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The contentious and some- times emotional issue of Mono’s Klondyke gravel pit has resurfaced following a decision by the town to close off parts of cross-country ski trails to extract needed gravel. It is hoped, however, that the civility and respect usually shown by Mono residents in debating issues, will prevail and an agreement will be reached between the town and Mono Nordic Ski Club, the organization that has maintained trails on town property alongside the pit for 26 years. The club is upset that portions of its trail system have been cut off and that nearly two acres of trees have been clear-cut to make way for the extraction of gravel to be used on major road-work projects. The town, on the other hand, says the action is neces- sary to protect itself on liabili- ty issues. It also says substan- tial savings are achieved when it uses gravel from its own pit. Speaking on behalf of Mono Nordic Tuesday, Ross Martin conceded that the conversation was somewhat heated when the issue came up during the question period of the April 13 council meeting. He said the club executive held a meeting Monday night and agreed to approach the town and see if the two sides can come up with a plan to sal- vage the affected trails. “Our first goal was to decide how we can best recov- er for this year,” said Mr. Martin. “The second will be to work with Mono for further rehabilitation in future years. “We would like to create a trail along the edge of the trees that border the cleared area,” he added. “This would allow the Yellow, North Red trail and Outer Red trails to be recon- nected. “This would mean either that a few feet of the setback limit on the west side would not get excavated, or would require rehabilitation prior to the winter season. Any banks close to the trails would also have to have fill placed to sta- bilize them.” The person at the centre of the recent controversy is Mono public works director Mike Dunmore, who gave the direc- tive for the trails to be inter- sected by excavation and addi- tional areas be put off limits to recreational users. “My position, as the signing authority for the Town of Mono, is to protect it from lia- bility,” Mr. Dunmore told council at the public meeting. “If I took out more than five per cent of an extensive ski trails system, I would be very, very surprised.” While he has been under the gun from recreation advocates, Mr. Dunmore was defended at council by Mono parks and recreation director Kim Perryman. “I have to say this,” she told council. “Mr. Dunmore has bent over backwards to accommodate the user groups. “It’s been a pleasure to work with someone who’s as recreation- prone as Mike.” Mr. Dunmore has prepared a detailed report to council which outlines substantial sav- ings for road projects when the town uses gravel from the pit. Concerning construction work on Second Line between Highway 9 and 5 Sideroad, his When Shirley White looked up at Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak on the African continent, towering over Tanzania’s landscape at 5,895 metres, (19,336 feet), she start- ed walking. Her mind made up, and determined to get as far as she could, she began an experience of a lifetime, one she feels privileged to share today. During the interview, Mrs. White sat comfortably in the whicker chair, her light sweater worn over a blue polo shirt. Sunglasses shaded her eyes and her short graying hair was ruffled gently by the wind. She is not typically an individ- ual that would come to mind when thinking about climbing a mountain. “I’m not a superwoman,” Mrs. White joked. “But (climbing Mount Kilimanjaro) certainly did take going beyond what you’re comfort- able with.” This fall, she will be cele- brating a milestone birthday. “I’m not sure I would want to say which one that is,” she said, and laughed. “You can say 50-plus.” She has been living in Erin for the last 25 years with her husband John, sons Michael and Christopher and daughter Katie. “I was a teacher, and I retired from teaching five years ago,” she advised. But having decided that retirement wasn’t quite ready for her yet, she tried several different jobs and for the past two years she has worked as a personal support worker for Community Living Dufferin. Mrs. White has been active to a degree her whole life. As a physical education teacher there was a certain amount of effort involved in the job, and she has participated in walking and running events over the years, the latest being her climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. Mono pit friction returns to forefront ‘GOOD JOB!’ SHI FRIENDSHIP TOURNEY TURBINE FOES HEAD TO QUEEN’S PARK Vol. 36 No. 31 www.citizen.on.ca Thursday, April 22, 2010 24 Pages (2 Sections) $1.00 (GST Included) Cancer survivor made it to top of Africa’s highest peak ADJUSTABLE BEDS ON DISPLAY NOW Clip & Save $ 300. on Purchase of Power Base Adjustable Bed 519-940-0090 3 Commerce Rd. Please turn to page A2 By DAN PELTON Staff Reporter Photo/DAN PELTON ORANGEVILLE COUNCILLOR Sylvia Bradley was at Town Hall last week with Amy Castator, right, and Melissa Kovacs of the County of Dufferin Waste Management Program to proclaim April 17-25 Earth Week in Orangeville. In Canada, Earth Week has grown out of Earth Day: the largest environmental event worldwide that joins over 6 mil- lion Canadians with 1 billion people from over 170 countries in special events and projects to address local envi- ronmental issues. MENTAL HEALTH REPORT RELEASED Please turn to page A10 Photo/WES KELLER MPP SYLVIA JONES presents a plaque to Staff Sergeant Steve Sills, commander of Dufferin OPP, to make the offi- cial opening of the new detachment last week. The ribbon was snipped by Correctional Services Minister Rick Bartolucci and OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino following the ceremonies under canvass before about 120 spec- tators. Common errors to avoid on your tax return See Page 2 181 Broadway, Orangeville 181 Broadway, Orangeville 519.941.3900 519.941.3900 By LINDSEY P APP Co-op Reporter The new Dufferin OPP detachment offices officially opened last week as “a symbol of the excellence” of the provincial force, but “the real excellence is the people who work inside it,” said retired Staff Sergeant Walter Kolodziechuk, who now serves as deputy mayor of Amaranth. The estimated 120 who attended the opening – police officers active and retired, politicians, prosecutors, the architect and the builder, and members of the general public – were given a video glimpse of the cramped and sometimes wet conditions of the former detachment on County Road 124. The video included 10 ducks waddling in the flooded basement, shared by two con- stables and a number of filing cabinets, among other things. The ducks, possibly the property of Sgt. Dave Quinton who acted as director of cere- monies for the opening, would have been during the tenure of Staff Kolodziechuk. The unauthorized duck pla- toon might have helped bring the new building to fruition by demonstrating one of the prob- lems at the old detachment. (Apparently the flooding problem was solved at the old building, but the crowded con- ditions weren’t.) By contrast, the new detach- ment offers an exercise and change room for the officers, a platoon room, secure cells where “overnight guests” are escorted out of sight from any- one in other parts of the detachment. Rick Bartolucci, minister of community safety and correc- tional services, and OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino had kind words for each other at the opening. The minister used a Wayne Gretzky quote to describe the commissioner’s abilities. He said Gretzky told him a “good” hockey player skates to where the puck is, but a “great” one skates where the puck is going to be. He said Mr. Fantino “skates where the puck is going to be.” The commission- er returned the compliment by describing the minister as totally supportive of the OPP and, as one who would strap on a gun and go on patrol “if conditions permitted.” Detachment commander Staff Sgt. Steve Sills and Mr. Fantino both spoke at length of the advantages of the modern new building, both as an effi- cient facility and as a morale booster for the officers who bring a measure of comfort to the public – often at great per- sonal risk. By WES KELLER Freelance Reporter New OPP station ‘symbol of excellence’

Cancer survivor climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro

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This was one of the first artilces I wrote for the Citizen that I was able to expand my writing focus. This was more of a profile piece which was new for me. Ms. White is a very interesting lady and her story was very uplifting and enjoyable to write.

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Page 1: Cancer survivor climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro

The contentious and some-times emotional issue ofMono’s Klondyke gravel pithas resurfaced following adecision by the town to closeoff parts of cross-country skitrails to extract needed gravel.

It is hoped, however, thatthe civility and respect usuallyshown by Mono residents indebating issues, will prevailand an agreement will bereached between the town andMono Nordic Ski Club,the organization that hasmaintained trails ontown property alongsidethe pit for 26 years.

The club is upset thatportions of its trail systemhave been cut off and thatnearly two acres of treeshave been clear-cut to makeway for the extraction ofgravel to be used on majorroad-work projects.

The town, on the otherhand, says the action is neces-sary to protect itself on liabili-ty issues. It also says substan-tial savings are achieved whenit uses gravel from its own pit.

Speaking on behalf of MonoNordic Tuesday, Ross Martinconceded that the conversationwas somewhat heated whenthe issue came up during thequestion period of the April 13council meeting.

He said the club executive

held a meeting Monday nightand agreed to approach thetown and see if the two sidescan come up with a plan to sal-vage the affected trails.

“Our first goal was todecide how we can best recov-er for this year,” said Mr.Martin. “The second will be towork with Mono for furtherrehabilitation in future years.

“We would like to create atrail along the edge of the treesthat border the cleared area,”he added. “This would allowthe Yellow, North Red trail and

Outer Red trails to be recon-nected.

“This would mean eitherthat a few feet of the setbacklimit on the west side wouldnot get excavated, or wouldrequire rehabilitation prior tothe winter season. Any banksclose to the trails would alsohave to have fill placed to sta-

bilize them.”The person at the centre of

the recent controversy is Monopublic works director MikeDunmore, who gave the direc-tive for the trails to be inter-sected by excavation and addi-tional areas be put off limits torecreational users.

“My position, as the signingauthority for the Town ofMono, is to protect it from lia-bility,” Mr. Dunmore toldcouncil at the public meeting.“If I took out more than fiveper cent of an extensive skitrails system, I would be very,very surprised.”

While he has been underthe gun from recreationadvocates, Mr. Dunmorewas defended at council byMono parks and recreationdirector Kim Perryman. “Ihave to say this,” she toldcouncil. “Mr. Dunmorehas bent over backwardsto accommodate theuser groups.

“It’s been a pleasureto work with someonewho’s as recreation-prone as Mike.”

Mr. Dunmore has prepareda detailed report to councilwhich outlines substantial sav-ings for road projects when thetown uses gravel from the pit.

Concerning constructionwork on Second Line betweenHighway 9 and 5 Sideroad, his

When Shirley White lookedup at Mount Kilimanjaro, thehighest peak on the Africancontinent, towering over

Tanzania’s landscape at 5,895metres, (19,336 feet), she start-ed walking.

Her mind made up, anddetermined to get as far as shecould, she began an experienceof a lifetime, one she feelsprivileged to share today.

During the interview, Mrs.White sat comfortably in thewhicker chair, her lightsweater worn over a blue poloshirt. Sunglasses shaded hereyes and her short graying hairwas ruffled gently by the wind.She is not typically an individ-ual that would come to mindwhen thinking about climbinga mountain.

“I’m not a superwoman,”Mrs. White joked. “But(climbing Mount Kilimanjaro)certainly did take goingbeyond what you’re comfort-able with.”

This fall, she will be cele-brating a milestone birthday.“I’m not sure I would want tosay which one that is,” shesaid, and laughed. “You cansay 50-plus.”

She has been living in Erinfor the last 25 years with herhusband John, sons Michaeland Christopher and daughterKatie.

“I was a teacher, and Iretired from teaching five

years ago,” she advised.But having decided that

retirement wasn’t quite readyfor her yet, she tried severaldifferent jobs and for the pasttwo years she has worked as apersonal support worker forCommunity Living Dufferin.

Mrs. White has been activeto a degree her whole life. As aphysical education teacherthere was a certain amount ofeffort involved in the job, andshe has participated in walkingand running events over theyears, the latest being herclimb of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Mono pit friction returns to forefront

‘GOOD JOB!’SHI FRIENDSHIP TOURNEY

TURBINE FOES HEAD

TO QUEEN’S PARK

Vol. 36 No. 31 www.citizen.on.ca Thursday, April 22, 2010 24 Pages (2 Sections) $1.00 (GST Included)

Cancer survivor made it to top of Africa’s highest peak

ADJUSTABLEBEDS ON

DISPLAY NOWClip & Save $300. onPurchase of Power

Base Adjustable Bed

519-940-0090

3 Commerce Rd.

• Please turn to page A2

By DAN PELTON

Staff Reporter

Photo/DAN PELTONORANGEVILLE COUNCILLOR Sylvia Bradley was at Town Hall last week with Amy Castator, right, and MelissaKovacs of the County of Dufferin Waste Management Program to proclaim April 17-25 Earth Week in Orangeville.In Canada, Earth Week has grown out of Earth Day: the largest environmental event worldwide that joins over 6 mil-lion Canadians with 1 billion people from over 170 countries in special events and projects to address local envi-ronmental issues.

MENTAL HEALTH

REPORT RELEASED

• Please turn to page A10

Photo/WES KELLERMPP SYLVIA JONES presents a plaque to Staff Sergeant Steve Sills, commander of Dufferin OPP, to make the offi-cial opening of the new detachment last week. The ribbon was snipped by Correctional Services Minister RickBartolucci and OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino following the ceremonies under canvass before about 120 spec-tators.

Common errorsto avoid on your

tax returnSee Page 2

181 Broadway, Orangeville181 Broadway, Orangeville

519.941.3900519.941.3900

By LINDSEY PAPP

Co-op Reporter

The new Dufferin OPPdetachment offices officiallyopened last week as “a symbolof the excellence” of theprovincial force, but “the realexcellence is the people whowork inside it,” said retiredStaff Sergeant WalterKolodziechuk, who nowserves as deputy mayor ofAmaranth.

The estimated 120 whoattended the opening – policeofficers active and retired,politicians, prosecutors, thearchitect and the builder, andmembers of the general public– were given a video glimpseof the cramped and sometimeswet conditions of the formerdetachment on County Road124. The video included 10ducks waddling in the floodedbasement, shared by two con-stables and a number of filing

cabinets, among other things.The ducks, possibly the

property of Sgt. Dave Quintonwho acted as director of cere-monies for the opening, wouldhave been during the tenure ofStaff Kolodziechuk.

The unauthorized duck pla-toon might have helped bringthe new building to fruition bydemonstrating one of the prob-lems at the old detachment.

(Apparently the floodingproblem was solved at the oldbuilding, but the crowded con-ditions weren’t.)

By contrast, the new detach-ment offers an exercise andchange room for the officers, aplatoon room, secure cellswhere “overnight guests” areescorted out of sight from any-one in other parts of thedetachment.

Rick Bartolucci, minister ofcommunity safety and correc-tional services, and OPPCommissioner Julian Fantino

had kind words for each otherat the opening.

The minister used a WayneGretzky quote to describe thecommissioner’s abilities. Hesaid Gretzky told him a “good”hockey player skates to wherethe puck is, but a “great” oneskates where the puck is goingto be. He said Mr. Fantino“skates where the puck isgoing to be.” The commission-er returned the compliment bydescribing the minister astotally supportive of the OPPand, as one who would strapon a gun and go on patrol “ifconditions permitted.”

Detachment commanderStaff Sgt. Steve Sills and Mr.Fantino both spoke at length ofthe advantages of the modernnew building, both as an effi-cient facility and as a moralebooster for the officers whobring a measure of comfort tothe public – often at great per-sonal risk.

By WES KELLER

Freelance Reporter

New OPP station ‘symbol of excellence’

Page 2: Cancer survivor climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro

The climb has also fall-en on a year of celebrationfor Mrs. White, on a morepersonal level.

“In 2000 I discovered alump in my breast, and itdid turn out to be breastcancer,” she said. Over thenext eight months sheendured a lumpectomy,chemotherapy and radia-tion. “I was lucky enoughnot to have my entire

breast removed.”Chemotherapy lasted

five months. When her 21rounds of radiation endedin December, she wasdeclared cancer-free.

She retold her experi-ence with a calm expres-sion. What she said was acompilation of difficultexperiences, with a silverlining.

“This is a special yearfor me too,” she said, smil-ing, “being cancer- free,

becoming a survivor.”Her family was sup-

portive throughout thejourney. Her lifestylechange included taking ayear off work, duringwhich constantly feelingsick and loss of her hairtook their toll.

She says cancer is alife-changing experience.Sometimes it can be diffi-cult to remember to hope.

“You’re going throughall this and there is noguarantee that it’s going towork,” she commented,voicing her own pastdoubts. “There is alwaysthat psychological chal-lenge of telling yourselfyou’re going to getthrough it.”

She is a firm believer inkeeping a positive attitude,believing that statisticallymore people are becomingsurvivors of cancer and

that you have to hope youare going to be one ofthem.

Last August, she wasconfronted with some-thing else. TheGrandmothers toGrandmothers campaignfor the Stephen LewisFoundation caught herattention. The campaign isto raise awareness andsupport in Canada forgrandmothers in Africa,where as many as 11 mil-lion children have beenorphaned by AIDS andwarfare, leaving theirgrandmothers to care forthem with no real meansof employment.

“I think at some pointyou decide you want tomake a contribution, and Iam certainly at that point,”she said.

On her own, Mrs.White organized an expe-

dition to Africa to climbMt. Kilimanjaro, with apersonal goal to raise$2,500 for Grandmothersto Grandmothers. Roughly90% of that goal has beenfulfilled to date.

“I am able and interest-ed in helping others and Ifelt like it was something Icould do,” she comment-ed. “And to show womenin middle age, grandmoth-ers, that there is a lot thatwe can do.”

The climb to the top ofMount Kilimanjaro tookfive days, and it took oneday to get back down.

“On the way up youhave to go fairly slow asyour body acclimatizes,”she said, smiling.

“You start off and it’stemperate rain forest, bythe time you get to the topit was minus ten degreesCelsius and we were inwinter clothes.”

She says theGrandmothers toGrandmothers campaignprovided the motivationshe needed to take on thechallenge. The six monthsof preparation werefocused on walking andrunning to keep up herlevel of fitness.

“I feel very privileged,with my health back-ground and age and so on,

to be able to do things likethis.”

She will also be partici-

pating in the first Relay forLife in the Orangevillearea this June, taking part

in the Survivors walk andsupporting her belief infinding a cure for cancer.

A10 April 22, 2010 Orangeville Citizen/Free Press and Economist

• From page A1

Cancer survivor made it to top of Africa’s highest peak

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Peter and Gail Horner are pleased to announce theforthcoming marriage of their daughter

Laura to Mark Ditnerson of Gerald and Eileen Ditner, Palmerston.

The wedding will be held at St. Martin of Tours Church, Drayton

on Saturday, July 10, 2010at 2 o’clock in the afternoon

The reception to follow at Moorefield Community Centre

Buck and Doe

Mark Ditner & Laura HornerFriday, April 30th, 2010

Listowel Agricultural Hall8 pm - 1 am

Late LunchMusic by D.J.

In Advance: $8At the Door: $10

For tickets call Gail519-925-6306