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2 - Orono Weekly Times Subscriptions $38.09 + $1.91 GST = $40.00 per year. No Refunds. Publishing 48 issues annually at the office of publication. "We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs." Wednesday, May 19, 2010 ORONO WEEKLY TIMES - 5310 Main St., P.O. Box 209, Orono, ON L0B 1M0 E-mail: oronotimes@rogers.com or Phone/Fax: 905-983-5301 Publisher/Editor Margaret Zwart Production and Display Advertising - Roxanne Johnston Classified Advertising - Sue Weigand The Orono Weekly Times welcomes letters to the editor on subjects of interest to our readers. Opinions expressed to the editor and articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Orono Weekly times. Letters must be signed and contain the address and phone number of the writer. Any letter considered unsuitable will not be acknowledged or returned. We reserve the right to edit for length, libel and slander. If your retail or classified ad appears for the first time, please check carefully. Notice of an error must be given before the next issue goes to print. The Orono Weekly Times will not be responsible for the loss or damage of such items. Stanley Cup dreams made in Orono It is a known fact that the Stanley Cup is one of the most coveted trophies in the sporting world, at least if you are Canadian. At this time of year, the competition is fierce between the four remaining National Hockey League teams battling for the opportunity to go to the finals and bring home the Cup. Just in case you're one of the few who hasn't been following the playoffs, it is perhaps worth mentioning that this year, those four teams are Chicago, Montreal, Philadelphia, and San Jose. It is also worth mentioning that if the puck keeps dropping in favour of Chicago, there is a possibility that the Stanley Cup could make a visit to Orono this summer. Yes, that's right. This year, for the first time in history, Orono has a direct stake in the outcome of the playoffs. Whichever your favourite team may be, it is in your best interest to cheer for Chicago. You see, Bryan Bickell, who was born and raised in Orono, is a member of the Chicago Blackhawks. And he has promised that if his team wins, he will bring the Cup home to Orono. As it stands at press time, Chicago leads the third-round series 1-0 over San Jose. This is pretty exciting stuff for a 24-year-old who has been working hard to impress his coach, hoping to secure a permanent spot on a team chockfull of talent. So far, he has played four playoff games for the Blackhawks, joining the line-up on an "as needed" basis. He has also played 16 regular games with Chicago this season, following an injury-plagued 2008-09 season where a puck to the eye, and a broken thumb kept him from being recalled from the Hawks' farm team, the Rockford IceHogs. Bickell is a versatile forward, who at 6-foot-4, 223-pounds, has size on his side. When Chicago coach Joel Quenneville has seen fit to put Bickell in the line-up, he has played him on the first line, with scoring stars Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. "He's been effective each and every time he's gotten in the lineup for us," stated Quenneville, speaking to John Manasso, a correspondent with NHL.com. "He's great, he fills in where he needs to be," Toews told NHL.com. "He's a big body and he's playing just the way we need to play as a team. He's big and strong, keeps plays alive and protects [the puck]. He has a big shot and can make plays around the net when it counts." Bickell's parents, Bill and Ann of Orono, have been to Chicago to watch their son play NHL games over the last four years, and his sister Ashley has been to Rockford to see him play with the IceHogs. But he has never played in the Stanley Cup Finals. His family members said they hope he gets that chance, but it all depends on how far the Blackhawks make it, and whether Bickell can get back in the line-up. Whether he suits up or not, Bickell's parents plan to join him to watch a game live if the Blackhawks win the Western Conference and go on to the Finals. "He said we're going to go to see the Stanley Cup Finals together," said Bill Bickell. This is also pretty exciting stuff for the people of Orono. Not since Steve West played six playoff games in 1979 with the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association has someone from Orono gone so far in professional hockey. Interestingly, like Steve West, and his daughter Sommer West, and the Orono Orphans before him, Bickell has carried on what seems to be an Orono tradition of being an athlete for all seasons, excelling at baseball as well as hockey. Following the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, when the Blackhawks picked him in the second round (41st overall), the then 18-year-old Bickell asked and was granted permission by Chicago to continue playing with Kendal Eagles ball club. But it is another Orono tradition that we are all hoping we get a chance to see: Bryan Bickell and the Stanley Cup riding down Main Street on the old Bickle fire engine. Go, Chicago, go! Game three of the Western Conference takes place on Friday, May 21 at Chicago at 8 pm (on TSN); game four is on Sunday, May 23 at Chicago at 3 pm (on CBS); game five* is on Tuesday, May 25 at San Jose at 9 pm (on CBC), game six* is scheduled for Thursday, May 27, at 8 pm back in Chicago (on CBC); and game seven* is on Saturday, May 29 at 8 pm in San Jose (on CBC) (* if necessary). By Sue Weigand Letters to the Editor The picture is out of focus To The Editor: I don't understand what Jim Richards is trying to accomplish. I thought he was on a campaign for public election of Regional Chair. Why did Jim stand in front of council a second time and use the "bully" word? Was it an attempt to rub council's nose in a decision they made to allow him back into chambers and therefore, it would seem, a deliberate attempt to degrade, humiliate and embarrass council? These are the very things Jim believes others should not do. I hope Jim can turn this negative energy into a positive, and refocus on the campaign to change the election process for Regional Chair. Tony Wood Orono Wind power To The Editor: I have researched wind mills the last five years. I would be unable to pay for the wind mill selling power at an inflated rate in 10 years, at which time I would not quite be the owner of a piece of junk that I would have to pay to get rid of. They are an inefficent method of producing power, besides being unsightly. Since communities have no say in their location, I suggest they all be placed in Ottawa South, the epicentre of wind. Paul Rutherford Listowell Enough already! To The Editor: I'm fed up reading about all the childish pranks happening at our town council meetings. I didn't subscribe to the Orono Times to read front page news such as "Bully saga continues." Our councillors have far more important tasks to deal with, without having to chastise speakers during council meetings. We are all educated well enough to know proper procedures when making a public address. A chairperson has a definite duty - the responsibility is to maintain a respectful meeting. My thoughts: our councillors have far more pressing issues to deal with than this "childish" behaviour used when addressing council. How about: where is our garbage going? How can we improve recycling? How will we attract industry to our area hence helping reduce our property tax base. How can we ALL support our councillors in helping them get the job done that we elected them for? Let's move ahead Betty Ann Wood Caring Clarington Resident Ammending Old Age? To The Editor: Re: Bill C-428 An Act to Amend the Old Age Security Act (residency requirements) This bill needs to be stopped. I frankly am tired of handing out money to people who do not and will never contribute to our country but sit and take handouts and don't even say thanks. Too BILL see page 3