Sidewalk Talk by Mark Van Dusen Mayo -- Join KefiGion : It's where you get your teeth fixed Recommendations of the Mayo report released last week would divorce Russell Township from the United Counties of Prescott and Russell and marry it with Cumberland Township to the North. The result would be "a new viable municipal unit'? -- possibly called Foubert -- within the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, according to the report. Other than to bolster the assessment and population of Cumberland which the report proposes to reduce in size, and to fill out the V-shaped region, the reasons for this viability are hazy at best. While it is clear -- that Cumberland would need to merge with its southern neigh- bour if the Mayo recommend- ations are carried out, there is no hard evidence why Russell should reward any such court- ship by slipping under the quilt of regional government. What does Russell stand to gain or lose by becoming a bed partner with Cumberland? What does it stand to gain or lose by slamming the door on_ the counties system? What does the region stand to gain or lose, for that matter? How would taxes, services, land values, housing prices, accessibility to government -- everyday living -- be affected? The report doesn't say. It does say that Russell Township residents (how many?) travel to Ottawa for medical, legal, dental and optical ser- vices. It does say that as much as 90 percent of the Russell Township work force commutes to jobs in the region, 25-50 per cent in Ottawa-Hull. Possibly true, naively super- ficial, but enough to convince Mayo. 'For these reasons, i.e., because there are so many close ties, we recommend that Russell Township should be brought within the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Car- leton," the report quickly concludes. As if reassuringly, it adds that the United Counties of Prescott and Russell -- minus Russell Township's 5,000 residents -- would be left with only 42,500 residents but would still be more populous than the Ontario counties of Prince Edward, Dufferin, Lennox and Addington, and Victoria. That's not good enough, Dr. Mayo. After two years and $250,000 of the taxpayers money, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell deserve more than to be told how small they would be, how expendable. The residents of Russell Township deserve more than to be told they should be shuffled from one form of government to another because of where they (Continued on Page 8) Russell Review Box 359 ® Russell, Ontario ® Phone 445-2080 Vol. 2, No. 17 "You make the News' April 1, 1977 Carte 8-3 RMO-C GOULBOURN- Proposed boundaries Deleted boundories Proposed Western City PROPOSED BOUNDARIES LIMITES PROPOSEES DE LA MRO-C GLOUCESTER OSGOODE CUMBERLAND: - --" RUSSELL ? ' RIDEAU Limites proposées ------ Anciennes limites Nouvelle municipalité ouest Russell Curling Club For many curlers the big event of the season is the annual Interclub. Bonspiel in which 12 teams from the Metcalfe Curling Club compete against 12 teams from the Russell Club for the much coveted trophy. We are proud to announce that Frank Brewer's team of Diane Wout- ers, Max Mayling and Mary Rowsell came out the victors after a gruelling 24 ends of curling on Sat., March 5. This year the final games were played in Russell with over 90 curlers on hand to cheer the champions. The consolation prize went to the Gord Morrow rink from Metcalfe. Attention all Russell Curling Club Members -- Don't delay, get your tickets for this year's Closing Party, Friday, April 15, from Merrill McVey. Cocktail Hour, 6:30; Dinner at 7:30; Prizes and entertainment. Diane Wouters places in Miss Eastern Ont. Top 10 On March 26, Diane Wouters represented Some of the prizes awarded to the ten girls Russell in the 1977 Miss Eastern Ontario Pageant. included: a trophy, tumblers, a pair of naturalizer The Russell Lions Club was proud to sponsor shoes, perfume and all girls received a cooler Diane in this pageant. Since its founding in the which contained a variety of gifts, i.e. shampoo, early 50's the Pageant has grown and prospered copper craft, pen, fruit jellies, Miss Eastern in size and stature drawing well merited praise Ontario T-shirt. from all quarters of the area, even beyond the Eastern Ontario radius. Today it is rated in the top 4 Canadian Pagents. We are honoured and proud to announce that CONGRATULATIONS DIANE! Diane placed among the top 10 finalists of a group We are sure Diane will long cherish her experiences and new found friends at this event. Interclub Bonspiel -- Left to Right: Diane Wouters, Max Mayling, Mary Rowselil. Centre -- Skip, Frank Brewer. Photo by Robert of 34. Photo by Joe Rowan Smith.