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Page 18, Whitby Free Press, Wednetd.ay, MWrCh 30. 1994' for seniors Seniors' revoit against smoking ban Al1zheimersprrng edraw FIRST PRIZE in the Alzheimer Society of Durham's spring fling draw is a deluxe spa package from Yvonne's Esthetic Boutique -- that's Yvonne herseif giving Barbara Barrett ,Wilson) a sample of the treatment. Second prize is a Lake 8ntario luncheon cruise for two and third is golf and lunch for two at the Harmony Creek Golf Course in Oshawa. Tickets are $2 each or three for $5, and the draw wîll be held at the society's 3rd annual chocolate loyers lunch, Sunday, April 24 at Sop raffino's Restaurant -- tickets are $25 per person. Caîl 576-2567 for more information. Photo by Mark Reesor, Whltby Free Press April 8 de;adline for Mayor'9 s volunteer award The annual Mayor's Senior Volunteer Award recognizes outstanding achievements by seniors in the community. AIl citizens residing in Whitby who are aged 55 and over are eligible. The Whitby Seniors' advisory committee encour- ages community groups and individu.als subrnit nominations. Nomination forms are available from the Mayor's office at 668-5803 or from the seniors' centre at 668-1424. April 8 is the last date to submit completed forms to the Mayor's office, Town of Whitby, 575 Rossland Rd. E.,* Whitby LUN 2M8. 18Y Mark Reesor A delegation of Whitby seniors are clairning partial victory in their effort to over- turn a no-smoking policy in their apartment building. The seniors, who live at Windsor Place, 315 Coîbourne St. W., appeared before the volunteer board of directors of the Durham Regional Hous- ing Authority last Wednes- day, asking it to allow smok- ers to light up in the build- i ngf's-3lounge. The board, which voted to ban smoking in ail its buil d- inslast December, will meet wihresidents April 25 in the lounge at Windsor Place to discuss the issue, bousing manager Deborah MeCord said. The meeting will be condue- ted by an independent arbi- trator, MeCord added. The board will also send out a "4completely confidential" questionnaire te al tenants before the meeting, McCord said. "Whait we're finding is a lot of the non-smokers are afraid of the harrassment (and) they won't s peak their opinion," said MeC ord. "We thought if we collected some information before, at least we'd know where we're coming from,» she said. Tenants association pre- sident Verna Cain, a non- smoker submitted a petition signed by 85 per cent of the building's 120 residents, ask- ing the authority te allow smoking in the one roorn. Boar chairman Linda Por- ritt questioned the validity of thep etition, suggesting that residents may h ave been pressured into signing, an allegation Cain hotly~ denied. She told the board residents received no advance notice of the ban. When they finally found out, she said they asked te attend a board meet- ingand were refused. Donna Marie Puckerin, the building's project manager, sent letters to five residents in January warning them they had been seen smoking in t he building. "If you are seen smoking in the areas designated non- smoking, your next notice will be a Form 5, which is a notice by landlord of early termina- tion for breach of obligations by tenant," warned Puckerin in lier letter. "We think it's really un- fair,» said Gain, who said the lettr was based on com- plaints from one smoker and noted some of the tenants who received it are non-smok- ers. "'Can you imagine an 80- year-old who's been living in this building with no pro- blems, beini threatened with eviction, although that's pro- bably not the proper word, for smoking in an area where they've enjoyed it for years?» The poficy has poisoned the. formerly friendly atmosphere in the building, Gain said, and put an end to, many social events. Before the ban, the tenants' association took in between $130 and $140 a month from coffee sales at get-tegethers, she said -- "and that's at 25 cents a cup -- now it's $20 or $30.n Puekerin agrees the policy has affected quality of life, noting there used te be 15 people in the smokingr lounge at any one time before the ban, but now it's deserted -- and "there's a lot of flghting and complaining in the build- ing.. its really bad right now... "When the room was there, there was some sense of coin- munity and now there's noue.py Puckerin's not sure that sense of community will return if the smoking lounge is brought back, though -- while it appears te be just a "small few» who are against smoking -- she fears they wil complain if the ban is lifted. Gordon Potts of the Pieker- ing-based Smokers' Defence ILeague asked "How can you treat your parents and grand- parents like this? 1 can't believe this board would be so heartless.» Potts said one lady who received a warming letter was sick for three days because it upset her so mueh. H1e called on the board te immediately lift the smoking ban because "quite a few seniors smoke and have been for. que a few years...they've pid their dues and are enti- ïIed to a littie relaxation.» Týhe smoking ban was reuet b aplanning com- m4tee which includes repre- sentatives from ail the auth- 0r'ty's buildings, McCord aid, noting warning of the change was given six months before it took effect and notices were posted. Windsor Place residents in- iti ly demanded the policy be reversed, she said. "(They) tore down the signs and said they werent goig to adhere to it ... this is ge st time they've asked for smok-' ing in just one room.» Seniors' courses registration The Whitby Seniors Activity Centre will hold registration for spring courses on Tuesday, April 5, 9to11 a.nm., at the centre, 801 Brock St. S. Classes begin the week of April 18, and include clogginig, squ are , dancing, aerobic fitness, woodcarving, country. crafts, etc. For more information, ùall the, centre at 668-1424. Craft tables at seniors show The seventh annual' Good Age Show, Canada's largest exposition and entertainment event for the 'active 50 plus,' will be held May- 10 and 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, at the International Centre, Missis- sauga. Free craft tables (while space lasts) are being offered to' charities and non-profit organizations. The show is also looking for entertainers aged 50 plus, including singers, dancers, bands, stage Shows, magi- cians, comedians, etc.' For more information, contact Loretta Nealon at (416) 960-8739. tGuard ioaDug 220 Dundas St. W. WHITBY TMOpen 7 Days A Week Mon.-Fri. 9-9, Sat. 9-6, Sundays& Holidays 10-6 ............. .. ..... ALL DRUG PLANS ACCEPTED Including: LondonLife, Confederation Life, Sunlife, Cumba, etc. FULL LINE 0F DIABETIC NEEDS Health Care Needs: - Braces - Supports - Colars - Sports lnjury Supplies -Bandages a Tapes'a Dressings - Blood Pressure Kits - Ostorny Supplies -Crutch, Cane - Sale or Rentai'- Incontinence Supplies ~1- j DUNDAS ST. Li HWY #2 w< >. HWY. 401 130àu2999 ""We care about your health!"'