PAGE 6, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2,1988 LA>mp •w w VOICE OF THE COUNTY TOWN Published every Wednesday By 677209 Ontario loc. Phone: 668-6111 Doug Anderson Publisher The Free Press Building 131 Brock Street North, P.O. Box 206, Whitby, Ont. %Aaurlce Plfher Editor Peter Irvine Advertising Manager Alexandra Simon Production Manager The only Whitby newspaper Independently owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents. Electorate apathy, it appears, is but a ghost of the Whitby political past in this municipal election. It was quite evident that Whitby voters are concerned about making the right chôices for town and regional government. More than 300 people jammed the municipal hall last Thursday to hear candidates give their solutions and thoughts on the pertinent issues. Much interest Planning, downtown redevelopment, heritage protection, affordable housing, recycling and the environment, and Port Whitby revitalization were among topics discussed and debated by 15 candidates for ward councillor, four for regional councillor and the two mayoral candidates. We applaud the civic concern expressed by the electorate. And pleasing is the number of contenders for regional, town, school board and hydro commission that have come forth to offer their leadership in this period of rapid change. And as confusing and difficult as it may seem, we hope that this enthusiasm will continue into the federal election in this, an important November, in both our town and Canada. Neighborhood crime prevention program clarified To the editor: I am writing to address the sub- ject of neighborhood crime pre- vention in Whitby (Nichol Ave., Winston, Bellwood, Sawdon ar- eas). I was prompted to act on this as I have been flooded with calls from area residents from the a- bove mentioned streets. They are under the impression that they have a Neighborhood Watch crime prevention program in ef- .fect. At present, Neighborhood Watch is the only recognized crime prevention progran in this area (south of Hwy. 2, east of Thickson Rd.) authorized by the Town of Whitby and Durham Re- gional Police. The Kendalwood Neighborhood Watch, the only Watch in this area, includes specific streets: Kendalwood, east of K-Mart, Hwy. 2, south to Broadview Ave.; Northview, Hunter, Mansfield and Falron Crt. Block Parents, another highly respected group, also works in crime prevention. However, at this time a formal committee is not set up and representatives are very few and far between (for Bellwood school area). Crime prevention programs must have police approval be- cause of the fear of community over reaction and misinformation. Neighborhood Watch signs outlining the Kendalwood area are to identify that the commun- ity has followed specific guide- lines which are set up by the Solicitor General's office, with the full co-operation of Durham Re- gional Police and the Town, and should not have a false sense of security that they are part of this program. Anyone wishing to start a for- mai crime prevention program should contact the Durham Re- gional Police's community ser- vices (18 Division). They will be quite willing to assist you in set- ting up a Neighborhood Watch crime prevention program -- but only if your area warrants it. In closing, I urge people to be aware of any crime prevention program, which is not officially recognized by the police. I hope this clears up any confusion that people might have about who be- longs to Neighborhood Watch in the Bellwood-Kendalwood area. Anita Sturgess Chairperson Kendalwood Neighborhood Watch Objection to Stephen Lewis as speaker To the editor: As a separate school supporter in Durham Region, I wish to register a very strong objection to an information day that is to be held by the Durham Separate School Teachers on Nov. 14 with Stephen Lewis as a guest. I should like to point out to this board and its teachers, that Stephen Lewis was the first poli- tician in Canada to introduce abortion in legislation in a Cana- dian parliament. His socialist philosophy in conjunction with Red Tories and left wing Liberals has become the death knell for over one million unborn Cana- dians. I should also like to point out that the world was· advised in 1917 by Our Lady that Russia would spread her "error of her ways around the world." Russia has spread her errors around the world, ignoring civil rights and supporting left wing, totalitarian regimes around the world. In our country, the abortion philosophy is, by and large, one of the philosophical left. As a Catholic, I am entitled to believe that Our Lady also offered us a solution for world peace. I frankly feel that God will not grant us the wisdom to solve world problemswhile we kill our unborn in this country and others. In my opinion, the Catholic teachers and their superiors would spend their tim e more profitably contemplating the message of Fatima for solutions to global problems, rather than listening to a man whose philoso- phy accepts the destruction of the youngest children, who are the members of our society least able to defend themselves. Liam P. Venner Whitby Letter to the editor: As I read the letter from Lynda Kuchma (Free Press, Oct. 19/88), I sat there in amazment! I'd like to say to Lynda that not everyone in Canada is of the Christian faith, and not everyone (I'rm sure to the surpise of some) celebrates Easter, Christmas and Good Fi- day. As a youngster in the Toronto public school system in the 1950s, I was bombarded with Christian religion and prayers from the New Testament. Personally, I have nothing against anyone else's religion, but when I was made to memorize Psalms, etc., from the 'new' bible, I resented it because I am of the Jewish faith. Not once did we get any alternate type of religious teachings. Now where were my constitutional rights then, Lynda? That is why there are separate schools, from the Catholic schools to the Associated Hebrew schools and any others out there. Today you have a choice -- if you want to combine religion and prayer with education, please go to a separate school. If you just want education without prayer and re- ligion, go to a public school! It's as simple as that. There, I feel better now!! Yours Truly, Paula Hails Whitby In appreciation To the editor: The Whitby Iroquois Soccer Club wishes to thank publicly the service clubs, local business and companies who generously gave their support to our soccer pro- gram by sponsoring one or more of our house league or represent- ative teams this season. The WISC and the executive would like to extend their thanks for a great season to all the coaches and volunteer parents who took part in special events. The club's executive especially appreciates this support and ur- ges all parents and boys and girls playing soccer within our organ- ization to extend their thanks to their sponsors by returning that support. Sam Coppolino Director of Publicity Whitby Iroquois Soccer Club 9I A matter of rights LETTERS The Whitby Free Press welcomes letters to the Editor on any subject of concern to our readers. Letters should be brief and to the point - rarely more than 300 words. All letters must be accompanied by the name, address and phone number of the writer; however, on request, your name may be withheld from publication if we agree that there is a valid reason. The paper reserves the right to reject or edit all letters. Send to: The Editor, Whitby Free Press, Box 206, Whitby. Ontario LiN 5S1 or drop through our mailslot at 131 Brock St. N. 1%