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WH1TBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 1990, PAGE 13 Heliumn balloon report should be tougher says Fox By Mike Kowalski Wýhitby's response to the envionmetal threat posed b helium ballons should be mue% tougher, says councillor Denràs Fox. However, without afproriate federal or provincial legislation as enforcement, Whitby is power- leas to act on its own, concedes Fox. Town council last week appro- ved sending a staff report on helium balToon safety to, both senior levels of government. But in the absence of regula- tions gvernng balloon releases, councilo accepted stafi's advice that it has no authority ta regu- late balloon releases in the mun- cipality. Folowing the Durhamn Board of Education's decision lait Octo- ber to ban the releasing of helium ballons at school func- tions, staff conducted their own study of the matter. Arguments for and against helium balloons are contained in the extensive report. Critics argue that the latex balloons pollute the environment and endanger wildlife when i- gested by animais. Supporters of the balloons, such as retailers, argue that the balloons are omletely biode- gradable and therfr harmless. «I would liked te have seen a little more decisive recommenda- tion, but *1 can appreciate the legaîramifications,» said Fox. Stili, Fox would Pr efer that senior government taxe steps ta ban the balloons. "Itfs a formi of pollution. It may look nice but it's stili pollution," said Fox. Referring te, the report, Fox said that upon reaching a height of about five miles, the balloons ex pIode. "Then they faîl back te, earth in quite literally millions of pieces that are ingested'by ani- mals. This is a serious probltem.» Fox teld council he was unot impressed" with a letter from local businessman Michael Gaza in support of helium balloons. He also said a report prepared for the American-based ational Association of Balloon Artists, included with Gazo's lettër, «was filled with inaccuracies and mis- statements.» In his letter, Gaza, president of Celebrations To Go - en., said there is not a "single documented case'» of a sea turtie death being caused by a balloon. (lie endangered sea turtles are cited by environmentalists as being particularly susceptible te. the danger posed by balloons.) "In a recent scientific study at the University of Miami, pieces of la tx balloons were fed te sea turtles who passed them without harm' wrote Gaza. "Balloon releases do not have a measurable impact on turtle populations." As for environmental concerns Gazo writes that «thousands» oà rubber trees are cultiyated for the sole purpose of supplying laytex. "Using nýatural products fromn the trees in this manner, and planting more trees, are the best ways to combat the 'greeýnhouse effeet' and global warming ... » said Gazo. «The rubber laytex industry provides incarnes for thousands of third world people who would be forced into other ways of earin alving which would be harfu to the environment," added Gazo. The staff report, along with letters from concer- ned citizens, will be sent to Environment Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Enviromunent and Ministry of Natural Resources. C ou ncil to cash letter of credit FROM PAGE 9 Drumm would not comment on the possibility of Sorichetti tak- ing legal action against the Town. UI can't comment on that, it's up te him te fight it,» said Drumm. But Drummn does not believe cashing the letter of credit will salve anything. "I just think there was a pro- blem before it (construction) star- ted and it should have been rectified during the work.» Drumm said there should have been further negotiations bet- ween staff and Sorichetti ta set- tle the matter.' Soriehetti preferred not ta comment when contacted by The Free Press. 'The ball's in the Town's court, Rae to dseus environment Bob Rae, leader of the provin- cial opposition, will be gust Dpeaker at a meeting o fPthe Durham Centre NDP Association on May 30. Rae will discuss the environ- ment and other issues at the, meeting, te be jeld at the CAW Hall, 1425 Phillip Murray Ave., Oshawa, starting at 7:30 p.m. For more information, cal Drummond White at 668-4223. we'1l see what happens,» said Sorichetti. DIRRCSSB staff ratify contract The Durham Region separate sehool board and CUPE Local 218, representing the boàrd's secretarial/clerical/technical staf; have both ratified a new collective agreement. The agreement is effective Octeber 1, 1989 ta September 30, 1991. The agreement calîs for a 5.95 percent salary increase in each of two years retroactive ta Octeber 1, 1989. Improvements were also made ta the vacation p4ckage and extended health plan. 'i.