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SECTION TWO WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21,1990 s&t Canadian Statesman Durham Region's Great Family Journal Established 136 years ago in 1854 Also Incorporating The Bowman ville News The Newcastle Independent The Orono News Second Class mail registration number 1561 Produced weekly by James Publishing Company L 62 King Street West, Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9 416-1 (J^NA Limited 623-3303 Fax 416-623-6161 John M. James Editor - Publisher Richard A. James Associate Publisher Peter Parrott Associate Editor Brian Purdy I Mar Donald Bishop Advertising Mgr. Plant Mgr. □ and composition of advertisements produced by the employees of James Publishing Company Limited are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without the permission of the publisher. Subscription Rates Six Months -- $11.00 One Year -- $20.00 Foreign -- $60.00 per year 10 avoM 6,rar . The Canadian Statesman accepts advertising In Its columns on tne understanding that It will not be liable for any error In the advertisement published hereunder unless a proof of such advertisement Is requested In writing by the advertiser and returned to The Canadian Statesman business office duly signed !l Jch ®/ , . or or "rrsctlons plainly noted In writing thereon, and In that case K any error so noted Is Slale,ma| t Us liability shall not exceed such a portion ol the entire cost ol such advertisement ■ as the space occupied by the noted error bears to the whole space occupied by such advertisement. Bowmanville has a unique opportunity opportunity ahead of it in the next few decades. decades. That opportunity relates to the development development of the lakefront. Although constrained, to some degree, degree, by the neighbouring St. Marys plant, the Darlington Generating Station Station and the Darlington Provincial Park, the opportunities for development development of the Bowmanville beaches are almost limitless. Since the property has not been committed to a single land use, its potential potential is bounded only to our visions for the future. Plans for the $60 million resort/ condominium proposed recently for the lakefront are now before the Durham Durham Region planning authorities for discussion. . And last week, the old Port Darlington Darlington Harbour Company changed hands. Its new owners have not yet announced announced their plans for the property. It would seem to us that the potential potential exists for a true showcase of lake- front development stretching from Tradition is Broken Sorry, folks, but we'll have to waffle on this one. For some Canadians the question of whether or not Sikhs can wear turbans turbans in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was a clear-cut issue. For us, it's a little more difficult. Unfortunately, the discussion over turbans in the Mounties has brought to the forefront prejudice and bigotry. There are those who are opposed to a change in the RCMP dress codé simply because they are against anyone who. looks or thinks differently than themselves. themselves. This sort of discussion has no place in the issue. People have a right to dress in any way they please, so long as they stay within commonly-held rules of modesty. modesty. Canada, after all, is a country which enshrines individual freedom. The issue at stake centres around whether or not people have a right to maintain that form of dress when they join organizations such as the military or the police who have equally strict rules and tradition concerning the appearance appearance of their members. In the discussion over RCMP dress codes, we have a clash between two traditions. And, therein lies the difficulty. difficulty. Military and police organizations have always demanded certain physical physical appearance among their recruits. But, the reason for this is based on more than just tradition. By requiring its members to wear uniforms and abide by other rules, military and police organizations are able to foster a certain esprit de corps. They create a fraternity. And, by requiring requiring discipline in dress and appearance, appearance, these organizations hope to maintain the type of discipline needed in the organization. People who all wear the same uniforms are supposed to accept commands from their superiors superiors and obey the rules of their organizations. organizations. We might add that police forces and military units arc not the only organizations organizations with rules governing dress or appearance. To a lesser extent, there are dress codes among schools, service clubs, and businesses. For example, in the IBM corporation, the requirement for executives and sales staff to wear white shirts was almost legendary. It would be wrong for any organization organization to reject now recruits on the basis of religion or gender or race. But most of us do not see dress codes ns being in the same category as these distinctions. distinctions. As we have nlrcndy noted, such regulations are used by police organizations organizations to maintain an esprit do corps and to instill discipline. Every now and again, one hears of a police force somewhere which has demanded that an officer shave a half inch or so off a moustache because it is beyond the regulation length. Most of us consider this to bo justified. It's part of being a police officer. The person who wishes to dross differently differently is welcome to do so, But ho or sho may not bo welcome in a police force if ho or sho docs not follow the rules. It might bo argued that if a particular particular form of dross or grooming is part of one's religion, thon mi institution such 1 as a police forco has no business interfering, interfering, But, what if your tradition clashes with the tradition oftlio organization organization in which you belong? Suppose, for example, that for religious religious reasons you linvo vowed to es- nv form of violence. That's a no- al. But let us suppose that you chew am ble ideal ^ work as a police officer. Occasionally, officers must use force to restrain a suspect or they may be called upon to use their firearms in the course of their duties. What do you do? Do you decide that the police force should re-write the rules and allow you not to carry a gun? Or do you decide that you must seek employment elsewhere in some other occupation which does not clash with your conscience? We said at the outset that we are having some difficulty resolving this question in our own minds. We have just made the case in favor of a dress code among the police and military. But we are not finished yet. While everything we have said above is true, there are some equally valid points to be made on the other side of the issue. For one thing, the maintenance of a tradition is not really the paramount concern. Traditions are, it seems, made to be broken. Traditions change as time goes by and they change in accordance accordance with changing beliefs in a community. If we allowed ourselves to be slaves to tradition, we would probably still be living in caves or driving horses and wagons. Even the traditional RCMP stetson is not exactly sacred. It's true that we are accustomed to Mounties wearing stetsons today. But, in years gone by, the RCMP uniform included a white pith helmet. The Force itself has changed its tradition during its history. history. It has done so last week with the ruling on turbans and will, no doubt, do so again. Moreover, it seems equally true that the qualifications of a policeman or policewoman are what is most important. important. If a person makes it into the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, he or she has completed a gruelling course of studies which requires a thorough knowledge of law enforcement and a hefty dose of physical training. When someone graduates as an RCMP officer, he/sne is thoroughly qualified to enforce the law by virtue of passing a rigorous training procedure. procedure. . At this point, it might seem rather ridiculous to quibble over what that individual is wearing on his head. Are not the qualifications enough? It seems to us that the only convincing convincing arguments in favor of an RCMP dress code relate to the importance of discipline required in any organization in charge of enforcing our laws. It can bo argued that the change in the dress code, for whatever reason, will diminish that discipline, There is already sonic suggestion that native Canadians who wish to wear traditional long hear and braids may bo allowed to do so if the spirit of the turban ruling is followed. And, it's safe to say tlmt the officers won't have to worry so much if their moustaches arc a quarter of an inch shy oftlio regulations. Perhaps, what the police forco has lost in regimental discipline, it will gain as an expression of respect for individual individual rights and freedoms which they are sworn to protect. Nevertheless, the change in the Mounties' dross code is no easy issue. We're glad wo didn't have to decide on this one. Major Flaws in Present System A Future for Lakefront Bowmanville all the way to Newcastle Village. We would suggest that one of the important guidelines should, however, be the maintenance of public access to future development in this area. A second guideline should be to reserve reserve this land for residential uses and for related tourist and cultural purposes. purposes. The Toronto Harborfront development development is an example of what might be accomplished. Harbour and marine facilities facilities should be the only industrial- type intrusion into the area. In short, the lakefront can become a people place. Town Council has committed itself to this kind of goal for the Bowmanville Bowmanville lakefront. And the future usage of lands owned by St. Marys Cement along the western side of the lakefront is the one remaining issue which must be resolved. The municipality has some lofty plans for the Bowmanville lakefront area. This is one instance in which we hope that all of them become a reality. 55 Darlington Blvd. Town of Newcastle? Home 432-2048 Office 579-5621 Dear Sir: May I first address the question of access to what used to be the Town Hall Bowmanville. The last time I entered the building was as deputy mayor. Along with the then Mayor, with great pomp and ceremony I had the privilege of escorting her Royal Highness Highness the Princess Margaret (the Queen's sister) up the ceremonial steps and into the building. On the night of the Bowmanville Bowmanville Boosters delegation, delegation, not only was access through the front doors denied denied me by some gentleman, clearing up after the latest Hong Kong announcement, who ordered me to the side door, where access was also ■ denied by the Regional Police Police on the orders of the present administration. Along with many others I stood, confused and shivering shivering in the bitter cold. So much for 14 years of committed committed and loyal service to this Town. A lot of questions.come to mind. Why is it that over the last decade, literally thousands of citizens have been moved to sign petitions, petitions, write letters, gather in the coffee shops, private homes, stores and even on the streets to comment on subjects from taxes to names, and on their unhappiness unhappiness with this Town, this municipal structure, in which they find themselves? Is it because the geo- . graphic area is too big (the size of Metro)? Do the people who are spread over this huge area have diverging life styles? Perhaps the urban urban dweller in the south and the traditional farm family in the north do not share the same philosophies? Do people in Kendal wonder wonder why they should pay for Regional Police, social welfare welfare and schools in Courtice? Do any of them use these services? Do they wonder why they should even be in this Region? The Bowmanville Boosters Boosters must be pondering what happened at that awful council meeting, that had been so carefujly orchestrât- ... ed to make a mockery of their cause to the point that " even their own elected representatives representatives pretended ignorance ignorance of their concerns. It brought to mind historical scenes of confused, simple people pounding on the gates of authority for help, to be beaten back into further further oppression with a few well placed parries to the heads of their hapless leaders. leaders. Did this happen to the boosters? Former Bowmanville has almost all of the industrial tax base. These people put up with smelly Goodyear and noisy St. Marys. They have twice the population of former Clarke including Newcastle Village and Orono. Orono. Therefore, they contribute contribute twice as much residential residential taxes. Why is it they do not have at least twice the representation on the council council as Clarke? Should the ratio ratio be two to four or one to two? Why is it even at two to two? Former Bowmanville not only lost their name, it could be questioned that they also lost fair representation. representation. Why? On whose recommendation? recommendation? The structure structure of the Town of Newcastle as we know it was not in any;recommendation any;recommendation at the time of Regionalization. Regionalization. Is it possible this "Town of Newcastle" was put together together incorrectly back in 1974? So, we are told "you have it." It has got to be made to work. Sixteen years later, thousands thousands are protesting. Surely it is time to ask "is it working?" working?" Although democracy put this Town together, there has been a history of unrest among the people. Was it a mistake? If it was, democracy democracy can put it right. Even though the people's present elected representatives representatives choose to deny me access access to the Town Hall, I am still prepared to volunteer to work for what is right for the people, for democracy, for Bowmanville and for the people who I was so proud, to once represent. Your sincerely. Ann Cowman. ButS om somewhere, a voice was telling Stanley to just keep driving... oxr. FLOOR t»™,' More Letters to the Editor Appear on Page 3 I'm going to become a well known artist. Forget the fact that I can't paint, draw, sketch or even doodle. And when I attempt to draw, all I can make are stick people who sport circles for heads and triangles triangles and squares for bodies. But one thing I'm sure I can do very well is paint a red stripe against a blue background. I bet I could get $1.8 million for that work of art. You're laughing, I sense, and it's a good thing you are because its better than crying. Someone actually did spend $1.8 million for a scrap of canvas with what looks like three stripes across it. Who was the idiot you may ask between chuckles? chuckles? . You. Indirectly, of course. The folks at the National Gallery in Ottawa decided decided that this was an im portant piece of art they should possess. Never mind that they spent a little more than one third of their $3 million million acquisitions budget on one piece of work. Never mind that they thought they were getting getting a deal on this piece and handed the cheque over. What this purchase really means is that we Canadians now own a piece of art that my next door neighbour has pasted pasted to her refrigerator door. I read about this purchase purchase in a Toronto paper last week. The art critic writing about it thought the piece was a significant significant work because, it was painted by some well known-artist. . Of course there has been some opposition to the painting. Apparently it was painted by an American and some people feel if that much money is going to be spent, it should be spent on Canadian art. Others, myself included, included, think it is just way too much money to spend in the first place. The reviewer called the outrage over the purchase purchase as "red neck howl". And suggested that all the rednecks want to see in our art galleries are wildlife and landscape art if we turn our noses up at something like this. I think I'm a fairly liberal liberal minded person and as far from being a "redneck" "redneck" as my dog is from being a cat. The majority of Canadians, I hope ana believe, are as well. . I think what the howl is or will be about is that no matter who the piece was painted by, Canadian Canadian or American, well known or obscure, the painting is still three stripes on canvas that cost us roughly $600,000 per stripe. Redneck or not I can't see how any Canadian can get excited about that much money being spent Tho woathor was great last week for March breakers to visit the Bow inonvillo Zoo. Although it was a little muddy, visitors could walk around the grounds and ovon got n glimpso ofVanco, tho elephant who broke his log during a show last fall. According to zoo stnffif, Vance is tho only ole- pliant in captivity to survive a broken log. If you didn't got to the zoo last 'took, it will he open on weekends beginning April I. Interest in the Bowmanville Bowmanville Zoo seems to be ns strong ns ever if the number of people visiting the zoo Inst week was nny indication. indication. Warnings of mud-covered grounds didn't stop the many rninboot sporting visitors visitors from coming to take an early peek at some favourite animals during the special March Break preview. "Tho level of local support is great," Michael Hncken- berger, director at the zoo, said last week, adding that the amount of people that bad attended tho early opening opening wns very encouraging. If you hnvo never been to tlio zoo, you might wnnt to mnko a trip this year when it's open full-time ns there hnvo been a number of changes made on the grounds in the past year, The first is the addition of a now lemur hut. Six "ring tailed" lemurs from Madagascar, (they arc endangered species in the wad), are now occupants of tho hut. And three of the females pro pregnant, Mr. Ilncken- borgor mentioned. Tho nnimnl show has boon expanded as well to include include tigers and more elephant elephant routines. A "big and little feature" will be another show highlight. highlight. Mr. Ilnckonborgor explained explained this will involve tho miniature horse, Cody, mid n larger homo named Hill and will ho used on an educational educational level to show how homes figured predominant. ly in man's development. One of the final additions is nn observation deck in front of the elephant pen. It is in the process of being installed installed to enable visitors to get n better look at Vance and his friends. Readers may remember Vance injuring his leg during during n show last fall. Mr. Hnckcnborgor said tho elephant is doing well nnd isn't in pnin. Vance is tho only clo- plinnt in captivity, ho said, to survive a broken leg. Ho attributes tlmt survival survival to vet competence, support support from the community nnd the nnimnl itself. Vnnco is just one of over 300 nnimnls visitors will be able to see this year. Tho changes tlmt have boon made wore intended to enhance the goals under which the zoo operates. Mr. Hnckcnborgor said the purpose of the zoo is to net as an educational tool for public conservation methods. methods. Tho second purpose is to exist for tho reproduction of endangered species. Tho support of the community community in achieving those goals has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. "II', in some small wav, WO can give tho people in Bowmonvlllo and the area a zoo they can bo proud of, then that's what we're trying trying to do," lie said. The Bowmnnvillo Zoo will bo open on weekends only beginning on April 1 and open full time starting May- on something that is going going to be hung on a wall. Especially at this time of the year. Canadians aren't too enthusiastic about the economy lately. People are angry and frustrated about the proposed proposed goods and services tax at the federal level. Many are expecting to see their property taxes increase again this year. And they're struggling to fill out their income tax forms hoping they won't have to owe the government additional tax. It doesn't take an analyst analyst to say the mood of Canadians isn't too obliging obliging or understanding. So, please forgive us for not appreciating the depth and meaning of this painting. It's just a little difficult to see anything other than the price tag. little Protest to Proposed GST At Local Level Dear Sir:. As a new resident of Bowmanville, Bowmanville, I have been somewhat somewhat surprised that there is so little public discussion concerning the proposed Goods & Services Tax. (GST). While the national press, including both the print and electronic media, continue to keep the GST issue issue alive, I am not aware of any public discussion locally- locally- Since I have many concerns concerns about the wisdom of going ahead with this tax, I Rave written to our local Member of Parliament. This turned out to be a futile endeavour, endeavour, as, unfortunately, Mr. Stevenson's well-written reply wns a form letter which did not address the issues issues I had raised. So much for my first letter ever to my Member of Parliament. And so, in an effort to find a non-political organization organization which is actively campaigning campaigning against the GST, where my concerns might bo heard, I drove to Peterborough Peterborough on a recent foggy evening evening to attend n General Meeting of a group who call themselves "IRATE Citizens". Citizens". These people, who hnvo no political affiliations, hnvo come together to promote promote the reduction of wasteful wasteful government spending in general nnd fight tho implementation implementation of the GST in particular. particular. There were approximately approximately 70 people at the meeting, and, ns you might guess, none of them supports tho now tax. These people have great energy and enthusiasm enthusiasm for their cause and are exploring every avenue available to stop the GST. They arc attempting to link up a national organization ol IRATE Citizens and arc planning a national conference conference for Toronto. Having boon exposed to their enthusiasm, 1 cannot help wondering, once more, why the GST seems to bo such o non-issue here in Bowmanville. Does our silence silence mean wo support it? Or do wo, too, have IRATE Citizens who are not speaking speaking out? Yours very truly, Vorn Gnrllck 150 Trudeau Drive Bowmanville, Ontario.