2 Friday, January 20, 2017 brooklintowncrier.com Less than Half the Picture By Richard Bercuson Will you tell your children about The March? In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay were the first to scale Mount Everest. Hillary later said, "People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things." Which brings me to the story of Kristi Honey and Marissa McTasney and their roles in the Women's March on Washington on Jan. 21 (see page 3). Years from now, their progeny may ask about their contributions to society. No, not the business part nor the family part. The part where they might have done something important or perhaps were witnesses to history. The answer should come easily. It was that weekend in January of 2017 when they attended the inauguration of an American president and helped organize a march that had hundreds of thousands to show solidarity for the values civilized individuals hold dear. When I interviewed Kristi about the March and her contribution, I offered that, no matter that comes of it, their work needs to be recognized by future generations. She began to choke up at the thought. One could opine, I suppose, that I was making too much of it. I am not. Neither she nor Marissa, so caught up in the the mammoth organization of it as they are, have a handle on what to do post-WMW. It's a fair question. What does one do in the aftermath of arranging a very public continent-wide declaration in the capital of the world's most powerful nation? There is this: educate. Go to schools and colleges. Talk to students about the experience as well as the power of what this event means and why it's important. I have one granddaughter in the U.S. and two more here in Brooklin, all tiny. I have complete confidence in the quality ethics their parents will impart on them. I know these girls will grow up to understand the difference between aberrant rhetoric and what is leadership by example, even when one vehemently disagrees with said leadership. It is why I will watch the march with one eye on history. Is this to be a peaceful and meaningful event? My sense is it will indeed be peaceful. Anything else would be anathematic to the cause. But meaningful? It certainly will be to participants like Kristi and Marissa and the 400-plus individuals who will spend two nights in buses, sandwiching the day of the march. As to the rest of us, it is much too soon to tell, though the message will be plainly delivered to the new administration. While Kristi emphasized this is not an anti-Trump rally, it is, however, a sub-text. More powerful though is how women around the continent, even the world, have stepped forward to make a statement. Being a part of the event is special. Organizing it because one believes in the statement's value is, in a word, extraordinary. "Proud to be a Brooklinite" Founded in 2000 and published 24 times per year. Editor, Richard Bercuson 613-769-8629 • editorofbtc@gmail.com The Brooklin Town Crier is locally owned and operated and is 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: Marissa Campbell at 905-243-3655 Email: yeswomanbrooklin@gmail.com Next Issue: Friday, February 3, 2017 Deadline: Friday, January 27, 2017 Regional Council Appoints Integrity Commissioner Durham Regional Council has approved the appointment of Guy W. Giorno as its Integrity Commissioner. Giorno, who is a representative of the law offices of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, will report di- rectly to Regional Council until Dec. 31, 2021. "Durham Regional Council strives to promote and enhance transparency and accountability; helping to ensure public confidence through the highest levels of ethical conduct and behaviour," said Roger Anderson, Regional Chair. Under the Municipal Act, 2001, Council has the authority to appoint an Integrity Commissioner who acts independently of the municipality. This individual applies the code of conduct for council members, in addition to any municipal procedures, rules and policies that govern ethical behaviour. Council also has the authority to assign duties and functions to this person, such as receiving complaints/ conducting investigations related to the code of conduct; providing advice around ethical behaviour; outlining findings and recommendations to council; and delivering an annual summary of activities. For an annual retainer fee of $900, Giorna will perform all initial steps to process a complaint (unless it warrants a formal investigation); and provide an annual summary of report complaints, investigations, subsequent advice, and any recommended changes to the current process. Complaints requiring a formal investigation, or any special projects requested by council (such as public meetings or other assignments), are subject to an additional hourly fee of $239. In September 2016, Regional Council approved its Code of Con- duct and Complaints Procedure--a by-law that will now come into effect with the appointment of this Integrity Commissioner. Planning and Development Commissioner Robert Short To Retire Following 43 years of service and leadership, the Town of Whitby announced this week the retirement of Planning and Development Commissioner Robert Short. Mr. Short began his career in 1973 at the Town of Whitby as a Planning Technician. In 1978, he became Deputy Planning Director. And, in 1979, he advanced to become Planning Director, now referred to as Commissioner of Planning and Development. Over the years Mr. Short advanced and completed a number of major projects including: reviewing and updating two Official Plans; advancing development in Brooklin through the engineering needs study that helped bring in regional services and the Secondary Plan and Transportation Master Plan; relocating and developing the Station Gallery; creating a sustainability portfolio which led to the creation of the Corporate Sustainability Plan; leading the acquisition and lease of lands across Whitby's waterfront ahead of the development of the Waterfront Trail and expansion of lands owned by the Town and CLOCA; completing a number of Secondary Plans including downtown Whitby, Rossland/Garden, Taunton North, Whitby Shores and West Whitby; developing the recently approved Downtown Whitby Action Plan; establishing architectural control for planned communities; achieving main street façade improvements in both downtown Whitby and Brooklin; and, creating the Brooklin Heritage District Plan and advancing the Werden's Heritage District Plan. The Town of Whitby would like to thank him for his contributions, commitment, and dedication to the town. The Town will initiate a search to fill this position in the coming weeks. To assist with the transition, Short will stay on with the Town until the end of June 2017.