PAGE 6, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1987 Published every Wednesday By 677209 Ontario Inc Phone: 668.6111 <e Maurice Pîther Maurice Pilher Editor Peter Irvine Advertising Manager Alexandra Simon Production Manager f'mu The only Whitby newspaper independently owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents Often political decisions are made on the basis of sound reasoning after all the facts have been considered. Sometimes, as would appear to be the case for a Dundas St. W. commercial plan, a decision is made apparently without reason and contrary to any sense of well-ordered future community planning. Today (Wednesday), Durham regional council will vote on a planning committee recommendation to approve a 24,366 sq. ft. commercial plaza (convenience and restaurant uses) proposed by Nard Investments Ltd. on the south side of Dundas St. W., west of Cochrane/Annes St. Regional planning committee approved the plaza despite a Region planning staff recommendation to reject it because it was designated for medium residential use and commercial use would set a precedent for future development. Staff also said strip commercial plazas are hurting central areas in the region, such as Whitby's downtown. The same The plaza decision concern has been expressed by Region works department and by Whitby's Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA). And Region planners note that a retail analysis submitted by Nard did not demonstrate that a plaza was needed at the location. Earlier this year, Whitby councillors had given approval "in principle" to the application, again, despite Town planning staff rejection. Staff had outlined the concerns which were later repeated by Region planners: the plaza isn't needed, would be an "undesirable precedent" and would affect the downtown. Councillors may regard the plaza plan as acceptable because there have been no concerns by nearby homeowners (except for one resident's concern for his hedge). That's a switch from previous applications and studies that considered residential use - Martin Chizen's two-story apartment/motel plan in 1979 was rejected by council and the DePalma plan for a four-story , then three-story, apartment in 1985 was opposed by nearby residents. Rather than accept what they seem to regard as a suitable option for a property on which opinion has varied, councillors should consider consequences of their decision. As Region staff point out, inquiries have been made about two "substantial" commercial proposals from owners of land off Dundas St. W. That area has so far avoided the extensive commercial that characterizes Dundas St. E. But our political representative at the Town and Region level may have just opened the door to similar Dundas St. W. development without any regard for the impact on the downtown area that is regaining favor and without regard for the community as a whole. LETTERS FROM OUR READERS To the editor: I question your ability to edit the articles your employees submit to you. I am only a 13-year-old and I can spot trash, like the column I am writing in response to, from a mile away. Yes, I am responding to Mabel M. McCabe's "Reflections of a Golden Age" on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Mabel has obviously been around the block a couple of times, so I think it's about time she retired the old typewriter. The column was about Rachel Carson's book, 'Silent Spring.' (which she did not get right the first time, there is no "The" in the title). I realize that the book was acclaimed as pure genius, but I must say I thought it was pure gar- bage. Rachel seems like the most pessimistic, negative person I have .RESPONSESTO COLUMN ever read. But foolishly, Mabel condones the book as our fate. Hmmmm. ..I wonder why this prediction hasn't core true in 25 years? Now, I hate to say this, but I would think Ms. McCabe's views are quite old-fashioned. Like, I'm wearing rock underwear old- fashioned. Or how about those examples of pollution? I don't think Mabel's grandchildren being plagued with more colds is pertinent to insec- ticides. If it is, then her children ought to be taught the difference between beef and mosquitos. Fur- thermore, it would take a massive flood to make our nation into a 'Love Canal.' Alarmist opinions given As far as the old ways being bet- ter, let us discuss some of the com- forts she would be without if times were the same. Mabel probably typed her article on an electric typewriter. Does she think she could do that in the 40's and 50's. How about computers? I'm sure some of the work at the paper is done with computers. And I'r also sure you have a modern printing press which does color pictures. Now don't get me wrong, I know pollution has reached atrocious levels and needs to be slowed down. But Mabel did a lousy job stating this fact. In conclusion, I think that you, as editor, could find better ar- ticles than this to put in your newspaper. John Rowinski r Oshawa Disagreement over presentation of arguments To the editor: This letter is in reference to Mabel McCabe's article "Reflec- tions of a Golden Age" (Free Press, Oct. 21, 1987). Although I agree that chemical spraying could be better controlled, I do not agree with the way she presented arguments. Most of Ms. McCabe's article seemed to express her opinion without many facts. As well, she made a few mistakes. In the first paragraph, she said the book title was 'The Silent Spring,' which is incorrect (in the last paragraph she changed it to 'Silent Spring,' the correct title). I feel she gave some irrelevant analogies as well. In the fifth paragraph, I quote: "We all know how long the veterans of the Viet Nam War have been fighting for compensation because of agent orange which contains 'dioxen.' -yet it is a 'Dioxen.' The veterans are fighting for what happened to them, and we are fighting for what might or is happening to us. I just want to say, if I want to read something completely out of opinion, lIl go to the editorials! Shayne Landon Oshawa To the editor: I am writing in reply to a credulous article about Rachel Carson's book 'Silent Spring,' writ- fen by a questionable writer, Mabel M. McCabe. It is obvious that her memory is fading, as her knowledge of even the title of the book is rudimentary. This article is strewn with Mabel's crazed, alarmist opinions on something that she has less than general knowledge of. Does she really believe that hersenseless, overexaggerated hyperboles could aid her misguided cause, such as comparing our tap water to cyanide? Well, Mabel, no one has died from Oshawa tap water, but cyanide has much more drastic results. If you don't believe me, try it yourself. I also question her ability to diagnose her grandchildren. She said herself, that they get "coughs and rashes for unknown reasons." How can she attribute these fantastically minor ailments to chemicals? For that matter, how can she attribute aiything to something that happens for unknown reasons? With a wide stretch of imagination, of course, not to mention a rather inflated ego. Also, I wonder how many physicians are represented in her reference to the doctors who "can- not explain what many of the children growing up now are allergic to." How many, Mabel? Two, or maybe even three? Or was it just your opinions being superimposed on the medical community? I think so. Overall, I think that Mabel's "Reflections of a Golden Age" have SEE PAGE 19 r The Free Press Building 131 Brock Street North. P.O. Box 206. Whitby. Ont Doug Ander son Publisher VOICE OF THE COUNTY TOWN L LETTERS The Whitby Free Press welcomes letters to the Editor on any subject of concern to our readers. Letters should be brief and to the point - rarely more than 300 words. All letters must be accompanied by the name, address and phone number of the writer; however, on request, your name may be withheld from publication if we agree that there is a valid reason. The paper reserves the right to reject or edit all letters. Send to: The Editor, Whitby Free Press, Box 206, Whitby, Ontario LiN 5S1 or drop through our mà ilslot at 131 Brock St. N. 1