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PAGE 6, WHITI3Y FR'lEE PRESS, WEDNESDAY APRIL 29, 1987 w VOICE 0F THE COUNTY TOWN liiot lli »I eila . i lpssdt i ' idan lelI. ~N ii ~r~lIIt <I.~ ii1 E iinu ir Published ovory Wednesday By 677209 Ontario Imc. Phone: 668-611il DOUG ANDERSON Publisher MAURICE PIFHER EdItor PETER IRVINE Advertlslng Manager Having determined to use a general vote to elect a third regional councillor for Whitby, Town councillors might now want to consider changes that would redress an imbalance of population representation in the ward system currently in place, an imbalance that is becoming mnore and more pronounced as growth continues. In 1985, the population in Whitby's four wards ranged f rom 4,100 to 14,780. That apparent discrepancy in num bers however worked well sin- ce two other criteria - preservation of community integrity and geographical distinction - were recogn ized. "The goal at this timne should be to determine a ward division having regard to ail three criteria and based on as equitable distribution as possible at Addaward both today's population and a projected population Tor Tive to ten years flence," states a clerk's department report to the Town's operations committee, relating to discussion of ward design. That time should he glow. Population projec- tions show that the north ward population will grow only slightly to 4,285 by 1988 only slightly higher by 1991. Meanwhile the east ward in Whitby is expected to grow f rom 14,780 to 19,205 by 1988, and to 22,605 by 1991. New housing in that ward, which lies south of Taunton Rd. and east of Gar- den and Blair Sts., accounts for most of the population growth in Whitby. Community integrity and geographical distin- ction are important criteria but should flot stand in the way of necessary ward changes to make ward representation more equitable. Another ward is needed. Otherwise, one ward wilI have nearly five times as many people as another. Will their best interests be served? As the clerk's report states, council must evaluate the needs of the community and if the electoral system 18s to be further revised, it should be "tully resolved" by the end of 1987 to allow time for the preparation of the 1988 municipal election. Whitby won a battie to obtain another regional voice. Now another is needed locally to better represent the added numbers that will continue to make Whitby their home. VIEWS ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Questionnaire was invalid To the editor: As a longtime local resident I arn concerned about the upcoming debate and vote on the death penalty. I'm sure by this timne any thinking person is alarmed by the possibility of our joining countries such as Iran and Nigeria in this un- pleasant custom. Unfortunately our local Member of Parliament has corne down on the side of revenge and barbarism in the name of democracy. Scott Fennelli daims that although he, personally, is against capital punishment (thus claiming hurnanitarianism), he must bring in bis infamous bill, because that is "the will of his constituents" (thus claiming justification). This decision, however, is based on warped judgernent - an invalid questionnaire adrninistered on a casual basis to too few respondents. Surely we deserve more than a 4"&counting machine" in our elected representative. Fortunately many constituents disagree with these dlaims; I hope that ail of them let Scott Fenneli know how they feel. We must con- vince hlm that "killing, people to show that killing people is wrong" is wrong. A letter to him or Brian Mulroney costs no postage. V. E. Emerson Ajax Cartoon 'bittersweet' To the editor: In response to the cartoon "You gotta be quick, son, if you want to cross Tbickson! " April 22. At first I laughed, tben it hit me as not so funny as bittersweet. Bellwood Public School will open in February, 1988. Bellwood is in a no bussing zone. Cildren will bave to cross Thickson and- Kendalwood Roads to get to this scbool. I hope the trustees and staff of the Durbam Boarrd of Education, Town of Whitby and councillors see the same irony in this cartoon. This could be any busy street in Whitby. Our cildren's safety is top prîority. The solutions seem simn- ple - adequate sidewalk, in school areas (not on 'No Exit' streets), bussing children in areas ot figh density commercial and industrial developrnent, bussing children where there are no sîdewalks and througb streets where bighway speeds are attained. However, the argument cornes down to policy and money. One cbild's health and life is more im- portant, you cannot put a dollar value on life and limb. I really hope the next cartoon is not dear old dad pushing nurnbér 1 son or daugbter across Tbickson in a wheelcbair, or worse in an am- bulance. Sincerely Anita Sburgess Whitby LETTERS The Whitby Free Press welcomes letters to the Editor on any subjeet of concern to our readers. Letters should be brief and to the point - rarely more than 300 words. Ail letters must be accompanied by the name, address and phone number of the writer; however, on request, your namle may be withheld fromn publication if we agree that there is a valid reason. The paper reserves the right to reject or edit ail letters., Send to: The Editor, Whitby Free Press, Box 206, Whitby, Ontario LiN 551 or drop through our mailsiot at 131 Brock St. N. To the editor: I arn sure in the weeks to corne we will hear rnany convincing arguments, for and against, capital punisbrnent. Many will be worthy of serious thougbt. I do not envy the Members of Parliament who will have to make a final decision on this matter. Eacb side bas strong views, and it raises many questions on this controversial issue. If the government rejects the "death penalty" for premeditated murder, they will have made the decision that it is not right to take the life of someone wbo bas deliberately taken the life of one or more other people. If we cannot justify giving the death penalty to a convicted mur- derer, how can we justify training people in the arrned forces and police to be prepared to go out on our bebaîf and possibly. kill sorneone wbo is tbreatening our way of life by riots, high-jacking, terrorism or violence? Is the "death penalty" accep- table as long as it is administerçIP instantaneously for defense pur- poses but not acceptable if we have tirne to think about it? How can we as a government or a people ask others to kili on our behaîf if we decide to eliminate the. "death penalty." I don't see how we can have it both ways! Yours truly, Dolores Holliday Whitby Clinie uses ehemotherapy with heat To the editor: the Falk Oncology Centre Ltd., which reduces the amount needed There are no cancer daffodils in Lucliffe Place, Toronto. and thus avoids the harsh side ef- our bouse this year. At this clinic people are receiving My cancer donation bas gone to cbemotherapy applied withbheat SEE PAGE 13 East Vard overload C an we have it both way:s? rhe Free Press Building 131 Brock Street North P.O. Box 206, Whitby, Ont.