Hunting incident should draw charge To the Editor: I have requested a thorough investigation into a hunting i Inci- dent that occurred in Port Perry at approximately 9 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 14. While I was walking my dog on the south side of Hwy. 7A and was in front of the Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet, I heard two very loud shotgun blasts. They came from the direction of the south shore of Lake Scugog, which is approximately 250 metres to the north of Hwy. 7A. I first saw numerous Canada Geese flying into the air just before the shots were fired. Within seconds, I and my dog were bombarded by numerous lead shot pellets falling onto the roadway and sidewalk, hitting the dog and me. Fortunately, I did not look up into the air when this happened or I could have been blinded by this lead shot. I could not see any boat on the lake, so the ves- sel had to be very close to shore for me to not see it from where I was standing. I continued looking towards the lake and within minutes, I saw a canoe being paddled at a very fast pace toward the boat launch. I immediately went home and called 911 to report the inci- dent. The operator informed me that other citizens had also reported the shooting, and the police were investigating it. I drove over to the area and stopped a Durham Region police officer who was patrolling and looking for the hunters. He informed me that they had just been apprehended at the boat launch and he was going there to assist the other officer who was already there. I informed him that I was hit by lead shot while on the south side of Hwy. 7A; he was incredulous to say the least. I drove over to the boat launch and saw the officers obtaining the gun permit registration and hunting permit information from two men. I asked one of the offi- cers if he would like my name and telephone number in case they laid charges against these individuals. He took down the information and informed me that M.N.R. guidelines allow hunters to be within 200 metres of the shoreline when hunting ducks and geese. There is no way these men were 200 metres from the south shore of Lake Scugog! If they had been, I would not have had lead shot raining down on me at an approximate distance of 250 metres from the south shore, and I also would have been able to see them on the lake. They obviously knew they were in the wrong when they paddled straight over to the boat launch after they fired at the geese. The officer indicated it also depended on how powerful their shotguns were if the shot could travel that far. Well if the shot- - guns were that powerful, then I guess it is a good thing they did not hit any of the Canada Geese as they would have been blown into tiny pieces or had so much shot in their bodies that it would have taken the hunters two days to pick out all the pellets! I sincerely hope that charges have been laid against these two individuals. As a minimum they should have their firearms regis- tration withdrawn, as well as their hunting permits. They obvi- ously need a refresher course on hunting restrictions and the use of firearms. It is absolutely beyond belief that the citizens of Port Perry need to start wearing flak jackets and helmets when walking in the vicinity of the lake during hunt- ing season. Perhaps the Ministry of Natural Resources should be revising the distance that hunters can be to shore due to the proximity of housing and peo- ple near the lake. They should also be patrolling this area, as obviously some hunters have a difficult time in figuring out what 200 metres from shore is. Nancy I. Thompson Port Perry Legion set to launch Poppy Campaign To the Editor: Last year Port Perry Legion Branch 419 collect- ed $12,800 during our 1996 Poppy Campaign. We distributed $14,900 as follows: a Manitoba Relief Fund; a Charitable Foundation; a Tri-County Hospital Fund; a Ontario Provincial command Bursary; a Assistance to widows, widowers and families of deceased veterans, and 0 1996 campaign expenses, including the pur- chase of poppies, wreaths, crosses, and advertising. Again this year, we ask for you support and hope to exceed last year's total with the help of the whole township. The Poppy Campaign will be held from Q Childrens' Remembrance Day poems and essays; Oct. 31 to Nov. 11 Stan Clark, Poppy Chairman PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, October 21 1997 - 7 Editor's Notepad by Jeff Mitchell GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS THE GOOD NEWS is that we've lined up Harvey Kirck, retired CTV news anchor, as the moderator for our candidates' meeting, taking place Thursday, Oct. 30 at Town Hall 1873 in Port Perry. Mr. Kirk will act as the MC when you, the people, address them, the candidates for mayor and regional councillor, at the public forum. THE BAD NEWS is that it's increasingly possible we may not live until then. A startling article on page 2 of today's daily tells us that rusting Russian submarines on the floor of the arctic seas represent a "nuclear time bomb". More than a dozen old subs have been dumped by the former Soviet Union in shallow waters off the Norwegian coast. It's just a matter of time... THE GOOD NEWS is that in the meantime, our national deficit continues to shrink at a rate rivalling the retreat of follicles from John Nunziata's head. Finance Minister Paul Martin did everything but dance a jig and sing We're In The Money during last week's statement on the country's economic health. THE BAD NEWS is we can't touch any of this new-found wealth. Don't expect any tax breaks any time soon. Rats. THE GOOD NEWS IS that we've been enjoying one of the most beautiful autumn seasons in memory, and it doesn't cost anything to enjoy the spectacular fall colors. THE BAD NEWS is that should you want to leave town to view the colors, say on a long weekend, you'll need gasoline, and prices have shot up again. THE GOOD NEWS is that it's just a coincidence, prices rocketing every time a holiday that could conceivably involve highway travel comes along. The petroleum companies said SO. THE BAD NEWS is that they seem to think we're stupid enough to swallow that line. THE GOOD NEWS is we're not, and know damn well when we're being gouged. uy THE BAD NEWS is that unless we can convert our cars to run on some other material that costs less -- like water, or solar power -- we're in their clutches, and they can shake us until the last penny falls from our pockets. THE GOOD NEWS is that the feds, who won't be handing out any tax breaks any time soon, already lay claim to that last penny. THE BAD NEWS is that it's nearing Christmas, and Santa needs a few pennies, too. THE GOOD NEWS is you don't have to pay him until January, really. THE BAD NEWS is the interest on that deferal. THE GOOD NEWS is that you have a job. For now. bh bi rity fy to find thieves had ransacked their pu mpkin homes and stolen property. many ¢ Also disturbing is what is being stolen. Aside To hel _ from the obvious targets, electronic equipment f and jewelry, we are hearing often that among the 8 items being stolen are 9g . "Just what are the ¢ Will they be sold; ins, or will the ni strike at larger targets. bet - ou Whatever the crook's motive for taking guns, if It promi citernen th the break-ins continue to increase at the present youn rate it's possible some homeowners will resort to fi keeping some form of weapon handy, in an effort Pr to protect their private property. : used Bad enough for anyone to find their home being Kinsmen ransacked by burglars, but if the homeowner has IN CL armed himself and is prepared to defend his © Anchormat property, the resulting combination of fear, panic "and a weapon could have serious consequences, Hopefully it will never come this. i e peti 3 with these guns? T he act of future break- Kins he weapons to. | ? ange become evident on: :