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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1989, PAGE 3 Loophole in tax plan, proposal could mean free parking in Whitby By Kim Hawley Whitby councillor Joe Bugelli wants the Town to consider removing parking meters from municipal parking lots and dou- bling the cost for on-street park- ing. And while the idea may seem bazaar, Bugelli may have found the loophole in the provincial government's commerical con- centration tax. The provincial government has called for the taxing of munici- pally-owned and privately-owned parking lots as just one of several ways to help the govern- ment finance a five-year, $2- billion transportation capital pro- gam 4to improve highways and transportation. The Government suggests the program would specifically bene- fit the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The move means Whitby would have to shell out $165,000 in tax for its municipal parking lots. Currently these parking lots FROM PAGE 1 ted the immediate development which the company sought. Sears instead opted to build the ware- house in Belleville). Attersley, noting that Town councillors and staff worked for tl.e past. few months to attract McGraw-Hill Ryerson te Whitby, said the company also represents a "clean industry" that will be part of the general, upscale deve- lopment of the harbor that in- cludes the Coscan and Sailwinds residential development. Reduced service FROM PAGE 1 He went on to suggest that the Town consider eliminating bus service at 7:30 p.m. Councillor M arcel Brunelle, hcwever, defended the service,- pointing out that service and ridership has increased overall. Following the meeting, Drumm restated his conerns and again said he believes service between 7:30 and 11 p.m. should be eli- minated. "Figures show very clearly that the night service is not being used. We should be cutting our costs in that matter." He added, I don't think it would upset very many people." Revised plan is approved Atter opposition by nearby residents to a proposed duplex development at the northeast corner of Harris St. and Beech St. W., Whitby council has appro- ved1 a revised plan that would ini1de only single family homes. At a public meeting in Janu- ary, Rita Cane, representing iea residents, opposed the pro- posed subdivision of 11 semi- detaiched lots (22 units) by appli- c.int Rite Construction Ltd. Among the concerns of resi- dents were increased traffic and dlecrcased property values. Cane also said the plan was not in keeping with existing homes in the area. List.week, members of Town plauming committee agreed with n-;ients and recommended a rfvision of the site plan so that a n1 ;i muni of 15 single family es would be permitted, eacb lot frintage of 13.5 metres generate $118,000 a year "In order to raise enough revenue to pay that $165,000, we would have to raise the parking rate 120 per cent," Bugelli told council. Since the Province has exemp- ted lots that offer free parking, Bugelli says offering free parking would be a way to "avoid" paying 'the tax. By Bugelli's calculations, if the Town was to double the rate for on-street parking, it would generate $210,000 a year. Although the net loss would be $13,000, the net saving would be $73,000. This is the first time in history that an upper tier of goverment has attempted to tax a lower tier of government. In urging the other Whitby councillors to consider his sug- gest, Bugelli said, "By doing this, we'd be sending a strong mes- sage that we are not pleased that the lower tier of governemnt is being taxed by an upper tier of government. And like any busi- Further development of the harbor area, to include recrea- tional areas and a walkway, will take place over the next 10 years as part of the harbor plan. "This will be a piece of the puzzle," said the mayor about the new publishing company building. The Province recently announ- ced it would review all water- frqnt development applications, but Attersley says he has been even assurances by Durham lCentre MPP Allan Furlong that the Province will not hold up the development on the industrially zoned property since The Town already has a provincially-appro- ved plan in place. "This is the biggest since Dun- lop has been here," said Atters- ley about the new company, ref- erring to employment and the spin-off industries that will result locally. And he hinted that another announcement might be made before the end of the 1989 year, again, involving a company mov- ing to Whitby. Theft at new restaurant Before it had the opportunity to open its doors for business, a Whitby restaurant fell victim to a theft. Durham Regional Police say the newly built O'Tooles Road- house at 1600 Champlain Ave., Whitby, was broken into some- time between 6 p.m., Oct. 16 and 7 a.m., Oct. 17. A stereo system valued at $2,500 was taken. The stereo system consists of an audio equalizer, two turn- tables a cassette player and an tuner. Police have no suspects. Charged with assault An Oshawa man has been charged following an assault on a Whitby man. Durbam Regional Police report that the two men were at a dance at 650 King St. W., Osh- awa, Sunday Oct 22. At around 9:50 p.m., one of the men pun- ched the other repeatedly outside the building. The 18-year-old victim sus- tained a fractured nose as well as several cuts and bruises on the face. Police have charged Patrick Wayne Walsh, 22, of Oshawa, with assault causing bodily harm. ness, we are going to find novel ways to avoid paying more money." . Councillor Marcel Brunelle, agreeing with the concept of averting the tax said, "I think councillor Bugelli's suggestion should be looked at with vigor." Councillor Tom Edwards agreed that the idea would serve as a way to tell the Province how Whitby council feels about the tax proposal. Mayor Bob Attersley, also tak- ing a liking to the concept, sug- gested Whitby look for the sup- port from the other muncipalities in Durham Region. Councillor Ross Batten added, "I think councillor Bugelli is on the right track and that this municipality should initiate something like this." Bugelli, pointing to the fact that this tax would take effect Jan. 1, 1990, said, "We don't have time to fool around about this." Bugelli also suggested the free parking in Whitby's municipal lots would also serve a purpose in its own. "It would get the (parked) cars off the street. Off-street parking would improve the flow and safety of trafic." Bugelli added, "That goes back to reason why Whitby got into the parking lot business in first place." The suggestion has been' direc- ted to the Town's operations committee for study and is expec- ted to come back before council at its next meeting. RUSS Foster (above) was one of the hundreds of area residents scooping up their share of leaf compost at the recycling depot Saturday. And 80 barrels and kits, made available by the Region for home composting, were gone by 9:30 a.m. Fre Prmes photo W ftTeL Company locates in Whitby