2 Friday, November 15, 2019 brooklintowncrier.com There were advantages to growing up and learning to drive in Montreal. You had two choices: either be fearful that all other drivers were out to get you (which was often true) or take control of your environment, no matter the traffic or weather. Years ago in Ottawa, we had friends visit from North Carolina but they were originally from Queens, New York. I offered them a quick jaunt down the 417 to my hometown and a personalized tour, including visits to favourite eateries like Schwartz's Deli and the Bar B Barn. While weaving in and out of Montreal streets and traffic, they told me I drove like a New York cabbie. It was a compliment. Like NYC These days, I could still drive like a New York cabbie if I needed to. But here in Brooklin, there's no need to. Life is slower as are the drivers. Now entering my fourth Whitby winter, I've really nothing to moan about because our winters pale in comparison with both Montreal and Ottawa. Except for the drivers. That's where the chasm is ever so wide. A typical scenario as winter hit: I'm toodling south on Anderson. (Toodling is a technical term for driving with purpose as any Eagles song plays on Spotify.) The road is slithery. I downshift because it controls the wheels and slows the vehicle without resorting to braking, something I learned ages go in a defensive driving course. The vehicle in front of me is a half bed truck going about 40 km/h. Worse, it brakes every few seconds which is both annoying and suspicious. Are you going to suddenly turn or what? My inner Montrealer wants to climb up his back end and honk him into the Twilight Zone. But it's Whitby in winter and the driver clearly hasn't a clue. Why…? It made me wonder if there was a case to be made for teaching people who don't have experience driving in bad weather how to do it safely. Why do people think you can still race from a standing spot at a stoplight through a snowy intersection? Why is every 90 degree turn preceded by 500 m of signal indicator with on and off braking? Why does anyone even do on and off braking? On auto transmission cars, which is pretty much all of them, who knows how to use those strange things near your stick, the ones marked with a + or - or S, or something other than D? We already know parking lots in good weather double as short drag racing tracks. Did you know though that, in winter, they're often not thoroughly plowed nor salted or sanded? Are you adept enough behind the wheel to fishtail your way into a parking spot without slamming into another parked car or shopping cart? I thought not. Frankly, I don't like driving here in winter. I just don't trust people know how to manage the conditions. Do you? How to be a Roads Scholar Less than half the picture: By Richard Bercuson "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: 905.655.7642 Email: brooklintowncrier@gmail.com Next Issue: Friday, November 29, 2019 Deadline: Friday, November 22, 2019 The Region of Durham has approved the appointment of William (Bill) Holmes to the position of General Manager (GM), Transit for The Regional Municipality of Durham. Holmes joined Durham Region Transit (DRT) in 2014 as a Deputy General Manager, Operations. Recently, he provided his leadership as the Acting General Manager, where he was able to demonstrate his skill sets--both in the execution of these roles and through the fulsome hiring process. Having worked in the transit industry for over 20 years, Holmes has a diverse transit and leadership background. The GM, Transit provides leadership for overall performance in long-term planning, service planning, service delivery, financial planning and sustainability, and organizational effectiveness; ensuring the safety, health, well-being, and satisfaction of the public through high-quality transit services. With a team of more than 500, this individual provides seamless integration of inter-agency transit services to meet the travel needs of Durham Region residents, businesses and visitors. Visit DurhamRegionTransit.com to learn more. Durham Appoints New Transit Manager The provincial government announced recently that there will be no amalgamation of upper and lower tier municipalities as a result of the provincial Regional Government Review. In response to the announcement, Whitby Mayor Don Mitchell issued this statement: "I want to thank the Government of Ontario for clearly listening to the important feedback they received from both residents and municipalities through their Regional Government Review. "We know that people value and have a strong emotional connection with their local level of government, something that has clearly been demonstrated by the findings that led to the province's decision to continue to support the two-tiered structure of municipal government. "As local government, our top priority is to maintain this connection and continue to deliver effective, efficient, and responsive services to our residents and our community. That is why we are committed to continuing to seek efficiencies in our operations, leverage technology to maximize the output of our highly-skilled staff, and undertake a robust annual budget process that includes a line-by-line review of the Town's expenditures to ensure our community's sustainable future. "Our residents shared with us through our 2018 Community Survey that they believe we deliver good value for their tax dollars. Our Council's Goals make it a priority to continue to operate in a fiscally responsible way that respects our residents and the trust they place in their local government. "We look forward to continuing to work with the Government of Ontario, as well as other levels of government, to serve our residents and ensure a healthy and sustainable future for our community." Mayor Responds To Province Re No Amalgamation Bundle up and celebrate the spirit of the holiday season in Grass Park (Downtown Brooklin) at the Town of Whitby's annual Christmas in the Village event. 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Experience the essence of an "olde time Christmas" and rediscover the magic of small-town traditions with family and friends. Sing festive songs, sip hot chocolate and celebrate the winter season. You may even be surprised with a visit from Santa! Activities include: A countdown to lighting of the 40 foot tree in the centre of the park Holiday treats, hot chocolate and cookies Toy and food drive - in support of Salvation Army Old fashioned horse & wagon rides Take your own photo with Santa Fun photo opportunities Maple taffy Local holiday entertainment Community vendors with family activities and games Crafts and Carols at Brooklin United Church Carol singing from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Church Sanctuary Christmas Craft Sale Friday 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. & Saturday 9:00 a.m - 2:00 p.m. Christmas in the Village Returns November 29th The Region of Durham will hold its fall test of the nuclear alerting system during the day on November 25 and 26. The system warns people in the unlikely event of an emergency at the nuclear generating station in Clarington or Pickering. On November 25, an auto dialer will call about 100,000 landline phone numbers within 10 kilometres of the nuclear generating stations. The calls will show as coming from 905- 666-6291. On November 26, the outdoor sirens will sound for up to one minute. The sirens are within three kilometres of the stations and will be heard by people who are outdoors and in that area. Cell phone, radio and TV alerts will be tested by the Province of Ontario on November 27. You can find out how you will be alerted by looking up your address at durham.ca/alertmap. This is just a test, and you don't need to do anything if you get an alert. In a real emergency, hearing the sirens means you should go indoors and tune into local media outlets or official government channels for instructions. The next test is scheduled for spring 2020. For more information, visit durham. ca/NuclearPreparedness, or call the nuclear alerting information line at 1-866-551-5373. Durham To Test Nuclear Alerts