Council Column By REGIONAL COUNCILLOR TOM EDWARDS Deputy Mayor There must be something very attractive about the end of April as far as Whitby organizations are concerned. This_ past weekend has seen a major Lions function, several an- nual banquets in other organizations, and assorted end of season activities of several Whitby service, recreational, and fraternal organizations. Normally the council is anxious to be in attendance at these functions because it gives members of council an opportunity to thank these groups for the enormous contribution they make to the life of our community. In fact, it was my atten- dance at a bowling banquet some years ago on behalf of the council which brought home to me in graphic terms, just how dependent our community is on the efforts of those dedicated people who provide such a wealth and variety of sporting and recreational activity to the life of our residents, particularly the young people. Unfortunately, this particular weekend found the council extremely short handed. Our mayor, Bob Attersley, was rushed into hospital on extremely short notice, but I am hap- py to report is well on the road to recovery. Mr. Emm is enjoying a vacation with his family in warmer climes; Mr. Bugelli is visiting the United Kingdom on an im- portant business trip, and one member of our couincil was tied up on a long standing family function. This left very few of us available to pay proper tribute to our citizens for their prodigious efforts in making ours such a fine community. I pay full tribute to Mr. Drumm and Mr. Batten, for stepping in on very short notice to such a fine job. My belief is that all of the invitations were responded to. If I am wrong I trust this explanation will be sufficient. One of the more pleasant tasks that came my way acting in the mayor's absence, was to greet the members of a Welsh Rugby team. These young men from South Wales comported themselves on and off the field in an exemplary manner, and it was nice to receive a letter from the mayor of their home town describing the conduct of Canadian Rugby players in a similar fashion. Mayor Richards of Llanelli, South Wales, expressed the hope that by these sporting exchanges, the young people of today will make friendships which will do much to reduce international tensions. He was particularly lauditory about the young people of Whitby. The Town -of Whitby will be doing its annual share of helping to create a spirit of amnity in our own country in that we shall be hosting some 50 residents of our twin city, Longueuil, P.Q., on ,19, 20, and 21 of June. These exchanges began in 1969 and have continued without interruption since. We are the only french-speaking, and English-speaking communities to engage in these annual visits. Those of us from Whitby who have been involved are convinced that it has helped spread a message of trust and understanding, which would not otherwise have emerged. We are conscious that at times during these exchanges our counter-parts from Longueuil risked not only the time and the costs to them- selves, but their very lives could have been forfeited if the ex- tremists had been given sway in the early '70's. A rather good account of the twinning origins appeared in the Oshawa Times recently, and the names of all the original participants was displayed except that of Benny LaHaye whose ingenuity brought about the trip of the Whitby Ranger Scouts which created the opportunity of friendship between our com- munities. I am delighted that this year the Girl Guides have displayed an interest in getting involved. I urge anybody who has not' yet taken part to do so this year. I defy anybody to spend three days in the company of these Canadians, some WIITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981, PAGE I1 Community organizations have vital role to play whose mother tongue is French, and some whose mother tongue is English, and very often precise understanding of what the other is saying is lacking, and not become more committed to our federal system. Not only do we leave these occasions with a renewed con- viction about the need to retain a Canadian identity, with all that entails, but we are compelled to learn more about our own community and its part in the Canadian mosaic. in Whitby On the one hand our visitors are usually well versed on the importance of the French fact to our emerging nation, on the other we are compelled to look back at the pioneers who established an Anglo Saxon society in Upper Canada. It makes history become very vibrant, and the maintenance of our federal systern very precious. If you think that this is exaggeration come and join us in welcorning our visitors next June. Get the Midas of Guarantees The Top Guns at Midas Guarantee your Midas Muffler for as long as you own your domestic or foreign car. Available only at the . Midas of Muffler shops. 1220 Dundas St., Whitby 668-1065 -ou lit