Harry Stemp was born in Uxbridge in 1934. He started his career with the Uxbridge Times-Journal as an apprentice typesetter at age 14. He soon began writing sports for the Times-Journal and eventually owned 10 community newspapers in central Ontario including the Times-Journal. He started writing his award-winning Stemp’s Stew in 1965. The column came to an end shortly after he sold his newspaper chain in 1989, but was rejuvenated in 2006 when Harry became a regular contributor to The Cosmos.
The elected trap
During the recent municipal elections a question “Do you want an elected Chairman of Durham Region?” appeared on the ballot. Putting the question on the ballot was controversial and once voters - mainly in the southern municipalities - voted they were in favour of the question and it carried with a large majority.
The vote was not binding on members of regional council; it was more to get a feeling as to how voters felt about the matter. Having heard from the electorate, members of Durham Region Council have to decide whether to continue to elect a Chairman from amongst themselves or to have the Chairman elected at large by voters during the next municipal elections.
In my opinion, residents of the three northern municipalities should make their voices heard in opposition, as electing a chairman from across the Region would not be good for us. I see it as the end of ever having a Region Chairman from any of our municipalities. We do not have the population - translate voters - to ever be able to elect a chairman from either Brock, Scugog or Uxbridge. The Chairman will always be from the south and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that our interests would move to the bottom of the list in quick order.
Councillor Bev Northeast makes the point that residents should have a say in who will be the chairman - in other words an elected official. Have to agree with her, but the chairman is presently an elected official. He or she is elected by the members of Region Council to become the chairman, they are in turn elected by the voters. To me that is a very democratic process, and if you look at the list of those who have held the position one can see that this important position has moved amongst municipalities right across the Region regardless of size. The late Gary Herrema was our last Regional Chairman, and I think that no one would argue when I say that he was one of the best.
As I see it, the problem is that the elected person will soon fall into the trap of wanting to please the areas where he/she received the most support. Naturally they will start enjoying the position and the perks that go along with it so, like most politicians, will do everything to be re-elected year after year after year. And with the southern municipalities having the most voters, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see where all the Region Chairmen will come from in the future. In no time the three northern municipalities will be left out in the cold.
There is an old saying: “if it ain't broke, don't fix it”. The present system has worked well for many years. It isn't broke, so I hope that all members of Region Council will take the high road and leave it alone.
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Congratulations this week to Cosmos owner/publisher Conrad Boyce and his wife Lisa who, after about six years, have been able to pay back the large numbers of residents who put bucks on the table and supported Conrad in starting up the strong community newspaper we have come to enjoy - The Cosmos.
Having started a couple of community newspapers over the years, I know it is not easy and the pitfalls can often lead to disaster. But like Conrad, I soon realized that any community newspaper had to be for the people by the people. Conrad has done this and his efforts have been rewarded with this recent announcement.
At one time Uxbridge Printing Company Ltd. had 11 community newspapers in its stable. When I appeared on a noon-hour news show on Barrie TV I was asked, “Harry, what does it feel like to own 11 community newspapers”?
I replied: “No one ever owns a community newspaper. One owns the right to operate a community newspaper but the paper is owned by the community. Once the community decides that you are not doing a good job for them, your ownership will soon disappear”.
I still live by that, even though the vast majority of community newspapers are now owned by major chains. I feel that, over the years, Conrad has walked the talk and the Cosmos is truly a newspaper for the community. May it always be thus.
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Big changes coming to Foxbridge Golf Club. Tim Evans has left the operation and will be venturing off into his own landscaping business. Tim's affable personality will be missed by Foxbridge members and we wish him well. However I'm sure the new pro, Darrick Harrop, will fit right in and members will appreciate his golf talents. Also seeing a golf column in the Cosmos is a welcome addition to this popular sport. We can all use a bit of help.
A major change will see entertainment coming to the restaurant at the north course. On Sunday April 29th at 5pm one will be able to enjoy a great night of entertainment. Cliff Erickson is coming to Foxbridge. Cliff has been performing for over 30 years and has performed with great acts like Kenny Rogers, the Beach Boys, America and others. Want to have a fun evening? Then book your tickets now. Can't beat the price. $30 for dinner and the show or just $10 for the show. Should be back from down south by then, so hope to see you there.
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A bit of advance notice that the Rotary Club of Uxbridge is having a scrap metal day at the Uxbridge Arena on Saturday, April 28th and this year they will also be accepting electronics.
I'm sure you are no different than most of us, who have all kinds of useless things filling our basement or garage which we never know what to do with. Now is your chance to clear those spaces and help local charities at the same time. And a tip of the hat to the folks at Port Perry Salvage who make this worthwhile community project possible.
If you want more information you can email Kerin Lloyd at uxbridgerotaryclub@gmail.com or go to their web site www.uxbridgerotary.com
