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Sprlng sprlngs up in.fresh ways each day in Beaver, Ont.. Lucas Letterpress, editor and prop. of The Fiat Tail, recognizes the signs. First, Mrs. Magiilicawny and the robins. That was six weeks ago, when the temperature registered minus 20, whatever that is in 1940 values. But Lucas published the' sighting, as he has every year since he arrived at the paper. The Fiat Tail even published a photograph of Mrs. M. on Page One, standing in her dog-dirt littered backyard, poin- ting to the place in the snowbank where the robin had bob- bobbed, ever so briefly. Second, Ralph E. Appricotty. Appricotty. returned earlier this week from his annual jaunt down south. He isn't the only one of course; but with so many expensive tans waiking around, Lucas knows spring isn't far away. Third, the local politicians. Election noises blather from ail directions: from The Lone Star Saloon; froini the parking lot behind The Lone Star; from the parking lot behind city hall; and even fromn the centre of what passes for Lucas' newsroom. Right at this moment, ail three signs of spring happen to be aligathered in a semi-circle around Lucas' desk. Mayor Johnny Cannuck speaks: "A free vote. That's what we're talking about here, maybe. Each and everymember of city council wil get to vote as often as he or she wishes on this a portion thing. That's one of the things I'm planning. That's one of the things that makes this great country of ours great. " 1"Yeah, and the taxpayers end up paying for your free votes," Lucas replies. "Corne and see me when you've made up your mind what you're gonna do. " "But I may neyer decide, " Mayor Johnny says, sticking out his wide jaw in imitation of Dick Tracey. "Making up rnyrnind could get mein poiiticai trouble. " L"Then you've'had a trouble-free career, " chips in Mrs. WHMTY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MARCII 9, 1988, PAGE> WITHOUR FEET UP by Bill Swan neyer let lunch interfère with rny job. Sometirnes 1 even get :, a lot of work done then." lient 1Broaclaxe, sometine leader of the Consolidated Axe Workers,' squeaks up: "But Mayor Johnny, -you shouldn't oughta a started thern poker games over at The Lone Star., I mean, here we wuz, we were winnin'. And then you have to go and remind those otherguys that we wuz playing forý rnoney. I'd give 'em monopoly money, that's what I'd do. " Mayor Johnny looks over at Broadaxe, and his Irish eyes,., aren't smiling. "Play money!1 Just what I'd expiect frorn a sissy whowon't even defendhimfiself." With that Mayor Johnny lashes out and ca 'tches Broadaxe right on the point of the chin., Broadaxe staggers back, somewhat stunned. " That mnust be why, Mr. Mayor, " he says, "1 The cail you the sliver -tongued orator." In the awkward silence which follows, Ralph E. Ap- pricotty steps up. *'One thing I would like to know, though, Mr. Broadaxe. That friend of yours on council, I forget his name right now. What's aIl this about him stepping out of the closest? I never understood that. That closest what?" "Not closest, you twit! " chides Mayor Johnny. "Closet! stilldon'tgetit." 1"I thinkit bas sorething todowith equalîty of flights," says Mrs. M. "Speaking of flights, " Lucas says, "yours is now ready, Mrs. M.. You can pick up your print from Shaky Jir, the photographer, rightnow." Bent Broadaxe is stili rubbing his chin. "Thing to remember, Mayor Johnny," he says, his voice deliberate. "After the next election I'm going to put my friend in charge of closets. And first thing we'il do is put ail your toy tanks and guns in 'em. " "Which closet? " asks Lucas, ever the journalist. "The closest closet, of course, " Broadaxe says, without a Closet talk M. She is badgering Lucas for a free copy of the robin pic- ture from back in January. Lucas has lost the print, and bas told her so, but Mrs. M. will nottake "Lost" for an answer. "I have no trouble'making up my mind," says Razor Strop. "Ask me any day about any tough issue, and l'Il show you a politician who is decisive. " "But your ansWers are always different," Lucas quips. "One day you're in favor of the free trade poker stakes, and the next day you would close down The Lone Star and the backroom; then you'd tear up all the cards... " "I didn't say I was consistent," says Strop, his two blue eyes icily focused on a single point sornewhere beyond in- finity. "Besides, after lunch I always feel differently about things. " Mrs. M. bristles. "Lost pictures indeed! This is carelessness to which I will not be a party!1" "A party? " repeats Razor Strop. '1 love a party as much as the next person. The longer the lunch, the better. But I've Residents feair new subdivision could affect water supply Anderson St. residents say a subdivision* application before the Town could affect their water systems. The subdivision, proposed by River Realty Development Inc., is comprised of 519 lots and is located south of Taunton Rd. between Garden and Anderson Sts. The subdivision will be comprised of 465 lots ranging frorn 40 to 70 ft., 54 lots ranging from 30 to 35 ft., a senior citizens block with between 120 and 140 apartments, a separate secondary and elemnentsry school as welI as a church, a public elementary school, a park and a commercial block. The total size is 150 acres. Residents on Anderson informned administrative committee during a public meeting on the application that the subdivision could affect Prngle Creek - 'the source of water for Anderson St. residents. I . arn concerned with an increase or decrease of the creek's flow. If that happens I arn without drinking water," said James Priest, who added that Whitby* needed the subdivision like it needs another gas bar or strip plaza. It has become an obsession with this council to turn this town into roofs and, roads. Let's keep something for. our children," he added. The creek i-uns through the easterly boundary of the subdivision and other resi dents told commidttee they fear somne type of chemical pollution during construction. Residents were also concerned about the widening of Anderson St. to four lanes, and having a park and schools back onto their lots. "If there are two schools bebind us what protection do we have for our lots?" asked a resident who identified himself as Q. Roberts, adding he would prefer to see the ]and developed as a golf course. Rita Ri]ey said the park block backs onto the creek, a danger to the children who would be playing in the park. Bruce Langer of Palace St. complained that the subdivision did not include badly needed rentai accommodation. I arn concerned with what this Town is. allowing to develop. Out of 150 acres I can't see why aff~Lp~4 c)- Sa. VINTAGE DES] $7.050 * dul *comparable book price $2E 3O% ioff al BOOK ORDERS ** ** until March 14/88 (fabrie not included) A"ann iversary [GNS roll 3.00 LARGEST COLLECTION 0F BORDERS IN DURHIAM *Country Specialists *Featured in Toronto Life Magazine *Folk Art & Crafts *Children's Mini Play Area *Personalized Service m .1652' BAYLY ST. W. PICKERING Mon. - Wed. 9:30 - 6, Thurs. 9:30 - 8, Ehi. 9:30- 831- 7747 E 9, Sat. 9:30 - 5 the Town would not require some rentai accommodation," said Langer. Heargued that it would not SEE PAGE 13 RUDON. A.N"D.RE:W' 1$ pleasec to..arnouri'ethe openîng ofhi practice.In FAM:ILýY:MEDICI.N'E, by-walk-~in and:àaPointmen at the DOCTrOR'S OFFICE wslk in Mediosf Cm Kerndalwood Park Plaza ~ jl~jjj 1801 Dunclas St. E., Whitby Weekdays 8a.m. 'lOp.m. 436-9 977 Weekends lOa.m. - 6p.m.