2 Friday, September 24, 2021 brooklintowncrier.com "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, Email: mulcahy42@rogers.com Next Issue: Friday, October 8, 2021 Deadline: Friday, October 1, 2021 Publications dates subject to change during COVID-19 Pandemic Once upon a time, in a community far far away, my MP was a fellow named Trudeau. Not this one. That one. I was too young to vote for him till a few years later, but I knew Pierre Elliott was an exciting chap because Mom said so. Which was because she once met him outside our town hall and kissed him. We have the newspaper photo to prove it. (She didn't like Robert Stanfield because of his face. Reason enough.) Those were exciting days. I've no clue what P.E.T. did for the riding, if anything. During the 1970 October Crisis - look it up as it actually happened - military vehicles rumbled through our streets and soldiers guarded prominent folks because the community was home to a bunch of them. The father of my brother's friend was one, a Quebec cabinet minister. So, P.E.T. arranged that for the riding which made everyone feel safe. Since then, while I still feel safe, I'm nearly certain it isn't because of who wins the seat in my riding. Those poor dears mostly win because of the national party leader, not because they knocked on more doors, gave away candy, or promised federal gifts that will make our lives infinitely better. Then there's the issue of beating an incumbent, whether it be the leader or the holder (sitter?) of the seat. In Whitby, considered up for grabs leading to election day, it was going to be Ryan Turnbull, incumbent, versus Maleeha Shahid, Whitby Ward 4 councillor. Poor Brian Dias, NDP, never stood a chance probably because Jagmeet Singh didn't. Either that or no one much likes orange signs. This left Shahid with the unenviable task of knocking the Liberal off the pedestal even though one could posit an argument that, as a local councillor, she might have a better handle on Whitby's needs. Frankly, I was disappointed the Rhinoceros Party didn't run a candidate here. They were prepared to open tax havens in each province and replace teachers on leave with photos of famous scientists. Novel ideas, eh? There was little compelling or interesting about this election, save for the gravel throwing incident. We voted in the advance polls on the assumption that a) nothing of any real interest, short of an American invasion of Kingston, would occur in the next week to suggest we change our vote to whoever could defend that city best, and b) shorter lineups. Voting on election day, which used to carry a tinge of excitement, has long since lost its lustre. Especially this time. Which brings us to the 2022 provincial and municipal elections whose results will most assuredly affect our daily existence. Incumbents' actions will not be opaque. It will be so much more fun to ask candidates: What have you done for me lately and what will you do? Now back to our regularly scheduled programming... Less than half the picture by Richard Bercuson Was that fun, or what? From September 21 until October 25, Durham Region residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft 2021-2040 Long-term Waste Management Plan (Waste Plan) by visiting the virtual public engagement website at DurhamWasteOpenHouse.ca. This is Durham's second phase of consultation for the Waste Plan. It will focus on the proposed targets and actions to achieve the plan's approved vision and objectives which were developed during the first phase of consultation with residents and stakeholders. The Waste Plan is a roadmap that describes the Region's vision and objectives for waste management over the next 20 years. As part of the comprehensive consultation process, residents will be able to visit the engagement website to learn about the draft Waste Plan and Five-Year Action Plan before the new Waste Plan is finalized in 2022. Residents are encouraged to provide input by completing an online survey. The Waste Plan will help the Region develop innovative ways to use waste as a resource in a circular economy while demonstrating leadership in sustainability and mitigating environmental impacts. New initiatives for using waste as a resource include anaerobic digestion to generate renewable energy from food waste and reuse options for ash generated at the Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC). Durham developed its first Waste Plan in 1999, which covered the period of 2000-2020. Under the first Waste Plan, the Region expanded the Green Bin, Blue Box and Hazardous Waste programs; introduced electronics, textiles, and porcelain recycling; and developed the made-in-Durham waste disposal solution in the DYEC. Through these programs, Durham has significantly increased waste diversion rates. To learn more about Durham's Waste Plan, visit durham.ca/ WastePlan, or check out the engagement website to provide feedback at DurhamWasteOpenHouse. ca. "The feedback we received from our community during the first phase of consultation with residents has been valuable in helping us create the first draft of the Waste Plan. We encourage community members to review the draft and provide their comments again to ensure that the future of waste management in Durham continues to be innovative, sustainable and cost-effective while addressing the needs of our growing and diverse community."- Gioseph Anello, Director of Waste Management, The Regional Municipality of Durham Residents invited to provide input on the 2021-2040 Long-term Waste Management Plan