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PAGE 6, WH3ITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988> Mauîc "44he LA>up VOICE 0F THE COUNTI r e ~ww I *~VUUUTAWM t. By 677.209 Ontario Inc. Phone: 668-6111 Doug Anderson Publisher Peter Irving Advertising Manager, Alexandra, Simon Production Manager 131 Brock Street North, P.O.iBox 206, Whitby, Ont. The only Whtby newspaper lndependently owned and operated by Whitby residentS for Whftbyresldefts. The announcement was, as one Town councillor put it Monday night, Ilong- awaited." But the design stages are now underway for a much-needed recreatiofi complex in Whitby that wilI both extend certain existing facilities that are at capacity, such as the pool and library, and add new ones, such as a fitness facility, to "offer a greater service to the public," as a parks and rec report indicates. The acrimony that marked a Previous Needed facility recreationfifacility d ebate among counicillors was entirely absent on this occasion, as, again, steady growth lias forced necessary action. The location at Rossland and Brock seems appropriate, the design promises to be exciting, and ýRS-FROM OUR tag of almost $14 million flot escalate too much in upcoming years as the project, is carried out. That expenditure will flot be acceptable to aIl. But if our council members can assure that the new f acility, in conjunctiofi with more commulitY schools, will be able to accommodate residents' varying recreaticif needs for many years to conie, the project deserves support. RZEADERS Tnwn sliould correct ward.population iimbalance To the editor-- In 1968 the Town of Whitby end the Township of Whitby amalganiated to form a new, enlarged municipa]ity. The new Town was divided into the present four wards for electoral purposes. Towi councillors were electe d from each ward together with the mayor, reeve and deputy-reeve rnaking an 11- member council to govern a population of more than 23,000 people. In 1973 the Region of Durhami was formed and some authority was trensferred from the local council to the Region. Only one councillor was elected from each ward and with the mayor and two regional councillors, a seven-mnember council governed a population of abut 2'7,000 people. The Town of Whitby now has a population of more than 48,000 people yet there has not been any change in the ward boundaries in more than 20 years. Most people are aware that the federal and provincial governments' alter their electoral boundaries every 10 years after the census to give more equatable representation to population. Presently, the number of electors in the east ward is more than four times the number in the north ward. The west ward has more than three times the number and the centre ward has more than double the number of electors to that of the north ward. After trying for more than five years, an additional regional councillor will be added this year. Council's argument for an additional regional councillor was that Whitby had unfair representation at regional council in relaation to its population. It's strange that we have not heard this same argument used to justify an additional local councillor and give fairer Where is Canada Day sprt nWiby? To the editor. The approach of another Canada Day stirs in me feelings of pride in our country, and gratitude for living where we do, as well as a desire ta celebrate Oanada's birthday with, our chIldren. Unfortunately, to take part in a community celebration it is necessary to leave Whitby and go to Oshawa's Lakeview Park, or fiirther afield. Lest yeer we visited Cullen Gardens and enjoyed the fireworks. This year we will celebrate with our neighbors at Ashburn. Not everyone is as fortunate or as mobile as we are, and, for many, this will be no different'from any other day off. Where is our community spiit in Whitby? A celebration need not cost a lot, or be a sophisticated affair (remember how unwieldy the old Çounty Town Cernival became), but it should have the backing of our local politiciens. A simple picnic at Heydenshore Park, with the s.-inging of 0 Canada would be of minimal cost. The children could send off messages in helium-filled invited to perform. For goodness sake, let's do something as a communityl Such outward signs bear an important message to our children. Let's hope that July 1, 1989 will be a day ta remember in Whitby. Happy Birthday Canada! Si ncerely, Jacky Bramma Whitby urban area of the municipality. It would be so simple to divide the southern three wardls into four wards and provide an additional local councillûr. This coming election caîls for council to consist of eight members. The vast majoiity of councils consist of an odd number of members to facilitate majority decisions. An additional local council would aive council mine members and far better representation to population. Council is aware of the imbalance in ward populations but has taken no action to correct this situation. It's unusual that the Corridor Area Ratyepayers Association has not taken up this challenge for improved :epresentation in their area. Local government is closest to the people. New homeowners are more interested in local problemns like garbage collection, local planning and recreation facilities than broader problems of the more senior levels. This makes for more work by local councillors. It's ironic that if a council passes a bylaw to change its warc bounderies, then the bylaw requires 0MB approval. There.is, however, nothing to requirE ward populations are cisproportionate. It shouldn't be too difficuit for the Province to require ward boundary revisions every 12 years or fourth election if population has increased by a certain percentage. The only reason, I can see, why council took no action is that they wented one more termn with the old guard in control. With two local councillors running1 for regional council, two new members will be elected to council. If an additional ward was available, three. newi members might be too many to control. The Province might argue ta 1if they were to require ward boundard changes, that they maý be considered as interfering wil* local automony. Surely it shouléC be a priority to requiri 1 nunicipalities to give soin( 3 adherence to the principal o ?representation by population ix rfast growing areas. Itf! something that the Provincg il requires of itself every 10 years. i ~Yours trub3 9 Forbes N. McEwe 3, Whitb Prettiest Street hurts retaillers To the editon: Approval of the "Prettiest Street in Ontario" by the Whibtby administrative committee as reported June 22 in your newspaper will provide yet another blow to the deveopment of downtown Whitby. I tatally disagree with the statement "these shops will be supported by tourist traffic and would not be dépendant on attracting spending of Whitby's residents away fromn other retailing-in the town." If there are 25 différent shops each highlighting -q specific home hendcraft, 1 should think the local public of Whitby could simaply go from one store ta another and find al they need rather than seeking out a small store like mine in downtawn Whitby. I do not believe I can possibly compete with this kind of specialization and I arn already making plans ta, move elsewhere. Thank you Whitby, for once again shooting yourself in the foot. Sincerely, J. Hastie Turtlecreek Classics LETTERS The Whitby Free Press welcomes letters to the Editor on any subject of concern to our readers. Letters should be brief and to the point - rarely more than 300 words. Ail letters must be accompanied by the name, address and phone number of the writer; however, on request, your name may be withheld from publication if we agree that there is a valid reason. The paper reserves the right to rejeet or edit ail letters. Send to: The Editor, Whitby Free Press, Box 206, Whitby, Ontario .LI 5a4d lruM M' 3i I~ t ? I.CS~N. ý4&yoixre on your own nfl Wkid! Lýý dm m 1 ivwwn .MIL 1%.Ar . v v «MI6 amý