PAG E 4,W EDNESI)AY, MAY 1, 1985,WIiiT1BY F R EE PRESS whitby Voice of the County Town Michael lan Burgess, Publisher - Managing Editor I>uhlrnslîe<I everv ~Vediies<Iiiy ' 1 b M.B.M. Publishing and Photography linc. Phone f66;8 -6111 ' The Free Press Building, 11 Brock Street North, P.O. Box 206, Whitby, Ont. MICHAEL KNELL Community Editor VALERIE COWEN Advertislng Manager RgcsatClass M51 The only Whitby newspaper independently owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents. We don't care who for, please take time and vote Tomorrow, the people of Ontario will go to the polis to choose the next provincial government. As this newspaper has said before and will say again, the right of franchise is the ultimate authority in a democratic society. Unlike the vast majority of nations and peoples on this planet, the future course of government and public policy ultimately rests with the ordinary citizen. Collec- Like every newsman in these parts with a con- science, I am worrIed about the way that we have deait with terrorism In the past few weeks. We are obviously as il-prepared to deal with it on the air- waves or the front pages, as the Canadian gover- nment is to deal with it when an embassy is raped. I'm not sure where the answer lies, exactly, although I think I have a pretty good idea of the general direction. I do not subscribe completely to the "publish and be damned" philosophy of the Fleet street tabloids; but everything I have learned in 30 years, largely by trial and error, tells me that it Is more dangerous for a journalist to suppress Information than to disseminate it. The journalist risks playing God when he approaches his task with the idea that the public should be protected from Information he thinks it can't handle. But there Is a difference in announcing a fire in a crowded building when one has actually seen the smoke and f lame, and in shouting "f ire" when one only suspects that flame and smoke are present. And there are different ways to warn people. One can announce fire calmly and suggest that people walk, not run, out of the building; or one can shriek the warning, ln a panicky way, and lead the rush to the staircase. I think, those are the differences we are talking about when we're considering how news organizations should cover terrorist activity. The suggestion that the public should not have been warned about the terrorist threat to the Toronto subway system, is, in my view, unacceptable. Where would the police and the media have been If one unsuspecting passenger had been maimed or killed? On the other hand, responsible coverage of the impending threat does not include an advance story on the reserves on Toronto blood banks and whether they would have adequate supplies in the event of carnage. That is quite simply alarmist and that too is unacceptable. The proper course lies somewhere between those two extremes. Our coverage should not give aid and comfort to criminal activities. On the other hand, I see no way that a responsible press could avoid background stories on the grievances which gave rise to the terrorism in the first place. Perhaps it's time that the Press Councils and professional news organizations drew up some guidelines. Perhaps it's time that the authorities took action. They could begin by removing tem- ptation, and cutting telephone Unes to besieged embassies immediately. Perhaps it's time we all did something. tively, we decide what course our communities, province and nation will take. Despite the fact that there has been little meaningful debate on the *weighty issues facing Ontario during this campaign (primarily due to Premier Frank Miller's decision not to participate in television debate with his two main opponents), that doesn't mean that they don't exist and that the citizen should not make his views known on them through the ballot box. in Durham West, which comprises the towns of Whitby, Ajax and Pickering, we have been for- tunate to have four truly excellent candidates seeking our seat in the Ontario Legislature. While we may disagree with them on certain policies and issues, any of them would make a truly ex- cellent member. The Progressive Conservative incumbent MPP, George Ashe, offers the people of the riding a solid record. In ris eight years as our provincial member he has risen in the ranks to become a major voice in the government as Minister of Energy. He has been one of the most visible of provincial politicians in the last few months since being given this middle-level policy making por- tfolio. He is hard working and knowledgable and has many laurels to his credit such as Liquor Control Board of Ontario warehouse right here in Whitby. While we have disagreed with him over such issues as the 'Davis Dome' and rent controls, his overall performance has been excellent. This time, he is up against superior competition from that he faced in 1981. A truly strong campaign has been waged by Liberal candidate Brian Evans. A political newcomer Evans has been making headlines with his stands on the closure of the Durham Centre for the Developmentally Handicapped; GO-ALRT; the extension of funding to the Roman Catholic separate school system; and the contInuing debate surrounding the activities of Ontario Hydro. Evans is bright, young, well-informed and when speaking from the heart is truly impressive. As MPP, he would have mubh to offer. This newspaper has also been impressed with the candidacy of Don Stewart who arries the New Democratic Party's banner. Like Evans, he is a bright, articulate, professional. He cares about people and speaks of compassion in politics. He is also a political novice but in the last few weeks of the campaign has shown himself to be fully capable of assuming the rigorous and demanding role of a member of the Ontario Legislature. Durham West is one of the few ridings in the province that has more than three candidates. Eugene Gmitrowicz is running for the Libertarian Party. He rejects the notions of the three major parties and Instead has been calling for tax sanity, an end to rent controls, a return to both truly free entreprise and individual liberty. For anyone who is disenchanted with the three major parties or their candidates casting a ballot for him could be seen as a protest vote. This newspaper will not endorse any of these gentlemen for office. We believe that should come solely from the citizen. We don't care who you vote for. Any of these gentlemen would do an outstanding job in Queen's Park. All we ask is that you do take the time to vote tomorrow. The future of our province will be decided tomorrow. We all have a voice In plotting that future. Some people don't vote because they belleve they cannot make a difference. Well, every vote counts and all we can say is that it is far too an irnportant thing to waste. Please, vote for the candidate of your choice tomorrow. %M Publishietievery wednlesday