4 Friday, April 7, 2017 brooklintowncrier.com Less than Half the Picture By Richard Bercuson Why An Essay Contest? Today we launch our first annual essay contest. It's not a marketing ploy. With the BTC delivered to mailboxes and just about every business in Brooklin, it's not like we don't have a presence. Given Canada's upcoming 150th birthday, with much to be proud of, the contest serves as a timely opportunity to hear what folks have to say about, well, us. These days, everyone has a channel to publicize views on any subject or person and hiding behind a keyboard has sadly become where it's at. Although social media has a death grip on it, Facebook and its cousins can't do much for people who want to not just show off their writing chops but more importantly explain what exactly this country - this province - this community - even their street means to them. Hence our chosen theme, "Canada is…" In 1967, our Centennial was awash in special celebrations. Arenas and cultural centres sprouted from coast to coast. Montreal's Expo 67 became a focal point. We don't seem to have much of that now. For one thing, those arenas need considerable refurbishing. Has anyone heard of any major Canada 150 building plans? Did you know that the current TV ad for Ontario, "A Place to Stand," was the 1967 Centennial theme song for the province and has merely been updated? At Expo's Ontario Pavilion, it was played ad nauseam. Wouldn't it have been a magnanimous gesture by our "Place to Stand" province to make highway 412 free as a sesquicentennial present to all of us? It seems the celebration of this particular birthday doesn't strike the chord it did 50 years ago. Indeed, we live in a different world and face problems we couldn't have imagined back then. Still, we should find ways to celebrate. It's not because we should ignore issues but because how we face them and the kind of people Canadians are have made us the envy of much of the world. As a place to live, we're usually ranked in the top five, often higher. Such is the global respect Canada has. Yes, July 1 will pass by and life will go on. No, we don't owe ourselves a pat on the back for having been born here. Then again, not everyone was. Perhaps those are the compelling stories this contest may unearth. Plus, from a community perspective alone, take a look at the list of local businesses that have generously donated prizes, with possibly more in the works. I should share with you our sales pitch. It was simple. "The BTC is hosting an essay contest on the theme Canada is…Would you care to donate a prize?" Without hesitation, every one of them said, "Yes." How's that for community? The late American comedian and actor Robin Williams once described Canada as "like a loft apartment over a really great party." Here's your chance to describe how great a view it is from up here. "Proud to be a Brooklinite" Founded in 2000 • Published 24 times annually Editor, Richard Bercuson 613-769-8629 • editorofbtc@gmail.com Locally owned and operated. A publication of Appletree Graphic Design Inc. We accept advertising in good faith but do not endorse advertisers nor advertisements. All editorial submissions are subject to editing. For advertising information, contact: 905-655-7642 Email: yeswomanbrooklin@gmail.com Next Issue: Friday, April 21, 2017 Deadline: Friday, April 14, 2017 DDSB Bell Changes Mean More Access to Bus Transportation Submitted by DDSB The Durham District School Board (DDSB) has heard the voices of parents that more busing was required to create equity, including the needs of Priority Neighbourhoods. Adjusting bell times was identified to generate savings to create equity and to transport more students with the same level of funding. At the March Board meeting, trustees approved bell time changes at 28 DDSB schools effective this September. The Board will offer new breakfast programs at three of its elementary schools where bell times are changing this September between 30 and 45 minutes. The new breakfast programs will ensure that parents who were used to dropping off their children at school each morning will not have to change that drop off time because of the bell time changes. "We listened to the parents at those three schools and heard their message very clearly. They want to drop off their child at the same time this September as they do now, despite the change in bell times," outlined Board Chairperson Michael Barrett. "We're improving the levels of bus transportation service for our students," noted Lisa Millar, Director of Education. "These changes to bell times will result in a minimum of 1,500 more students accessing bus transportation this September." There are many advantages to changing the bell times, including: Almost 1,300 secondary students, 245 in Priority Neighbourhoods, will receive transportation Approx. 280 Kindergarten students at Single Track French Immersion schools will be eligible The $1.2 million in savings is directed towards bussing the additional students and creates flexibility to meet the growth needs of the Region All the transportation savings will remain in the transportation budget to transport students An increase in bussed students should decrease the number of students requiring their parents to drive them to school, thereby increasing student safety and lessening traffic congestion Of the 131 schools at the DDSB, only 28 schools will experience bell time changes this September. Seventeen schools will see a change of 10 minutes or less; seven schools will see a change of 10 to 25 minutes; and only four schools will see a change of 30 to 45 minutes. Information regarding bus routes for transported students will be available in mid-August through the Durham Student Transportation Services automated phone line. The Durham District School Board is responsible for public education in the rural settings of Uxbridge, Brock and Scugog Townships and the urban settings of Ajax, Whitby, Pickering and Oshawa. The DDSB employs more than 7,000 teaching and educational services staff. With 131 elementary and secondary schools and learning centres, the DDSB accommodates 69,500 regular day students and thousands more who take advantage of a wide variety of continuing education and adult credit courses. More information can be found on the DDSB's website at www.ddsb.ca, by following us on Twitter @Durhamdsb or by watching our videos on Youtube. Ontario Should Invest $50 million in Cycling Infrastructure The Share the Road Cycling Coalition (Share the Road) is calling on the province to invest $50 million in cycling infrastructure as part of CycleON: Ontario's Cycling Strategy. Through CycleON, the Province of Ontario has laid out an ambitious 20-year vision for becoming the most bicycle-friendly jurisdiction in Canada. A key part of achieving this goal includes funding municipal infrastructure and building communities that support and promote cycling for all trips under 5km. "Ontarians want to bike more," says Jamie Stuckless, Executive Director of Share the Road. "Our re- search shows that more than half of Ontario residents want to bike more and that 67% of residents would be encouraged to cycle if they had safe cycling infrastructure in their community. This is in addition to the 3.8 million residents who are already riding their bikes at least once a month." Stuckless added, "It is important that the province work with municipalities to make it easy for residents to choose cycling and to ensure the safety of the millions of people who are already out there on their bikes." The Province made their first significant investment in cycling in 2014 when they announced $25 million for cycling infrastructure. This funding was announced as part of CycleON Action Plan 1.0, the first step to implementing the province's 20-year cycling vision, and included $15 million for provincial roads and $10 million in partnership funding for municipal projects. More than 150 municipal applications were submitted and thirty-seven municipalities received matched funding of up to 50% in 2016. "The initial provincial investment was well received by municipalities and road safety partners at all levels," says Marlaine Koehler, Executive Director of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust. "Most of the communities that applied did not receive funding, so we know there are many more projects ready to go should the Province announce a second round of funding. This Provincial commitment has done a great job leveraging local support to change the conversation on cycling and bring new municipal partners to the table." In a recent survey of more than 360 cycling stakeholders, provincial funding for cycling infrastructure was a clear priority. Conducted by Share the Road, this survey also highlighted that we are heading in the right direction with 95% of respondents indicating positive mo- mentum towards a more bicycle-friendly province. Share the Road is a provincial non-profit organization working to build a bicycle friendly Ontario. We work in partnership with municipal, provincial and federal governments, the business community, road safety organizations and other non-profits to: Enhance access for bicyclists on roads and trails Improve safety for all bicyclists Educate citizens on the value and important of safe bicycling for healthy lifestyles and healthy communities. For information: Jamie Stuckless, Executive Director (905) 233-2273 ext. 100, or email: jamie@sharetheroad.ca