The Globe and Mail

Whatever you might think of the outer reaches of Durham Region, you have to admire the efforts of city officials to sustain the character of an upright small town in a world of interminable technological progress. When you call Ajax's city hall, for instance, the automated switchboard will allow you to report littering or vandalism to a voice-mail extension before it will patch you through to the person with whom you wish to speak. It's a charming touch, though it's hard to imagine the litter bugs and scalawags of this city of nearly 85,000 shaking in their Airwalks.