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eee Citizen comment Waterfront park plan a credit to Penetanguishene The proposal for the development of Penetanguishene's waterfront released at last night's meeting of the town council is imaginative, progressive, and startling in its scope for a community of this size. As explained in a story on page one, it changes the focus of the area from a passive to an active park, with plans for an arena, baseball diamonds, tennis courts and the completion of the nature trail network in the west end. It calls for bicycle trails, expanded dock and beach facilities, a football field and a track. It is, in short, the kind of forward-thinking plan that many municipalities talk about, but few have the ability, or the courage, to implement. The park will not, of course, materialize into final form overnight. It may take 10 years or more for it to approach full development. But the key is that the land is there now, with plans finalized and work going steadily on, before we are faced with a full development crunch. To date, the nature trails have been largely completed and much of the preliminary The quiet In some places they call it a revolution, in others a coup or an uprising. But the takeover at Penetanguishene Secondary School on Friday is expected to be peaceful, if not downright friendly. It's student government day at the school again, the one chance the kids have to "'run"' PSS and lord it over the teachers, or be bugged by them as the case may be. Grand returns Penetanguishene Citizen editor Tom Grand, after two weeks basking in the Florida sunshine, is due back in harness tomorrow. Despite threatening postcards to the contrary, in which he claims he intends to stay for at least another month, we have it on good authority that he is a) broke, and b) nearing the Canadian border as this is written. So as long as he doesn't pile up his little red car before reaching Penetanguishene, he'll be back in time to put out next week's issue of the Citizen. And that, folks, makes the rest of the staff at Markle Newspapers breathe a sigh of relief. The lad, it seems, actually does some work over here... landfill has been done to increase the size of the beach. More than $224,000 has been spent on the park, again a large amount for a community of only 5,000. Yet ratepayers here have had to pick up only $6,500 of that cost, because of careful, planned use of existing federal and provincial government programs. For the moment, much of the waterfront still looks like a mess, but what we should see in the years ahead is the transformation of that land into a useful playground, a showpiece for other municipalities -- and one created mainly with outside funding. We are fortunate that over the years council and its appointed executives have had the foresight to retain and increase the amount of publicly-owned land in the municipality, particularly along the waterfront. And we are fortunate that once in control of that land, they have shown themselves prepared to do something with it, for the benefit of all the citizens of the area. To date, ladies and gentlemen, it's a job well done. Now go sic the feds and the province for some more funds. revolution The teachers have a chance to put their feet up and blow bubbles at their one-day masters, to ask THEM all the tough questions, demand the right to sit in THAT seat next to the pretty girl, and in general create the good-natured havoc that's the mark of a spirited school. But wait kids -- or should we say ladies and gentlemen? You've been taking some pretty hard knocks lately in the press and from politicians about not knowing how to read, spell or add and subtract very well. A lot of that criticism is coming from the teachers themselves, who are still trying to digest the affects of a changed educational system they helped to create. Why not set the good profs down on Friday, and give them a series of snap quiz tests -- say a few spelling bees, a handful of mathematics exams, and a sprinkling of questions on basic physics? You might be surprised at the results, if you match the right teachers to the right questions. Try Dave Paille on physics, principal Don Beatty on the principles of Fowler's English Usage, and Dave Moore on the new math. Just a little hint from your friendly neigh- bourhood newspaper. And, oh yes, we'd be happy to print their marks in this same space next week. Their parents, after all, are the members of the public... Looking back In the May 7, 1969 issue of the Citizen: Chief Rodney Monague, Emeline Copecog, Thomas Sylvester, Mrs. Audrey Copecog, Abraham E. King, and Bonnie Copecog Sylvester were among the cast which ap- peared in the Sainte-Marie film. Local students participated in the Miles for Millions march. In the May 6, 1970 issue of the Citizen: Penetanguishene's education levy was fast approaching the quarter million dollar mark. At $241,606, it was $74,530 higher than in 1969. Tiny Township's total levy jumped $162,200 over that of last year. PSS held its annual open house. In the May 12, 1971 issue of the Citizen: Advanced Extrusions Ltd. received a Province of Ontario incentive loan of $100,000 to expand its present plant. The new museum at Sainte-Marie-among- the-Hurons was officially opened. Penetanguishene approved the installation of air conditioners in the council chambers at a cost of $4,000. The rental of the council chambers for use was set at $200 per month. Larry Desjardins was elected president of the Penetanguishene Royal Canadian Legion Branch 68. Alma Moreau and Marcella Lacroix received $100 bursaries from the Legion Branch 68. Penetanguishene received a $5,024 em- ployment grant which was used for development work on the waterfront park project. In the May 10, 1972 issue of the Citizen: The Penetanguishene Lions Club donated $1,000 to the Penetanguishene General Hospital. Three members of the Committee of Youth Organizations of the USSR began a three-day visit to the Midland area. The PSS student council for 1973 was Doug Cote president, Glen Belcourt vice-president and Theresa Lacroix secretary. In the May 8, 1974 issue of the Citizen: Sister Donnelly, principal of Corpus Christi school for six years resigned to take over as head of Bishop Smith School in Pembroke. The Simcoe County Roman Catholic School Board lowered the mill rate on Tiny Town- ship ratepayers. Penetanguishene's official plan moved closer to reality in a marathon six hour meeting between the town's planning board and government officials. Glendon College principal Albert Tucker and two professors from the university were to spend two days here to solidify plans for a ~ French immersion course and possibly a dramatic arts course to be offered here during the summer months. a ems] The Penetanguishene Citizen Member of 'Audit Bureau of Circulations 75 Main Street TELEPHONE 549-2012 Andrew Markle Publisher Victor Wilson General Manager Tom Grand Editor Member of the Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association Mail Subscription $7.50 yearly in Canada $9.00 in USA Audit Bureau of Circulations regulations require that subscriptions be paid in advance. Second Class Mail Registration Number 2327 Sugar & spice Every so often I'm reminded of how very lucky Canadians are. We are not smarter than other people. Goodness knows, we are no more industrious. We are just luckier, because we happen to be living in this country at this time. When you consider that we are just a drop in the bucket of the world's population, you can see just how blind lucky we are. Millions of people on earth today are literally starving to death. They will be dead, stone dead, in days, months, a year. Millions more are just above the starving line. They eke out a barren, blunted, hopeless existence, just one step away from the by Arthur Evans MPP Simcoe Centre The impact of inflation affects every group and person in society. The same applies for slower economic growth. Not only is this true for low and fixed income groups but applies equally to small business and farming. Rising costs of materials and credit plus operating and maintenance costs have cut deeply into the return on investment of a small enterprise. The farmer has witnessed the Farm Input price reach 163.8 by the end animal. These hordes are subject to all the other things that go with a minimal existence, besides hunger: cold, disease, ignorance, fear, and perhaps worst of all helplessness. And we complain endlessly, we Canadians, about such horrors as inflation, postal strikes, taxes, and all the other relatively piddling burdens we bear. We howl with outrage when butter jumps 15 cents a pound. Some of us nearly have a stroke when the price of beer and liquor is raised. The very wealthy feel a deep, inner pain because they can retain only 55 per cent of their income. VY, \@ BY \\ N N DW, WZ of 1973. Put simply, it means it costs the farmer more to do business in 1973 by 63.8 cents on each dollar compared to 1961. And the high costs of fuels, fertilizer, binder twine and a whole assortment of other equipment and materials did not take a holiday during 1974. I think that many of us have taken for granted for too long the very significant roles which small business and farming have played in the economic development of Ontario. Long before this province became Letters to the editor How lucky we are! But what does it all amount to? The con- sumption of butter will go down for a few . weeks, then rise to new highs. The con- sumption of alcoholic beverages will not even tremor, but go steadily upward. And the rich -will become richer. Talk about fat cats, or buxom beavers, and we're it. The Lucky Canadians. The envy of the world. Oh_ yes, we have poor people, quite a few of them. But you would be hard put to it to find anyone in Canada literally starving to death. Or freezing to death. Or dying because there is no medicine for disease. Truth is, the vast majority of Canadians an industrialized and urbanized power, agriculture and small business constituted the economic strength and vitality of Ontario. These two industries previded the initiative and most of the employment to Ontario residents. ; Times have changed drastically. The most urgent problem for the small businessman- woman was getting enough money to expand production to buy another truck or whatever and to get the needed money at reasonable rates. Elmvale council comments 'ludicrous' Dear Sir: I write to your paper at this time on a matter of concern to this community. The reports on the Elmvale council meetings have been very informative and sometimes amusing. I have been disappointed recently at the attitude taken by some members of council, on the incorporated organization known as Centre d'Activites Francaises. To tag this group as separatist is ludicrous and sad commentary on the knowledge of some members of council about the municipalities to the north of Elmvale. In the past, many people, both English and French, have endeavoured to break down the walls of ignorance that have kept us apart. We have felt that both cultures have much to offer each other and in our area we had a chance to do something about it. The English-speaking members of the area welcomed the forming of the Centre and many helped in the organization because they saw an opportunity to encourage the French culture and also to learn a second language in a more palatable way than in a formal school situation. A second language is an easy load to carry. Thope the Elmvale council took\advantage of viewing the Centre d'Activites Francaises exhibit at the Maple Syrup Festival. As a Canadian of English ancestry, with a very limited French vocabulary, I have been received by the French community with kindness and hospitality. I would hope that a few ill-informed people of any culture would not prejudice what we of both races are trying to promote. I am not a member of the Centre d'Activites Francaises but only a Canadian interested in better communication between all cultures in our country, and I feel this- organization is giving something to our area that we should all take pride in and en- courage. To the readers of your paper, good luck, and to the Elmvale Council, 'Bon Chance'. Yours sincerely, A. Bridge. Promote bilingualism Dear Editor, dear Friends, I wish to thank the Penetanguishene Citizen for last week's comment in regard to the signs recently placed at the town's gate. On the official pamphlet designed to inform visitors I read: "Trumpet a Welcome at the entrance of Central Ontario's Bilingual town, etc." There are also two Angels proclaiming the Fraternity between English and French. Are these only words or is there a deeper meaning and longing? I hope and expect that the town of Penetanguishene will have all Centennial information, including the program, in both French and English. The French population here is not over- stepping its rights in requesting that both cultures may have equal opportunities and be able to live together in harmony. Fraternally Juliette Maurice, c.s.c. Tay called irresponsible Dear Editor: It would appear that taxpayers are at the mercy of their governments. A good example of this is the irresponsibility of Tay Town- ship. My neighbours and I have recently found out that we may not have clear titles to our properties in Sunnyside. I also am led to believe that there are at least two other subdivisions in Tay with the same problem. Can you imagine how we felt when we found this out? A dozen questions appeared in our minds. What recourse do we have? Years of fighting in the courts? What happens if I have to move -- can I sell my house? This situation is so bad that the Ontario 'government has stepped in to freeze further development in some parts of Tay until they ia Oh E DIB ALAA IES submit a proper zoning plan. If you own property in Tay Township, my advice to you is that you had better check to . See that you do. Another example of their irresponsibility is the lack of co-operation we have received in trying to get Tay to force the owners of an abandoned open foundation in our sub- division to fill it in. This foundation has been open for more than two years, and contains approximately four feet.of polluted water, I hope that it doesn't take the drowning of a child to force them to do something about it. As a concerned citizen, I challenge the Township of Tay to explain why they have let this mess come about, what they plan to do about it and how long it will take. Aconcerned citizen, Tay Township. by Bill Smiley eat too much, suffer from over-heating: rather than cold and are much more likely to die from too much medicine than they are from disease. And even the poorest of our poor, with all the buffers that welfare provides, are materially millionaires compared with the poor of many other countries. You, Mister, wheeling your Buick dove highway and beefing about the cost oBis, might just as easily be pulling a ricksha in Calcutta, wondering whether you could last until you were 30, so you could see your first grandson. You, Young Fella, who made $10,000 in six months with a lot of overtime, and quit working so you could draw unemployment insurance, could be sweating it out in a South African gold mine, or a Bolivian tin mine, for enough bucks a week to barely feed your family. And you, Ms., whining about the mess the hairdresser made, or complaining about the cost of cleaning women, could be selling yourself in the back streets of Nairobi to keep body and soul together, if you'll pardon the expression. But you aren't, and I'm not, ahd we shouldn't forget it, mates. We were lucky. We live in Canada. ; Once in a while this hits me like a punch between the eyes. One of of these times was on a recent holiday weekend. We were spending a weekend with Gran- dad, in the country. It was cold and blustery outside, and I spent one of those rotten-lazy, thoroughly enjoyable times when there is nothing to do and nothing to worry about: eating and drinking, playing cards, enjoying the fireplace, reading, watching television. The only fly in the ointment was the con- stant decisions to be made, At breakfast, for example. Banana or fruit juice? Coffee or tea? Bacon and eggs or ham and eggs? Toast and jam or fresh bread and honey? Evenings were even worse. AfPhour after dinner, I had to decide whether it was to be coffee and cake with ice cream or tea with butter tarts. Then there was the bedtime snack and more decisions. But it was watching television that blew up the puffed-up dream that life was, after all, good and gracious, cosy and comfortable, warm and wonderful. There on the "news", with nothing to hide it, was the non-Canadian world. Children with the bloated bellies and stick-thin limbs of the starving. Other children, torn and bleeding and screaming with pain. Mothers howling their anguish because they had lost their children and couldn't find them. : A refugee plane, with more than 200 "soldiers" and only five women or children aboard. And everywhere, on that naked screen, people, suffering, terrified, running like rats, from nowhere to nowhere. Not much you and I can do, except' feel 'horrified. It's all: too faraway. But at least we can stop bitching in sin backyard, and face the facts that we're not smarter, or harder working or better looking. Just lucky. Ontario budget meant to sour economy: MPP Last year, the Ontario government in- troduced the Venture Investment Cor- poration as the tax vehicle for getting more working capital into small firms. Under Ontario's proposal, companies would be able to use the VIC approach to invest in small enterprises and be permitted to deduct the amount of their investment from the taxable income. Taxes would be payable only when a with- drawal of the investment occurred. For various reasons the proposal never became a reality because it required legislation from federal authorities. The 1975 budget contains two major provisions to help small business. The small business investment tax credit on new capital spending doubles from $3,000 to $6,000. Small vendors become eligible for compensation for three per cent of fhe retail sales tax collected up to a maximum of $500 in each fiscal year. All farmers should carefully gauge the effects of new budget proposals on their operations. To meet the increasing costs of farm production, a cost of production guarantee totalling $20 million is included in the Agriculture and Food Ministry estimates. The 50 per cent feature of the Farm Property Tax Reduction Program continues and is now extended to tree farm operations. No death taxes will be levied on estates up to $250,000 in value, and if one owns a farm or a small business the value of that asset is not taken into account for succession duty purposes if it is passed on to members of the deceased's family. They must retain the farm or the small business for 10 years after the owner's death. ; This feature of the succession duty law had applied only to farmers prior to the budget and even then the holding period for inheritance was 25 years. Important changes also occur in the gift tax provisions. Gifts of more than $2,000 to any individual have been taxable. The tax- free gift now becomes $5,000. The once-in-a- lifetime special exemption for farmers-under the Gift Tax Act will be raised from ie $75,000. Ontario family businesses noWeare eligible for this same gift tax exemption. * In addition, the government will bring provincial corporate income tax into line with federal tax administration. Every at- tempt will be made to simplify tax forms and procedures to help all types of business operations. Jit As I-noted in my last report, Ontario's budget proposals are intended to get the economy moving. It will be interesting to see if the proposed federal budget follows in the same direction of stimulation or ratifies the existing status of no economic growth. _