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2 Friday, June 30, 2023brooklintowncrier.com Summoning my inner Daniel Dale, the former Toronto Star reporter who fact checks for CNN, there was nary an untruth, embellishment, or misplaced fact at last week's Town Hall at the Brooklin Community Centre. Then again, this was meant to be exactly what it was: a summary of what's happening in this ward and what the future holds. Co-hosted by the two Steves, North Ward and Regional Councillors Lee and Yamada, the 80-minute event was attended by about 70 residents as well as Regional Councillors Rhonda Mulcahy and Chris Leahy and East Ward's Victoria Bozinovski. Note that Regional and Ward councillors are paired for each year of the four-year term, at the mayor's discretion. So for this first year of the mandate, Lee and Yamada are joined. Whitby's Director of Strategic Initiatives Sarah Klein opened with a compelling argument for a new hospital with trauma and critical care services at the chosen site of Lakeridge and Winchester, as if anyone had to hear more evidence. All it needs, as we know, is for the province to stamp its approval and time is moving on. It takes about 10 years to build such a 600-bed facility and our area will sorely need it. She explained that within 20 years, one third of the region's population will be over 65 and thus Lakeridge Health will need nearly 1800 beds, more than twice its current total. DRPS Inspector Mitch Martin, who spoke last, provided stats that emphasized how safe Brooklin is despite the rash of car thefts which is a province-wide problem. One unsettling comment was that the petty thefts and related crimes, speeding and car racing are perpetrated by local residents. It does beg the question: who are our neighbours and what are they doing? Klein and Martin sandwiched presentations by Councillors Lee and Yamada who updated major local projects. However, when it came to the question period at the end, the overwhelming number revolved around traffic issues. Even though a few new stop signs are being installed and other traffic calming measures are being considered, Winchester, Baldwin, Thickson, and Carnwith roads remain at the heart of most issues. The area is faced with the problem, and expense, of retrofitting traffic safety measures into 20-30 year old developments which have none and weren't designed to have any. It presents unique and expensive challenges. Consider, for instance, the dangerous Carnwith stretch from Montgomery to Ashburn. Interestingly, council's decision just three days earlier during a marathon session to cancel the highway 7/12 environmental assessment did not come up, at least not publically. You can read about this and Mayor Elizabeth Roy's comments elsewhere in this paper. Still, consistent with the other complaints about speeding were the ones focused on Baldwin's downtown truck circus. The Town Hall, which other wards are also hosting, was important in sharing and updating news for residents who otherwise would have little opportunity to meet with elected officials and Whitby staff. We should have another one in six months and, at the very least, every six months thereafter. Monday - Thursday 9:00am-7:00pm Friday 9:00am-5:30pm Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm Sunday Closed Fun Truck Time 2023 Colorado 1201 Dundas St. East, Whitby SALES 905-668-5846 SERVICE 905-668-8871 PARTS 905-668-8853 Top Dollar for your Trade 4WD Crew Cab Short Box ZR2 ORDER YOUR PRE-OWNED CAR WITH US! SALES (905) 721-6599 SERVICE (905) 721-6588 PARTS (905) 721-6577 445 Winchester Road East, Brooklin Hyundai - Official Partner of the NHL Swing by to take a practice shot on our Net in the showroom! Check out our Pre-Owned Inventory on our website! Made for Those Who Drive Hockey!Made for Those Who Drive Hockey! The NEW 2023 KONA. The SUV for the city. Less than half the picture by Richard Bercuson The Town Hall