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4 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc. December m l.QRfi Section Two Ebe Canabtan Statesman 623-3303 Durham County's Crest Family Journal Established 132 years ago In 1854. Also Incorporating The Bowman ville Hews The Newcastle Independent The Orono News Second class mall registration number 1561 Produced every Wednesday by THE JAMES PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED 62-66 King SL W., Bowmapville, Ontarto L1C 3K9 JOHN M. JAMES Editor--Publisher GEO. P. MORRIS Business Mgr. RICHARD A. JAMES Assistant Publisher BRIAN PURDY Advertising Mgr. PETER PARROTT Associate Editor DONALD BISHOP Plant Mgr All layouts and composition of advertisements produced by the employees of The Canadian Statesman, The Newcastle Independent and The James Publishing Company Limited are protected by copyright and must not be reproduced without permission of the publishers. foreign--$55.00 a year $17.00 a year--6 months $9.00 strictly In advance Although every precaution will be taken to avoid error, The Canadian Statesman accepts advertising in its columns on the understanding that it will not be liable lor any error in the advertisement published hereunder unless a proof of such advertisement I; requested in writing by the advertiser and returned to The Canadian Statesman business office duly signed by the advertiser and with such error or corrections plainly noted in writing thereon, and in that case if any error so noted is not corrected by The Canadian Statesman its liability shall not exceed such-a portion oi the entire cost of such advertisement as the space occupied by the noted error bears to the whole space occupied by such advertisement. By Way of Explanation Aside from an item of abstract art hanging in a large gallery, we doubt that anything attracts more comments comments than does the local newspaper. "" Most of them are aimed at the general general topic of what gets in the paper. : - Or, as is frequently the case, the comments comments are ones concerning the ques- ; tion of why some things are left out :, of the newspaper. ' Let us attempt to explain. ." .v News is not a commodity in short ;• . supply, ; The problem, to put it briefly, is, - ' this: We have no real difficulty find ing material to put in the paper. The : hard part is deciding what to leave ; out. In any given day, we probably receive receive about five pounds of unsol- i icited news releases in our mailbox. : All of the writers expect their material material is important enbugh to rate a • space in our news columns. That's - why they have gone to the trouble of Y 'v purchasing postage and writing their ' " articles. Some of this goes im- ..mediately to the waste basket be- ; cause it relates to topics such as the annual meeting of the "Iowa White .. ' Bean Producers! Association". And . then there are thè occasional epistles from persons claiming to have been kidnapped by a flying saucer in the Bermuda triangle. This also takes a direct route to the "circular file". ! Of course, much of the material in : ; the mails is of definite interest to this ■ community. There are various social ■ write-ups, sports, school news, ag- Tyl riculture reports, etc. So a few "^pound's of copy becomes grist for the S ."mill. ■ " .-"n Then ; there are the news reports .from qur own staff. They must; wâdë ^ through reams of information each day in order to write their stories. , Take, for example, a single council meeting. If we assume that an individual speaks at a rate of 100 words per minute. minute. And if we assume that an average average council session lasts four hours, then it's a safe bet that 24,000 words are exchanged in the process of one four-hour session. \ Let's say that a typical council meeting uses 24,000 words. A full-'. . ■■':' length novel contains between 75,000 and 100,000 words. So recording coun- , cil or committee musings verbatum would require the publication each week of enough words to fill one-third : of a novel. But, on the other hand, a long news ; story is around 1,000 words. Perhaps you see our point. The dif- ficult task of the reporter is to boil down a vast amount of information V into a small space. Oh yes, he or she must also endeavor to keep the story not only informative and accurate but also interesting. After all, what's the • point of a story which is utterly accurate accurate but so dull that nobody will read past the first nine words? But, even after all the staff stories have been written, there's still the necessity of fitting them into a page in me newspaper. Keep in mind that the material written by ourselves must compete with the other "good stuff' written by the schools, churches, sports teams, community correspondents, etc. We have not yet mentioned the subject subject of photographs. But suffice it to say that "our darkroom is full of them. We take pride in the fact that we have not turned away any appropriate photo request delivered to us with reasonable notice. But this means a hefty number of photos are competing competing with the sports, news, features, and all the other things listed above. We've checked our photo output for just last week and discovered the following: following: In the Thursday, Decembers, edition of the Toronto Sun, there were a total of 80 news-related photos. Our own three papers produced for Bowmanville-Newcastle, Port Hope and Cobourg that week contained 62 news photos. (Not to mention about three dozen ad photos.) In other words, we create three- quarters of the numbers of news photos that might be found in the Toronto Toronto Sun. And you may rest assured . that we do it with a much smaller staff and without access to worldwide photo wires which can literally allow a large daily to draw photos from the entire world. We'll skip the subject of technical limitations imposed on newspapers including topics such as "Why you can't add just one more page to a paper". And we'll note only briefly the fact that, news is a seasonal commodity. , Wfiilé'ttierë is always a brisk supply, ' it Hits all-time peaks around the fqll anSispring. And, as with most busi- - nesses, the Christmas season is about the most hectic of all. In short, it's not surprising that our readers may discover that something has been left out of the newspaper. There is literally one entire world from which to draw information and perhaps 36 pages in which to contain a week's edition. Something may have been overlooked. But if it has,-it's due to the practical reasons such as deadlines, and space requirements. It would, perhaps, be possible to publish everything we were asked to publish and even to print all of that information in the lengths that some members of the public may feel it deserves. deserves. But the resulting publication wouldn't resemble anything like our weekly papers. It would be more like The Complete Oxford Dictionary. It would be delivered by a truck and crane and it would cost a fortune. In short, it wouldn't work. So please bear with us as we try to stay ahead of the avalanche of news which rumbles across our desks each day. And we can take some consolation in thé fact that the amount of material we have to choose from is evidence of a growing and vital community. We really wouldn't want it any other way. to the Editor Dear Sir, BACK FOR '87 Georgetown, Ontario, High School is celebrating its 100th anniversary on July 3,4, and 5,1987. All former staff and students students are cordially invited to help celebrate the anniversary, anniversary, to reminisce, and to enjoy the festivities planned. planned. Registration brochures are already in the mail. If you haven'^ received one, or if you" need further "information "information about ; the Reunion plans, please contact: Tom Beer, P.O. Box 1887; Georgetown, Ontario, L7G 4T1 OR Phone: (416) 877- 6966 (day) or (416) 877-4740 (evenings). We hope to see you in Georgetown on July 3,4, and 5,1987! Yours truly, J. Ruddell, G.D.H.S. Reunion Committee Committee United Way Goes Over Top The United Way organizers, canvassers, canvassers, and general volunteers could hardly have received a better Christmas present. Last week's announcement that the 1986 United Way goal of $2.15 million had been exceeded is good news for everyone. It's good news for the organizers in the communities of Oshawa, Whitby, and Newcastle because it proves that their efforts have been well-rewarded. well-rewarded. Operating a United Way campaign is no easy task and it's done chiefly by volunteers who take time out of busy schedules to see that the work gets done. Perhaps the best way to thank the volunteers is to provide them with the funds they need to meet the United Way objective. It's truly the biggest vote of appreciation that the United Way participants could ask for. But the United Way's success is by no means a victory for fund-raisers alone. It's also a victory for every one of the 42 United Way agencies in our three communities and for each of the clients they serve. And, of course, the list of winners does not stop there. Every contributor to this year's campaign has the satisfaction of knowing that his or her donation will be divided among the many agencies that require funding. And each donor has felt the joy of sharing his or her good fortune with others. The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, P.C, The Prime Minister of Canada Canada The House of Commons Ottawa, Canada K1A 0A6 Dear Mr. Prime Minister: I am aware that the Federal Federal Government has appointed appointed Dr. James McTag- gart-Cowan to head up a Task Force to study the issue of low level radioca- tive waste and to find a permanent permanent waste disposal site for this waste which is buried at Port Granby, in our Municipality. This dump site at Port Granby is on Lake Ontario. The present water levels are high in Lake Ontario and are expected to go higher over the next few years. Residents in the Port Granby area advise that these radioactive materials are already leaching into the Lake, and I believe that the situation will deteriorate deteriorate in the future. Although the Task Force will be created, it still does not alleviate the existing problem. We do not know the urgency of the situation and the high water levels have to be addressed. I believe that a Municipality Municipality should do whatever is necessary to alert the people about dangers which might affect the health, safely and comfort of any individual. Yours very truly, John Winters Mayor, The Corporation of The Town of Newcastle Students Could Be Influenced And, finally, wc heard the other day of a school board official in Toronto who argues that teachers should think twice before they take students on a visit to the Ontario Legislature. He suggests that the heckling, name-calling, and general mayhem which is sometimes seen in the Legislature Legislature should not be witnessed by students. students. We suspect that he fears the lack of discipline in the Provincial House may be repeated by the students when they return to the classroom. And, although it may be all right for the provincial parliament to act like a class of 10-year-olds, wc can't have a class of 10-ycar-olds acting like MPPs, can wc? The school official is quite right. Maybe the teachers and parents should be more careful over where their kids kill time. The only thing the Toronto school official didn't suggest was the possibility possibility of the kids trading places with the legislators. Undoubtedly wc would have a better-behaved better-behaved Legislature. And, who knows, wc might even have better legislation. Dear John, It has been sometime since I last wrote a letter to you so as the first year of this Council draws to a close I felt that I should make a few comments. First of all In recent weeks your paper and others have made comments In ref. to closed meetings oL Council which Indicates that you along with myself oppose and rightfully so. Let me give you an example of one of the confidential documents that was put before council. It was a letter from the Fire Chief asking permission to go to a one week course In December. Now, do wc honestly think that this should be held back as a confidential item? Then at the same "in camera" meeting to discuss a case that the town had taken a business to court "and lost the case and as I read the letter : from the Legal people I saw no place where they had advised the town to appeal but in a report form the Planning Dept. (CONFIDENTIAL) they recommended to appeal (COUNCIL: DECLINED THE REQÙBSP)! -Howlet.us take a look at JWiÿ#n*if: Council had approved tnafreport and if the Towii had won the appeal what would have been the results to you the taxpayer, WE ■WOULD HAVE PUT A PERSON PLUS ANY EMPLOYEES PLUS BUSINESS TAX PLUS REAL ESTATE TAXES ALL DOWN THE DRAIN and I must say .are we trying to go ahead in this Towitor not. Then a proposition ot a mg development (which is needed) on the site of the old C.P.R.Freight shed land and low and behold there are people oppôsed to it and I would venture a guess that some of the people opposed to it have not even lived here that long and I say again I don't know how we ever got by before they arrived. Next, I see where the Water Dept, has come up with a huge surplus and this would lead you to believe that the water rates should at least stay at the present level but as I heard this morning they will be increasing about 4 per cent for next year. Then comes the Fire Dept, and I see where the Fire Chief from Whitby gave a talk to our elected officials in ref. to the 911 number and during the discussion council went "into Camera" and again I ask you what for? Are we as taxpayers not entitled to know? Are we as taxpayers not entitled to know? After all, we will be paying the bill and as I read further it is estimated that it will double our cost. That is only a start and it will be more, ' In this regard I would like to make a few comments as it does cost you and me as taxpayers. I have been around for a good number of years in this Town (61) and as for the pastFire Dept's efforts In all aspects they rate 100 per cent and as for the present' they also rate 100 per cent, except for one item. The answering service In the past and at present is the best as far as I am concerned and In no way could it be improved as far as service goes, but it Is my opinion that moneywise It could be Improved. After all when you pay people under $3.00 per hr. you must agree that It should be looked at. This Is an Important job and all operators should bo congratulated for a job well done for little pay. I have done a little checking and I find out that to the best of my Information no calls have ever been mishandled In the past or present and this was all done by human people and for little pay and now they are suggesting suggesting to go the other way and I say not only to you, John, and my readers, but also to Council who I know read my letters. If other areas have problems that is their fault. Ours is perfect, so let us stay the same. As I have said many times before, we should not be building Empires and now is the time for the new administrator to get this act together and advise staff that council as an elected body, is running the town for the taxpayer and as such they are responsible, to the taxpayer. We were going full ,$peed ahead .. on . thearena . 1 , and,, statements ...were made, according to the news repbrts, that we can justify 5 or 6 million. Then, later on the same persons said hold everything, we can't justify what we are doing and I say that I wish they would make up their minds. As I am told the land was bought with a 60-day clause so as to give staff time to look at all aspects and I am now advised that this was never done and we paid some $225,000 and now I must ask did heads roll or not? Next, I see that we have finally let the contract to gut the inside of the Town Hall and I say again what was the hurry in moving out to pay rent elsewhere. And after asking several members of Council with no positive answer. I then find a sien ■r.posted ' about h thirteen feet ■ inside : the -Boor'reads "THIS BUILDING -t ;: IS' . . CONDEMNED' CONDEMNED' and it is signed by the building Inspection Dept. I then went to certain members of Council and asked why we are paying some $82,000 to gut a building that is condemned and they assured me it was not condemned. The only conclusion conclusion I can come to is that the move to vacate was made on recommendation of staff and maybe too much flack was forthcoming so the condemned sign appeared. This is only my opinion and if I am wrong then I hope somebody will advise me so that I can go back to the 4 members of Council who gave me that story to correct the facts. in conclusion, I must ask. Council to advise nie' on the' following. If they keep increasing ,. the cost ... of everything to the taxpayer, just where do they think mat the people are going to come up with all of this extra money, expecially those who are living on a fixed income and have no way of increasing their level of incomeO To this end I suggest to you, John, that in the interest of the taxpayer maybe you should have your staff in their report of council meetings advise the readers who votes in favour of all these increased costs. Then and only then will the people know which ones were honest at election time when they said we are concerned about your taxes. I guess some of them were right as they never said in which way. I guess this will stop at this point but in closing I must say again we have a perfect system in our fire answering "service, so let us keep it the same way and not build a computerized empire so as to double the cost as I say with the exception of one item our Fire Dept, is perfect and with a little help from Council that item could be rectified. Yours truly, Ken Hooper THE CORPORATION OFTHETOWN OF NEWCASTLE 40 TEMPERANCE STREET BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C3A6 TEL (416) 623-3379 JOHN WINTERS - MAYOR December 8th, 1986 Mr. John James, Editor The Canadian Statesman 62 King Street West Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 1R4 Dear Sir: It was with interest that I read your accounting of the meeting at Courtice on November 27th. What I read reaffirmed my remarks of that evening; namely, that news stories may be misleading to the reader. To put things into perspective, I wish to first clarify my comments which your newspaper found so newsworthy so as to give it front page coverage. What was said in fact, is nothing new. Most people already know that you cannot believe everything you read. It is certainly my opinion that there were more important issues discussed that evening. Many of the people who attended the meeting appeared to share some common concerns about various issues. For instance, the issue of high taxes was discussed. I explained my views as to why taxes were high and how we may look towards reducing them. The issue of higher rural hydro rates was also discussed and I explained the problems of consolidating the rural areas serviced by Ontario Hydro with Newcastle Hydro. It was my impression that the people in attendance at that meeting were appreciative of the Information conveyed to them. It is unfortunate that you were unable to share some of my views with your readers. They may have found them interesting as well. I trust that this will clarify my statement that people must attend meetings for themselves if they are to get the full story. Speaking of turkey, I wish to take this opportunity to wish you and your staff a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. very truly, TERS J)