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PAGE 6, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989 bi Maurice Pifher Publ ished every Wednesday Editor By 677209 Ontario Inc. Phone: 668-6111 Peter Irvine Doug Anderson Advertising Manager Publisher Alexandra Simon The Free Press Building Production Manager T Ce OFTHE UNITYTOWN 131 Brock Street North, Sue Blanchard Teonly Whitby newspaper independently owned and operated by P.O. Box 206, Whitby, Ont. Circulation Manager Whitby residents for Whitby residents. Did we miss something? Last fall, we thought we heard support for public walkways and reduced condominium heights at Port Whitby as Coscan unveiled their extensive development plans for the area. We learned on Monday that the building heights had indeed come down to 15 stories from 22, but that another building was added, meaning four instead of three. The wall is shorter, but wider. Even a Coscan representative noted that the view from Brock St. to the lake will be obstructed according to the four-building concept favored by planning department. And the public walkway along the waterfront Keep the walkway (perimeter of the westerly site) was rejected, with the walkway instead to go along Brock St. Before her election as centre ward councillor, Lynda Buffett had argued, as had other concerned residents, for a public walkway along the waterfront - at least, so we thought. However, it would appear that she has changed her mind. And what of planning department? A planning staff report states: "Finally, the incorporation of a 3.0 metre wide public walkway around the peri- meter of the westerly site, is considered the most positive improvement to the revised Urban Design Plan." But planning director Bob Short said on Monday night that the walkway was not an "essential part" of the development. Hmmm. We favor the residential development in Whitby's harbor area but not at the expense of a public walkway along the lakeshore - a feature that should not be given up in the design plan. We hope those arguments we've heard before about the harbor as a "people place" are sounded again at council Monday night so that changes can be made to make the Whitby lakefront, and not pieces of it, a place for ail residents. More opinions on mayor's, councillors' pay raises Responses during the past week to "What Is Your Opinion?" on the Whitby councillors raises: Most of us "average Joes" have to settle for a 3- to 5-per cent raise. Why should elected offi- cials not fal1 into the same guide- lines, especially when it's our already-too-high taxes that pay their salaries. I think the tax money could go to better use, such as road improvements. Mrs. Ashlb' Whitby 0-0-0 Disgustingly sneaky. If this mayor and council are so sure the people of Whitby will find this fair, why are they so afraid to do it openly? It will be inter- esting to hear their remarks when Town employees seek a raise. Shirley Priest Whitby 0-0-0 If Workers' Compensation can only give me a 4.2-per cent in- crease on my disability pension, how can they mayor and council- lors justify giving themselves a 20-per cent and better increase? I do not think this is fair. We will think twice before next elec- tion: John Dixon Whitby 0-0-0 As candidates in the last muni- cipal election, each of our elected representatives promised the electorate "honesty and in- tegrity." How much of these qua- lities do we see in this decision? From the size of the raise one can only assume that the deci- sion is based upon greed and an overinflated sense of their impor- tance. What a terrible example to present to the townspeople of Whitby. From the timing of the raise one can only assume that the decision was based on cowardice and the knowledge that their actions would be unacceptable to the vast majority of taxpayers. Council did not award itself such large raises in 1988 when the local population would have had an opportunity to express its reaction to the decision through the ballot box. What have been the significant changes in the duties of our councillors that now justifies such an increase? How many of them gave us an indica- tion that they would vote them- selves such large rises during the November election? One can only hope that the provincial government will soon pass legislation to prevent such excesses from our elected repre- sentatives in the future. The right granted to our coun- cillors to decide their own salaries and expenses carres with it a responsibility to demon- strate to the community that such decisions are arrived at fairly and honestly. I somehow feel that this principle wasn't applied in this instance. J. Coleby Whitby 0-0-0 I am thoroughly disgusted with the Town council of Whitby. T. Lee Whitby 0-0-0 My opinion is this: I have never - repeat, never - seen, met or have heard of a politician who deserves an increase of this amount. Where in the name of God do we on fixed incomes get this mone from? We wil remember - not the raise, but the attitude. Jame and Christine Meenan Whitby What was your opinion of the raises Town Councillors gave themselves? For 16% Against 84% 0-0-0 As a longterm resident of Whitby, our famil has seen Mayor Attersley andhe present council turn a lovely common sense town into a developer's dream and a taxpayer's night- mare. Mr. pro-development, the mayor, has to and should con- sider the taxpayers' interests far above his own or any developers lining their pockets with gold. To vote fhemselves a 20- to 29-per cent raise behind closed doors is a kick in the teeth to all the people of Whitby who have to make ends meet with 4- to 5-per cent raises in salary. Taxes are stifling now and what with stri malls, increased traffic, hig rises, poor services, council owes the townspeople an apology and refund. Brian and Donna Colpitts and family Whitby 0-0-0 The amount of money that council has voted for themselves is not really the issue. The issue is that t hey (council) voted behind closed doors so that the people of this town never had a chance to say a word. There would have been only a few grumbles if this.vote was taken in o pen council since people would have had a chance to voice their opinions. Most of our council members claim to have chose Whitby as a p lace to live and bring up their amilies because it was a town that was different from Toronto. As far as we're concerned, they have acted as irresponsibly and arrogantly as Toronto politicians. We are very disappointed in this behavior. The council took this increase now in high hopes that in three years we will all forget this issue. We will not for get. Not one council member wilI receive votes from us next election. If all these politicans were so concerned about their wages it should have been discussed dur- in the election. Not after. Vo has the burden of carry- ing this council? We, the tax- payers, once agan. Noreen and Dave Barnard Whitby 0-0-0 Does not do much to help keep our taxes down. Gerry Emm Ashburn 0-0-0 Bah! Humbug! We are a two-income family trying to keep up with rising costs, taxes, etc. and receive a 4-per cent increase per year if we're lucky. Conveniently giving themselves this increase Just shows it's either greed or they think the taxpayers are too naive and on't give a damn (which will probabl be the case). We ave always been im- pressed with council's decisions on most items but this is too much. We can see this happening with huge corporations but for a town trying to keep costs down we say "Boo!" Pauline and Fred Graham Whitby More on pg.21 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. Vr A L 44 1oýeý