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JF AT th cg SL i p 3 i £ ¥ B 6 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, February 15,1994 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" 188 MARY STREET - PORT PERRY, ONTARIO Second Class Registration Number 0265 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 6 Months $17.72 includes $1.22 GST 1 Year - $32.10 includes $2.10 GST The Port Perry Star Phone (905) 985-7383 FAX 985-3708 Toll Free 1-800-561-6698 The Port Perry Star is authorized as second class mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa, for cash payment of postage. Foreign $90.95 includes $5.95 GST EDITORIAL - LoL 187 ADVERTISING Publisher - J. Peter Hvidsten News Editor - Scott Anderson Sports Editor - Kelly Lown Advertising Mgr. - Anna Jackman Advertising Sales - Jackie McDonell Advertising Sales - Paul Hillier Production - Pam Hickey, Barbara Bell BUSINESS OFFICE Retail Sales - Kathy Dudley, Retail Sales - Marlene Moore. PRODUCTION Annabell Harrison, Trudy Empringham, Susan Milne, Robert Taylor, Richard Drew Office Manager - Gayle Stapley Accounting - Judy Ashby, Louise Hope cena df KS 3 Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association Ontario Community Newspaper Association Published every Tuesday by the | Pont Perry Star Co. Ltd. - Port Perry,Ontario. Editorial Comment Voicing Your Concerns At no other level do the emotions con- cerning political choices run higher and with no other topic is there more criticism voiced than when it comes to how the fi- nances of our community, province or country are handled. We scrutinize every expenditure and every pay raise that is executed by the various levels of government knowing that it is our tax dollars that are being spent at the local, provincial or national level. We are often critical of how this money is spent or of the taxes we pay, but too often we grudgingly accept what is being imposed upon us. But as complacent as Canadians are, this can all change. In the 1990s, public consultation is not only the new "buzz word" it is "politically correct." In the past, political parties had been criticized for carrying out their agendas without con- sulting its people or for not acting on the wishes of the people. This is slowly changing. It is happening across the country and the residents in Scugog will witness this new phenome- nom also, as the politicians will bring the decision-making process to the grass- roots level. It has already been experienced at the school board level. In November, 1993 and again last week, the Durham Board of Education brought its Finance Commit- tee to Port Perry to garner suggestions on spending and proposed cuts. The sug- gestions will be considered when formu- lating the board's budget. The Township of Scugog is setting aside a day later this month when inter- ested groups and residents can present their ideas, as well as their wish lists, to the finance committee before the local budget is drafted. Residents of the Durham Riding will also have the opportunity to offer sugges- tions as to how to change the much hat- ed Goods and Services Tax (GST) when MP Alex Shepherd conducts a number of town hall meetings in the area. He will take the opinions, as well as some riding members, back to Ottawa to present these ideas. Never has the chance to become in- volved and make change been greater than it is today. We have been given the chance to voice our concerns and be heard at the various levels of govern- ment. We should take advantage of this great chance. Speak now or forever hold your peace. OF CIGARETTES -- T DONT GMOKE But Qos, AT AWN Rice MBE T'LL 1) Wad. 7) thaw . y ICRA [TH Eng od ry 5 ove [ee a, [4 1ge vies To Pomme] ase eiguetin fod, wt ie BY othe Li? We PFA ept Q r Sind aise, * Mri i JEP aww, Pane Remember When ? HISTORIC PHOTO COURTESY SCUGOG SHORES MUSEUM VILLAGE This photo taken in November, 1953 of the Treasurer's Office, was taken just prior to its relocation on Highway 12 and the 8th Concession of Reach. Letters ito the editor Girl Guides thank residents for support To the Editor: Thank you Port Perry for your over- whelming support in buying the new Chocolate-Mint Waffers which the Guides sold late last fall. Once again we are taking cookie orders but this time it is for the delicious chocolate and vanilla Girl Guide Cookies you all know and love. Please watch for and support our lo- cal girls in this cookie drive. Remember, you are helping them purchase equip- ment for camping, craft paraphanaila, badges and other materials needed in their units. We really appreciate your or- ders which should be delivered in the second week of April. The Girl Guides of Port Perry District have been very busy this winter, taking part in camps at Camp Adelaide in Hali- burton and at the Kinsmen Hall in Port Perry. Many have taken advantage of the Ice Palace as well as spending nice cozy nights indoors learning about Guides in other countries. A major focus this montn has been learning about and appreciating the work done by Lord and Lady Baden Powell the founders of Guides and Scouts. A tribute to these two outstanding people will be made at a Thinking Day Ceremony for all Sparks, Brownies, Guides, Pathfinders and Turn to Page 7 Random Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten TRAGEDY STRIKES AGAIN Scugog Township has been rocked by the accidental deaths of four residents in less than a week. The deaths come as the result of two sepa- rate accidents, one near Caesarea on Feb. 5 and another just south of Port Perry ear- ly last Thursday morning. In both accidents two lives were claimed, and in both accidents the vehi- cles struck head-on, giving little or no chance for the drivers to avoid the tragedy. When tragedies like these happen it leaves a community numb. Who was at fault becomes secondary for the moment to the questions - why did it have to hap- pen, and could it have been avoided? We'll probably never know the answers to these questions, but for the families and friends of the victims, they will be asked over and over again. Our hearts go out to the friends and loved ones of all those involved directly or indirectly. UNSUNG HEROES While on the subject of accidents, it should be noted the incredibly tough job the men and women of the ambulance ser- vice encounter when thrown into these situations. Under the most adverse conditions, twisted metal, bone chilling cold and with little room to administer assistance, they go about trying to save lives. : These dedicated professionals are kind and compassionate, and provide the com- fort and encouragement victims so des- perately need in their time of crisis. Having attended dozens of accidents over the years, ambulance attendants are undoubtedly the unsung heroes. Routinely it is the firemen working with the jaws of life, or the police who are praised for their efforts in helping to free accident victims. And there is nd' question these people deserve equal credit. But as is so often the case, ambulance attendants have been on the scene of an accident and already departed with the injured when others arrive, virtually unnoticed by the public. We know they're not looking for praise, but also acknowledge they should be rec- ognized for the tremendous service they provide to our community. Just knowing these caring, skilled peo- ple are standing by to help when they're needed, can comfort the public and give us all a sense of security. While centering out the ambulance attendants, we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the work of police and fire departments is equally important. Gone are the days when a firefighter is just that, a firefighter! Now they are called upon to rescue victims from auto accidents, search for bodies in lakes, rescue people who've fallen through the ice, as well as attending to their important fire fighting duties. And the police, day in and day out are faced with a multitude of tasks, quite often putting their lives on the line to pro- tect our communities. To all of these dedicated men and wom- en, we owe a sincere Thanks! LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Port Perry Star encourages its readers to make use of the letters to the editor column to express their opinions and viewpoints on just about any subject, as we feel a lively letters column will help make this a better community newspaper. We insist, however, that all letter writers sign their name and include a phone number for verification. Sorry, anonymous letters will not be published unless The Star believes it to be in the best interest of the public. We also reserves the right to edit letters with respect to their length, content or libelous comments.