Ton willregulate pigeons By MICHAEL KNELL Free Press Staff Should Whitby Town Council accept the recommendation of its operations committee, the keeping of pigeons will be regulated in the town. At its meeting Mon- day night, the commit- tee endorsed the recommendation of town clerk Don McKay that a bylaw to regulate the birds be brought forward. McKay said in his report that the bylaw is being written to respond to numerous complaints the town received during the summer from people living close to properties where pigeons are kept. "A particular annoy- ance to these people," McKay said, "is the alleged soiling of their properties by pigeon droppings." However, he said that he was informed by pigeon fanciers that many of these droppings are from birds other than pigeons. In fact, during a recent public meeting held to discuss this situation many pigeon fanciers were of the opinion that racing pigeons were physically incapable of deficating in flight. The associate curator of ornothology of the Royal Ontario Museum, Ross James, seems to support this position. "While there is no physical reason to pre- vent a racing pigeon from deficating while in flight, by in large, it is the natural tendency for pigeons to deficate in their roosts," was James' opinion, McKay said in his report. McKay told the com- mittee that another con- cern was the alleged un- kempt condition of general coops. He ad- ded that his department contacted everyone who had an interest in this issue and discovered that the majority of pigeon fanciers belong- ed to organized clubs. "Further, based on the comments received from the general public, it is evident that the majority of these pigeon fanciers are publicly minded individuals who take due care to ensure that their hobby does not disturb the privacy of their neighbours," the clerk said. The pigeon fanciers, McKay continued, have given support "in prin- ciple" to the proposed bylaw "in an effort to provide reasonable standards for the keeping of such birds and to properly regulate the activities of pigeon fanciers." The proposed bylaw states that no person shall keep pigeons in the Town of Whitby except in a building, structure, loft, pen or ccop or run that is maintained by regular painting or siding. The bylaw also pro- vides that those keeping pigeons will lime-wash, paint or disinfect the in- side walls and ceilings of the pigeon coop at least twice a year and that they shall be cleaned out at least twice a week. Anyone keeping pigeons will be required to keep his birds in their coop except for two daily two-hour flights. However, only half of the birds can be set loose at one time. This regulation will not apply when the pigeons are being used in an organized race. The bylaw will not ap- ply to properties with an agricultural zoning. Anyone who contra- venes any section of the bylaw will be liable to a fine of not more than $1,000 upon conviction. The recommendation will be presented to Whitby Town Council at its meeting next Mon- day night. Vol. 11, No. 44 AlU Kolodzie has on his side are "excuses," he continued adding the decision made was a good one. "He hasn't got any reasons, just excuses." Herrema said that not only was he satisfied with the agreements made but that should a hearing be called not only is he prepared to testify personally but will encourage existing Brooklin residents to appear. "We'il have everyone there," he said. "I'm very satisfied with the arrangements and the deal." Herrema said that if every politician in the region took Kolodzie's attitude, a fence might as well be built around Durham because there would be no development, no growth. He also took a personal shot at Kolodzie saying "he's the clown in the circus." Aside from Kolodzie, two other development fir- ms in the region said earlier this year they will also contest the project before the OMB but as of press time it was not known whether or not they intend to file formal objections. 24 PaI Wednesday, November 4, 1981 Citizens salary c ommittee rejected see page 3 ges Ze FPI Kolodzie to Contest Brooklin By MICHAEL KNELL Free Press Staff Two Oshawa politicians have said that they will oppose development plans for the hamlet of Brooklin before the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). Regional Councillor Ed Kolodzie and Oshawa Public Utilities Commissioner Gord Burnett are ex- pected to file their formal objections sometime this week. First City Development Company Limited has received all necessary approvals, save that of the Minister of Housing, to turn the village of 1,600 people into a town with a population of 10,500 over the next ten years. First City has been attempting to get their plans approved for the last seven years and a fight before the OMB could mean a further one-year wait depending on how long it takes for that body to hold a hearing. Kolodzie said yesterday morning that he will fight the proposal on both planning and legal grounds. He claims that he has all of the evidence needed to kill the project. Reports from both the region's coimissioner of planning and solicitor submitted earlier this year recommended that Durham Regional Council reject the scheme. Planning Commissioner Mofeed Michael was of the opinion that the development of Brooklin would take away from other growth plans in the region. Solicitor Shain Jain said that he doubted that the region had the legal authority to enter into the various development agreements. Kolodzie said that he will not only use their repor- ts as evidence but will also use reports from the Town of Whitby's planning department which also recommended against the proposal. "I think the Brooklin project is poor planning," Kolodzie said. "All of this information is available for eviden- ce," he continued, "The OMB makes their decision based on evidence." "For once I can go to an OMB hearing with tremendous evidence," Kolodzie said, "I respect the OMB as a neutral body." The maverick Oshawa politician is also of the opinion that regional council's decision to support the development was not based on planning prin- ciples. "The support has been of a political nature," Kolodzie said. "This project has to have the support of the OMB." Both Whitby Mayor Bob Attersley and Durham Regional Chairman Gary Herrema said that they are prepared to defend the project. "We'll defend our end of it," Attersley said. "It will be up to the board to decide." "We'll defend it," Herrema said. "We can defend it, you bet we can defend it." Attersley also said that a majority of both coun- cils (town and regional) supported the project and "everybody can't be wrong." He was also critical of Kolodzie and Burnett· saying that neither appeared before the planning committee to make their objections known. "All who wanted to speak for or against Brooklin had the opportunity to speak," Attersley said, "Where were they then?" Tbe mayor also said Kolodzie's action will damage the region. "It's very negative," Attersley said. "It hurts growth, it hurts the region." Both Attersley and Herrema believe that Kolod- zie's action have hurt his credibility with other members of council. "I don't think he bas any left," Herrema said. The regional chairman also lashed out at Kolod- zie. "I'm just mad," Herrema said, "It's stupidity, that's what it is." "It is totally irresponsible for an elected officiai to do what he's doing," he added saying that Kolodzie is only seeking publicity and to keep bis name in the press. "He objects to everything.. ..for publicity," Herrema said. "They don't care who they hurt."