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2 Friday, January 15, 2021 brooklintowncrier.com Less than half the picture: By Richard Bercuson Stories we may see this year Greening it Whitby MPP Lorne Coe leaves the Progressive Conervative party to join the Green Party for two stated reasons: it allows him a better chance to be party leader as the Greens only have one other member, and he can now take a Carribean vacation and no one will care. A traffic measure Whitby council, in cooperation with the DRPS, creates what it believes will be a viable solution to the traffic issues at the Carnwith/Watford intersection, a regular irritant and danger for residents. So council and police are creating a volunteer corps of traffic officers whose sole role will be to direct traffic through that intersection. Volunteers will work in two hour shifts at designated early morning and late afternoon/evening hours. They will be "armed" with body cameras to film transgressors and will have the power to issue tickets for a limited number of infractions. Those caught will also be expected to serve a shift or two. Brooklin Concrete will supply five large concrete "boulders" that will be placed in the middle of the intersection. The traffic control volunteer (TCV) will stand inside of it to direct traffic. Council will direct Brooklin Concrete to put cup holders on each boulder. Clean-up in aisle 1 As we're in a full lockdown, any town councillor who chooses to use council chambers to conduct business or attend virtual meetings will be directed to clean and disinfect the space using Town- supplied equipment and product. They will also be charged the hourly rate of what the custodial staff would be paid to do it. Hill of Dreams The Town answers the call about having local toboggan hills with this clever response. It will dig a gigantic hole on one of the vacant lots in Brooklin (eg. on the corner of Winchester and Cachet) using the infill as the hill. Children will thus be able to slide down the hill and into the hole. There's no word from the Town on how the children will get out of the hole. Paint this Roebuck St. will be permanently closed to traffic and local artists will be hired to paint the faces of Whitby councillors on the pavement. A Complex Complex The BTC has obtained an early draft of the architectural plans for the so-called North Whitby Sports Complex. Borrowing the idea from New York's Madison Square Garden multi-levels, the new complex will feature a short track speed skating oval and recreational skating rink below each of the twin pads. The roof atop the rinks will have "bubble" facilities for indoor soccer, basketball, and court sports. The cost for these will add about 10% to the overall price tag, according to a well-informed source. This will be partly funded through the new traffic measures mentioned earlier as well as toll booths being considered for Winchester Rd and Baldwin St. drivers who do not have Whitby addresses. (Parents of minor hockey players will be exempted, naturally). This is an annual satirical look at the future. But, what if...? January The BTC celebrates its 20th anniversary Columnist Leanne Brown educates readers about Tik-Tok Local kids visited The Court at Brooklin to read and colour with its residents After 40 years, Connie's boutique shuts down with special fashion show February The new Gus Brown Hyundai dealership breaks ground The Barber of Brooklin, Troy Scanga, loses his battle with cancer at the age of 49 Residents of The Court at Brooklin donate $1500 to the Durham Regional Hospice Town of Whitby showcases its new brand and logo Brooklin Heritage Society celebrates municipal and provincial grants March Durham announces that speed enforcement cameras are on their way AND THEN CAME COVID-19! April Local politicians Mayor Don Mitchell, Durham CEO John Henry, MPP Lorne Coe, and MP Ryan Turnbull summarize how their governments plan to support people during the first shutdown Psychologist Cathy Nagy explains how best to cope with mental health issues associated with Covid "Hero" rocks begin to appear along Brooklin paths A study commences on highway 7/12 alternate routes May Leanne Brown offers advice on how to make a movie during quarantine Brooklin gymnast, Brooke, thanks frontline workers We learn about Brooklin's master potters from the Heritage Society How to help seniors during Covid About those Caremongers Optimist Club finds new ways to hold events Group 74 has care cards for seniors June Prima Ballet Company is rescued and Song Spot hangs on About the Brooklin Zoo Covid's effect on small businesses Automated speed enforcement (ASE) begins in the region Optimist Club awards scholarships Rules for Stage 2 opening (the good ol' days?) Copper Branch restaurant leaves town July Brooklin High holds its grad with a not-so-socially distant parade BTC publishes the grad list What we covered in 2020 (All past issues are available online at brooklintowncrier.com)