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Editorials -- Information-honestly, openly and freely shared- is the hallmark of democracy Courage WITH THE ONSET of winter, our thoughts go out to Steve Fonyo, the one-legged runner who last week passed the point on the Trans-Canada Highway near Thunder Bay where Terry Fox was forced to abandon his Marathon of Hope run. He started his cross-country run on the east coast and hopes to arrive on the west coast sometime in spring. We remember Steve's brief stop here in Penetanguishene more than two months ago when he received a plaque and words of encouragement from Mayor Ron Bellisle and members of the - community who crowded into the council chambers to pay tribute to Steve's courage in his gruelling cross-country "Journey for Lives". He has let it be known that he intends to keep on running through the winter months. To push on through a Canadian winter, can you imagine the stubbornness and single-mindedness required? Money well spent MUCH HAS BEEN written concerning Pope John Paul's 12- day historic visit to Canada last September. It was a time for Canadians "'to celebrate our faith."' The pontiff's pilgrimage to Canada was a costly affair; there's no denying it. It was reported over the weekend, the total cost of the tour for the 12 dioceses that' welcomed the Pope was $22 million. Revenues were less than $9 million leaving a debt of some $13.5 million to be paid off over the next year or so by the Catholic Church in Canada probably through national collections. Two points should be made concerning the Holy Father's visit to Canada: 1) it will never again occur in our life time and 2) despite the millions spent on the' tour (which resulted in employment for thousands), Canada gained millions of dollars more in positive world-wide publicity. And as for measuring faith-renewed, how can one measure that in terms of dollars and cents? Well done Civitans MEMBERS of the Midland Civitan Club should take a bow for a job well done. The club's Seventh Annual Santa Claus Parade was a most successful, fun-filled event last Saturday. It attracted dozens of entries. As well, an estimated 5,000 to 7,500 people of all ages lined the parade route to watch the giant parade work its way down King Street from the area to the town dock. These parades don't just happen on their own. They require lots of planning. To Civitans, to all participants and to those who braved the cold to watch the parade we simply say, well done. Ethiopian relief P Penetang Legion issues challenge Last night} the Bill Penetanguishene _br- anch of the Royal Stevens, the for $600 for Christmas Legion branch's food hampers for publicity co-ordinator, families in need. The Canadian Legion was to -- said on Monday that the cheque was to be ac- donate $1,000 to the Legion wanted to be cepted by the army's Ethiopian famine relief sure that the money Ray Braddock. fund and challenged went to an organization other service that wouldn't absorb a 2 weep (WINTER WONDERLAND? a "- \ HUMBUG ba Me aN (> a a) nw ~ gy genie fatly anusolec! 4. organizations to do the same. A cheque for $1,000 was to be presented to Mary Gibson, _ the Canadian Red Cross Society's 'local representative, at the Penetang Legion at 8 p.m. Penetanquishene Citizen Published by Bayweb Limited every Wednesday at 75 Main Street, Penetanguishene, Ontario / 549-2012 large portion of the funds for administrative costs. The Red Cross has been in the forefront of Ethiopian relief ef- forts. Last night, the Legion also was to present the local Salvation Army brigade with a cheque Second Class Mail Registration Number 2327 Page 6, Wednesday, December 5, 1984 PGH births Born to Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Maheu of 306 Midland Ave., Midland on Nov. 26, weighing 6 Ib. 6 oz. 'Sends letter to PM Dear Editor: Enclosed is a copy of a letter sent to the P.M.'s office concerning the closure of the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre. : Dear Sir, The recent announcement regarding the im- pending closure of the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre has caused considerable concern in our area. As a teacher, I have found the Marsh and its outstanding staff members to be a very useful resource for my school program. It has been possible to study the Marsh area during the dif- ferent seasons and to learn a great deal from the changes that are evident in each season. The knowledge that the staff members have makes it possible for the students to see, hear and experience many more aspects of the environment than I am able to share with them. The programs that are carried out are well- organized and include preparatory materials for the teachers to use prior to.the visits as well as useful follow-up suggestions. A variety of media is used to present information to the students and there are many opportunities for hands on ex- periences. However, it has been not only as a teacher that I have found the Wildlife Centre. to be a valuable asset to the area. The Centre has personally added much to my own family's awareness and appreciation of wildlife. My son was able to attend an excellent children's program during a March break. Within the session he was involved in a number of ac- tivities that focussed on the animals of the marsh. These activities were new to him and are ones that he has not forgotten. One of the highlights of the past summer was the day our family, including my mother who was visiting from New Brunswick, went on a canoe tour of the Marsh. The guide was able to bring to our attention a remarkable number of things that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. One of the birds we saw was a species of Turn which is considered to be "endangered"'. It was a very worthwhile and enjoyable experience. The possibility of the closure of this facility concerns me because of the fact that these won- derful opportunities will no longer be available. Of even greater concern is the question of the long term effects of such a closure on the marsh itself and on the awareness of our citizens of its value and the importance of preserving it. While I praise your attempts to decisively reduce the deficit, I ask you and your party to carefully reconsider the decision to close the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre. Iam really afraid that the short term financial gain may cost us much much more in the future. Yours truly, 'Susan Arnold Penetang We need YOUR help Dear Editor: - We need your help. The new federal govern- ment has just announced its intention to terminate all Canadian Wildlife Service Interpretation Programmes as of April 1, 1985. This means that ALL FACILITIES AT WYE MARSH WOULD PERMANENTLY SHUT DOWN. In addition, the four other wildlife in- terpretation centres across Canada will be closed and many wildlife research programmes, in- cluding the monitoring of toxic chemicals in the Great Lakes, will be eliminated. Those of us associated with Wye Marsh and aware of the value of its programmes cannot allow this to happen. Your support is needed NOW. We urge you to write to (or call!) the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Environment and send copies to the other politicians listed below. We are including a sample letter, but the appeal will be more effective if written in your own words. Contact selling UNICEF cards Contact Information Centre, Midland, is selling UNICEF Christmas cards in its office on the lower level of Edwards Village Mall. For inore than 35 years UNICEF has been helping to make life better for the world's most needy children. Recently UNICEF has adopted a new and low cost initiative known as GOBI which is intended to create a child survival revolution. Canadian artists are once again highly featured. in UNICEF's 1984 holiday greeting card collection. Five of the 16 designs donated to UNICEF this season are by Canadians Marc-Aurele Fortin, J.W. Giles, Jean Paul Lemieux, John O'Brien, and Aurele Suzor. Publisher: Andrew Markle Editor: Peter Spohn Production Foreman: Editorial Staff: Jim Robb Douglas Reed Production Staff Murray Moore Angie Grasic Paul Sanderson Elizabeth Clark Rudolf Fleischmann | With your help this valuable educational resource will not be lost. , Sincerely, -Mike Hines President Friends of Wye Marsh P.S. Please write regularly until a positive response is obtained. Madame Suzanne Blais-Grenier Rt. Hon, Brian Mulroney Prime Minister Parliament Buildings Minister House of Commons Department of the Ottawa, Ontario Environment K1A 0A6 Parliament Buildings House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Mr. C. Caccia Liberal Party Environmental Critic Parliament Buildings Hon. Doug Lewis, MP. Simcoe North 517 Dominion Avenue Midland, Ontario L4R 1P7 House of Commons 526-4785 Ottawa, Ontario (Orillia 325-1306) K1A 0A6 (no postage is required) Letters The Penetanguishene Citizen welcomes Letters to the Editor. They must be legible, signed (by hand), and carry the writer's address and telephone number for verification. Pen names are not allowed and anonymous letters will not be published. Letters published by this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this newspaper, its publisher or editor. a Advertising Manager:Bob Finch Advertising Staff: Joe Harpell, Linda Ladd Circulation Manager: Arnold Burgher Administration: June Robbins, Diane Moore ES ae RTL EE TIE TE TE