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PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, May 16,, 1995-7 Report on cancer has alarming news To the Editor: | I wonder how many readers have heard of the recent release of the report of the Ontario Task Force on the Primary Prevention of Cancer? The report draws some pretty hardhitting connections between environmental pollutants and a variety of illnesses, including cancer. For example, ground level ozone (i.e., smog from car ex- haust) contributes to "decreased lung function and other respira- tory problems in humans". The report comments that "The continued use of organochlorines as pesticides and in industrial feedstocks is of great concern to the Task Force" and recommends that "Government should estab- lish timetables to sunset the use of chlorine-containing comi- pounds as industrial feedstocks and examine the means of reduc- ing or eliminating other uses of chlorine, bearing in mind the pri- ority to ban substances estab- lished as carcinogens". Another recommendation supports "the development and application of alternative, non-chemical, pest- control measures". Apparently one in three of us Disappointed by meeting From Page 6 Owens' response was that, as feedback was given to the schools from the councils, it would feed upwards and eventually affect the curriculum. A principal pointed out that we had just been told that the curric- ulum was going to be a "common curriculum" for the entire pro- vince for the purpose of saving $30 million and the councils would have no direct say on the curriculum. They could have some say in how it was imple- mented, but the curriculum would be decided by the Ministry of Education. Mr. Owens had to agree that was correct. One of the parents asked what would happen if there were not enough parents interested enough to become involved. She pointed out that it was very diffi- cult to get 20 parents to come to a PTA meeting once every two months, let alone become involved in a time commitment. I couldn't believe the answer: "As in the movie, "Field of Dreams', Kevin Costner believed that if he built the field, they would come. So, we believe that if we pass the legislation, they will come." I asked if the province had con- sidered education vouchers that parents could spend at the school of their choice, so that we could have a real say in our children's education. I was told that the public school system will be so excellent that I won't want to educate my children elsewhere, and besides, what would happen if all the parents sending their children to Uxbridge High decid- ed to send their children to Scarborough High? I find this very discouraging as a parent. For most of their school years, our children have attend- ed independent schools. Right now we have only one child left of school age, and he attends a pub- lic high school. After attending this meeting, which was supposed to encour- age us to become involved and to enlighten us, I can't help but feel that it again is a program designed to make people think they've got a say just so they won't say anything negative against the status quo. It made me (and I was not the only one) frustrated and some- what angry to feel that again we're supposed to meekly fall in line and agree that the "system" knows best. Wilma Van Schelven, Port Perry can now expect to contract cancer (one in two if skin cancers are tak- en into account). Maybe more of us need to focus more efforts on preventing cancer? If you'd like a copy of the Task Force Report on the Primary Prevention of Can- cer, call the Ontario Ministry of Health, Communications Branch at (416) 327-4383. After reading it, some folks may want to consid- er joining a local environmental group which is already working on these issues. Janet Bantin g Greenbank Green team thanks all its helpers - To the Editor: - On behalf of the Scugog Green Team I would like to ex- tend a thank you to all the peo- ple who attended our Com- posting Demonstration at the | Latcham Centre on May 32 'We also wish to thank Peggy Clark and Jay Thibert for speaking on forms of compost- ing. We hope the information was helpful and informative. We wish to extend a special thank you to Mayor Howard Hall for his donation from per- sonal funds to cover the cost of the hall rental fee for the night. Thanks also go out to Jim Roefs of Port Perry Feeds for the loan of the five composters for the evening. Support of this kind enables our non-profit group to contin- ue to, offer these information nights to the public free of charge. For more information on our group, feel free to call Melody at 985-3007. Melody Chapman Scugog Green Team Se me fe RAINY DAY DREAMING TEMPORARY TEMPEST: An overcast May morning hangs outside the open window and the sound of rain caresses my mind while | plug away at the computer, gearing up for another week in the newspaper business. | love the sound of rain falling. It brings to mind holing up in a back room, opening an old box of photos and letting the day pass, the present forgotten. Last night we had a sudden thunderstorm -- or not so sudden, perhaps. The sky grew black and there was an eerie calm. | Along the street children were called inside so they weren't caught in the impending downpour. ) k My kid, just six, wandered around the house at my heels, fearful as a puppy, holding his hands over his ears and urging me to shut all the windows tight. "£, It touched me, his wariness of the heavy weather. His sister, in contrast, joyfully stuck her head out the window and gurgled down the driving rain, then, suddenly inspired, ran to the bathroom to get some shampoo so she could wash her hair. No kidding. : As the storm hit and banged down at us | sat in a chair by the window with my son in my lap. He grew less fearful as the symphony progressed, and was further relieved when his mother, held late at work, finally came through the door and shook the rain from her-umbrella. ' We watched the rest of the storm, and eventually. he didn't mind when | opened a window so we could listen to the cascading rain. | vi By the time the tempest was spent, he wasn't afraid anymore. POLITICIAN ALERT: By now someone has probably Vang on your door to solicit your vote in the June 8 provincial election or, if you happen to live in Ward 2, ask for your support in next Tuesday's byelection. Do you really care? elf" It's tough to whip up a whole lot of enthusiasm for politics right now, with the May long weekend looming and a truly hum-drumn provincial campaign, too long by at least a week, unwinding in the media. C2 We haven't heard much from them yet, but we're bound to see just a little more of the major party representatives here as the day for the vote nears. ot Meanwhile, the new Wasd 2 councillor won't immediately have a heavy meeting schedule, with just a couple short council "| sessions planned before the summer break. But there are some busy months ahead, if what we hear about development proposals heating up turns out to be true. ANYWAY: In the meantime, let's forget about everything, kick back, and enjoy the long weekend. Lord knows we all deserve. a break. Fire up the barbecue, dust off the horseshoes, or get the boat in the water for another season. Whatever you do, take carg, and make sure everyone's fit and sound for the next three-d break. | : Random Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten | BOB PROVIDES THE COMIC RELIEF saying he t mandatory days off doctors must take in Ontario, ought he was the only premier who has ever had a day named after him. "In fact, | have more than one day named after me," he said referring to the title "Rae Days" which has been given to the four days a year doctors must give up. Following the ceremonies, the premier and his Scugog Shores Museum and deserves the support of all members of our community. ~~ This year, for the first time since the race started, I'm going to tackle the route with 10-year-old son Matthew in the bow steering us along the meander- ing Nonquon River. au ) i | remember well the first race along the Nonquon with an old school buddy of mine. Bruce and | were Premier Bob Rae may not be yp the most popular politician in Ear: | Ontario at the moment, but his wit and sense of humor had a crowd of more than 500 chuckling in their seats last Friday at the official opening of Community Memorial Hospital's Stephen B. Roman Wing. "Friends, Romans..... countrymen," he started out his speech to the large crowd gathered on the lawn in front of the new hospital wing. "I've always wanted to say that," he said with a smile looking towards members of the Roman fam- ily seated off to his left. At another point in his speech, he referred to the POR SS entourage climbed back on their buses and headed in our early twenties then and we strained every out for another stop on the campaign trail. The opening of the Stephen B. Roman Wing brings to a close nine years of planning, fundraising and construction and all those who took part in any way are to be congratulated for the outcome. It's something which each and every resident of Scugog Township can be proud of, and provides state-of-the-art health care for this community well into the twenty first century. CANOE THE NONQUON In less than two weeks the 27th annual running of Canoe the Nonquon gets underway in Port Perry. This popular annual event is an important fun- muscle in our body to cover the 20 mile course. With aching muscles, and sunburned backs we arrived at the lakefront wharf in fourth place. | can't remember the exact time, but | believe it was a little over four hours. LE | There's little doubt this trip will be a much more leisure pace, although I'm sure the same muscles will be aching by days end. Anyone who hasn't sponsored a canoe yet, and would like to support the work of our local Museum and Historical Society can contact the Star office and sign up your pledge. . It's all for a good cause and | promise... Matt and | , won't take any shortcuts J ) X bow en ak he