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6- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, April 27, 1999 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice " [aera SSO de 188 MARY STREET - PORT PERRY, ONT. - LOL 187 PHONE fa0ey se 985-7383 FAX (905) 9859708 E-Mail: porry.star@s Publications M Mall ail Registrations No. No. 0: 07881 BUSINESS OFFICE Office Mgr.....Gayle Publications Mail Agreement No. 1389068 Subscription Rates: * 1 Year - $37.45 6 Months - $19.79 Foreign - $96.30 Includes $2.45 GST Includes $1.20 GST Includes $6.30 GST = Stapley Accounting...Judy Ashby, Janet Rankin Retail Sales...... Kathy Dudley, Heather Callan, Leslie West (Cha Yocna Member of the Canadian & Ontario Newspaper Assoc. 'Published every Tuesday by the Port Perry Star Co. Lid. - 188 Mary Street - Port Perry, Ont. Publisher... sini J. Peter Hvidsten PRODUCTION ADVERTISING General Manager .... Don Macleod Trudy Empringham, Pam Hickey, Advertising Mgr. .......... Don Macleod Managing Editor..... Jeff Mitchell Rhonda Mulcahy, Robert Taylor, Advertising Sales: Deb McEachem, News Reporters .....Chris Hall Barb Bell, Richard Drew, Ginni Todd, Cindy Jobin, Gail Morse, Freelance - Heather McCrae, John B. McClelland Daryle Wright, Scott Ashby Lee Nowensky Editorial comment Creating a busier future in Scugog It's encouraging to see the municipal agenda becoming busier in Scugog these days.The recent flurry of proposals in front of council comes after a long, dry period in local politics. It felt as though we were the township that time passed by, especially in looking around and seeing the goings-on in neighbouring municipalities. Development proposals, whether you like them or not, are a crucial indicator of a munici- pality's state of being. A vibrant community will be attractive to developers and business people, looking to set up shop in an area that's moving ahead. A municipality in the doldrums attracts nothing, and generates nothing. . Almost everyone seems to agree that Scugog's rural nature is its most attractive attribute, and that it is to be preserved. That is a fine vision, and one we can live with. But a municipality that does not attract and encourage development is not viable. The only way it will sustain itself is through taxing home owners. And they've only got so much to give. That's especially true now, as funding from the province is decreased with regularity. An ongoing debate on these pages has been over municipal services, and how much we're willing to pay for. As time goes on, we will be responsible more and more for paying for the municipally- provided serves we desire. Attitudes toward industrial development have to change in Scugog. We have to realize that if we want to preserve our pleasant rural lifestyle, we must encourage a business community to employ and support residents. Otherwise, we're living in the past. John OTocle is gettin'in shape. WHAT Viveae! NORDITRAC Poe ELECTIONT ELECTIONT nN J] RooPP Yor \ Perry STAR To the Editor: Re: Proposed parking lot at Queen and Rosa Streets I wish to express my objection of the Durham Board of Education's plan to pave over the parkette at Queen and Rosa Streets. After reading the Goddard's letter in your paper (Tuesday, April 13) last week, I too am shocked and disappointed that this proposal was being considered with- out any apparent feedback or input from the community. I am sure the board is within its rights to do as it likes with its own property; however, the property concerned is highly visible and I feel its conversion from Upset over board's parking plan | sss 1 7 green space to pavement will be an unnec- essary detriment to the neighbourhood appearance. I am a relatively new resident of Queen St., living just to the west of Rosa and the high school parkette. Part of my fam- ily's decision to move to Port Perry, specif- ically Queen St., was influenced by the well preserved charm of the town's central area. Queen St. has shown us that a major town thoroughfare can maintain a residential ambiance and a quiet atmo- sphere. Visiting family and guests have often commented on walking this beauti- ful street on route to downtown or for the pleasure of enjoying the historical archi- Please see next page by J. Peter Hvidsten Random Jottings OUR ROADS ARE BEING WATCHED Last summer, a group of area Almost everyday, as drivers, we are confronted with aggressive driving behavior, and although 110 drivers have been reported in the past eight months, it's only a small percentage of those who continue this practice day in, and day out. Unfortunately, as with any volunteer program, Road Watch is faced with the nearly impossible task of keeping the program in the minds of the driving public at all times. Visibility created by placing signs along roadways, posters in public areas and ongoing publicity all help throughout the township, it would be much better if every driver had immediate access to a report form. One suggestion to this end might be for the Road Watch committee to ask the township to mail out a form with the tax bills. In this way, the only cost to get a form into every citizen's hands would be the cost of the report form itself. When the forms are received, drivers could then place them in their cars and have them ready for the next time they are confronted with an aggressive driver. Road Watch is a great program and deserves the residents concerned with an "increase in aggressive driving throughout the township formed a group known as Scugog Road Watch. The program is designed to provide a tool for aver- age citizens to become part of the solution in making local roadways safer for Scugog families. Since it was launched at a special ceremony in Palmer Park in September, the group has received 110 citizen reports identifying aggressive drivers using roadways throughout our township. Reports received by Road Watch include: vehicles running red lights, failure to come to a stop at stop signs, speeding, careless driving and unsafe passing. keep the public aware, but it's not enough. When a reportable incident occurs it's crucial that people have immediate access to the tools with which to lodge a complaint... a citizen report form. For instance, if on your way to work one morning an aggressive driver speeding along the highway causes a near accident by cutting you off, it's at that infuriating moment you are most likely to feel strong enough about the incident to make a report. But, if you're forced to wait an entire day until you return home, then try and find a place to pick up the appropriate citizen report form... chances are you will not bother. While forms and drop off boxes are available full support of the driving public. Far too many lives are lost each year due to careless and aggressive driving, and it's programs like Road Watch that can make a difference. Scugog Road Watch is endorsed by the Durham Regional Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police and the Township of Scugog. If you need further information, or want to pick up a report form, contact one of the above agencies. Your actions now could save your life, or the lives of other Scugog residents. QUOTABLE QUOTE: "As long as you're going to think anyway... you might as well think BIG! Donald Trump tem