The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

PAGE 16, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1976, WHITBY FREE PRESS Bill Pikington leaves Whitby A man involved in his community by BRIAN WINTER Staff Writer At the end of June, one of Whitby's most familiar personalities over the past seven and a half years will be leaving this community to live in Toronto. Bill Pilkington, who served as the town's police chief from November 1968 to December 1973, is return- ing to his former home in Toronto because of the pres- sure of commuting every day between Whitby and his job at the Liquor Licence Board of Ontario. Part of Mr. Pilkington's philosphy when he came to Whitby was that the head of the police service should be- come involved in the comt- munity, and during his stay in Whitby, he has taken an active part in many coin- munity organizations. Shortly after coming to Whitby Mr. Pilkington joined the local Rotary Club, and served as its president froni 1973 to 1974. His major achievement during his term as president was the estabr lishment of the Rotary Male Chorus, which recently won an award as the best singing group out of 65 district Rotary Clubs. Mr. Pilkington approached Dr. Reg. Davis, principal of the Ontario Ladies' College to lead the chorus, and it got under way in January 1975. Despite his move to Toronto, Mr. Pilkington hopes to continue attending practices and presentatiorîf of the Chorus in Whitby. From 1974 to 1976, Mr. Pilkington, out of his concern for the plight of animals, took on the presidency of the Ontario County Humane Society branch. The owner of two dogs and a cat, Mr. Pilkington has expressed concern about inflation making it difficult for people of lower incomes to keep animals,and it bothers him to see healthy dogs and cats destroyed because no- body wants thern. During his term of office, Mr. Pilkington was able to interest a number of people in the affairs of the humane society and got people % inv,olved who had not previously been members of the society. Mr. Pilkington's interest in community affairs led hin to join the Canadian Legion, the Whitby Curling Club and the Ontario Regiment officers' mess. He was also a sidesman, chairman of the advisory board and deputy warden of All Saints' Anglican Church, and an affiliated past master of the David T. Campbell Lodge. Mr. Pilkington came before the public eye last September as the Progressive Conserva- tive candidate in the recent provincial election, where he finished third, behind former mayor Des Newman and People or Planes Chairman Dr. Charles Godfrey. "Traditionally, politics and law enforcement don't mix; they are like oil and water", says Mr. Pilkington, but .he was no longer in the police service, and believed he could make a contribution in the political field. Commenting on the election, he says it was unfor- tunate that the experience and ability of Mr. Newman could not have been used "but that's the way politics is. I frankly would hope to see him try again". After many years as head of' the Toronto morality bureau "the hot seat of the department because of the type of legislation you are trying to enforce", Mr. Pilkington decided in 1968 he wanted to get back to basic policing to see if his ideas were still workable in a small community. Commenting on his years as Whitby's police chief, he says: "I like to think that I helped to indoctrinate a type of discipline and esprit do corps in the force that developed a pride in the members for the job they were doing. I think the men appreicated this and responded". Mr. Pikington found hinself in the unusual position of being a member of a committee which planned a new police station for Whitby in 1973, and three years later had to stand up and fight to prevent that station from being closed. "I think a police facility for this rapidly developing area is a necessity", he said in 'a recent. interview. "It would be a grave mistake if we were to police this type of community from another city. That type of concept went out years ago". Mr. Pilkington predicts that the question of keeping the Whitby police station open will be posed again at the end of this year, and questions will be asked if it is serving its proper function. "I would like to see officers in that building relate better to the com- munity", he says. "There should be a program of public relations. If a police depart- ment does not have a close relationship with the people, the people do not know who to turn to when they have a problem, and sometimes they hesitate to speak tojusta man in a blue uniform". "I always made it a point to be at all types of civic functions, not only in a personal but an official sense. This is a vital part.of policing", says Mr. Pilkington. "If you don't develop a personal relationship, the effectiveness of the force is decreased". Mr. Pilkington says he en- couraged his officers to be- corne involved in the corn- nunity, speaking to service clubs, sports groups and youth groups. "I rnade it a practice of being seen in the conimunity and dropping in to see the merchants", lie s; id. "The secret of the wliole thling is getting to know the people". Appearance of police officers in uniftorm is another matter of concern to Mr. Bill Pilkington, Whitby's former Police Chief, and former president of the local humane society branch, enjoys a moment of relaxation with Wendy, his pet dachshund sitting on his lap. Mr. Pilkington is leaving Whitby at the end of June after spending seven and a half years in the town. Free Press Photo Pilkington. While chief in Arts, the County Town Whitby he always insisted on Singers, and the Whitby Brass officers wearing a fuillBand. uniform with headdress. "This town could become "It still bothers me to see ike another Niagara-on-the- police officers on duty Lake and become a real chewing gum", says Mr. attraction along with the Pilkington. "Again, it's the harbor. This is what I would little things. Society changes, like to see". but I think the basics remain Mr. Pilkington's wife the saine. Courtesy, consider- Diana has also taken anlactive ation and concern are the a inadcnenaetepart in the conmunity, being backboi of a police force". a member of the Dr. Ruddy Mr. Pilkington says he hospital auxiliary, the Whitby regrets leaving Whitby, wnich Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, lie considers is "a delightful and AISaints' Anglican litAle town". Crurch. According to Mr. Pilking- "It wvas a real pleasure and ton, Wliitby bas a great joy for us to belong to these potential 0 develop its"harbor organizations, and beaccepted and the talent dispaayed in so readily into the town", such orgaizations as Whitby says Mr. Pilkington. hawa 'c - ,.~--- schick IN-JrCTOFt Super