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"A Family Tradition for 134 Years" The Pout Revey Stay Question of the Week... With a steady increase in the town- ship's population, do you think Scugog could use full-time staff at the local fire departments? Do you have a suggestion that you think would make a good question of the week ? Call us at 905-985-7383. Amy Holmes Definitely. There seems to be a lot of fire calls around here and it would probably be better to have fulltime firefighters standing by than volun- teers at their workplace. Laural Griffen Yes, it seems like they're getting lots of calls these days. It's a big committ- ment on a volunteer basis and these people must have very understanding employers and family. Doug Tobin Yes, I think it would be good to have at least some firefighters around all the time. It would cut down response times if they didn't have to come from somewhere else. wr Marilyn Milgure We rely and depend on a good fire department, and, with our growth, we definitely need one here. | think it would also increase the response time when they're called. Judy Smith Yes. There is an increase in population and most firefighters have to leave work to get to the Fire Hall. It would be good to have at least some full- time staff. LETTERS Beginning of the end for Festival Days? To the Editor: As past chair and co-chairman of Western Weekend (the predecessor of Festival Days) from its beginning in 1972 until 1983, I feel I must comment on the moving of the event to the fairgrounds in Port Perry. After the success of Port Perry's Centennial events in 1971, the Chamber of Commerce decided to have an annual summer festival to attract people to the area to enjoy our business section and our beautiful town. It was a source of revenue for the Chamber to offset costs of the organization and to help pay for other events, such as the Santa Claus Parade. It was a source of some revenue for the different groups and organizations in the area as well as they set up games of chance, snack booths, held dances or other events downtown. The Chamber did not charge rental for space on the main street to encourage more participation, which in turn attracted more people to the festivities and contributed to the success of the whole event. It was a time when everyone cooperated and had a good time. The municipality also cooperated by allowing the blocking off and the use of the main street and the park. For many years Western Weekend and sub- sequently Festival Days enjoyed the services of Albion Amusements for the midway. The com- pany was always professional in its business dealings and a quick set-up and thorough clean-up was part of their service. With the exception of the dances at the arena, everything was held within the downtown core area. I strongly disagree with council's decision to disallow the midway in the park. To have the midway and whatever else at the fairgrounds would fragment the whole festival, and defeat the purpose of the event. I believe the parks in town are for the use of the people, and the majority of the people in this area only use the park for community events such as the Canada Day fireworks, Aquarama, fishing tournaments and Festival Days. Further, I believe that the $10,000 bond that Albion Amusements is willing to put up is more than adequate to replace every blade of grass that may or may not be damaged. I'm not opposed to change, but only in a pos- itive nature, and I believe this change may be the beginning of the end of Festival Days. Richard Drew, Port Perry by Jeff Mitchell ANOTHER CONSTITUTIONAL LETDOWN What a bitter, bitter disappointment. And when we were so close, too. The Prime Minister, what's his name -- right, Chretien -- comes up with the best idea he's probably ever had: Offering to drop constitutional talk altogether if Le Chef Du Quebec, Lucien Bouchard, will just for criminy sakes knock it off with referendum blather for a spell... and, well, Bouchard says No dice. Actually, it was: "Mais non! Pas de dice!" For a brief, blissful moment, Canadians imagined life without constitutional nonsense continually cluttering the news. It was as if the jackhammer that had blasted away outside the window all summer was about to be turned off. But no. So, action on child poverty, the preservation of public health care, and aid for beleaguered farmers will have to wait for a while yet, folks. We simply must move this separation thing to the top of the agenda once again, even though there's no refer- endum planned and, it would appear, next to no desire among the people of Quebec to start the whole tedious dance all over again. | suggest we capitulate, and embark on a campaign of utter appeasement toward Quebec, if they can ever figure out what the hell it is they want, besides increased federal transfer pay- ments, full infrastructure funding, and independence from the yoke of Anglo oppression. We must all make sacrifices. | for one promise not to refer to Bouchard as a pompous, duplicitous gasbag anymore, if that will help. You know those school penny drives? Which see little ones contribute so sweetly the few cents they can muster toward good causes? Send 'em to Quebec. You know, as kind of a goodwill gesture. Let's send the kids out with UNICEF boxes on Halloween, with the proceeds going to Quebec. Let's admit we got a little hot-headed with that whole Plains of Abraham thing, and say we wish we could take it all back. The Olympics. What does Toronto need with the Olympics? Let's hold them in Riviere-Du-Loup. We'll trade them straight up: The Leafs for the Habs. Let's just shower Quebec with love and gifts, like a disadvan- taged suitor who's looking for a long-term arrangement. Let's get hitched again. Let's go on a second honeymoon, and treat Quebec to the finest, plushest bridal suite in all of Niagara Falls, with the free bottle of champagne and everything. And if that doesn't work, well, let's just rename the whole darn country Quebec, enact silly sign laws, and fill the airwaves with ridiculous TV game shows, around the clock. Any dissenters we'll label racist imbeciles, and banish them to Saskatchewan, or if it's cheaper, Bracebridge. Those who would question the integrity of this union we would brand traitors. And then, everybody should be happy, right?