WH4ITbY FE PRESS, WEDNESbÀY,"SE.PTEMBER 23,1I98 1, PAGE 21 Is Port Whitby a pipe dream? By REGIONAL COUNCILLOR TOM EDWAMDS Deputy Mayor How time flues. Six weeks ago in my last colurnn I talked about a long hot summer's day. Today the leaves are changing color, and we are on the eve of another glorious fali. Make a point this year of get- ting out to witness this respiendent time of year. You do not even have to leave Whitby in order to see the leaves turning. The proposed developrnent in Port Whitby seems to enjoy universal support. Not only have residents of the south end of the town endorsed it, but mem- bers of the regional council who opposed the exten- sion of the trunk sanitary sewer, now say that they will support the extension if the developrnent goes ahead. At this moment, the matter is stili very much up in the air. The council as a whole was not privy to the matter, and it could be sornebody's "pipe dream". I have stated repeatedly that we should update our "Developmnent Guide". Then the element of surprise is reduced. There is nothing like taking the public into your confidence, in mat- ters of this sort. Then if things go awry, people will at least know where you are headed. I arn not entirely comfortable with the way that we receive input into matters of this kind. Some of our residents have assurned the role of public watch dog, and when they corne to council with a view- point, they are considered to be a nuisance. This is a short sighted attitude, because apart from the dis- courtesy, I am sure that the council members are looked at in the same ight when we ramble on about incompleted fences, or when we complain about raising the cost of'licencing the town's vehicles. However, such efforts are flot without resuit. Since complaints were raised about the town being left out 0f the province's tourist magazine, even though the town did not deign to make an official protest, we nevertheless were chosen by the sarne ministry in a commercial which will receive wide distribution on T.V. I can enjoy a little levity at our council meetings, heaven knows they are duil enougli, and a little irreverence aimed at the riglit quarters is refreshing. What I deplore, however, is the degree of cynisism which is creeping into our affairs. Turning to another matter I would earnestly solicit your input. On a number of occasions we have been approached by organizations within the town who want to raise rnoney for a variety of good causes. They want to do this by the sale of alcohol at public events on Sundays. On one such occasion, the police were called in and closed down the operation on a Saturday because of some- unpleasantness. Naturally, the council feit vindicated in having refused the application on this occasion, and I hasten to add, the sponsoring body is a well moti- vated group who do a lot of good work. I anticipate that the council will be lobbied to change the policy. Up to now it has been felt that the rnajority of the people of Whitby, including those who like a social drink, are satisfied that if you want to eat out and you would lilce a drink wîth your meal, that's as far as we should go on a Sunday anyway. This is one day when the pace of life should be different, and whether you attend church or not, we can get by on this one day without throwing it wide open. I do not comprehend the furror about selling alcohol at sports and other spectacles. Before coming to Whitby I attended the local boxing arena either as a participant or as a spectator 51 weeks out of the year, and I would not drearn of having a beer until it was over and we could review the night's events. Last week, my son and I took in the Leonard- Hearn fight at Maple Leaf Gardens. The 16,000 in some member of Whitby Town Council has been telling you that lie is a fuil-time councillor, with no other income, he is giving you a load of malarkey. Buses are being aceepted: The Whitby rransit Service appears to be gaining in popularity. According to West Ward Councillor Joe Bugelli the daily revenues taken in by the fare box have increased substantially over the last year. Accorciing to Bugelli, the bus service was taking in an average of $83 a day in July, 1980. This year that average was $133. In August, 1980 the average daily revenue was $92 aday -this year that figure went up to $1121 a day. The average for the summner of 1980 was $87 a day while in 1981 it was $127 a day. For the first week in September, the average daily fare box intake was $230 a day, up from last year's $165 a day. "This is solid proof of the increased accept- ance of the transit sys- tem, " Bugelli said. It also appears that the transit system is gaixiîng popularity with new residents of the town. Bugelli said that a brochure outlining the bus routes and schedules that was hand delivered last week is in popular demand. Mayor Bob Attersley inforrned council that the brochure was the 6imost sought atter item" in the Welcorne Wagon inventory. Attersley 'also- said that out of every 15 people visited by Welcome Wagon, il asked for copies of the brochure. Bugelli said that people who did not receive the brochure when it was delivered have been calling the town hall and other agencies asking for a copy. Volunteers wanted Bugelli TYPWRTES ,*etas S l s & Sic ', 666113 est.193. 68-289