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we Mam ama ee a a a wv - - Bal an cl Se At dBed A ah a a am a 8 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, July 11, 1989 Letters to the editor Reports indicate future of VIA Rail in serious jeopardy To the Editor: If the current media reports are correct that VIA's submission to the Minister of Transport recom- mends the elimination of all 115 regional passenger train services, then they quite clearly throw in- to question what the Govern- ment's real intentions have been from the outset of the current con- treversy regarding the future of VIA Rail passenger service in Canada. If the government is to be believed that it does not have a hidden agenda behind its' stated downsizing the annual subsidies paid to VIA as part of its' deficit reduction programme, and if VIA's report to Bouchard has been prepared intelligently and without biased influence by the Minister of Transport, there is quite simply no possible way the report could recommend the wholesale termination of all regional passenger rail service. Our reason for this position is based on the Toronto- Peterborough/Havelock route. On May 31st, the Toronto- Peterborough/Havelock Line a detailed proposal on cost recovery improvements to the new President of VIA Rail. The proposal contained 16 specific recommendations on how to cut costs and increase revenues on the route. The Association believes these measures would not only improve the route's cost recovery ratio but, more impor- tantly, would place it in an even- tual profit position. On June 13th, Ross Stevenson the Conservative M.P. for Durham rose in the House of Commons and called the proposal objective of substantially Passenger Association submitted realistic, asking that it receive the EARLY CHRISTMAS It seemed like Christmas in July last Thurs- day evening in downtown Port Perry as Queen Street was filled with happy shoppers. The reason! It was the Downtown Business Improvement Areas (BIA) first Moonlight Mad- ness Sale and by all accounts it was a tremen- dous success. When | first arrived downtown about 10:00 p.m. there was no place to park, and the side- walks were crowded with people rushing from one store to another. One merchant told me, it was the busiest night he had ever experienced. Even Christmas was not this busy he said. Just goes to show....if you advertise a real bargain ....40% or 50% OFF-....people will line up to buy, no matter what time of the night or day. Congratulations to the Port Perry BIA for their first successful event. BUSY PLACE Have you noticed how busy it is around Sougog Towish this summer. There is nary a week goes by that there are not one or two events taking place. ~~ Anyone who complains about "nothing to do" in a small community, sure hasn't spent much time around here. Look at this summer line-up of events for lo- cal residents and visitors to this community. June: The first Saturday in June is the date set aside each year for the popular Canoe the Nonquon Race. Participants race against the clock, or just for the fun-of-it over a 20 mile course ending at the dock in Port Perry. July 1st saw Scugog celebrate Canada Day with a musical program and fireworks at the lakefront. Literally thousands of people, young and old made there way to Port Perry for this popular event. July 1 & 2: Pioneer Days held at the Mu- seum, where dozens of displays of things such as spinning, weaving, blacksmithing etc. attract- ed hundreds of people to the annual event. July 8: The Loyal Orange Parade made its way through the streets of Port Perry, with some of the bands entertaining on the bandstand at the lakefront. LiRandom Jottings by ]. Peter Hvidsten July 7 & 8: The annual Blackstock Tractor Pull has become a favourite event for thousands of folks who crowd into the Blackstock Fair grounds to witness their machines against the weight sled. July 13 - 16: Festival Days arrives in Port Perry again this year with the British theme. There are dozens of events for young and old over the three day period, and thousands of visi- tors come to our community to take part in this popular summer event. July & August: Concerts in the Park take place at the lakefront bandstand. August 5 & 6 is always at big weekend in Caesarea as the local residents hold their annual Caesarea Regatta. This event, which includes parades, water sports, races and a beauty con- test attracts hundreds to the area for two days of fun in the sun. August 23 the Scugog Chamber of Com- merce brings back the popular circus under the giant canvas tent. It will be held on the Pavlik property just north of the Kinsmen Hall on Lilla Street. This is one the kids won't want to miss. August 26 is the annual Blackstock Fair. It's" billed as the best one day fair in the area, and with a large line-up of events, displays and com- petitions, is popular for thousands. September 2, 3 & 4 is the Labour Day week- end Fair in Port Perry. Another popular fair which brings competitors and visitors from far and near. In addition to the above events, there are the everyday activities like softball, lob-ball, soc- cer and swimming taking place everyday of the summer. So you can see, Scugog really has a lot to offer. Get out and enjoy some of the activi- ties and events taking place over the next few weeks. You won't be disappointed! WHEN | WAS YOUR AGE... | hate to be one of those people who would say to our young people "when | was your age we didn't do this or that", but there's been some- -thing bothering me for the past few weeks. First of all, | know there are a lot of good kids out there, in fact they make up the majority, so | am not "picking" on a whole generation. With that said, it bothers me to no end, how uncourteous "some" kids are when it comes to (Turn to page 10) detailed consideration it war- : ranted, As of today, the Associa- tion has not yet received from VIA the courtesy of either an acknowledgement or a reply to our submission. If we can assume that VIA's recommendations to the Minister of Transport are based on inform- ed and rational considerations of the potential operations of each route, there is absolutely no way- the cancellation of the Peter- borough route can be justified economically. If the report does in fact recom- mend the cancellation of the route then Canadians must ask themselves some very serious questions about the integrity of the Federal Conservatives, their ability to govern, and whether or not they are giving us good value for our high taxes. At this point in time, the Government is most certainly be- ing perceived as having renounc- ed its' 1984 election commitment to revitalize passenger rail ser- vice in 'Canada, and as having misled the public during the last election with its' "use it or lose it"' philosophy. Mr. Bouchard's final decision, to be announced sometime this summer while Parliament is recessed, will pro- vide Canadians with the oppor- tunity to judge for themselves if the Conservatives are worthy of retaining their parliamentary majority the next time around. In 1984, voters in the federal ridings served by the Toronto- Peterborough/Havelock train did not forget the personal devasta- tion caused to them and their communities by the Liberal government's closure of the route in 1982. As they say in Mr. Mulroney's home province of Quebec "Je me souviens"' (I will remember). Yours very truly Paul Pagnuelo President Toronto-Peterborough/ Havelock Line Passenger Association Repulsed by photo To the Editor: i I am writing to tell you how distasteful I found the photo of the poor unfortunate female deer. Surely you must report this earth shattering news in your paper, but did you really find it necessary to accompany it with such a graphic photo. Did this really enhance this '"'event?" (Turn to page 14) by Lynn Joh nston Editorial Comment (from page 6) last week, there are plenty of good reasons to at least to take an objective look at the idea. Some day in the not too distant future, we may see students and teachers having their ten-week summer vaca- tion staggered into shorter periods throughout the year. Of course, if schools were open all summer, they would have to air conditioned, and that could be a major cost. Ontario Premier Dave Peterson is up to the knot of his bright red tie in the muckiest scandal to hit his government since he took office. Just how much of the muck sticks once all the facts are known is the major issue for Peterson. He's already lost a top political aid who accepted a fridge and house painting job from a big developer with ties to Patti Starr, the Liberal fund-raiser who chanelled funds from a charity into campaign chests. Very mucky. It could be a long, hot summer for the Prem in more ways than one. If nothing else, the CBC has chutzpah. Believe it or not, the corporation has applied for all news French net- work, and they want higher than normal prices paid by sub- scribers to an English channel on cable to help foot the bill. If this daffy idea gets by the CRTC, you will be paying for the French channel, whether you want to or whether you ever watch it. Only in Canada. . In closing, the Festival Days Weekend has arrived in Port Perry. Get out and enjoy yourself. Sample the fare, meet your friends, but take it easy, OK? MICHAEL Jou LOVED BEING A BIG BROTHER | EVERY INSURANCE BRO 193 QUEEN ST., PORT PERRY, ONT. LOB 1NO (416) 985-7306 ALL LINES OF GENERAL INSURANCE %» HOMEOWNERS - FARM - AUTO COMMERCIAL | | EMMERSON + » N ee A ly Er ST SRN SO er 0 ee Nae TRA"