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Wednesday March 3,1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER A7 COMMENT L e t t e r s f r o m t h e p a s t m a k e h i s t o r y c o m e a l i v e It's unlikely you'd ever find 75 year old Maud McLean giying up on any task she tackled. As she says, fixing you with a piercing gaze: "Quitting...it's just not my style." Just a glance at the remarkable accomplishments of this Oakville woman and author of the book My Dearest Wife, points to unflinching determination, to finish any project. According to her husband and staunch cheerleader, John, the same determina­ tion and energy has been behind the many projects over her full life as she raised her three sons. She's worked as a music and English teacher, CBC radio broadcaster, a singer with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and writer. One of their sons is an opera singer, a tenor, in Germany. The McLeans have also been keenly involved in the Oakville community. They are tong standing members of St. Aidan's Anglican Church. Perhaps the most revealing anecdote of all is the one where she explains what prompted her to become a teacher well past the age of training teachers: she was already a mother raising three sons. But she had walked into her local school years ago when her children were still in school and, as she says, dryly: "I didn't like what I saw." Off she goes to teacher's college among much younger students and becomes an accomplished teacher of music, English literature and Canadian history. Later she worked at the CBC and wrote two smaller books. But it is at the mention of the recent book co-written with Robert Stamp, a Women celebrated Letters to the Editor professor at the University of Calgary that her eyes light up. And despite the many years of research, she never gave quitting a thought. The book tells the story of how her grandfather - a lawyer, an author, a Member of Parliament and a former speaker of the House of Commons - met and married her grandmother, one of Canada's first female historians and the president of the National Council of Women of Canada from 1906 to 1910. What brought the story of an era long gone to life to Maud McLean were the letters, stored at the Archives of Ontario. She remembers sitting for hours and reading through the moun­ tain of letters written to each other over the years. "The impact was instant," recalled the author, "they were absolutely fascinating." The letters told a love story between her grandparents and their thoughts and ideas about life at the time. Everything from information about meetings and appointments to expressions of love was included. At times, the work was laborious because of the way in which letters of the time were "cross-hatched" - using more of the valuable paper. "Letters are so personal...it was very moving," she said. For John, it was the glimpse into the traditions of another era that fascinated him. "It stimulates memories of a time gone by...when there were no anti­ biotics, when castor oil was used for stomach problems...all of this was con­ sidered very normal for the time. And letters would be delivered two or three times a day." The letters reveal the various issues of the day and the way in which her grandfather James Edgar would try to defuse the tensions, for instance in the Catholic/Protestant troubles of the day. In one chapter, there is a reference to his repeated attempts to mount an attack against the Protestant Protective Association (PPA) and its "demands for 'equal' rights and 'protection' for Protestants against an alleged Roman Catholic take-over of Ontario and Canadian public life." It goes on to mention that he wrote two open letters to both The Globe and The Mail in which he allayed fears of some Catholic take-over and instead pointed out the danger of Protestant extremism. Edgar was always the voice of tolerance and reason and he went on to argue that any Catholic/Protestant rift could grow into a major threat to Confederation. He writes: "If it could succeed in lashing into a frenzy the latent evil pas­ sions of any important part of Ontario's population, Quebec might be driven out of Confederation. Quebec is the pivotal province of the Dominion from its geo­ graphical position, and its secession would smash Confederation into its original atoms and the name of Canada would disappear from the map of the world." (Dec. 1893). The letters, for his granddaughter, made the project come to life. The moment she discovered the stored let­ ters: "It was pay day!" For her, it was a double bonus: to be able to write about two fascinating peo­ ple in powerful public positions who just happened to be related to her. The letters were a window of opportunity into a part of history and a wonderful glimpse into the world of, as she says, "two very special people." Does Maud McLean like to write? "I love it!" she answers, without a pause. One of the biggest reasons, she says, is you can be your own boss. Easy to see why she likes that part: she is, after all, a remarkable person in her own right. On March 8, 1911, the first I n t e r n a t i o n a l Women's Day was celebrated in many countries to acknowledge women's struggles, and draw attention to the social, economic and political injustices to which women were subjected. Times have changed. Today, International Women's Day has become a global celebration of women's accom­ plishments and advancements towards equality. It is also a time to focus future actions on issues that affect women's lives. Ontario believes in fairness and in opportunity for women in Ontario. Our government wants to assist women to become economically self-sufficient. Our role in promoting economic inde­ pendence for women has been and will continue to be an active one. Women are succeeding in all aspects of life and are a significant economic force. During the past few decades, changes in social attitudes, laws, gov­ ernment programs and supports have opened doors for women to become economically independent. Since the fall of 1995, Ontario has generated 17,000 net new jobs. In 1998, the province witnessed the creation of 200,000 net new jobs. Women account for 61% of this job gain. Women are actively participating in Ontario's improved economic climate. In 1998, women comprised 46% (2.8- million) of the labour force, up from 45% (2.4-million) in 1988. Women accounted for 56% of Ontario's labour force growth in the period from 1988- 1998. To achieve long-term benefits for women and the economy, the Government of Ontario has adopted a comprehensive approach to programs and services. This approach addresses the need to prepare girls and women for the full range of economic opportuni­ ties, promotes the success of women's participation in the economy and enhances women's contribution to opportunities and job creation for them­ selves and others throughout their lives. My hope is that women, indeed all Ontarians, will move now to take advantage of the programs and services this government has in place to assist them to advance their economic inde­ pendence. However, finding what you need, when yo need it isn't always easy. That's why I've collaborated with my Cabinet colleagues to produce a special feature on Advancing Women's Economic Independence: Ontario's Success Story. This resource is avail­ able on the Ontario Women's Directorate website at http://www.gov.on.ca/owd Whether you are thinking qf chang­ ing careers, starting your own business or assisting girls in making good choic­ es for their future, I'm sure you'll be encouraged by women's progress to date. I urge you to seek out the various programs and resources available in Ontario. We can celebrate International Women's Day, and look forward to the continuation of these and other efforts to achieve social, economic and legal equality for women. By encouraging an environment that promotes jobs, eco­ nomic growth and women's fiill partici­ pation in the economy, we all benefit. Dianne Cunningham Minister Responsible for W om en's Issues TH G C O R P O R A T IO N O F T H E TOWN OF OAKVILLE C o u n c i l & S t a n d i n g C o m m it t e e M e e t i n g s Monday, March 8,1999 Planning & Development Council Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. Monday, M arch22,1999 Council Meeting Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 9,1999 Community Services Committee 7:30 p.m. - Oakville Room Administrative Sendees Comm. 7:30 p.m. - Bronte Room Council & Committee Touchtone P hone Line 8 1 5 - 5 9 5 9 Monday, March29,1999 Council Meeting Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. CAT IDENTIFICATION AND ROAMING BY-LAW On Tuesday, March 9, 1999, the Administrative Services Committee will consider a proposal from the Oakville and District Humane Society to adopt a cat identification and roaming by-law. Anyone interested in this issue is cordially invited to attend the meeting to speak to the Committee on the proposal. For further information, please contact Carol Provost, Committee Co-oridnator, Town o f Oakville, Clerk's Department, at (905) 338-4179. A dministrative S ervices C ommittee M eeting Tuesday, March 9, 1999 Oakviile(Muoicipal Building 1225 Trafalgar Road Oakville Bronte Room 7:30 p.m. N O T I C E O F P U B L IC M E E T IN G PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION AND EXTENSION OF TURNING LANES ON CROSS AVENUE FROM TRAFALGAR ROAD TO ARGUS ROAD (Including Region of Halton watermain and sanitary sewer replacements) DATE: W ednesday, March 10,1999 LOCATION: O akville Room , Town M unicipal B ldg., 1225 Trafalgar Road, O akville, Ontario TIM E: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m . 1 IM s. SERVICE /L i f i g ) PROJECT LOCATION 1 l Ptc / AV. gPHO«A/sY 1 1 I SPRUCE ST. \macdonau) OR. I \ r 1 " 1 The Town of Oakville Department of Public Works has scheduled a public information/open house to review the engineering plans and construction details for improvements on Cross Avenue between Trafalgar Road and Argus Road. The proposed roadwork will include a minor widening of Cross Avenue which will extend the length of the current dual eastbound left turn lanes at Trafalgar Road. In addition, a left turn lane will be constructed for eastbound traffic on Cross Avenue at Argus Road and a right turn lane will be added for westbound traffic on the South Service Road, west of Trafalgar Road. These proposed road improvements will improve the traffic flow along Cross Avenue particularly during the evening rush hour following the arrival of GO Trains. The additional turning lanes at Argus Road and the South Service Road will help to improve the level of service and safety through this busy corridor. The Region of Halton is also proposing to replace the existing watermain and sanitary sewers within the project limits in conjunction with the Town of Oakville's roadworks. Representatives from the Region of Halton will also be present at the public meeting to address any servicing questions or concerns. For further information regarding this project or the meeting to be held, please contact Mr. Erik Zutis, C.E.T., Town of Oakville, Department of Public Works, at 845-6601, ext. 3312. R.G . G reen, P.Eng., D irec to r o f Public W orks February 26,1999 W IN TE R BY-LAW S P l e a s e n o t e t h e f o l l o w i n g TW O R E Q U IR E M E N T S 1) By-law 1984-1 PROHIBITS parking of vehicles on Town streets between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. from November 15 to April 15. N O T E : The set fine for this infraction is $30.00. 2) By-law 1973-18 states that "No person shall throw, place dr deposit snow, ice or slush from private property onto any sidewalk, public highway or lane in the Town". Please co-operate by complying with these requirements so that our streets can be cleared quickly and efficiently and kept in a safe condition. R .G . G reen , P. Eng. D irec to r o f P u b lic W orks Meeting Announcement A meeting of the D E V E L O P M E N T C H A R G E R E V IE W C O M M ITTE E will be held on Monday, March 8th, 1999, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Oakville Room at Oakville Municipal Building, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON. A series of meetings will be held to consider issues related to the implementation of a new by-law under the Development Charges Act, which will ultimately determine how the costs of new infrastructure will be shared between new communities being developed and existing areas within Town. Your participation in this process is encouraged. The meeting to be held on March 8th w ill deal prim arily with the following issues: • Overview of changes to D evelopm ent C harges A ct Legislation: • Local Service Funding Policy Guideline; • Roads Transportation Service * Development Charge Methodology • Road Network Requirements and Costing Requests for Meeting Agendas and other inquiries should be directed to Carol Provost, C lerk's Department, at 338-4179, or Lorna Taylor, Finance Department, at 845-6601, ext. 3167. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Oakville Town Council invites you to volunteer your skills in an advisory capacity to Council. Complete an application form and return it to the Town Clerk's Department by 4:30 p.m., Friday, March 12, 1999. Receipt of applications will be acknowledged after the appointment process has been completed, at which time each applicant will be notified by maiL Currently vacancies on Town of Oakville Advisory Committees are: Bronte District Advisory Committee - One Vacancy Interested citizens must reside within the geographical boundaries of the centre line of Burloak Drive, Lake Ontario, the centre line of Third Line and the centre line of the Q.E. W. Meetings are held once a month, when required, on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. Citizen Transit Advisory Committee - One Vacancy Interested citizens should be a resident of Oakville for at least five years, have an understanding of transit and its role in the community, be able to attend evening meetings and preferably be a user of Oakville Transit. Meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of the month, (as required) in the evening. Oakville Centre Board of Directors - One Vacancy Interested citizens should have a strong network of business contacts in the community and a flair for the related fields of marketing/sales/advertising. This coupled with a passion for quality performing arts in Oakville would enable the successful applicant to make a valuable contribution to the Oakville community. Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the morning. Traffic Advisory Committee - One Vacancy Interested citizens should be community and technically minded with an interest in traffic safety and efficiency. An engineering background in the transportation discipline would be an asset on this committee. Meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday, monthly, at 7:30 p.m. Applications forms are available from the Clerk's Department at Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, Monday to Friday during regular business hoars - 8:30 sum. to 4:30 p.m. For further information please contact Pat McPherson at (905) 845-6601, extendon 3136. 1225 TRAFALGAR ROAD • OAKVILLE, ONTARIO • L6H 2L1 http://www.gov.on.ca/owd