Page le, WNhy Free Pros, Wednesclay. Docembe 1, 1993 4e{ BROOKLIN }f Counci skeptica of plans, for post office By Mlike Kowalski Despite assurances te the con- trary, Town council remains skeptical of Canada Post's plans for the Brooklin post office. A Canada Post ropresentative could net convinco council last week that installation of 'super' maiîboxes in Brooklin has ne bearing on the future of the village post office. Jim Craig repeatedly stressed that the current uupgrading» of mail service is net connected in any way with how long a post office wili continue te operato in Brooklin. However, hoe could net rule eut the pest office being replaced by a franchise eperatien some day. Craiges appearanco before council stemmed from a rocent lotter te Canada Post presidont George Clermont frem Mayor Tom E dwards. Edwards was seoking assurance that tho replacement of old green group boxes in Brooklin with moern com- inunity or 'super' mailboxes will net lead te the closing of tho Price Street post office. "We've just about completed tho program of updating tho community mailboxos, that's Potluck supper at Meadowcest A gtluà 'k-supr and fun night wl e Saturday, Dec. 4, 5 pm., at Meadowcrest Baptist Church, 40 Vipond St., Brooklin. Bring a dish. Aul are welcome. For more information, cal 655-3977 or 655-8098. purely and simply ail that's goinç on," Craig told council. «It s a replacement pro&ram that does not impact or have anything te do wth service at the Brooklin post office,» hoe said. Craig explainod that installa- tion of the new mailboxes is part of an engoing program aimed at replacing aIl green group boxes across Canada. "It's an outdated form of mail delivery," lho said. «Many of those boxes were put in as atemporary form of deli- very. Unfortunately, in s0 many areas that turned out to be Ion g r than anticipated.» ai.said there is «nothing on the boks 0 te indicate that the e ost office will be converted to a anchise operation, «new or in the forseeablo future.» But ho apologized for not being able te, rule it eut ontirely. "]Pm sorry I don't have a crys- tai baIl. 1 can't tell you how long that will be,» said Crag. However' if or when a decision îs made o'n the Breoklin post office, it will not mcur without sufficient notice being givon te, the municipality, Craig re- niised. "We don't just- walk in and close it the noxt woek,» ho said. Noting that a post office in Brooklin prodates Wrhitby's in- corporation as a tewn in 1855, Edwards said it has been an uessentiai and integrai part of that community.» While hoe would have preforred a guarantee that a post office Winl romain in Brooklin, Edwards said hoe understood why Craig could net give one. "Our concern is that it would be brought te a sudden haIt. You've informed us that is not the case," said Edwards. Councillor Don Mitchell, howe- ver, was leery of Craig's asser- tion that the new maiîboxes will not affect the post office. "I appreciate that you don't have a crystal baIl, but one way which will lead te the closing of the post office is te reduce ser- vices,» said Mitchell. He was responding te Craig's earlier comment that some Brooklin residents who now pick up their mail at the post office will be served by the community mailboxes. Craig replied that a unrelated program of closing community gE st offices across Canada has :n in effect for several years, but the two issues are not con- nected. «They are on two separato sides of the house,"»lho said. But Craig did point out that the "conversion" programn has beUn" ut on hold by the new Libral government for further study. «It's separate in your mind, but in my view if you close the pickup service it (post office) bocomes a more likely candidate for being put in a varioty store,» said Mitchell. When Craig disputed Mit- chell's remark that Canada Post was "encroaching" on services now offerod by the post office, Edwards reminded him of a pro- vious fight te save the Ashburn Post office. "That is wh~y the issue is se sensitive te us, said Edwards. Craig again stressed that "there is no f»ive-year plan that targets Brooklin," but admitted that when there is a unatural opportunity" to close a facility, Canada Post will consider it. For example, this wouid occur whon the local postmaster retires, Craig oxplained. "Nobody is going to loso their jobs, but employees may have to work at différent locations," he said. Since becoming a crown cor- Soration in 1981, Canada Post as made a «xnodest p)rofit» in al years but one, and t hat was due to a strike by postal exnployees, Craig said. Prior to 1981, thé post office had beon costing Canadians «haîf a billion dollars per year' when The holiday spirit 18 alive and well at the Murcott's Rolling Meadows tree farm in Ashburn. The family farm operation is once again workçing with the Brooklin Liens Club in sponsormng the sixth annuai ' Faniily Christmas Tree Choose and Cut' project each weekend in Decomber. The tree farm is Durhami Regien's largest and offers its visitors a selection of scotch pino, white spruce and white pine Christmas trees Up tW 12 feet in height. There are more than 20,000 trees on the 65-acre property. Thore are alse, hayridos, refreshinents, craft shop, bonfire it was a government departmnent, he noted. "Those are the cold hard fadas,» said Oral CounciIlor Joe Drumm was not prepared to take Craies comn- ments at face value. He recalled earlier promises from Canada Post that new endeavours such as community mailboxas and franchise outlets would r,"ýt affect facilities such as the downtuwn Whitby post office. "I was at the Wh'fitby post office the other day and it's an abselute disgrace,» said Drumm. "It used to -be a livoly place with ail kinds of people in there. Now it looks like a hospital in Sarajevo," he said. and sleigh hili activities. Net proceede from the project are donated te the Lions Club of Canada canine vision prograni that provides trained dog guides at ne cost te approved blind applicants from acroes Canada. Since the project began, five dog teanis have been sponsored threugh a donation of $30,000 te Canine Vision Canada. Crafts at Ljegion A craft show and sale will be held at the Brooklin Legion on Saturday. The show, at 56 Baldwin St., is frem 9 a.m. Wý 5 p.m. Lio.n.shold 'Choose and Cut' tree program 1 SPE