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Whity Free Poes, Wednesday. Deoember 22. 1993, Page 13 Council revers es position on Waller sign FR(iM PAGE 1 and instead proposed thai staff investigate other «traffic calm- techniques. 1he aIse ared te a crossing gard at the intesection. (Altheuh Drumm and ceuncil- 1er John Doîstra joined Fox in supporting the committee recom- mendatien, a tie vote is con- idered lest under council rules. (The decision te have staff etudy alternatives was appreved after Fox stermed eut of the meeting in diegust.) Wihile Batten could net ho rea- ched for comment, Brunelle and Mitchell explained the reasons for changing their votes. Mitchell told The Free Prose that ho nover considered the intersection an appropiate loca- tion for a multi-way stop. "I had driven through it before, it was a calm street, said Mit- chell. "I don't like muIti-way st?~s because they croate hazards,» e said. But last week Mitchell vieited tho spot again -- after the peste wene installed and white mark- ingef painted on the road -- and hd a change of heart. «After the white patches and peste were in it seemed more like a three-wav stop," ho said. Admittin that umaybe it's net the beet place,» Mitchell said that upon revisiting the site and the eoverwhelming residents' feelings," council was right te reverse itseof. 'But I would still say if talking te the people, that they may have created a now hazard,» hoe eaid. «Kide will take it for granted that people will stop. That won't be the case.» Mitchell said hoe did net con- eider the menite of council hold- ing a quick emergency session in privte, rather than waiting uil the next regular public meeting in January. "It was a well attended ope- rations meeting and people were given the impression that there was ne need te attend at coun- cil ... they shouldn't have been,» hoe eaid. «Given the numbere, I gnose we didn't want te wait until after Christmas and beave it te the next council meeting.» Brunelle said hoe still believes the location dees net menit a multi-way stop. But hoe agreed te side with the ma* ority in return for council votng te have staff implement, rather than "tudy", alternative traffic calming techniques. (During Monday's meeting Brunelle argued that stop signe are not intended as speed control dovices and that studies show unnecessary stop signe create more probleme than they solve.) According te Brunelle two issues wore at stake last Wed- nesday -- "What wo do in the on g term and olsewhere in tewn ndwhat we do in that neigh- bourhood,» he said. "If everyone wants it (multi- way stop), I guess they get it. Th at's democracy. Both Brunolle and Fox claimed ne knowledgo of staff beginning work on the intersection before the project received council's blessing. They stressed that it je net rogular practico for Town employees te, initiate euch action on their own. "I think staff believed every councillor was in support of the (committee) recommendation and they were anxious te comply with council'e intention,» said Fox. "It (original -decisien) caught everyone off guard,» he said. Insisting it was unot stafl's fault,» Fox said «mixed mes- sagos" were coming from council. «They assumed it would ho rubber-stamped,"he said. Fox again said that he had commitinents from ail councillors that they would support the coin- mittee recommendation. On a personal note, Fox said ho will reimburse the inunicipa- lity for damages caused when a door he flung open in anger last week, knocked some plastor off the wall. Meanwhile, Waller Street resi- dent and petition organizer Ron McFarlane exrese apprecia- tion te, council for changing its decision. Althou h ho could not eay for certain, M1cFarlane feels some councillors may have underesti- mated the issue'e importanoe te, the neighbourhood. "I don't think councillors were aware of the resolve of the cern- munity and the amount of pres coverage it would get,» he said. "And Mr. Beale wasalase kind enough to lond su pport to it. McFarlane said it will take time before residonts can déter- mine if the stop signe are effec- tive. Motoriste wiII likely drive right thrh it until thoy get accusto- medtogp!Znhe said.»wa made by the works department, McFarlane said council made the right decision. 'I stili think it's in the beet interesta of the residents and the children in particular.» AChristmas poem I looked eut my window And what should I see My wonderful husband With a Charley Brown tree. Ho said "I wanted te surprise you, my little fox." I said "Are the rest of its branches packed in a box." Ho said "What do you mean, it's a beautiful tree." I said "Stick te plumbing and beave tho tree shopping te me." decoratiens gaoro But this little tree was going te need more With patience and love wo decorated together I ho a tnee we'1l rememben ferever. Audrey Dewit Whitby The '~Royal iCanadian Legion Branch No. 112- 117 Byron St. S., Whitby 668-0330 -L [UAP AUTO PARTS PICKERING WHITBY PORT PERRY (905)619-3141 (905)668-680 (905) 985-7100 ùWhitbyransit. "'Ti PLEASE. .. DON'T DRINK & DRIVE Info Number 668-3544 rDUFF'S TO>WING SERVICE Serving Whitby for o ver 25 years 400 Mary St E., Whitby 24 HOUR EVIC