PAGE eWRUBY FREE:PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1988 em ~2 e VOICE OF THE COUNTV TOWN • • A The only Whitby newspaper Independently owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents. Published every Wednesday B3y 677209 Ontario Imc. Phone: 668-6111 Doug Anderson Publisher The Free Press Building 131 Brock Street North, P.O. Box 206, Whitby,'Ont., P.O. Box 206, Whitby, Ont. Maurce Plfher Editor Peter Irvine Advertising Manager Alexandra Simon Production Manager After the Renascent Foundation agreed to meet all conditions imposed to transform the Carnwith mansion in Brooklin into an alcoholics' treatment centre, it seemed that. Whitby council might unanimously approve the plan. But argumentsby north Whitby councillorseRoss Batten and Gerry Emm about water service uncertainty, and concern by councillor Joe Drumm about the number of guests to use the former (but formidable) single family dwelling, made this a close one -- only a tie-breaking vote by Mayor Bob Attersley paved the way for the ultimate decision to approve the Renascent plan. Discussion of the plan included a dlaim ("perception") by councillor Joe Bugelli that maybe something more than a concern about water and sewer servicing had led councillors to oppose the plan. Bugelli indicated that "the social problem that comeswiththis application" might also beMa concern, although this was hotly denied by Mr. Did arguments hold water? Batten, in particular. It was noted by Mr. Bugelli, who did some homework, that nary a negative. comment had been made about other Renascent treatment centres, whose operations must meet provincial guidelines. The debate and voting also poËed at Ieast three revelations that suggest that water problems posed by the application would appear to be mf less importance than originally believed. First, adequate water will be made available to the facility, through reservoirs that apparently won't affect Brooklin's current water system; second, Mayor Attersley noted that council had not long ago approved arena renovations that would much more effect on the water supply than Renascent; third, Gerry Emm, administrative committee chairman and one of the three councillors who had unsuccessfully voted to support the committee recommendation to deny the application as "premature," then decided to support thesubsequent motion to permit Renascent ta go ahead. Hmmmmmm....I Now that the decision has been made, community residents should support the work to be performed by the treatment centre, described as a needed facility here by councillor Tom Edwards. And the Renascent record is gbod, as president Paul Sullivan says the successful rehabilitation rate ranges from 75 ta 85 per cent, with favorable reports by companies who send their employees. There wil no doubt be close scrutiny of Renascent operations by some Brooklin residents. We hope so, for as Mr. Edwards. mentioned last week, one day the mansion might be pointed ta with pride by residents - not just for its imposing outside LETTERS FROM OUR READERS 'Prettiest Street' is a slap in the face to downtown To the editor: We agree wholeheartedly with the comments made in J. Hastie's letter in the June 29 issue of the Whitby Free Press. The naming of the Cullen Gardens street as the "prettiest" in Whitby, is a major slap in the face to the retailers in downtown Whitby. Many business people have spent time and money in the downtown core trying to attract people to their shops.The Town of Whitby Enjoying Echoes To the editor: On Friday evening, June 24. my family and I attended the Whitby Courthouse Theatre Youth Group's presentation of "Echoes." The entertainment provided by the whole cast was thoroughly enjoyed by each of us. We found that these youths played their characters very well, and their enthusiasm was genuine. We would like to express our congratulations not only to these young people, but also to the producers and staff of the Court- house Theatre Youth Group. Keep u, the good work, and we look forward to future pre- sentations. To ail those who did not attend, we can only say that you missed a very fun-filled evening. It's a shame that more Whitby people do not attend these wholesome, entertaining produc- tions. Yours very truly, John Visser Whitby has shown very little interest in the beautification of the down- town area. We feel there is plenty of room in the downtown area for improvement and beautification. It's about time for the Whitby administrative committee to stand up and take notice and action towards sprucing up the downtown. In reference to Mr. Angevaare's letter of July 6 to the Whitby Free Press, we couldn't agree more. The historic houses of Whitby are an intregal part of the look of this town, so let's protect their heritage. We hope our councillors will apply time and money into making downtown Whitby a beautiful place to shop. Dagmar Weller - Weller's Rob Egan - Brooklin Cycle Rozanna Vessey - Rozanne's Deli Dianne Stoddart - Lady Di's Slender You Dale Del Mastro - Smitty's Heat problem at senior citizens home is obseene To the editor: Thank goodness we still have weekly, town newspapers that collect the news and then do it so short and sweet. I refer to your editorial from Wednesday, July 13, 1988, '. . .contempt of the system to vote in ignorance' and 'but one can't accuse him of failing to inquire. . .of what's going on.' As a one-time member of a rural. type farming community I should like to think that I call the shots as I see them. With all the negative publicity that has been recently heaped on councilman Ed Kolodzie in our local political scene I have yet to notice any- thing concrete from the lips of people like Mr. Elsev. Mrs. Thanks for the Comfort To the editor: My thanks and appreciation go to the person who pulled my daughter from the car and comforted her in an accident on July 8. Marcia Semple and Jessica Whitby. 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 L1N 551 or drop through our mailslot at 131 Brock St. N. Hamre, • Mr. Cubitt and Mr. Herrema. Though many in Whitby might castigate Mr. Kolodzie in his comments that Hillsdale Manor needs come be- fore Fairview's, I should like to think that his comments referred to the ventilation problems that have gone unresolved for too long. If, in fact, we are experiencing the greenhouse effect with its ever climbing temperatures, then this problem is beyond the talk- ing stage. Were this event to take place at Whitby or Oshawa hospitals the consequences would. be quick and dire. I should like to hear solutions from those civic officials other than councilman Ed Kolodzie instead of heaping constant scorn on his ideas. As a country which is noted as one which puts the highest per capita o its elderly population in institutions, this current Hills- dale and Fairview heat stress problem is obscene. Yours truly, Richard Norman Oshawa P.S. Please excuse the urban verbage. L