FRANKIIE (LEFI') and Olivia Under- wood took full advantage of Satur-- day's light snowfal that served as a, bref reminder that this is January., Yesterday's generous 'helpmng rein- forced that wintry féeelng. Photo by Mark E..ur, Whitby Foc Prem :p7 Few bri*ght s'pots in dim industry outlook By Mark Reesor -Theres a few bright spots, but maxly of Whitby's bM t businesses foresce littie has 700 employees, d own abut abiut,3d Per cent fromn the workforce of a few years Economie committee. to be form ed By Malo Boucher Pive Whitby residents will form a now oconomic enhancement committee in an effort te, assist Town council in fîinding jobs op<portunities for Whitby. Let's gitve the people of this community an opportunig-te participate,' said mayor TOM Edwar swwst propoeth committe mntecember inhis inaugural address as new mayor.'. West ward councillor Judi Longield introducod the motion te have five private citizens, with the necossary qualifications,' meet on a regular monthly basis te discuss and make recommendations te the Town about measuros that cami resuit i econo- mice nhancent to, the community, espe- cially an increase in job oplportunitites. «Anybody may apply te this committee,'. saida dwards. CouncillorDennis Fox asked Edwarde who will choose the committee members and how the ive citizens will be involved. Edwards said "this council would choose thefiv peple» and the'comittee would be involved in a varioty of ways. Ho said some Whitb residents travel outaide the regionteote pronesand other countries and would hke te approach the Town with information on jobs possibi-' lities but have no way te, do so. The committee members wiIl be able te bring information about companies looking for emplo.ees, or comparies who may be iiterstedrn novingr teWitby,.he said. Councillor Joe DUmm said council should specify criteria about what kirtd of people will be gelected for the comnmittee. -Edwards said citizens with the kind of L roIessional and occupational qualifica- j n htcari aid in expanding employ- montpportuitios 'te Whitbl wllbe seriously considered., President Lew Hutchinson says. hoesees it- continuing te, be "a very tough steel market. We see very littie in the way of' construction starts that use -steel; -that's really the problem for us." Hutchinison says Lasco is working hard on cutting costs while increasing service and.1uali, -- thaes what gets us into the But while selling internationally may keep volume upad crews toethor, it doesn't pay weIl_-«ail we* do is turn our money over ... I guess you don't even co n- template maling money in the dr thing.» Droppinlg interest rates «might start te open thinps up' says Hutchinson who says what s needed is construction o large buildings. EDS Canada employa some.500 people in Whitby and president John Bowie sees good things ahead'in the information "I see a progressive year in 1992. We've been advancing in -the Canadian market- place and I expect te continue..." Bowie' says EDS Canada would like te grow between 10 and 20.,per cent in 1992, 'SEE PAGE 3 HOETL ae Il He aLn the BEffion is wrkin schem i*uoencountries who would invest im manufactur- ininDurham.; Wel have te market our, abili- ties and space more- effectively,» hoi of goods -and products made i'n the area andl in. the erovince must be promoted even, more m countries such a&s'Japan and Germnany, ho says. p Il RegioýnTown prepbvare for- spending freeze Vo.22,No e n say , e .Siy11,1922 ae By Mro Boucher Whitby and Durhamx Regi*on councils are- bracing themselves for the worst when Ontario Pre- mier Bob Rae makes a. Jan. 21 television announcement about the provine's economic. situa- tion. S The municipalities, as well, as hospials 'and school 'boards, could get te same- amount of provincial funding. as last year, possibly with no increase. That could force many munici- palities to raise property taxes and cut- some services. Region council wa's to hold a special meeting todayr (Wednes- dray) to de ai with -the economic uncortaâinty of 1992, as po1sed by the psîie provincial roze on transfers to te muniicipalities.. An économic strategy commit- tee will be formed te prepare, a plIan of, action for the Reion's finance and administration coml- mwittee that will grapple with the 1992 re Ãonal budget. Whittt re oal,,councillor eaeayitisan .por t ýSL"bec'dusà thë municipalities fandY Region'have" te tako the, necessaryprecautions in -the event of a freeze i provin- cial, ,overnment, funding te municipalities. "1 We are not expectiniz a ereat deal- and possibly we'l get, notbing, says Whitby .miayor Tom Edwards. Ho says the Town will do the boust it can té continue te provide services despite the recession. «We're looking at ways te' reduce costa yet maintain the Uuüalj the services here in, î;j»esays. Edwarde says- Whitby as well as Durham Reion has te start te find even "b etter waiys of m arket- in the abilities of the workers adthe companies in the region.' "*1 i