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

PAGE 6THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, October 1,2003 www.durhamregion.com Tim Whittaker Publisher Joanne Burghardt Editor-in-Chief Tony Doyle Managing Editor Fred Eismont Director of Advertising Eddie Kolodziejcak Classified Advertising Manager Kirk Bailey Distribution Manager Lillian Hook Office Manager Janice O'Neil Cheryl Haines Composing Managers Clarington's Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1854 Œïjc Cmiabtan Statesman October 1,2003 Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing Ltd. Rhone 905-579-4400 Classifieds 905-576-9335 Distribution 905-579-4407 General Fax 905-579-2238 Newsroom Fax 905-579-1809 E-Mail newsroom@durhamregion.com 865 Farewell St., Osliawa ON L1H 7L5 Publications Mail Registration No. 07637 infodurhamregion.com EDITORIAL e-mail letters to newsmnni@ (lurliaimenimi.eom Your vote is your right, exercise it Democracies only remain strong if participation level is high While there will no doubt he a winning party chosen on Thursday, this provincial election could well produce a big loser: us. That's because the most important single issue which truly measures the health of any democracy is the participation level of its electorate. And the numbers in provincial elections dating back to 1975 have not been good. The 1999 election saw only 58.3 per cent of eligible voters bother to go to the polls. That was the second worst turnout in a provincial election in the last eight elections. Only 1981 was lower when a surprise mid-winter campaign resulted resulted in miserable weather on election day. Still. 58 per cent went to the polls. In June 1995, 62.9 per cent voted, while 64.4 per cent came to the polls in September 1990. In the fall of 1987, 62.7 per cent voted, while in May 1985, 61.5 per cent hit the polls. Turnouts in the 1970s were even belter with the 1977 vote attracting a 65.6 per cent participation rale and 67.8 per cent, the best in nearly 30 years, voting in 1975. Obviously, the trend is rolling downhill, a worrisome problem problem that seems to defy an easy solution. Some believe youth issues are not discussed enough during campaigns and that the first-time voter feels left out of the process. Indeed, leaders talk in passing about tuition fees, the minimum wage and job-training, but it gets short shrill behind the biggies: taxes, power, health and education. Many people don't believe their vote means much. Those who support longshol parties aren't inclined to bother heading to the polls in our first-past-the-post system. Some adopt the 'if 1 don't have any chance whatsoever of electing your candidate in your riding, why bother to vote? Some have suggested Ontario and Canada adopt a proportional proportional representation system which would ensure every vote would count. For example, in the last provincial election, the Green Party, which earned four per cent of the popular vote, would have four per cent of the seats in the legislature. Such a system would almost certainly eliminate future majority governments governments and might result in more frequent elections. But it would mean every vote matters. Until such a change occurs, it's important to make your voice heard. It's still one citizen, one vote and in some ridings, a small number of votes does make a difference. Want proof? Recall the 2000 U.S. presidential election when a several hundred Floridians-, Floridians-, made the difference between George Bush and Al Gore. Every vote mattered then and every vote will matter this Thursday Thursday so make the time and cast your ballot. OPINION e-mail letters to ncwsronin@(lmTinnireginn.eoin Thoughts turn to municipal election From MPPs to mayoral candidates, the elections keep coming With tomorrow's provincial election almost behind us, it's time to look a little closer to home. Lost in the Ontario election hype, but following closely on its heels, is a vote that may in the long run mean as much to your day-to-day life as whom we choose for premier tomorrow. tomorrow. The municipal election, in which we choose not only local councils, but school board trustees, is Nov. 10. From setting local taxes to determining the path the municipality municipality should take in terms of development to choosing where your neighbourhood park will be located, local council makes decisions that affect residents daily. It comprises comprises the level of government closest to home, and councillors councillors impact people right in their own backyard - sometimes literally. literally. Sadly, though, many residents residents don't lake the time to find out what council does, never mind vote when it comes time to elect representatives. Many, many citizens don't know the name of their local councillor or Regional representative, and in a lot of cases, don't seek them out until they have a problem. November 10 will present voters with the opportunity to elect school hoard trustees. Though the Province has significantly significantly reduced the role of trustee over the past eight years, most notably in the removal removal of their right to tax, trustees still have a valid and Jennifer Stone jstonc@ ilurluinuviiion.com important job to do. Though they no longer levy taxes, trustees still determine how to allocate the budget granted by the Province in such a way as to ensure students' needs are met locally. Trustees decide when and where to open schools, and, sometimes make the much more difficult, often unpopular decision to close the buildings. They help set policies policies that determine the day-to- day learning environment within within local schools. They make decisions decisions that affect our kids, and what could be more important than that? This time around, a wide array of candidates have been brave enough to put their names forward to run for local office in Clarington. Some have extensive political experience: experience: some are relative newbies to the process, but have decided they'd like to help make the decisions decisions that mould our communities. communities. Whatever the case, it's important important to take the time over the next five weeks to gel to know about the candidates who want our vote on Nov, 10. It's important important to find out a little about the people who will help make the decisions that will affect us closest to home for the next three years. And it's especially important to make an informed decision and vote in this year's municipal election. This is reporter Jennifer Stone's lust column for the next year. 11 F wish her luck und happiness on her maternity maternity leave. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLICK AND SA' \ Today's question: Should school boards follow the federal government and consider relaxing rules against students found with small amounts of marijuana? □ Yes □ No Cast your vote online al infodurhamrsgion.com Last week's question: Who do you think made the best impression on voters at Tuesday night's televised leadership debate? □ Ernie Eves 55.6 per cent □ Howard Hampton 6.3 per cent □ Dalton McGuinty 38.1 per cent Total votes: 1277 HAVE YOUR SAY Question "Who will you vote for tomorrow in the provincial election?" e-mail letters to newsroom@ilurliamregion.com Private schools may be the best answer To the editor: The average transfer rate from the Ontario government to the publicly funded schools in Ontario is $6,672 per student, student, per year. The Ontario PCs have introduced an Equity in Education Tax Credit that will increase this year to a whopping $500 per student, per year for those students attending attending a registered independent independent school. The Liberals and NDP want to take the tax credit away because because it costs too much. Instead Instead of taking it away, why don't they encourage a mass exodus of students from publicly-funded publicly-funded to independent schools? Think of the millions they would save! Janice Monster Hampton Column made voter back candidate To the editor: Re: 'It's politics, not a vote for matt of the year,' column of Sept. 21. Nothing could crystallize for me more perfectly the reasons reasons why I support a change in government in Ontario than Tony Doyle's column. Mr. Doyle says "elections traditionally bring out the worst in candidates and their supporters." To what tradition is Mr. Doyle referring? Certainly Certainly not the Canadian one, which has seen citizens reject American-style negative campaigning. campaigning. If the purpose of elections is to help the public make informed informed decisions about issues, how does negative campaigning campaigning aid this process? It is my view that turning a leadership race into a thinly veiled attempt attempt to bloody one's opponent opponent with personal attacks degrades degrades the quality of our public public debate. Dalton McGuinty is to be commended for trying to keep the tone of the election campaign campaign civilized and respectable. respectable. This is the Canadian tradition, and one we should strive to keep. Stephen W. Rhody Whitby Tax cuts are not a great idea To the editor: Ernie Eves, please don't cut my taxes. At a local elementary school, six students share one science textbook. Books are scarcely allowed to go home. Some class sizes in our province have more than 40 students in them. These high numbers create unsatisfactory learning environments, especially especially for special-needs students. students. Instead of cutting my taxes, please increase the funding to public education. Since you deregulated col lege and university fees, getting getting a degree has become a financial financial burden for the poor and middle class. Instead of a tax cut for the rich, make university university accessible to all qualifying qualifying Ontario students. Premier Eves, waiting lists are far too long for cancer treatment. Put my tax cut into health care. Premier Eves, southern Ontario Ontario has one of North America's America's largest sources of asthma- causing air pollutants: the Nan- ticoke coal-burning generating station. Please put my taxes into funding clean alternatives like natural gas and solar. Gridlock in the GTA is getting getting much worse. You need to adequately fund public transit before giving me a tax cut. Tax cuts aren't all they are cracked up to be. A Princeton University study by economist Professor Krugman shows they benefit the wealthy while doing little for the middle class. The 20 per cent of children children being raised by poor families families (income below $24,000) will receive zero benefit from your tax cut. Your philosophy seems to be Robin Hood in reverse: reverse: take from the poor and give to the rich. Finally, Premier, your two- billion-dollar deficit this year is tomorrow's taxes. Bob Almack Blackstock Letters to the Editor To submit a letter, please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. Letters slioud be under 200 words. The editor reserves the right to edit for copy length and clarity. I : ax: 905-579- 1809; E-mail: newsrooin@durlmmregion.com Peter Breen "I haven't made up my mind. It is coming right down to the wire" Maria MacDuff because we have young children in school." Stacy Hand "I'm voting PC because 1 used to be a day-care teacher and my concern is for , my two / Jgy....: children." TRUE GRIT By Tim Dollghan TEHOieJORk Goto? ...mMiTo ms www MCOWWION ŒCCWICIW ittoxûro warn, „HIEN Wcns EX/WIEIS WW tlElUCMB Ë- wm.dollghan.com INTERBWoo, mtErnmns iE(OT;wiwto MWitoEDW mnv. BMW I OTECF wm*... ]\\WW! .."■--'(c) copyrighf 2003 bolighan Cartoons Clir Cnnatiiiiii Silnlrsiwm is one of the Molroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing group of newspapers. The Statesman is a member member o( the Bowmanvllle Clarington Board of Trade, the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, Commerce, Ontario Community Newspaper Assoc., Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc,, Canadian Circulations Audit Board and the Ontario Ontario Press Council. The publisher reserves the right to classify or refuse any advertisement. Credit for advertisement limited to space price error occupies, Editorial and Advertising content content of the Canadian Statesman is copyrighted. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited, mm A ocna ^CNA »*»<<*** I*