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Whftby Free Pmms, Wednesday, December 13, 1M.5 Page 3 Items from Whitby Council. agenda(s) Planning and Development Committee That consideration af a Town-supported property grant program for restoration and conservation af historicaliy significant buildings b. referred ta the 1996 capital budget. The Ontario government prevlousiy made grants avallable ta owners of heritage buildings, but that programn has been discon- tinued. Carred That a site plan application fromn McDonaid's Restaurants of, Canada for a 1 00-square metre addition ta its Brock Street South.restaurant be approved. The addition wlII house a chlldren's play area and extra customner seatlng. Carriéd That a rezonlng application f rom Montreal Trust Company ai Canada for the former Home Hardware store at 701 BrockçSt. N. b. closed. An application to rezone the property to permit an office and vehicle inspection facility had been f iled earlier this year, but the ste was soid ta a different owner. A motorcycle sales *and repair shop is naw planned for the site. Carried That a site plan application f rom Thunderbird Goff Course ln Ashbum for a 1,256-square foot addition ta Its dlning raom and pro shop be approved. Cmrried Recommenda- tions from the Town's share af the budget wili b. $174,316. Last year's overaîl budget was $507,250 of which Whtby's share was $171,469. Carried Correspondence That a petition from Byron Street and Pearson Lanes mierchants requesting an Increase ln public parking lot rates from 25 ta 50 cents per hour ln aider ta discaurage extended use by those ather than shoppers, be referred ta* th. operations commlttee. Carid Ajax mayor new Durha Region boss By 1(1k. Kowalski Jim Witt~y bas exchanged on.* municipal chain of office for another. Mayor of Ajax for the lait seven years, Witty defeated Pickering councillor Rlck Johnson asat Wednesday ta become the third chair in the 21-year histary of Durham Region. of ty élection, by a vote of 23-9 'fregional council, -.was made necessary by the recent death of former chair Gary Hlerrema. Chair for the pust 15years, Herrema bast a long battle ta cancer last month. Innnediately upon bis election and following Johnson's offer of Unanirnity, Wfitty assumed his new duties. In* so doing, hie autamatlcally relinquiahed bis position as jax mayor. 'tYeti, I arn a little nervous. I didn't think I would be, but I am,"e the 57-year-old Insurance broker admitted during a short acceptance before an audience^ wbich included Walter Beath, Durbam's fret chair, and local and provincial dignitiaries. "I have an open mind and an open door policy," said Witty in pledging to work with "every one of you" during wbat he predicted will b. a turbulent two years for Durham Region. "If it's (door> closed, it's only because the person who has corne in has closed it," hie said. Nominated by Oshawa councillor Bilan Nicholson. and Olarington representive, Ann Drealinkid, Witty touched briefly on bis six- years 'as -finance'. committee chair and four years - s bhead of the police services board.in bis nomination- speech. "'y. been a miember of this council for the. past 15 years...tbe Region is working relatively well and i. worth saving," he aaid in a not toaubtle jab at the Ontairio *government. "Durham Region .-is at a casel;"oads, drop again Welfare caseloada dropped by 864 in November from Octaber in Durham Region. It was the flfth consÈecutive month of declining socal assistance caseloadi in the region. Since June, there are about 3,600 fewer welfare cases mn Durham,,and 103,000 fewer, over that saime time period in Ontario. "Any job is always better than being on welfare," saYi Durham West MPP Janet Ecker who noted her governinentsB "continued focup on welfare reformi cominitinents." For blanket* coverage of ALL the homes and/or businesses in Whitby OR to selected areas only, caîl the Whitby Free Press - 668-6111. [f you did flot get a f lyer which is listed for full distribution, give us a caîl. JIW fTY croseroade, but we don't know where either road will take us," he said. "There are changes facing us and some 'of it will be inflicted upon us,. often without any consultation." Wtywas referring to the controversial omnibus bill introduced by the pravincial government last month on the same day it unveiled $6 billion in spending cuti (see separate story). The bill, which will be subjected ta public hearings in January, amenda 47 different laws governing everything from health care to municipalities ta protection of prlvacy. Witty said it is "lsimply not acoeptable" that the province could merge or eliminate communities without publicenpt Hle also naid proposais contained in the soon ta be released Golden Commission report on reforming the Greatéù,r Toronto Area (GTA) may everii, be more ominous for Durham. *Speculation bas comnissioner Anne Golden recommending that the five regions in the GTA be àb<çlished and replaced- by one massive "super"~ municipality. 'Who knows what.ekIdnd of missies are aimed at us and who will pull the tri gger?" Witty asked. Witty later told reporters that he will consult bis fellow regional chairs about requesting more time f-rm Que en's Park ta implement 1996 CALENDARS, now available at Hardiman Mount Insurance plus any other Rotary Sunrise member. *Super Christmas Gifi Guide.(select) *Speedy Business Centre (select) sThe Prince Restaurant (select) e One-Thirty Court (ail homes) e Pringle CreeklDundas Centre Guardian Drugs (select) e Mobile Vacuum(seiect) e Jerry's The Drug Warehouse (full distribution) e Henderson Books (select) e As You Like lt-Fine Faads & Gifts (select)) e David J. Roney & Theresa Kimmerer/Royal LePage (select) reforme. Municipal Affaire Minuter AI Lmeh bas lndlcated that h. wants to, have any necessary changes in Place for the next municipal election ln November 199i7. 'The government was elected for a four- or five-year mandate, so, there i. no reason why they couldn't wait ta make any municipal boundary. changes until aur next term of office," said Witty. "I will b. approaching the government ta ask it ta, wait until after there is conuiderable discussion." Witty said he prefers workcing with the.government -in bringing about change, but is "prepared to fight" if the province shows signa ofimposing an unwanted system - especially since municipalities will need time to adjuat ta, the grant reductions before even contemplating border changes or amalgamation. 'There is no need ta rush inta this:' he aaid. 'The government bas,cut back. and I don't blame the province for: doing what's right. But'let's- work' on solutions one at: a tinie, not, have it tbrust upon u's." Ini handily defeating bis oppunent Witty drew support from every municipality in Durhamn. All four Whitby representatives:, - Mayor Tom Edwards, councillora Marcel Brunelle, Jo. Drumm and Gerry Emin - voted *for Wit±y.' Ironically, Brunelle, who had consldered rnnldng hlmself., waî the fîrit ta declare bis cholce for chair after bis was the firit name drawn from a drumn contalnlng the names of aIl 32 coundillore. Even though Johnson ha. always been a bit of a maverlck wlth flot. much of a followlng beyond his own municipality, six of bis nine votes came from one locale - Oshawa. More than one Insider told The Free Press that moat Oshawa councillors felt Witty was not as amenable as others ta, the clty's concerna. Edwards,- however, behieves Witty'i election bodes well for Durham in that the new chair will not stray too far from the direction ahd style set by Herrema. I suspect Jim Witty has a lesa abrupt way of dealing with issues than...b.is, predecessor, but he generallyfolluwp the- saine lin.,"- said Edwards..* *'-'. 'They. had*dlfferent partisan politica but often ended up on the same side.", Edwards.was pleased that Wltty took a strong stanid againast the *omnibus.bill., "Fm happy to hear it corne from Mr. Witty, I ahare bis concerna about what's being attempted," he *said. Y I hope the words of peopje hike Jim Witty, who is a prorninent and respected member of the Conservative party, will cause the governinent to pause." *Appraisals OnSpot 'Tm Gmi *Repairs-3Da(ID rS~ Get 3rd at *Remodelling- OnnaHacrfd 1/OF 211 Brook'St. S., Whitby 666-4612 ..FORTUNE ,,.,INVESTMENT MANAG EMENT s" Cciaigig i..' odel railras, including. starter sets " Siot car racing sets and accessaries *Plastic madel kits ai aIl kinds - *Radia contraI cars, boats and planes - *Dali Hauses e Rackets & Kites e. BEST SEILECTION OF THOMAS THE TANK ENGINES Oue usoe servce nd* ssitane ae th rs oof oppingefor thhoby over ineor-amlySOen dye. wek 1801 Dundas St. East, Whitby AlO O KMATPLAZA 44888 Next to Golden Griddle