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WHÃ'ÃŒI'BYFEEPRESS, %ÉHÙÁNVME S;1988 Published every Wednesday By 677209 Ontario Inc. Phone: 668-6111 TOWN fe w The only Whitby newspaper independently owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents. Maurice Plfher Editor Peter Irvine Advertising Manager Alexandra Simon Production Manager After some twenty hours of interviews with all the candidates, and intense scrutiny of their past performance, this newspaper considers itself much better qualified to comment on the municipal election than some other papers whose analyses has consisted of superficial one-liners. Bob Attersley and Gerry Emm are very different people and for the first time in two decades, this election offers Whitby voters a real choice. Not an easy one, though, because the strengths in the one are the weaknesses in the other. The choice is one of leadership vs direction. Bob Attersley is a leader - Emm is not. Attersley relishes growth, would do nothing to hinder it - Emm would control it, see that the quality of life in Whitby is retained and enhanced. Attersley's is an expensive, glitzy, professional campaign; Emm's is low key - almost amateurish in comparison. As human beings we tend to fixate on leadership and rarely look at the direction we're going. Indeed the stronger the leadership, the more blindly we follow. History is full of great leaders from Napoleon on down who lead their willing subjects from the pinnacles of glory to the depths of defeat. But as a democratic people, we can choose. In one form or another, growth is the issue in this election, and most candidates indicated that we should exercise more control over it. Those candi- dates who have been knocking on doors reported the Your choice same theme coming from the voters themselves. The concern is real. It is the concern to maintain the quality of our community. Both mayoralty candidates have more than twenty years on Council. When they were first elected, Whitby was half the size it is today. Half of the voters that will vote next Monday are part of Whitby's growth era. Why did they move here? From talking to the candidates, most of whom have themselves come to Whitby within the last twenty years, it was the atmosphere, the "small town," and particularly, the "old" core area. Bob Attersley is proud of his record, proud of the growth. He has no regrets about the new medical building at Centre and Dundas and talks enthusiasti- cally of plans for a six-story apartment building on the adjacent Byron-Dundas corner. He said in our interview that the high-rise White Oaks apartments should have been built downtown. If people want to fix up old buildings, he will be supportive - if they want to tear them down, he will offer no resistance. Attersley is a Whitby booster whose view of Whitby is still rooted in the sixties when planners talked of levelling downtown and replacing it with modern megaprojects. Attersley has lost touch with what people want now. In fact, only a few of the incumbent councillors share Attersley's zeal for growth, and from the interviews it was clear that Attersley's strength of leadership has been a decisivè factor in Council's handling of many development issues. In contrast, Emm takes positions on development, waste management, heritage preservation, and the quality of our neighbourhoods which are in tune with what people seem to want. He has spent years as the odd man out on Council. His years as Chairman of Public Works on Regional Council were relatively uninspiring, yet, Durham has moved decisively into recycling while larger communities stili sit on their hands. But Gerry Emm is a hesitant, some would say overly cautious, person. His indecision has, at times exasperated his followers, fellow councillors and staff alike. Even his decision to run was a hesitant one. Yet in spite of this, he answered our questions with a flair and decisiveness which surprised us. Given their strengths and weaknesses, the choice between Emm and Attersley is not one for which we can show much enthusiasm. Attersley represents the certainty of moving in the wrong direction, the certainty of continued rampant growth with little restriction; Emm represents the uncertainty of moving in the right direction, the uncertainty of retaining something of the quality and character of this community that attracted us here. The choice is yours. Letters From Our Readers 'J Elect those who will control development To the editor: Each year we take a drive north of Whitby, through the country- side to take in and enjoy the fall colors. This year however we re- turned home sick at heart, the farms are gone along with the trees, all that is left are acres of barren land bristling with survey- or's stakes and real estate signs. All gone are ponds where once our sons skated, hills where they tobogganed, farms where we used to buy fresh corn and produce. The heart and soul of Whitby is being tom out by bulldozers and Coments long overdue To the editor: Re: Letter by Alan Fairservice Congratulations on that letter which appeared in The Free Press on Oct. 19. Comments on sewer charges for irrigation water are long overdue. We are located on the shore of the world's largest freshwater sy- stem but most of us cannot affort to water our lawns. One would think that local politicians would take enough time out from brag- ging about "wonderful Whitby" (famous for its gardens and mar- igolds) to arrange a sewer tax moratorium during June, July and August. Failing this, perhaps they could borrow a name from our friends in Texas and rename the town Brownsville! Sincerely, Richard Woolger Whitby buried under brick, mortar and asphalt. We appreciate that develop- ment is necessary for the town to progress. But do we really want our children and grandchildren to grow up in a environmentally damaged area with no trees or open green spaces? Do we want to be forever cut off from access to our lake shore by 22-story high- rises? Do we want to profusion of strip plazas, fast food outlets, gas stations and subdivisions to con- tinue unabated? That's what we are getting and that's not pro- gress. Surely we are not alone in our concern that something must be done to assume some control over this type of development before it is too late, and we have nothing left of the way of life we cherish in this town. If you feel as we do and you care about your community tele- phone your local candidates for their views. Take the time, as we have, to write to your community newspapers and make your feel- ings known loud and clear. We have a great opportunity in No- vember to elect people who will be prepared to take a second look and assume more control over the type of development taking place in our town. Let's make our votes count - it's important for the future of Whitby. Fran and John Townsend Whitby Why bow to ethnie groups? To the editor: It was with great sadness and disappointment that I read in the newspaper that The Lord's Pray- er was being removed from Dur- ham Region schools. Why are we bowing to the eth- nic groups and culters? When they chose our country to live in, it's because of what they saw. We are a Judeo Christ- ian country blessed by a Sover- eign God. Can't we look to the U.S. and SEE PAGE 9 VOICE OF THE COUNTY Doug Anderson Publisher g 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: TheeEditor, Whitby Free Press, Box 206, Whitby, Ontario LiN 5S1 or drop through our mailslot at 131 Brock St. N. 10 wf The Free Press Building 131 Brock Street North, P.O. Box 206, Whitby, Ont.