PAGE 14, WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1986, WHITBY FREE PRESS Mock Councila' real"success A site plan application by Bogus Ltd. which would see a 120,000 square foot free stan- ding convention centre errected in the soccer fields opposite J.O. Ruddy Hospital was ap- proved at a special meeting of council Thursday evening. The occassion was the 15th annual mock coun- cil meeting of Whitby high school students completing the town's 1986 Youth and Civic Administration pro- gram. The ambitious proposal includes provisions for -a 7,000 square foot restaurant and enough space to ac- commodate the more than 7,000 visitors Bogus anticipates will stream into Whitby for any one of the multitude of shows and exhibitions planned for the colossal centre. Before approved, however, the merits of the proposai were sub- jected to a rigorous analysis by the coun- cillors and at least two councillors expressed concerns that the centre was too large for a town of Whitby's size. In response to the councillor's concerns, Planning Director Jeff Doran, -Henry Street High School, pointed out that Bogus Ltd. has great faith in Whitby's potential and he reiterated their assurances that the cen- tre will fit in with Whit- by's plans for the future. Councillors also questioned the ad- visability of locating the facility in such close proximity to the hospital. Again Doran came to Bogus Ltd's defence stating that the centre will have noise proof walls and, in the event problems oc- curred outside the building, he assured council they would be dealt with promptly by the 'Durham Regional Police. Council accepted the Planning Director's report and approved the application. The meeting con- cluded the town's ten week municipal ad- ministration course designed to give studen- ts from Anderson Collegiate and Vocational Institute and Henry Street High School an insight into the structure and ad- ministration of municipal government. Thirteen students from the two Whitby schools participated in the program. If the meeting was a measure of what the students learned, they passed with flying colours. The students handled themselves in front of the public and television cameras with dignity displaying a solid grounding in parliamentary proce- dure. However, the new convention center may have a little competition from the Port Whitby Marina. Council approved the expansion of the Marina's office to in- clude an 1,800 square foot restaurant, a chan- dlery room and storage and changerooms. As well, the grounds will be improved with the ad- dition of a boardwalk, a park, gardens and plat- form viewing areas. The new additions and ground improvements will cost the town an estimated $600,000. In her report to coun- cil, the administrator, Camille Nelson (Henry Street High School) in- formed council that the marina generates an annual. revenue of $200,000, while operating costs are $125,000. The administrator concluded that the restaurant would in- crease the income for the marina and the town. Council also approved an expenditure of $1,600 for the replacement of the present rods holding the goal posts in place on the ice - at both Iroquois Park and Brooklin Arena, with a magnetic system. Council encouraged residents of the rural areas of Whitby to make use of the property iden- tification numbers assigned by the fire department when repor- ting a fire and supported a Public Works recom- mendation to reconstur- et Flower Bed Street at a cost of $900,000. An amendment to the recommendation that sidewalks be construe- ted on both sides of the street, put forth by councillor Linda Litner (Henry Street High School). Council accepted the tender of K.M.F. Business Units for $7,900 to purchase a payment processing unit for the processing of tax payment cheques. The purchase of an IBM PCAT computer system for the clerks department was also approved. After the council meeting, the students and those in attendance at the meeting were treated to coffee and donuts by the town. Deputy Clerk, Mike Gazo, who worked with the students every Thursday night in preparation for the council meeting, had nothing 'but praise for the students and said they did a great job. A A * * A~* Whitby students put on quite a show last week as they participatedin the 15th annual mock council to cap off the 1986 Youth and Civic Administration Program. Seen here (back row from left to right) are Deputy Clerk Mike Gazo, Councillor for ward four Neil Kashic (Henry Street High School), Regional Councillor Linda Linter (Henry Street High School), Regional Councillor Lisa Mason (Anderson Collegiate) and ward one councillor Shirley Tasi (Anderson Collegiate), In the front are Administrator Camille Nelson (Henry Street), ward two councillor Suzanne Kerruish (Henry Street), Mayor Mark Fisher (Henry Street) and Clerk Gordon Vrdoljak (Anderson Collegiate). Department Heads for the mock council meeting were (from left to right) Parks and Recreation Sandra Lyon (Anderson Collegiate), Fire Chief Paul Visser (Anderson Collegiate), Planning Jeff Doran (Henry Street), Public Works Bob Chow (Henry Street) and Treasurer Karen France (Ander- son Collegiate). ,~fiû.Jk, fi i I AALL4J.4 ~ i LA A