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PAGE 4, WEDNESDAY, JULY .J, 9bt, WHI1 BJY PlRhp, PRtzbý whitby ~Publlshed every Wednesday BILMOA ;îby M.B.Ml. Publishing Communlty Editor and Photography Ine. E m pPhone 668-011il VALERIE COWEN u u Advsrtlslng Manager Volc oftheCoutyTwn ichel an urges, ubiher Maaglg Eito11J Brock StreetNorth, SecondGlass Mail Voie o th Cunt Ton Mchel an-Bures, Pbliher- analngEdiorP.(). Box 206, Whitby, ont. Regiiration No. 5351 The only Whitby newspaper independently owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whtby residents. Falligbrook residents short-changed This week, on the front page, the Free Press lias a story chromicling the increcible sage of some -0f the new homeowners ini the Falllngbrook, a Costain -development north of Rossland Rd. Having spent in the neighbourhood of $100,000 on these homes, some of the residents moved in last winter to discover that their "dream home" was in a shambles. To describe the conditions of the homes as unfinished would be an understatement. The homeowners discovered cracks in everything from walls to ceillngs, coffee stains left by builders on wails and ceilings, unfinished insulation work, warped mantdes, fireplaces that had flot been built to spec, cracked front porches and plush carpeting riddled with cigarette burns. As if this litany of misfortune wasn't enough, repeated. efforts by the homeowners to have Costain address their concerna have in many cases been ignored. In a letter to the editor which appears below, Costain vice president Sam Wilson admits there have been some "'deficiencies" that have oc- curred, One wonders if, the word deficiency would have been the first to come to mind, if Mr. Wilson moved into a new home with three dif- ferent colours of brick, a warped mantel and cigarette burns in the carpet. Mr. Wilson lays most of the blame on the fact that many of the builders and tradesmen have been on strike this year. Fair enough. It lias been a tough year for strikes and undoubtedly Costain and its many - I * S T e E itr To The Editor: Durlng the past year, the building Industry bas been plagued by a number of trade disputes whlch have caused considerable in- convenlence to pur- chasers. The situation Is belng resolved and we sask for your co- operation during this critical time. A house la the result of cc-ordination cf the ser- vices cf a great many contractors and sup- pliers. The end product là the resuit cf the. co- operation between the builders, the suppliers and the contractors' tradesmen. Once 13 building cf a home la complete, there are of- ten some deficlencies whlch must be rectlfled. Due te the number cf strikes that bave oc- curred durlng the last year and theextra effort made to complete houses for occupancy there bas been an in- creased number cf deficlencles. We are at- tendlng te these deficlencies as quickly as possible and are maklng every effort to ensure that those who buy a Costaux home are çompletely satisfied. Our traclc record cf more than 30 years cf homebulldlng- in North America attesta te this. Today, homes tbat were built a number cf years ago are stil advertiaed for resale as Costain homes. Wltb regards to after sales service, Costain bas a team cf experien- ced representatives in is customer service department. Every Costain homeowner upon closing receives a procedures letter tegether wltb two ser- vice lista. In addition to the service number for any immediate, problems, bomeowners complete these lis at two and 12 month inter- vais detaillng any action that requires attention eitber Inside or outslde their home. Once the list la received by Costain, a service representative once again Inspecta the house. If we can correct the problein ourselves, we do. However, as la the case wlth many builders, car tradesmen are under extreme pressure and the problems may talce longer te rectlfy. In our ccntlnuing ef- fort te complete car homes for closlng and to rectlfy any outstanding deficiencies, Costain wlshes to thank car pur- cbasers for their patien- ce and understanding cf the carrent lndustry problems. Ycurs truly, S. Wilson Vice President. Re: Michael Kneil's cclumnof July 23. contractors have had a difficuit time meeting closing dates. However, when Mr. Wilson notes that some of the deficiences are due t0 the fact that an "extra effort" was made to meet those closing dates, one is inclined to roll their eyes. Surely this should have read "slap-dash" or "slip-shod" or any other word pair which we believe would more accurately describe the workmanship which went into these homes. The Town cf Whitby lias a long history of cod- To The Editcr: Congratulations cn ycur column of July 23. I bave read both sides cf the issue and strongly support ycar position and that of DRNPHC. Your column an- swered the residents' letters clearly and hcnestly. Sincerely Janet I. ickers Whitby. Costain To The Editor: A year ago ln June, we purchaaed wbat we bad tbought te be car "dream home" in Costaln's Fafilngbrook develcpment ln Whitby. Since taking possession cf this "gem uin December it bas been constant turmoil. Our house was due te close December 2, 1985. Even with giving the builder two additional weeks te complete car home the folowing is an example cf wbat awaited us. dling developers in its quest for growth and cer- tainly the town shold tke every reasonable step to maintain a strong working relationship with these developers. However there is a point beyond which it is no longer healthy or intelligent business to indulge the developors. If Whitby is to continue to prosper - as a municipality, as a place to invest and as a place to live - il is essen- tial that the town take swift and decisive action to rectify this situation. *No exterior brick bad been placed, consequen- tly no aluminum siding. @Upon entering car home fcr the'first time after taklng possession we were appailed te say the least at the mess in- side. *Coffee, pop, etc. where such bad run down the walb. oRemains for wcrlc- men's lunch breaks strewn freus one end cf the bouse te the other. *Every wal tbroughcut the bouse was either damaged- or stained. *The oak staircase ccvered in paint and scco stains. SEPG. C-