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Melodee Martinuk Chronicle Staff *‘*Punitive," "picky," "trivial," "ridiculous," ‘*offensive"" â€" just some of the criticisms which have been levelled by both residents and city politicians towards Wateripo‘s draft property standards bylaw . Approximately 25 people attended a cityâ€"sponâ€" sored public hearing last week, held to give residents a chance to respond to the proposed bylaw. Although some praised the legislation, the majority of those at the meeting were clearly angered by the prospect of enforced minimum property standards. "It seems the function of government is to do one of two things: raise our taxes or chip away at our freedoms ... you are doing something with the best of intentions, but it is improperly thought out," said Chuck Gallagher of 290 Albert St. Gallagher argued that, while the bylaw is designed to help the poor and students in this city, it will actually "work against them" because landlords will not be able to afford to continue renting. ""I used to own a student house, I know about students. They wrecked the house as fast as I fixed it," he said. ‘"‘The stupidest people today are those who own apartment buildings." City planner Rob Deyman told the meeting that the bylaw draft was written to be as ‘‘*comprehensive‘"‘ as possible. It would require owners of commercial, residential and industriâ€" al property in the city to meet minimum standards governing structural soundness, health, safety and general appearance. Supporting the idea of minimum maintenance standards, Pat McMahon, 69 Alexandra Ave., objected to requirements for the interiors of residential buildings. He suggested there should be two classes of regulations for residential buildings, ownerâ€"occupied and tenantâ€"occupied, with strict rules governing the interior condition of buildings rented out. ‘‘*Using myself as an example, I‘d be a classic offender of provisions in the bylaw," said McMahon. ‘‘Specifics in this bylaw are unnecesâ€" sarily definitive and in some cases picky." Together apart (Continued from page 1) Although composition of the committee is yet to be decided, Yantzi expects it will include local businessmen and representatives of church and charitable organizaâ€" tions, in addition to the two city mayors. Other plans approved Saturday include the production of a television show focusing on Africa‘s problems to be broadcast on Rogers Cable TV. educational programs in Waterloo County schools and regular advertisements in the local media to promote agencies and groups which are currently involved in African aid programs. _ Should additional efforts be needed to maintain public interest. the group will also consider setting aside a week in the new year for "consciousnessâ€"raising". a joint project to educate the public about the ongoing problems and needs of African countries . Picky, picky, picky Vocal discontent over property bylaw specifics "If I were considering purchasing a property Anne Innis Dagg in Waterioo and I was to read that bylaw, I‘d be intimidated by the scope of it and the rflulre- ments for the interior of residential buildings." "I think our tenants, students, low income earners, who are required to pay rent in substandard housing need protection, but I‘m concerned the rules apply to owner/occupied residences. As such I think the bylaw is overwhelming in its thrust." The draft bylaw also encountered some opposition from city politicians, who maintained that, while the bylaw is a good concept, as it is now written it is too stringent. Alderman John Shortreed said the bylaw should address only the major issues such as structural soundness and safety noting that 80 per cent of its clauses could be eliminated. ‘"‘I‘ve crossed out 80 per cent of the things because every time I turned a page, I was in violation ... quite often I don‘t have toilet paper in the upstairs bathroom and paint is peeling off my eavestroughs ... I think we should focus on the big items and then, if we have problems, go into further detail," he said. "It opens the bylaw up to abuse when it is so specific."‘ â€" O _ _ â€" â€" Totally against the enforced property stanâ€" dards, Alderman Richard Biggs called the bylaw ‘‘offensive‘"‘ because it ‘‘covers every single thing. It puts a very serious onus on anyone who owns property in this city. "‘I‘m opposed to it and my opposition is growing as I hear more glbqut it" he _sa_id. O Pat Arbuckle ‘ Chronicle Special A Waterloo woman who has spent the last decade working to further sexual equality, social justice and animal rights, has been honored by the Kâ€"W Status of Women. Backing the draft legislation were delegations from the University of Waterloo student federaâ€" tion and the Waterloo Region Community Legal Services, who felt a property standards bylaw is necessary to give tenants protection from unscrupulous landlords. Dr. Anne Innis Dagg, a resource person in University of Waterloo‘s Integrated Studies Department is to be given the Batke Human Rights Award. First presented last year to Vivien Batke, the award was created by the Status of Women to mark the 35th anniversary of the United Nation‘s universal declaration of human rights. In an interview, Mayor Marjorie Carroll remarked that the small turnout at the meeting was a "‘clear indication‘‘ of community support for the bylaw. ‘"‘We‘ve already touched base with all groups (residents‘ associations, business, for example) and generally speaking most of the community is in support of having some mechanism to control the difficult cases." ‘"Anne has all the attributes that we look for and happily found in her and Vivien: the kind of women who don‘t need a group around them, who see things that need to be done and do things on their own that sound out discrimination towards women," explained Maurita McCrystal, chairperson of the Kâ€"W Status of Women. She stressed the bylaw is not intended to be a "big stick ... wielded with a heavy hand"‘ against residents. Dagg‘s personal experiences as a University of Guelph biology professor, who in 1972 was refused tenure, in her opinion, because she is a woman, set her on the road to acâ€" tivism. "I became involved in human rights because I saw so many injustices against women,‘"" she explained. "I realized women have a hard time." Since then, Dagg, who holds a PhD, in Biology from Anne Innis Dagg honored for contributions to women University of Waterloo is already organizing such a week Feb. 4 to 8. Guest speaker for the Saturday morning meeting was Rev. Ray Brubacher, pastor of Elmira Mennonite Church, who recently travelled to Ethiopia to monitor distribution of a food shipment sent by the Mennonite Central Committee. Although he has travelled extensively throughout Africa since 1967, Brubacher admitted that he was emotionally unprepared for what he saw in Ethiopia. _ ‘"When I left (for Africa) on Oct. 29, I didn‘t realize the situation was as bad as it was." he said, assuring his audience that media accounts of the tragedy have not been exaggerated . Brubacher recalled scenes of silent groups of people filing into the feeding camps "that reminded me of the Nazi concentration camps where Jews walked quietly to Grade 2 French immersion student Laura Thiessen selects a cupcake from the dozens arranged to spell out N.A. MacEachern school. To celebrate the Waterioo school‘s 10th anniversary staff and students viewed a videotape of the opening ceremony, sang songs and enjoyed the cupcake treats. Pat Arbuckie photo WATERLOO CHRONICLE University of Waterloo, has become an active participant in a number of organizations, including Amnesty International, the National Action Committee on the Status of Women, Anselma House, the Waterloo Region Peace Network and the Canadian Abortion Rights Action League (CARAL). Her concern for animal welfare also led to membership in the Mississauga Animal Rights Society and the Washingtonâ€" based Animal Welfare Institute. Recently, when the Bovey Commission came to Waterloo, Dagg delivered a brief on the status of women at Ontario universities. The commission was established to study the province‘s universities system. _ "I am currently writing a book on how women have been excluded from Canadian culture," particularly in areas such as the visual arts and writing, she said. â€" s _ Editor of Language _Alert Newsletter, Dagg has also published 45 research papers and 10 books. â€" _ Dagg‘s research to date has revealed that although at least 50 per cent of the writers in Canada are women, only 29 per cent of books published are by women. Locally, less than 25 per cent of books purchased by the Waterioo Public Library are written by women, she said. D Allbouéh pleased that her work has been recognized by the status of women group, Dagg admitted that "women‘s inherent modesty®" has caused her to feel a little embarassed by all the attention. the gas chambers." Watching emaciated children who were given food and yet had lost the desire to eat gave him a new perspective on his own children who "if they miss a meal by oneâ€"half hour run to the kitchen and complain ‘I‘m starving‘" he said. The Elmira minister urged those present, currently involved in assistance projects, to consider providing food a first priority, with medicines, blankets shelters and development plans, second in importance. Acknowledging that the Ethiopian government may be using food as a political weapon, Brubacher stressed that relief agencies concentrate on providing assistance and not on political debates. "It is important for relief agencies to rise above political questions and provide aid where they can in whatever way they can." he said FOOD FOR THOUGHT WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1984 â€" PAGE 3