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Way above average Police pay too heavy tax load Local first class con- stables have just received a wage settlement giving them 50 per cent more than the average pay of the taxpayers who support them. The taxpayer seems to be at the mercy of such powerful labor groups in the public service. The 1976 settlement gives a first class constable, your average policeman, $17,376 a year. The average annual in- come of an Ontario working person as of February was $11,410. a year, according to the May issue of the Canadian Statistical Review. Dear editor: - This letter is written as a result of a recent visit to the Kings Island Park near Cincinnati, Ohio. This park is one of the existing leisure centres owned and operated by the Taft Corporation, the company proposing to construct one in Vaughan. As we are some of the closer residents to the area to be developed and might be directly affected by this proposal, we felt we should see fir- sthand for ourselves what one of the existing centres really looked like and what objectionable features. if any, there were. We approached this visit with an open mind despite the often misleading statements and actions of the S.A.V.E. group who have sprung up in opposition to the proposed park. A group who, by the way, do not represent the majority of the people in the town of Vaughan regardless of what they say. The first thing we noticed was the similarity between the location of the existing park at a major highway in- terchange and the proposed site at Highway 400 and Major Mackenzie Drive. Entrance and exit from the park was effortless and quite safe, due to a combination of a service road and well designed approach ramps. The parking lot is spacious, spotlessly clean and well laid out. Attendants were on hand to direct vehicles to their designated areas, i.e. buses or cars. There was also a very reassuring precaution being taken. and this was the patrolling of the parking areas by a Leisure project Vaughan asset This represents an un- _ These half-hour to hour visits uncover problems and concerns that are not always mentioned at public meetings, or when standing on a taxpayers doorstep. These are the initial comments I have received for the past three years. as I spend amost every Saturday from 11 am. until 4 pm. visiting a minimum of eight tax- payers weekly. MARKHAM â€" The community of Thomhill in the town of Markham is a‘gi'eat place to live. This ié what most people will say when you ask their opinion on their doorstep. They point out that once you are a few feet off of Steeles Avenue. Yonge Street, or Highway 7. they can‘t hear the traffic, and can enjoy a quiet environment. They proudly mention the many trees. well groomed lawns, and the friendly neighbors. The Liberal is published every Wednesday by Melvospan Community Newspapers Limited â€" North Division, which also publishes The Bannet in Aurora, Newmarket, The Woodbndge Vaughan Naws, and The action Entevprise. PAGE M mnncsou. mu 23, 1976 VieWpoint column '3 Jim Irving and regular cartoonist John Styga on holiday this week Thornhi/ler’s secret concerns By Ron Moran 51112 Z‘Iihtral 10101 Yonge Stem, Richmond Hill L4C 4Y6 Ontario PUBLISHER J.G. VAN KAMPEN ASST. PUBLISHER MURRAY SKINNER EDITOR HAROLD BLAINE Your average policeman dgesn’t have to be a genius. An average guy will do. fairly high level of pay for an organized group in relation to the ordinary working citizen who has to pay the bill. The kind of unequal situation reflected in the York Regional Police setâ€" tlement is the kind of thing in our economy which needs some straightening out. fire extinguisher equipped vehicle For people parked some distance from the entrance, small trains were provided which picked them up and carried them to the entrance gate. The traditional checks and balances aren’t coping with such inequalities in the economy. At the entrance there were several people dressed up in animal costumes who amused and fascinated the younger children which certainly started them off in a happy mood. If the Anti-Inflation Board is to have any value at all, it must be in reducing such disturbing unfairness. Upon entering the park the first sight that greets you is the beautiful pool and fountains which are illuminated by colored lights at night. 7 This legds downythe centre of the main street to the focal point which is a scaled down version of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Relaxed atmosphere Once inside the home, sitting in their kitchen or livingroom, I find residents will have a few questions about the town or about the services it provides. It is usually at this point that they commence to voice their concern and anxiety about con- ditions that affect them directly. For example, many people on Steeles Avenue mentioned in- creasing traffic, higher hydro rates William Busby . . .France example A Nag-cal column or common by our readers Submuss-ons should be no more man no wordy Iyped order-my (P'ITotb by How) Spectacular views of the entire park and surrounding countryside may be had from the top of this tpwer.‘ _ This street is flanked on both sides by cobblestone walks and attractive buildings in the style of a European village. All along these sidewalks are tables and chairs with sun umbrellas providing an outdoor cafe atmosphere. All of this made a very pleasant first impression. There are many eating places situated throughout the park serving a variety of foods, which may be eaten inside in clean and pleasant surroun- dings or taken t_o the gutside tables. .- Dear editor: There are exceptions to all laws. One should be the exception to bilingualism in air traffic control. Until recently all pilots and con- trollers in Canada spoke English. Now, some pilots in Quebec speak or “prefer” the use of French. Vilfiwas noted the slightest spillage of food or paper was almost immediatley r’l‘o accommodate them, all pilots and air controllers right across Canada will eventually have to be bilingual. Quebec French should give This n'leans the Frencfi speaking pilots in Quebec will eventually have to learn English too. 7 Wouldn’t it be easier for them to learn and use English now rather than put all others on the merry-goâ€"round back to square one. . .. p. I 7 jénfely in one area, for the safety and convenience in air travel. this French (they pay rural rates), and water pressuyg. _ ‘ . _ . .u I ,,,J Henderson Avenue residents repeatedly spoke of increased traffic due to new development to the north, as well as trucks using Henderson as a bypass on their way up to the Doncaster industrial area. Police needed Inadequate police enforcement of our traffic bylaws was mentioned not only on Clark, Almond, Delair Delmany and Romfield, but also in the Simonston Blv. area. 0n Highland Park, Woodward, Grandview, and Meadowview â€" homeowners voice complaints about squealing tires, cars using their road to test brakes, town weed control, overnight parking, and non- residents using their street as a cut off to avoid a left hand turn at Steeles a_nd Yonge. A growing number of people on a fixed income expressed their anxiety about increasing home taxes, and wondered if they would be able to continue to live in our town. Taxpayer supports $17 ,376 constables picked up py a uniformed young attendant and the tables were wi d down as soon as the customers lef . Perhaps, because the over-all park is under one ownership, there was none of the usual hassle of one attraction trying to compete with the other by drowning each other out with raucous music or shouting. From our observations, this was not an isolated case, but standard procedure at every establishment Being accustomed to the noise and dirtiness 0f the CNE, we were im- pressed by the cleanliness and level of sound, to say nothing of the variety and calibre of the rides and different amusements. group could swallow their pride and co- operate with t_he rest of the Canadians. France and other countries whose languages are not English, work in English, and Quebec is not even a country. It is fime the French and the province of Quebec made some contribution to national unity. All air controllers in France and Canada must speak English. All pilots in every country who fly internationally must speak English. There is no reason why all Canadian pilots should not speak English. WILLIAM BUSBY, President, Canada Party, 58 Laureleaf Rd., Thornhill, Ont. The lbudest single sound was made Townhouses Perhaps the most common con- cern is the impact on the community of more and more townhouses. Few were aware of the fact that in 1975 only 221 single family home permits were issued in Markham, whereas some 1,518 multiple units were approved. Most‘a-greed our town, like others in Ontario, have to provide a mix of affordable dwellings. But they felt when too many are put into established communities, the neighborhood character is altered and sound planning prin- ciples have gone out the window! Registering complaints There is no simple solution to all of these problems. The growth rate in Thomhill has been very rapid,. almost forcing council to practise a catchup program on many community services. Markham has a hard working council that is sincerely trying to The Slst anniversary of one of the most important local events in the fields of journalism and politics comes Sept. 5. The occasion was a Richmond Hill picnic attended by Mackenzie King, federal prime minisigr. A general election was to be held Oct. 29 with a new finance minister in the cabinet. James Robb. King inade a double announcement that day. Appointed were eight senators, in- cluding William A. Buchanan, founder and owner of the Lethbridge, Alberta daily newspaper, The Herald. Public service Buchanan served for decades as member of the Alberta Legislature, member of the House of Commons, and then as member of the Senate. This newspaper’s archives have a gap in the last part of 1925 and early 1926, so it isn’t possible to recall what the local news columns reported about the picnic and the prime minister's announcements. Senator Buchanan was also a highly successful journalist with The Toronto Telegram before going to the Prairies to seek his fortune. . Markham roots But Senator Buchanan has another connection with this area. His father William served'Ior a time as minister of a church in Markham. Newspaper creed Before he died at age 79 on July 11 of 1954, publisher Buchanan wrote out for his successors his version of what a newspaper’s creed should be. tou for neser i i Except for the fact this newspaper is independent politically and is dedicated only for the public good, Buchanan's creed is one no newspaper would be ashamed of. If The Liberal in its endeavors could come close to achieving the goals Buchanan set out for his newspaper, then this newspaper would not be doing badly. A newspaper creed We left this development, impressed by the over-all cleanliness of the park, the courtesy and well dressed apâ€" pearance of the young people working there and feeling that it was truly a A great deal of thought has been put into the landscaping in the park. i.e. trees are plentiful, plants and flowers are everywhere and the lawns and hedges are meticulously cared for by a large staff. This feature would certainly appeal to older people and allow them to pace themselves in order to be able to see all of the park. There is also an animal nursery in- cluded where certain baby animals may be seen behind glass. This, coupled With a small Sequarium, certainly helps both the children and adults alike to better understand and appreciate animal life: The'campgroun'd'area was clean and well laid out. It appeared to be equal or better than our provincial parks. Benches were plentiful along the various paths and walkways, with a portion of one walkway being net covered to provide a sub screen. It was aiso filled with plants and flowers which made it a cool and restful place t9 escape from the‘hga‘t. by the people laughing with delight as they enjoyed themselves, which is something I am sure no one could object to. One of their many interesting features was the African area which is the Rockton Game Farm near Hamilton, except that instead of driving your own car, you are driven about in a comfortable monorail train. This allows for a closer view of the various animals. correct as many of the problems as time and money wig permit. However, councillors are very busy people and most find it is almost a full time job just attending to their normal council duties. If citizens have a problem, they should contact their councillor personally and also inform their ratepayeij association. Ciiizén input is not only necessary, but vital, if the town is to ontinue to be a good place to live in! (Ron Moran. 49. has served on the Markham council for a short time while an election was in doubt and as a regional councillor. He is seeking election in December to the region again. Mr. Moran lives on Dickson Hill. a hamlet in rural Markham, He has served on the Children‘s Aid Society executive. board of health. Markham Museum board. and numerous committees in the town. â€" Editor) His principles Here is how former Canadian Press Opinion By Harold Blaine Letters president Buchanan put down his brinciples “I am anxious that the Herald should maintain the ideals that I have sought to carry out from the day I started it until I passed out of the picture. “I refrained from owning stock in any public utility that had to do business in Lethbridge so as to enjoy perfect freedom in any course we took in relation to dealings these companies might have with the city. In this way the Herald was kept free from being selfishly interested. Likewise. I refused to acquire stock in the brewery or any other liquor setup so as to be free in expressing opinions on prohibition or liquor legislation'of any kind. “While the Herald has been looked upon as a Liberal paper. it has not been partisan. I prefer to think of the paper as independent with sympathy for Liberal principles. I have always believed in freedom â€" freedom of the individual. freedom of speech and freedom of trade. Again, I have always sought to keep the news columns free from bias â€" a fair show for every class, every party. “My desire is that the paper I founded continue along the paths I laid for it. The Herald should be a newspaper of high principles, and a servant of all good causes. “Never allow the Herald to be the tool or the mouthpiece of selfish interests. Stand by the common, everyday folks." “Never forget the slogan “The Herald Serves the South“. It has served the South (southern Alberta) through the years and must keep serving it. “Think a situation over carefully before the Herald takes a position â€" and always stand for the right, even if you realize there may be a financial loss at the moment. It pays in the end to be right. The most obvious alternative would be a massive subdivision with its inherent costs for services schools and sewage disposal, all of which would be born by every taxpayer in Vaughan. leisure centre. allowing people to do their own thing â€" be it enjoying the rides, seeing the exhibits or just plain relaxing in clean and wholesome surroundings. Another item of concern to the S.A.V.E. groups was the possibility of a commercial spinoff from the centre, i.e. hamburger and hotdog spots along Major Mackenzie Dn've. It should' be noted there were no gangs or rough looking groups hanging around the parkz The S.A.V.E. group by their unreasoning attitude, appear to have blinded themselves to what other alternatives there are to an en- tertainment-recreational park on the subject lands. Compare this situation with the self- contained feature of the leisure centre. This may have been due to a com- bination of the initial entrance fee, the type of entertainment and the sight of the uniformed security personnel patrolling the entire park. Apparently the Findlay Farms had no intention of carrying on their agricultural operations at this location or they wouldn’t have considered moving out. Since portions of Major Mackenzie Drive are already zoned highway commercial, development would take place as soon as services were available and it became economically feasible to do so. As the centre would contain a variety of eating establishments and other commercial outlets within its own boundaries, it would appear it is unlikely this would occur. From our observations of one of the existing leisure centres, if the one proposed for Vaughan is of the same high calibre (combined with any sound conditions or additional controls town council in their wisdom may impose) we can see absolutely no harm in one being located here. In fact, we feel it would be a definite asset to the town of Vaughan from a family entertainment point of view as well as both a source of tax revenue and employer for the summer of a large number of local students. We would respectfully suggest that if anyone is concerned about this proposed leisure centre; they owe it to themselves to visit one of the existing developments. Refusing to even listen to the com- pany’s proposals and trumpeting a lot of anti-American nonsense will do nothing to assist council or ourselves in arriving at a decision on this proposal in a calm and sensible manner. BERNARD BALL 27 Netherford Rd.. Maple, Ont your editor