Roger Varley has been in the news business almost 40 years with The Canadian Press/Broadcast News, Uxbnridge Times-Journal, Richmond Hill Liberal and Uxbridge Cosmos. Co-winner with two others of CCNA national feature writing award. In Scout movement over 30 years, almost 25 as a leader. Took Uxbridge youths to World Jamboree in Holland. Involved in community theatre for 20 years as actor, director, playwright, stage manager etc. Born in England, came to Canada at 16, lived most of life north and east of Toronto with a five-year period in B.C.
Why should a parkette be a problem?
Elsewhere in this paper, you'll find an article about the parkette just to the west of Coffee Time on Brock Street. It's strange that such a tiny piece of land should be the cause of controversy. Strange because, in my opinion, there is no need for controversy.
For a long time, it was a rather derelict little strip of real estate, with weeds and patchy grass and nothing to induce anyone to spend any time there, except for Coffee Time clients who sat – on milk crates - with their coffee and cigarettes. But not long ago, the township installed a small brick pathway, cleaned out the weeds and trimmed it up.
Heather Benjamin, owner of Le Petite Fleur, had small floral murals painted on the side of her building, which not only enhanced her business, but also made the parkette a little more attractive. Now, she would like four benches – and a couple of litter bins – installed in the parkette. She is willing to install a couple of lights on the side of her business to illuminate the parkette after dark.
But a report to council this week noted that township staff and Durham Regional Police have concerns about youths gathering there, potential drug use, littering, loitering and noise. One gathers from their comments that the addition of four benches would add to the problem.
In the words of the world famous poet, gimme a break!
The benches that have already been installed at numerous locations along Brock Street have not led to crowds of unruly youths gathering at night and if there is any problem with littering it's because the litter bins along the street are so well used, they are often overflowing, a problem the township needs to address by having them emptied more often.
There are several benches installed between the CIBC and King Henry's Arms, but I don't see unruly patrons of the pub disturbing anyone's peace of mind.
As for loitering, the best definition I could find is as follows: “to linger or hang around in a public place or business where one has no particular or legal purpose.” Since I spend a good deal of time sitting on the Brock Street benches for “no particular purpose”, I asked councillors if that could be considered loitering. One replied that it depended what I was doing while I was sitting on the bench.
It seems to me the township staff and - more importantly – Durham Regional police are seeing problems where none exist. Or, more to the point, the potential for problems. I'm not sure where the township staff are coming from, but I can guess the DRP's motive. If youths loitering in the parkette became a problem, they might (heaven forbid) have to increase their already miniscule presence in town. As for the reference to drug use, it's not that long ago the police were warning us of drug use in Centennial Park and Elgin Park and the skateboard park near the sewage treatment plant. But then, police have to keep warning us about potential drug use: they have a vested interest in keeping the public scared.
As a measure to prevent such terrible goings on as loitering and littering – and possible drug use – police want the trees on the parkette to have their lower branches lopped off so as to make it harder for miscreants to hide what they are doing. It makes one wonder how in the world they deal with really serious crime.
But it seems to me that those making these comments are overlooking one important fact. If the parkette was made into a small oasis where folks could sit on a hot summer night, wouldn't their presence be a deterrent to loiterers and drug users? Wouldn't the parkette be a nice little spot to enjoy a coffee or a Slushie on a sunny afternoon under the shade of the trees? And wouldn't it be just another small step toward making that part of Brock Street as attractive as the upper end of Brock?
It seems to me there are far too many people trying to find or create problems where none exist, and forcing their views on the people who pay the bills: the taxpayers. I say put the benches in: if there are problems down the road, you deal with them then, not before.
Tell me, am I wrong?
