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.4a. ~AJ. Council Column By REGIONAL COUNCILLOR TOM EDWARDS Deputy Mayor Some months ago during the presidential campaign in the U.S.A., President Reagan was making a major television ap- pearance at the same time that a rival network was showing one of the few worthwhile films in which he appeared. This is known as scooping one's self. I feel a little like this in that elsewhere in this paper are some comments I made at the March 5 regional council meeting, about the lack of enterprise and initiative on the part of some regional councillors. I find a deplorable unwillingness to experiment, and an atmosphere of misoneism, fear of change, which may well prevent us from benefiting from cost saving measures, or ef- forts to improve efficiency. Already sorne positive results are evident among my colleagues, and I shall continue to strive to stimulate efforts on the part of councillors, regional administrators, and the workers who are best equipped to know the short comings of the region, and who if encouraged to do so, might come for- ward with ideas. Reckless change is çiangerous, but blind quiescence is even more dangerous. Another matter with which I take issue is the statement of one of my colleagues who asserts that all regional councillors including those from Whitby, are tarred with the brush of parochialism. Such sweeping statements are inappropriate from those who live in glass houses. Certainly some coun- cillors are parochial, but I see the emergence of a real con- cern for neighbours at the region. I was heartened by the reversal of the position on the liquid waste treatment plant in Ajax, and the more recent decision overturning Oshawa's decision to allow the Dawnstar project to proceed on the King Street Island is further evidence of a regional attitude. Closer to home, I am much encouraged by the deter- mination of Whitby councillors, not to be motivated solely by parochialism. I am hopeful that this accord will bring about a resolution of the remarkably similar problems being ex- perienced by both Brooklin and Port Whitby. Out of these twin sets of adversity may well come the common aquiescence we have sought since ammalgamation. If example can do it, the present crop of councillors are working hard. On a different subject I would like to remind Whitby residents how important it is to remain aware of how our community develops, no matter which section is involved. The Neighbourhood Improvement Program, NIP, has produced a policy recommendation which causes me great fear for the future of Whitby. We have a unique appearance both in residential and industrial development. People say that Whitby, unlike Ajax and Oshawa, has some find outstan- ding homes. This has come about because of our stringent îI SPRING FASHIONS ARRIVING NOW FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY separates, dresses, coats, shoes, mens' wear ... and more! Discover our low low prices, top quality! S fAýýLY NEWTIÇE I 106 Colborne St. E. Whitby 668-4100 73 Celina St. Oshawa 579-959- WlITB3Y FREE PRESS. WDl)NESDAY, MARCI I 1, 19l, PAG E 11 Edwards says regional council collegues lack enterprise and initiative zoning requirements, the main plank of which is that there should be not less than 50 feet frontages. Now after months of difficult negotiations with private developers, and within touching distance of resolution, the town council has decided that the NIP development shall have an average of 42.75 inches, on town owned lands. With this single exception, everybody involved, developers, town staff and so on deserves credit for bringing this difficult matter almost to fruition. It is one thing for the town to move off the 50 foot requirement in order to satisfy a developer by accommodating him on odd-shaped lots or even on curves, but how can the town insist on good-sized lots in any future development when the town has deliberately, and for some vague reason lacking any cogency except that the area is near the CPR tracks, allowed development of its own lands measuring as little as 40 feet. Something smells, and I trust that Whitby residents have full input at the publie meetings on the matter. The public works program will improve roads in each ward to the tune of some $1.2 million, of which Whitby's share is roughly $579,000, s0 you know at least where some of your money is going. The irony is that in this time of tight money when so many of our residents are crying out for road im- provements, the residents of Reynolds Street, supported by the residents of College Down have asked the town not to open up the street and create potential traffic hazards. Surely the town can accommodate these people particularly in view of the fact they were given the impression some years ago that the road would not be opened. The lesson to be lear- ned from this is to ensure that you receive written confir- mation of any agreement you believe has been reached. DURHAM WEST NEEDS A STRONG VOICE IN GOVERNMENT. George Ashe understands the needs and concerns of the people of Durham West. He and his family have lived here for almost fourteen years. During that time he has served his community well as deputy reeve, mayor, county and regional councillor and now MPP. With his knowledge of the riding and as a member of the Davis team he can continue to give the people of Durham West the strong voice they need at Queen's Park. George Ashe works for all his constituents, regardless of their political affiliations. He is always available to take their problems to the appropriate body and to give the best.advice his own experience and insight can provide. George Ashe cares about the quality of life in Durham West and Ontario. He supports the government's aim of energy self-sufficiency through accelerated use of nuclear-powered electrical generation. Abundant power without acid rain is a double advantage for us all. On March 19 Vote For As this column was being completed I received confir- mation of a matter I have been pursuing diligently since last fall. During the municipal election I was informed that a negotiation which had been going on for some time to seld the Firestone plant to General Motors was about to be voided. With this in mind I made it public, so that the matter would not be lost by default. I was criticized for my efforts and ac- cused of using it as an election ploy. In addition, some who had so far remained silent jumped on the bandwagon to gain what mileage my efforts would earn. Since then'l have followed up constantly talking to union of- ficials, region and town staff, the heads of municipal gover- nment in the area, and provincial government officials in- cluding cabinet ministers, all of whom urged that now the matter was back on track I say nothing publicly to disrupt the negotiations. At the same time 1 was approached by men and wornen, some of whom put 25 years in the plant and at 50 plus years of age were out of a job. My concern was that even at this late stage the matter would slip through our grasp, and some other Municipality would benefit f rom our loss. This feeling became acute when DeHavilland went to North York instead of Peterborough. Well now we can all relax. Some 500 jobs will be brought to the town with all the spin off that entails. My concern is that G.M. give preference to those men and women who showed loyalty to the previous owner for ah those years. None of us will ever know what would havehap- pened if I hadn't "blown the whistle" last October. The main thing is that a good solid respectable company is moving in to restore activity to the location in which I spent much of my first 16 years in Canada. /-c A 4 4 George Ashe believes in the future of Ontario and of Durham West. Ontario is rich in promise. With the new thrusts of the B.I.L.D. program towards industrial and-manpower development plus energy self-sufficiency, Ontario can be the envy of the entire world. George Ashe asks for your support. For 4 years he has worked hard on your behalf. As MPP and as parliamentary assistant to four different cabinet ministers, at present to the busy Energy portfolio, he has done his best to serve all the people of Durham West. Now, he asks for your ongoing support. Strong Representation these PC Committee Rooms. Ajax 686-2810 Whitby 666-1101 Pickering 831-3355 Please Note - Voting Hours 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Published by the Durham West PC Association DURHAM WEST Advance Polls March 12th: 11a.m. to 8p.m. March 14th: 11a.m. to 8p.m. March 16th: 11a.m. to 8p.m. BARRY L. EVANS, B.A LLBý Barrister & Solicitor WISHES TO ANNOUNCE THAT EFFECTIVE MARCH 1. 1981 . HE WILL CONTINUE THE PRACTICE OF LAW AS A SOLE PRACTITIONER, WITH OFFICES AT SUITE 204, LANG TOWER WHITBY MALL 1615 DUNDAS STREET EAST WHITBY. ONTARIO L1N 2L1 Telephone (416) 433-1200 in a Strong Government. RE-ELECT GEORGE For ArviceP nr Assistance call mmwmý à