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stbuffvilk suntribune thursday aug 21 2003 7 roaming around with jim thomas from the frontlines of blackout 2003 where were you when the lights went out a hundred people will provide a hundred different answers wherever you were and whatever you were doing aug 14 will remain etched in your minds for days weeks even months i was working on the final page of our churchs monthly newsletter when the screen went blank and all was lost not a monumental catastrophe on a level with being marooned like some poor souls aboard the subway between st clair avenue and bloor street but frustrating just the same none of us want anything to impede our normal routine so it was for hundreds of commuters returning to stouffville from toronto with all traffic signals out the four- way stop rule came into play making progress slower than usual at this point i turned oh the car radio and heard how ordinary citizens were without being asked coming to the aid of beleaguered police why not here i asked myself why not me obviously others were thinking the same at the intersection of winona drive and main cheryl brown had already assumed her selfappointed post with both arms flailing in windmill fashion she had vehicles sailing through without delay what prompted the decision i asked two children on bicy cles were almost hit she explained someone had to do something similarly at ninth north and main a man stepped into the breach as for me i headed downtown where i discovered a log jam at main market and mill streets admittedly i felt about as safe as a rabbit on a rifle range with vehicles of every size and description challenging my wee spot of pavement fortunately a sympathetic observer took pity on my plight and handed me a hazard vest and gloves these helped enor mously providing an element of authority i badly needed a whistle would have come in handy also but these like candles and flashlights were in short supply people both drivers and pedestrians were wonderful exceptfdr one- goon propelling a batteredup buick they did as spmetimeshondescfipthahd signals requested and obligingly v v- you should behefe every night came a voice from the high altitude cab of an 18wheeler keep era rolling said another fpurkindlyfblte delivered bottled water two others brbughtldcansofcpke ihepplic less than exuberant a weebitmtimidkted- maybe cdihcem doing a young mans job possibly f- said one officer v its nice of you to help but be advised youre on your pwit another flashing a badge ruled approaching darkness as vv irriy deadline i didnt arguaas the sim disappeared from view so did i v regardless if felt good lending a hand to lighten the load i wasnt alone while not as visible residents by the jiun- dreds assisted seniors behind the scenes at parkview home plewilage manor arid bloomingtoncove ithats what whitchurchstbuffville is all about people helping people iin times of need aug 14 was such a time a crisis time you did yourselves proud questions for drivers police but a couple of questions why do many drivers signal left i then turn rightwhy do many drivers signal rightmen tiirri left why do many drivers not signal at all secondly whatever happened to stquflvillejs oriceproud auxiliary police unit the uniformed guys and gals with checkerboard bands on their caps v what a glorious opportunity to press such people into service ifin fact such peqplestiu exist if not i recommend the community rnent atop prderofptenibejr business jim thomas is awi0viltejhident iyfto has i written for armnempapersfbrrnoretm mercedesbenz 2003 model summer clearance event lease rates until august 30th your mercedesbenz london and newmarket retailers are making available a select number of remaining 2003 model vehicles with exceptional savings if youve been waiting for the ideal time to purchase or lease a new mercedesbenz your patience is about to be rewarded mercedesbenz mercedesbenz markham 8350 kennedy rd 905 3051088 mercedesbenz newmarket 230 mulock dr 9058536868 wwwmercedesbenztorontoca iywbt a place in markham for people ages 16 and up to meet friends use a computer see movies learn to cook receive supportive counselling find out about local services a safe open and fun environment the living room is a program of tnecanadian mental health association york region excluding 2003 models of e55 amg sl500 and sl55 amg 29 lease rate applies only to remaining 2003 c230s and c320s all leases based on a 24month walkaway lease with 18000 kmyr allowance please contact dealer for details on down payments and lease offers taxes licence freight pdi and security deposit extra oac offer ends august 30 2003 a member agency of united way ofyork region 9052010432 this message brought to you as a community service of the economist sunsuntribune m certified amish made- shop and compare bedroom suites dining room suites kitchen suites computer workstations desks tables entertainment centres y nop taxes or no gstno interestno payments up to 12 months k seniors 55 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