The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

SECTION TWO WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13,1991 Efit Canadian gtatmtatt cn Durham Region's Great Family Journal © Established 137 years ago in 1854 .1 ■ Also Incorporating \|M The Bowmanville News The Newcastle Independent The Orono News Second Class mail registration number 1561 Produced weekly by James Publishing Company Limited 62 King Street West, Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9 416-623-3303 Fax 416-623-6161 John M. James Editor - Publisher Richard A. James Associate Publisher Peter Parrott Brian Purdy Donald Bishop Associate Editor Advertising Mgr. Plant Mgr. All layouts 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. 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 for any error In the advertisement published hereunder unless a proof of such advertisement k 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 of the entire cost of such advertisement as the space occupied by the noted error bears to the whole space occupied by such advertisement. Editorial Comment Canada Post Increases Will Cripple Canadian Weekly Newspapers In the future, those who receive their Statesman by mail will see a huge increase in their subscription cost. And it's not our fault. Nor is it yours. Effective March 1st, 1991, Canada Post has raised the rates charged for mailing all publications. And the increase increase hits all publishers, whether they be an American news magazine or your community weekly newspaper. But the community publications such as The Statesman have been hit particularly hard. How hard you ask? This hard... • We are faced with an immediate increase of 508%. • That translates into an additional $35,000 per year. • Cabinet approved the increases on February 28th. The new rates came into effect on March 1st. That's one day's notice. *. We mail close to 2,000 subscriptions subscriptions each week that have all been pre-paid. We will now be losing between between $18 and $30 on every subscription. subscription. • Magazines such as MacLean's, Hustler, and Playboy, were only given increases of 5%. We should note that these magazines do not compete for the advertising flyer business with Canada Post. We do. • We learned of the increases through our national newspaper association. Canada Post has not informed us of the higher rates yet, but we are told that when they do, the higher rates will be retroactive to March 1st. • Under the new rate structure, it will cost $28 in postage alone to send a Statesman one-year subscription subscription to someone in Port Hope. That's more than seven times the previous postage rate. The total cost for a subscription in Port Hope becomes $50.29 (including postage, the price of the subscription subscription and the GST). There are many more items affected by these increases but we don't want to confuse the issue any more than it already is. : Canada Post imposed the increase with very little advanced warning and no prior consultation. After representations representations were made to MP's and to the Post Office on behalf of the industry, some relief from the rates was forthcoming. forthcoming. But not for The Statesman or for many of the other hundreds of community community newspapers in Canada. We do not qualify for what little relief has been given to the industry after publishers publishers pleaded for some changes. Since Canada Post is a monopoly, we have little choice but to accept the higher rates. Naturally, we are doing everything in our power to ensure that we take advantage of the lowest possible possible fee schedule offered by the post office. office. And we, along with our colleagues in Canada's newspaper industry, are attempting to come up with a way to keep the public informed, without incurring incurring the prohibitive costs of mailing our newspapers. Foremost in our association's association's plans are to establish a delivery delivery system that may someday compete with Canada Post on a national level, The issue is a complicated one. And the price schedule worked out by the Post Office is equally complex, We've been studying the issue on and off for the past six weeks and we're still not certain that we have a handle on it. And, naturally, the pricing of now and renewal subscriptions will be a bit of a nightmare. • Basically, it appears as though we will come up with one subscription rate, to which we will add different mailing costs depending on the location location of our, subscriber. If you live in Bowmanville, you won't bo affected because the local papers papers arc delivered by our own carriers. It now appears as though those living within the Town of Newcastle but oat- to pay more for a subscription dcliv cred by Canada Post, wo arc going to bo adding new features to the Statesman Statesman to make it more attractive for the whole family. We will be saying more about this in the very near future. These are tough times for everyone right now and wo can appreciate that you have enough problems of your own to worry about. All wo can do is ask, and wo are asking that you please bo patient as wc iron out the details of this dilemma. Council Decisions Taking the Spirit From Our Towns (JPvlk^l Ml Councillor Claims That His Dog Can Deliver Mail Faster Than Canada Post Reader Responds to Recent Letter side Bowmanville will be charged a higher fate. And those living beyond the municipal boundaries will, be charged yet another rate. But please remember, this is only a tentative proposal. Locally, we are in the process of establishing our own delivery delivery system for the rural routes, villages villages and hamlets in the area. Unfortunately, Unfortunately, this doesn't help those readers from outside the area. Canada Post has given us so little time to react on this that we are scrambling to solve this crisis, while at the same time remembering remembering that our readers come first. Canada Post claims that it's upping the periodical rates in order to eliminate eliminate a subsidy which had previously applied. Oddly enough, there was no debate over whether the service that newspapers and magazines in Canada perform outweighs the possible profits that Canada Post could achieve by upping their charges at the post office. And whatever happened to- the idea ■ that the role of government and its corporations is to assist businesses rather than inhibit them? You might think that Canada Post would have made itsëlf available to at least explain its new postal rates, if not defend them. But the corporation declined an invitation to send a representative representative to discuss the fees at the an- . nual Ontario Community Newspapers Association convention in Toronto. It should also be noted that the price hike by Canada Post will be self- defeating. Newspapers and their subscribers subscribers could absorb a more modest increase that might be introduced in stages. But whenever the increase amounts to something in the neighbourhood neighbourhood of 500 per cent, there's the distinct possibility that people won't be buying. The Canada Post rate increase will simply stop large numbers of people from receiving their community newspaper newspaper in the mail. What advantage can this be for Canada Post? More importantly, importantly, how do you measure the effect effect of a community without their own newspaper. If the corporate sector were to implement implement a rate increase amounting to even one-tenth the size of Canada Post's hikes, you can rest assured there would be both government and consumer watchdogs on the scene denouncing denouncing the action. There would likely likely be calls for price controls and boycotting boycotting of the products offered by the firm which dared to introduce such an abominable measure. It simply amazes amazes us how Canada Post can realistically realistically expect us to accept this. At this point we turn to you for help. Firstly, we would ask that you please write or talk to your Member of Parliament and let him or her know how you feel about the increases. Secondly, since the increase is not your fault, we will be offering gift certificates certificates for classified ads and prizes for new and existing subscribers who purchase a subscription at the new rates. It's one way we can say thanks for sticking with us despite the higher rates. Existing subscribers will be hearing more about this in the coming weeks, _ And behind every cloud, there is a silver lining. Since we arc asking you Dear Mr. James: Please allow me the opportunity opportunity to reply to a letter that appeared in the last edition of your paper and signed by Tim ana Lora Calhoun. Calhoun. First of all, they mentioned mentioned that they had just moved to Bowmanville four years ago and we welcome them as residents. On reading their letter, one would have to assume that Tim works for the Town, probably in the area of the Fire Hall and does not like people reporting on certain certain things which as taxpayers taxpayers should also concern them (it is their money too). They seem to infer that one member of Council is consistently stirring the problems such as dishwashers, dishwashers, chesterfields, movie cameras, etc., just to mention mention a few items. You will notice, however that no mention has yet been made- in regards to any TV and whether an item would be used to watch during working working hours, and I assume because because you seem to be so knowledgeable on all subjects, subjects, that you might advise me in the area. As a taxpayer, I for one, am thankful that there are people available in this town who can keep us taxpayers (who pay the bills and I as- Group Worried About Radiation in Exit Signs sume your salary) informed on how our tax dollar is being being spent (or wasted). In closing, I must say that as a person you have the right to have your say and as a taxpayer I have that right too. I do not agree with my money being wasted on such things as dishwashers, chesterfields, chesterfields, movie cameras, etc., along with watching T.V. I always remember the old saying "the show is never never over until the fat lady sings." Yours Truly, Reg. Willatts Dear Sir, There are proposals to increase increase the number of people that will be housed in Cour- tice from twenty thousand to fifty thousand plus. The only voice in the wilderness was that of Brian Elson who reported reported that the Planning Department Department claimed little if any "community" in Cour- tice. In 1975 when the planners planners proposed, at Courtice High School, a population of fifty thousand for Courtice, there were five hundred peo- E le present. They protested y stamping their feet, booing booing and shouting down the Town Officials and their planners. That is how much community there was and, indeed, that community managed to reduce that density density to twenty thousand. They elected me as their spokesman. Were all those years of effort for naught? Are the planners correct in saying there now is little community here? Have they managed to obliterate that community of 1975 with the bulldozers of development during the past few years? Or is there a community there, smoldering? Now the politicians through the councils, feel free to convert Courtice into another Scarborough or Scarberia as it is frequently called. Scarborough which it is all edged, has the fastest growing crime rate in the province, is an enormous collection collection of tortuous streets that twist and turn and connect connect and disconnect with each other in a confusing sameness of bricks, siding, cement and the odd overcrowded overcrowded school, which acts as an overcrowded community community centre, with multitudes of cars liberally scattered throughout, successfully obliterating any semblance of design. Indeed, a stranger planning planning an expedition into such a modern urban jungle would be well advised to pack a lunch and even a sleeping bag and tell his next of kin of his intentions. Perhaps those protesters of 1975 somehow knew in their hearts, that this is the price of large scale development. development. One must presume that this is to be the fate of Bowmanville. Bowmanville. The present council council seems to press on mercilessly mercilessly rubber stamping proposal after proposal eating eating away at arable, as well as the environmentally sensitive sensitive lands. For example another patch of trees have been clear cut on Courtice Road which is designated today as environmentally sensitive. Does anyone care any more? Parcels of land that, in my days on Council, were clearly clearly denied for development have new applications such as Hancock Road. My guess is they will now get approval. approval. Why does all this happen? happen? Why will places like Courtice and Bowmanville become Scarberia? Just so that a handful of people can make a quick huge profit which they will spend in capital gains tax.and on the decadent items of disposable opulence. The only thing that endures is the land and our councils are sacrificing it to bulldozers. Sincerely, Ann Cowman Dear Editor, Ontario Hydro has landed landed its first tritium contract. A Peterborough company, Shield Source Inc., has already already received its first shipment shipment of pure tritium gas. Of course, due to financial and occupational health concerns, concerns, the cargo was enclosed enclosed in a specially designed designed container. At up to $34,000 per gram tritium is the world's most expensive commodity. N ational Citizens' Coalition Critical Of Federal Budget Dear Sir/Madam, Prime Minister Mulron- ey's latest budget can fairly tie described as an exercise in hypocrisy of truly Olympian Olympian proportions. Mr. Mulroney's budget declares that in these tough economic times, all Canadians Canadians will have to "share the burden", make "sacrifices", tie frionest with ourselves" and show "patience and restraint" restraint" and "self-discipline". Mr. Mulroney's budget says that "politicians...must demonstrate leadership". Some politicians. Some leadership. Despite the announced spending freezes and cutbacks, cutbacks, Mr. Mulroney has decided decided that Members of Parliament Parliament will keep their scandalous, gold-plated pension pension plan. Under this plan, after only six years in office, MPs qualify for a pension for life, regardless of their age, with unlimited protection against inflation. An MP retiring at ' age 31 could easily collect lifetime pension payouts of more than $2 million. Canada needs a political leader who leads by example. example. Instead, Mr. Mulroney leadership amounts to telling telling Canadians, "Do as I say - not as I do". We would urge any of your readers, who are angered angered as we are by this outrageous outrageous double standard, to telephone Prime Minister Mulroney's office directly and tell him directly what they think of ffiis "leadership". "leadership". ' Mr. Mulroney's office number is 613-992-4211. The time , has come _ to shut down thé MP's pension trough! Yours truly, David Somerville, President. And with its ability to migrate migrate through some solids, tritium can prove difficult to contain. In addition, the estimated estimated acutely lethal dose of tritium absorbed into the body is about 8 to 24 curies (a measure of radioactivity). Smaller doses can cause genetic genetic damage. The first Shield Source tritium shipment was reported reported to be "no more , than 5 grams". At almost 10,000 curies curies per gram, this is a significant significant amount. . Special containers make perfect sense. It's the next step which makes no sense at all. Once in possession, Shield Source will remove the tritium from the special container, deposit the tritium tritium inside glass tubes, assemble assemble these into exit signs and market these to an unprotected unprotected public. Tritium signs do not come with built- in radiation monitors or alarms. Unless signs are obviously obviously damaged, passers-by would be totally unaware if small tritium leaks did occur. occur. The U.S. National Council on Radiological Protection Protection has recommended a maximum permissible public public inhalation exposure of 0.1 millicurie per year. This is about one millionth of the amount of.tritium contained in a typical exit sign. Tritium, exit signs are easily identified by a characteristic characteristic green glow. For more information contact Durham Nuclear Awareness (DNA), 725-1565. Jeff Brackett One of the biggest generators generators of garbage has to be municipal councils. Durham Region and Newcastle Council both receive requests from other other municipalities for support support of their stands on particular issues. They come in the form of resolutions and can come from municipalities hundreds of kilometers away and on a variety of subjects. For instance, a resolution resolution from the Region of Waterloo appeared on the agenda of Durham Regional Regional Council last week asking council to endorse a motion declaring that costs of increased services in provincial mandatoiy health programs should be borne by the province. It may be a worthwhile motion, but why should Durham concern itself with stands taken by Waterloo Waterloo or Chatham or Kingston or any other municipality? And why would those municipalities care about what Durham Region is thinking? Regional Councillor Dave Conway, from Oshawa, said it best last week when he noted all that is being accom plished is increased paperwork. paperwork. Jim Potticary, another councillor from Oshawa, suggested concerns that are raised in these resolutions, resolutions, should be passed on to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. This organization has been specifically established established to represent Ontario Ontario municipalities. If the AMO dealt with such issues. issues. a considerable amount of time and money money would be saved. Durham Region recently recently did the same thing as other municipalities by. sending copies of their resolution concerning welfare payments to other other areas. One respondent to that letter quite bluntly said they make their positions known through the appropriate appropriate municipal associations associations or to the ministry involved directly. This is as it should be. I elected my councillors to look after my town and my interests. I didn't vote someone to office for them to debate debate and discuss issues that have come up at other other municipalities or to waste the time by endorsing endorsing them. To be fair, members of Regional Council don't spend a great deal of time debating other areas' resolutions resolutions and neither does Newcastle Council. But they have sent their own resolutions off to other areas. As Councillor Conway said last week, it's time regional council and perhaps perhaps local council created a policy not to do this any more. Not only is it tying up staff and costing money, money, but it is generating more paper for the regional regional trash bin. We may live in a "global" "global" community or at least a provincial one and . we may share the same interests with other areas but we have a provincial government to deal with common interests and issues. issues. If municipalities want to know how other municipalities municipalities feel about issues or how they intend to approach approach them, local council can get on the phone to the municipality. Or they can contact AMO. Maybe cutting down on sending and endorsing resolutions won't save a lot of council's time but it will eliminate some of its garbage. Pressing Matters In One Small Town - by John E. James - "Ready for Better Days" Don't get excited. We're not sure when better days are coming, Nevertheless, for a rotten year, 1991 is zipping right along. The best news so far is the end of the Persian Gulf War. At least it looks that way. This writer of wrongs is almost cured of a .terrible fear that Saddam Hussein was pulling the Mother of all Sucker Shots, eventually to leap forth and obliterate much of the U.S. global military resources. A catastrophe of that nature would have been "interesting" to observe. For starters, Westerners would finally have an answer to the question: "Is Mikhail Gorbachev really a good guy?" The answer might have been unpleasant for all of us. Something wc won't miss about the Persian Gulf War is those folks protesting the war effort in Canada and the United States. Regardless of wlmt they think, these misguided souls ain't Citizen of the Year candidates. Saddam Hussein had to bo stopped, Stopping him now undoubtedly saved countless thousands of lives. Don't get us wrong. It's horrible to send young men and women off to confront violent death. But in these circumstances, the Good Guys eventually exhausted all other options. That should have been apparent to anybody with as much access to news and information as we have. Protesters can get stuffed, including the federal Liberal and NDP parties. On to other things. As March 1991 begins, glimpses of hope appear on the horizon. Mr. Sun shows up at a more respectable hour each morning. You can actually eat dinner with twilight lingering in western skies. Within a few weeks, evenings will boast usable hours of sunshine, and heavy overcoats are history. Daylight Saving Time shows up the first weekend in April. So does Major League Baseball. NHL Hockey Playoffs appear. That isn't necessarily good news. (Hah! One day after wc write this, the Leafs hand Boston a 6-3 drubbing., suddenly all is well, If you overlook the "other" depression plaguing Toronto). Down here in Amityville the Detroit Pistons seek a "throe-peat" conquest oP the NBA crown. For the benefit of renders unacquainted with winning sports franchises, we'll not gloat. The dreaded February Blues are officially a thing of the past. What a shame Brian Mulroney's government isn't. Remember the drastic CBC-tv cutbacks last Fall? Eleven cities such as Windsor, 20 miles north of Amityville, lost their only locally originating Canadian television stations. Ahhhj the federal government saved millions. Sure they did. And then paid out $44.9 million in one shot as severance pay to the people who lost their jobs. There's more to the story. We're committed to protecting Canadian culture, right?" Check this out! Recently, Marcel Masse, federal minister of Culture and Communications, opened (in his Montreal riding, naturally) the "Canadian Institute of Research on Cultural Enterprises".,, at a cost of nearly $50,000,000. Howzznt for big league patronage? Ynbbut, moves like that will for sure keep Quebec in Canada. Oh? Everybody realizes the separation issue is a huge joke, don't they? Quebecers have played this game since Moses was a water-baby: Give us money and concessions, or it's ndios, M'sicur!" The only thing the federal ' government hasn't given Quebec is the firm application of a hard-soled shoe bottom. Since nothing else has worked, the shoe idea merits serious consideraton. That may raise a few concerns about bias amongst our more thoughtful readers. C'mon, think for a moment... what in the world needs less protection than French-Canadian culture? Close your eyes. Can you picture a Francophone clearly? Sure you can, even if it's Jean Chretien ordering breakfast: "Donnez-moi two h'aigs. side by each, with the sunshiny up, and a pair of toast!" Their culture is fine... Now try picturing an English Canadian. Good luck, eh? What would a state of the nation column bo, without comment on the GST? Finance Minister Mike Wilson has proclaimed the GST a success, He sez: January 1st came and went without the sky falling, and nothing happened." Mikcy almost got it right. "Nothing happened on January 1st. And "Nothing" has happened since. At this rate, there will soon bo "Nothing" left! Thank heaven the warm weather is coming. Do we pay GST on that?