October 2010 - The Bulletin Magazine

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It’s Time to Think Spring! By Anne Hill hort happenings Thank you to everyone who supported our fall plant and bake sale at the Sharon Temple; we had a very successful sale and met a lot of eager gardeners from the Holland Landing, Sharon, Riverdrive Park and Queensville areas. It got me thinking about what’s in a name – our official name dates back to 1924, but we are definitely East Gwillimbury gardeners now; our members come from every corner of East Gwillimbury and beyond. The soil conditions vary across the region, from almost pure sand to clay, but we share a love of growing things and you meet the nicest people when you share a common interest. It’s time to think spring! Yes, really. Planting spring bulbs now will give you a wonderful boost of colour at the end of the winter. Even while the snow is still on the ground the snowdrops emerge, followed by the brilliant little iris reticulata which flower in deep blue or yellow against the snow. The early crocuses are next; the bees appreciate all these little early flowers. From hyacinths to tulips, daffodils, alliums and fritillaria the garden can be a riot of colour throughout the spring. Why not try something different this year? Many of the bulbs such as grape hyacinth (muscari) will spread happily from year to year. As the garden winds down for the season the plants we took outside for the summer get to come back indoors. Remember to give them a good cleaning before letting them back in, and watch closely for hitch-hikers that may sneak in with them! On October 19th, our speaker Ken Brown will explain that “There Are No Houseplants.” We can be better and happier plant parents if we understand the needs of our plants. Ken is a dynamic speaker; I’m really looking forward to his presentation. October also brings our last flower show of the year. Our gardens have benefitted from adequate rain this year after an ominously dry and hot spring that had me feeling like a prophet of doom. I’m glad I was wrong! Tomatoes have ripened well and cucumbers and zucchini have been very productive. Some of the seed companies are reporting greatly increased sales of vegetable seeds this year. In the spring we will have a presentation on vertical gardening, making the most of a small space, in time for planting season. We meet the third Tuesday of the month, February to November, 7:30 p.m. at Mount Albert Community Hall, Main Street, Mount Albert. Great speakers, refreshments, just $2 for guests. Hope to see you there. For more information call 905-478-8450 or visit http://www.gardenontario.org/site.php/mountalbert For more information, please call 905-478-8450 or visit our website at http://www.gardenontario.org/site.php/mountalbert 34 The Bulletin | October 2010 www.thebulletinmagazine.com
WHY WARDS? submitted by James Sullivan A ward system in East Gwillimbury can provide more fair representation than the current at large system. The present system offers virtually no accountability. All issues are presented to a five-member council; but no single councillor is directly responsible for fielding constituents’ concerns or following through with a response. Issues raised by residents are routinely passed from council to various staff departments for a reply; issues that are perceived as controversial or politically sensitive can be easily sidestepped. So the buck wanders aimlessly, but never stops. The Ontario Municipal Act enables electors to petition council for a by-law dividing the municipality into wards. Canvassing for signatures, we encountered overwhelming support for a ward proposal because people want accountability in local government. A petition with over 200 signatures was delivered to council in December 2009. A staff report to council in February 2010 recommended they hold a workshop on electoral systems, to be conducted by Dr. Robert Williams, professor emeritus University of Waterloo. The report further suggested that an electoral review be conducted to determine the merits of a ward system, and the criteria for establishing ward boundaries. The report recommended against a referendum question stating it is not an appropriate way to obtain public input, plus a ward review is needed for voters to make an informed decision. The petitioners supported the staff report. A full review seemed reasonable and appropriate, and in the best interest of the public. However, some councillors voted against the status quo, supporting a referendum question instead. Ambiguous and biased toward the status quo, the question relieved council of acting on the ward petition. Had council opted for an electoral review, there would have been no need for an OMB hearing. The referendum question as worded is meaningless without an electoral review to define alternatives to the current system. Our officials have left voters to ponder an obscure question. Further, council flatly stated, “it is not council’s job to educate the public” on the issue. My response to the referendum question? Vote No! Not the status quo. A ward system would benefit East Gwillimbury because: • Each area of town is afforded fair representation. • Ward councillors become more knowledgeable about the areas they represent. • Ward councillors are directly accountable to their constituents. • Each vote carries more weight in ward elections. • Wards reduce redundancies and council workloads. • Ward elections enable candidates to personally visit with each constituent household. • In at large systems, councillors compete against each other, hindering collaboration; it’s nearly impossible for new candidates to compete against incumbents. • We are far above the 10,000 population considered by the OMB to be the threshold for a ward system. 0 MOUNT ALBERT VETERINARY HOSPITAL Dr. “Bob” Prendergast Full Service Animal Hospital Mon, Wed, Thurs & Fri 8am-6pm Tues 8am-7pm Grooming by Denise 905-473-2400 19144 Highway 48, Mount Albert (Across from Home Hardware Building Centre) www.thebulletinmagazine.com October 2010 | The Bulletin 35
Page 1 and 2: www.TheBulletinMagazine.com THE Bul
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS IN EACH ISSUE 6 WHAT’S O
Page 5 and 6: www.thebulletinmagazine.com October
Page 7 and 8: Saturday, October 23 & November 20
Page 9 and 10: Happy Thanksgiving Free Gardening A
Page 11 and 12: (removal of spent blooms) required.
Page 13 and 14: IN THE KITCHEN with Moira Sanders I
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Page 17 and 18: Each community deserves a voice and
Page 19 and 20: MARLENE JOHNSTON: seeking position
Page 21 and 22: KATHARINE PARSONS: seeking position
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Page 25 and 26: Tax Tips Death and Taxes by Ian Haw
Page 27 and 28: formed relationships with the York
Page 29 and 30: MOTORCYCLE, ATV & SLED SALES & SERV
Page 31 and 32: efore THERE ARE 4 PARTS TO MY PHILO
Page 33: Chief for a Day Thomas Hill (pictur
Page 37 and 38: Homework Connection General Contrac

October 2010 - The Bulletin Magazine

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