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Page 4, Whtby Fre. Press, WechiesdaY, December 22 1993 No increase in hydiro irates By Mike Kowali There will be ne extra charge for electricity in Whitby next year. Last week, the Whitby Hydre Electric Commission voztot freeze hydre rates at 1993 levels. Cost savings stemming from the Ontario government's social contract legislation and other budget-cutting measures allowed the commission te give its 21,000 residential and commercial usera a break in 1994. The zero pr cent increase was a far cryfrom las t year's rate hike wben Whitby Hydre custo- mers were jolted by a 7.9 per cent increase. Although Ontario Hydre will net be increasing rates charged te municipal utilitios in 1994, a commission pross release notes that other costs associated with operating the utility have rison «substantially» during the past year. But commissieners were able te avoid a.rate hike by reducing their capital budget net hiring previously approved. staff and improvig "«eliiencios» in al aroas, the release states. In Oshawa, fer example, the Oshawa Public Utilities Commis- sien will be charging its custo- mers twe per cent more in 1994. Commission chair Gerald Cox admnitted it will be a "bit of a challenge" for Wbitby Hydro.te perform at existing service "We're still growing, there are more servicing pressures than before,» said Cox. "But ]Pm satisfied we can do it without raisin g costs,,"lho said. Coz said Whitby Hydre will have te forego "an additional body or two» in its engineering andl billing departments, as well as making more use of part-time employees. In addition, projected social contract savings of more than $268,000 over tho next tbree years wil be used te reduce future rate increases, Cex noted. Ini order te achieve a zero incroase, last year's capital budget was reduced from $2.6 million te $1.9 million explained general manager Tom gay. «We had intentions ef replac- ing some vehicles in '94 but we're net doing it for at ieast another year,» said May. "Vie aise beld off on hiring peope," ho said. M est of the "chopping» was dene te the capital budget, May noted, since there was little room te cut the operating budget, aise about $2 million, any further. The average monthly hydre bill in Whitby je about $70. Wbitby Hydre bas 18,000 rosi- dential custemers and 3,500 in- dustrial and commercial usera. Uniîted Way close to target CORPORATION 0F THE TOWN OF WHITBY IMPORTANT NOTICE 1993 CHRISTMASINEW YEAR'S HOLIDAY GARBAGE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION SCHEDULE Duning tho Holiday Season the normal garbage and recycling collection routine will be changed as follows: Normal Collection Day* December 24, 1993 Decemnber 27, 1993 December 28, 1993 January 3, 1994 Revlsed Collection Daya Thursday W enesdaY, Thursday, Tuesday, December 23, 1993 December 29,1993 December 30,1993 January 4, 1994 Please refer te the Holiday Garbage Collection Notice delivered te each household. Normal garbage and recycling collection wvilI resume, starting on Januafy 4, 1994, on yourclesignated collection day. Note: Your recycling collection week as per the 1994 Blue Box Collection Schedule will net change during the year, unless you have been notified ef a change. Please remember that al GAR.EAGE and RECYCLLABLE.S should be placed eut by 7:00 arn on your regular or revised collection day as indicated above. CHRISTMAS TREES will only be collected as per your 1994 Bflue Box Collection Schiedule as follws: Week et January 1 Oth - the yellow area as indicated on the map inside the schedule. Week of January llth - the green area as inclcated on the map insicie the schedule The rees wiN be collected by separate refuse trucks and vif I be taken te the compost site. Please remove aIl nails, tinsel and wooden or metal tree stands. Any treoe ver 2.1 metres (lft) must be cut in half. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your cooperation and patience during the Holidy Season. Should you require additional information. please cal us- PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OPERATIOt4S CENTRE Moriday te Friday 7:30 arn - 4:00 pmn 668-3437 United Way campaign workers are close te reacbing thieir goal. The anieunt pledged and pro- jetd now tetas $3,014,000, or 98C8 per cent of the goal of $3.05 million for the municipalities of Whitby Oshawa and Clarington. With $40,000 remaining te reach the goal, "Every person can help, there is ne such thing as an incensequential gift," says campaign director Robert Howard. "At this moment thero are campaigns in progress, whicb must be complote as projected, and we are aIse beoking at a few remainingkey prospects. "If al gees well, it would be a wonderful gift te the community te be able te say that wo have reach our goal." Five of the past six United Way campaigns have. fallen short of tMeir goal. Anyone wanting te help wyith thefialstaesofthe campaign, that was extended beyond the Dec. 15 deadline, or who wishes te make a donation, can cal 436-7377. Assault charge laid A dispute over smoking in a downtown Whitby restaurant Hallmark Ornaments Gift Wrap e Boxed Cards Napkins e Plates Decorations 25 Thlckson Rd. N. *(across from the Brick) WHITBY -Je 43217660 !GIVE YOURSELF WARMTH THIS CHRISTEIAS! !JInsaIiatolS eaTriweeaitbe HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING LTD. WHITBY/OSHAWA -436-3212 PICKERING/AJAX - 428-0333 onded up with the ottendor hav- ing his clavicle broken and the owner facing charges of assault causing bodily harmn. Police say the victim and a friend lit up cigarettes at Big Boy Pizza and Chicken, 204 Brock St. S. whilo they woro having lunch bec. 13. The owner, a 34-year-old Whitby man, asked them to leave because smoking isn't allowecl thero. Police say it's net clear what happened next. The victim dlaims ho was ready te leavo and the owner grabbed him and shook him, breaking bis clavicle. The other smoker wasn't hurt. Police investigated the case and charged the owner Sunday. Breakm thwarted Two would-be video store rob- bers were caught in the act Sunday afternoon. Police say the son of the owner of Ambassador Video 350 Gar- don St. N., was eutside around 4 p.m. when he overheard someone at the back say 'this won't be s0 bard te pop.' Ho rounded the cerner at the rear of the store and surprised a woman holdingas screwdriver and a man .Tho uspects ran when they saw hlm ceming. ]Bltýood donoiE»r clinie TFiiesdae-y A special blood donor chnic will be held at the Whitby Legion Hall on Bing Day, Tuesday, Dec. 28 from 10 a.m. te 3 p.m. PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL COST FREE CONSULTATION to discuss your treatment needs and to take away your fears. Fui y quali ied technologists in the field Established sinoe 1983 Doctor referraf s Member of Efecirolysis Assoc. cf Ontario Lori Thachuk 666-2853 *QuaIityTrealimeni Witli Resutse 209 Dundas St. E. Whitby Corporate Centre, Sute 305 Fr1 day, Mo nday, Tuesday, Monday, 1