Dear Editor,

One of the glories of Western Civilization was the tradition of the public meetings in the Agora of Athens, where people like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and many others met to exchange ideas with any persons, including slaves.

An echo of that tradition exists in the regular open meetings held at our local CEED centre. The attendees range through PhDs, retired teachers, students, housewives, the homeless, candidates for municipal, provincial, and federal office, rightists and leftists. all are welcome.

Topics discussed have ranged from The Tea Party Manifesto to home remedies.

The accepted code means that every opinion will be respected.

But the discussions have had a host of practical outcomes. A brief list will include E.S.L. classes, art and choral activities, free access to computers, organic and community gardening initiatives, providing facilities to a church group to serve meals, support for a food co-op, the food-bank, environmental issues, GETI, and Girl Guides.

Naturally, visitors and volunteers are always welcome.

Any undesirable activities in the open area next to the site are entirely beyond CEED's wishes and control.

Charles Ellman, Maple Ride