Wednesday, May 2, 2007 · 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. Action and reaction A free press pparently, I stand corrected. The arena expansion project is not fumbling along, as I suggested in this column last week. Indeed, I have been advised that the Town of Essex fully expects to move ahead in the very near future with one of the three options presented to council at the special meeting held April 20. The clamouring for progress and the drama coming from some frustrated members of the public is, apparently, unnecessary. But only time will tell whether this is, in fact, a true assessment. I've also been gently reproached for misunderstanding the three options currently before council. So, for the sake of clarity, it is incumbent upon me to explain that the $8.75-million facility proposed by Coun. Paul Innes is not "much like" the $10-million plan already under review. For $8.75 million, Mr. Innes' plan Option C would indeed anchor a new ice pad to the existing arena. Option A, on the other hand, envisions two single pads the existing arena and a new one costing $10 million that could be twinned in future. Option B is the brand new twin-pad facility that comes with a $15-million price tag. Mea maxima culpa. There is no issue that raises more concern in Essex at the present time than the arena issue. Just look at the number of letters to the editor on the subject that appear in this week's Free Press. People have strong views about it and aren't afraid to speak out. Indeed, they believe they have a duty to speak out. Freedom of speech is seldom more effectively used by the average citizen than when he or she is voicing an opinion on an issue that matters to the community. Curiously, other issues that have been brewing in this community have received very little attention at least not the kind of attention that spurs citizens to share their thoughts in letters to the editor. The anti-BIA petition, for example, must be tucked away in someone's sock drawer because it has yet to surface in any official capacity. One would have thought that issue would have drawn lots of attention. Similarly, our story on the high cost of municipal policing in Essex should have elicited some concern, but other than the one letter on police wages that we opted not to print (because it was anonymous and we decline to print letters that are unsigned), there was nothing. For now at least, the arena issue is front and centre when it comes to getting a reaction. And it's no wonder! It's been a long journey to this place in time with a few false starts and some (un)founded fears of derailment. The closer we get to a final decision, the more people are starting to recognize the impact a decision will have, both on the community and on themselves. Let the drama unfold. editorial laurie brett F ifty years ago, 1957, was a year to remember. President Eisenhower sent federal troops into Little Rock Arkansas to ensure the admission of seven black students to an all white high school. The 1957 Ford was outselling Chevrolet nationally, and locally, Essex Farmers sold more Fords than any other dealer in the county. John Diefenbaker toppled the Liberals from power and formed the first Conservative government since R.B. Bennett in 1935. Amherstburg lawyer Richard Thrasher defeated longtime Liberal incumbent Murray Clark in Essex South. Elmer Queen was Mayor of Essex, and Margaret Brown was poised to become the first woman to serve on council. And almost exactly at this time in 1957, Windsor's Reno Bertoia was challenging the immortal Ted Williams for the American League batting championship. Bertoia, the Detroit Tigers third baseman, was my hero. Imagine, a Canadian from opinion bill gay nearby Windsor presumptuous enough to give "Teddy Ballgame" a run for his money. Reno's challenge faded in mid-season, but everyday I would open the newspaper and look under American League batting stats. Canadians were scarce in the big leagues of fifty years ago. Bertoia's hero, his next-door neighbour, Hank Biasetti, only played 21 games with Philadelphia in 1949, although he did further distinguish himself by also playing in the early days of the NBA. But Reno Bertoia blazed a trail for other Canadians to follow, like National League allstar Larry Walker and current Blue Jays outfielder Matt Stairs. And who can forget Canadian lefthander John Hiller? He came right off the Toronto sandlots to join the Detroit Tigers in the mid-sixties, and as a spot starter and reliever, helped pitch them to the AL title in that unforgettable year of 1968. Following a heart attack, Hiller fought back and was the mainstay of the Detroit bullpen throughout the 70s. When his 10-year career in the big leagues was over, Bertoia earned a university degree. Over the next 30 years, he taught and coached in Windsor at Corpus Christi (now Brennan), Assumption and Holy Names. He served in various capacities over the years with the Tigers and Blue Jays. Reno Bertoia's many honours include election to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and the Windsor-Essex County Sports Hall of Fame. I found the program from the first Tiger game I ever attended, and it was from that wonderful year of 1957. And there was the name on the Detroit line up, Bertoia, third base. Laurie Brett Publisher & Editor Daniel Schwab Staff Reporter Ron Dunn General Sales Manager Cathy Campbell Accounts & Circulation Sarah Krauter Office Tom Warwick, Lana Garant, Mike Krieger Graphic Design Gary Ramsay, Wilber Brett, Judy Brett, Randy Chedour, Pam Sovran Production Subscriptions Canada: $37.10 U.S.: $100.00 (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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