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f lThe Canadian Champion, Tuesday, Septeffber 28, 1999 ~COMMENT It's flot worth it, youths A recent incident involving post-party brawling in Milton Heights - reported elsewhere in this issue --was no doubt dîsturbing to residents of the smnall, close-knît community. What's even more troubling is how often this type of behaviour sur- faces and how easily volatile situations can erupt, in smaller towns as well as in big urban centres. Thankfully, this particular incident was quelled by police before it could get too far out of hand. There were a few minor injuries and some scared neighbours, but nothing really serlous. The problemn is many incidents don't end this way. A Newmarket youth, viciously attacked this summier, just recently regained con- sciousness and will require years of therapy to fully recover. And for what -- so somne kids could get their kicks exerting their power over a helpless victim, or maybe to seule some dispute? I ) Most of us can remember getting into fights as youngsters and the subsequent price we paid for our actions, but rarely cati we recall the reasons behind the altercations. Perhaps it's timne these young people examnine what they have to lose from acts of aggression and then ask themnselves, "Is this really worth - it?" The answer, invariably, is no. See LBac SO UR READERS WRITE j Council has really opened a Pandora'"s box THE CAIVADIIIN CHAMPION Box 248, 191 Main St. E., Milton, Ont. LeT 4N9 (905) 878-2341 Editorial Fax: 878-4943 Advertising Fax: 876-2364 Classified: 875-3300 Ian Oliver Publisher Neil Oliver Associate Publusher ilii Begin General Manager Rob Kelly Steve Crozier Teri Casas Tian Coina Edît>r Circulation Manager Office Manager Production Manager Tb*. Ca.dam Champion, pablisheai every Tuesday and Friday at 191 Main St. t., Milon, Ont., L9T 4N9 (Box 248), Is ons of Tite Metroland Prlnllng, Publlsilng & Olstrlbutlng Ltd. group of sub- urban companles wilci Inclades: Ajax / Pickering News Adverliser; Alliston HeraldlCourler; Barrie Advance; Brampton Guardian, Burlinglon Post; City Parent; Colllngwood I Wasaga Confection; East York Mirror; Eloblcoce Guardian; Georgetown lndependentl Acton Fr. Press; lOngston Titis Week; Undaay Titis Weec; Manuham Economist & San; MkIland / Penelanguluitene Mirror; Mlsslssauga News; Newmarket / Aurora Era Banner; Northumberland News; Nort York Mirror; OalcvlIe Beaver; OrtIlla Today; Oshtawa I Witltby 1 Clarlnglon / Port Perty Tihis Week; Peterborought Titis Week; Richmond Hill I Titomiili I Vaughtan Liberal; Scsrborough Mirrur; Uxbrldge / Stoutfvllle Tribune; Today's Seniors. Ariverlising is accepted on lte condition tat, In the event ofia lypographlcal error, that portion of lte adverllslng space occu- pied by lte erroneoas Rtem, togetiter wlth a reasonabie allowance for signature, wlll flot bu churged for, but lte balance ni lte adverlisement wlll be pald for ai lte applicable rate. Tite publisiter reseres lte riait to categorize advertisements or decline. Dear dtor: Few Miltonians argued with the concept in 'Destiny Milton' that the town would grow. The question was when and how? Do we watt until surround- ing miunicipalities are ai our border or do we go out and mnakee it hap- pen? While the vast majority of citi- zens I have spoken with preferred the first choice, Milton council actively pursued the latter course with the promnise of weII-regulated densities and, of course, that it would be done ai no cost 10, exist- ing taxpayers. Developmnent brings out the big boys playing in te big leagues and se far town council is zero for two in both the above projections. Milton taxpayers are subsidizing growth and much 10 the surprise of Milton counicil, planned densities are higher titan expected. Developers are not charities and it stands te reason that in order to psy for the higher titan average servicing charges caused by te 'big pipe' and its associated plan- niers, consultants, etc., titeir only metitod of maintaining profits for titeir sitarebolders was 10 maximidze land use. Every builder, land agent and lawyer and mnoat Miltonians I spoke with knew this would be the case but somehow this seema to corne as a surprise to Milton councîl and ils support staff. At lest that's wit titey now seem to be saying, "It's not us, it's the developers!" Once again Milton counicil has opened a Pandora's box and given away the keys of control. Changes can only occur now titrougit the courts of tite Ontario Municipal Board, we are warned. Council's decisions and direc- tion even in consideration of their having the best of intentions itas led us to te brink of growtit ai any cost. Ail the control council thougit it would have by pursuing growth itas evaporated, taI is, if you're one who believed il ever existed in lte first place. Rather titan looking on Mississauga's growtit with dis- damn, let's hope we aren't Iooking at il with envy in a few years.* Patrick Kelly Milton Pud by Steve Nease