Ontario Community Newspapers

Canadian Statesman (Bowmanville, ON), 23 May 1979, p. 6

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6 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmnanville, May 23, 1979 NUCLEAR SAFETY The controversy over nuclear safety certainly has been heightened since the incident at Three Mile Island ýin Harrisburg, Pennsyl- vania and the release of a motion picture depicting a similar situation. Like al My constituents, I too share their concern- over nuclear safety. However, similar to issues like the seal hunt or capital punishment, judgements made on nuclear power are often done by réflex action or "'gut feelings" rather than careful consideration of the whole subject. Presently, electricity provides 15% of Ontar- io' s energy needs. Two years ago, 38% of this amount was generated by hydraulics (water), 32% by fossil fuel (oul Sam at Quee n's Park and gas) and 30% from nuclear reactors; and the demand for electricity is ever increasing. Our future options are limited, however. Ontario's hydraulic capabilities have now been exhausted. Fossil fuel plants utilizing oiù are becoming uneconomic ai; attri- butai to the quadruplîng of -the price of crude oil by the Middle-East oil cartel since 1973. Coal- f ired generating stations emit large q uantities of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen which may, significantiy alter world climat eby adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Further, with respect ta oul and coal, there is the ever pre sent hazard of oul tankers expioding as was the case recentiy 1in Ireiand where fifty men died. It is estimated that present coal supplies would only 1-st another 70 years if we used nothing else as an energy source. And no one can adequately safeguard against coal mining accidents such as the one in Eastern Canada a few months ago where nine men, died. Although nuclear generating stations are expensive to build, they are .relatively inexpensive to operate. Unlike oul and coal, which must be imported from outside the province or outside Canada, nuclear generating stations. are fuelied by uranium which is mined in Ontario. These factors and the fact that techniques to harness the sun and other renewable energy sources have yet to bte perfected, the Government of Ontario is left with f ew choices for, meeting the increased energy demands of Ontario taxpayers. It is therefore the redponsibility of the Ontario government to provide a balanced perspective on the nuclear power issue. In this respect, an ail- party Select Committee on Hydro Affairs, of which I arn a member, has examined many aspects of electrical g eneration and distribution and will be analyzing the safety considerations of Ontario's nuclear generating program over the summer months. It is evident that the nuclear debate is just beginning. It is difficult, however, flot to agree with the conclusion 'of the World Council of Churches Study Group when they stated: "Pandora's box cannot be closed. We cannot live as though' nuclear power had not, been discovered." I hope everyone enjoyed this past long weekend and that during these lazy, hazy days of summer you wil take extra care in driving. Recent reports from the Ministry- of Transportation and Communications have shown that most accidents are caused by driver's inattention. No one needs a, tragedy in their family. Christmas Seal Day Camp For AsthmatieChildren Has Vacancies Available Registration - for this summer's Christmas Seal Day Camp for Asthmatic Children is now under way, with 38 available vacancies for children aged between 5 and 12 at the Camp Samac facillty. Funded by Durham Region Lung Association, the camp will operate between Monday, July l6th and Friday, July 27th, (weekdays only) and prior registration is essential. Asthmatic children fre- quently miss many ordinary childhood 'pleasures because of their breathing problems, and the main objective of the Christmas Seal Day Camp is to demonstrate that, with only a little extra care, they can participate as fully, in regular summer activities as their non-asthmatic friends. Ahl the usual activities associated with camping wil be offered under tb~e super- vision of five Camp staff and a registered nurse - cookouts, nature trails, water sports, country crafts and a sleep- over night on Thursday, July 26th, wîll ail be included in the Camp experience, which is offered entirely free of 2harge, as another "Christ- mas Seal Service". For more information cal Durham Region Lung Assoc- iation at 723-3151, as soon as possible. Growing Interest in Art By Native Canadians Stone Carver Joseph Jacobs - Photo by Patricia Whetung, Curve Lake, Ontario. The proliferation of visual art now coming from repre- sentatives of the native people in Canada is a phenomenon which continues to amaze and attract international atten- tion. Some analysts speak of a renaissance and others infer that it reflects a resurgence of traditional thinking through- out the entire society only now gaining a measure, of acceptance. From the bold interpretive style of a Morris- seau and the Woodland school of artists to the stark prairie realism of an Allan Sapp, the forms are diverse but the wellsprings continue to flow. A work of gathering interest and current excitement is the exhibit, of stone carvings which will be shown this spring at the Curve Lake Reserve just north of Peter- borough. Joseph Jacobs is a Cayuga Indian who has pro- duced an assembly of power- fui and intricate carvings in steatite stone. Like most of the interpretive paintings of a Carl Ray or the Ojibwa artists of Manitoulin Island, Jacobs (the Iroquois) getothe richness of tribal legends; for is subject and, with the deft touch of a master scuptor, elevates the theme to a form of interest that reaches far beyond the realm of decoration. Surely this new generation of Indians is painting and carving a record that is reaching back to the roots of RENT A RABBIT! $)a Day 71 per kiometre SPECIAL Weekly & monih y RATES AVAILABLE Also 7, 8 &12Passenger BUSES AVAILABLE an almost forgotten heritage. Then, too, they demonstrate 50 vividly just how the Indian perception of reality differs in that it relates all of the phenomena of nature as an integrated whole Modemn man, we are reminded, is only learning to respect this con- cept in the name of ecology. But the symbolism, goes beyond that; it speaks of a spiritual energy which, not only relates the parts, but possesses sacred powers. Stone would appear to be a hard and formidable substance to work, but in the realm of Indian spirituality it is a part of the cosmic whole that lends strength and ability to if e itself.1 The continuity of line, the rythm and the motion that Jacobs is able to portray in the oerminence of stone is truly remarkable. In past years, Canadians have been slow to recognize the intrinsic depth of interest in Indian art forms, tending to pass them over as "quaint" or "9primitive". But the impact that. is now being feit in international art circles is being reflected in the sub- stantial prices that are cur- rently being paid in England, Germany or Japan for a Morrisseau, an Allan Sapp or a Benjamin Chee Chee. A local phoenix is arising and could be preparing to take flight. The showing of the Joseph Jacobs carvings, previously mentioned, will take place at the Whetung Gallery at the Curve Lake Reserve and will open May 12, continuing to June 10 including Saturdays and Sundays. And, in addition to the showing, works of established native artists such as Daphne Odjig, Arthur Shilling, Blake Debassige, Shirley Cheechoo, James Simon and Clement Wescoupe will be shown. Joseph Jacobs, a shy and humble man, is quite at home when discussing the inner meanings of his work and will be at the Gallery on weekends to meet visitors. And it is altogether appropriate that the Indian setting at Curve Lake should have been chosen for the event. _____-7-MCHLARG-Ex NOW YOU CAN USE EITHER KING STREET WEST fl~-ITICHARGEX OR STEDMAN CHARLHT Li CHARGE CA'RD D WMAN VILLE STEDMA

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