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PAGE 6, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8,1988 Ee w - r. -2 - VOICEd F THE COUNTY TOWNt% The only Whltby newspaper Independentîy owned and operated by Whtby residents for Whtby'resldents. Maurice Plfher Editor Peter Irvine Advertising Manager Alexandra Simon Production Manager Thanks to opposition and concern by some residents about the proposed secondary plan to guide development of the Whitby hospital lands, changes appear forthcoming in that plan that could preserve more of what has been described as the environmentally sensitive area close to Lake Ontario. Whitby administrative committee members decided Monday to request changes that could see the area designated for development shifted further north of the lake than what had been proposed on the south part of the 700-acre property, mostly provincially-owned, within the plan. A few weeks earlier, committee members Ross Batten and Joe Drumm (chairman Gerry Emm was Protecting the environment absent then) had decided that a visit to-the area of concern was in order. And on Monday, councillor Emm said committee had "suddenly" become convinced that a visit should be made before deciding. To name just a few, it was residents such as Dr. Margaret Bain and psychiatric hospital employees' union president Joan Gates who had a lot to do with J convincing committee to review the site. And it can be argued that ail is well when public input played a large role in what is still the decision-making process, yet to be concluded. But it is a mystery as to why committee members didn't more closely inspect the entire site earlier to gain for themselves some perspective on the impact of future development in the area, rather than peruse reports, maps and recommendations that may cut more neatly and efficiently on paper than on the area in question. lt's encouraging that the mostly environmental concerns were attended ta by committee members. in the fa e o ow oink, mneint v LETTERS FROM OUR READERS Tobacco farmers being legislated out of business To theeditor, Who will stand up for tobacco farmers? I would like to state my opinion on how the recent tobacco tax increase will affect farmers. Tobacco far- mers are being gradually legislated out of business. The tobacco farming crisis today is due to excessive and rapid gover- nment taxation beginning with the ad valorem tax in the early 1980's. It is mainly excessive taxation that has forced the demand for tobacco down. As a result, tobacco farmers have been forced out of business and that is why they are asking for fair compensation. When farmers are directly affec- ted by governments' legislation, those related businesses are also af- fected. Tobacco farmers are still trying desperately to stabilize their industry. The additional tax on tobacco Staff shortage in home care Tothe editor: Home health care is one of the most humane and cost effective ways of providing care to the sick and elderly. It allows individuals to be cared for in the comfort of their own homes and results in a positive financial impact on the total health caresystem. Unfortunately, providers of this vital service are threatened by a critical shortage of staff to supply home health care and support. Essentially the problem is that the service is underfunded by the government, and the agencies sup- plying the service cannot offer high enough wages to attract staff. People are the backbone of the home health care delivery system. To ensure the integrity of home care service, there is a need for training programs and competitive wages and benefits. The issue is one of money, distributed in a fair and equitable manner. The challenge is one of laying the foundation to move from local and regional programs, equitably and thoughtfully to a co- ordinated provincial effort. The government has recognized the problem and responded by requesting the Interministerial Review Committee Report on On- tario Homemaking Services. Per- sonnel from five provincial ministries in consultation with in- terested groups produced a report last fall addressing the critical issues of wages, education, the rate setting process and rate structure. Tragically the government has. not yet released this report or taken any action to address the issues. Surely a report which would focus attention on the needs of this vital health care sector should not be delayed. Nor should a piecemeal approach to this province-wide challenge be accepted. A response which addresses these critical challenges within the scope of an equitable, provincial system is needednow. Michael Clayman President Ontario Home Health Care Providers' Association products plus the one per cent sales tax increase will amount to about a 33-per cent increase. That is seven times the current rate of inflation. The rate of inflation is 4.5 per cent. Now, even greater pressure will be exerted on farmers forcing more of them out of business. There are no viable alternatives to growing tobacco. When comparing a carton of cigarets to a case of beer, the in- creased tax on cigarets is almost five times more than on beer. Tobacco is a legal product and never has a legal product been so overtaxed. The Ontario Gover- nment alone already collected about $700 million dollars a year in tobac- co taxes. The tax increases on this product are now expected to bring about $172 million more revenuean- nually. The majority of tobacco is grown in Southern Ontario. Ontario Government assistance to tobacco farmers leaving the business is in the vicinity of $16 million partly through Redux, but the tobacco tax increase should give the Province more than 10 times that amount an- nually. Redux, the exit program, has run out of funds but there is still a waiting list of farmers wishing to leave tobacco farming. Land that sold before 1984 for $2,500 per acre for $2.65 per pound now is worth just 65 cents. Redux is exit assistance only, not compen- sation. It is plain to see that, with the con- tinuation of excessive tobacco taxation in Canada, tobacco crop production will be downsized to a level where manufacturers would find it more profitable to import tobacco. Who will stand up for tobaceo farmers? P Kwasniak RR 3. Scotland, Ont. Howle*s appreciate support, contributions To the editor.: As part of Hearing Awareness Month, we, the Howlers, a volunteer support group for Hearing Ear Dogs of Canada, participated by promoting public awareness of our dogs at Harwood Mall May 19 to 21. A very special thank you to the following people for their support and contributions: the public, who stopped by for information and many an interesting conversation; our sponsors, for their beautiful items for our raffle; Rene Soetens and Joe AtkinsonRdrawing the winning names from the raffle; the volunteers, whose help made this event possible; Harwood mall management and their secretary. The lucky winners are Don Gallant, Foxfur Boa, Charlene Kavanagh, oak framed mirror: Marian Kapralos, miniature brass bed; Kathy Simms, silk flower arrangement; Joan Cooper, $50 gift certificate; and. Peter Babic, $30 gift certificate. Many many thanks again, and congratulations to the winners. JilI Johnson, presidert, Howlers Ajax branch of the Hearing Ear Dogs of Canada Care for Jeremy appreciated To the editor: To ail people who tended to the little boy in the Brooklin arena on June 5 during the fiddle contest of the fair. Thank you very much for the first aid and emotional support given to Jeremy after his accident. Jeremy's unitial first aid care was vital to his present good condition. Thank you very much for your kindness and caring. With great appreciation. The Pare family Whitby "H îy! This isn't a subway" e t 4,t i-z kï . -oi LETTERS The Whitby Free Press welcomes letters to the Editor on any subject of concern to our readers. Letters should be brief and to the point - rarely more than 300 words. All letters must be accompanied by the name, address and phone number of the writer; however, on request, your name may be withheld from publication if we agree that there is a valid reason. The paper reserves the right to reject or edit all letters. Send to: The Editor, Whitby Free Press, Box 206, Whitby, Ontario SIN5$ojrdop thronghour n gu ijso 1 Brock St. N. Published every Wednesday By 677209 Ontario Inc. Phone: 668-6111 Doug Anderson Publisher The Free Press Building 131 Brock Street North, P.O. Box 206, Whitby, Ont.