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"A Family Tradition for 132 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, June 16, 1998 - 7 LETTERS Credit costs affect all consumers To the Editor: According to politicians and economists, Canada needs a tax cut to expand its economy and create jobs. A good place to start cutting would be the sales tax imposed by Canada's banks. No private organization should have the power to levy a sales tax, but banks do. It amounts to the meanest sales tax in Canada: the credit card business as it is run today. Banks use their power to make Canadians pay for something they do not want or need. To induce Canadians to use the credit card, cash-paying cus- tomers must pay the same prices as credit card users. The cost of credit is included in the price of every item in stores which accept credit cards, which is approximately 99 per cent of all stores. In the past we used to receive a discount for cash, but now there is a penalty for it because banks forced merchants to refuse giving a discount for cash. The result is a sales tax raised by the super rich; not by a democratic government, but by bankers. While governments (at least in name) return taxes to the people in the form of services, banks do not. This banker's tax discriminates especially against the poor. Too poor to get credit or credit card, they nevertheless pay for it each time they put their cash on the sales counter. As there is no advantage anymore to the use of cash, customers tend to use the credit card because it has the advantage of a-delay of payment. This is exactly what our friendly bankers want. On every transaction they make a few per cent, and even more when late payment charges can be added. It's truly a banker's dream come true, but it boosts the price of nearly every item sold in Canada by a few percentage points. Canadians must love their banks to allow them to do this. Any other possible explanations fail, except one: large political donations to the party In power. Canadians should demand a two-price system. Lower prices for cash, free from any charges for credit. The cost of credit should be born by those who like to flash their plastic card, and not by the poor and the frugal. We like to believe that our society is kinder and gentler than that of our neighbors south of the border, but is it? In the U.S.A, gas stations already have a two-price system. One for cash and one for credit. If we are really kinder and gentler, we should prove it by going one step further and introduce a two-price system for all merchandise. Here is an opportunity for all those leaders who always express concern about the poor and disadvantaged and those who demand lower taxes to stimulate the economy and the defenders of individual freedoms, to unite in a common cause against our banks before they become too powerful when they merge. Evert Vroegh, Hampton Searching for old Inaccurate stereotype for teens school chums To the Editor: I wonder if you could help me to get in touch with my old school friends by printing this in your letter column. I attended Port Perry High School from 1970 to 1974. My name before I was mar- ried was Rosemary Stephenson. It would be nice to catch up on the years and correspond occasionally. In particular I would love to hear from Mary Skinner, Marie Holtby, MaryAnn Lantham and Bruce McLauren. Thank you for your help. Mrs. R.P. Smith, Orchard Cottage Court Farm Much Birch Hereford England HR2 8HT To the Editor: The article, "Teen problems are being cleaned up," ( Star, June 2) unfortunately employs words that engender an inaccu- rate but prevalent stereotype that continues to burden young persons. When referring to crim- inal behavior the term used was "teen activity." In my work with teenagers in a high school I would never construe "teen activity" to be criminal, nor could I ever imagine what "teen activity" is. It may be that such stereo- typing does more damage to the community than whatever the "teen activity" in question was doing. Rev. John Yake, scj Uxbridge Dandelions don't cause cancer From page 6 tressed voice. He wondered if they should be concerned about the man next door who had come in a truck and was spray- ing the grass. The enemy this time? The dandelion. So on a beautiful spring day with the wind blowing in their direction she hurried her son indoors, removed the washing and closed all her windows. The whole event left a bad taste in her mouth. Dandelions or mosquitoes do not cause cancer. I don't understand why we are experimenting with our children's health by applying these poisons around our homes. Jay Thibert, Port Perry 'Editor's Notepad by Jeff Mitchell MAKING PALS AT THE POUND SO DOGGONE CUTE: So there | was Friday after- noon, surrounded by all kinds of furry pals, wishing there was room for one or two more of them at my abode. Alas, there is not. Two dogs, a cat, two kids and two grown-ups is a house full, so | left the Scugog Animal Control Centre on Reach St. without any new friends. It's always a heart-wrenching experience for animal lovers to visit the pound, and not to be able to accom- modate the yearning in those big, brown eyes. It's com- forting at least to know they're well-cared for by a com- passionate staff, who have as their first priority their health, and, ideally, placement in a loving home. Still, it's rough. But you have to develop the ability to walk away, or you'd be over run by homeless beasts, wouldn't you? For those of you, with room in your homes and hearts, however, there are many loveable dogs and cats, just waiting for you. Call the shelter at 985-9547 to find out if they've got a friend for you. SENATOR BIG M: At long last, a Senate appointment we can agree with: Frank Mahovolich. What better choice for a chamber that's supposed to represent all of Canada? He helped whip the Russians in '72, and won six Stanley cups in the NHL... he even played for both the Leafs and the Habs. He's a successful businessman now, and well-respected. I'll bet even the Reform Party agrees with this appoint- ment -- and they don't even care that he's a former left winger. TO WHOOP OR NOT TO WHOOP: Interesting philo- sophical contrast from the provincial Tories last week. On the same day, no less: On the one hand you had Social Services Minister Janet Ecker, pledging to give child protection agencies more powers to remove kids from threatening situations. A good thing, no doubt: but at the same time, along came a private member's bill from back bencher Dan Newman, which would allow the use of physical force to keep the peace in schools. It's not really likely you'll see school boards lining up to reintroduce the strap. And we probably will not witness MPPs passing some law that would make whooping kids in school legal. But it does seem a step back, doesn't it? LET IT POUR: My, but it was wonderful to wake up during the night Thursday and hear the rain pelting down, wasn't it? It's been just too dry. Random Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten time residents of the community and family historians, in our Remember When column. Over the past week we've received a few photos and we would like to thank Bud Heard, Diane Tobin, WE NEED YOUR OLD PHOTOS OF PORT PERRY Over the past few weeks the Port Perry Star has put an appeal out for old photographs to feature yi to search out some of Port Perry history. In particular we are interested in securing interesting photos of Port Perry area between 1900 and 1960. This could include buildings, street scenes, the lakefront, fires, construction, etc. Here are a few examples of the types of pictures we are looking for: * Opening of hospital in 1953, » Arena opening in 1950, * The final trip of the Nip 'n Tuck, * Horse Racing on Lake Scugog ice, * Seven Mile Island in the 20s & 30s, * The Causeway or Scugog Bridge (early years) ¢ Port Perry Bottling Works 1930 era, * The Scugog Kids 1944, « Cartoonist Jimmy Frise Orr Graham, veterinarian, * Reeves of Port Perry: e.g. Wm. Alldred, Jas. Stonehouse, Robt. Summerville, Jas. Lucas, Neil Gord Goode, Steve Carnegie and everyone who has responded so quickly and favorably. But we need more! We know there are lots of interesting pictures out there... possibly tucked away in a cedar chest, or an old box in the basement. Some of the most interesting photos come right out of family photo albums. , So we're appealing to everyone, especially long This picture, submitted to the Star by Diane Tobin was found in small photo album, tucked away in a.cedar chest. It shows all that remained of the Port Perry Union School after it was destroyed by fire in April 1926. Do you have any photos like this or others that could be used in our Remember When? Give us a call! Sweetman, Philip Figary, Jas McKee If you have any of the above, or any other photos you think might be of interest, please contact; Peter Hvidsten at the Port Perry Star, 905-985-7383 or drop by the office at 188 Mary St. Port Perry. Photos are required for copying purposes only. Originals will be returned immediately after being scanned. If possible we will copy while you wait.