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"WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2001 - 7 To the Editor: One of the. deleterious side effects of the horrific events on Sept. || is it has provided a platform for all sorts of people to pontifi- cate their venomous say the U.S. deserved this, they display racist atti- tudes, insulting not just Americans, but anyone who has American roots or friends or relatives. These people ignore that our peace, freedom and pros- perity is in large part due to American sacrifices and generosity. If not for them we would be immensely poorer. When people use this text to blame all the world's problems on reli- gion, they denigrate Jews, Muslims and Christians alike. They overlook the genocidal acts perpetrat- ed by atheistic Nazis and Communists that have impoverished, enslaved and slaughtered tens of millions. They ignore daily acts of theft, violence, rape and murder by indi- viduals that have nothing to do with God or religion but everything to do with human selfishness. And hatred. When individuals terrorist attack as a pre- Don't blame religion for the attacks on America they fail to acknowledge the amazing contributions others have made because of their faith in God, such as ending slav- ery and establishing schools and hospitals. And when people use this tragic event as an excuse to justify their ani- mosity toward religious schools, they engage in fear mongering, impugn- ing the character of both staff and students. They overlook the peace exist- ing between Catholics, Protestants and other reli- gious groups in our coun- try. They conveniently for- get many of the problems plaguing children today are the result of a human- istic philosophy that teaches everyone has the freedom to choose for themselves what is right and wrong. As a result, we have incurable STDs, drug addictions, suicides and Columbine massacres. When people act like this they offend innumer- able people, embarrass our country and disgrace themselves. Thank God they are a minority. Joe Prochazka, ~ Oshawa The movie's free, but call ahead to reserve a spot for the 2 p.m. show Saturday's movie at the library will be the "Great Bear Scare" Library News This Saturday's movie matinee in keeping with October's Halloween theme is "Great Bear Scare." It's almost Halloween in Bearbank and all the bears are afraid that the monsters from nearby monster mountain are planning an invasion. As usual, the movie is free of charge, but call ahead to 905-655-3191 to reserve a spot. Movie runs from 2 to 3 p.m. Also this Saturday, Oct. 20 a program will be offered for children six to eight years from 10 to 11 a.m. Bring in a pumpkin of your choosing and library staff will help you create a spooky face on it. This same Pumpkin Painting 101 pro- gram will be offered to kids aged nine and up the following Saturday, Oct. 27 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. And on Friday, Oct. 19, the library will host the movie "Scooby-Doo: Which Witch is Which" from 2 to 3 p.m. during the school Professional Activity Day in the vil- lage. Legion Stuff Brooklin Legion, Branch 152 will be holding a Halloween Dance on Saturday, Oct. 27. There will be a great prize for the best costume so get your imagination cranked into high gear. Music will be provided by a D.J. and the fun starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person and are available at the legion. There will be an open by Roxanne Reveler Call 905-655-4420 house on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. with live entertainment provided by Tim Hewie. No cover, no admission. Hockey, Hockey, Hockey Finally getting some results from this year's Brooklin Men's Hockey - League. In Oct. 9 action Brooklin Legion and Brooklin Pharmacy skated to a 2- 2 draw. Goals came from Tom Mulcahy and Kevin Ibbitson for Legion and Kevin Antrim and Steve Hicks for the Pharmacy. Four goals from John Fusco powered CIBC to an 8-2 thrashing of Village of Brooklin. John Ormston, Kerr Kingston, Glen 'Hobbs and Steve Smith added to the effort while Dason Lyons and Ken Vipond replied for the Hawks. Foundation Financial edged Brooklin Concrete 3-2 courtesy of markers from Joel Gangemi, Paul Ibbitson and Steve Pidgen. Chris Rabjohn and Dean Bertrim scored for B.C. Steve Pidgen tops the leader board with 14 points (nine goals and five assists) while John Fusco (seven plus three) and Joel Gangemi (five plus five) are tied for second with 10 points a piece. And Foundation Financial Leafs have bragging rights as top team with five wins and no losses or ties. Halloween Dance At Royal Ashburn Golf Club on Friday, Oct. 19 starting at 8 p.m. Prize table for best costumes. A hot and cold buffet and music by a great D.). All for $15 per person. Get tickets at Ashburn General Store or by calling Diane Andrews at 905-655-8043. Yum Yum St. Thomas Anglican Church, Brooklin, will be holding a turkey din- ner on Sunday, Nov. 25. Turkey with all the trimmings and great home made pies for dessert. There will be two sittings - at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for kids under 12. Call the church office at 905-655-3883 for tickets. This is a home style dinner with serving bowls on every table so you can help your- self to what you want. Hmm... Next week, Oct. 22 to 29 is National Block Parent Week. Block Parent is really a misnomer as it is no longer just for kids. A Block Parent sign in a window, means the home is a safe haven for not only kids, but for teens in trouble, perhaps on a bad "date," and even for seniors. Special ceremony held for launching of the Ontario Institute of Technology Getting your free flu shot reduces the strain on our hospitals New Birth Certificates Process Will Improve Our Security The Minister of Consumer and Business Services, the Hon. Norm Sterling, has introduced legislation intend- ed to improve the security of Ontario citizens' birth cer- tificates and other important documents. Effective immediately, a new form for birth certifi- cates will be used. When a person applies for a birth certificate, they will be required to provide additional information and to have the signature of a guarantor. The requirement for a guarantor is similar to the process followed when we apply for passports. Ontarians will be required to report lost, stolen or destroyed birth certificates, so that these documents can be de-activated and do not fall into the wrong hands. There will be larger fines (up to $50,000 and/or jail sentences of up to two years less a day for individ- uals) for willfully providing false information when applying for vital documents. Protecting Our People And Our Province The announcement regarding tighter laws governing birth certificate applications is just one of our initiatives for protecting our province. In view of the devastating events of Sept. 11 and the ongoing campaign against terrorism, it is important that security continues to be a priority. That is why Norman Inkster, retired RCMP Commissioner and retired Major-General Lewis Mackenzie have been appointed provincial security advisors. : We are also establishing a special police unit to track down people who are in Ontario illegally. We will aggressively seek the deportation of criminal offenders. At the same time, your government is working with our federal counterparts to ensure individuals who require high security while awaiting immigration hearings are detained in maximum security installations. To help protect our economy, we are accelerating the timing of personal income, capital and corporate income tax cuts, originally planned for Jan. 1, 2002. We are implementing legislation to make these tax cuts immediately. In addition, Ontario is calling for coordi- nated customs procedures and a common North America security perimeter. Your response to Ontario's security precautions would be appreciated. Please call my Constituency Office at 905-697-1501 or 1-800-661-2433 if you would like to offer comments, ask questions, or share your concerns. Beating the Flu Getting a flu shot not only protects you, it also reduces the strain on our health care system and helps protect your loved ones, friends and co-workers from falling ill this winter. It's important to remember a flu virus changes from year to year, so you need a new shot every year. Free flu shots are once again available in Ontario through your family doctor, workplaces, com- munity health centres, community clinics, or your local hospital. Hunting and Fishing Heritage Act The Province of Ontario is taking steps to introduce legislation that would legally recognize hunting and fishing rights in Ontario. The proposed Heritage Hunting and Fishing Act (if approved by the Ontario Legislature) would also estab- lish the Fish and Wildlife Heritage Commission with advisory responsibilities associated with recreational hunting and fishing. The Commission's duties will include promotion of conservation programs, and the promotion of tourism related to hunting and fishing. Recreational hunting and fishing contributes more than $3.2 billion to the provincial economy annually and supports 30,000 jobs. : Hunters and anglers are also among Ontario's strongest supporters of our natural environment. Please contact my Constituency Office if you would like further details about the Heritage Hunting and Fishing Act. As part of the public consultation process, you are invited to review the act and submit your comments via the Environmental Bill of rights Registry located at www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/env reg/er/registry.htm. (Please call our Constituency Office at 905-697-1501 or 1-800-661-2433 if you would like to provide your input). LCBO Promotes Waste Diversion 'The Liquor Control Board of Ontario will provide $4 million to Ontario municipalities to cover costs of recy- cling alcoholic beverage containers collected in Blue Boxes. In the Region of Durham, this represents funding of $137,793. In announcing the LCBO commitment, Environment Minister Elizabeth Witmer said the funding is an impor- 'tant step towards Ontario's goal of 50 per cent waste reduction. In addition to its recycling program, the LCBO will provide a one-time payment of $1 million to help establish Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO). This not-for-profit organization will develop, implement and fund waste diversion programs across Ontario.