Wednesday, September 27, 2006 · Page 4 The Essex Free Press is an independent weekly newspaper, locally owned and operated by The Essex Free Press Limited The Essex Free Press is published every Wednesday from 16 Centre Street, Essex, ON N8M 1N9 Tel.: (519) 776-4268 Fax: (519) 776-4014 Email: essexfreepress@on.aibn.com Website: http://essexfreepress.reinvented.net Publisher: Laurie A. Brett The opinions expressed on this page are those of their original authors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of The Essex Free Press, its Editor or Publisher. Thinking outside the box t was hard not to be inspired by a presentation delivered by Toronto-based artist Noel Harding at the University of Windsor last Thursday. As part of Humanities Week, Harding spoke about his involvement in the Green Corridor project, which aims to turn the two-kilometre stretch of Huron Church Road leading up to the Ambassador Bridge free press into a functional green space. The "Nature Bridge" that now laurie brett allows pedestrians to cross safely over the busy highway in front of Assumption High School is a focal point of the Green Corridor. The project is still a work in progress. Harding's explanation about nature's uncanny ability to break down toxins while sustaining green spaces offers a small ray of hope for this otherwise smoggy southern tip of Ontario. Imagine if we could improve our air quality simply through the deliberate establishment of special detoxifying gardens. But aside from extolling the environmental benefits of green spaces, Harding's work is remarkable for developing ecosystems where they are least expected along the Don Valley Parkway, on rooftops and inside floating inner tubes. One idea proposed for the University of Windsor is the development of "green roof elevation" for the student residences. Using the rooftops of the university's tallest buildings, Harding would create an unusual green zone that would be visible from both sides of the border. Having recently received four out of a possible five blooms from the Communities in Bloom program, Essex is well positioned to think outside the box. So, imagine if you will, the grain elevators near the railway station topped with a self-sustaining green ecosystem. Would there be any further need to speculate about their potential uses? Likely not. They would become a focal point for travelers and a potential attraction for the curious. Sometimes it's hard to envision what needs to be done next. Sometimes it takes the juxtaposition of two things that on the surface appear to be at odds with one another to make us think creatively. Visit Harding's website at www.noelharding.ca to experience the ordinary turned on its head. I editorial ith the annual Citizen of the Year dinner coming up, it's a good time to reflect on what it stands for. One of the highlights for me is when Jim Hatt, the award's first recipient, reads off the roll of previous honorees. I know or have known each and every one. Each made contributions in his or her own way that has given Essex an envied reputation for community service and volunteerism. The Citizen of the Year award is not for sainthood or some other exalted state. It is for volunteer work on behalf of the Town of Essex and its people. It should be remembered that each award winner represents many other people. That's because of an ability each had to attract other people to help out to attain even better results. Some Citizens of the Year were very high profile. Some did their work away from the W spotlight. But all felt they had something to give back to the town. One by one, we have lost many of our Citizens, but their opinion bill gay memory burns brightly. They have in a very real sense thrown us the torch, to see that the flame of caring for one's fellow man is never extinguished. Sometimes people will tell me they won't be attending the dinner because they don't know that year's honoree personally. That logic misses the point. Every year, we welcome a new name to Citizen of the Year status. But the event itself commemorates Essex, the town that would not die, the town that withstood two disastrous explosions 73 years apart and just kept going. We are the town that has sent our sons and daughters to make us proud in the wider community. People like Audrey McLaughlin in politics, Ralph Mellanby in broadcasting, Keith Crowder and Earl Walls in sports. And the list doesn't end there. So be sure and come out to the Citizen of the Year dinner on October 14 at Holy Name of Jesus Church parish hall and join us in honouring Ib Fynbo, a man who can put dreams into action as well as anyone ever could. I cannot think of a major fundraising project in Essex in the past quarter century or so that did not have his support and encouragement. He joins a select group, a group that reminds us that we are our brother's keeper. Congratulations Ib! Laurie Brett, Publisher Sarah Fisher, Editor Karen Callies Advertising Sales Cathy Campbell Accounts & Circulation Pam Sovran, Sarah Krauter Office Daniel Schwab Staff Reporter Tom Warwick, Lana Garant Graphic Design Gary Ramsay, Wilber Brett, Judy Brett, Randy Chedour Doug Boylan Production Subscriptions Canada: $37.10 U.S.: $80.00 (Prices include GST) Payable in advance to The Essex Free Press Limited. Advertising Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of an error, the portion of the ad occupied by the error, will not be charged for, but the balance will be paid at the usual rate. 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