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PAGI 12. WlEDNES)AY.N IARCH Il ,1, %I WIlT Y RH PRIESS Charges "unmitigated parochialism". 0.• Evans demands changes in the region By MICHAEL KNELL Free Press Staff Centre Ward Councillor Barry Evans isn't happy with the Region of Durham and claims that its in- dividual members are guilty of "unmitigated parochialism." Evans made the statement last week in reac- tien to Durham Regional Council's decision to defer, for at least one year, the construction of the second phase of the Pringle Creek- Corbett Creek Diversion Sewer. In fact, Evans has accused individual councillors of not being interested in suppor- ting anything that does not benefit their own com- munity. "It isn't working properly in its present form," he said, "it is not a regional gover- nment, per se." The local councillor said that individual members of regional council look at issues from a local viewpoint. They should instead, "look at the region as a whole rather than its individual parts." He admitted, however, that as a theory, regional government was an "ex- cellent idea". Evans pointed out that Durham Region was created in a time of boom growth and was geared to deal with that kind of economic situation. He said that the system "requires changes" and that "someone other than the region has to review it." "1 am suggesting it isn't......fulfilling the function that it is designed to meet," Evans said, adding that regional council shouldn't do anything to the "detriment of any one municipality." "There is no room for a system that generates parochialism." While, he did not say that there should be a return to the old county system, he did not offer any alternatives to second-tier government. "While it is the popular wish of the people that the region be disbanded, I would suggest that all the alter- natives be studied before it is disbanded." Any opposing view to Evans comes from one of Whitby's two regional coun- cillors, Tom Ldwards. While Edwards said that Evans' accusation of parochialism "is valid with regard to some....1 don't agree that all regional coun- cillors are tarred with the same brush." Edwards said that the region has provided a better level of service in some areas and pointed to policing and social services as examples. However, he cautioned that the "region is still a new entity" and is still "gar- nering experience." Edwards, who also served as a reeve on the old Ontario "Future Thought" County Council, said that many of the problems of parochialism existed there and that it isn't fair to com- pare the two levels of gover- nment. Edwards remarked that the county had a more limited function than the region. "It is impossible to say which is the more efficient because of their different function," he said adding that "the county was rife with parochialism" although he said that there was "less partisanship." wins top honors in contest By PAULINE TORRESAN Whitby Toastmistress On Tuesday, March 3, Whitby Toastmistress Club held its annual speech con- test with nearly half the ac- tive members entered. Judging this event were: second vice-president of Great Lakes Region, Merle Gerrard; english consultant to the Durham Board of Education, Carol Carter; and Whitby chiropractor, Dr. John Knight. All the judges commended the contestants for their ef- forts saying that they were all winners for having the courage to try. Lee Hewitt's delivery of her attention-grabbing presentation entitled "Future Thought" won her the honor of representing Whitby Toastmistress at the Council 2 contest to be held, this May, in North Bay. Hewitt will compete against winners from eleven other clubs. Runner-up Sylvia Kerruish will also prepare a new speech in case Hewitt is unable to compete. The next regular meeting of the Whitby Toastmistress Club will be held on Tuesday, March 17, at Cedrick's Banquet Hall on Brock Street North in Whit- by. This event begins at 6 p.m. and costs $7 a person for the dinner. Guests are always welcome to attend meetings and share with members in learning to acquire better com- munication skills while in a social setting. To make reservations, call Gail Harrison at 683-6067, or Pauline Torresan at 668-8760 before Saturday, March 14. Whitby Arts getsOCA grants Whitby Arts Incorporated has received grants totalling $13,500 from the Ontario Ar- ts Council. The announcement was made last week by Arthur Gelber, chairman of the government agency as part of a $1,842,738 package of grants to 513 artists and 237 organizations in the Provin- ce of Ontario. Nancy Steele of Whitby was also given a creative ar- tist in schools grant that has a maximum value of $1,500. A visual artist material assistance grant was also given to Marlene Hilton of Whitby. This grant has a maximum value of $1,000. alSN ESS Li1f Carriers are needed in Ajax, and east of Haz- elwood and east of Kendalwood in Whit- by. Anyone who feels they can do the job for a long period of time can apply at: THE WHITBY FREE PRESS 668-6111 - m -