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WHITBY FIYEE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1976, PAGE 7 Words fro WestLyne by Norm Mealing Hello again! I have returned for yet another week. I an a trifle embarassed at having concluded that winter was done last week, but, my good buddy, the Killer, said I could write this week's column if I refrained from naking any more weather predictions. To start off, and please forgive me for yet another whipping of this particular horse, once again we have an example of governnent gone out of control. Our regional government - the purpose of which has'eluded even the most astute observer - has, for the third successive year, increased its budget substantially. By doing this, the Regional Chairman and Councillors, in Whitby's case, 'Mayor Gartshore and Councillors Emm and Lovelock, have once again doomed we ratepayers to another property tax increase. There are homeowners in this region who will be minimally affected by' this latest increase, but, there are those of us who, by reason of inequitable assessnent, will see our already exorbitant property taxes grow more exorbitant. And for what? We, in this country, are supposedly in a period of restraint. We are being told to learn to live within our means. Our means are being controlled by wage guidelines. Yet, it is obvious by this latest action of our regional government that they know not what is meant by restraint. They are not going to live within their means. Historica THE JACKSON HOUSI This fine old brick house of the 1860s at the corner of Centre and Dunlop Streets was the final residence of Whitby's longest-serving municipal politician Albert Jackson. The home for many years was the residence of the Holden family, and when Mr. Jackson married his second wife, Clara Holden, he moved into this house, where lie resided until his death on April 10, 1939. Mr. Jackson had a political career which was considered to be unique in the province of Ontario. He served in various capacities in Whitby and Ontario County's municipal government for 28 years. He started out in 1901 as a member of the Whitby 2oard of Education and served until 1904. In 1905 and 1906 he was a member of the town council and for the following two years he was mayor of the Town of Whitby. From 1909 to 1912 he was reeve of the town, and from 1912 to 1921 he was collector of customs at Port Whitby. Mr. Jackson again joined the board of education in 1916 and 1917, and from 1921 to 1923 was clerk and treasurer of the Town of Whitby. He resumed his seat on the town council in 1925 and served as reeve continuously until his death in 1939, with the exception of 1929 when he suffered his only defeat at the polls and two years, 1936 and 1937, when he again assumed the mayor's chair. In 1927 he was warden of Ontario County, the highest position offered by the county council. During his municipal career of 28 years, Albert Jackson was acclaimed to office 16 times, and had to fight it out in 12 elections. His only loss was to J. M. Kenny for the office of reeve-in 1929. Mr. Jackson was a keen student of parliamentary procedure and the provisions of municipal law, and was known to settle disputed points of law with facility and accuracy. He wasygelyrgsppnsible' for bringingthe Ontario Hospital to Whitby in. 1912, and did much of the negotiating with the farmers whose lands were required for this facility. He led severai deputations to Queen's Park, And you and I are going to suffer. Thank you very rnuch regional council for this latest tax increase. You have added new meaning to the concept of govertiment. In a period of restraint, you are going to spend even more of. our money and we still don't know what it is you do. Shades of P.T. Barnum! Frorn Tony Bate of the W.L.C.A. comes this item of news. The Security Mutual Casualty Company, through the R.H. Collins Agency, is offering home, car, etc. insurance at reduced rates. Watch for more detailed information in the next Association newsletter. Election night will be here soon. My best guess, fron conversations will Bill Hoffman and Tony Bate, is that the elections will be held on March l8th. To date, I know of only three candidates. Tony Bate will be seeking re-election as Vice-President and Marg Boyce and Peggy Thom will be contesting the Secretary's post. From Tony Bate cornes word that he will be meeting with Recreation Director Wayne Deveau to discuss Central Park. Mr. Deveau apparently has $5,400 to spend on the park this year, and included in the plans are a drinking fountain, some landscaping and, possibly, a boardwalk. Also, from Tony Bate cones the reminder that the West Lynde Publig School library can still use books, either new or used. Biography, fiction, nature stories, you name it, they can use it. Give Tony a call. Do you remember rock and roll? Can music save your mortal soul? De-athless lyrics from the golden age of rock, the fifties. The West Lynde Community Association is holding a fifties bash, "The Greaseball Dance" on April 9th at Heydenshore Pavillion. Music by D.K. the D.J., tickets at $8 a couple. Relive your misspent youth. Dig out those old strides, comb your hair into that D.A., and go back to the days of the 1950 Meteors, leather and announced to the government that all lands had been placed in a position for purchase. As chairman of the county property committee, Mr. Jackson was active in planning the construction of the additions to the court house (now the Centennial Building) in 1910. Mr. Jackson was born in Ireland in the late 1860s and came to Canada with his parents at the age of one year. The family settled in Port Whitby and operated the old si re later taken over by the Goldring farnily. Albert and his older brother Tom operated a st'am boat service in the 1890s and early 1900s between Toronto, Whitby, Oshawa and Newcastle. Names of the old paddle-wheeled boats they chartered include the Garden City, Argyle, Euradice and Turbinia. The business ended in tragedy when both brothers contracted typhoid while refitting a steamer and. Newcastle, and Tom died. Tom Jackson introduced his brother to politics in the 1890s when lie was a member of the town council. Politics was pretty rough and ready in those days, and Albert Jackson got a taste of what hot feelings were aroused at election tine, in January t897. A few days after the election, which Tom won, the Jackson brothers were confronted by a man naned Ernie Gross, a hardware merchant. who did not like the outcome, and called Tom Jackson a thief. A scuffle broke out, and in the process, Ernie Gross picked up a 12-inch carving knife and stabbed Albert Jackson in the face. Hle was not seriously injured, but the natter went to court, with charges and counter charges being laid by Gross and the Jacksons. The case was finally dismissed after three months before the magistrate. Albert Jackson was a prominent Conservative: and had been active in the executive of the South Ontario Conserva- tive Association for nany years. Had he wanted to, he could have been a candidate in aný federal or provincial election. From his youth, he was active in church work at the Methodist Tabernacle, now St. Mark's United Church. Mr. Jackson's first wife was Edith Rice, and his second wife, Clara lolden. He lived in many different homes during his life, but the subject of this sketch was the last one where he lived, and coincidently, after his death, became the home of another Whitby Mayor, Fred Rowe. A New You For Springtime Nothing lifts the spirits quite like a becoming new hair style. Call now for an appointment soon. LA CONTESSA .BEAUTY LOUNGE 119 Green St. 668,9262 jackets and sock hops. Tickets fron the executive. Bill Hoffrnan, asks that large thanks go out to Marg Harkness, Susan Honig, Pat Chisholni and Sandy Giles for their canvassing efforts in connection with the Heart Fund. Bye for now, and remember, if there was no regional government, our taxes would be significantly lower. Why, no regional chairman and no regional chief administrative officer would save us $75,000 alone in salaries. See you next week. "TUFFY" Ladders Heavy Duty Aluminum 4ft - 13" 6ft - 18"- 28ft Extension - 65" MITCHELL BROTHERS Building Supplies Ltd. Brooklin. 655-4991 Participate in a review of Human R"ights THE ONTARIO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION is conducting a comprehensive review of the Ontario Human Rights Code. The Commission will examine the changing human rights needs of Ontario residents and make recommendations to the Government of Ontario designed to: 1. stréngthen the Human Rights Code; 2. improve the structure and effectiveness of the'Human Rights Commission; 3. encourage responsive, effective commurlity and educational programs in the field of human rights. Briefs and comments are invited from individu- ais, groups, and organizations and should be sent to the Commission no later than May 15, 1976. The Commission will also conduct a number of public hearings throughout the province. Locations and dates will be announced. Your enquiries are most welcome and should be directed to: Secretary, Review Committee, Ontario Human Rights Commission, 400 University Avenue, * Toronto, Ontario M7A 1T7 r, ONTARIO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: Rosalie Abella, Bromley Armstrong, Lita-Rose Betcherman, Jean Marie Bordeleau, Elsie Chilton, Valerie Kasurak, N. Bruce McLeod, Thomas H. B. Symons, Chairman. Ontario Human Rights Commission Ontario 1