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And, that, of course, will load the one evening meeting with delegations, at which few decisions will be made, and leave the af- ternoon meeting free for council to make all its decisiOns. In front of an empty gallery. Mayor David Schiller says it best: “It denies ratepayers the Of course, the argument coming back will be that no one attends the meetings anyhow; that aside from a few regulars and the press, the public gallery is empty. Delegations of people, they’ll argue, will be scheduled for the one evening meeting a month. But that's of little consequence to the real issue created by this decision. The majority of citizens lose the opportunity to attend council meetings when they are held in the afternoon. Reporters now stand to gain another evening at home rather than donating (yes, donating, because we don’t get paid for working nights) time to covering council meetings. Richmond Hill Council’s decision Monday night to hold half their meetings in the afternoon is a delight for the weekly press, and an insult to the people of Richmond Hill Village Artists look for a home All the facts are not in yet, but at this moment the Thomhill Village Artists look like a group worthy of community support. An art gallery in the village of Thornhill, which has been a place that artists have liked to call home for much of its history, is a worthy objective. There is also a chance for youngsters in the area to learn and be inspired by some nationally and internationally known professionals in the field who happen to live in Thornhill. If capital funds are available from various levels of government, an old house such as the “Spring Farm" might be restored and turned into a suitable gallery. This would be a pleasing ex- tension of old Thornhill and would be in keeping with the feelings of many of the artists who came to Thornhill for a taste of the coun- tryside. Afternoon meetings â€"a wrong decision It is unfortunate that the Markham town staff, if not council, as with many other aspects of old Thornhill, failed to grasp the flavor of the artists' project. The election of a new council affords the op- portunity to reexamine the workings of both government and the community. At this time, I believe the councillors should closely scrutinize the operation of our local communin centres. It is my contention that the name ‘community centre‘ should describe the function of the establishment. However, recently the Thornhill Community centres have not been open enough to the community‘s needs. the name ‘community centre‘ should describe- the function of the establishment. However, recently the Thornhill Community centres have not been open enough to the community‘s needs. The Heintzman House. a beautiful building, is ()n Saturdays though. the Heintzman House is regularly rented for weddings. Let our town decide whether the Heintzman House is a commercial establish- ment or a community centre. While the Heintzman House board excludes the Editorial, Display Classified Circulation Taronto customets The contents, both ediIovial and advenismg 0! The Libeval, Richmond Hi|l are pvolecled by copyngm and any unaumovized use is prohibimd. Subsuiplion rates‘ 8y mail $10.00 per year In Canada $20.00 pet yea! outside 0! Canada. By carrier, 80 cents every [our weeks. Single copy sales 20 cents, No "\all delivuv where came: seNIce exists. Second Class Mail Registration Numbev 0190‘ 6! VMéuospan Pimlmg & The Woodbndge Vaughan 10395 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill L4G 4Y6 Ontario PUBUSHER Jmm c. rmcus EDITOR RON WALLACE The Lubetal IS publishqd ievery Wednesday by Melvosp PAGE B-4 El]: Zl’ihtral VOLUME 101. NUMBER 2‘ He urges the return of Hein tzman House to the community m Ron Wallace . Edito: Larry Johnston ‘ News Edna Fwd Simpson » Spons EdIIOf Em Iihtml TELEPHONES News. am] The Bolh becoming alternatively a museum or a commercial reception hall. Teenagers no longer have the opportunity to meet in the Cork Room. Adults are not taking advantage of the facilities of the Heintzman House for activities such as a coffee club or senior citizens club. 884-8177 884â€"1105 8840981 881 -3373 opportunity of taking part when decisions are made.” Richmond Hill Council has, for the past few years, been noted for its openness and public par- ticipation. It has been honest and frank with the townsfolk, to the point of slowing down a bit just to give another ratepayer a chance to contribute. It may not be the most efficient form of government, but it’s a fine showing for democracy. Earlier this week, the Regional Municipality of York elected Bob Forhan as its new chairman. Moving to some afternoon meetings literally cuts that democracy in half. One of the things he promised was to get the regional councillors to turn around and face the people. (York Council has had its back to the public since its inception). The second step in his program should be, we suggest, to change from Thursday afternoon meetings to evening meetings so there will be people to face. Just as we felt the Region was coming around toward its public, Richmond Hill Council begins to turn away from it. And that, gentlemen, is a mistake. Markham has its own long- range plans for a cultural centre and the Thomhill B’Nai B’rith is assisting the town with a feasibility study for a 15-acre site on Don Mills Road. There is also the possibility of expanding the Thornhill Comâ€" munity Centre and there is the future town centre, all the way over at McCowan Road. In one of these places, most Markham councillors would like to see a theatre and an art gallery is also a possibility. The Thornhill Village Artists have decided that they do not want to be part of a monolithic structure. They would like to run their own show in their own house, albeit with an initial boost from Vaughan and Markham. Vaughan is receptive. It is to be hoped that Markham council will realize that the Thornhill Village Artists are proposing a Thornhill project, as opposed to a Markham one, and their municipality should be big enough to encourage both. Ibllsr John C. Fetgus, Publishev Ray Padley Jr. Advertising Dilectov Nonnan Smnden » Production Manage! Denis O’Meara « Circulation Director Rose Reynolds‘v Accouns Metrospan Community Newspapers publishes M Rnchmond HIIIJThomhill Libetal. The Bannev‘ The Oakville Journal Record, The Hallon Consume. The Missi§auga Tunes, The E‘obtcoke AdveniseuGuaxdian. The Etobieoke Consume, The Noah York Minot. The North Yon Corsume'. The Scabom Mimi, The Scatboto Comumet. The Woodbridge 8 Vaughan News and The Bolton Enm'p'lse' A Wednesday, Became! 20. 1978 METROSPAN- NORTH DIVISION v Newspac A. Thornhil] Youth lest they deface the magnificent structure. the board itself now vandalizes the building with the razing of a beautiful wall. The destruction of this wall furthers the use of the house as a rental banquet hall I urge the council to return the Heintzman House to the community. I urge the council to save the aesthetic integrity of the house; and I urge the council to democratize the use of the Heintzman House. ‘ ' mum :OC_NA a dmsuon Newmavkel, Andrew Meles 3 Jondan Crescent Thornhill Bumper’s merry Christmas pierced the still of the early morning hours Almost as if by instinct. the father moved quickly from beneath the covers and turned to waken his already stirring wife. The rasping blare of the electric horn gave her a start as she realized the emergency was {or real. Moving rapidly to the first child's bedroom door, the father noticed that the blast of noise was eminating from the device downstairs and that the unit at the bottom of the first floor landing was still silent. He grabbed the youngest, Gary, in his arms and then closed the door behind him as he made his way to his daughter‘s room. The light switch in the hall failed to respond and he im- mediately understood that the flames had already made quick work of the fuse box in the laundry room. Without speaking, he passed his wife in the hallway as she made her way to the primary exit at the front door. He noticed that she had grabbed a housecoat from the closet and also seemed to have some other clothing in her arms. By Bob Rice The sound of the smoke detector Sherry. always a light sleeper, faced_ By SHAARON HAY Liberal Staff Writer Too young for the hula hoop and too old for the skateboard, BUT at last I can be part of a current craze that is sweeping the country. I‘ve listened sceptically to all the descriptive phrases being applied to cross‘country skiing, like “gives a sense of freedom. the way to travel quickly and effortlessly, glide, stride, simple elemental and un- pretentious”. They didn't stir me. But. as soon as I heard, "Something for everyone â€" from grandchild to grand parent" and “You don‘t have to be an athlete to enjoy the sport“, I began to feel wanted. Last weekend, John Ardill (of John Ardill and Company Limited, formerly Recreation on Wheels) brought a mobile unit of cross- country ski instructors and equip ment to Summit Golf course. one of the original ski areas in southern Ontario. to inspire Richmondhillians to brave the avalanche of white stuff and {low with the Arctic weather. Luckily I had a preview last week when there was snow. And, I loved it. Everything they say is true. ‘ It's stimulating, exciting, cap- tivating, everything th_e ad_s 53y it is. Those are the words of Shaaron Hay, pro after two hours of falling in love with the thrill of gliding over the snow. the joy of physical activity, the weather, the inner satisfaction (and the instructor). ipg ithERAL /’m in love with my skis LIBERAL SPRINKLINGS him as he opened her door and obediently followed him as he motioned to her. As the family reached the top of the stairs the second alarm gave forth with its frightful buzz. The man now recognized the fact that they must vacate the house with the utmost haste. Gone were the thoughts of salvaging whatever they could and, hidden by their mounting fears‘ also put aside were thoughts as to the whereabouts of Bumper, their golden Cocker Spaniel. It was only two months ago that the smoke detectors had been installed in the modest back-split home in the new subdivision. Following months of procrastination, it took a one hour television program to change the father's mind regarding the worth of the devices. The show had taken the format of a viewer quiz and he found, surprisingly, that in spite of what he thought were the normal precautions, the house represented a real threat to him and his family. COMPLETE PLAN A call to the local fire department Hopefully many of you out there in “shruburbia” attended the open house at the Summit on Sunday for a day of instructions, demonstration and films to inspire even the most dubious. John Ardill has learned the lesson that to hook anyone into anything, first you whet their appetite by showing how the professional look, then while they are still chomping at the bit you gently let them try it â€" all the while saying things like “That's great: you‘ve really mastered it already", then quickly move inside the nice warm clubhouse for a soft-sell. John is teaching and supplying equipment this winter to schools. community groups and organizations such as the Family Y in Richmond Hill and the town's recreation department, so perhaps my remarks are a little harsh on John But‘ I hate to give in to something so easily and I have given in. My downhill skis are filed under “0“ for obsolete (as well as crossfiled under for expensive). To try to convince those apathetic, fireplace-buggers, winter is inâ€" vigorating and enjoyable â€" especially if you ski. I'd also like to convince the die- hard alpine skiers that it is not going down a notch to cross-country ski. I now have a whole new mission in life. Now it was real. This was no practice drill as he had subjected his wife and children to several times since becoming aware of the dangers of fire. What before was done with a certain amount of fun, as if a game, was now deadly serious. . It was Sherry who suddenly became aware of the muted sounds of Bumper’s barks. She tried to break away from the hold of her father's hand only to be ensnared even tighter in his grip. Only a second later he heard the sound, too. By now the bark had changed to a desperate plea and he knew that he must continue on to safety. :onvinced him that not only were ;moke detectors called for but a :omplete plan for a fire emergency would probably save his life and those )f the rest of the family. It was Christmas Eve, however, and, true to form, the small animal had always elected to stay in the family room with the tree and all the presents It was unusual for Bumper not to be in Sherry‘s room since that is where he spent almost every night for the lasl two years. but rather-expanding oneself. Alpine skiers can be insufferable snobs. The challenge is there, guys. Just watch the experts manoeuvre those narrow light cross country skis with skill and balance. down hills through beautiful, powdery, un- stomped-on, white stuff. It's truly poetry in motion. Talking about being insufferable, I am now armed with statistics such as: few activities (7) can improve your cardiovascular fitness as much as cross-country touring; cross- country skiing gives you four times as good a workout as alpine skiing, because you supply the motor power; alpine skiing at an average centre can mean up to 80 per cent of your day spent waiting in lift lines; and many, many more interesting facts. I can't wait until I'm expert enough to lope across gently rolling meadows and through silent groves of trees in the quiet, graceful fluid motion 1 saw demonstrated. Because I have to pick myself up and dust myself off so often. it might be a piece down the road, but I shan't give up. The only thing I know right now is i'm so excited, instead of mournfuliy gazing out the window at the snow covered world, wishing I was in Jamaica with Rhoda Melinyshyn (the winner of Bob Rice‘s contest), 1 can‘t wait for the snow. Merry Christmas as he had, since his first Christmas four years ago. The brown eyed dog has deemed it his right to watch over his personal stocking every year since and it ap- peared as if this would be his undoing on this night of nights. As the din continued, the father opened the front door to the blast of Arctic air. In a final look back, his wife saw the tentacles of smoke creeping beneath the hall door and the smell of burning wood and fabric filled the air. FIREPLACE A later investigation would ascertain that the fire started near the tall scotch pine tree when a smoldering fireplace log shot a dying ember past an open corner of the fireplace screen and nestled itself in one of the yule tree boughs. Whether it took a moment or an hour for the tree to ignite will never be known. The fire that evolved spread quickly from tree to present, from present to rug and from rug to fur- nishing. The detector in the lower landing responded to the first trace of smoke and, although consumed in the holocaust, was, a faithful guardian to the end. The television program had con- linually stressed immediate evacuation and, obviously. that message had gotten through. The sounds of the explosion of the furnace and the splitting of great beams were muffled and almost hidden by the arrival of the first units from the fire department. The mother had run for aid to the next door neighbors as the father had shuffled Gary and Sherry into the family car which was moved quickly onto the street and the heater started. As if in a nightmare, the couple watched helplessly as lines were run across the front lawn and the sound of the hum of the pumps reached a crescendo as the machines responded to the commands of the men. The owner of the house three doors down appeared with two jugs of coffee and the children were ushered to the home of their best friend. Almost as distressing as the fire itself is the mopping up. The tired firefighters tossed smoldering mat- tresses, charred hulks of chairs and sofas and furniture onto the already messy front lawn. Now came the time of reckoning. The results of the fire were tragic. The vigil continued for the next three hours as the couple watched the almost total destruction of the home of their dreams. To add insult to injury, not only had the entire effects of one small family been reduced to blackened remains, but the hopes and happiness of Christmas had disappeared in the inferno. To lose the new blouse and ski set for mother and the drill press and eagerly awaited movie outfit for dad was bad enough but 4 . . more importantly . . . there were the children. Sherry had wanted the baking oven so badly and, though only three years old, Gary was already a Star Wars fan. The only presents had perished too, including those unknown gifts from Santa Claus. In their grief, they had momentarily forgotten the other member‘of their family. With saddened eyes they thought back to past Christmases when the little dog was always the first to greet them on that most Holy of days. The little fella always sat obediently while the turkey was carved and when proffered a piece of the bird, took the morsel from his master's hand gentlyi No matter what other problerfis héd befallen them, it was now to the in- nocent Cocker that their memories strayed. The stocking that bore his name was the first target as he wrestled it from the fireplace mantle and, before the rest had opened their first presents, been emptied of its contents. As the darkness turned to a pinkish dawn, the conversation ran out, and it was suggested that a little sleep would be a good idea for everyone. Gary and Sherry were to share a sleeping bag in the living room while their parents, following continued protests. accepted their hosts“ hospitality with regards to the use of the master bedroom. The fire Captain informed them that the job was finished and they walked across the sooted snow to the shelter that their friends had offered. The children were still awake and wanted to be with their parents. As cruel as‘was the fate of their close friends and neighbors, the other couple couldn't ignore the fact that their only child deserved her own Christmas, too. With mixed feelings the two families gathered around the festive tree and tried to lessen the tension with a few well known carols. Labels on gifts for absent aunts and uncles disappeared and those presents were given to the distraught guests. A toast was made to happier times and the adults soon adjourned to the living room for some deep discussion. in It was Sherry who heard it first. Above the whirr of the walking doll came an unmistakable scratching sound. Gary then picked up on it and was soon trying to isolate the source. Sherry peered out through the trostea back door and wiped away at the of- fending obstruction with her hand. Gary looked elsewhere but it wasn‘t until both children directed their at- tention to the, basement window that they saw it. There. with a dark brown bulbous nose pressed against the cold pane was a small. sooty. golden Cocker Spaniel with a look of happiness in his eyes His paws tried to eliminate the glass barrier and, as the boy and girl rushed out the back door, he looked bewildered as to where they had gone. Soon he was indoors and was passed from father to son. from son to mother and from mother to sister. The tears were not restricted to the children, and the whole family shared in the hap- piness and the joy that a small dog brought on Christmas Day.