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By MARY DAWSON Reconstruction of Yonge Street betWeen Mar - ham Road in Richmond Hill and Thornhill will take place within the next five years, Roy Burnfield of the Ministry of Transportation and Communication told a group of ratepayers from the Richvale area at a meeting with members of Richmond Hill Town Council in the Spruce Street Lions Hall, June 29. Mr. Burnfield said the proj- tion is, are they going to con ect will be going to the design tinue to push it up for us t e n gin e ers immediately. The cart away." plans call for two 12 foot lanes WANTS BYLAW each way ithe present ones are James Callaghan, father of 10 foot) with a 17 foot median young boy seriously injured a; strip. nine foot shoulders and Yonge Street last winter, put the curbings on the outside of sued the subject by asking the shoulders. This will give 3 “Could we not have a bylagreat deal of flexibility to the to prevent store owners fror road and if traffic increases pushing the snow from thei greatly. three 11 foot lanes parking areas on to the 14 foe each Way may be provided with- strip which should normall in the curbings. The median contain a sidewalk?” strip will also assist pedes- Later Ward 3 Councillor Loi lrians in crossing the road, he Hancey told the group tlia said. [there is a bylaw in old Rich Original plans “we to re~ surface the road and make other necessary repairs, but close inspection convinced the department that reconstruction was necessary. He also sug-} gested that the work could be completed in a shorter time “ifl sufficient money is available."1 ANY SIDEWALKS? manuel Anglican Church. locat- Asked by a ratepayer if side- ed on MacKay Drive, thought ualks will be included in the that “snowplowing of a side- plan, Mr. Burnfield replied that walk is most needed between new sidewalks are the respons- Carrville Road and Scott Drive, ibimy 0‘ the muniCiDalit)’. Ulthe problem south of that area they are required they will bEjis more to get the corners clear included in the contract but [he’ij snow.” A ratepayer added total cost will have to be bornelthat snow clearing is eSsential by the municipality. Mr. Burnfield reported that installation of traffic lights has been found to increase the num- ber of vehicular accidents. par- ticularly those of the rear-end collision type. The meetng was chaired by Alfred Stong, the ratepayers‘ solicitor. who reviewed the rate- payers' requests presented to an early June council meeting in a petition signed by 554 people. MAIN CONCERN “Yonge Street is their main concern." he said. “They have‘I asked for reduction of the speed limit to 35 mph, traffic lights and crosswalks to give‘ safe access to bus stops, snow removal from the path. where there is one, and from street intersections and removal 01‘ high snowbanlcs." any place there is a bus stop and another wondered how the fire department would find the hydrants buried under six foot banks of snow. Mr. Wainwright felt that high priority for removing snow at intersections to give motorists better visibility and so that they will not need to risk their lives by nosing out into the traffic lanes, should be given to Oarrville Road. Spruce Street and Garden Avenue. Mr. Schiller reported that the maintenance engineer believed that a snow blower could han- dle the areas where the piled up snow could be blown away into adjacent fields. In other areas it will be necessary to truck the snow away. he said. SPEED LIMIT Annthor ratpnavm' wanth to Councillor David Schiller. chairman of councils works. committee pointed out that there is a division of respons~ ibility between the municipality and the province on the rate pas'ers' requests. “The town's works department would be re- sponsible for clearing of snow on the sidewalks along Yonge Street. removal of snow at inâ€" tersections and extension of Pearson Avenue. We have dis- covered that the muuicipality owns two lots to give access owns two lots to give access} from Carrville to Spruce Street.‘ What we would like to know to-‘ night is what you think are the critical areas for clearing snow from intersections. We have investigated the cost of removing all snow from Mark ham Road to Highway 7 and the figure is very high." “I believe that the problem is that highway crew push the snow one way and merchants push it the other way," com- mented Councillor Lou Wain- wright. who represents Ward 6 (the Richvale area' on Richâ€" mond Hill Council. “The ques- Yonge St. Reconstruction Planned For Richvale In Five Years Diane Barrow, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elgin Barrow, Centre Street East, Richmond Hill, purchased the first new car from Neill Datsun’s nefi' facility at 169 Yonge Street North, Richmond Hi . lPhotos b) smarts St Proud Owner Of A N w Datsun constructing the highway.” “There would be more child- ‘I Mr. Burnfield also described ren, if it were safe, but parents ‘how a speed limit is set. “from won't let them crOSS with pres- development along the road and out conditions." a woman stated. speed studies. .The speeds of; “We want to come up with vehicles are checked severalgpriorities and want suggestions times and 85% of the averazcgto take to council," Mr. Wainâ€" :peed is taken. Otherwise, we wright continued. “The fact have found, the police are un- that seven of the nine members able to enforce the limit." of council are here tonight "DOES the Speed limit control,demonstrates that we are all the traffic or does the trafficjsympathetic to your requests." control the speed limit?” asked "Council has launched a Mr. Stong. “If a police cruiser'transportation study which in- is parked beside the road the eludes the whole town and ev- posted speed limit is observed," ery facet of public transporta- replied Mr. Burnside. “When tion." Mr. Wainwright stated. s.-.- .., .0- ._.-., a_v tinue to push it up for us to‘ can away." WANTS BYLAW James Callaghan, father of a young boy seriously injured on Yonge Street last winter, pur- sued the subject by asking, “Could we not have a bylaw to prevent store owners from pushing the snow from their parkinz areas on to the 14 foot strip which should normally contain a sidctsr'alk?" Later Ward 3 Councillor Lois Hancey told the group that. there is a bylaw in old Rich- mond Hill which prohibits any- one !rom blocking the side walks. “If it hasn’t already been extended to cover the whole town. we' will have to do so. Then it will be a question of laying charges to enforce it.” SNOW REMOVAL Rev. George Young of Em- manuel Anglican Church. locat- ed on MacKay Drive, thought that “snowplowing of a side- walk is most needed between Carrville Road and Scott Drive, Rather startling figures were given by Mr. Burnfield of the average annual daily traffic on Yonge Street. In 1960, it was 20,000 vehicles. In 1965 this had dropped to 18,500, in 1970. to 16,350 and in 1972 it rose slightly to 17,150, in spite of higher population density. The explanation, he believed, was that in the meantime Bayview Avenue and Bathurst Street had been improved and were used by more motorists. “What is the purpose of widening this road?" \he was asked. "For more traffic?" i “To make the road safer,’ was his reply. “The 17 foot median will take left-turning traffic out of the way. We know there will be an increase in traffic in the future because of the BAIF de- velopment." SAFE FOR CHILDREN "We are trying to make it safe for the children," another ratepayer contributed. “We want the speed limit dropped from 45 to 35 mph to makeI the problem south of that areal is more to get the corners clear; of snow.” A ratepayer added. that snow clearing is eSsentialg' any plaCe there is a bus stopl and another wondered how the’ fire department would find the hydrants buried under six foot had circulated the petition, re- .-.\..L_.: things safe. A push button ty‘pei itraffic light at Garden Avenue; is needed for the protection of: the large number of students; attending Langstaff Secondary School." One of the ratepayers, who -1... LA: 1.-.“. L_1.J Li. better visibility and so that they will not need to risk their lives by nosing out into the traffic lanes, should be given to Carl-ville Road. Spruce Street and Garden Avenue. Mr. Schiller reported that the maintenance engineer believed that a snow blower could han- T die the areas where the piled ’7 up snow could be blown away 3' into adjacent fields. In other 0 areas it will be necessary to d truck the snow away, he said. 3 SPEED LIMIT Another ratepayer wanted to know who has control over the‘ speed limit within a municipal‘ ity on a Queen‘s Highway. Mr. Burnfield replied that the high- way through old Richmond Hill has been designated 3 connect- d ing link for many years anduh there the municipality controls‘tl the speed limit. “South of “ Markham Road the highway is under‘the Minister’s quiSdIC-rn tion. The town can request a"0 connecting link agreement forab this area. but would then haven to pay 10% of the cost of reâ€"YS constructing the highway.“ ! tion is, are they going to con- tinue to push it up for us to can away." conâ€"l) TRAFFIC HAS DECREASE!) One of the ratepayers, who had circulated the petition, re- ported slie had been told by‘ older residents that in past years it wasn’t as difficult to walk on the side of the road as it has been this year. “I’ve made frequent complaints about the bus stops. Children and old folks had no alternative but to walk and stand on the snow- banks." "This is the first year Rich- mond Hill has been in charge. The town now has more equip ment to handle the job, let‘s give them a chance,” said an- other ratepayer. “Vaughan didn't do that much and it was a bad winter." "We are concerned about now.” stated another ratepayer. "Let's not wait for five years, let‘s not wait until another dozen kids are killed." WHAT ABOUT ADULTS? "What are adults suppOSed to do?” asked another. “I was hit and thrown 20 feet and was told we couldn‘t afford side- walks." “In my 22 years here." staied Mr. Wainwright, “it is my rec- ollection that more adults have been hurt than children. How many children cross Yonge Street except on Saturday?“ the cruiser isn't there the traf- fic sets its own speed." “It's in your best interests to wait until the reconstruction of Yonge Street is completed be- fore seeking a connecting link agreement.” pointed out Mr. Wainwright. “Otherwise Rich- mond Hill will have to pay 10% of the costs.” “What is the purpose of widening this road?" yhe was asked. “For more traffic?” In the nicture above, Diane is seen receiving a bouquet (if flowers from Ian Neill, president of Neil! Datsun Limited. as she took possession of her shiny new vehicle. “As far as priorities are con- cerned, what we can do is de- termine how much m o n e y we can get and how much we can add to that," stated Mayor William Lazenby. “If we can work with the Ministry of Transportation and Communi- cation, give a little and get a little, We may be able to giVe you a satisfactory solution. You can all put pressure on the proâ€" vincial government to Speed up the reconstruction of Yonge. It took eight years in old Rich- mond Hill and we had to fight ville Road and Highway 7. 1 “When you people see fit to1 ’get an answer back to us, we’ll meet with you again.” stated Mr. Callaghan after Mr. Wain- wright had suggested that rep- }resentatives of the group meet with council committees and "‘get down _to the nitty-gritty". Regional Councillor 'Gordon Howe assured those present that the widening of Yonge Street would indeed make it safer for motorists and pedes- ,trians. “We have had the same “We hope to have the report iment September with recommenda-‘ligr tions. These could change a ban few or many things.” land to get those two extra .traffic lights.” TRAFFIC LIGHTS The consensus of those pres- Studio) 1 An assessment of economic‘ ,‘trends, growth factors and our rent and future housing needsi ‘in the municipality will be in- cluded in the study. Interviews will he held with municipal 0f- ficials, businessmen. social and welfare workers and other com- munity representatives. Senior citizens in Richmond Hill who are interested in this type of accommodation should obtain an application form from Richmond Hill Municipal Offi- ces or from Ontario Housing Corporation, 110 Dunlop Street East, PO Box 100, Barrie, On- tario. as soon as possible. The first senior citizen apart- ment building in Richmond, Hill. located on the north sidej of Dufferin Street. was opened' three and a half years ago and the second building on the south side of Dufferin Street welcomed its first tenants just over a year ago, providing a total of 122 apartments. There is room on the second site for another building of the same size and Mayor William Lazen~ by reported to a recent council meeting that from the number of enquiries he has had there is a definite need for a start Ion the third building. DR. WM. LaCROIX OPPOSES THE STRAP mittee felt that this was not consistent with the attitudes ex- pressed throughout the discip- linary practices report. However a footnote recorded the fact that the minority of the committee believed that proper school discipline may require the use of corporal punishment and that such corporal punish- ment should be administered by use of the strap. vu'th proper safeguards against its abuse. “You're taking away a deter- rent". said Superintendent Joseph Hodge. “The strap is a proper way of punishment ent was that a set of traffic lights is needed between Mark- ‘ham Road and Carrville Road and another set between Carr- ville Road and Highway 7. “When you people see fit to get an answer back to us, we’ll meet with you again,” stated wright had suggested that rep- 'resentatives of the group meet with council committees and "‘get down _to the nitty-gritty". Regional Councillor ’Gordon Howe assured those present that the widening of Yonge Street would indeed make it Mr. Callaghan after Mr. Wain-i and does work." He also re-‘ ported that when his children were young he had sought a traffic light at the corner of‘ his street. “It is now 20 years later and we still don't have it.” Mrs. Hancey assured the rate- payers that snow removal and sidewalk clearance will be much better next winter since more money has been provided in the budget. Money has also been provided for street lights. She cautioned that 10% of the cost of reconstruction “is an astron- omical figure which you and other taxpayers in Richmond Hill can't afford to pay." 7Resigns From Separate School Board ent was that a set of traffic lights is needed between Mark- ham Road and Carrville Road and another set between Carr- ville Road and Highway 7. safer for motorists and pedes- Ward 5 Councillor Stewart mans. “We have had the same Bell told the ratepayers that‘ problem in my area (Oak they would have an opportunityRidges) and I didn’t believe for input in the transportation‘ that road widening would work. study. “so we can make the bash I want to assure you that it will possible decisions for you." Under this study a research team from the government‘s housing agency will estimate the number of senior citizens living in Richmond Hill whose housing is inadequate or be- yond their financial capabilities. Senior Housing Study Will Start JuIy 15 A study to determine the need and demand for more senior citizen housing in Rich- mond Hill will be conducted by the Ontario Housing Corpora- tion beginning July 15. The study has been requested by town council. Dr. William LaCroix of Thorn- 1hill submittEd his resignation as a trustee to the York County Roman Catholic School Board during its Tuesday night meet~ ing and immediater left the room. The doctor has been one of the representatives from the 4 Yonge St. South Richmond Hill Hydro-Electric Commission township (now the town\ of Markham since the boards in- ception three years-ago. His resignation came about as a result of a division of opinion on the strap as a means of punishment in the schools of the county system. He was a‘ member of a board-teacher edu- cation committee, chaired by: Trustee Noreen Lee of the! Town of Vaughan. which recom- mended on behalf of the ma- jority of that committee that page 5 of a report prepared by the disciplinary practices com- mittee be deleted. This page advocated the continuance of strapping as a means of punish- ment. The board-teacher com- “it used by all parents." “Not hyiwhy it is recommended that till." argued Trustee Malcolmithey do not watch violence on Peake of Richmond Hill. ttelevision. I don‘t think we “Discipline as severe as thatfneed such a weapon in our should be left to the pa1~ents“.§schools. I don't think our prin- was the contention of Trusteercipals need it. other methods Paul Tremblay of Georgina. {can be found to discipline chil~ “But what happens if they dren“. don't?" asked l\’ll'. Peake. i Mrs. Lee and Mr. Tremblay “That's their prerogative."(disagreed with a statement by Mr. Tremblay said. “We are a the superintendent that the Christian school system andfstrap is rarely used. “I suggest their is nothing Christian a-boutthat it is used far more than the strap. It‘s premeditated‘you know." said Mrs. Lee. violence. It the parent fails to} Dr. LaCroix commented that. take action and improve the,"Physical violence responds to conduct of the child then herphysical violence". can be let out of the system." 1 “The trouble is that under “How would you justifyithe safeguards provided (the abandoning him. rather than strap is administered by the straightening him up?" askediprincipal in front of a witness) Trustee John Taylor of Rich-ithe punishment is remote from mond Hill. {the crime". noted Dr. LaCroix. Dr. LaCroix wanted to known, Mrs. Lee then suggested that “Where in our Family Lifebefore implementation of her Program will you find justificaâ€"{committee‘s recommendation it tion for this type of kangaroo would be good to get the justice?" opinion of all the principals. SAM COOK, Chairman “I object to adults using a weapon on children." stated Mrs. Lee. “The fact that this type of punishment is almost entirely restricted to elementary pupils and not used on sec- ondary School students makes me suspicious that we use it With a CASCADE 40 electric water heating appliance you can use all the hot water you want at ONE LOW FLAT RATE. The CASCADE 40 produces hot water electrically 6 TIMES AS FAST AS AVERAGE USE DEMANDS...but your water heating bill never increases. For information, call: Ll VE BETTER ELECTRICALLY THE LIBERAL, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Thursday. only when we can get away with it. I don’t agree that it is a deterrent. Children imitate what they see adults do. that's why it is recommended that they do not watch violence on television. I don‘t think we need such a weapon in our schools. I don‘t think our prin- cipals need it. other methods can be found to discipline chil~ dren“. Mrs. Lee and Mr. Tremblay disagreed with a statement by the superintendent that the strap is rarely used. “I suggest that it is used far more than you know." said Mrs. Lee. Dr. LaCroix commented that. "Physical violence responds to physical violence“. “The trouble is that under the safeguards provided (the strap is administered by the Mrs. Lee men suggested thatid‘ations of the committee (in- before implementation of hencluding minority recommenda- committee's recommendation itttionsl in this area be submitted would be good to get theito the principals for comment. opinion of all the principals. land that this decision be conveY- Trustee Taylor then moved ed to Dr, LaCroix. an amendment that the opinion "The chair will ignore the of the minority of the com-(resignation of Dr. LaCroix. mittee (that the strap be mainâ€" Since it was not made in the mined as punishment) be subâ€" proper form“, stated Chairman stituted for the majority recom- Jacobs. “and communicate to mendation. The amendment him the subsequent. action of carried. the board.” your [1 ydro that the opinion “The chair will ignore the ty of the comâ€"[resignation of Dr. LaCroix. e strap be main-'since it was not made in the ishment) be subâ€" proper form“, stated Chairman imajority recom- Jacobs. “and communicate to The amendment him the subsequent action of the board.” BRYDON ELLIS, Manager 884â€"4466 "I did not expect a decision on the strap tonight.“ said Mrs. Lee. “I believe all trustees should read the information available and be aware that some boards have abolished its use and find that discipline can be maintained without it.“ "Is it the opinion of this board that we have dealt with the subject too summarily?" asked Chairman Eugene Jacobs of the Town of Vaughan. The majority of trustees agreed that such was the case. The amendment was rescind- ed on motion of Trustees Trem- blay and Peake with the re- quirement that the recommem It was then that Dr. LaCroix left the meeting after stating, “as chairman of the Family Life Program. I must resign from this board. I can no longer sit: with people with this attitude. In no way can I justify this attitude." July 6, 1972