PAGE 4, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1982, WHITBY FREE PRESS whityy Volce of the County Town Pub Michael Ian Burgess, Publisher- Managing Editor The only Whitby newspaper independently owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents. lished every WednwAday by M.B.M. Publishing and Photography Inc. Phone 668-6111 The Free Press Building, 131 Brock Street North, P.O.-Box 206, Whitby, Ont. LESLIE BUTLER Communlty Editor ELIZABETH NOZDRYN Advertiliig Manager Second Class Mail Registration No. 5351 Whitby should pull together for a better 83 The outstanding characteristic of 1982 has un- doubtedly been the' difficult economic circum- stances facing all Canadians. From a mild pinch to complete destitution, the economic depression has been the one factor that has most affected the lives of Canadians this year. From politicians attempting to maintain service to taxpayers with restraint budgets, to individuals coping with unemployment and layoffs, the economy has become almost a mania across the country. Small businesses are struggling to keep alive with inflated operating costs and a depressed market. In Whitby, we have fared better than many communities in Canada, with no major bankrupt- cles this year, steady industrial and residential growth, and minimal tax increases. For individuals, however, the biggest problem continues to be unemployment. Statistics are not available for the town of Whitby alone, but Durham Region was far above the national average in the numberof unemployed in 1982. The region has an unemployment rate of 16.5 percent, or 13,000 people without work. This com- pares to a national average of 12.2 per cent, or 1,438,000 jobless Canadians. Our high rate can, In part, be attributed to the floundering auto Industry, which has left many workers on indefinite lay-off. In the United States, for instance, "motor cities" such as Detroit are struggling with unemployment rates that exceed 25 per cent. Spin-off industries from the auto manufacturers such as parts manufacturers, the steel industry and metal fabricating plants, have suffered from the decline of the auto sales in North America and the world. The cure to Our economic illness is about as un- certain as its cause. In a viclous circle, govern- ments on all levels are trying to curb the monster inflation. But in doing so, they necessarily slow down economic growth, increasing unemploy- ment as the economy slows to a crawl. If unemployment is the price we must pay for deflating the economy, it should be recognized as a steep price for those who must bear the burden of joblessness, poverty and shattered hopes. Wa can only hope that in paying this price, the result will be an improved economy in 1983. In the meantime, we in Whitby should urge our govern- ments to redouble their job-creation efforts and continue in the policy of attracting business and Industry to our town. The efforts of town council to promote Whitby as an ideal location for Industry should not pass unnoticed this year. Detailed studies and first- rate presentations have been conducted by the town's politicians in conjunction with businessmen and industrialists. This kind of aggressiveness has pald off, and should be encouraged and recognized by citizens of Whitby. Perhaps many of the causes of the present economic mess are beyond our control. But the outlook will surely be brighter if everyone in Whit- by pulls together in an effort to bring prosperity to every member of the community. So make an ef- fort to support your local businesses who in turn subsidize your taxes and create local employ- ment. Thinking and shopping locally will help the local economy more than most people will ever real ize. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Sir: Whitby Blood I would like to Danar clinics dur- take this opportuni- ing the past year. ty to express my We always abtain thanks to your our quota at the newspaper for your clinics and a good coverage of the part of this success is due to the publi- city given to them in your paper. I thank you for this service and look forward to our continued co-opera- tion in 1983. Yours truly, (Mrs.) Margaret Horton, Blood Donor Chairman. Some thoughts about the housing crisis. The federal government has done.nothing about it. Most provincial schemes are ineffectual, and the municipalities seem to think the problem lies with some·other level of govern- ment. Would-be homeowners wring their hançs and sug- gest rightly that with mortgage rates and building costs what they are, there is no way they can be part of what used to be the standard Canadian dream. And architects continue to design one-family dwellings that in other places might have been used to house whole tribes. I think the easiest level of govemment to attack is the municipali- ty. The federal government lives in some other world en- tirely, and even the provincial governments have become so massive and complex that they are increasingly remov- ed from the taxpayer reality. Municipal governments are closer and more vulnerable, and what they should be forc- ed to do is reduce lot sizes and minimum floor area re- quirements for houses. There is no reason why most young couples and most older ones couldn' t live comfort- ably in 600 square feet, for example. And a 600 square foot house is a manageable size, the kind of house that most people who know how to use a hammer and saw could build themselves. The problem is that most cities, towns and townships have size requirements that were designed for an age of affluence that's passed us by. With rising fuel material and labour costs, the smaller house ought to be inevitable. It hasn't come about because governments react slowly to new realities, and we tend to bumble along beside them squawking loudly and un- constructively. One way or another, if I were in my 20's and starting again, I would build my own house, bit by bit, as I could afford the necessary lumber. There is no reason at all why the average young couple, with some friends helping, couldn't frame, roof, and otherwise close in an adequate house on summer weekends. It is time consuming, but not particularly difficult. And once you understand what you're doing, you'll probably build it bet- ter than any contractor. So raise hell with your municipality about lot and house sizes, buy some books on house con- struction and thihk about it. A mortgage, inflation index- ed or not, is just the same as setting fire to thousands of dollars. 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