PAGE 4, WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 2, 1983, WHITBY FREE PRESS whitby Voice of the County Town Michael Ian Burgess, F Published every Wednesday by M.B.M. Publishing and Photography Inc. Phone 668-6111 The Free Press Building, Publisher - Managing Editor 131 Brock Street North, V.O. Box 206, Whitby, ont. LESLIE BUTLER Community Editor ELIZABETH NOZDRYN Advertising Manager Second Class Mail Registration No. 5351 The only Whitby newspaper independently owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents. Council lets some by-laws be bygones If municipal by-laws were enforced as stringen- tly as the criminal code, we might all have a better idea of how firecely the battle between individual and collective rights rages. As it is, municipal by-laws are bent, circumvent- ed and sometimes fragrantly disobeyed as people go about the business of living. Last week, a gentleman appeared before the town's administrative committee requesting per- mission to add a basement apartment to his house on Cochrane Street. In the language of municipal by-laws, this would have changed his duplex to a triplex and violated the low density residential zoning of the area ln which he lives. His request was denied by the committee and subsequently by council. A group of nearby resi- dents convinced council that to approve the appli- cation would lead to the demise of a good neigh- bourhood. A spectre of absentee landlords, overcrowding, traffic jams and undesireable tenants loomed before the residents. Before the applicant loomed the impossibility of paying his mortgage unless a basement apartment could be added. It is perhaps a question for philosophers whether the right of the residents to maintain anice neighbourhood is greater than the right of the applicant to pay his mortgage. But the under- lying and sticky problem council had to face was the fact that several homes in the neighbourhood have already been converted to triplexes without the consent of council. Councillor Tom Edwards aptly pointed out that council should not legitimize existing violations of the by-law by approving a legal attempt to do what was already being done by less honest citi- zens. Council stuck to its guns. In response to one of the residents' charges that the by-laws are a "laughing stock" because they are being flagrant- ly disregarded, council said the matter is being looked into. The matter has been "looked into" for several years. The fact remains that little has been done to enforce this by-law, or to address the real pro- blem, which is a lack of rental housing in Whitby and a near zero vacancy rate (which we blame on rent controls, but that wlll be the subject of a later editorial). The other plece of reality being Ignored is the general economic condition of high Interest rates that makes it difficult to meet mortgage pay- ments. Cou ncil has made laudable attempts to make Whitby a pleasant place to live. But it should per- haps re-think a by-law and a planning strategy that ignores the real needs of people who must live in this world of uncertain economic conditions. Council has been content to turn its gaze from the Cochrane/Harris Street situation and let by- laws be bygones. This legal application, while praised by council, was an uncomfortable remind- er that people will do what they must to live, despite the rules. Here is a shining example that rules are made to be broken. But this would not have to be the case if the rules more closely reflected the needs of the people. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR NDP has real gall to talk about morality: Conservatives Dear Sir: I read with inter- est the cormments of the NDP in your January 26th edition. Certainly Dear Sir: Re: Ruth Coles - Between You and Me column. To let you know how very much we enjoyed reading both NDP Geoff Rison's column or letter on the Cana- dian Catholic Con- ference of Bishops, and Ruth Coles Be- tween You and Me column. The latter did a splendid job on ex- pressing her views on the disgraceful, idle and meaning- less banter that was heard in the House of Commons when our Prime Minister returned. It was sickening, and to think it was from men selected by the people to represent them in government. Just what did they ex- pect to gain? Surely no sane minded person would hold it against our Prime Minister if he took a there are people of all political per- suasions who would agree with much of what the bishops had to say. little time off after his tiresome trip, and arduous sche- dule to keep, and enjoyed a little lel- sure time, but ap- parently this thought isn't shared by ail. Thank God our Prime Minister can handle these situa- tions as they come along, and does very well in contain- ing himself, even he should at times ap- pear arrogant, who wouldn't. So thank you Ruth, for doing a good job in trying to enlighten some of the readers, as to just what ail consti- tutes the schedule of a busy politician when he is repre- senting his country In foreign coun- tries. You told it as it was. Thank you again. Sincerely, Mrs. Harold Forbes, Whitby. Unemployment anyone cannot1 very happy asion. for be a occ- However, when we read further, the NDP has some real gail to talk about immorality. Svend Robinson, while he was Justice and Social Affairs critic for the NDP, an- nounced just a few weeks ago that it was NDP policy to legalize prostitution and to also make it legal for these pros- titutes to operate out of any house on any street. In fur- ther justifying this policy, he said that this income would be a boon to the poorer areas of towns and cities. 1, for one, am quite prepared to accept that every in- dividual should have the opportuni- ty of employment, but I do not accept the NDP policy that prostitution should be one of those rights. Maybe the NDP was looking for an opportunity to esta- blish another crown corporation. Respectfully, Rene Soetens, President, Ontario Riding P.C. Association. Hurrah for Ruth Coles We wlecome letters to the editor. Please sign your letter and mail to The Whitby Free Press, 131 Brock St. N, Whitby