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PAGE 4, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1978, WHITBY FREE, PRESS whitby SERVINO OVER 28,000 READERSr Volce of.-theeCinty Town Michael i.an Burgess, Publisher-Managing Editor' flieonly Whitbynewspaper independenuy owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents. Communlty Editor -BanWnr -Published every Wednesday Contrîi*ating Editor -JM î l Prcouctîor' Manager -Misurges by MBM.PubighugiPrint & Promotiona' by .BM.Pullhig~Manager -Robin Ly0"* d MdPhotogapy 'ClClaWfi ed 'ActManagerý -Sge va «v Phone 668-6 11 Circuiation Manager ~jd Mailing Permit Mo. 460 Free Pres Buildig ýerock Streét NoM, ?Sox2O". Whýitby, Ont. Mamber of the: Better Business Bureau of Tocronto Whitby Chamber of Comrec Cancer soci"etvý says thanks for publi*ci'ty Dear Brian:. Bill and 1Iwant tothank hope will be you and your paper for' $5,000.00. We kn( your tremendous support success was due to dluring our April Cancer thorough work by Campaign. We realize tha thorough people,a the return for your efforts and the paper are in an area such as this is this group. The cc only in public relations you gave us ai and flot ln monetary interest you show velue. We are, therefore, very much apprE %'ery giad that you and We anticipate the paper are com- continue interesti munlty-minded enough to operation in ou appreciate such returns. Campaign. ,As you are probabiy Please conve, well aWare our Campalgn appreciation to Mi total wil l likeiy be some his paper and $13,000.00 to $14,000.00 yourself our thani over our goal of $22,000.00 great lob. As of the-end of June our Sincerely, recelpts totaleed $31,322.93, and this does flot yet Include the Marion and Bill i recelpts f rom the Co-Chairman C KIwanls Club's Ladies 'Campaign, Whitbl Great Ride, whlch we Branch a/1 r around 0oW our 0 a lot of ' a lot of and you epart of :verage 3nd the ied was -eciated. your and co- ur 1979 Ly Our Nike and accept iks for a Irwin, Cancer >y Cancer soci*ety, thanks publi*c Dear Sir: We would like through your paper to convey our personal thanks and the thank you,'s of many, many people who are cancer victime to the residents of the Town of Whltby. We realize this Is a somnewhat belated acknowledgement, but we'd Mie to apply the oid adage, "Better late than neveri" The April Campaign of the Canadian Cancer Society ln the Town of Whltby was a tremendous success. This was due to the consclentlous efforts of about 600 canvassers and 27 zone chairmen to whomn we say thank you. Also lnvolved this year In a new Special Events section were, the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority girls, the Whitby Klwanis Club, Anderson High Schooi, the Whitby Ambulance Drivers, McDonald's Restaurant and the Whitby Rotary Club. To them, too, we are most grateful for their dona- tions and time. As well, however, we'd ilke to say thank you to ail our Whltby citizens for their most generous response to our c..mpalgn. Most people recelve canvassers for cancer wl¶h a warm welcomne and a frlendiy smile, both of whlch are much appr.ciated by our workers as canvassing is not the most desi rable lob to be had. However, everyone nowadays is so aware'0f the threat of cancer that most of us are qulte anxlous to see an end to this dread disease. Such an end Is obtainable only through research and education both of which require money. As well, cancer patients ln our area receive heip f rom the Canadian Cancer Society, which help is provlded by the money raised during the April Campalgn. Anyone requiring information regarding cancer can phone 725-1166. This is the number of the Canadian Cancer Society office for the South Durham Unit whlch Includes the Town of Whitby. In closing we would 1like to reiterate our thanks to everyone with one fast word of appreciation directed to you and your paper for the exceeltn côverage and cooperation given us during the Campalgn. This, too, has contributed to the success of the Campaign. Sincerely, Marion a&8Bi1 Irwin Co-Chairman Cancer Compalgn Whltby Brandi Canadlon Cancer Soclety Report from Queen 's Park By George Aishe MPP PROPERTY TAX REFORM-FARMS AND VACANT LAND FARMS One of the most emotionally charged issi4es surrounding discussions on property tax refont is the handling of farms and farmlands. T he common thread throughout ail of the meetings on this subject is the visible pride of the fariner in his profession and the love and sensistivity 4e feels with respect to his land and the crops he gleans from, it. The Assessment Act presently allows for farmland, farni buildings and fart residences ail to be assessed on the basis of their value to another farmer, and ahl are eligible for a 50% tax rebate from the Provincial Government. Although many people believe this situation sbould continue, it does contain numerous inequities. Just to give one exaniple, traditionally the Ontario fart bas contained in one property a residence plus a source of livelihood for a fýrm family. Although this still remains largely true, the position is changing. Two or three farms are often grouped together and operated by one farmer. As a result, an increasing number of farm residences are occupied by families who earn their living in urban employment, but these resîdences can continue to be eligible for the 50% tax rebate. Alternatively some working farmers do not live on their land, and sucb non-resident 'real' farmers are not eligible for the 50% rebate on their town residences. One must question the validity of continuing to assist the farter through a tax rebate of 50% on bis residence. It is generally agreed that farmland should be treated distinctly fron ail other land in that it is different frontal other land, and numerous suggestions have been made about the best way of handling this property,- sucb as: - Fart residences be taxes at 50% of market value the same as aIl other residences; - Fart lands and buildings be assessed at market value but be tax exempt, witb full equal payments being made by the Province Wo the municipality; Fariners pay 10% of full taxation at market value, on the fartn land and fart buildings, with the Provincial Govern- ment paying the balance Wo the municipality; - ILemaln wlth the present systein, but clearly define the word 'fariner' in the legllation as it applies to taxation in order to avoid abuse; - Farm taxes be based on productivity value rather than market value. Each of the foregoing suggestions have menit, and each have flaws. At this point, I arn very hesitant to provide an indication of which direction the taxation of farms will go with the introuduction of market value assessment. But 1 do feel confident in stating that the special situation of the farnier and his land will continue to be recognized. VACANT LAND AND IBUILDINGS Under present practices, vacant commercial buildings are not subjeet to a business tax. Further, realty taxes on vacant land held for development purposeis Is calculated at the residential rate. And at that, because of the 1970 freeze on assessment values, vacant land is greatly under-assessed as a resuit of the rapid increase in the value of land during the past few years. 1A taxable assessment of vacant land at 100% of market value would result in considerable tax revenue increases to local governments. Preliminary computer printouts show that this increase would have amounted to approximately $3,000,000 in the Durham West Riding if reform had been.implemented for 1977. This increase is three times more than the revenue gained from vacant land under the present system, and would serve to substantially offset the expected overail residential property. tax decreases with tax reform. Much concern has been expressed 'ibout property taxes based on market value assessment for land intensive businesses such as golf courses, campgrounds and similar properties generally us 1 fv- "ecr'-ational purposes. It must be recognized that while rnuc i. Itltib land vacant, it is by no means idie. Given the land intenF ve characteristies of such businesses, -issessment at mark( value, particularly in urban areas, ould result in taxes of.% ach magnitude as to eliminate entirely a continuation of the current use of the land. Presently, some municipalities have special fixed assessment agreements witb the owners of golf courses, and these agreements do of coutse vary from. municipality to municipality. One reformn proposai is that these properties be assessed and taxed a full market value, but' the owner be permitted to apply co the local council for a deferment of up to 50% of the total property tax. The deferred taxes would be accumulated on thç books of the municipality, -gether with simple interest, to be recovered upon the sale of the land for purposeg other than îts current use, or upon conversion by the present owner to other uses. Another proposals is to limit the total amount of property taxes which any municipality can levy on the land portion of such properties, with the maximum amount allowable to vary according to the market vàue of the land. If you would like additional specific information on property tax reform for farmis or vacant anid, please contact my Constituenty Office at 683-6707. 'P