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WHITBY FREE PRESS. WEDNESDAY. SEPTFMRE-R 23, 198 1, PAGE 3 Do c-mA m Th on These students of Whitby's Denis O'Connor Hxgh School are seen here dîsplaying their sponsor sheets for thc school's annual Doc-A-Thon that wilI be held on October 1. The annual event is participated in by almost every one of the school's 500 students and 25 teachers. The 30 kilometre walk is held to raise money for varlous programs offered at Whitby's only separate high school. Sponsor sheets have been distributed to each student who will be actively seeking support until the day of the walk. - Free Press Staff Photo Being late with property taxes w»Ill now cos t more inters Those people who haven't paid their property taxes are going to have to pay more interest on their overdue accounts. At its meeting last week, Whitby Town Council adopted a rec- ommendation that will increase the intcrest rates charged on tax arrears to 24 per cent a year or 11/ per cent above the prime interest rate, which ever is lcss, effective October 1. In making the recommendation, town treasurer AI Claring- bold said that provincial legisiation permits the town to charge an in- terest rate of 11/2 per cent over Uic prime len- ding rate being charged by its chartered bank. Currently, Uic town charges 15 per cent in- terest on overdue ac- counts and Claringbold wants to sec this changed to a reasonable level. "I amr rquesting Uic opportunity to increase our existing rate of 15 per cent to a reasonable level," he said in his report. "The requested increase would only af- fect those taxpayers who have outstanding accounts for the years 1980 and prior. " Interest rates on current taxes will also be incrcased but not un- tii March 31, 1982.' "To do so at present will require a separate notice to ail taxpayers, " Claringbold said. "Therefore, I arn requesting authority to phase in the increase in interest rates beginning with arrears customners in October and con- tinuing with current ac- count customners on March 31, 1982." The new rate, based on the town 's arrears account level, revenues should increase by somne $2,500 per month, the treasufer informed council. "However, when the new interest rate takes effect on ail taxpayers, I would estimnate that an additional $60,000 per year wilI be rcceived," Claringbold said. Opposition to the suggestion came from West Ward Councillor Joe Bugelli who said that thc tax arrears werc from residential taxpayers, many of whom may be cx- periencing difficulties with their mortgages because of tic high cost of financing. Bugelli was of the opinion that this recommendation would do the most damage to the people already suf- fering because of the in- terest rate situation. He encouraged -coun- cil to "show some restraint and considera- tion" for these people. The councillor urged that the interest rate be fixed at the prime len- ding rate so that the town would not lose any rnoney. Regional Councillor Gerry Emm said that he was disappointed that the recommendations did not make provision for those people who pay their taxes early. He poînted out that it has been some years since the town offered a discount to such people. Discounts on taxes for early payment is allowed under the same piece of legisiation that permits the town to set the interest rates at 11/2 per cent above prime. Regional Councillor Tom Edwards agreed with Emm on this point. "I regret we no longer provide a discount," he said adding, "Don't let us penalize those people who pay on time by giving those who didn't a free ride." Claringbold recently said that there are ap- proximatcly 260 home- owners who have flot paid their property taxes. ,BILL REYNDERS~~ Mr. Jack Young, President of Kingchurch Datsun Ltd. is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Bill Reynders as Service Manager. Bill has many years of automotive experience, servicing ail makes and models. H-e invites his many friends and customers to visit hlm at his new location to enjoy a cup of coffee and discuss their automotive needs. KINGCHURCH DATSUN LTD. 1 KINGSTON RD. E., PICKERING 686-0555 Charge laid on piel An Oshawa man was charged with assaulting police and dangerous driving last Friday nlght after an incident on Uic picket lime at Nor- th American Steel Equipment Company, Ltd. According to Uic Durham Regional Police a car approached thc picket line at Uic Hopkins Street plant at 6:37 p.m. and didn't stop, going thrugh Uic lime hitting one picketer who was not hurt. et une Upon attempting to arrest Uic driver and place him in his cruiser, a constable was struck on the chin and bis glasses and hat were knocked off. Pickcters helped to subdue Uic driver when a struggle cnsued. Russei Calvin Mapes, 61, of 333 Humber Ave., Oshawa wil appear in Whitby provincial court on October 2 to answer to charges of dangerous driving and assaulting police. DÀftTSUN A 1