CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION CANADIAN CIRCULATIONS AUDIT BOARD 25,500 COPIES DELIVERED WEEKLY Published every Wednesday by 677209 Ontario InC. Box 206, 131 Brock St. N., Whitby, Ontario L1 N 5S1 Phone: 668-6111 Toronto Line: 427-1834 Fax: 668-0594 Doug Anderson - Publisher Maurice Pifher - Editor Alexandra Martin - Production Manager Printed on newsprint with minimum 20% 41: recycled content using vegetable based inks. Environmental terrorism To the EdItor: I believe in the environment, to save and improve t for the good of ourselves and our children; to keep an open mind on aIl environmental concerns but not be frightened, scared and worried by environ- mental terrorism with exaggerated truths, the twisting of words, the false claims and the untruths from environmental terrorists. As Canadians, we have our Candu nuclear reators that are the safest built and operated in the world. Any project Ontario Hydro undertakes is environmentally assessed, and yet they are still heavily criticized. If ail companies had to have environmental assessment, how much better the environment would be today. Environmental terrorists criticize, but what about praise for the good environmental deeds. Would that not be positive and thus encourage more good deeds? Will we ever see environmental groups make statements such as, "Weil done, Ontario Hydro, on your Social skate To the Editor: More than 150 people skated away the winter blues recently at Wheelies Family Roller Centre at a social event for volunteer and client families. Poppy, Ollie and Topper, Shrine clowns, were back again this year by popular req uest. Our public thanks to them and the sponsors who helped make the evening memorable. Community support backed by families helpind families fufil our slogan of 'Together We're Stronger.' Mary L Wilson Co-ordinator of volunteer services Durham AssocIatIon for Family Respite Services emissions controls releasing only one per cent of the federal limits at nuclear stations, improvements in emissions from thérmal plants, energy conservation programs, or reduction in waste to landfill sites." And there's lots more. We ail need environmental groups for the good of the environment -- but not terrorism. Wili Luchford Whitby Heartfelt thanks To the Editor: The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, Durham Region, would like to say thank you te all canvassers who worked se hard on the 1993 'Persen- to-Person' campaign this past February. Thanks are aIso due te ail contributors who have given us their support. t is gratifying te know that we had numerous dedicated and loyal volunteers who did not mind braving the winter winds for a very worthy cause. Heart disease and stroke is Canada number one killer. t claims more lives each year than other diseases combined. Not long ago, Canadians had a 50 per cent change of dying from heart disease and stroke. Now the odds have improved. This has been made possible, in large part, through the foundation's research and heath promotion. We have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go. Our success in combatting this deadly disease is undoubtedly owed te people with 'heart' such as our canvassers and our supporters. Without their invaluable help, the task would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible. For a strong heart ... our heartfelt thanks. Anne Capon Area co-ordinator Durham East The Whitby Free Press welcomes letters to the editor on any subject of concem to our readers. Letters should be briet and to the point - rarely more than 300 words. Al letters must be acompanied by the name, address and telephone number of the writer. However, on request, your name may be withheld from publication if we agree there is a valid reason. The newspaper reserves the right to reject or edit all letters. Send to: The Editor, Whitby Free Press, Box 206, Whitby. Ont. LiN 5S1, or drop through our mail slot at 131 Brock St. N. So th ei o r.S More than a 'drinking place' To the Editor: A good number of the general public, it has been heard, think that the Royal Canadian Legion is just a "drinking place," nothing else, no more and no less. Of course, we as Legion members, and anyone who is knowledgeable about the Legion, will tell you that nothing is further from the truth. The Royal Canadian Legion Ls a fine, reputable and charitable organization that can be found in nearly ail cities and towns in Canada -- 1,800 to be exact. The Legion has performed admirably in serving war veterans and in supporting the various local health foundations and institutions, youth and elderly groups, minor sports and school activities. Some organizations that the Legion has helped annually are local hospitals, the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Alzheimers Society, Kidney Foundation, March of Dime, minor baseball, minor hockey, girls' softball, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, old folks' homes (such as Fairview Lodge), St. John Ambulance, Salvation Army and many other groups too numerous to mention. The Legion also provides scholarships and bursaries to students in high schools and universities. The average a;nnual donations by Legion Branch 112 in Whitby is about $75,000, not a small amount considering that ail funds are derived from poppy sales during the Remembrance Day period and Nevada lottery draws. In 1993, Whitby Legion has pledged a donation of $73,000 to the Whitby General Hospital, an amount that will be made in several payments. As for providing assistance to war veterans, the Legion helps vets in obtaining financial aid, where possible, and other information from DVA in matters relating to vet treatment entitlements, disability pensions and widow alowances. Veterans who are hospitalized and in seniors' homes are visited regularly. Veterans who require medical such as wheelchairs, crutches and other physical aids are looked after as much as possible. Any veteran who passes away and who is destitute will be taken care of by the Legion or DVA in providing a funeral service and a free plot. The Legion also provides a 'Legion service' to any passing veteran if a request is made by the next of kin. Anyone who has attended one of these services will find this tribute most respectful and honouring to the passing comrade. Yes, the Legion does serve alcoholic drinks, but it also serves non-alcoholic beverages, as well as light lunches -- just like any other private club would provide. These provisions are there for members to enjoy while they play cards or darts or just to wile away their time in relaxation and comradeship. Since many veterans are now pensioners and do not have families or are by themselves, what a better place for them to enjoy a bit of relaxation and comradeship? In the final analysis, those who still think the Legion is just a "drinking place" should join the Legion and find out for themselves. It is a certainty that they will discover that the Royal Canadian Legion is a fine and respected charitable organization. To the Editor: I recently received from the federal government, through my MP, a copy of the 1993 Estimates, Part Il; The Main Estimates. This book gives out, in general, information on which the government will base its spending for the 1993-94 fiscal year. I have finished a study of these estimates after enuring my old-fashioned mind to the magnitude of the sums of your money and mine that I was reading. As one who can remember when the casuai statement by a cabinet minister, "What's a million," was instrumental in the defeat of his goverment, billions leave me gasping. The government intends to spend over $161 billion during the next year. Included in this sum is the figure of over $39 billion in debt costs. Although nothing with respect to revenues is included in these estimates, it is my belief that the revenues are expected to fall short of the $161 billion by some $25 billion or more, which the government intends to borrow. It has been the tendency of the government to say that, because of the debt financing, they are required to borrow. My study of the estimates indicates that, in fact, they are giving aw'.y so much of your money and mine that they could reduce greatly the necessary borrowing if they had the intestinal fortitude. Approximatley $14.4 billion are given away as grants and contributions, and this does not include the huge transfers to provincial and territorial governments for education, health, etc. I do not have enough information to really evaluate all of these giveaways in the manner that they deserve but, to me, it seems we are borrowing to give away. Can't the people we are being so kind to go to the banks or something. Remember New Zw'ealand. Think about what we are doing to our grandkids' futures. The study also poses some questions. If, as it shows, we are sending about $3 billion to groups such as native affairs, what the devil is happening to it? Is the CBC worth over $1 billion for what it does for Canada? How much is it watched and by whom? Can we afford to send more than $2 billion to third world count ries and to help those with debt problems? We have some, too. One item that amazed me was the amount of money set aside to pay interest on and guarantee student loans -- $489 million. Wowl Something else that .scares me. The estimates were very general. What boon-doggies, such as those brought to light by the National Citizens' Coalition in their study of the giveaways a year or so ago, can be found in today's estimates? The citizens of Canada must wake up and look into what their taxes are being used for. Do we need to spend $77 million on fitness and amateur sports, $82 million on the National Film Board, more than $1 billion for farm insurance and loans, $296 million on Hibernia. etc.? The people of Canada must start to get after all their members of all their governments. Stop useless spending and giveaways. We don't have much longer before the international bankers pull the plug on Canada and then we will do it the hard way. Not the way we want, but how they tell us. W.J. Galger Whitby 'la~è hi erhJr- a pft'~1993 The only Newspaper owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents! MEMBER OF: i- ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION CNA DIVISION Left gasping CCNA