“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”

So begins Charles Dickens’ classic novel, A Tale of Two Cities. And so begins the next four years of reign in Ontario and Caledon. Will heads roll like in the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror, or will cooler heads prevail? The superlatives of comparison made me wonder about something closer to home.

If you live in Canada, you are well aware that June 6, 2018 is Tim Horton’s Camp Day. Choosing the right Camp for your children is a very important process for parents. Choosing the camp that you are in is also very important for adults. You get known by the company you keep. Let us reflect on a modern “Tale of Two Camps” and decide which one we want our children to attend.

Both camps share the opposite shorelines of a beautiful central Ontario lake. They both have adequate cabins for the campers and traditional lodges for meals and camp singsongs and an identical selection of activities for children to enjoy. However, for whatever reason, the personalities of the campers who go to these camps is very different.

Camp A is filled with campers who are happy, positive, empathetic and intelligent. They work together to solve problems, sing through rainy day weather, and help out without being asked. They are highly skilled in all of the activities, hardly ever missing a target in archery, and rarely tip a canoe. If they do tip over, they rescue the canoe quickly and never blame their paddling partners. They write thoughtful letters to their families every week, share their tuck shop treats, and always speak respectfully to their peers and counsellors.

Camp B, on the other hand, is filled with what my dear departed Mom used to call Negative Nellies. For whatever reason, the campers are always looking for the worst in other people and bring out the worst in each other. They have potty mouths, insult other campers, and put down just about every good idea the camp counsellors develop.

They complain about everything, rarely help the camp accomplish anything positive unless it makes them look good, and constantly grandstand for attention. If their canoe tips, they always blame their paddling partners. They never thank their families for giving them the opportunity to go to this beautiful camp and they rarely speak respectfully to their peers and counsellors.

You, very caring parent, have a choice of sending your child to Camp A or Camp B. Choose wisely.

And have a Happy Camp Day on June 6, 2018.

***

Skid Crease, Caledon

There is a rumour in Caledon that stores are running out of purple paint. This would be unusual if it were not for the upcoming Ontario elections. Certain candidates, not wishing to be associated with the orange, green and red of the left of centre, or the new blue of the far right of centre, have chosen the colour purple as their compromise.

So what exactly does the colour purple symbolize? Traditionally purple is associated with royalty. luxury, power and ambition. A light lilac purple evokes an aura of feminine energy and mystery whereas deep purple indicates gloom, sadness and frustration. If you have too little purple you get powerlessness, negativity and apathy. But if you get too much purple you are surrounded by irritability, impatience, moodiness and arrogance. Clearly, purple is a colour that evokes many subliminal responses in people and can deliver a mixed and confusing message.

However, when used by political candidates, the message is clear. We, the comfortable electorate, will have no real idea on which side of the fence or the political spectrum he or she stands. Their purple is a perplexing conundrum and lacks clarity and transparency. It is a purple wool being pulled down over our eyes.

To make it absolutely clear how insidious this subliminal advertising is, consider these definitions from Jennifer Bourn writing for the Bourn Creative in January 2011: “The term ‘purple prose’ is used in reference to large exaggerations, lies, and highly imaginative writings. The expression ‘purple speech’ is used to describe profanity and bad language. The saying ‘purple haze’ refers to confusion or euphoria which may be drug-induced.”

During this upcoming election cycle, if you see candidates advertising in purple you should be aware of the subliminal advertising involved. Consider that Hank’s wife Marie in the hit series Breaking Bad always wore the colour purple, a misleading attempt to delude herself and others into thinking she was royalty. When they write brochures in “purple prose” and speak in “purple speech” they may be in a “purple haze” and want you to be just as confused when you vote.

I haven’t seen anything purple on the lawns or roadsides yet as this provincial election heats up, but there is a municipal election coming, so keep up your guard. We don’t need any purple reign in Caledon. Long live the red, orange, green and Bill Davis blue.

The way I see it.

***

Skid Crease, Caledon

There is a fellow citizen in Caledon who offered me wonderful words of wisdom today. Crystal Larouche wrote in an email that we should all try to be nicer. Beautiful.

Unfortunately, I am an only child, alpha male, and if anything threatens my pack, I go on instant defense mode. So was the case when I was sent Crystal’s Facebook blog about members of Town Council who I deeply respect. Sorry Crystal, when you attack mine, I respond.

Before she reminded us all to play nice, this is what Crystal wrote: that the Mayor and his cronies were all rich landowners. First, Crystal is partially correct here. The Mayor, as a result of approved land sales , made a mint. And the false charges brought against the  Mayor by Darnley and Bristol were not “dropped” as you wrote – he was found innocent of any wrongdoing and the complainants were charged $90,000 in court costs

The Mayor is legitimately a wealthy landowner, as are many political candidates in rurban and urban settings. With no children to take on the family farm, owners have no choice but to sell to developers.

Dear Crystal, Jennifer Innis is NOT a rich landowner, Johanna Downey is NOT a rich landowner. Their parents, or in-laws as in Ms. Downey’s case, may become rich landowners if they sell to urban development but what’s it to ya”? Not your land, not your problem. For a farming family to give up their historical title to a rapacious developer is not an easy thing. It cuts to the soul. But when the children move on and out, and no one is left to take care of the farm, what next?

In the meantime, in their roles as democratically elected politicians, do they each do a respectful and intelligent job representing their constituents? Absolutely yes! And we all have to remember that Bolton is NOT the Town of Caledon, or the belly button of the world.

Next, Crystal, sweet nice Crystal, wrote that those same members of Town Council treat their citizens “like shit”. .. her words, not mine. Really?! And you had the audacity to call me a bully? Dear sweet Crystal, saying that the democratically elected members of your Town Council are treating you “like shit” is hardly a “nicer” comment.

In summary, the Mayor was cleared of all false charges and awarded court costs. Any innuendo that he was guilty of anything is smear. The complainants were charged for court costs and who paid for that is still a mystery. The Regional Councillors you attacked are people who care, NOT like those funded by litigious developers. We’re not left with much here Crystal.

Yes, we should all try to be nicer.

Sincerely,

Skid