WI!REE FM ESS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1991, PAGE 5 Batten: Prilvate eniterprise can help proteet waterfront B-y Mike Kowalsid Preserving the environment should not be left, solely te government, says Whitby coun- cillor Boss Batten. Instead, goernment should be encouraging private enterprse te, play an active role as weI1, Bat- ten says. If not, taxpayers will- be- hit with an "horrendous» bill if recommendations contained in a recent report on Lake ,Ontario's waterfront are implemented, Batten warns.. Battén's commenta came dur- ing last week's discussion of the report, by Town coundil's plan- ning. and development commit- tee. The reportý called Watersbed, is the interim findinga of the Royal Commission on the Future of the Greater Toronto Water- front. Prepared by former federal cabinet minister and Toronto mayor David Crombie, the report contains 80 recommendations based on submissions Made te, Crombie .commission. Released last f1, . e2O7page document was analyze by Town plannng taff as te how it will. Althoufh.staff endorse Most Of Crombie s recommendations, their. report does express a few concerne. Batten committee chairman, said ho hnds no fault with the «general direction» of Crombie's report and a greenlands atudy prepared last year by former MPP Ron Kanter. "The problem with this rep~ort and Kanâter's is that they've deci- ded the only way te preserve the environment is through public ownership,» said Batte. «They say we should own the. whole waterfront, ereek valleys and environmentally sensitive areas ... ]Pm not convinced that's the only way te do it,» Batten -said. 'II just feel the price tai horrendous and we can' ord what they suggest we do.» Batten said the provincial goverim ent should encourage imput from: the private sector if it is seriaus about implementing Crombie's proposals. (Planning director Bob Short said the governiment has only endorsed one specific recommen- dation to date, a waterfront wa=ngtail fro Burlington to «I don't see anything that says we should look to p rivte enterprise te help,» said Bfatten.. «It means public taxes and dollars, as a taxpayer I feel some of this mayb 'pie in the sky'.» Batten also worried that Crombie's proposaIs could hinder Whitby's3 or any municipality's waterfont development plans. «We've already put together large tracts of land in the water- front area, I feel this municia liyhsara editr'ieg this commission wants us te do," said Batten. (Between 60and 70rr cent of Whty' aefr ands are alreadly under pblic ownership.) However, Batten said any municipality which attempts te develop its waterfront, "will be hit over the head with the Crom- Councillor Lynda Buffett saw a conflict ini Crombie's cail for more affordable housing near the lake, but also complete public access te the waterfront. .«TMe province is being some- what contradictory, they can't have both,» said Buffett. She also, did not want munici- palities saddled with footing the entire bill of waterfront improve- ments. «There has te be a cost-sharin arrangement with the province, said Buffett. While he supported many of the points raised in the staff report, councillor Marcel Brunelle felt the overali thrust of Orombie's report is the right one. "I generally welcome the report it puts the focus in the ripht place and takes us in the direction I support," said Brunelle. "It's about time we had this type of look at the lake and environmient.» Committes recommended that Town council approve the staff reotad that copies be sent te h: Durham Region and the Crombie commission. The recommendation was expected te be dealt with at Monday>s council meeting. SAVE 25% and own any sofa, loveseat or chair by Sterling. FOR TWO WEEKS ONLY you can select the sofai, loveseat and chair of yOur dreams at STERLING authorized savings. Choose from hundreds of fabrics. Order irresistibly comfortable seating.- This is just one more great value from Rousseau's. 4DDUMAU9& FINE FURNITURE SINCE 1929 216 Mary Street East, Whitby (Just east of Brook St., north of Hwy 2) 668-3483 or Toronto 686-0061 OPENING The Beverly Hi-ls Clinic 4 Part Program Can HelpYou-L ose 3to 5lbs. Per Week... Without Being Hungry. We're Committed to your Success with the Quickest, Safest Way to a Lighter and Brighter Future! " Medically Supervised " Safe Easy Weight Loss " Eat Regular Food " Nutritionally Balanced Diets BEVEEL! H LIS HOURS: 223 Brock Street North Mon.-Fri. 9:00-7:00 Sat. j1eCý,,d ,:00-1:00 WHITBY 666m5050