Ontario Community Newspapers

Whitby Free Press, 20 May 1987, p. 12

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PAGE 12, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 20,1987 Brooklin Profile ROXANNE REVELER News & Foeatures Editor Phone 655-3637 When Women's Lib first appeared on the horizon, I was figures out our income tax, or renews 01W car insurance, 1 amused. A bunch of disgruntled eccentries with a phobiadof ts about dishpan hands, I figûred. I smiled indulgently as the and taxes are here to stay, we might as well take care of movement gained momentum, hoping that, in due time, it them without letting them bother us. would disappear. Remember, too, tbat whether a woman is working or Since after all these years it hasn't, the time has come not, has children or not, is rich or poor, she can set her for those who feel as I do to speak up and be heard above own standards for housekeeping. It is she who decides the din of the marching, scolding Libbers. If they don't wether it will be hot dogs or steak tonight, whether the stop their commotion, their rumblings of discontent and house will be spic and span or stay just one step ahead of pleas for equality in every way, we might end up getting the bealth inspector. It is she Who decides when to scrub what they are asking for. And who wants equality when the floors and when to forget the beds in favor of letting we women are doing so much better now? them "air" ail day. What man on the job can set bis stan- Biologically, legally, temperamentally and just about dards that way? waihtmtes ewmnae h aoe ..rNb r Stili with ail tbe latitudes we have, tbe movement wants every other way that matters, we women are the favored sex. D o Vf w ith Li1O to "liberate" me. "You are iocked in your own home," Take biology. Some Women's Libbers would have us they tell me. Core on, now! I have the key to the car; I think that only a small bit of extra flesh marks the dif- have a charge plate for practically every store witbin 100 ference between girls and boys. Wrong. It's more basic Boys dont. From the first we communicate to them miles; I have a checkbook and a telephone - and I bave tban that. Physicaily maies have more strikes - against that, aitbougb they are biologically the weaker sex, in ac- two perfectly healthy legs wbich can carry me out the them. Mortality rates among newborn males is con- tuai life we expect tbem to act stronger. We bounce them front door any old time. siderabiy higher thon among newborn females. That's a around and roughouse them and let them know that tbey'd The kids tie me down? No way. They have always been fact. And the disemblance continues tbroug life. Men suf- better learn to stand on their feet pretty dam fast. For, portable, pushable or ambulatory; they have alwaysad fer more heart attacks, strokes and have more ulcers than unlike their sisters, they will not be given a choice. Tbey car seats, tricycles, or ealthy legs of their own. their female counterparts. They die younger. That's wil be expected to support tbemselves, and opefully, a Legally, think we women bave something going for us another fact. wife and cbildren someday. If there is a war, tbey wili in a big way. Wben we get married we take on our We women have other things going for us in other areas have to figbt. If there are fires, they wil be tbe ones to put husband's names, whicb to the equality ladies means too. From the moment Baby Girl appears on the scene, we tbem out. So, very early, we set out to toughen them with giving up our "identity." Some identity if it stands and treat bèr gently, dress her in pink, coo and gurgle at her sports, bikes and stern injunctions against "weakness." falîs witb a name. What we are reaily doing wben we and let her know that she will bave it "Isof t." Someday, if Women's Libbers get hung up on sucb petty tbings. Here mèrge lives and change our name, is tbis: We are saying she chooses, she can find herseif a man vc look after her. we have ail these glorious choices and advantages, and to this man that he will bave to look after us, support us, She may or may flot choose to have children. Or she migbt they bicker about - dishes! Now, I grant you there is pay life and hospital insurance for us and take care of want to become a career woman and look after herself. notbing glamorous about pots and pans and soapsuds, but WBatever, she has a choice. who says life has to be ail giamor? When my husband SEE PAGE 27 Reflections of a Golden Age By MABEL M. McCABE When I began writing this column it was to be a commitment for the senior's of this area. I've found lately that many of them are given the run-around by official bureaucracies. One of the last few articles was about the lack of space in senior's buildings actually given to seniors. I have just finished a phone call that has distressed me greatly. A widow who has filled out all the right for- ms and done all the proper things has been told there is no room for her at the inn. This lady has tried to follow all the standard procedures and she bas been given four different answers. I want to know why? w e nave room in our country for Tamils who break the law but no place for a native daughter. Money is given freely to those who come to our shores and yet our old folks are almost made into bag- ladies before anyone listens. Something is very wrong with this system and it is imperative that it be corrected. We are the generation who raised the children, who now pay exhorbitant taxes and keep the politicians in style. We are the ones, who did not die in the wars that decimated the world's populations. It looks like the powers that be are trying to tell us that we no longer matter and unless we are mentally handicapped or a supposed refugee we can get along as best we can. If this sounds like I'm angry it's only because I am. In fact I'm furious! Seniors pay attention! Finance Minister Michael Wilson is picking your pocket by the back door. We had to send in tax forms to receive our sales tax rebate and many who had not paid tax in years found that they are being taxed from the first ten dollars in income. Mr. Wilson's new sales tax idea will take bread from your mouth and medication away because things will have added costs. Yes, the seniors won a battle over pensions awhile back, but this government is getting what they wanted in a very underhanded way. They are sneaking in the back door what they could not get up- front. Be alert and fight for your rights. My heart goes out to the over- sixty group who cannot find housing. I know how it feels and will try my best to bring it to the attention of the public. The woman I spoke of was told that a building in Whitby does not have anyone under sixty in its apartments. Whoever told her that was either misinfor- med or just plain - out lying. She was told the Housing Authority representative would put her name on top of the list for a new building going up. Now she is told she will have to go to an address on Charles St. and apply herself. This has caused a delay of several weeks. Why do people in authority feel they must use the positions they hold to give others trial and heartache? Maybe if this lady broke the law or came from another country she would get more action. The ones who are supposed to care seem to want to make 'Brownîe Points' instead of helping. Of course, it's more newsworthy to help a refugee than to help our own. Yes, I'm very angry and I hope those in charge take notice. The 76th annual Brooklin Spring Fair will be officially opened Thur- sday evening, June 4 by Debee Niziol, Miss CNE 1986/87 and during the evening this year's Miss Brooklin Spring Fair will be chosen. She will be crowned by the 75th anniversary year's Miss Brooklin Fair Beth Jackson. This year the beauty pagent is open to girls 17 to 23, who have been living in Canada at least two years and are living in Durham Region. Application forms must be in by May 23, and can be obtained by phoning Carol VanHemmen at 427- 2717. The winner will receive many gifts. The, popular baby show is scheduled for 2 p.m., June 6. It is open to babies from one to 24 mon- ths old. Registration will take place Tender accepted for sewer A low tender of $222,586 to con- struct a storm sewer along Queen St. in Brooklin has been accepted by Whitby council. The tender, by P.D.H. Construc- tion Ltd., Richmond Hill, was the lowest of four the Town received. Work involves a storm sewei along Queen St. from Cassels Rd. E. to George St. and on Cassels Rd. E., east of Queen St. for a distance of 58 metres. The work also involves the in- stallation of storm and water ser- vices to service 15 new building lots on the east side of Queen St. Council recently gave approval to Pardo Estates Ltd. and Tekla Developments Ltd. to build 15 single family detached lots on the east side of Queen St. north of Cassels. With engineering fees, resident supervision and other costs, the work will cost $256,000. The developer's share of that amount will be $134,000. The Town's share, which is eligible for an Ontario Neigh- borhood Improvement Program subsidy, will be $122.000. from 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 26 and Thursday, May 28, at the Brooklin Community Centre, Cassels Rd., and from 7 to 9 p.m. May 30, Saturday, at the Luther Memorial arena, Winchester Road, Brooklin. For more information regarding the baby show contact Mrs. S. McCormack 725-8355. This year's fair events include Canada Sports action display, pony show for children, harness racing and the popular horse and tractor pulls as well as Terry Sumsion's country music show. Among the dance presentations will be the Highland Dancers. Ban- ds include the Anderson Collegiate Band. The ever popular fiddlers' and stepdancers' contest will bring the weekend to a close with music provided by Danny Perry, Joe Aylward and bands. Pre- registration is required for the fid- dling and stepdancing contests. Contact Walter Smith 728-3154 for more information. The pet show will be held at noon, June 6 (Carol VanHemmen at,427- 2717 is the contact person for this event.) PETER RABBIT WAS ON HAND AT Brooklin Esso to welcome local residents who participated in the oil company's Thankful Tankful Saturday. Esso agent Joe Lintenello announced a cheque for over $250 would be on its way to Easter Seals thanks to con- tributions this year. Fair begins June 4

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