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PAGE ýB»UM; MH~I j~S$~9~ÇBR4,18 'Hgh operational costs' blamedfor.Lasco l1ayoffs. By Kim Hawley-Smith Unless Lasco can corne up with ways to cut operational costs, close to 200 employees will be laid off, indefinitely, in the new year. Brian King, vice-rsdent of personnel at Lake Onaro Steel Company in Whitby, says while the iayoff is largely due to high operational costs, the reasons are really "three-fold.", King says a "business decision" was mae to discontinue the manufacturing of special bar quality steel, the grade of steel used in automotive parts. "We're moving out of that busi- ness market because the com- pan y is not competitive enough.» Kigalso says a new technolo- gical device, whlich provides for a continuous steel-cutting le, will be introduced in the company'as an "effeciency measure". that will also reduce the needed man- power. But King says the "major bulk" of layoffs will be coming from Lasco's # 1 meit, shop, where steel is melted by -way of a furnace. He says the furnace operation has not been cost-efficient. However, King also indicates, that the steel market, itself, is softening. "What we're seeing is that our customers have a lot of steel in inventory." He adds that the whole distri- bution line is affected b~ the reduced demand for stee and lower market prices. Under provincial law, the com- pany must notify thé affected employees of a pending layof eightweeks prior to layoif. Lasco has told the 184 affected employees of the intention to begin layoifs in late January and early February. Hlowever, Kmg says the employees have also been told that if the operational costs of the meit shop can be reduced enough between now and late January, to enable Lasco to com- pete on the world billet (blocks of steel) market, the com pany may not need to shut down t he shop. Even if Lasco was abl&' to become competitive on the «tight" billet market,' King says it is a floating market," meaning the market price for the product is ever changing. "One thing is for sure," says King, "we don't want to close that (meit) shop. "I don't have a crystal bal, but I wish I did " says King, unwil- ling to preclict which wtr.y the chips will fali in the next couple of months. "I can tell you that*we've been living in meeting after meeting' trying to meet our objective of gettingz costs. down, s0 we can keep those -people from being laid Off. "«Al of our energy is being put into that." Anthony's "here to stay"t "Renewed» is probably amore appropriate description than anew» for a dining establishment that will open its doors on i- day. Anthony's of Green Street, for- merly Stairways, will open at 5 p.m., prepared to offer new and oid customers continental cuisine ini an elegant atmosphere. Owners Tony and Ida Albis bought the century-oid mansion, at the corner of Greeen and Arthur streets, in 1979. Extensive renovations were carried out te, make it into a dining establishment. However, in an attempt te keep in step with the trend of the time, the couple turned the -res- taurant into a nightclub six years later. But, as the the saying goes, what cornes around joes around. The building, which was con- structed in 1902, will once gi become Anthony's. aan "We're here to stay as Anthony's, for years and years te corne,n says Ida Aibis. Patrons of Anthony's wiil find the restaurant with much on the menu, inciuding seafood, pasta, veal and steak. She adds, "Our food is realiy lu li Xreared. Nothing is elreverthing is Lunc and dinner speciais, var ing from the regular menu, wiIi be offered daiiy. One exam- pie is rabbit. The mansion at 121 Green St. was buiit by Thomas Devereli in 1902. During the 1930s, the house becarne the home for Arthur Henry Allun a man credi- ted as one of Whitby's most influential citizens. Allin succe ssfuliy operated a drugstore ini downtewn Whitby for 49 years. As weli, hie served with the Whitby Public Utilities Commission for 30 years. He also served as a member of the board of directors of the Ontario Ladies College. Allun is weil remern- beredi the tewn, with Arthur St. named after hirn, and with a p laque dedicated te him in the foyer of the old Town hall (now the public library), which was built as a resuit of his efforts. Allin sold his horne in 1949 to Dr. H. Theodore Fallaise, who opened a dental practice in the front of his new home. The Wells faxnily bought the house after the death of Dr. Fallaise in 1968. There, they operated their interior decorat- ing busm*ess. Tony and Ida Aibis bought the *house in 1979. Work begins on head office MAYOR Bob Attersley joins execu- tive members of Stonhard Ltd. and the Sunray Industrial Complex for ground-breaking ceremionies to mark the start of construction of Stonhard's 49,000-sq. ft. new head office on Sunray Ct. in south Whitby. Stonlhard is Canada's Iargest instal- ler and manufacturer of industriai and commerial polymer floors and Iining systems. Peter Tomblin-Fýre Pr.m photo Seminar on employee hrealth tax Whitby Ghamber of Commerce mebrs3 wiii attend a seminar about the Employer Health Tax at a breakfast on Thursday, Dec. 14, 7:30 to 10 a.m., at the Whitby Mail Restaurant. Aimp loyers are sub{ecto the new Employer Health Tax on gross payroll and benefits, effec- tive Jan. 1, 1990. The new tax replaces OHIP. The seminar will review the new legisiation and include infor- mation on instalîment require- ments, reporting requirements penalties, transitional rules anc1 planning. (3o.5t is $1'ý2 for Chamber mem- bers, $15 for non-members (i- cludes breakfast). To attend, cal 668-4506 by Dec. 8. ,1 HOW TO PROTECT VOUR BATHROOM INVESTMENT lncreasingly were hearing from people who are concerned about the damage that powdered abrasive cleansers can do to their expensive sinks, tubs and fixtures. KLING non abrasive lotion cleanser is the best produot we've seen for general bathroom cleanup. The thick lotion clîngs to vertical surfaces and soap scum is Ifterally removed with a soft wipe of a cloth. Fixtures are let sparkling like new. The entire washroom smells dlean and fresh. For mildew bulidups in showers or rust stains on tubs we recommend Butcher's PEARLY Tule and Porcelain. Clearier. This easy to use spray and wipe produot cleans like magic yet contains no abrasives, no acids and no caustios. At Swish we guarantee everything we oeil. If the product doesn't perform to your satisfaction, bring backç the unused portion - we'll give you your money back. MAINTENANCE LTD. 500 HOPKINS ST., WHITBY 6612 ..à 666-1224