The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1980, PAGE 5 Board to be icongratulated During the past six mon tbs, the Envirorfmental Assessment Board bas been conducting public hearings in the Town of Ajax on a proposal by the Region of Durlaam to cofivert the Ajax Sewage Treatinent* Plant to a liquid industrial waste treatment facility. The public hearings, designed to gatber in- formation and hear public views on the proposal, are now Las Vegas The casinos of Las Vegas will be coming to Whitby July 26, when the Station Gallery presents its annual Las Vegas Night in conjun- ction with the Town Car- nival. Las Vegas Nigh t, one of the Station Gallery's fund raising events, will feature favorite games of chance (and skill> including black- jack and crown and anchor. The casino doors open at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, July 96, and the wheel of fortune will keep spinning'ili 1: 00 a.m. Admission is $1.00 and is restricted to those 19 and over. A cash bar will be available during the evening. o.. ** - . . s complete. The task of the board's members at this point is to deliberate on the written and verbal presentations made, and to arrive at a recommendation for submission to the En- vironment Approvals Brandi of the Ontario Mlnlstry of the Environinent. Once the approvals brandi of the ministry receives the recommendations of the Environmental Assessinent Board, it is up to thein to decide if a certificate of approval wiil be issued and if so, witb what conditions. If tbe approvals branch decides a certificate of approval will not be issued, I can guarantee, the project is finisbed. If a certificate of approval is issued, then the Region of Durbam wiil consider the merits of proceeding with the project, based on any conditions at- tacbed to the certificate of approval, including financial im- plications. I think this six montb exercise bas been education al and reassuring for us ail. In December of last year, there was a great deal of confusion surrounding the procedures to be foilo-wed by the board, the lengtb of timne available for in- terested people to make their views known, and/or what topies could and would be discussed at tbe bearings. Many of my constituents believed the public hearing would only last one day, December 17. They were very unhappy about the minimum preparation time allowed, and the scheduled date just prior to Christmnas. As I explained at the time, the hearings would be conducted much longer *tban one day, and the. pre-Christmas meeting was only meant as an orgamizational get-together. Throughout the hearings, the board members were very accomodating in order to ensure everyone who wished to do so hadan opportuity to be heard. Initially many people expressed tbeir concerri to me that in- terested citizens wer e not equipped to communicate effec- tively before the board on such a higbly technical issue as liquid waste and its disposal. Very early in tbe hearings, the board was able to reassure everyone that the hearings would be conducted in a fair and reasonable mariner, and the board members continually encouraged the people 0f Ajax to take full part in the proceedings. During this period, I have bad numerous people approach me to state their admiration and respect for the manner in whicb the board conducted these hearings. There was also a great deal of concern before the commen- cement of the hearings that only technical issues would be ad- dressed, but that the social and economic impact on the surroanding community would be ignored.. As the public hearings bave now demonstrated, this was just not the case. Ail issues were openly discussed and explored at the piublic hearings. I think it is fair to state that most people who appeared before the board were genuinely interested in seeing that the rigbt answers are found, and that tbey bad total confidence in the Board members conducting the bearings.* r The Environmental Assessment Board public hearing process was established wîth ail party support by the Ontario Legisiature as a vehicle for properly assessing such highly emotional issues. This particular board bas certainly llved up to tbe duites asslgned to them by the leglslature and they now have a responsibiity to make certain judgements based on aâ1I of the material and testimony received. To short-circuit them before they bave a chance to properly assess tbe information and views presented wiil destroy the very democratie process that everyone concerned is touting as an efficient workable process. No matter wbat personal feelings are on tbe outcome of the board's deliberations I think we should take a few minutes during tbis hiatus period to say tbank you to these three dedicated people. Even if we eventually question their judgement, I don't think anyone involved in these hearings would question the integrity of the board members. I would like to publicly offer my sincere appreciation to Chairman Laver, Mrs. Page and Mr. Morton, for the courtesy and buman understanding demonstrated by eacb while deallng with this bighly emotional issue in Durham West Riding. DETUEWTHERAP CPINIC ERIC 408 DUNDAS STREET WEST 290DnotAv 666-111 668-,146468259 n NA GSI PRESENTeither of the coupons below at your nearby Scott's Chicken Villa for sensational savings! I Presi Chici LL ent this coupon for a Snack Pack, th two pieces of Kentucky Fried ken and French Fîtes and pay only $125 I pires AUG. 10, 1980v 60~ chicken¶îQi - COUPON SAv75 I Preserit this coupon for a Bucket of I Kentucky Fried Chicken, contairiing 15 I pieces of finger icin'good chicken and pay only $650 s IEx ires AUG. 10, 1980îe I I I I I I COUPON I -J Kenicïky Fred6kNckeit U