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Cluu'fied @J'ribune is comprised of 100 communky publications across Ontario. The York Region Newspaper Group also inciudes The Liberal, sewing Richmond Hill and Thomhill. Vaughan Citizen,The Era-Banne! (Newmarket/Aumra), Markham Economist York Region Media Group communky newspapers The Sun-Tribune. published every Thmsday and Saturday, is a division of the Metmland Media Group L1d., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstal Corpomflon. Metmland The Sun-filbuno welcomes your let- lers. All submissions must be less than 400 words and mus! include a daytime telephone number. name and address The Sun-THbune reserves the t to publish or not publls and to edit for clar- ityandspaoe. madam. mun-mum mums; WON LANG? Sun. Georgina Amate,York Region Business Times, North of the City, yorkregioncom and Yom Region Printing. mbanuille@yrmg.com dandmwswrmgcom DISTRIBUTION Circulation Supervisor Carolyn Norman mormanévyrmgwom Jmuontyrmgmom Manager Dawna Andrews Eomm Editor Jim Mason jmason@yrmg.com Anvmmsmc Retail Manager Mike Banuille Pnonucnou Manager Sherry Day LETTERS POLICY DISTRIBUTION 905-640-2612 Advertising INTERACTIVE 9056404612 u: WSW-8778 ADVERTISING 905-640-2612 icd: 1-800-743-3353 1x: 905â€"640-8778 EDITORIAL MEDIA Marketing PUBLISHER Ian Prou { O ’ NIN Wm SWWfiY The premise behind the eco fee is sound â€"â€" who doesn't want to make sure every effort is made to do what’s right for the envi- ronment? The province went out of its way to get its pro-HST message to the pwple, but the eco fee came in with little fanfare or warning. Unfortunately, its implemen- tation has been bungled. Ontar- ians are left with the feeling ther facing yet another one of Premier Dalton McGuinty’s “it’s not a tax” tax. The fee was added to a vari- ety of products July 1. There's so much confusion surrounding what products face the fee, how much it is, where the money goes and who deter- mines it, people can't help but believe they’re getting hood- winked once again. Theâ€" secrecy doesn’t end there. The Stewardship Ontario website attempts to explain the program, but clears upilittle. A Von will find out’these fees are not a tax and Stewardship Ontario is not a government agency, although it is regulated by the government. t was a perfect summer family fun event. And yes, as I heard numer- ous amazed parents query on Sun- day, it really was free. last weekend’s open house presented by the Richmond Hill Live Steamers train enthusiasts in Whitchurch-Stouffville was well attend- ed and much appreciated by hundreds â€" and I do mean hundreds â€"â€"- of fami- lies from across York Region. The Saturday and Sunday event in the lovely and cool forested site maintained by the train club attracted families pushing strollers and carrying babies in snugglies and doting grand- parents, too. The thrill of free rides on working scale-model steam and diesel trains proved exciting and fun for young and old. The piercing whistles of train engines leaving the small wooden staâ€" tion was equaled by the excited shouts of children excle over yet another train they just spotted. It brought me back to the days when I came with my two excited children. In fact. Sunday, I brought my grown-up Nofie of the money collected Transported back in time at miniature train event Upside to ‘eco’ fees? EDITORIAL goes to the province and the eco fee is determined by the manu- facturer or retailer. The site also makes it clear Stewardsz Ontario is not involved, in any way, in the set- ting or collection of eco fees. Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak was quick to question why items such as an Earth-friendly shower cleaner that uses natural ingredients and grass seed are among those fac- ing fees. What it doesn't explain is the product selection. It has prompted Mr. Hudak to pledge to scrap the fee if his party wins the next election. But there’s a better answer. Instead of dumping the fee, use it for what it could be, an education tool. The fee could make people aware the product they are purchasing has some disposal issues. This might prompt con- sumers to try a different product that doesn’t come with the same issues. 7 Let's embrace the spirit behind the fees and see them as the way the world is moving. But let's make sure there’s no secrecy or confusion and that it’s easy to see the benefits of the plan. son back to the club of which he’d been a privileged junior member many years ago. He was six or seven when he was in that ‘train phase’ many parents will rec- ognize. Thomas the Tank Engine was his favourite TV show, wooden Brio or metal Thomas trains accompanied him to bed at n'flit and the prospect of taking a ride“ with Bill, our favou- rite train engineer at the Live Steamers train club, was a rapturous weekend outing. Our family made many treks from Richmond Hill to the track east of Marney Beck n’s MOM, SHE CANT GET OFF THE TRAFFIC CIRCLE! PUBLISHER Ian Proudfoot Aurora and paid for our son's member- ship in the club for several years. He was so proud of his member pin, club T-shirt and key to the private wash- room. The adult members, especially Bill and Sybil Clothier, were doting and welcoming and it was a mutually bene- ficial relationship for quite a few years. as I helped with public relations duties for the club. Of course, as children’s interest change, trains became less important to my son, replaced by other interests and activities. In recent years, we had little contact. “ But last weekend’s open house seemed an opportune time to go back and check out the improvements to the tracks and visit with old friends. All the fun aspects, such as work- ing train signals, bridges to watch trains below, a snack bar and m were much the same. But now there is a double track system, allowing for trains to go both ways through the small station. My son and l chatted with Bill and Sybil and I thanked them for their kind- nesses many years ago to my little boy, fli'ibune who now towered smiling above us all. As we walked through the site, a man yelled my son’s name. It turned out one of the members and engineers was Jim Butt, my son's Grade 12 trans- portation and technology teacher. What an amazing coincidence He probably gave rides to my son a decade ago and neither recognized the other, years later in a class at Bayview Sec- ondary. It was one of life’s serendipitous moments We would have chatted much lon- ger with him and the other members. but long line-ups of eager kids and parents prevented too much conversa- tion. Sorry you missed the fun? Don't despair. Mark Sept. 11 and 12 on your calendar. That’s when Live Steamers throw open their gates again for anoth- er two-day open house. Visit richmond-hill-live-steamers tripod.com Mamey Beck is an editor with the York Region Media Gmup. Eamon IN Cum Debora Kelly Busmnss MANAGER Robert Lazurko Duuscmn, OPERATIONS Barry Black Look for photographs on page 3. DIRECIOI, REGIONAL Puonums, Cussuvum, TODAY‘S Homas Debra Weller Damn, Amnsuuc, Dls'nummou Nicole Fletcher