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PAGE 6, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MARCHI8, 1987 F w mup w VOICE OF THE COUNTY TOWN Published every Wednesday By 677209 Ontario Inc. Phone: 668.6111 DOUG ANDERSON DOUG ANDERSON Publisher MAURICE PIFHER Editor KEN HATHAWAY Advertising Managet 'Uh oiI~ ~ litb nei salpr IaIeeIHeIIIl il eilmIl (lte p it . . . . . . . . . . . Studying thé budget Whitby council recently approved a 7.8 per cent tax increase for urban residents and 8.1 per cent for rural residents in the Town portion of the tax bill, meaning an average increase of $31.50. Above in flation - yes. Unacceptable - no. When compared with a.9.8 per cent increase in the Region portion of the tax bill and what is so far (but not final) a double-digit increase in the education portion, the Town's increase is not at ail out of line. That's particularly true when one considers the growth the Town is experiencing - growth that demands more and improved services. Those ser- vices range from garbage pick-up to increased spending on parks and community centres. They also bring cost increases in ail departmen- ts of the Town, much of that from added staff to handie an ever-increasing workload. Then there are those events which occur in- frequently but highlight the limitations of existing services. Last August's heavy rainfali resulted in storm sewer repairs which will be carried out over thtee years. The beginning of these repairs also accounts for some of the irrtrease in the 1987 budget over last year. The final figures came after two long night sessions between councillors and staff. At the meetings, each lasting about four hours, coun- cillors approved just about everything presented by staff for 1987. But they did question one item in the capital budget, and hopefully it will give pause to future processes adopted by council. A $30,000 study on the Brooklin Memorial Park wasn't too well received by councillors. The intent is honest enough - how best to.use the park. The cost isn't bad - half to be paid through a Wintario contribution, the remainder through the Town's capital reserve fund., But the cost nonetheless warrants attention, say counciIllors. Meanwhile Mayor Bob Attersley has already warned that he'll be keeping a close eye on future studies and their costs. It makes sense to have studies since they offer the most professional assessment of a situation and present the facts on which our council representatives can make the best decision. But if the cost of a project, or the project itself doesn't warranf a study, perhaps our represen- tatives should be making more decisions them- selves based on their own assessments and proposais. LETTERS FROM OUR READERS House resale price rise is 'downright outrageous' To the editor: Have you ever wondered why the cost of resale houses is sky high? Let me give you an example. In February, my friend sold his house through a real estate agent who told him his house was worth $130,000 maximum. He asked for and got $135,000. The house was bought by two ladies (supposedly). The very day the deal was closed, off came the sold sign, and on went the for sale sign. Same real estate except now, the asking price is $175,000. Nothing was done to the house or property only the owner- Block Parent symbol incorrectly used To the editor: The members of the Whitby- Brooklin Block Parent Association would like to express our concern over the incorrect use of our Block -Parent symbol on Page 7 of the Whitby Free March 11/87). Press (Wednesday, The aim of the Block Parent program is to provide safety for all citizens, especially for the children. If the Block Parent symbol would be used on all kinds of articles, the safety of the child could be threatened. This would diminish the reliability and the reputation of the Block Parent program. Speak out for the maj ority To the editor: Eternal vigilance is the price we must pay for freedom. What more proof do we need that Whitby council should pass the bylaw restricting strippers at the Royal Hotel, Skaags and the Spruce Villa than the recent drug bust? At the Town council meeting regarding the passing of the bylaw all we heard from the owners was "We're family-oriented, we're reputable, we've had no complaints or problems with the police." What really goes on? Sorry, Whitby business people. We prefer to shop elsewhere. Surely this revelation will make Town council act quickly. We don't have to wait to see what happens to Bobby-Jo's in Oshawa. For Heaven's sake, will some of Thanks for coverage To the editor: I just want to thank reporter Janet Browne for her article about our programs at the Nonquon En- vironmental Education Area. The article of Feb. 25 portrayed the "Scratch and Sniff" program~ one of the winter's most popular requests, extremely well, and I'm sure your Whitby readers are very interested in the outdoor education and environmental science programs offered by the Durham Board of Education. Yours truly, M.R. Whitmarsh Nonquon Environmental Education Teacher our council have the courage to speak out for the majority? Mr. & Mrs. E. Johansen Brooklin The words "Block Parent" and the Block Parent symbol are cer- tification marks of the Canada Safety Council and may only be used for educational purposes, media advertised and promotions material for Block Parents and should not be used. to express a political view. We respectfully request that your discretion be used in the future. Heather Bray President Whitby-Brooklin Block Parent Association ship changed . How can anything increase in value by 40 låo: oie month. According to a fraud squad qf- ficer there is nothing illegal in this, it is not illegal but it is also not morally right as far as I am con- cerned. It is downright outrageous. Howcan anyone afford to buy a house any more? And yet people buy them, sight unseen, at a cost of up to $200,000. When you buy, a car you go to make the best deal you can, visit different dealers and haggle about the price but a house is a good investment they tell you. The value will go up by $40,000. a month. The real estaters make a good buck. The lawyers make a good buck and the homeowner pays double or more what the real value of the house is. Will the resale price keep getting higher and higher? Andy Van Doleweerd Whitby L LETTERS The Whitby Free Press welcomes letters to the Editor on any subject of concern to our readers. Letters should be brief and to the point - rarely more than 300 words. All letters must be accompanied by the name, address and phone number of the writer; however, on request, your name may be withheld from publication if we agree that there is a valid reason. The paper reserves the right to reject or edit all letters. Send to: The Editor, Whitby Free Press, Box 206, Whitby, Ontario LiN 5S1 or drop through our mailslot at 131 Brock St. N. 1 .- . _. à - - a __ __ __ - !_. -1 ý à.... à 1. .... à et il dheià- rit là-il lb% %% là ii h% for NN là il b% rt--ýitlt-ii ls rhe Free Press Building 131 Brock Street North P.O. Box 206, Whitby, Ont.