PAGE 6, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1988 e VOICE 0F THE COUNTY TOWN Published every Wednesday By 677209 Ontario Inc. Phone: 668-6111 Doug Anderson Publisher 0e Maurice Plfher Editor Peter Irvine A4vertising Manager Alexandra Simon Production Manager Mike Carroll Circulation Manager The only Whitby ne wspaper Independently owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents. Mayor Bob Attersley, councillors and Town staff have described it as "exciting," and on Monday several residents got a look at what could, and should, be that exciting future for Whitby's harbor area. Landscape architect Gary Heine outlined. a redeve- lopment concept for the lakeshore area stretching from Heydenshore to Gordon St., which, if carried through in whole, would cost an estimated $8.5 million. "This could be a 10-year scheme or a 25-year scheme," Heine explained of the variable time frame which will be decided by council. As Heine states after studying the area, the most significant catalyst for the overall redevelopment could be the Cartier McNamara property, to be vacated by the company and later to become the location of Coscan residential development. But the actual kick-off to a revamp of the harbor area is expected to occur this year with residential work on a six-acre site south of Victoria and east-of Watson. Keep excitement going If Heine sees McNamara as the real impetus for harbor area improvements, he regards changes to the Town marina area as the "heart and soul of what's really going to come in Port Whitby." The redesigned marina - including a new centre building, coffee shop, 450 seasonal berths, dock pier for 14 charter boat berths, 14 transient (visitor boat) berths and permanent boat storage areas - will be "more inviting" to the public while providing more security to boat owners. The estimated cost for the changes is $3.9 million. Other changes in thp harbor area-would the relocation and expansion of the boat launch area, beach improvements, a public walkway·going from-Heydenshore to Lake Park and -the creation of a new "Port Whitby Park" that would include water-related activities (spray pool, paddleboats), a boardwalk, amiphitheatre, concession areas and staging area for art shows. Two details of the plan, a suggestion that the pump house become "new space" and that the existing temporary soccer pitches be located elsehwere to make way for those water-oriented activities, prompted some reaction frorp residents Monday night. Indeed, there are many details to be ironed out. But what is essential is that the dialogue and planning continue so that Whitby can eventually come up with what Heine described as its own "Harborfront, on a smaller scale." Some other- lakeshore communities are taking full advantage of the water resource to produce attractive development that involves recreation, housing and tourism. The Town now has to set in motion the process by which Whitby can join such progressive efforts and depart from the undeveloped norm of so many other community waterfronts. LETTERS Need for more urgent care beds didn't happen overnight Tothe editor: I would like to respond to Stephanie D. Ball's letter, published in the Whitby Free Press, Feb. 3 edition. Yes, I must admit I was unaware of a certain Conservative accom- plishment, Bill Davis's government extended Whitby General Hospital by building the second floor as a chronic-çare ward. And that it is the responsibility of both the hospital and the District Health Council to make such a request, even though a requestfor more beds wasn't made before. David Peterson's Liberals for- med a government in 1985, thus en- ding 43 years of Tory rule in Ontario. If Stephanie Ball is correct, why didn't anyone in Whitby General, the District Health Council, the Health Ministry or ex-MPP George Ashe point out that there is an urgent need for more active-care beds back then? Surely Whitby's problems didn't happen overnight. As a matter of fact, inadequate health services, overcrowded hospital wards, bed shortages, staff cutbacks, user fees, hospital deficits, long waiting lists for most kinds of elective surgery, lack of certain specialized health care facilites were and still are *commomplace in many, if not all, Ontario ho.spitals - including Whit- by. This résulted not from the Liberals but the Progressive- Conservatives who intentionally put restraints on the Health Ministry's budget, all for the sake of preser- ving Ontario's AAA credit rating and cutting the provincial deficit, at a time when Tories could aifford the luxurious Minacki Lodge in. Nor- thern Ontario and to borrow billions (1984 figures show that Ontario borrowed il billion) for Darlington Public awareness increased To the editor: I am writing to you in regard to the article and photograph of our program contained in the March 16, 1988 edition of your newspaper. I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the interest that your newspaper has shown in our agency. Media coverage such as this helps to increase 'public awareness.of our service and our need for volunteers throughout Durham Region. Thank you again for your support. Yours truly, Debby Blucher Co-ordinator of Volunteer Ser- vices. Durham Association For Family Relief Services Congrats on first tape To the editor: I want to congratulate the Whitby Brass Band on their first professionally recorded cassette tape. I just hope the people of Whitby will enjoy their home band music by purchasing one. Then the 31 members and bandmaster Roland Hill' will know the time and money was all spent for a good cause. Incidentally I am proud to have my son Randy and husband Sammy in this great band. Sincerely Helen Church Whitby and the dome stadium From 1975-85 hospitals were not the only public institutions suffering from Tory cutbacks; colleges and universities, financial assistance to students (OSAP), here in Ontario suffered, as did the disabled over 18 years, since Bill Davis, Dr. Bette Stephenson, Larry Grossman, George, Ashe, etc. put severe limitations on the assistive devices program. Where was Stephanie Ball? I didn't see her oppose Tory cutbacks back then. The Conser- vative accomplishments may be significant in Whtiby's case, but there are no excuses for gover- nmentunderfunding. In Donald C. MacDonald's 'The Government and Politics of On- tario', the Tory special program review recommended fewer beds in hospitals and treatment centres, limited construction of chronic.care facilities, reduced spending on schools,theOntariodeficitwas tobe further reduced by shifting thebur- den of payment for social programs away from the Province; financial responsibility would be shifted to individuals through increased user fees. This would include fees for physicians and out patients ser- vices, higher tuition fees for univer- sity students (re Bovey Commission and the future development of On- tario'suniversitysystem). SEE PAGE 21 Peterson replies to resident Response to Harry Inkpen's letter (Feb. 10 Free Press) to Premier David Peterson about Sunday shop- ping. Dear Mr. Inkpen: This will acknowledge your recen- t letter concerning Sunday shop- ping. As you may be aware, an all-party Select Committee was established to provide citizens and organizations across the province with an opportunity to express their opinions on this issue. The commit- tee's report was given careful con- sideration by the government. We have concluded that municipalities should be allowed to regulate Sunday openings. Since at- titudes and conditions vary widely across the province, municipal governments in our view are in the best position to determine, locally, appropriate approaches to this issue. Any changes in the law will address the question of protection for retail workers who may be asked toworkonSundays. In takin'g this action, we are at- tempting to recognizeý the social changes which have led many citizens to call for a revision of the law to accommodate local attitudes and conditions while ensuring protection for workers. Thank you for sharing your views withme. Sincerely, DavidPeterson The Free Press Building 131 Brock Street North, P.O. Box 206, Whitby, Ont. 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 mailslot at 131 Brock St. N.