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Penny Spence. president of Richmond Hill Block Parents, said the mother called her asking why there were no Block Parent homes in her area. “With the cooperatto :m' financial institutions and nun- dreds of Volunteers, we are hoping the residents of the Last week an ll-yearâ€"old boy was badly beaten by older children and he could not find help. ' On November 1-2â€"3, United Way volunteers will be at every bank branch and trust com- pany'office throughout York Region. during normal banking hours. to receive contributions from the public. A three-day blitz campaign in which the public can make contributions to the United Way of York Region campaign has been announced by Barney Danson. campaign chairman. When you bank this week, dorit the United Way 11-year-old beaten, no Block Barents near, mother says At the official opening of new facilities for the handicapped at Richmond Hill Public Library Monday, Mayor Dave Schiller, Chief Librarian, Betty Rowland, Chairman of the Library Board, Ella Bremner and provincial representative, Alf Stung, watch Gordon Snyder, of Bathurst Street, cut the ribbon. For those who wish to be part of the phenomenon called “Tutmania”. Richmond Hill Public Library will treat 120 persons to a lecture and slide presentation entitled “Treasures of 'I‘utankhamun". Allyn Kelley, Research Associate, Egyptology Department of the Royal Ontario Museum will bring this special program to the Main Library Wednesday, November 14 at 7:30 pm. Because the attendance is limited to 120, anyone interested is requested to register at the main library before that date. This area‘s Senior Citizens Council met last week at the seniors‘ club rooms in Richmond Hill. with President Dorothy Price presiding. The group is planning the publication of a booklet of information for seniors. The Council represents seniors in the Town of Markham, Richmond Hill. Stouffville. Ballantrae and the area east of Bathurst Street adjacent to Thomhill. Richmond Hill and Oak Ridges. A Metrospan Community Newspaper In March of 1979 the town gaVe exclusive rights to a company called National Transit Cards to By SHAARON HAY Liberal Staff Writer Some businessmen in town are having second thoughts about the competence of the staff and council of the Town of Richmond Hill. .Senl'ors’ Council meets ommumty Pulse Businessmen wond A Tut treat “It illustrates the need for more Block Parents homes," said Mrs. Spence. "and the need Mrs, Spence had to inform her that there were at least five on the route the boy would travel and then turned to find out where the system for assisting anyone in trouble had broken down. Donations may also be telephoned to the United Way office at 884-0132. Noting that the size of the Region and the distance between population centres makes the organization of a door~to-door canvass difficult. Chairman Danson said “SAY YES DAYS is an e‘xperiment. I hope it works. It Region will take advantage of this convenient way to support the United Way‘X said Mr. Danson. adding that cash. cheque. pledge or credit card donations will be welcomed. President of Natidnal Transit Cards, Frank Brouwer. cannot be Businesses which contracted with National Transit Cards have had problems ranging from advertisements not being put on the buses at all to signs being damaged and not replaced. place advertisements on all Rich mond Hill Transit buses. has enabled ué to Modifications were made to the main library with the aid of a Wintario Grant from the Ministry of Culture and Recreation. The reception was for the adult handicapped and this Saturday children will be welcomed with a puppet show, magician and clowns. (See story, Page A-7), Each time Mrs. Ashman goes to a' school she presents a plaque with the Block Parent emblem and town insignia, asking it be displayed in a prominent place, permanently‘ ~ Classes are given a poster to display showing the times when to use Block Parents, and each child receives a stencilled sheet to color with the same message. by older" childréh, adifi’lisflicv); animals. or if they are ill. hurt or lost. Children are encouraged to gb homes displaying the Block Parentr Sign if they are harassed “That's not rhény inUaVibwiv'n with our population." said Mrs. Spence, the president. The Block Parents organization has been operating in Richmond Hill for four years andmhave 600 homes registered. Mrs. Ashman said the kids ask questions such as “what if you go to a house with a sign up and no one answers?" or “what do we do if there are no Block Parents". Parent?" and leads into a discussion of the film and times when kids should use a home with the familiar red and white sign in the window. The program begins with a film entitled “What ‘5 a Block He added that the support of York Regional Police Chief Briice Crawford in organizing “SAY YES FOR YORK DAYS" is typical of the hundreds of volunteers from every part of the Region who have come forward to help push the United Way campaign for funds over the top of the $496,000 goal. This week Mickie Ashman, chairman of the Block Parent education committee. began a new program in the 17 public and separate schools in Richmond Hill. for educating kids how to use the program." concentrate on calling on in- dustries throughout the Region where we are receiving excellent support. Now it‘s the public’s turn to ‘Say Yes’ for the 18 United Way of York Agencies.“ The local refinishing firm contracted with National Transit in February for four large signs Town Auto Body in Richmond Hill gave up trying to deal with Mr. Brouwer and issued a writ for breach of contract two weeks ago. located by people in the business community or the town staff. Wednesday, October 31, 1979 THE RICHMOND HILL As Cindy stepped on a Richmond Hill Transit bus at Allencourt Plaza, a wild cheer went up and Richmond Hill‘s mayor and two councillors stepped forward to congratulate her as the millionth person to board Rich- mond Hill Transit. “I don‘t believe it,“ gasped Cindy typically. On her way to work at Pop‘s Tavern on Yonge Street, Cindy, who is relatively new to Richmond Hill (here since February) said she used the bus to get to work every day. but did not know anything about the award being Wednesday turned out to be a good day for Cindy Allingham to go to work by bus. Richmond Hill ’l‘ransit’s millionth rider, Cindy Allingham. is congratulated by Mayor Dave Schiller at Allencourt Mrs. Hancey, speaking for some of the residents said these people did not want GO Transit‘s compromise, they wanted a service comparable to the one supplied by Travelways for many years. Residents told horror stories of crowded buses (where they had to stand from Richmond Hill to G0 has suspended mid-day service, added evening service to 11 p.m., and looped ‘C‘ buses hourly to the Newkirk station. Everyone's blamed for commuter chaos Last Tuesday night‘ an exasperated and vocal crowd of concerned residents turned out to a meeting where GO Transit officials came up with what they called a ‘compromise‘ to the previous Bayview Avenue bus service. If you want to know who is responsible for discontinuing the Bayview Avenue bus service. it degends on who you ask: Mayor Dave Schiller and Councillor Mike Burnie. a former chairman of the town's Engineering Committee. say they feel it is Markham Transit's fault. Markham Transit was competing with G0 Transit for passengers on Bayview Avenue. Alf Stong, MLA-York Centre‘ said he thinks it is the fault of the Toronto Area Transit Operating Authority (TATOA). They did not administer the policy of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MTCL Council did not support ‘the residents in their wish to have the service put back the way it was, she said. Former Richmond Hill Councillor Lois Hancey, speaking for residents of Richmond Hill east of Yonge Street. said she thinks it is the town‘s fault. er‘ where their money went Globe Travel Service con- tracted with National Transit for three signs, but so far only one has materialized. An amoun-f of $2,940 was demanded, in advance, for these so-far non-existent ads. to be affixed to the back of the buses â€" advertisements which have never appeared Our millionth rider to use Nash ville trio for honeymoon At this point Mayor Schiller suggested Richmond Hill council members, Alf Stong, G0 Transit representatives, and as many concerned residents as possible A Thomhill resident. unhappy with the Markham Transit service. and wanting the original G0 Transit service back on Bayview Avenue. suggested the people of Thomhill and Rich- mond Hill should join forces. 'Manager of Bus Operations for GO Transit, Ron Swanson, said only. “we did want we could to satisfy requests we heard the other night”. referring to a meeting October 4 to discuss GO's new policy. G0 Transit representatives sat in the middle being talked about and not given the opportunity for rebuttal. “Markham Transit is the one that sits at the foot of the whole thing.“ said Councillor Bumie. In reply to Mrs. Hancey’s accusations that it was the town’s fault. Councillor Burnie went over the history of the problem again, each time emphasizing “Richmond Hill always asked for N0 changes“. “We‘re upset that at a time of a need for energy conservation we should have to be here to plead our case not to use our cars," said Mrs. Hancey. “If dollars were the criteria â€" th public transit.‘ They also expressed the fear regular service cutbacks were just another indication there would be no Bayview Avenue bus service to Richmond Hill before too long. the Finch Subway), no service (mid-day and Sundays), and incomplete service (compared with Yonge Street service). Kurt Wichtler. president of the Volkswagen sales company, said it took six months to get the sign, andhe is quite dissatisfied as the W & P Motors Limited, paid $965. in__a_1_dyapce for grie sign. Jake Van Ravenzwaay, the owner of the travel service, said he too plans to sue the advertising company for breach of contract. CINDY ALLINGHAM presented to the millionth rider Mayor Dave Schiller, Councillors Dave Amos and Mike Burnie and Transit Co- ordinator for the town, Bud Newton, boarded the bus at Richmond Heights Centre at 11:10 a.m‘ last Wednesday. ' Mr. Newton’s figures showed that the 11th person to board the newest Orion bus travelling the green or red route through the east part of town would be number 1,000,000. Number 999,999, Hazel Steward, when she saw Richmond Hill's officials on the bus, asked if she co_qun’t get off and board again. Plaza, where she was boarding the bus. Richmond Hill’s Transit Co-ordinator, Bud Newton (left), driver David Proulx, The prize to be presented by the town it the there wouldn‘t be 28pages has been looking for a home for more than a month, but has been unable to find anything suitable. Richmond Hill Town Coun- cillors Dave Amos and Lou Wainwright came up with a suggestion â€" the senior citizens‘ clubroom at 10149 Yonge Street. Councillor Amos made his presentation to the conservation group's steering committee Wednesday morning. Councillor Mike Burnie, a member of the energy group's steering committee. felt it might be awkward in that location because of the various senior cmzens‘ functions which occur there on a regular basis. However. he and other members of the committee agreed to meet with the Seniors to discuss the possibilities of the location. Councillor Amos made his presentation to the conservation group's steering committee Wednesday morning. If both parties are agreeable, Energy Action Richmond Hill may soon have its storefront location. The energy conservation group has been looking for a home for more than a month, but has been unable to find anything suitable. Energy group may have new location Ernie Madden, Manager of Marketing for G0 Transit. said Monday, the new service was in effect in Richmond Hill. Finally it was decided residents would “trust” the town to find a solution to the problem and with a show of hands decided to agree to the service as outlined by GO Transit. Near the end of the meeting residents almost “cut off their nose to spite their face" by not accepting G0 Transit's latest offer. hoping to wait them out to get Awhat they wanted. Yesterday Mayor Schiller said his suggestion will go as a resolution to council November 5. and then he will look into the timing of such a meeting, if council members agree. try to meet with Markham Tr_a_nsil t(_) fti a compromise. Many of the victims feel town should have checked Many other small businesses in [own have the same tale of woe, money in advance for a contract which was not honored by National Transit Cards. ad ripped a short time later and has never been replaced or repaired. 25 Cents Cindy and her husband Steve both like country music, and since they have been married only three months. plan to make this a honeymoon trip. 'I‘ravelways, who operate the Richmond Hill system for the town. also offered the millionth rider a special prize â€" a four-day bus tour to Nashville, complete with two nights accommodation in Nashville and reserved seats at the Grand Ole Opry. next council meeting will be a free pass to Richmond Hill Transit, for one full year â€" a value of about $250 for someone like Cindy who uses the services five days a week. and Councillors ~Dave Amos and Mike Burnie look on while the mayor tells the lucky winner of prizes she has won. sin National Transit is not met registered with either the Better 'act Business Bureau or the Canadian by Advertising Council, “I think the town is respon- the sible,“ said Mr. Van Ravenzwaay the from Globe Travel. I Mr. Wichtler, from w & P _ Motors. also said he held the town responsible, “it’s their buses â€" they should have checkedl’. ' He and Councillor Wainwright met with Seniors‘ presidenDorothy Price and a reed a meeting between‘ t 9 two parties should be set up. National Transit Cards con- tracted to pay the town. $6.200 over a two-year contract for the right to place ads on the buses. Payments were to be made in monthly installments for which the town had post dated cheques (and a letter of credit for $4,000). The Clerk. Mr. Weldon, ackowledged that one cheque to the town has been defaulted, and the town has attempted, so far unsuccessfully. to reach Mr. Brouwer. “Bqt. we are not in. the ad‘ vernsmg busmess," he sand. Mayor Dave Schiller suggested if there was anything the town could do to complete the con- tracts â€" such as providing space available on the buses â€" the town Would try to ac- commodate people. “I‘m looking at the whole fiasco." he said. “to find something acceptable to both the tovm and the advertisers." Mr. Weldon said he has a list of advertisers, as provided by Mr. Brouwer in June, and he intends to ask them in writing to supply the town with a copy of their contract with National Transit Cards. Town clerk Dave Weldon said he did not think the town had any legal obligation. it merely leased the space to Mr. Brouwer and he sublet, but Mr. Weldon did say the people who had been hurt by this company are residents and taxpayers in the town so he will try to help out. advertising firm before authorizing them to do business in town.