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2 Friday, February 25, 2022brooklintowncrier.com There is one resident of Durham Region who had mixed emotions when Premier Doug Ford announced on Feb. 18 that the tolls on highways 412 and 418 were being removed. Ron Stevens, a former market manager for PPG Canada who's lived in Ashburn for 20 years, was so happy to hear the announcement that he and his wife celebrated with an extra glass of wine. He'd been "on the case," as it were, for most of the last four years, corresponding with MPP Lorne Coe and Alain Beaulieu, the director of the province's transportation user branch. The detailed emails illustrated how strongly Stevens felt that Durham was being mistreated, even ignored. Time and again, he would ask for information or make suggestions. One was to conduct a three- month study in which tolls would be removed to determine the change in usage. In an exchange with Coe, Stevens quoted a story from the Toronto Star which stated that the province had 30-year contracts with three service providers for the highways. Stevens wrote in his email to Coe that, according to the Star, removing tolls "would require modifications to these contracts, and could result in significant financial impacts to the ministry." He asked who the providers were and what the cost impact might be. He never received an answer. However, this lifelong conservative was also disappointed that Coe had left his constituents high and dry on the issue. "I get upset when I think about it," Stevens says. "The first priority for an elected official needs to be the constituents. The party comes second." When the tolls were frozen last April, that, he says, was Coe's opportunity to step up and truly advocate for Whitby, as council had done, to remove the tolls entirely. He didn't. "The entire experience of dealing with these tolls has been one of the most frustrating endeavours of my life," Stevens admits. "Going forward to the election, I'm confused. I've always voted for the person who best represents my family." In light of the tolls being removed, his exchanges with Beaulieu are especially interesting. As recently as last September, Beaulieu wrote, "…while removing tolls from Highways 412 and 418 would result in a moderate increase in Highway 407 traffic, it is insufficient to offset the lost toll revenue from those highways." Yet, it's happened. Stevens feels that the so-called Bradford Bypass connecting highways 400 and 404 - without tolls - was a wake-up call for both Durham and the Ford government. And then, of course, there's the looming June election. "Make no mistake," Stevens says. "The announcement was a campaign stop. If there was no election, we'd still have the tolls." Meanwhile, if Beaulieu thinks he won't hear from Stevens anymore, he's mistaken. That's because Stevens is front and centre heading up a committee on the highway 7/12 alternate routes. Final question to Stevens: Will the removal be permanent? "We'll know if the cameras are taken down." Brooklin's Community Newspaper Proud to be a Brooklinite Since 2000. Published 24 times per year. Editor, Richard Bercuson 613-769-8629 editorofbtc@gmail.com Circulation 8000 Delivery via Canada Post Locally owned and operated. 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: Email: mulcahy42@rogers.com Next Issue: Friday, March 11, 2022 Deadline: Friday, March 4, 2022 whitby.ca P: 905.430.4300 E: info@whitby.ca What You Need To Know This Week: Have Your Say: Coronation Road Park The Town is getting a new local park to be built on the west side of Coronation Road, south of Taunton Road. View the proposed conceptual park design and complete a survey by March 4. connectwhitby.ca/CoronationRoad Stay Active This Spring - Register on March 16 Looking to register yourself or a family member for a program like swimming classes, Basketball or 55+ Art Classes? Browse ACTIVE Net and create a Wish List starting March 1 so you're ready for registration day on March 16 at 9 a.m. Sessions start March 28. whitby.ca/GetActive Final Call - Community Development Fund Applications Due March 31 Due to the October 24 municipal election, all applications for the Town's Development Fund Grant (up to $25,000), Mayor's Golf Tournament Lead Cause Grant (up to $25,000) and Community Grants (up to $5,000) are due by March 31. Apply at whitby.ca/CommunityFunds Town Council Approves 2022 Budget The Town's 2022 Budget was approved by Whitby Town Council on February 17. The approved budget will result in a 2.2 per cent Town increase or an estimated 0.8 per cent increase on the overall residential bill for Town services - about a 12 cent per day increase, per household, for the delivery of important services residents rely on every day. This budget focuses on maintaining affordability and continued essential service delivery. For more information, visit connectwhitby.ca/Budget World Water Day Film Screening Visit the Whitby Public Library on March 22 at 7 p.m. to attend a free screening of the documentary "SHORELINE: The Paddle Against Plastic", an inspiring fi lm that follows Rochelle Byrne as she embarks on a 430km paddle journey across Lake Ontario to raise awareness about plastic pollution. A live question and answer session will take place with Rochelle following the screening. Space is limited, register now. whitby.ca/Calendar Less than half the picture by Richard Bercuson Brooklin TOWN CRIER.com Correction In the Feb. 11 issue, the Brooklin Heritage Society wrote an article about early Brooklin development. The story stated that the Town brought in sewers in the mid 1980s. This was inaccurate. The sewer project began in August, 1993. At The Vanguard for Removing the Tolls The Brooklin Spring Fair is planning to return in person the weekend of June 2-3-4-5 after a two year absence due to Covid. The Brooklin Agricultural Society will be holding their board meeting on the 3rd of March and the Brooklin Town Crier, March 11th edition will have all the details about the longest running Brooklin event. Stay tuned! Spring Fair Returning 412-418 TOLLS: To be removed April 5