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Chi-I'M is comprised of 100 community publications across Ontano. me York Region Newspapet Group also includes The Uberal. serving Richmond Hill and mm", Vaughan Citizen,The Era-Banner (Newmaflet/Aumra), Markham Economist The Sun-Tribune welcomes your iel- ters. All submissions must be less than 400 words and must include a dayiime telephone number, name and address The Sun~1ribune reserves the i to publish or not publi and to edit for clar- ityand space. Letters to the Editor, mun-Tribune 8290M St. Wfifl WW7 York Region Media Group community newspapers The Sun-Tribune. published every Thursday and Saturday, is a division of the Metroiand Media Group Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tom: Corporation. Metroland Sun, Georgna Advocate,Yon( Regan Business Tunes, North of the City, yorkregiomoom and M Regan Printing. Giff-Tribune (la-ulna! Manager Bonnie Bandeau cmadarlane®yrmgoom DISTRIBUTION Circulation Supervisor Carrie MacFarIane )muon.yrmg.com Mike Banuille mbanuilleé'ynngvom brondmuOyrmg.com cnorrnanOynngcom Dawna Andrews Manager Carolyn Norman EDITORIAL Editor lim Mason jmawnOynngwm Anvmmsmc lETTERS POLICY Pnonucnon DISTRIBUTION 905-640-2612 lmmcnvu 905-640-2612 us 905-640-8778 ADVERTISING 905 -640- 261 2 EDITORIAL l: 1-800-743-3353 905-640-8778 Sure, an Ontario Greenbelt Alliance- backed survey found 83 per cent of Markham residents in favour of a pro- posed foodbelt, aiming to push devel- opment away and preserve farmland Statistically, though, the survey sample was insignificant â€" 500 people out ofa quarter-million Markham adults (More- over, the survey found 61 per cent of respondents were not familiar with the proposal but supported the idea after pollsters explained it to them) This issue pits the politically vogue greenbelt proponents against farmers and developers. The former are receiv- ing much ink in the press The latter have been the targets of mockery and con- tempt, particularly when those farmers or families who own or work the land unfairly acquire a guilty-byâ€"association stigma when allying with developers and those who build on the land. Farmers believe such a “greenbelt” policy would devalue their agricultural lands and handcufi them if they wanted to ultimately sell the land that belonged to them, and in some cases, their parents and grandparents. This issue resonates in every single one of our communities, where development and growth pres- sures oontinually affect farms and the farming way of life. Would you want your home’s prop- erty appraisal to tank because elected officials began tinkering with how your land was to be used?Would you think it fair to be told to whom you can and can’t sell your property? Are you then against food or the greening of our community? There are councillors who think set- ting aside 2,000 hectares of Markham land for farming puposes, by municipal government fiat, will assist in environ- mental Carving homes or other real estate into farmland is irre- versible, theysay. If this policy becomes a reality in Markham, some 30,000 new residents hoping to make their homes and busi- nesses in Markham in the next 20 years would have to move into intensi- fied apartments and housing in exist- ing urban areas By preventing normal growthtothemoremralnorth,theresult would be new housing crammed and shoehomed into southern Markham There is nothing more precious to peoplethanlandâ€"melanddleygmw onorthelandtheirhome’sonWImme stameseizespmpertyforitsmnuseor tellspeoplewhatmeycanandcaxftdo withdnelr‘propeflyâ€"dmmtother Muscanourpoliticiansdeddetonm ormmve? Editorial Greenbelt 0r foodbelt â€" end it You can’t dislike something called a foodbelt, or even a greenbelt, can you? Slouffinlle O ' NI N gm” PUBLISHER Ian Prou Thank you to Mike Richardson and David Cash of the Town ofWhitchurch- Stouffville for a very enlightening tour of the new Stouffville Clippers Sports Complex. As a member of the Whitchurch- Stouflville accessibility advisory com- mittee, I was impressed and reassured with the care taken in construction and due diligence afforded to the guidelines outlined in the progressive mandate by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Details were addressed to make it as all inclusive as possible. Mr Rich- ardson’s expertise and sensitivity are commendable. For the years I have lived in Stoufiville, I could compile an enor- mous volume of faults, misdeeds, unsatisfactions, not this and not that, and etc. and etc. and etc. Criticism is not what brought us to where we are today. Many, throughout the years, have made generous contributions, be it mayors, ooucillors, taxpayers, planners and stafi' and many, many volunteers. Criticisms came and went Nevertheless, through grind and gman. through laughter, sweat and tears, we have a delightful town. It didn’t “just happen": It takes much positive labour and sacrifice. As I viewed the new arena on Wel- don Road, one thought stood out: Forget out-of-town criticism; appreciate great town, arena I am sorry to hear some people from outside Stoufl'ville found cause for dis- satisfaction. When I arrivéd in Stoufl’ville I drove a Model T along the gravel Main Street Rszufii/ille’s newamna no winner: visitor, Feb. 20. Letters to the Editor Park on Musselman’s Lake. would be good for all ages And for all those who walk or run around the lake currently and in the future, it will be a lovely place to stop and a great destination point. Ana in the winter time, the Glen- dale Beach location may work into the annual winter carnival. - The camiVal on the north side of melaketwoweekendsagowasagteat event. “Thank you, God, for giving me this opportunity to be here at this time to experience this.” Asfaraswecansee,itistheonly site. Why would we build anywhere other than lakeside? We will certainly be disappointed if it is not built at this location. Ms Waddington mentions many reasons for this location in her column. And for those of us who are a little older, it will be a pleasure to stroll or sit in the park by the lake and take in sun-up or sunset or anytime in between. Re: Long-auuited lake park belongs on beach, council, column by Deborah Waddington, Feb. 20. "I‘hanlcs for printing the column on the location for the planned municipal park at Musselman’s Lake. We had no idea about a rumoured location behind the Wagon Wheel Ranch until we read your piece. We totally agree With Ms Wadding- ton that the Glendale Beach site on the lake’s southern tip is the obvious choice for a good park for all ages. PUBLISHER Ian Proudfoot Tribune DENNIS GERRI SHELBY MUSSELMAN'S LAKE MARIE ADAMS STOUFFVILLE Enrron m Cum Debora Kelly Robert lazu rlco Those prayers are kids from your neighbourhood playing hard for the Stouffville crest on their jerseys. The game had everything: An early lead for Stouffville. A come- back for Bradford to force what became double overtime. Rubber dinging goal posts and cross bars. Saves the Olympians would have been proud of. And, finally, a series- winning goal on a blast by Clipper Curtis Crago. You can have your large-screen high-def images of millionaires on ice. I'll watch, but I'd rather be at a local rink where the smells of french fries and equipment bags cut the cold air like an elbow to the chops. You can hear the chirp- ing between players and feel the stress oozing out of parents. ‘ Féel it yourself as the OMHA playoffs roll through Stopffvillp. Still, Canada could score a last- second goal to win gold Sunday and the game will never match what 1 saw Saturday night at the Stouffville Arena. After failing to win any of the first three games of their Ontario Minor Hockey Association series, Stouffville's midget Clippers had clawed back to force a winner- take-all Game 6 on home ice. I'd be lying â€" and I'd have to find a new country to call home â€" if I told you I wasn't watching the Olympic hockey tournament. The skill level is the highest ever. The TV technology brings you almost as close to the ice at GM Place, er Canada Hock- ey Place, as those four-figured scalpers’ tickets. And in case you missed anything, there is a small army of analysts to break down every line change, power play and pre-game meal. iim Mason is editor of The Sun- Mbune. Go,' Cénada and all that red and white, eh? Rah. Busmnss Smell of flies, hockey bags score on home ice with lim Mason Off The Top Dmncron, AME-Tums, Durnmmou Nicole Fletcher Dumcron, Onwmons Barry Black