PAGE 4, WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 21, 1979, WHITBY FREE PRESS W tEiIUo [ Published every Wednesday by M.B.M. Publishing and Photography Inc. Phone 668-6111 The Free Press liuilding Volce of the County Town MIchael Ian Burgess, Publisher -Managing Editori 13*e ree PSreetsNothdn a131 Brock Street North, ¶he only Whitby newspaper independently owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents. P.O. Box 206, Whitby, O Community Editor -Brian Winter Contributing-Editor -JIm Quol . Producion ii7nge -Marj Burgess Print &,Promotionai -ftobin Lyon Classified Ad -Leesa Menard Mailing Permit No. 460 9 nt. Member of the: Better Business Bureau of Torontb Whitby Charnber of Commerce Groups are affected by new heahh rules says Norm Cafik Ontario Riding MP Norm Cafik appealed last week to the Honourable Dennis Timbrell, Ontario Health Minister, to modify the rigorous public health regulations that are interfering with the social fabric of rural Ontario. He said that it was beyond his comprehension that the public health regulations should encourage Queen's Park bureau- crats to reach into the kitchens of farmers who supply food to the voluntary public service organizations in the Durham Region. He said that people who prepare food for church and community socials have a responsibility to do so in a clean and healthy environment. "I have no doubt that the housewives whô volunteer their labour and provide the food are as good a judge of their responsibilities in this regard as some bureaucrat at Queen's Park." He asked the Ontario Health Minister to consider appropiate amendments to public health regulations to permit the important church and community activities to continue. The following is a copy of his letter to Mr. Timbrell. The Honourable Dennis Timbrell, Minister of Health, Province of Ontaria, Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario. Dear Mr. Minister: It has recently come to my attention that Dr. J.E. Watt, the Director of Environmental Health Services for the Durham Region has communi- cated with Durham Region churches, service organizations, arenas and community centres informing them of the requirements of the Ontario Public Health Act which would appear to prohibit the practice of pot luck suppers, church and community socials where food is supplied by local residents. I understand that Dr. Watt-is simply enforcing the provisions of the Ont- ario 'Pulbic Health Act and that the responsib- ility for the content of this law rests on your shoul- ders. May I earnestly ask that you give considera- tion to changes in this law so as to avoid the absurd consequences that are so apparent to the residents of the area. The continuation of the social life particularly of rural communities is a very important part of our Canadian heritage and I resent law makers intervening in this per- fectly normal, healthy and satisfying social life to prohibit it under the guise of public health. There is no doubt that we would ail support activities that would maximize the degree of health protection for Cánadians particularly in commercial institutions where it is possible to enforce regorous reg.ula- tions. However, to feel that there is some public responsibility to reach Into the farmer's kitchen is beyond my 'ompre- hension. Quite evidently, there is a responsibility on the part of ail persons who would prepare food to do it in a clean and healthy environment and I have no doubt that the housewives who volun. teer their labour and pro- vide the food are as.good a judge of their responsi- bility in this regard as some bureaucrat at Queen's Park. I am convinced that there are ways and means by which the pub- lic health can be protec- ted without destroying the existence of these valued social events which often provide es- sential support to volun- tary public service organizations in the Durham Region. May I ask that you give consideration to amend- ments to the law to make appropriate exemptions which would protect the public and permit these important community social events to continue. Looking forward to hearing from you, i arn Yours respectfully, Norm Caf ik but Newman says no The following are comments by Ontario's Minister of Agriculture, William Newman regarding the serving of food by commuhity groups: "As soon as I was made aware of the letters sent recently from the Durham Regional Health Unit ordering various community groups to cease their practice of preparing food on premises not approved by the Health Unit as provided by the Public Health Act, I contacted the Ministry of Health;.Dr. Jean Gray (M.O.H.); Dr. Watt; Regional Chairman Walter Beath and several members of the Durham Board of Health. "Dr. Martin, Chief Medical Officer for the province, advised me that the intention of this section of the act is to provide a means of monitoring the activities of commercial caterers and of stepping in where certain situations present a particular health problem. It was'never intended to curtail the volunteer and fund-raising activities of community groups across the province. "Following my conversation with Dr. Martin, he immedi- ately sent his senior staff members to meet with Dr. Watt. Dr. Martin has reported that the meeting was fruitful and that Dr. Watt kas informed that his recent letter did not reflect the intent or purpqse of the act. "Dr. Watt has since indicated to me that there will be no attempt to stop local bake sales and pot-luck dinners. He stated that where a group has a commitment to cater functions that have been confirmed they can be honoured. "It is my hope that common sense will prevail in this situation. I feel strongly that there should not be interference with the efforts of local groups in their attempt to raise money in support of projects or other activities. The men and women of our communities have always given freely of their time and talents and in the process of raising funds have provided a very essential element in our community life style and spirit. "They should be allowed to continue as they have in the past and as they have in all similar areas across the province since this regulation was established some six years ago. I have been inundated with calls and letters from concerned people and I can certainly appreciate their desire to continue their volunteer work. "Dr. Watt has expressed a desire to make groups in the area aware of the health standards acceptable to the Durham Board of Health and to inform them as to reasonable care in the preparation of food. In this respect he will be holding a series of meetings throughout the region in an attempt to keep the people informed. "Although the Durham lHcalth Unit will be encouraging the improvement of some facilities in the region il should be noted that there will be no drastic changes in the application of this section of the act. "Anyone who has a problem or requires additional information or clarification should call the Durahm Regional Health Unit (723-8521)..If I can assist in any way please call me on my toll free Zenith line (Zenith 33130)." Support voiced for core restoration Dear Sir: I was pleased to read about the development concepts for our down- town core area, as they were recently presented, to the Whitby Chamber of Commerce by downtown businessman. AI Kirby and architect David Mils. Because I am in the midst of a restoration program for the old James Rowe house (1845) in the Port Whifby com- munity, I was particu- larly attracted to Mr. Kirby's call for saving and using, the architec- ture·of the good oid build- ings in the core area of Whitby, wherever possible. Forturately, our down- town merchants and the people of Whitby can now see the commercial po- tential in this heritage preservation concept because the Royal Hotel and the Frame House on Brock St. South, are two, new good examples of building on the past to achieve eye-catching commercial premises for the future. As a member of the Local Architectural Con- servation Advisory Com- mittee to town council, I can assure that these concepts have received on-going consideration and discussion in recent weeks . and it is quite likely that you may receive comments from that committee soon. Eugene M. Henry 1600 Charles Street Whitby, Ontario. I *1