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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4,1,976, PAGE 5 A samiewhat belated tribute is in order ta, the people of Latvia-to those who rnanaged ta escape from, the Communist regime, more than 30 years ago wien Latvia (one of the three tiny Baitic States) was forcibly occupied by the Russians and the particularly, ta the ones who could nat make the dash for freedom and stayed behind the Iran Curtain. Smaiier than the province of New Brunswick and less populous than the city' of Toronto, Latvia has been a constant target for power-hungry nations-notabty Russians and Germans. In the ensuing power struggies, Latvians have always iost their independence and personai freedom. To Miost Êatvians ln exile the thought of freedomn lingers on, even after 30 years, which is a long time for anyone to be exiled fromn his native land. One miglit ask me why 1 choose to write about Latvians, since there are many other countries in the worid suffering from the dictatorship and an-iron-fist like rule. Well, simply, because Latvians recently came to Toronto to participate in the Lalvian World Congress Days, augmented by a colorful Sang and Dance Festival. The, highly-publieiied eventf drew 15,000 Latvians from acrass Canada and the Ujnited States. 1 happened to be one of the invited guests ta view their cultural events, climaxed by a massed-chair performance, by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Maple Leaf Gardens. It was a stuperidous display of Laîvian folk art which is rich in texture and traditian-laden. For inany a Latvian, it was an emiotianal event as same of the sangs performed brauglit back nostalgic memaories from the days when this type of musical display was possible in their own land-then free of Carnmunist rule. As the strains af the Latvian natianal anthemi were heard iiundreds of Latvians (mostly aider peaple) wept openly. And even some younger people left the huge ared with misty eyes as if remembering the centuries-ald struggle for freedom. The Laîvian sangs performed. at this festival were of highly romantic nature; some extremely melancholie in musical expression. The mrimbers of the choir, representing same i1,500 singers, ail dressed in eye-catching national costumes, are flot prafessionals, since mast of them practise their beloved art once, or twice a week. Singing for these people is strictly a hobby, but what a great hobby! Once a year it becornes a folk manifesta, thus bringing Laîvians tagether from ahl corners of the globe. A rather strange fascination alsa grips the audience when Latvian folk dances are performed. Once again, the national costumes and folk music capture the mood which is set by variaus dancers-young and aid. But, of late, the younger dancers seem ta excel as their agility plays a major rote in performing these dances. And if there is any country that can enrich the Canadian cultural heritage the once-proud people of Baltic shares should deflnitely be given the nod. Before cotincil finaily decided ta ban motorized cycles * rom parks in the tawn, some rather unique suggestions wvere made during discussion on how toalaleviate the probtemn. Treasurer Forbes McEwven, nat ane of your shy and quiet civil servanits, wandered "Wouid nails on the trails work?" Councillor Joy Thomp- son stuggested thiat an area be set aside for the cyciists whio ride throtigh town parks. "Thiey cani kilt eachi other if they want to". Those comments seemied ta, surn up the feelings of couincil members wvho have been receiving numerouls complaints frorn irate residents who tried ta make proper use of the parks only ta be disturbed by the noises made by the motorized bikes and the antics of some of their riders. One practice which seerns ta be occurring quite frequentty is one wvhere bikers speech across basebali diamonds during games and s-entd players running for caver. It aiso seems that the bikers know how long they can continue the practice. Councilior Thompson said that they usuatiy speed off seconds before thie police arrive. Signs ini sorne of the parks don't seem ta be doing ntch good as riders are disobeying thern. In addition a can of spray paint is ait that is needed ta obliterate the message an the signs, according ta Director of Recreation Wayne DeVeau. Counicillar Ken Hobbs' motion -ta ban motarized cycles from ail parks was passed. "The only way you can soive the problim is ta ban m1otorbil'zs froin ail parks", Cuuinciiior iiuobbs said. "YOLI can hiere themi five or six blocks away and thcy drive yoti out of' your cotton- picking n'ind on a Sunclay afler noon. Humane Society to hold tag day The Whitby based Onitarlo Cotinty Branch of the Ontaria Humnane Society wilI hoid a tag day on Septemnber 2-5. During Jonc,, reports inspector/mianager Don Los- combe, there were 10 dogs impounided, 28 abandoned. and nine destro.yed. luîe Thicksun Road shiel er took in 31 cats and six mnis- celianeous animnais. A total of' 92 catis wvere answered dur ing shieiter hotus. There were nu emiergency ctIls af*ter 1) p.rn. Thie length of time a niotarist is aiiowed ta park on Whitby streets may be reduced from 23 ta three hours. The region is presently putting together a draft traffie by-iaw whichi would provide for uniform traffic reguiations throughout the re gi on. The towni's traffic by-iaw permits parking for a 'periodl up to 23 hiours whule the trafflic by-iaw being drawin up by the region se ts the mnaximium at dirce hours. Three hours is the limit ini ai1 lniun i cipai it ies in the regîin except Whitby. The 23-1uur Iiiiit dues create sanie probiemis, the town's public works director reported 10 council Mien infurming il of the region's traffic by-iw. "We have had variaus difficuities withi remiovai of parked cars, especiaily Mien we a re in the process of rcinuving snow%'*,said Director of Public Works Dick Kuwahara. However, Mr. Kuwahara said the town is not obliged ta change its by-iaw. "If the counc.iI wishes ta retain this maximum period of parking, then we should inform the regian of the town's wishes", lie said. Ail the municipalities wil be invited to mneet collectively with the stait of the regian ta discuss this by-law and ta draft a by-law which will be acceptable ta each municipal- ity separately, yet creating a uniformity in bath content and format throughout the regian. "Uniformity is essential from the enforcement point of view", Mr. Kuwahara feels. Swimming costs going up The cost of swinrning at $9 for I15 tessons ta $ 10 for Iroquois Park pool wiii 12 lessons for chiîdren. increase Septemnber 1. Flouriy rentais have Passes, wvhichi entithe the increased fromn $17.50 ta $20 holders ta i10 swimns, have for bookings made after increased in cost fram $5 July 26, 1976. tu $6 for aduits, and from When asked ta explain $1-50 ta $2 for children, the increase, Bob Caspeli, or 20 per cent and 33.3 per Supervisor of Program and cent respectiveiy. Community Services, said The cost of lessons has "The revenue t-hat was increased from $ 15 for camning in fram the old rates 16 tessons ta $12 f'or 12 were nat sufficient ta caver lessons for adults and from the operatianal costs". __ Open~ 7 docrs a wek RESTAURANT 120 BROCK ST. M. WHITBY - TEL.: 668-'9461 Delicieus Cuflodion ond Italien Dith.s Opening Announcement Barker - Dunn Denture Therapy Clinie A Complete Denture Service 111 Dundas St. W-1 Whitby 668-1464 Ask for this folder f rom our representative, Mr. W.H. Broome who wili be at: LucaienMotel 134 Bron raoal em n Stcontions Wh iyOare nerjo i h om0ament o :0 pm. vialefry Ca in6879forapp ointmreent aie aEEA BUINS L 22 KiOMng TetBAsNK hw Complaints. resuit in cycle ban n parks Thre e-ho ur parking time limit inay be set on Whitby'streets GREAT WALL CHINESE & CANADIAN RESTAU RANT 668-7021 668-7301 FIEE DELIVERY Mombyey fnd. y ..... I . ...................... . r.Ipm now open Tuoidays 116 ,agn" St. Wut