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2 Friday, October 20, 2017 brooklintowncrier.com When Solution Met Problem Less than Half the Picture By Richard Bercuson Get this: The yellow "Please Slow Down" signs can no longer be distributed. The initiative taken by Councillors Steve Yamada, Chris Leahy, Michael Emm and Rhonda Mulcahy is evidently contrary to a bylaw. In case you're wondering, the bylaw reads - and I paraphrase: "No sign that might make stupid drivers get a grip and not kill someone by speeding can be displayed, especially if it's judged by the average resident as an affront to one's opinion of what is or is not ugly." Beauty is certainly in the eyes of the beholder. I personally don't see the fuss about the Mona Lisa, however I find Picasso's Guernica brilliant. The signs weren't meant to beautify our streetscapes but rather to alert drivers of the community's concerns. In their lifespan on my street - eight within 200 metres - vehicles have indeed paid attention and slowed (except for the two young goofs in the black Honda one afternoon). The signs would not have been my preferred solution. A greater police presence would be wonderful though impractical and exorbitant. Or, the town could erect solar-powered radar speed signs at a cost of about $3000 apiece. They give a digital read out of your speed as you approach, suggesting that if a cop were nearby, you'd have been nailed for speeding. And if there are no police around, your guilt will still lighten the foot on the pedal. In fact, numerous studies indicate their residual effect slows traffic even after being removed. They're more practical than expecting cops to be ever present, yet costly given the number required. Still, the councillors are to be commended for making an effort at being proactive, however artistically questionable. Then there's the DRPS Road Watch program, as described in our Oct. 6 issue. If you see a driver doing anything you might deem illegal or dangerous, you record as much information as you can on an online DRPS form and send it. The driver will receive a warning note in the mail. A second infraction invites a visit from the constabulary. No one will know you did the deed. The program doesn't appear to be far removed from a kind of community vigilantism, when an anonymous resident whining to bylaw about how someone parks their car results in a bylaw officer arriving at your door declaring your guilt. Except for the odd extreme instance, which of us is qualified to determine the speed of a car or whether some other traffic infraction has been committed? Worse, this is a reactionary program. Even if it occasionally works, it doesn't attempt to address the speeding issue we see in Brooklin and other wards except to "deputize" the citizenry. There may be no easy, quick fix, but common sense would suggest a cheap can-do temporary approach that harms no one is worth a try. As to those who kiboshed the endeavour, exactly how does it help the situation? Perhaps you've heard this before: If you're not part of the solution... "Proud to be a Brooklinite" Founded in 2000 and published 24 times per year. Editor, Richard Bercuson 613-769-8629 editorofbtc@gmail.com The Brooklin Town Crier is locally owned and operated and is a publication of Appletree Graphic Design Inc. We accept advertising in good faith but do not endorse advertisers nor advertisements. All editorial submissions are subject to editing. For advertising information, contact: 905.655.7642 Email: yeswomanbrooklin@gmail.com Next Issue: Friday, November 3, 2017 Deadline: Friday, October 27, 2017 Donate Items On Reuse Day The Regional Municipality of Durham, Works Department is encouraging residents to drop off reusable items, free of charge, at Reuse Days. The items will be donated to Habitat for Humanity ReStores (Ajax, Oshawa and Uxbridge locations), Diabetes Canada and the Salvation Army Thrift Store. This will be the last Reuse Day event of the year. When: Saturday, October 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Durham Region Waste Management Centre, 4600 Garrard Road, Whitby. Why: Reuse Days is a program to help divert quality, reusable items from the waste stream, including: clothing, textiles, furniture, appliances, cabinets, countertops and most other reusable renovation materials. Note: Only items deemed to be suitable for reuse by charities will be accepted. Garbage, household hazardous waste and electronics will not be accepted. Materials refused by charities must be removed by residents and may be disposed of at one of the Region's waste manage- ment facilities (fees may apply). For more information on Reuse Days, including a list of acceptable items, please visit durham.ca/ WasteEvents or call 1-800-667-5671. To learn more about waste management in Durham, visit durham.ca/waste or download the Durham Region Waste app.