PAGE'6, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY,'JULY 6,'1988 e w VOICE OF THE COUNTY TOWN Cr The only Whitby newspaper Independently owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitbyresidents. P.O. Box 206, Whitby, Ont. Maurice Plfher Editor Peter Irvine Advertising Manager Alexandra Simon Production Manager Whitby's twinning exchange with Longueuilm Quebec has emerged from its teen years with a growth that Whitby councillor Tom Edwards describes as "alive and well." Now more than 20 years old, the exchange began with an uncertain birth despite the optimism accompanying Canada's centennial birthday elation and was rocked by a troubled adolescence when support by the Longueuil city fathers for the exchange appeared non-existent. However, as councillor Edwards noted last week, Gro wi g the Maltese community guided the exchange through the problem period with an admirable display of citizen support. And that citizen support and participation was evident in Longueuil on'the most recent trip when about 65 Whitby residents made the trip, and Longueuil's political rep- resentation was not only present, but more than enthusiastic about the twinning. A cultural exchange is not only educational but enjoyable. As councillor Edwards notes, mostly senior residents make the trip or act as hosts when the Longueuil residents come here,- as they will next year. Perhaps the age variation, and numbers, will increase as a worthwhile program continues to mature and attain popularity. LETTERS FROM OUR READERS Town should lead the way in heritage protection To the Editor: Mr. J. Hastie's letter to the editor "Prettiest Street hurts retailers" and the Other-Side-Of-The-Fence article on the designation of the Lynde house prompt me to write about these seemingly unrelated topics. First of all, the designation of Lynde house, the circumstances under which ail this happened, a remark by the Durham Regional chairman G. Herrema in The Free Press stating: "It's better than hiding it (Lynde'bouse) on a back concession road" are all symptomatic of the lack of a more thorough understanding of what that so often used word "heritage" is, let alone the Ontario Heritage Act. Whitby Town council was not aware that Lynde house was such an important structure worthy of designation when it was in need of protection even after it had been pointed in a letter to council by Dr. Peter John Stokes! Lynde house certainly was not. on a back concession road, but on our so called "Heritage Hwy 2." However, let mistakes be what they are. n lon as one can learn something from them. The "Prettiest Street" in Ontario is a concept that needs to be lookedWat a littie more carefully. Where are ail these historic buildings coming rom? Of course, at first sigbt, Mr. Len Cullen will be looked at as the "savior" of the houses that were of course, in the wrong place at the wrong time or, as is often the case, in danger of destruction by some arsonist. Granted that the motives are well-intentioned, the danger is that most developers are going to have an easy way out: "To Cullen Gardens." In the circles of beritage conservation there is no longer the concept of creating "pioneer villages" as was the case in the 1960's. There are now enough examples of developers using our heritage structures "creatively" by incorporating them in their developments. It means looking at the area first that is to be developed and then the drawingboard; thistprevents roads passing through historic houses as is often the case (the Fothergill house on Hwy 2 is an example). My concern with the Prettiest Street is that preserving historic structures on their site is no longer important. And will the Whitby Town council again SEE PAGE 26 Town does a 'wonderful job' with taxes To the editor: Never before have I been moved to write a letter to the editor. However, a letter which appeared in your newspaper June 15 has provided the motivation. The letter to which I am referring was from a gentleman who felt that due to taxes, only the rich and famous would be able to live in Whitby. Yes, I will agree that taxes are increasing. But then again, what isn't (including our expectations in terms of the services provided, L.e. snow removal on our sidewalks). Let's take a look at where our Pointless vandalism To the editôr: On June 10, 147 barrels and 54 hanging baskets of flowers and plants were placed on the streets of downtown Whitby. In the three weeks since the downtown flower program started, four of the barrels have been stolen (flowers, soil and barrel), nine have been dumped out, killing many of the plants inside, and countless numbers of individual flowers have.been removed from the barrels leaving them empty and damaged. In addition, one hanging basket has been ripped from the bracket attachment that held it on the light post. taxes really go. Of the monies which are collected by the Town in taxes, 52.9 per cent goes toward the cost of education and 18.7 per cent goes to the region of Durham for our share of their costs. That leaves a paltry 28.4 per cent to operate this town. Although the mill rate has increased over the past three years, the percentage allocated to the Town has decreased. This information was contained in the brochure which accompanied each tax bill sent from the Town. When one realizes the small amount which ends up in the Town coffers and how it is spent, I feel that the Town is doing a wonderful job. We have a Town which is neat and clean. Flowers grow, not vandalism and graffiti. We have a community spirit in this town which is shared by everyone from the youngest child to the eldest senior citizen. This spirit was never more evident than during this past weekend, either Saturday during the Children's Festival or on Sunday at Bruce Court's "Farewelll WYCB Concert in the Park." Only when the gentîman who authored the letter begins to participate will he feel the spirit which is the town of Whitby. If the gentleman in question has a complaint with respect w his taxes, perhaps he had best look in the direction where the majority of his taxes are spent, not to the Town. I admire the town of Whitby and their administrative use of funds collected via my taxes. I ar proud, as are my family, to live in the comfort and security of a caring community where my children. can put down roots which will reach deep enough to secure the same for all future generations to come. Sincerely yours, Geraldine Taylor-Cook .Whitby nuetb I find it very sad and disappointing that the efforts of the downtown merchants to create an attractive and pleasant shopping area for the residents of Whiby have been wasted because of the actions of inconsiderate, destructive vandals who seem to acheive some sort of personal gratification by destroying small flowers. We now have 143 barrels and 53 hanging baskets, in various states of repair, left on the streets of Downtown Whitby. 'Leave Them Alone!!' Stuart Craig Manager Downtown Whitby Business lmprovement Area 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. m 1 L.- Published every Wednesday By 677209 Ontario Inc. Phone: 668-6111 Doug Anderson, Publisher The- Free Press Building 131 Brock Street North, P.O. Box 206, Whitby,'Ont.