The Mennonites are not a unified whole. There are Mennonites that fit the popular imagination, but I also went to university with dyed haired, tattooed, and pierced Mennonites. Neither of these two groups represent the whole Mennonite community and neither should they be expected to. Of course Reeve Pinkerton is a sensible man and wouldn't ever dream of doing such a silly thing. The Mennonites are not so strange, despite appearances and expectations.
Chances are that they want to farm, raise their kids, go to church.
Not all that different from many of the farming families of Chisholm. And probably they will make good neighbours too. Just like the other hard working farm families of Chisholm. I understand Mayor Young's interest in welcoming these families and the potential benefits they may add to the community, but I hope his words in the News doesn't represent his wider view of community. They are not from Mars, they are only from Southern Ontario.