WHITBYFPmEPRESS, wEDNmSAY, AuGWI! Bi, 1D90,PAGE a DRIA FROM PAGE 1 «I thù*k council keeps a close eye on what happons here,»' nid Lawson, noting that councillor Tom Edwards, council's repre- sentative on the DBIA manage- ment board, attends meetings on a regular basis. "In » terme of Town support they assistus in many ways - street swooping, watoring flowers, hiping us with the booeein sidLawson. "BasîI[falal we have te do is pick up the phone and -they'ro availab o te us.» Lawson agrees that it would be advantageous for the Town te get invoived in more special events that could heip attract shoppers and visitors te the downtown. «To b. known for an annual- event wouid bo nice, like Cana da Day. But at the samo time we must remember that we're -net theo onl1 commercial area in Whitb.W- D vice-chairman AI Kent agrees'that a regular eventin addition te the annua sidewalk sale, would help,'but wonders if it should bo up te tthe Town te orgnz one. aIdot know if that's totally a couneil responsibility it- may bo more of a service cluh deal or if the BIA got together with thé Chamber of Commerce or Jay- cee tedo somethin& snid Kent. uI dont think it's roaliy coup- clsergative. Liko the Brook- lin Far, that's not counciFs doiçn Kent concedes that it can b. "rusating" at times for those who take an active roi. in the. DBIA. " We've got 400 members but if, we hoid a generi meeting we're Iucky if we jget 25 People. If this apa;fhyÎcontmnues it wIlbe hard te getinew things going.» Kent believes the key te a successful downtown business organization such as the DBIA is participation by net oniy mer- chants, but professionals and Office employees as weli. beefing.up-downtown Kent was recontly ii Midland for ths4 comunity's sidewalk sale, which ho sala was about ;Î"tontimes bigger than ours' with a wide range of activities taking place downtown. . It was obvious they get parti- cipation from business as well as merchants. Ours has. evolved into -a more retail-oriented organization.n Not oniy does she represent the downtown area on council, but centre ward councillor Lynda Buffett has the added experience of being a former chairman of theDBA Buffett firmIy believes there is stili, a role or the DBIA in Whitby. 'It's the same as a shopping piaza, you have a peon to co-ordinate events and sales in the mail, the same needs te be done downtown, a tie-in te bene- fit everybody,' said Buffett. .However Bufftt added, "It' jmay welîlte time te have new bodon board, a need for fresh ideas.7 She, refutes criticism, that council has ignored the down- town. "I don't think that's a fair comment. Long before 1 was on council the board and chamber feit our responsibility was te come up with ideas first and then go to council "Now, as a member of council 1 can say we are always wiiling te listen and heip." Buffett added that she is inter- ested ini hearing from downtewn merchants about what council should and shouid not be doing. 'Neit week: Why shop down- town* ili T4 CODE Lteraq Foundatio 321oro KiN 7Z2 tawa, Ont aol N .Oit CODE 613) 232-3569 J BLAK HIL amiBritnyBlakoman share a cool sptand a bucket of water at - inmnpok>lIi Wbitbyon a hot day last week- .bBceht