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Health report reviewed by mnsr Page Jake Morrow' s so-called'retirement' Page 20 Homestyle Pages 17,18 Kizzit may stay in town after al Page3 Another Ton taxreez ByMikeKowaisid Whitby residents will enjoy another break from the taxinan in 1995. Barring' last-minute changes, Town council 'was expected to adopt a *26.7-million current or operating budget last night wliich contained no increase in Whitby's portion of the property tax bill. Whitby's share of the overali property tax bill is about 25 per cent. Stili- to be deterniined are budgets for Durham Region (about 20 per cent) and the two school boards (about 55 per cent). Although more than last year's $25.7-million budget, a three per cent growth in property assess- ment and . additional revenue from user fées prevented a miii rate increase. As is usually the case, public works accounted for the largest share of the budget at $7.9 mil- lion. This was foiiowed by protec- tion te, persans and property ( chiefly the fire departmnent) at $6.8 million; generai govern- ment, $5.2 million- parka and recreation, $3.5 million; miscel- laneous a-riants $1.7 million and planning and Jevelopment, ý1.05 million. In addition to, the current budget, council was aiso expected te approve a $1.3-mlhion capital ~budget. This budget covers such items as road construction, facility im- provements and equipment pur- chases, and is financed through a combination of reserve funds, development charges and deen- tures. SU PAGE 10 By MJike Kowalslki A delegation of Wbhitby munici- pal officiais may be travrelling ta China later tbis year. Not known at tbis time is exactly how many people wihl go or the fmal cost. Finance chair Don Mitchell confirmed that a tri pta Weifjang, China was inciude in the 1995 current budget which came before Town council last night (ses separate story). Listed as "municipal cost for economic alliance,» t he proposed excursion carried a $27,500 price tag, but na further details were mentioned- However, Mitchell explained that the trip is part of a recipro- cal arrangement between Wihitby and Weifang wbich is intended ta further ref ations between the two communities. Làast yer, a delegation of Wei- fang offciaIs visited Whitby and some local businesses have made inroads inta the Chinese market. The possibility of the China trip was first raised in last week's Free Press in a letter to the editar from Anderson'Street resident and council 'watchdog' Jim Priest. Priest argued that any politi- cian wishing ta participate should pay hîs/her own way or "use the one-third-tax-free allowance they enjoy.» Mitchell had no qualms about Mayor Tom Edwards and econo- mie deveiopment director Peter Lebel going ta China, but he balked at taxpayers footing the bill for anyone else. "They're contemplating one or two councillors plus an interpre- ter," said Mitchell.* "Personally, I have concerns about anyone other than thase two (EOdwards and Laebel),» he added. Former PAW manageler sues. Town over, firing By Mike KowalèkI Legai action has been initiated against the Town of Whitby by the former manager of the arn- mai contrai centre. A wrongful dismissal lawsuit was fiied by Ross Baibirnie shortiy after bis fhiring almost two weeks ago. Baibirnie was dismised afler Town officiais investigated aile- gtions contained in a letter from former Whitby deputy-clerk James Timlin,' who hunseif had been relieved of bis duties two weeks earlier. Imlin's firing wae unconnec- ted to the. reasons which prmpted Town council to dis- miss Baibirnie, The Free Pres was told. - Baibirnie, who served six years amaaerlof the Thickson Road centre, d eclned to comment on either bis dismissal or the law- suit. He referred The Free Press ta bis iawy.r, Scott Sievert of Toronto. who wae flot ovailable for comment. Whitby councilior Dennis Fox, chair of the Pick *ing-Ajax- 1Wn*tb, Joint Animal, ota KWcommittee, chose his words carefully when discuesing Baibirnie'. termination. "It's naw between the iawyers and it's a personnel matter, I can't say a lot,» said Fox. ai wish the whoie thing hadn't happened because I enjoyed workig ith him for six years as chairman of PAW. I thought he performed his duties very Weil.» However, council had "no choice" but ta take the action it did after thoroughly, investigat- in the« chrp contained in Tiins letter, Fox stressed. "It wasn't an the basis of the letter, but it got aur attentio'n,» he admitted. "'Once you go beyond the letter there were ather things. We had ta do what we feit was best for everyone.» Although funded 4y the three municipalities which.make up PAW,- the animal control centre workers are, considered Town of Whitby. employees, Fox exp aied. «nhe other municipalities con- tribute ta their salaries, but at the inception of PAW it was feit best ta have one master and it's under aur man eent," he said. Therefore, hiMtby is likely liable for the entire cost of defending Balbirnie's lawsuit, Fox assumed. "Hopefully if People have clear heads, there shouldn't be sub- stantial leal caste,» he said. Fox dechned ta comment.an Timlin'sfiring. Timlin, hired juet lat fail, also refused ta comment on bis dis- missal, but he does not plan ta fighit it. «When yauIre an prabation, it's difficult. fTeY've. got yau by the shorts »'he said. Timiin did- not deny writing the latter -about Baibirmie, but, would not discuss its contents. "I just want ta get an with my lif. and move forwiard, he said. Tnp to China proposd i udet . . 3vw...........::..:...:. . .