Words from West Lynde by Norm Mealing rhere are a number of items of interest this week, not the least of which are the observations on last week's supper meeting between residents of the corridor, and West Lynde areas of Whitby and two provincial cabinet ministers. With that in mind, we'd best get at this week's news and viéws. Heart Fund Margaret Boyce, the hard working secretary of the W.L. C.A. dropped around to let us know that the association presented officials of the Whitby Heart Fotundation with a cheque for $275.00. This amount represents the proceeds from the dance and when added to the seventy-five dollars realised from the sale of the roses, it means that the people who attended the dance raised a total of three hundred and fifty dollars for the Fund. This is a good showing and to all involved, especially Bill Hoffman, we say congratulations on a job well done. Central Park The plans for Central Park have now arrived and are with the association executive. Mrs. Boyce reports that the children's area of the park will be started soon and that twenty thousand dollars has been set aside for this part of the park. This area will apparently be completed over four years. Ski Club The ski club goes to Dagmar every other Wednesday, with the next excursion planned for the 26th. Cost of the trip is four dollars per person and this includes transporta- tion and tow. The club needs a'minimum of thirty people to get the best deal, so all you skiers mark down next Wednesday on your calendars. For further details, give Marg Boyce a call at 668:9691. W.L.C.A. Elections The West Lynde Community Association will be hold- ing their annual general meeting and election of officers on Thursday, March 27, in the council chambers, municipal building, beginning at seven thirty in the evening. The nominating committee met on Monday of- this week to sort out how best to conduct the canpaign. Over the next 'four weeks the committee will be trying to find as many candidates as possible. Watch the column and the election newsletters for election news and for now, mark down the the date and plan on being there. Remember it's your association. Meeting with Ministers Last Wednesday (the 12th), Premier Bill Davis and his cabinet came to Durham. They held a cabinet meeting in the morning, met with the general public in the afternoon and hosted a coffee and donuts reception in the evening. As part of the day, the various cabinet ministers kept open the supper hour during which they ate with local citizen's groups and discussed local issues. The West Lynde Community Association, along with the Corridor Rate- payers' Association, were joined for supper by the Minister of Housing, the Honourable Donald Irvine and the Minister of Revenue, the Honourable Arthur Meen. Executive mem- bers Margaret Boyce, Heather Cromien, Brian Evoy and Bill Hoffman represented the W.L.C.A. Mr. Irvine was questioned very carefully and very thoroughly as to the province's policies with respect to high rise development and publicly assisted housing. As far as the proposed development on Jeffery at Dundas is con- cerned, there would appear to be little that we Can do. The plans were firmly in place when we bought and the act of biying apparently constitutes acceptance of these plans. In addition, should the developer arrange tô provide public- ly assisted housing in any, or all of the four towers, he only needs to secure council approval. Council does not need to consult with, the community, inasmuch'as our purchase of the homes was our form of signifying our approval. According to Mr. Irvine, the province's approach to public housing has changed conisiderably in the past two years or so. Where once they built high rise upon high rise, they now favour more diversified development, featuring a mix of high rise, townhouses, etc. Their aim is to contain public housing to no more than twenty five percent of the available housing in a given area. They also -analyse and take into account the effect of any development on traffic, services and schools. Mr. Irvine came across as a cool, competent and thought- fui man. He did not seek to evade any question, nor was he guarded, in his replies. Public housing can be an emotional area of discussion, but Mr. Irvine did not waver;he laid out the policy of his ministry in clear. terms and he indicated, as he has many times, that he does not feel that this region or this town, are doing enough in this area. As Minister of Revenue, one of Mr. Meen's prime con- cerns is assessment. As was anticipated, he was questioned very, very carefully in this area by the West Lynders pre- sent. He acknowledged that the initial assessment in our area was wrong, but he added that thereassessment had gone a long way to correcting the situation. He seemed to accept that, in ail probability, we were assessed higher than the rest of Whitby but he pointed out that the imbalance would be eliminated when the assessment base moved to market value. When discussing market value, Mr. Meen indicated that all of the data required had been assembled and that his ministry could move to a narket value systen right away if data accumulation was all that was necessary. He pointed out, however, that there were a number of difficulties that remained, and that his ministry would be embarking, in the near future, on a number of important studies designed to Su bsidy Request Turned i Down The Ministry of Transport- ation and Communications will not provide additional subsidies for Whitby. Council recently received a letter from R.E. Dawson, District Municipal Engineer for the MTC advising that no additional subsidy funds are available. - The letter was in response to a request from the town for additional allocation. WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 19, 1975, PAGE 7 eliminate these problems. He reaffrmed the 1976 deadline for the move to market value and he stated that when it did corne it would be fair and equitable to all. Mr. Meen was equally as competent and cool as Mr. Irvine He answered all questions frankly and honestly and handled the touchy area of assessment with considerable skill. He did not. back away from the questions in any way and generally aquitted himself well. All in all, it was a satisfactory meeting. No immediate responses to our problems were given but I do not think any were expected. A basis for future discussion was estab- lished and this will be built upon. Both Mr. Irvine and Mr. Meen are to be commended for they listened well and showed a real concern for our local concerns. Well, that's it for this week. Bye for now. See you next week. Licence Renewals Whitby motorists have only until February 28 to purchase their 1975 car licence stickers. In order to aid motorists in meeting the deadline, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications issuing office at 67 Thornton Road South, Oshawa, will be open an extra day on Saturday, February 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Licence stickers can also be obtained in Whitby at the Donald Travel Service, 102 Brock Street South. In addition to their regular of- fice hours, they will be open February 22 and March 1 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon for those that miss the February 28 deadline. To help speed up the renewal process, motorists are urged to have their owner- ship permit, completed insur- ance declaration l.orm and licence fee ready when they reach the issuing counter. The insurance forms must be filled with details of the motorists' insurance coverage including his company, agent, policy number and e:piry date. 1 Insurance forms can be obtained in advance from all licence issuing offices and at most L.C.B.O. retail out- lets. Licence fees are $23 for a 4-cyclinder'car, $32 for 6- cyclinder cars, $40 for 8- cyclinders, $15 for motor- cycles and $5 for trailers. your Tax Guide. 1ts worth it. Let's face it. Even though the Federal Govern- ment tries each Y year to make the tax forn casier to understand, you probably bel ieve filling it out is a difficult job. But when you use the 197-4 Income Tax Guide, which accompanies your tax form, you'l1 find it's not as dif- ficult as you thought. And for most of you, the Guide will be the only help you'll need to complete your return. Read your Guide thoroughly. The easy-to-follow 3lue Section at the front of the Guide takes you through the tax form step by step, showing you how to list your income and claim your deductions. It tells you how togo about calculating your tax, arriving at your refund or bala nce due. It's as simple as that. Following the Blue Section there is a deta iled explanation of different types of incorne, as well as a section on allowaible deductions. Be sure to read these sections carefully. Your Tax Guide also includes an area of general information, a page or two of answers to some common questions, and solutions to g problems you could... encounterwhile working - on your return.... If you decide you do need more help, you'il find District Taxation Office addresses and phone numbers listed on the back cover of the Guide. There you'1l find all the assistance you'll need. So, you sec, your Tax Guide will probably be your best friend come income tax time. Read it thoroughly and follow it carefully. You'll find it will make your job a lot casier. Tax Guide '74. How long has it been since you've read a really good book? We're making it easier to understand. Revenue Canada Taxation Hon Ron Basford 'Minister Revenu Canada Impôt L hon Ron Basford ministie SPEAKING CONTEST WINNERS A recent public speaking contest sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion saw three students from St. John the Evangelist Separate School take first, second and third places in two divisions. From the left to right are: Mary Anne Hubers (second in grade 7-8 divi'ion); Wendy Nieuwendyk (first in the grade 4-6 division);,their proud principal, Sister Marie Aune Bondy;and Bil Easdale (third in the 46). Free Press Photo rxOL >