Page 12, Whitby Free Press, Wednosctay, May 19,1993 Chamber critcal of tender decision PROM PAGE 1 Council's action has aise caused the Whitby Chambor of Commerce some concern. But until a meeting can be arranged with Edwards, Whitby chaniber officiaIs are witholding comment on the matter. What raised the ire of the two chambors was ceuncil's decision te defeat a recomniendation from its operations committee that Oshawa Gardon Service (OGS) receivo the contract for construc- tien of Ash Street Park and Bassett Park, plus werk en Man- ning Trail. OGS had submitted tenders totalling $76,174 for the overal contract and was the lewest bid- der when its two bids are taken tegether. H ewever, Town staff exercised its right te split the contract. Staff recommended that L)c- Pave Construction Ltd. of Rich- mond Hill ho awarded the Ash Street project due te its lew bid of $34,182 and that Rocky River Construction of Concord be given the Bassett Park contract for its low bid of $39,694. The two separate bids were $1,298 lower than OGS' com- bined bid. But after hearing arguments froni OGS, cornmittee rejected staffs proposai and epted for the local firm. However, by a vote of 5-3, council overturned committees recemmendation and accepted the advice of staff, although it did agree te review the wording of its tendering policy. Representatives ef both 0GS and Loc-Pave had teld council that the Tewn's right te divide the contract should have been spelled eut more clearly in the tender documents. Smyth told The Free Press that h or organizatien has taken the position that in order te «kick start" the local ecenomy, local business must ho supported. "Te give this contract te two out-ef-tewn cernpanies for a more $1,300 is shocking, shocking,» she said. The Oshawa chamber had hoped te participate in the Whitby chamber's planned meet- in with Edwards, but agreed te bo ut at Whitby's request, Srnyth said. "Whitby decided they wouid meet on their own first and cal on us for support if needed,» she said. "We're just expressing our con- cerns and reasons why they (council) shouldn't do it,» Srnyth added. A Whitby chamber staff person said a meeting with the mayor had not yet been arranged and until then the chamber would not comment. "If we feel it's appropriate, we will issue asteen, she said. Chamber president Jim Ellis was not available for immediate comment. Edwards defended council's decision and took umbrage with the Oshawa chamber's letter. "I don't accept that criticism at al,"» Edwards said. "The Oshawa Chamber of Commerce is one of those organi- zations that spouts off about the sanctit of the tender system," he said. Edwards said this was not the first time that a contract had been split, ner would it likely be the last if it means a savings to the taxpayers. "I want te use local industry and werkers wherever possible, I agree with them (chamber) on that," ho said. "But if you reduce the attrac- tion for outside companios te, bid you will net get the best price. den't want te, see that done.» Edwards said ho aise did net want a situation where ceuncil is prevented from dividing a con- tract and awarding it te two Whitby companies because a combined bid from an outside firmn is lower. Edwards said Whitby's current tender policy is werking but ho. agreed te take a look at the practice. uThe language of the tendering system willb reviewed," ho said. tefneuwhtcss "I want ofnou htcse confusien -- if you're successful yeu'ro net cenfused and if you're net succesful, you're cenfused.» Edwards said local businesses «lçnow where we stand» with respect to the awarding of Town contracta. "The low tender gets the job," he said. Councillor John Doîstra, who proposed that the existing policy be examined, aise defended coun- will have te sit down and 'hash cil's decision. out» a teidering policy that is "I love te support local busi- acceptable te everyone. ness, but not at an additional s129 cd. to the taxpayers,» ho "There's no sense fighting it said. Iont here (council chajabers), ho Dostra said council and staff said. Loalresidensjonrally m iOttawa Nine years of bad Censorvativo policies have done nething fer the working people of this country, says federal Durham NDP candidate Lucy Rybka-Becker. "Economic policies like free trade and the goeds and services tax have done nething but put people eut of work, strain our social progranis and burden the middle and lower class even more," said Rybka-Becker after attending the anti-government rally in Ottawa erganized by the Canadian Labour Congress, which saw more than 75,000 protesters from acroas the country. "Free trade was supposed to NDP executive elecions held Members of the Durham East NDP Provincial Riding Associa- tion elected their executive fer 1993 at the annual general meeting held in Bowrnanville recently. The executive committee includes president Cec Mackesoy, vice-president Lucy Rybka- Becker, recording secretary Debbie Seanes, treasurer Richard Ledwidge, membership organizer Vernon Yrgason, publicity officer Jenny. Yorgason, fundraising efficer Harold Beckeé, women's committee officer Natalie Maekesey, membors at largo Kelly Phipps, Dean Lindsay, Roy Grierson, Dan Tutkoluk and Allan Heyne, provincial council delegate Richard Ledwidge and prvnial council alternate HaedBecker. (V' give Canada secure, open access te U.S. markets. That promise was net been kept," says Oshawa povncial NDP president Andrew Lauer. 'There is nothing in NAPTA that will stop abuses on Canadian workers and our ecenomy." Hundrods- of CAW members and NDP supporters from Durham Region joined the protest. "It's time te put people te work. It's time for a real plan and a governxnent that helps generate jobs and protect existinq, jobs. People must corne first,' saYs Jenny Yergason, a membor of Local 343, Office and Prefessienal Empleyees International Union (OPELU). ... .......... ......... .... .... ...... air." Lit Ontario riding MP René Soeens says ho will support Kim Campbell in the upcoming leadship vote. Seetens, chair of the Progressive Conservative caucus for Ontaie, says he was pleased with ail of the candidates' views on the debt, deficit and the econemy. But he chose Campbell "for her commitment to open up the process of government in dealing with net only economic challenges, but aIse the other fundamental decisions that the gevernment must face." Seetens says "Campbell's experience in negotiating sorne very difficult issues through caucus in her previeus ministerial capacity" was a significant factor in his decisien. "The PC party has chosen well in the past and this time te choose a leader from an urban riding, from a major city in Western Canada, will aid the party in its quest for a third majority government," says Seetens. More commercial construction Five permits, for aImost $8 million worth of commercial development, were issued by the Town in Aýril. Construction of commercial projects this year is way ahead of last year's pace. But, residential construction is way' down. Fifty-one permits, for about $6.6 worth of residential con- KIWANISCLUB The. Kiwanis Club of Whitby meets every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Caf. Vienna, 209 Dundas St. E. (at Green), Whitby. For rmore information on thie club, oeil Jerry Jung at 668-4993 or Brick Evans at 668-2241. Giving To Your Hospital Is Good For What AilsYou.b If you want te give to a cause that's guaranteed to make yvu feel good, give to yvur local hospital. With* medical cous rising and new tech- nology hitting the market every day. your hospital needs yvur help to stay in front of advances. And wben yvu help thern, you very weII may be helping someone more important: yourself. GiveToYour n. Local Hospital.W GiveTo LifeL Asociatioa kix Hcaljhcar Piilamj struction, were issued in April. .But the $14.6 million totalfor the first four menths of '93 is about haîf of-the value for the same periorl last year when per- mita were tpsued for $28.6 mil- lion worth of residential con- struction. Ail but two of 84 residential Mermits issued this year have ben for single family dwellings. Mayor Tom Edwards says that while residential permi*ts are down, industrial and commercial permits are much l'i !her and represent jobs and cash¶low. HISTORICAL FEATURE in the Whitby Free Press 1. Who was the f irst May Quoen at the Ontario Ladies'College h now Trafalg ai Castie School) and when did sho live in Whitby? 2.What was the original use et the large, brick double house at the corner et Mary and Centre streets? 3.What house has interior woodwork et mahogany fîrom Nicaragua? 4. Who was Col. J.E. Farewell, for whomn a public school was named in 1983? Answers on Page 19 This feature provided by Ladj Am'itot.v.l «Md; kAi, -SC_.~t