'Time for change'in recycling For Durham Region to reach its 25 per cent recycling goal by 1993, changes will have to be made to the existing recycling system and one change may be the Region breaking its ties with Durham Recycling Centre Inc. (DRC). That was the finding of a confidential report requested by regional council last July, the contents of the report made pub- lic at a waste management com- mittee meeting last Tuesday. The report recommended the Region give the DRC 12-month notice which would allow it to freely look at alternatives to pro- vide a more efficient recycli'ng system. "This recommended action should not be viewed as a state- ment that DRC has faîled to perform as contracted. It should be understood that it is simply time for a change; further evolu- tion must take place in order to reach the 25 per cent target and fully meet the needs of all governments and residents in Durham," stated the report. The Region's operations mana- ger told committee the wording of the recommendation is "too blunt. "All it's saying is, let's sit back over the next 12 months and discuss this between the Region, DRC and area municipalities," said Art Leitch. The report recommended three alternatives that the Region might adopt to handle the in- crease in recycling: - Allow DRC to continue a private operation; - Tender the recycling ope- ration to a private operation; - Have public collection by area municipalities with the Region processing and marketing the recyclables. DRC chairman and Pickering mayor Wayne Arthurs told com- mittee the pressure on DRC can be attributed to a positive public response to participate in recy- cling. "It would be an obvious mis- take to turn the responsibility for collection over to area municipa- lities," said Arthurs, noting that the municipalities would have to purchase additional trucks at a cost of $75,.000 each. Other councillors on the com- mittee and those attending the discussion agreed that the report could be toned down but they still used the time to express their concerns about DRC. "Our taxpayers are putting the bucks in and because it (DRC board of directors) isn't a SEE PAGE 8 ANDREW SCHTL (top left), Steve ded the musical entertainment for Belak (top right) and (bottom from the opening of 'An Art to Art Talk.' left to right) Dave Blomme, Paul The show represents artwork of stu- O'Brian and Todd McRae, '"am it dents from all Durham Region up" after a performance at the Seperate schools from Kindergarten Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Osh- to Grade 13. The show continues at awa. The members of the Paul the gallery until April 2. Dwyer High School Jazz Band povi- Vince Ohprecio-Frec Press photo Cullen theme park delayed By Mike Johnston Durham Region's planning committee has approved plans for the 'Prettiest Street in Ontario' at Cullen Gardens but plans for a religious theme park south of Taunton Rd. have been put on hold. Committee was told the Cullen plan for a theme park was dele- ted from the plans because of Central Lake Ontario Conserva- tion Authority (CLOCA) concerns for the environmental sensitivity of the forest and valley lands. "The area provides wildlife habitat and has also been identi- fied by the Region as significant valley and for public open space," said Chris Conti of CLOCA. He said the area is home to deer, fox and other animals. "I don't know how any develop- ment can go in there and keep it environmentally sensitive but this is premature at this time," said Conti. Cullen Gardens owner Len Cullen told The Free Press he is still planning the religious theme park north of Taunton Rd. although he was not able to give a timetable for olanning and construction. "We will not develop that are. south of Taunton for tourist com- mercial," said Cullen. With regional council approval for the 'Prettiest Street' expected today (Wednesday), Cullen says he will begin to relocate more historic homes to the Gardens as they become available. The street would be located on the west side of Cullen Gardens and would be comprised of 25 to 30 homes. Each house would have a separate retail use, such as a candy store or jewelry store. The second story of the homes could be available for bed and breakfast use. When the plans were first raised at a Whitby planning com- mittee meeting last February, residents were concerned about the possibility of Sunday shop- ping on-the street. Cullen said those comments were regrettable. "That was the farthest thing from my mind, but it does make it nteresting. I hope it doesnt pop up again," said Cullen. The street will create 20,000 sq. ft. of commercial floor space. Houses are expected to be reloca- ted to the Gardens at a rate of two per year with each costing in the area of $300,000. Planning committee has also recommended that municipal water and sewer services be extended to Cullen Gardens. The Gardens is now serviced with private wells and a private waste disposal system. The sys- tem was designed to handle 400,000 visitors a year, according to the planning report, and is a hindrance to any future'expan- sion. Cullen has deposited an $800,000 letter of credit with the Region to extend the services to Cullen Gardens from a subdivi. sion south of Taunton. He expects water to be avail- able next year and sewers the following year. ~,,~~~4 - . fi -4 4 fi - 44.44 ~ 4$ ~ 44 *1 ~ 44. !, 44,44' Whitby actor i iLes Miserables" See Pg. 14 Grand opening for school addition See pg. 10 Fire site to be garden The foundation of the building that was destroyed by fire at Cullen Gardens will become the site of the 'Garden in the Ruins,'says Len Cullen. He says rocks, waterfalls, trees, shrubs and ornaments will make it a "place for people to sit, a delightful place to relax." He noted that visitors to the gardens will be able to use the area to eat refreshments. It will be open by May 1, in time for the annual tulip festival. Cullen also notes that an atrium will be added behind the Garden Gate Restaurant. The restaurant is open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.