COMMUNITY FOCUS
Staying current on the ocean of life
By Lisa Etherington-Runions As a child, Dean Swift was inspired and captivated by the stories of the sea. He was intrigued by stories of pi- rates and lost souls and their adven- tures. Swift, one of nine children, grew up in Cornwall on what is now known as Sun- nyside Avenue, then an unnamed lane on the outskirts of the city. He attended schools in Cornwall, includ- ing Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School, and at the early age of 17, chose to join the Royal Canadian Navy as the only affordable way to accomplish a desire, to travel and be on the ocean. His mother, never doubting him for a moment, had the greatest influence on his life. For five years, Swift served on a de- stroyer, an aircraft carrier and a subma- rine as a radio operator, and despite his trade, which he disliked with a passion, found the experience to be both enjoyable and beneficial. This had a lasting effect on his adult life. Swift’s service introduced him to several cultures in more than a dozen countries from England to Uruguay, igniting his de- sire to travel. The hardest part of his chosen profession was the learning of skills that were com- pletely new to him, and although Swift was, and is, tenacious, focused and opti- mistic, the learning of his trade with the RCN stands out as his least enjoyable learning experience. The building of his yacht, the Lucky Linda, a 15 year project, stands out as his most enjoyable learning experience. Sailing is city resident Dean Swift’s biggest passion The proposed condo project to be built on part of a paved parking lot east of the civic centre apparently would require giv- ing away or selling city owned property to a developer. This is an ill-advised proposal and the question is it in the best interest of general public or the self interest of but a few? A year ago the new waterfront committee with 80 per cent new members, which gave them an automatic majority at their first meeting, saw fit to stop short an ongoing re- quest for proposal (RFP) which was on up- grade Pointe maligned (look out park plan). By so doing they avoided a public meeting which was to be the next step in the process. This plan would have allowed vehicle ac- cess enabling seniors and those confined to wheel chairs and others the opportunity to get up to and enjoy the best view of any spot on Cornwall’s beautiful waterfront. Those plans by then waterfront committee To the editor:
but she is not an offshore sailor, and toler- ates my being away from home for lengthy periods so that I may indulge my- self in my passion,” explains Swift, who now has his sights set on Buenos Aires after cruising the Mediterranean. En route he will visit ports of North Africa, the At- lantic Islands and South America. Swift has self-published a number of books of his sailing exploits, and has helped others to self-publish their works in his print shop. His website, www.cornwallauthorsdi- rectory.net features various local authors and their work. His latest publication “The Perfect Mix” featuring twelve local authors is on display this month at the Cornwall Public Library. As a local publisher, he finds the experi- ence interesting, and rewarding as he helps people to reach their goal of becom- ing published. “Being successful is achievement,” states Swift. “I find the whole exercise both edu- cational and enjoyable.” “As long as I am able, both physically and mentally, I intend to continue my travels with my yacht, Lucky Linda, and to write and publish accounts of these ad- ventures. My work usually consumes most of my waking hours, I find this re- laxing.” When Swift has free time he mostly uses reading as an instrument to help him with his current project. Swift also enjoys music and listens to tango. “Sifting through ideas concerning my next ocean voyage is what I really like to do.” Swift readily admits if he had a day, week, or year to go anywhere he wanted and to do anything he liked he would go everywhere, and do everything. Swift no doubt has led an interesting life. Reflecting on his life, he knows there are more adventures on the horizon. When asked what his greatest accom- plishment, or achievement has been he simply says with a mischievous grin “That has yet to come.” To the editor: I had tomake a trip to the hospital over the weekend with my three-year-old son who was suffering from an ear infection. I must say that I was pretty relieved that all of the staff I dealt with could speak French since my son does not understand any Eng- lish. From the nurses at the triage and regis- tration desks to the nurse and doctor that examinedmy son in the ER, the fact that they were bilingual took away all of the fear and anxiety for my son. It was very comforting for him to be able to understand their ques- tions and to be able to respond on his own. It made for such an easier visit. Here we have yet another reason why Cornwall needs it’s bilingual staff at the hos- pital. A big thanks to all of the staff involved in my sons visit last Sunday morning, March 11th. Your professionalismwas much appre- ciated. Bilingualism appreciated
Special photo The building of his yacht Lucky Linda, named after his wife, stands out as Dean Swift’s most enjoyable learning experiences.
Toronto area. Swift credits his wife Linda, also a native
From his experience in carpentry one motto stands out in his daily life “start
of Cornwall for all the sup- port he has received over the years in accomplishing his goal. “I am married to a wonder- ful and tolerant woman” states Swift. “We have trav- elled together to some off- shore countries, and plan to see more.” So far, Swift has managed
square – finish square,” thus the perfection in the building of his yacht. The yacht, named after his wife Linda, is a testa- ment to his endurance and his personal strength of re- solve. Swift lost two children at an early age due to com- mon sicknesses, and later
“Sifting through ideas concerning my next ocean voyage is what I really like to do.” Dean Swift Cornwall sailor and author
in taking his yacht as far as Portugal. “My wife enjoys the water and the boat,
adopted two children, daughters, who are both happily married and living in the
LETTERS/OPINION
Waterfront committee off the mark with proposal
tion, and make no mistake about it Pointe Maligne is entwined in the history of the loy- alists that settled here, and should never be forgotten. This current waterfront committee has not
were made in the best interest of the general public and when completed would have been a jewel on our waterfront. The current committee members obviously though they knew better than the waterfront
shown any respect for water- front plan, the previous water- front committee, and the very important history of Pointe Maligne. Cornwall has a very beautiful waterfrontand it will remain as such unless something man- ages to screw it up. This waterfront c proposal if
plan and the previous water- front committee, yet they have been reluctant to explain their position. The fact is, they’ve been hid- ing from the public view for over a year now. Pointe Maligne is brought into this discussion as I believe its relevant in that its an out-
“The fact is, they’ve been hiding from the public view for over a year now.” Bill Beattie
allowed to happen will do just that. I would suggest the maximumnew tax rev- enue for the city could come from the devel- opment of the old Water Street Arena site as opposed to waterfront committee’s pro- posed plan.
standing issue, and this waterfront commit- tee doesn’t wish to discuss it, nor do they want the legion ball diamonds to be dis- cussed. They very existence of Cornwall as we know it to be came about as a result of the very strong willed people loyal to the British crown who were forced out of the American colonies at the time of the American revolu-
Bill Beattie Cornwall
Daniel Léger Cornwall, Ont.
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