PAGE 4, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1975, WHITBY FREE PRESS * uwhintby Voice o teCounty Townl Mike Serving Over 27,000 Readers. Twi Free Press Buclding Burgess, Publisher-Managing Editor. 121 ,'roc ' reefNor-th, Assistan t lId1toi 3Blake Purdy Cou tribu ting 1W i tor «J im iQUail Productioni Manlager -Mai-je Bi3rg-s-s DisplIay' Advertising Manager IRobin Lyoil ('hîssified Malnager --Shelley ('rowvey Box 206, Whllibv tvlailinq Permit Ne. 2941 PliUie '66& 6111:Toronto Lime 282-1004 Free Press Photo - Brooklin 2001? Dear Sir; Articles have recently appeared in the press re- garding secret meetings of the Whitby Town Coun- cil and matters dealing with the site and plan of a new municipal office building. It has at last come out in the open that we have puppets on council operated by a puppeteer or by fear, fear of one another or of loosing his or her seat at the next election. What has happened to those platform promises - I will look after the interests of the taxpayers mon- ey and keep you informed - Councillor Emm has no doubt been sent to Siberia for disclosing that some things have gone on in secret meetings that should have been open to the public. He is to be commended for disclosing this dreadful and uneth- ical condition of the affair, that concerns all the taxpayers of the municipality of Whitby, but can- not be given any credit for taking part in them or in fault permitting such conduct. This attitude of disregard for the taxpayer extends to the paid staff. Sometime ago i ,was asked by others if it was legal for the Whitby Council to add 4.5 mills to the tax rate in 1974 against an expected increase by the Regional Council in 1975. i phoned Mr. Forbes McEwen and asked him if it was legal and his smart but cheeky reply was if you have a legal query you should go to a lawyer. He later stated he could not help me (an open repremand at least would bc in order for such conduct) An enquiry from 2 coun- cillors produced an answer from one. i might add that i was treated with the utmost courtesy when making the same enquiry from the department of Municipal Affairs of the Provincial Government. The recent happenings as reported in the local press prompt several questions. 1. Can the municipality afford such a costly office building during an inflation period? 2. What other proposais were made for spending the money received from the sale of industrial land (approximately 1.5 million) 3 What really went on ai the-meetings closed to the public? 4. What are the full facts of the purchase of the land on the south side of Rossland Road? 5. Why could the public not be made aware of the deal until it was signed and sealed? 6. Why was a part of the site sold at a loss? 7. Would it not be wise and business like to make very sure that the offices at present occupied by the regional council may not be made available? (remember the police building) 8. What are the maintenance cost of the proposed building? 9. Can the mayor and councillors justify an in- crease in their pay at this time? 10. What is the debt of the municipality? i was truly amazed at the reasons given by the mayor and council for spending such a large amount of the taxpayers money. Councillor Gartshore - it's nearer the town, Ho! Humm!! Councillor Emm - it cannot be copied - who cares? Councillor Thompson - it's futuristic - really. Councillor Lovelock - an identity to all parts of the town - well, well. Councillor Goodwin - I find the architect and building exciting - over 2 million dollars worth of iaughs. Mayor Newman - i shall neyer forget this moment - neither will the taxpayers what a monu ment. Councillor Edwards certainly showed alarm about the whole thing. Will he continue the probe? Is it too late to let the public know what is being done with their money? Or is it none of their business. Yours truly, L. H. lnkpen 315 Frances Street Whitby, Ontario BOY SCOUTS I Volunteers are desperately needed to work in scouting in Brooklin. There are at present approximately one dozen active scouts in Brooklin with a temporary leader. There are four discouraged boys who are patiently awaiting a leader to take over as their leader resigned and no meetings have been held this year. An amalgamation is planned. Also there are approximately 40 cubs who are getting basic training and looking forward to the day when they will also join a scout troop. But alas, without a scouter they may have to drop out, just at the age when some guidance is needed in theirlives, aged 11 to 15. As for the future generations, if scouts do not continue, how many of these boys will be future Dear Sir; The alarming state- meft by the Ontario Milk Marketing Board that milk will go up another 3 cents a quart or more not only hits the poor with children but our nations health as a whole. Milk is an essential nu- trient containing some of the most needed vitamins and minerais, not only for children but adults alike. Surveys have shown that two of the most deficient....calcium and riboflavin (B-2) both in milk.....can seriously affect our health. Milk also contains protein, Vit. A & D needed to fight infection, prevent night blindness, defective teeth and gums, (Vit. D regulates the use of cal- cium and phospharus in formation of teeth and bones so vital to children). Deficiency can cause retarded growth, lack of vigor and muscular weakness. Dr. Zak Sabry, head of Canada's $2.5 million nutrition survey says that "ONE THIRD of our medical costs go to repair the damages of malnutri- tion." Increasing the price of milk by 45% in the period of one year is criminal, especially when milk is needed by so many people who eat "empty" sugar-filled cer- eals (some'- have up to 41% sugar) get most of the food value from the milk...not the cereal. The Ontario Milk Marketing Board is spending $1,000,000 (million) on TV and media advertising this year. Last year they spent a reported $75,000.00 on advertis- ing. Instead of wasting money the OMMB could return the $1 million to the farma'rs and keep the prices of milk products down, or give 2 million quarts of the "white gold" to the poor. Yours for better health, Dean J. Kelly Box 1000 Port Perry Dear Sir; We extend our sincere thanks to the Editor of the Whitby "Free Press", Mike Burgess, for kindly donating the space each NEED HELP leaders if their interest is lost now? At present, there are four former scouts assisting with cubbing in the Brooklin area. 1sn't there anyone who can afford to give a few hours a week to help mould these young lives in this worthwhile cause? The rewards are gratifying and resuits are inestimable. The Brooklin Scout Troop will be forced out of existence by April 30 unless leaders are forthcom- ing. No experience is necessary and training and supplies will be provided. Don't let the boys down! If you would like to volunteer call Glen Fitzger- aid 668-5313, Box 141, Whitby, Ontario. week for an "adoption of animais" program. It has been an unqualified success in motivating people to provide homes for animais left in our charge. Yours sincerely, William G. Pilkington President Ontario Humane Society Whitby Branch. Dear Sir; 'Heart Month' in Cana- da is now over, and on behalf of the Canadian Heart Fund, Ontario Division, please accept our sincerest apprecia- tion for your co-opera- tion and assistance during our financial Campaign in February. Our objectivethis year was $3,600,000 and although ail returns are not in, due to the disrup- tion in our postal service, we are quite hopeful that our objective will be attained. Without your willing co-operation in commun- icating our needs to the public, the Canadian Heart Fund would not be able to express such an outlook. Heart disease is every- one's problem - and again our thanks for helping us bring to the attention of the public, that - research should be everyone's responsi bility. With best wishes. Yours very truly, Esther M. Richards, Director of Public Relations, Canadian Heart Fund. editorial page w' -'I 4