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6- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, December 1, 1998 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" BUSINESS OFFICE Member of the Canadian & Ontario Newspaper Assoc. Office Mgr. ........................ Gayle Stapley p Tuesdav by th a Accounting.......Judy Ashby, Janet Rankin | CN A OCIa P gy op 2 ey hula 188 MARY STREET - PORT PERRY, ONT. - L9L 187 Retail Sales......Kathy Dudley, Heather Callan 188 Mary Street - Port Perry, Ont. y 88 Mary fy, PHONE (905) 985-7383 FAX (905) 985-3708 EDITORIAL ADVERTISING E-Mail: port.perry.star@s tico. : Publications Mail Registrations a 581 } Publisher ssassccsncnccsees J. Peter Hvidsten PRODUCTION Advertising Mgr. evenreees Don Macleod General Manager ....Don Macleod Managing Editor .....Jeff Mitchell News Reporters .....Chris Hall Freelance - Heather McCrae, John B. McClelland Trudy Empringham, Pam Hickey, Advertising Sales: Deb McEachern, Rhonda Mulcahy, Robert Taylor, Barb Ginnj Todd, Laurie Thompson, Cindy Jobin, Bell, Richard Drew, Daryle Wright Gail Morse Publications Mail Agreement No. 1389068 Subscription Rates: 1 Year - $32.10 6 Months - $17.65 Foreign - $90.95 Includes $2.10 GST Includes $1.15 GST Includes $5.95 GST Farmers need ald package now It is up to the federal government to move quickly on formulating and announcing an emergency funding package for Canada's farm- . ALL WE NEED NOW IS 42 MORE SA VERICLES) ers. SES Extraordinary times call for extraordinary 9 pL AAR measures, and these times qualify. The industry \ > (= and government have determined that ongoing SSS subsidies are not of benefit to agriculture in Ontario. But the aid package being discussed now is something quite different: it will be a measure aimed at helping farmers survive extremely trying times. Inthe West, grain farmers are being clobbered by dropping prices. Here and elsewhere, hog farmers have seen the prices their product fetches on the market sink to levels that are being described as the worst since the Great £5 Depression. That's a heavy statement. And farmers are "not an alarmist lot; they are used to tough times, and even budget for them. Their markets ebb and flow. So when you have representatives stating that they are in the midst of a crisis that could have a lasting, debilitating effect on the industry, Nd - WS % & A\ RN N\ 2 2 w 224 7 "i » = | Canada Post targeting franchises To the Editor make it difficult for the owners to survive. it means something. Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief and his col- leagues in the Liberal caucus must first act quickly on an announcement of emergency funding, so farmers can make the arrangements necessary to stay in business. Then there has to be a fair and effective means of disbursement for the funds, to ensure that help is going where it's needed most. Maybe it's more evident here that agriculture Is the basis of the local economy than itis in Ottawa. If need be, we and our MP have to send the message. ture on Dec.1. for most outlets. I believe that the Government of Canada is conspiring with Canada Post to drive postal franchises out of business by imple- menting a proposed new commission struc- The proposed changes will mean a 71 percent reduction on stamp sales. Stamps represent over 50 percent of sales by volume As for the consumer, they are once again at the mercy of the government and Canada Post. They may expect mail disruptions and lack of service as these outlets are forced to close. I believe that the Government of Canada is an accessory to Canada Post's deceptive practices. Canada Post signed contracts with franchisees and businesses were set up based on that contract. Now Canada Post is changing the commission structure in a manner that will cause most franchises to lose money. The profits of these small business people, who signed contracts in good faith, are being plundered. Werner Schmidt, MP 1al Opposition Critic for Canada The change in fee structure is effective immediately with no regard for the existing contract. Many outlets have incurred debts in setting up their businesses. They reason- ably believed they had a contract. They had no way of knowing the Corporation would covet their earnings and try to change the rules. Unexpected reductions in revenue Offic Random Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten IS TEEN VIOLENCE ON THE INCREASE? Details from a recent police report about a 13-year-old ele- mentary school girl being attacked by a group of young teens were disturbing to say the least. The assault apparently started with a scuffle and verbal attacks, progressing to more serious punch- ing and kicking of the victim. The incident, all too common in larger centers, allegedly happened right here in Port Perry. A letter to the editor on the following page, from the victim's godmother, explains in detail how the young girl was surrounded by a group of students chanting "fight, fight, fight", then had her feet kicked out from under her by one of the male spectators. be found along the entire parade route, and kids usually found bundled in warm snowsuits and toques wrapped with scarves sat waiting in anticipa- tion with bare heads and their jackets open. But it isn't the weather that makes the annual parade such a crowd pleaser, it's the sight of jolly old Santa himself, perched high atop his sleigh, waving and welcoming the kids. And this year Santa came on a much needed refurbished float, led by his eight tiny reindeer in a sleigh stuffed with wrapped gifts. Congratulations to the Chamber of Commerce for their efforts in organizing another great parade. The floats, bands, clowns and characters delighted the youngsters from start to end, marking the start of the Christmas season in Port Perry. Just remember, there's only three more weeks Two 14 year-old girls have been charged in the incident. In recent years this type of scene has played out far too often, especially in urban centres, but it makes us wonder what's happening to cause young teens to turn to violence. Confrontation is not new to our society, but the crimes committed by youth seem to be on the increase, and are becoming more violent. The answer may not be as simple as a lack of respect for sogiety or authority, but | sense this could be the root of the problem. Many of today's youth simply have not been disciplined in the art of what's right' and 'wrong'. Our authority figures -- parents, teachers and police -- have lost their ability to punish youthful offenders adequately, for fear of trampling their until Christmas. rights'. But what about the rights of the victims? STILL LOOKING It's a sad commentary when a small, compassion- Ever heard of Neil Sweetman or James Lucas? ate community like ours begins to experience violent Both men were Port Perry Reeves back in the incidents such as these. 1920s. To date we've been unable to find a photo of SANTA ARRIVED either man, but would like them for our records. Santa arrived in Port Perry last Saturday after- If you have a photo of Mr. Sweetman or Mr. noon amid temperatures more closely resemblinga Lucas, or know someone who might, please have warm fall day than winter. Not a flake of snow was to them contact me at the Star... 985-7383.