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"A Family Tradition for 132 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, November 3, 1998 - 7 The Poul Peep Sta Question of the Week... Do you think police officers should engage in car chases? Do you have a suggestion that you think would make a good question of the week ? Call us at 905-985-7383. Mike Setter I still feel if they don't do it, crime will increase. At the same time, you hate to see somebody get hurt. Under certain circum- stances, I think they have to pursue suspects. It depends on the circum- stances. If you know someone is armed and dangerous and an imme- diate threat to public safety, yes. But if there's no threat, no. Cliff Redman [ would say in extreme circumstances, maybe; a bank robbery where someone was shot maybe. I think they're unwarranted, some of better. them. Tracey Cole As long as it doesn't jeopar- dize the safety of others. They should come up with something else, like road barriers, or those things that flatten their tires. People panic and do stupid things when they're being chased. Chuck Smith Within reason. It depends on how fast they're going. If they call ahead and set up a roadblock or something, it would be LETTERS Disabled man asks for patience To the Editor: After 47 years of mundane, generally uneventful existence, I experienced a para- lyzing stroke that enlisted me in the ranks of the disabled. I hope publication of some of my experi- ences will heighten awareness of communi- cation as a vital component of dealing with disabled people. Many people, friends and strangers alike have offered me aid in a variety of ways. Without prior communication, they have no way of knowing that their offer may be an aggravation to me, and may depart muttering about my apparent lack of appreciation. A disabled person quickly learns his limi- tations and treasures what limited indepen- dence he may retain. Sometimes a well- intentioned offer of aid may seem like a restriction of decision making ability. My disability resulted in the loss of driving privileges, so I rely on friends and neighbours for transportation. I have been able to express my feelings to few people, but often this situ- ation causes me some stress. My driver- benefactor drops me off near the entrance of a mall or store, then proceeds to the parking lot. When I emerge in my waddling, constipat- ed-duck gait, good intentions lead my driver to enter a driving lane and approach me to reduce the distance I must travel. If traffic builds up behind, I feel pressured, as the cause of the slow down. It is much more com- fortable to walk the extra steps, and enter the car in safety of the parking lot. It is difficult to explain this to people without appearing unappreciative. If you are able to communicate in these situations, much stress can be avoided. Lack of communication has been monu- mental in my case, as my family has aban- doned me for being incorrigibly unapprecia- tive. To end this parable on a musical note, think 10CC "communication is the question to the answer" or you may join me on 2 "Positively 4th St." Trevor Kendell, Hampton The Port Perry Dairy Bar on Water St. as it looked about 1948. More than 50 years later, the structure is still standing, with the cement landing at front now enclosed. It is currently owned by Don Mitchell who runs the Pizza Delight restaurant. At left is the Supertest Garage, owned by Irwin Tripp in the 1940s. Mr. Tripp sold the garage to Robert Archer in 1966; he operated a Pontiac Buick dealership until 1968. Subsequent owners were John Majcher and Bryce Philp, before the building became home to the Waterfront Cafe. Pe Editor's Notepa by Jeff Mitchell AS THE HEADACHE CHURNS The old saw about the exclusive certainty of just two things -- death and taxes -- has been rattling around in my battered cranium this week. It's battered because I've been beating it against a computer monitor, a possible manifestation of | a) befuddlement brought on by writing about taxes b) frustration over the ongoing tax saga, or c) a desperate cry for help from a man who needs to stop thinking about taxes, and be put on medication ...or it could be any number of circumstances. The thing is, when you walk by an open office door and see a man bashing his head against his computer, the best course of action is to continue on, and leave him alone. The death part? Well, they kind of go together, don't they? We're taxed to death, we're bored to death by reports on taxes, if this keeps on we'll wake up dead, etc. Plus it's dying time. Look out the window and what do you see? Dead leaves scuttling up the sidewalk, a bunch of dead corn stalks propped up in the doorway of the optometrist's office, barren trees waving forlorn branches in the cold wind... all dead, all dead. And waiting for a covering of snow to complete the ritual, and cover it all for months to come. But about this tax thing: | guess what's getting my goat is the manner in which it's being handled. The Tories bring in Current Value Assessment, which everyone agrees is a good idea because it will correct tax inequities that have been going on, in some cases, for generations. Well all know there will be a painful transition period for some home and business owners, so local governments adopt schedules that will allow increases for some tax- payers to be phased in over time. No sense mowing down all the participants while you're levelling the playing field, is there? So the tax bills arrive and outrage rings throughout the land, and the province imposes a cap on tax increases. The result is that any tax relief created by the implemen- tation of CVA is eradicated, because of the shortfall created by the cap. Did the province chicken out? Should the region and local municipalities have found ways to keep taxes for businesses from going through the roof? All local business people know is that they're tired of listening to politicians at every level lay blame on one another. They just want some manageable implementation of CVA so they can pay their taxes, like good citizens, and stay in operation. *"Someone... please: If you have the solution, let me know, huh? My forehead hurts. --