The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Trust company puts Kartway up for sale By Mike Kowalski One of Durham Region's most popular tourist attractions is for sale...or is it? Advertisements stating that Family Kartway in Whitby is for sale were recently placed in two Toronto newspapers. National Trust, holder of the mortgage on the 33.2- acre amusement centre on Hwy. 12 -- which includes Canada's largest go-kart track -- placed the newspaper ads. But Gary Sorichetti, the park's owner since 1990, insists Family Kartway is not being sold and that the trust company had no right to do what it did. "What they've done is wrong," said Sorichetti, who declined further comment as the matter "is before the courts." Earlier this year, National Trust initiated proceedings to foreclose on the park's mortgage. Gates were padlocked and a security guard was posted inside the fence. But last month, Sorichetti told The Free Press that all issues which led the trust company to foreclose had been settled following "congenial talks" between himself and National Trust. "The guy on the other side and I came to terms, everybody's happy," said Sorichetti in proclaiming the park open for business again. "We thought it was resolved," Sorichetti said Friday. "I can't comment any further than that." National Trust official Lindsay Morrison reiterated previous statements that company policy prohibits her from commenting on matters involving clients. She would not discuss the newspaper ads, nor Sorichetti's claim that the dispute had been settled. However, Morrison did admit that ownership of the park is one of the issues to be decided by the courts. She did not know when the matter will come to court. Sorichetti has operated Family Kartway since March 1990, after having purchased the property from Richard Clark, who had owned the business since 1963. In addition to the go-kart track, the park includes miniature golf, rides, batting cages and a water slide. z-v-r-m WHITBY SENIORS' ACTIVITY CENTRE members (above) on Friday observed 'Sneaker Day' (part of National Fitness Week), handing out prizes for the most "enterprising foot attire," which they put to good use in a two-hour dance-a-thon. By Mike Kowalski Whitby residents could be hit with more user fees and reduced municipal services. Last month's Ontario budget, coupled with Canada's lingering recession, will have a major im- pact on Whitby, councillor Den- nis Fox warns. Future capital spending pro- jects and everyday services could oth be affected as Whitby grap- ples with less money from Queen's Park and lower than anticipated growth, Fox says. Greater reliance on user fees and cutting services may be the only alternative to raising taxes, he says. In a nine-page address deli- vered to Town council last week, Fox said events beyond council's control have forced a review of the Town's financial operations. Projected revenues from deve- lopment are less than expected, while cutbacks contained in the Whilby administrator Bill Wallace (right) was among the Town staff who turned out fer a workout at the Civic rec centre Friday. A prize was awarded for the person with the most worn sneakers. Photo by MarkFleesor, whitby rrcePress Ontario budget were greater than first feared, he said. "Not only does council have to deal with the recessionary im- pact on our tax rate and delivery of services, we must tighten our belts even further as a result of the recent provincial budget," said Fox. Unconditional grants paid by the province to Whitby will decrease by $140,000. Moreover, the budget includes other costs which must be borne by local taxpayers, he said. Insurance and benefit pre- miums are now subject to the eight per cent sales tax and this will cost the Town an estimated $75,750 annually. As well, previously untaxed building materials such as sand, clay and gravel will be taxed, costing an extra $6,000. In addition, the government "appears" to be reducing grants- in-lieu of taxes paid on provincial buildings, road grant allocations and transit subsidies, Fox said. Although the Commercial Con- centration Tax on municipal parking lots will be scrapped, it will be replaced by sales tax on parking fees and meters, he said. "The full impact of the budget is now yet known. However, we do know that fewer provincial dollars will be directed to Whitby as well as all other municipahi- ties in Ontario," said Fox. Compounding the problem is the government's attempt to cut another $2 billion in spending through its social contract nego- tiations with public sector employees, Fox noted. "At this time, we do not know what the full implications are for the Town of Whitby," he said. Stating that "it is clearly not reasonable» for all new costs to be absorbed withîn the existing tax structure, Fox said all avenues will be explored. "This may mean that we will have to rely more heavily on user fees than in the past. We also may need to reduce some of our services,"he said. "Clearly, to increase taxes is not an option." Following the meeting, Fox told reporters that the 1993 budget, which contained no tax increase, will not have to be reopened. "This year's budget is set. It will impact next year,"he said. Fox stressed that no decisions have yet been made, nor was he proposing any specific action. "My purpose was to send up a few warning signs. I don't want people to be surprised," he said. "B etween the provincial budget and sccial contract there will be changes in the way we do things." Fox said Whitby residents SrgPAGE9 WARNING Cutbacks will have impact on Town, says Fox à C---y ý -ýýï 1 j