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4- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, March 11, 1997 "Scugog"s Community Newspaper of Choice" COMMUNI Seagrave's John Leask believes that for the amount CHRIS HALL / PORT PERRY STAR of money he pays in ITY Rough road ahead Scugog farmer complains road keeps getting worse By Chris Hall Port Perry Star John Leask feels like he's in a rut. The Seagrave-area farmer says that once he sends his tax money to the town- ship, he never sees it again. Mr. Leask, 59, has lived on Durward Rd. since 1989. He says that each year the dead-end road gets worse; it's some- times barely passable. "My road is really rough, it's not really nice to drive on. It's usually next to impossible in the spring -- you almost need a 4 by 4 -- but it is especially bad this year," said Mr. Leask. He claims there are five-inch ruts in his road. He said though he hasn't taken his concerns to Ward 1 Councillor Doug Moffatt. "I haven't bothered Doug because I didn't want to chew him out. It's the oth- er's (council members) fault. They put all the money into Port Perry for tourists," said Mr. Leask. Mr. Leask pays $7,300 a year in taxes for his 173-acre farm: he doesn't think that the money he gives to the township does anything to help him. "They don't spend the money wisely. The money is not going where it came from." When contacted by The Star, Doug Moffatt said he's aware of the road's rough condition, but adds that there is nothing that can be done about it just now. "The Roads Department is working of Ward 1 are slated for substantial road work this summer," he said. "There are plenty of roads that can use upgrading in the township, but since the province cut $400,000 out of the bud- get last year, we are having more and more difficulties. "I wish we could spend more out of local taxes on the roads. It's a battle out there with all sorts of funds being taken away and the roads are suffering. Mr. Moffatt said people in Ward 1 are concerned with their roads and fire pro- tection. Old Simcoe Rd. and Marsh Hill Rd. are going to get some work done soon, he said. But Durward Rd. -- it runs west off Old Simcoe north of Line 12 -- is not highly travelled, so it's not a high priority road. Roads Department chief Ronn McDonald also said that there are cur- rently no plans for any work to be done on Mr. Leask's road. "There are only two dwellings on that road, so there are no planned upgrades," he said, explaining that a three or four inch gravel lift would cost $3,000 to $4,000. "There is a lot of gravel resurfacing that needs to be done in the township, but we have to prioritize these things; look at the roads that have 300-400 cars travelling on them a day, not four or five. "Mr. Leask has lived in the country all his life and he knows what the roads get like. They are treated and maintained according to the amount of traffic on them." taxes, the township should provide better roads. well with a restricted budget and sections Obituary 'Do the best you can' was correspondent's motto By Albert Putsey Special to the Star Just after breakfast this 6th day of March, Neta Fish phoned me to say Mabel Cawker had passed on in her 92nd year. I met Mabel for the first time back in 1993 when she asked if I could gather some Caesarea news for her. I wrote up some- thing and took it over to her home, and we sat and had a cup of tea. This was the begin- ning of a long friendship. Mabel was born in the farm house she was raised in and later returned with husband Sam to live out their remaining years there. She told me childhood tales of sliding down off the hay stack onto the cows backs as they stood there feeding. Her father wouldn't allow his girls to go to the dance halls in Caesarea. But Mabel and her sister -- their bedroom was on the ground floor -- would sneak out the bedroom window for some night life, and return after the dance. Father never did catch them at this act. Remember, farmers went to bed at 9 o'clock and were up a 5 a.m. in those days. Mabel's son Allan told me of the stories of his mother's wed- ding day: At the last moment she was advised the music examiner would be in Whitby the day she and Sam were to be wed, and Mabel did want to pass the exam . So they changed the wedding from afternoon to evening. Sam and Mabel were successful in accomplishing a lot that day. Sam and Mabel started their life off together with Sam teach- ing in the little red school house in Caesarea. Later they moved to Millbrook, and Sam taught there. At Millbrook they had their first surprise when Mabel gave birth to twin boys, Alan and Arthur. Later came Grant and Ralph. From Millbrook they moved to Port Perry, where Sam taught. After teaching for more than 40 years he had a school named in his honor in 2 5 =» Mabel Cawker September 1989. The S.A. Cawker Public School is in Port Perry. Mabel was a great worker in the Order of the Eastern Star. The Honeydale Women's Institute, United Church Women and her efforts in col- lection for the Cancer Society was outstanding. Her weekly articles for The Port Perry Star was her proudest achievement. In 1984 Mabel was awarded a Bicentennial Medal for her efforts in community work. The Cawkers were never ones to take trips to Florida or elsewhere, preferring to stay in their community amongst their friends and neighbors. Their first great family loss was with the death of son Ralph in 1990. On July 7, 1992, Sam and Mabel celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. More than 200 people attend the party at Nestleton Hall. On Nov. 2, 1992 Sam passed away in his sleep. Mabel lived on in the farm house alone, determined to live independently. She was often visited by family and friends, and kept up her stamina and health with daily vsalks. On August 8, 1995, I walked into Mabel's kitchen and the place was filled with flowers. I asked are you going into the florist business? "No," Mabel replied. "It's my 90th birthday tomorrow." I put my had out to congrat- ulate her when she said, "Albert, throw ycur arms around me and give me a big kiss." Which I did. It seemed it wasn't long after that I noticed Mabel's health deteriorating. Lately she had been hospi- talized for extended periods, and had taken up residence at the Villa and community Nursing Home in Port Perry. Her favorite saying was "Do the best you can." Mabel leaves behind her remaining sons, as well as 14 grandchildren and 22 great- grandchildren. A service was held at Wagg Funeral Home in Port Perry this weekend. We have all lost a good neigh- borhood worker and correspon- dent. Mabel Cawker will be missed. '