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6- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, July 6, 1999 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice' ' 188 MARY STREET - PORT PERRY, ONT. - LoL 1B7 PHONE (905) 985-7383 FAX (905) 985-3708 E-Mall: port.perry.star@sympatico.ca Publications Mall Registrations No. 07881 BUSINESS OFFICE EDITORIAL: Publisher.................J. Publications Mall Agreement No. 1389068 v Subscription Rates: 1 Year - $37.46 6 Months - $19.79 Foreign - $96.30 Jncludes $245 GST Includes $1.29 GST Includes $6.30 GST Editorial comment The debate on idle youth The back-and-forth exchange of thoughts -- and sometimes barbs -- on the issue of young people, and the"; way in which they're regarded by their elders, provides for an almost constant dialogue in this paper. We often hear and receive words of praise from folks who've been impressed by the efforts and accomplishments of youth. When people have been helped out when.in distress, or treated to a community program, or have just been treated with kindness and respect, the experience stays with them, and some like to share it. | We also hear, all too often, from people who are disappointed and even frightened by the young people they encounter. They are the ones who have been victims of vandalism, loi- tering and verbal abuse. which does occur, whether we like to admit'it or not. The occasional differences of opinion that spring up are nothing new. Young people and their elders will always disagree; it's all a matter of perspective. Once again, debate and the exchange of ideas are good things; but when participants are flippant, or wrongly assign responsibility for problems, the discussion can become rancourous. Such is the case in the wake of a letter we ran last week, in which a young woman sug- gested that vandalism and other forms of dis- ruptive behaviour would lessen if the community were to give kids something to do. While it's true idle hands can find trouble more easily than busy ones, there is a limit to what a municipality or a community can do to occupy young people. It's ultimately up to the kids to find fun, in a way that causes no harm to others. Office Mgr.....Gayle Stapley Accounting... Judy Ashby, Janet Rankin Retall Sales.......Kathy Dudley, Heather Callan, Leslie West General Manager... Don MacLeod Managing Editor..... Jeff Mitchell News Reporters .....Chris Hall Freelance - Heather McCrae, John B. McClelland [@n pocna * Member of the Canadian & Ontario Newspaper Assoc. Published every Tuesday by the Port Perry Star Co. Ltd. - Peter Hvidsten ~_ PRODUCTION Trudy Empringham, Pam Hickey, Rhonda Mulcahy, Robert Taylor, Barb Bell, Richard Drew, Daryle Wright, Scott Ashby 188 Mary Street - Port Perry, Onl. ADVERTISING : Advertising Mgr. .......... Don MacLeod Advertising Sales: Deb McEachem, Ginni Todd, Cindy Jobin, Gail Morse, Lee Nowensky Fre sh from their Success mn Kosovo, return to clean up Blackstock... our tlyboys A\ \} A \ SERA Wl N WN 3 rc r ---- - ~ - ( sii aR gi Letter showed a lack of To the Editor: Kasey Briley has obviously suffered dur- ing the last 10 of her young 18 years. Being forced to live in such a diminutive town like Port Perry by uncaring parents. (Forget the curfew; give kids something to do, Letters, June 29) Her lack of respect and caring for others, especially our seniors is quite disturbing. She apparently hasn't felt the terror or pain and suffering recently inflicted on our seniors by some local young criminals that 'she likes to refer to as "older children, teenagers and young adults" making their own fun. Some fun! Where are the parents? People living in Canada have a right to reside anywhere they want, be it in a seniors' a a A EAR Ss i % respect apartment or your parent's home. Canada has laws for everyone to obey and abide by, whether you are bored or not. Many young people and adults before you,have survived without breaking the law and creating a living hell for others. I really think Miss Briley should leave Port Perry just as fast as she can and move to Toronto or other such high density areas where I'm sure her attitude and way of thinking will make for a very fulfilling life. Grow up. Respect and appreciate the quality of life you have been blessed with here in Port Perry, a life many just dream of. You don't know what you've got until you don't have it. 5% Emerson Finn, Port Perry by J. Peter Hvidsten Random Jottings 'GOOD KIDS, GOOD TEACHERS Wh i " "4, { 7 i " TX 45d bi aE il ih delighted after attending my son's Grade 8 graduation ceremony at S.A. Cawker last week to find my faith in our young people has been restored. this community than there are bad ones. the attractively decorated auditorium. In fact; we were over an hour early, as the information that filtered home with our son indicated a starting time about half an hour earlier. filled with proud family members, teachers, and of We read and hear so much "bad news" about our youth today. | was Quite simply, there are a whole lot more good kids in Our family arrived early in order to procure a seat in By the time the program commenced, the room was phoses, shedding their jeans, t-shirts, and running shoes in favour of dresses, jackets, ties and polished shoes. "It was a truly spectacular sight, seeing close to 100 teens turn into young adults before our very eyes. As the ceremony progressed the température in the 'auditorium soared, adding nicely to the jungle theme in which the room had been decorated. In fact, the heat became so intense, the cement floor turned wet and greasy from the humidity. But despite the heat, the ceremony went off smooth- ly, and it was wonderful to witness the genuine affec- tion and admiration between students and teachers. And speaking of teachers, there was a solid turnout of obviously proud, happy educators on hand to see their students graduate. Teachers who emotionally praised and embraced many of the students receiving -awards for their achievements. It was equally gratifying to hear some of the gradu- ates, in particular the two valedictorians, thank their teachers for the guidance public school years. Over the past few years there has been a lot of neg- ative publicity regarding schools and teachers, but the dedication of the teachers we've come to know at S.A. and leadership through their them has been a extremely positive, and we thank every teacher who provided extra help and support for our son along the way to his graduation. He couldn't have done it without the perseverance and dedication of some wonderful teachers. It's truly unfortunate, that just as teens who get into trouble tend to tarnish the reputation of "all teens"... the actions of a few militant educators can often have a devastating effect on the reputation of "all teachers." It isn't fair.... it's just the way it is! Thankfully, we have more than our share of teach- ers in Scugog who are totally dedicated to their profes- sion and their students. it's always sad to say goodbye, but as time marches on it's inevitable that chenges will take place in the business community. | The past couple of weeks we've seen two of Port Perry's older businesses sold: Van Camp Contracting and Emiel's Place Restaurant. Glenn, Donna and Bill Van Camp have operated their contracting business more than four decades, while Kathy and Emiel Kroonenberg have been in town for almost 30 years. We extend our best wishes to both families and look SAYING GOODBYE course the graduates, who had performed a metamor- Cawker can not be questioned. Our experience with forward to seeing them around town for years to come.