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PAGE 6, WITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989 ePublshed every Wednesday Muiedior By 677209 Ontario Ic. Eio Phone: 668-6111 Peter Irvîne ~hAhF ~Doug Anderson Advertising Manager Pubtisher. Alexandra Simon VOICE0F TE CONTY OWN he Free Press Building Production Manager VOCEO TE ANT TW 131 Brock Street North, The only Whitby newspaper independently owned and operated by P.O. Box 206, Whitby, Ont. Whithy residents for Whitby residents. With tourism 'fast becoming a huge industry, a colorful new guidebook to Durham Region is a welcomne promotion of local attractions, activities and natural beauty. Whitby cornes off quite nicely in the guide as H noted for its outstanding recreational facilities"l (although there is now limited space available) and "world class attractions" such as Cullen Gardens and Family Kartways. Port Whitby Marina, the "quaint" downtown area, The Station Gallery and Trafalgar Castie are mentioned. The Tourist Association of Durham Region, which was revived not so long ago, produced the Guide to Durham guide as ano cf ite Major projects to boost the local tourismn industry. There are 100,000 guides to be distributed to visitors, from locations such as Whitby's tourist information centre, and the release of the guide is most timnely as the summer season approaches. Region residents with visiting relatives and friends will also appreciate the guide as a source in which to lincd iocai piaces oî nterest and activity. But there shotuld be more. Either due ta lack of interest or non-mnembership in the association, there are several omissions, for example, dining places, golf areas and gift shops. And the list of accommodations may be close to exact, but it shows that more would be better - maybe some of those hotels that have been proposed for Whitby. However, the shortcomings are minor, and this fine guide to discovery of Durham, we hope, .will merely be the f irst of future editions that will be more comprehensive and, of course, updated as growth continues in the region. SAIRC's 'Transitions dispels the myths To The Editor.- 'Transitions,' the report of the social Assistance Review Cornxittee (SARO) dispels long held myths about the citizens of Ontario who are dependant upon socal, assistance. Thie realities are that about 18 per cent live in rent-geared-to-income units, while the vast mAjority of recipients are with everyone else in the housing market but with much less money; 40 per cent of ail beneficiaries are children, disabled persons and then sole-support parents are the next iargest group, and less than 10 per cent are employable; and 40 per cent of employable recipients remain on assistance for less than three months. The average for this group is seven montha. Moreover, SARC found that the present system did not meet an objective-to meet basic income needs. It does very littie to fulfili another recipients need; that is "to achieve a maximumn self-reliance and contributing members community." degree of ta be of the The conditions which force more than 200,00 children, 92,000 sole-support parents and 90,000 disabled people to live in poverty is morallly unacceptable in a province which bas always prided itself on establishing a fair and equitable society with opportunity for alI. Waterfront could be our jewel To the editor- -Ha'ý'ng just returned fo another evening drive down to Heydenshore I can only express my disgust with the attitude towards the waterfront that has been exhibited by some members of council. Properly developed, this area could be the jewel of Whitby and the envy of many towns and cities. There are many examples of cities that have utilized their waterfront in order to turn it into a great "people place,' where people can walk, run, bike, play. In the years that I lived in Whitby this has always seemed to be the most wasted and neglected resource posessed by the town. For a councillor to state that, The Kidey Foundation of Canada ilno one will want ta go there anyway," exhibits three things about that councillor. He or she is unaware of what is going on within the community. Anytime I have ever gone by the Coscan development site I have always seen several families standing by the shore feeding the waterfowl that congregate at that particular spot. Obviously niany people like ta go there. He or she is also lacking in vision and leadership. It is obvious that this property as it exists today bas deteriorated into an idustrial cesspool, but once Coscan bas completed their development and the 'Prince Edward Island' boat is finally removed, it will not look like that. It will then be seen as a beautiful site along the lake, but only for the enjoyment of those lucky enough ta live in the development. There should be no doubt on the part of members of council, if they wish ta exhibit a Ieadership rold in the community ,that steps should be taken to initiate a coniprehensive project for the area that maimizes the recreational potential for ai residents of Whitby, present and future. A central aspect of this must include a pedestrian and bike pathway aIl a]ong the waterfront from Heyden- shore, around the marina, and over ta the Whitby Psych shoreline. L.A. oodfellow Whitby 'Transitions' provides a strategy for Iongtermn social assistance reform. It proposes an approach which will shlow recipients the opportunities t'hey need to escape the poverty trap and become more productive, self-reliant and contributing members of our society. This $400-million investment would not only help needy families and individuals, but it would also contribute to a much more healthier and socially stable environment as well. SARC recommendations have the support of social planning councils, United Way agencies, church groups, child welfare groups, sniors, labor unions, bsnsenand women, food banks and politicians from the various political parties throughout Ontario. There is growing support for this report and its many recommendations. It is critical that Ontario now implement the first stage of the SARO reforms. We strongly urge the provincial government ta take this intiative in the next term of its mandate and that provisions be included in the forthcoming budget. This Government deserves commendation for investing $3-million in the SARO study. The value of this report should not be lost or diminished by piecemeal or incremental policy responses at this time. Pull implementation of stage 1 is needed now ta deal seriously with the issue of poverty in Ontario'. We urge the Governmnent to implement the recommendations now. R&Raitt Outreacli Cooerdinator bl. Georges Memorial Church Oshawa Scott Garner Oshawa Ed Sawdozn Whitby 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. Ail 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 ail letters. Send to: The Editor, Whitby Free Press, Box 206, Whitby, Ontario Li N 551 or drop through our mailslot at 131 Brock St. N.