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6 - The Ceesadian Champion, Tuîîsday, February 8, 2000 SCOMMENT Miltonians urged to p ractice better safety Pop quiz, folks -- what's the last thing we. ail do before retiring each night? Lock the front door, right? 0f course, our belongings and Ioved ones are far too valuable flot to safeguard against even the remote chance of a break-in. So by that rationale, doesn't it stand to reason that we'd exercise similar caution when it cornes to tire safety? Evidently not, according to, the latest findings by the Milton Fire Department. An article elsewhere in this paper reports that smoke alarms weren't working at two homes in which tires broke out recently. Captain Mark Cross goes on to note that this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of < the community's carelessness; concerning tire prevention. In a related story published last month, the fire department spokesman said he's now recruiting children in an effort to help better protect local homes -- encouraging young ones to hound their parents j into more protective practices. Tis is aIl well and good, and may even be effective, but it shouldn't take anything more than simply looking at our loved ones to realize we have plenty of incentive to be more cautious. t) UR I<EADERS WRITIE ,%6mthîn is oty ronghomE C. Drury development D"r dur 1loeùù tw bcau f fes ik Stili lots of questions to be answered THE vAADIAiv CHAMVPION Box 248, 191 Main St. E. Tbe Cau*i@ Cbamplua pubflsil enerY TueSdan d Friday at 191 Main St R., Milton, Ont., 191T 4N9 (Box 248). Is one of Tire Metroiand Milton, Ont. L9T 4N9 Pninting, Pubflsiring & Distribuing Led. group of subariran companies whtinte Includîs: Aiax/Pickerinq News Adoereiser, Ailistan tteraid/Courier, Barrie '905' 878-234 1 Adoance. Barryts Bay Thris Weee, Boiten Enterprise. Bramptone Guardian, Buriington Post, Buriington Shopping News. City Parent, City of Yorkr Guardian. CoilingwoodiWasaga Connection. East Yorkr Mirer, Erin Editorial Fax: 878-4943 Advorate/Country Routes, Etobicore Guardiar, Flamborougr Post, Foreoir Young, Georgetown IndepedentlActan Free Press, Huronia Business Advertising Fax: 876-2364 Times, Kingston This Week, Lindsay This Week, Marktram tEonomisi & Sun, Midianieflnetangusrene Mirnon, Miton Shopping Neme, Mississauga Classitied: 875-3300 Business Times, Mississauga News, Napanie Sautde. Nasoagaweya Neas, Newmarke/Aurona Bra-Banner, Nonthunrberland Niws, North Yonrk Mirror, Ian Oliver Publisher Oukoitie Bianen, Oakviule Shopping Newes, Sidbmers Hockey News. Oriflia Neil live AsscianePoblnherToday, OstrawaiWtritby/ClaringtnnPort Perry Tbis Week. Oween Sound Nei Olver Assciae PbliherTribune. Peterirorougir Tit Week, Piston County Guide, Richrmond BIU BeoIn Generul Manager HitIlTiorniItVaugiran Liberai, Scarborougir Mirron, Stouftoilelirobridge Tribune. Karen Samith Edn<ur Adorsini is accepted on aie condition that, In rire event of a typo- graphicai ernar, tut portion af tira adoirtising spaci occupied by tire enno- Steve Crozier Circulatiîon Manager neous item, togefthr wlth a reasonable iiioaanoe ton signaturi, miil non bi Teri Coulas Office Manager cirgOd ton, bat tire bai ance on tire aetiisemeot ahli ire paid fon aitie applicabie rite. Tire pubiisirir riservet tire rIgit ta categarizi adairise- Thu Colea Prductnm Manager ments an deie. Dear Editor: The council meeting of Jatsuaay 3 onas an interesting affair. It was mostly conducted with civility except for the occasional alander of the developer by bis opponients. RIn the end, the opponents of the devel- opment won the battie. However, the war is not over and there are many unaasswered ques- tions. The objections of somte coimcil- lors against the development seemed Ro be based largely on tech- nical planning issues (e.g. density) and safety issues (e.g. crossing roada). If HD Investments addressed these issues (e.g. reduce the density, promise pedestrian bridges), would those counicillors then approve? Councillor Rick Malboeuf argued that the developer would win the rezoning fight at the Ontario Municipal Board. None of the councillors against the developnient responded to bis argument. If they disagree with him, why didn't Rhey speak up? If they agree with Mr. Malboeuf, did they only, vote againot the develop- ment to win votes? What is their backup plan? TIse deaf representatives mode a compelling case for the importance of the land to their heritage and fs viability of their ongoing programa. But if the land is so important to tbem, why was it declared surplus by a uchool officiai in the first place? There were questions raised about whether there would be enough demand to selI the uniRa. Why didn't HD tnvestments or Colin Best come foronard with information about Use demand? What was the price of the land that the Town decided they couldn't afford? What price bas HI) Investments paid for Use land? On the other hand, HD Issvestments still does not officially own Use land according to a check of the land registry. Is their offer to, purchase condi- tionai on approval of Use oezoning? If Use seniors of Milton anant Usis development why did they not have a representative at the counicil meeting? If the seniors heard the argu- ments by the deaf community againat the development would tlsey still be for it? It is ime for representatives of tise Milton seniors Ro speak top and be heard. On the oUser hand, if tise land is to be saved for park use, a deal might have to be made with HD Investments to buy them out. Perhaps it is Rime for a meeting involving HD Investments, the Friends of Drury Park, the Deaf community, and the seniors. Richard W.D. Ganton, P.Eng. Gowland Creacent POud by Steve Nease