2 Friday, October 22, 2021brooklintowncrier.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, November 5, 2021 Deadline: Friday, October 29, 2021 Publications dates subject to change during COVID-19 Pandemic There's a significant problem with expressing feelings of illness and fatigue, as in being sick and tired. Unless you have magical powers, are supremely well-connected, or have a mega bank account with which to buy your way through life, being sick and tired of anything is more frustrating than making sense of why, for instance, during the lockdown, certain Dollarama aisles were cordoned off. How did Covid know not to infiltrate those aisles? The only exception is if you're sick and tired of being sick and tired, a medical issue. However, if you live anywhere near Winchester Road, need to access it, turn off it, or - heaven forbid - walk across or along it, you understand where this is going. I am sick and tired of it, useless as those emotions may be. One day, there will be blood. A moron behind the wheel, impatient with the driver in front unable to turn left off that infernal byway, will veer onto the so-called sidewalk, the one with the sloped curb, and strike someone. Because waiting an additional 20 seconds will be an inconvenience. One day, a perfectly innocent driver trying to get to an appointment by turning onto or off this danger strip will be struck head on by a cowboy- driven speeding truck. One day, a teen or a couple of kids or a parent and stroller will be smushed trying to hoof it across Winchester because it's quicker than walking all the way to the only light and crosswalk between Anderson and Baldwin. One day, yet another driver will weave around the sunken manholes on the west side of the newly named Too-Narrow Horse Bridge and slam into another driver planning to do the same. One day, during rush hour, a road rage incident will result in injuries because someone was being polite or stubborn or riding a bumper or honking while not moving. That in itself should be a road infraction: $100 fine for honking in halting traffic. I get that Winchester is a regional road that slices through Whitby roads, which likely accounts for years of dithering on when it will be fixed. I've long since ceased caring to hear the excuses. Winchester ranks among the most dangerous roads I've experienced. This includes a couple in Ottawa that were annually ranked among Ontario's worst. It may even be worse than Montreal's dreaded Decarie "Expressway" where changing lanes or trying to exit are considered death defying feats. The bridge, the potholes, the dearth of lights and crosswalks, the sloped sidewalk curbs and lack of speed limit compliance have made it a veritable death trap in waiting. Undoubtedly this column will elicit official reasons and excuses, not to mention plans and promises, pointing to impending changes. So, like our messaging to the province about highways 412 and 418, perhaps the BTC should take a similar approach to Winchester. How's this for starters? Region, Town: Fix Winchester. Why? Because one day... One day… Less than half the picture by Richard Bercuson The members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 152, would like to thank our Veterans and their families. We pay tribute to our Comrades who have served, and who continue to serve, so we may have our freedom today. Branch 152 would like to thank the residents of Brooklin, Myrtle, Ashburn, and surrounding communities for your continued support throughout the Poppy Campaign. Monies raised are put into a trust fund and is used to help Veterans and their families, our youths through bursaries and school awards, and helping others in our communities when needed. Without your help we would not be able to make this program possible. STATEMENT OF POPPY ACCOUNT Opening Balance October 1, 2021 $51,043.44 Income From Poppy Campaign & Donations $30,739.77 ---------------- $81,783.21 Disbursements Poppy Campaign Supplies & Expenses $3,584.23 School Awards (Poppy Poster & Essay Contest) $1,235.00 Accessibility Maintenance $183.26 Donations - Air Cadets / Sea Cadets $6,000.00 Donations - Veterans Transition Programs $12,000.00 Donations - Homeless Veterans (Leave The Streets Behind) $10,000.00 Donations - Operation Service Dogs $5,000.00 Donations - Veterans - Other $16,500.00 ---------------- Total $54,502.49 Balance as of September 30, 2021 $27,280.72 WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT YOURS IN COMRADSHIP, KAREN WALENDZEWICZ, POPPY CHAIRMAN ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 152 56 Baldwin St., Brooklin, ON (905)655-4681 NEW MEMBERS AND VISITORS ALWAYS WELCOME