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bAGE 4, WE»NESDAY, JLLY 7, 1976, WHITBY FREE PRESS whtbys Voice of the Cou nty To' iERVUNG OVER 28,000 READERS.' Published every-Wednesday Sby M.B.M. Pul and Photograp The Froe Press 8 BurgssPublshe-Mangin Edior.121 Brock Street f BurgsspubBherMangingEdior.Whtby, Ontario, Assi stant Editor - B3lake Purdy Community Editor - Brian Winter' Contributlng Editor - Jimn Qui Production Manager - Marie Burgess Display Advertising Manager - llishing Robin Lyon phy Inc. Classified Ad Manager - Marlene Byrooi Circulation Manager - Sharon Lyon Box 206, Whiutby. North, Plno 668-6111: Toronto Lune 282-1004 Why tM twinnrng works The recent twinning ceremonies. between Whitby and Longueuil,* Quebec, proved that English and French Canadians cati, indeed, get along together. The ceremonies, held from June 25 to 27 in Longueuil, were, as they have been for the eight years of their existence, a smashing success, despite the language barrier. The personal Meationships between individual people in both communi lies, which have been established over the history of the twinning, overcome the *language barrier. Many of the people who participate in the exchange visits have been doing so for several years and have devetoped *lasting frk-,,idships between themselves and citizens of their twin community. * But, it is the behind-the-scenes work of people like Tom Edwards and Bih Wallace who, by keeping every- thing running smoothly, allow a trouble-free atmosphere to prevafl throuébout the ceremonies. It îs the atmosphere which makes possible the interaction which results in the establishment of frlendly relationships among the people of Whitby and Longueuil. By-law will clecrn Reaction ta minimum property standards by-Iaw up town The minimum- property standards by-law, if properly enforced, will do a great deal in hbelping to beautify our town. When passed, it will give the administrators of the town the power to force delinquent owners to clea *n up thefr properties so that they no longer continue as eyesores to the rest of the community, the members of which are generally conscien- tious when it cornes to keep*- ing their properties in good shape . One of the main purposes of the by-law is to force action by delinquent property owners who have in the past shown no interest in cleaning up their messes. As the architeets of the by-law have pointed out, the town will flot go out of its way looking for trouble in the formn of paint-peeling off an eavestrough or patio stones slipping out of place. if situations like those are acted upon by the standards officer, the property owner can appeal to a c<mmittee, the members of which have been described by theby-law's architects as being "i ntell igen t" "human" and "discreet"* peuple, capable of Judging fairly. We think and hopeIliat the by-law will succeed in mgking Whltby a etter f rom outright reseniment ta boisterous- support -By BLAKE PURDY Staff Writer Reaction 10 the draft minimum property standards by-law, presented 10 the public ai a meeting last week, ranged from outrigbt rescrnt- ment to boisterous support. Approxiniately two dozen residents attended the meet- ing 10 hear and commient on a presenlation of the bylaw by Hugh Nicliol, the town's solicitor. Ouiright resentruent was expressed by one mani who cbarged that thic by-law is "&an invasion of privacy" hy allowing the property stand- ards officer to cuter and inspect dwellings. 1lîowever, as Mr. Nichol puînted out1, the officer ntay only enter a dwclling witlî the owner's consent or witlî a searcli warrant. The saie resident coin- plained Ibat the by-law "will add 10 inflation" by forcinîg owners lu sheîl outi uîouîey 1( mnake repairs. I le also> (uestioiued tlîe fairness of itie 50 chuarge tu owners who request a certi- cale of corupliance fvornftlie satisfied properiS' standards officer. - Mvr. Nichol pointed out1 iliat thie clialîge is intended fo hold downa the number of people, aitenîpîirig 10 selI their liouses, who request certificates as a selling poit le addcd iliat most people whose houses are inspecicd by tlîe propcrty standards officer and found in compli- ance will be given certificates free of charge. Most of tlhe couilents, however, wcre less negative that those of tlie aforenien- tioned resident. "We sure as heil nced this by-law," one man said. "Tlîank God for îlîis by-law' He said that a lîousc ncar bis has heen allowed lu deler- ioraîc lu the point where it nîay drag the value of luis lîouse down. Meniihers, of counicil also exprcssed ibeir support for the by-law, whicli lias hiecu iow yea vs in diec nia kinig. AIl poiuîted (out flat thie towul will nul go ouI t o'ils way lu fiuîd suh-standavd im>peu tues. It will pro- hably ouly iiispect pruper- tics %wlîicli people biave couluplaine d abhou t or w luicI arc obhvieus ceycsurcs. i'cy zalsu puuunted out Ili t (lie uuieibcrs ofIlIte pro- pevty standards cotiiiittee, whicb wilItear appeals, is nade np of""inîtelligcnt", "homa" an d ' serete" people, ctipablc of judging t'airy Councillor Bob Carson said "Thlis by-law is needed 10 protecc cadi and everyoue of us and muade tlîis iown a beiter place tw file",. Thie main objective of tlie by-law. he said, 15 10 nail people whîo have bouglit pro- pcrty as an investîiient and Ici it deteriorate arîd uot to crate "a police state" as sorne people fear. Counicillor Gcrry Enn said iiat thie purpose of the by-law is "to cîcaui up those places W'îcre tlie people arc îoo lazy to îry. There arc soniîe people wlio donît cave". "Wc're out io give people thie f i0rinss", lie said. Counillor Keni I fuflîbï said the by-law, "will protect tUi1 of, uis". "At leasi 98 per cenit of thie people in tlîis rnicipali- ty will have nu difficulty with Ibis by-law; two per cent will have great difficulty witl iti", h- said, "You have lu cri- force thelic îinority 10 l)rutecI thie majoriiy". 'I t's un tb*r*,,uiie we have lu go tiîs rouite", Counicillor I obbs said but addcd Iliat, withLuot Itie by-lawf, "It is aluuîost .imipossible lu con- denin any property. In order 10 puotect legally tlie tax- payers of this mufficipality we have 'to have minimum standards". Ile believes that the by-law will be admninistered fairly. "My assurances are with the conimitice because we have five men who will rule with an open hieart and a rirrn hand". "There has to be sonie flcxibility and that flexibility lias to be in the hands of the comrittee", Counicillor llobbs said. Councillor Don Lovelo ck made a strong eniotional speech about the need for the by-law. "You wouldn't believe sounie of the conditions wel- l'are recipients are living in", lie said. "If peo* ')l could see soine of these conditions I t.tinkhey would understand the iutent of ibis by-law". "This will provide people with the gun to declare war with tic danin slumi absenie landlords vc have ini Ibis town" Couticillor Lovclock said. "Il is flot 11Y jutent to SuIport ibis d oclnien t 10 go around nit picking", lic said. ('ouncillor i oy Thoinpson said "We do have some atrocious properties but our biauds are lied without the by-lav;",. "We've uîot oui 10 gct the ordinary wurking mn likc mosi lfornîs of govertnnent sccrn to be-, we'Weout to get the big guy", she said. "We want to get rid of the vacant lots with 10 feet of weeds". Mayor Jim Gartshore sumrned up. "We have f?.-und that there are a number of properties in the town that we are ashamied of but, apparently, the owners are flot", hie said and that the by-law is the only device capable of doing something about il. "Reason and comimon sense have 10 be used", in order to make the by-law work, Mayor Gartshiore said. "We don't intend 10 hire people 10 go out and look for trouble". le said the by-law will lessen the possibility of block-busting wîicre a devel- oper buys property and lets il detcriorate eithier until cither neighibouring property values decrease lu Ithe point whiere lie can afford to buy theuui or until the toxvn wil lIihimi do virtuaHly anything wifith le property as long as lie gels rid ofw~hat is there. Mavor Gartsîtore added that , although the by-law bas iiol yet heeri passed, il is already hiavinig an effect. The fact tihat the by-Iaw lias been i thelienîaking for sonlie Uinie bias encouraged delinquent propcrty .)\ývers 10 dlean up Ilîcir nel: SORRY, a Admpý m