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6- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, January 24, 1995 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" / PORT PERRY STAR <<] EDITORIAL Editorial Comment When policy meets reality It is with some frequency that we are forced to note that policy and reality are often worlds apart. Such is the case right now in Port Perry, where some parents are beginning what could be a battle to have a proper crosswalk installed on Highway 7A to pro- vide their children safe passage to and from school. = Sounds simple enough, right? Not so. : Despite the reality -- about a hundred kids a day crossing a busy thoroughfare at peak travelling times -- the provincial Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has steadfastly declared that crosswalks, signage, flashing amber warning lights and/or a reduced speed limit will not be allowed. . That's because MTO policy on King's highways doesn't allow such measures. And, according to a letter received re- cently by Scugog Township council, be- cause "reserch into recent data gives no indication that this area presents an unu- sual safety hazard to school children _ crossing Highway 7A." ...That comment comes despite the ability of many locals to recall near miss- | es, accidents, and fatalities in the corridor | in question. So: Reality clashes with policy. It has happened numerous times be- fore. Sometimes the people -- private citi- | zens, politicians, or ratepayers' groups -- | are successful in their bid to change the | official way of thinking, and sometimes |. not. hand give it their all. Township councillors have been sup- | portive, and should continue to be. Town- | ship council must adopt a stance and | adress it to the province. And Mayor Ho- | ward Hall has been asked to bring the | matter up at the upcoming conference on | roads in Ontario; he should be urged to | do so. The parents have been encouraged by . the response so far from the office of | MPP Gord Mills. It is hoped he too will | take up the cause and relay the concerns -- as well as the facts -- to be put forth by | those living in the area. It comes down to a decision on what's more important: Rigid rules for provincial highways, or the safety of school chil- dren. It's obvious which should win out. We wish the parents in question all the | best as they embark on their quest, and | hope that those in a position to lend a | We, T ~ 7 MR » Wy, /, li, SSN ! / 2 De ((.[ 5 OPPOSE IT JWT AS WELL Hokey 15 BAUS ON- AT LERST Now You {AVE AN BCE 10 tanoRe ME. WHAT DEAR? / -- \ "1, d ~~ ~The first Ontario County snowplow sl Scugog Shores Museum Village at 085 and Store. The picture Was taken on February 27, 193 Is pictured above 'men [n the photo are unknown. If anyone knows who they are -3560. Random Jottings ~ LETTER OF THE WEEK Home buyers disappointed by changes To the Editor: This letter is being sent by the pur- chasers of new homes at Canterbury Common in Port Perry. This was an adult lifestyle community consisting of 248 homes and a 9-hole golf course and community centre. The developers were Quorum Developments. Since Sept. 30, 1994 Quorum Develop- ments has been locked out of the project by MacKenzie M.E.F. Management, the financial backers of the project. It ap- pears that MacKenzie M.E.F. Manage- ment has decided to take over the pro- ject, excluding the 9-hole golfcourse. It does not seem fair that plans can be altered, after council approves them, and the purchasers have no say in any- thing that is changed. The purchasers signed their Agreement to Purchase con- tracts with Quorum Developments, not MacKenzie M.E.F. Management. Quo- rum Developments have always been very accessible, professional and on site whenever anyone had any questions or concerns. These homes and the entire develop- ment, were designed by Quorum Devel- opments and were dream homes for many of the purchasers. Many were re- tired or retiring in the near future and Quorum Developments were offering everything the purchasers were looking for. Quorum Developments were going to maintain the golf course and the commu- nity centre, therefore they would be on Turn to page 7 by J. Peter Hvidsten THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES Ronnie Hawkins never achieved the celebrity status of Elvis Presley, but they both marked their 60th birthday inthe past couple of weeks. Unlike Elvis... Ronnie is alive and well, and he celebrated his big event with a bash at Massey Hall in Toronto last week. You remember Hawkins... the Arkansas born rockabilly teen who adopted Toronto as his home during the 'hippy' infested 60's. Seeing his "Santa Claus" face popping off the front page of a Toronto Star section last week instantly brought back a series of fond memories of "The Hawk" for me. Hawkins and his group The Hawks per- formed nightly at Le Coq d'Or, a glitzy club with "go-go girls" located above the popular Friar's Tavern on Yonge St. in Toronto. If my memory doesn't fail me, the club later became known as "The Hawk's Nest." It was here, in 1965, | first heard Ronnie Hawkins perform, and as a lad of 20 it was an experience I'll never forget. Having just moved to the big city from rur- al Uxbridge, the excitement, sound and col- or of Yonge St. during the turbulent sixties hit me like a shot of adrenaline. Ronnie Hawkins was the first 'big name' group | had ever seen or heard live and he instantly became one of my favorite per- formers for many years. Twenty years after first seeing Hawkins perform, | had an opportunity to meet this rock 'n roll legend in person. As chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Festival Days activities our committee decided to bring "The Hawk" to Port Perry. After booking his services for a dance at the arena, Star reporter Cathy (Robb) Olliffe and | drove to The-Hawk's summer residence near Lakefield for an interview. That was 1984, and even ten years ago the portly rocker had a full white beard and was wearing his trademark black T-shirt emblazoned with a white flying hawk. He welcomed us into his home and proved to be a most gracious host for more than an hour as we talked across his kitchen table and willingly posed for photographs. It was truly an experience I'll never forget. Happy Birthday Ronnie... and thanks for the memories.