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PAGE 4, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1977, WHITBY FREE PRESS whitby Voice of. the Cou nty Town Mil The only Whitby newspaper independently owned and oper SERVUNG OVER 28,000 READERS <e Burgess, Publisher-Managing Editor *aeu uy vvnîry residents for Wflitby residents. Community Editor Publislied every Wednesday Contributing Editor Production Manager by M..M. ublihingPrint & Promotional by N.B.. PulisingManager and Photography Inc. Classified Ad Manager Phone 668-6111 Circulation Manager Mailing Permil The Free Press Building,. Member 121 Brock Street-North, Better Business Buý P.O. Box 206, Whitby, Ont. Whltby Chamber c -Brian Winiter -JIM Quail -Marie Burg.eSs -Robin Lyonl -Marlefle Byrom -Sharon Lyon, it No. 460 rof the, jreau of Toronto of Commce Ten glorious years of song In 1967, when Joe and Joyce Wainwright forni- ed the County Town Singers as a Centennial projeet, few figured the singers would achieve the prominence they have today. Ten years have passed, and in that time the Singers have raised thousands of dollars for chari- table causes, established a cultural twinning with Feldkirch in Austria, sung at a Lions Club interna- tional convention in Florida, and spread the namne of Whitby to many far corners of the world. It was especially fitting that thc Singers held a lOth anfiversary reunion last Saturday, and that more than 130 members and former members were able to attend. It was a happy time for memnories and a time to think also of the future of this vital and vibrant group of people who got togetlier because they like to sing. President Iail Forbes, Director Jini Ashiey, and Pianist Marg Webber were singled out for special awards Saturday, but credit should go also to al choir members anîd execuitive members, past and present who mnade the County Townî Singers tlue success they are today. With two long playing records and a single to their credit, appearances on television and at Ontario Place, and performances at nuinerous events in Ontario comnîunities, the Couîîty Town Singers have truly earned the naine of "Whitby's Siîîging Ambassadors". Their County Town Christmas Shows and their spring concerts have become an institution ini this town, and it is expected tlîat their 1 Oth anniversary concert on May 14 at Iroquois Park will surpass ahi of their past performances. AlI we can say is "Bravo Counity Town Sitîgers, and may the next 10 years be as successful1 as the first!"' Bih Pi1kingtn It 's the litl e. things that count Whitby and Toron'to citizens alike were saddened last week to learn of the deatiî of Williamii G. Pilkington, a man who had devoted 31 years of lus life to police work. We ini Whitby are particularly affected by his death, for he was a man who .was totally involved in bis community, far beyond bis day-to-day duties of police chief. Here was a rare type of nman, old-fasliioiied 50ine wouid say, who believed that the Ipubllic image of the police force was ail-inîp)ortant. In an interview witli the Free Press before leaving Whitby last June, Mr. Pilkingtoîî said lie had wanted to inidoctrinate a type of dliscipline and esprit de corp)s ini the Whitby police force and deveiop a pride arnong his men for the job they did for the cornm-umty. He encouraged lus officers to becomie involved in coinrnunity activities, and nmade it a point to 1)c presenit at ail types of civie funiciions ilot only i1n a persona-l but in an officiai sense'. "This is a vital part of policing", lie said., "If yoLI don't develop a personal relationship), the effectiveuiess of tlhe force is decreased. If a police departmnent does luot liave a close relationship wîth the people, the people do îîot know wiio to turn to when they have a probleni, and somnetimes they hesitate to speak to just a manin i a blue uniforni". Thue personal appearance of bis o fficers was always an important thintit for Mr. Pilklngton. 44 4 4 4 6 Bh6àed à& sait. 0, a .64 BILL PILKINGTON, 1919 - 1977 W.hile cief in Wlitby lie always inisisted on officers wearig a fulil uniforni wîtih eaddress, aind it botbiered hiin to sec police officers clbewig pu. "ICs the littie things", lie said. "Society chianges, but 1 think thie basies remnain the sainie. Courtesy, consideration and concerni are the back- bone of a police force" Mr. Pilkîngton's concern for -policing ini Whitby continuied after lie left the force to work for the Liquor Licenice Board of Ontario. H1e expressed hiis concern -about the proposed closing of the Whiitby police station at a public mneetiiii i 976, and the imatter was stili very rnuch 011 lhis mind whien lie paid liis last officiai visit to Whiitby at the opening of the inew municipal building last January. S Whitby aind its citizens benefited in i nany ways froin Mr. Pilkingtoni's interest iii the comnîunit y. Not only did lie work liard to mnaintain 'a highi stanidard for his p)olice departmnent, but hie offered his services to luis clhurchi, Iis lodge, the Rotary Club and the Humane Society. Whien lie as 110 longer- restricted.by his police position, lie offered iiiself ini the poitical arena. Bill Pilkington wvas always a gentleman, a tal figure witlî greying liair wlîo hacf a conimanding, but kindly presence. "Onîe of the big things is to be kinid to the people", lie said at a testimoial diiînier ini lus hionor ~in 974. "Tuie big things yotu're obliged to do, but it's tlie littie tlîings that count". It'is a good message to renmember,and the way we will rememlber Bill Pilkington. ML- ýwA lqmmb.-