WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22,1986, PAGE 11 Abilrds-eye view By MIKE JOHNSTON Free Press Staff Thanks to the in- novation of modern technology, Whitby cowicillors and town staff got a bird's eye Whitby last weekend. For three hours on beiwafthe town'f helicopter pad and publie officiais and memnbers of the media were taken on 15 minute Jaunis over the town by pilot Rob Blakely. And the counillors were iîmpressed with what they saw. "The town looks very neat frorn up there," said councillor Ross Batten. His remarks wére reiterated by regional counillor Gerry Emm who said the resldents of the town can take credit for the neat look of the town. Counillor atten also said the Whitby harbour area and the posÉibilities surroun- ding it, stood out during the 15 minute trip. The available in- dustrial land south of Hwy. 2 is what stood out in the mmnd of councillor Joe Bugelli. He was surprised at the amount of land that was available ta support in- dustry in the south of the town. Mayor Bob Attersley said the growth of the town, especially exten- ding northward, lm- pressed him. The free ride for same 40 ta 50 officiais was not cheap, however. Blakely said the Bell Long Ranger helicopter usually rents for $625 an haur. The Mayor explained the helicopter was hired by the town to give staff and council memWrs a view of Whitby from above. "Staff works on plans ail day long and neyer get a chance ta see the end product," said the Mayor. The helicopter ride was just the right mode of transportation ta pravide the view, said the Mayor. French immersion for grade four separate school students By JAN DODGE Free Press Staff Separate school grade four students will get French immersion next September - complete with busing. The Durham Regian Roman Catholic Separate School Baard will offer the program in twa locations: St. Gregory's in Oshawa for Durham East students and Holy Redeemner in Pickering for Durham West students. Most of the discussion at the Manday night meeting, of the board centred around the busing issue. As Oshawa Trustee Ted Marks pointed out, ta affer busing for French im- mersion was a depar- ture *from the baard philosophy. Director Earl Lagroix said that French im- mersion should be a boa rd program. For other programs such as the swim program, famnily studies, and in- dustrial arts the board pravided busing. "French immersion is no longer samething special, but samething our students should have if we want theni ta compete," hesaid. "If we don't provide transportation, we shouldn't provide Fren- ch immersion," Whitby trustee Tia Woodcrof t said. "We shauld ask aur taxpayers if they want ta send their children ta French im- mersion in the 'public schaols." Woodcroft said the reason "the program didn't fiy" when it was introduced last year was because there was no busing. French immersion was offered last year at Holy Cross in Oshawa, but there was not enough interest ta make up two classes. Wood- craft said there were a number froni the west of the region Who showed interest, but didn't like the location. The busing being of- fered by the board is frorn the home school.to the French immersion school. Whitby Trustee Catharine Tunney argued that if the board did not provide tran- sportation ta the home school as well it would be promating an elitist pragram, because families would need two cars: one for work, and one ta drap off the children at school. Oshawa trustee Joe Corey pointed out the estimate of costs was based on two different systems of transpor- Sec Pg. 23 An aerial view of the Whitby Harbour and the Whitby Psychiatrie Hospital. Free Press Staff Photd OFFICE SUPPLIES INSTANT PRINTING 1 work org