Whitby businesses oppose Sunday shopping: survey Ninety-one per cent. of busin- esses in Whitby are opposed to Sunday shopping, according. to a survey by Lynda Buffett which she presented to operations conmittee Monday night. Buffett, a member of the Whitby Chamber of Commerce, said she carried out the survey for personal reasons, and it did not involve the Chamber. She surveyed .90 business in town from March until May. Businesses were located in downtown, the Whitby Mall, Kendalwood Plaza and other private businesses. Buffett told committee that of the 90 businesses, which she called the majority ofbusinesses in Whitby, 91 per cent were against Sunday shopping. She asked Whitby merchants if they would open should sur- rqunding municipalities open on a Sunday. Sev'enty-two per cent said they would still be opposed to Sunday shopping, according to Buffett, while 18 per cent would open. Reasons given for not wanting to open on Sunday included: don't want to work on a Sunday, 65 per cent; wouldn't make any more profit, 54 per cent; and religious reasons, 42 per cent. "The real issue here is quality of life. It is far more important than having an extra day to shop," said Buffett, who only spoke to the owners of the stores. Glen Konoroski, a local lock- smith, security consultant and freelance writer, will run for the centre ward seat in the fall Whitby municipal election. "I'm concerned about rapid growth and expansion in Whitby," says Konoroski, the first declared candidate for the seat now held by Marcel Brunelle. "I hope to bring a little more insight into planning." The 33-year-old town resident, who says most of his business dealings (Kenton Lock and Security) are in centre ward, says "There doesn't seem to be enough planning here,". . mentioning recreation facilities and streets as two concerns. He also blames the Province for inadequate funding for what he describes as needed road improvements. Konoroski is also concerned about high taxes, and would like to see greater promotion of Whitby's downtown areas. Married, with one child, he is graduate in public administration from Durham College. He is a Conservative party member. KonoroSki once ran for a seat on bydroelectric commis- Councillor Marcel Brunelle also told committee that an informal poll he took showed that both merchants and residents 'just plain don't. want Sunday shopping." Council will be debating the issue on Tuesday, May 24. The Province has given first reading to Bill 113 which will give regional municipalities the right to regulate Sunday shop- ping. Durham Region council has already gone on record as opposing Sunday shopping. By a vote of 21-2, Durham regional council has decided it will not allow Sunday shopping if given the power to allow it by the Province. The motion was introduced by Oshawa councillor Brian Nichol- son last 'week. The Province has given first reading to legislation that would allow regional governments to regulate Sunday shopping. 'We should make our decision early so people know where we stand," said Nicholson. Only Oshawa councillors John Aker and Doug Wilson opposed the motion. Seven councillors were absent for the vote. Whitby regional councillors Tom Edwards and Gerry Emm voted in favor of the motion. Whitby Mayor Bob Attersley was among the absent. sion but was unsuccessful. Brunelle has yet to make a definite announcement of his plans for the municipal election. However, he has hinted that he will likely seek another. position other than the centre ward seat. t, LENK?9Ç9R0SM Uncovered A PIECE OF WHITBY'S past was un- covered and carefully removed for restoration by stained glass artist Steve Jepson-(right) from the front of the Golden Gate restaurant last-week. The Ross. Brothers, George and Hugh, operated a dry goods and cloithing store at the location from 1878 to 1924. The glasswork, believed to be about 70 years old, has been given to the Whitby Historical Society by restaurant owner, Ming Fong, with restoration work to be funded by the local branch of the Ar- chitectural Conservancy of Ontario. Free Press photo Complaints about roads, parks and cable 'pedestals'in West Lynde area By Mike Johnston Roads, parks and the instal- lation of pedestals by Rogers Cable TV in the West Lynde subdivision were the topics of discussion for more than two hours at Monday night's Town operations committee meeting. About 30 residents from the West Lynde area attended the meeting, all of them opposed to the installation of the structures, that they described as "towers," on their front lawns. "Why weren't we given the choice to have these towers. Dogs urinate on them. Kids break pop bottles on them. They are an eysore to the community," said Barry Allum. of the 3-ft. high, above-ground pedestals Rogers is installing in the subdivision as part of a three-year program to upgrade its service. To make his point, Allum took one of the pedestals Rogers brought to the committee and angrily dropped it in front of committee members. "Arm I going to get a tax break like the supermailboxes," said Allum, pointing to the box as he walked up and down in front of committee members. 'That depre- ciates the value of my house." Allum' asked that the cable company either return the service of boxes that are flush to the ground, or place the "tower" on the side of a house where utilities already exist. In response to Allum's sugges- tion, Paul Coleman, general man- ager of Rogers, said that a computer program determines where each pedestal is placed. "We have tried wherever pos- sible to put them in the most tasteful place," said Coleman. Speaking over boos and jeers from the residents, Coleman said the pedestals are required to give better service and provide more channels. "We don't want any more channels," shouted out one resi- dent. Coleman also said the above- ground pedestals offer better accessibility for Rogers when they need repairs. He said that when a "flushed" device needs repairs, Rogers has to dig up the ground to get at it. "Hydro is underground and so is Bell. Why not Rogers?" asked committee chairman Joe Bugelli. Coleman replied that Rogers has a box in which it places equipment, then places the box underground. When service is required, Rogers only has to have a lid removed. But he said that the electrical equipment in the above-ground pedestals, which act as an amplifier for Rogers' signal, cannot be placed underground. "There is no device I am aware of to waterproof this," said Cole- man. After discussion, committee asked Rogers to stop installing the pedestals until the Town seeks a legal opinion as to SEE PAGE 10 Region considers gypsy moth control See page 4 Warriors' season begins See sports, pages 18-22 "DURHAM MOVE pull ut cetre sctio Konoroski will try for centre ward seat v It~ U 'r