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ODLC Is Opposed To Ward System The ward system type of gov- ernment for the City of Oshawa was rejected Tuesday. at the November meeting of the Osh- @wa and District Labor Council: An 11 page brief was present- ed to each delegate outlining the growth of the city and the supposed advantages or disad- that a return to the ward system would bring. Keith Ross, ODLC secretary, charged that a pressure group had engineered the plebiscite on the ward question which will be put to city voters on the Dec. 7 municipal election, "I like to vote for all 12 aldermen," he said, "if there are 12 good ones, instead of two from my ward." "We don't need any ward heel- ers in the City of Oshawa," Mr. Ross stated. The brief was presented as a joint report by the executive, municipal, and political action committees. The report reads in part: On Monday, Dec. 7, 1964 you the electorate will be given an opportunity to accept or reject the following question: Are you in favor of electing Aldermen of the City of Oshawa) by wards? A "NO" vote on Dec. 7, 1964 will eliminate "ward type think- ing' and the practice of 'You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" which only courts muni- cipal financial disaster. Prior to 1932 the ward system was in force in Oshawa but the electorate voted it out by 2,322 against 1,557 for. In 1938 the electorate said that this type of} municipal government would not} return to Oshawa and voted) 4,259 to.1,413 to reject the ward system. REVIEW SYSTEMS Before voting on this impor- tant question, we must in all fairness review the present sys- tem and analyse in terms of pro- gress the efficiency of admini- stration and the accomplish- ments of the present type of municipal government. In doing this it should be said that this does not necessarily mean blan- ket approval of all elected mem- bers during this period but. it does indicate that the ma- jority did a very effective job in furthering the progress of our city. The population of the city has increased steadily from 40,727 fount area 8,126 old Oshawa 32,601 pe in 1951 to 70,038 in 1964. This is a 72 per pow Greatest growth has been this year, when some 4,366 persons took up residence in Oshawa. The average yearly increase has been 2,255. The annexed area of Oshawa now has @ population of 30,536 which is an increase of 22,410 since 1951. This is a growth of 275 per cent. The population of the city in 1963 (excluding the annexed area) was 35,141, an increase of $2,540 or 8 per cent new people in "Old Oshawa'. yaa figures clearly indicate that during the past 13 years, under the present electoral sys- tem, the greatest growth occurr- ed in the annexed area. The increase of 29,311 is equivalent to a city the size of North Bay. TAXABLE ASSESSMENT The total taxable assessment has increased progressively) from $41,253,950 im 1951 to $244,- "YES" or "NO",| 656,125 in 1963 -- subject to 1962 reassessm: nt, Commercial and industrial ex- pansion have moved ahead and kept pace with residential as- sessment. 1963 figures placed Oshawa in an enviable position with a residential assessment of 52.67 percent of the total and a commercial, industrial assess- ment of 47.10 per cent. Oshawa is fortunate in main- taining such an assessment re- lationship as most cities strive in vain for a 40 percent figure and' few reach this goal. DEBENTURE DEBT The debenture debt increased from $3,061,221 in 1951 to $18,- 683,100 in 1963. Included in this) total is the Public Utilities debt in the amount of $3,098,100 which is self liquidating. Also included is $1,900,000 of school debt which is to be paid by provincial grants. Deducting the PUC debt and the Provincial government pay- ment due towards school deben- tures we find the per capita), debt is $211.00. It is also to be |noted that 77 percent of the city |debt will be matured by 1971. |BACKLOG OF WORK Between 1930 1950 little »|money was spent on civic works or improvements of any nature. Because of this °0 year backlog and the post-war population ex- plosion, the demand for services of all kinds was created. Public buildings, sewage disposal plant, schools, hospital, water, sani- sanitary sewers, paved roads, lbridges,. storm sewers, side- jwalks, bus system, etc., (ex- tended drainage and storm sew- er systems by more than 100 miles and more than doubled the mileage of paved roads) caused the debenture debt to rise. This was inevitable as these services had to be supplied in a growing city. Compare the Osh- awa of 1964 with the city of| 1950 and you, the electorate,| must agree that the money was wisely spent. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION The total value of all build- ing permits issued between 1951 and 1963 inclusive was $160,582,- 497: In 1953 building permits were issued to a total value of $17,230,000 which was exceeded in 1963 by a total issuance amounting to $21,300 (1964 will, without doubt, break this record of iast year.) 1963 Represented the biggest the city. During this same period (195: 1963) 7,000 single family pec a ings were built, the greatest number of single family dwell- ing: 1958 when a total of 919 per- mits were issued. During recent years there has been a tendency for apartment leonstruction. Apartment de- velopment ranges from a low of four in 1951 to a high of 526 in 1963. (1964 estimates project 800 single family dwelling units and 650 apartment suites.) The total number of housing units erected in the 1951-1963 period | Dec. 31, 1963 was 19,970. RECENT YEARS It is significant also to note) that in the early years follow-| ing annexation many single| family dwellings were erected| 'with septic tanks and during was 8,885. The total number of} housing units in Oshawa as of} 1953 a total of 268 septic tank permits were issued. In recent years the total have been steadigy reduced to lows of four, seven and 11 for 1961, 1962 and 1963 respectively. This decrease indicates the avail- ability of sanitary sewers for residential areas under con- struction. It is also worthy of note that the majority of homes lformerly served by septic tanks are now served by sanitary sewers. SCHOOLS In 1951 there was a total of 11 public schools, This number has, at the end of 1963, been increased to 24. In 1951, Osh- awa had two separate schools lwhich has increased to nine.|* Oshawa had in 1951, two col- legiates, now there are four. SUBDIVIDING OF LAND Following annexation it was readily noted that if Oshawa were to grow, an orderly de- velopment of land would be necessary. This had to be done to prevent a hodge-podge build- ing program, which would have a detrimental effect on the overall planning of Oshawa. Accordingly, on Dec, 20, 1954, city counci] approved passage of a resolution from planning board which provided "now therefore it is resolved by the planning board that it will not recom- mend approval for any new subdivision and or building pro- gram on land which is not offi- cially scheduled to be serviced by sanitary sewers before the dwellings are scheduled for completion and occupation." The foregoing has ry some of the background facts dealing with Oshawa, as it exists under the elected by all the citizens, system of govern- ment. Now we should carefully analyse the necessity of change in our present form of munici-|" pal elections. The mayor of Edmonton said in 1963, "Our bed has a council elected at large. Occasionally advocates of a ward system have expressed their views but there is no wide support for such a change." In reply to those advocates of the ward system: (a) It has been said that in cities of over 50,000 the ward system is extremely popular, WHAT ARE THE FACTS? Only three (3) cities with a population of over 50,000 use the ward system of electing alder- men who do not have a board of control. These are Brantford (54,917), Kingston (50,011) and St. Catharines (85,732). The other five cities with population over 50,000 (Hamilton, Toronto, London, Ottawa, Sudbury) have a board of control (which _ is mandatory) who are elected by a general at large vote of the electorate and they formulate policy matters for Council. It then follows, that because boards of control are elected at lange by a general vote and the executive powers granted them, that a Ward system in these communities would be a logical development in municipal gov- ernment. six cities of over 50,000 popula-! tion in Ontario who do elect| their aldermen by a general vote of the electorate. (Kitehener 80, 283; Niagara Falls 53,941; Osh- awa 70,038; Peterborough 51,257; Sarnia 50,607; Windsor 112,049.) (b) There are a total of 32 cities in the province of Ontario. Eighteen elect their representa- tives by a general vote, 14 elect On the other hand there are) be noted that five of the 14 have a board of control. (c) It is said that. a ward sys- tem will continue to bring new faces to council and remove those people who get elected vear after year. The facts are in the period from 1954 to 1964 there have been 28 different aldermen elect- ed to the city council. At pres- ent there are only five aldermen who remain from this overall group and it must be further noted that none of the five pres-~ ently on council have served continuously during this 1954- 64 period. Surely we must have some experience and continuity in our city administration. The present proven form of electing aldermen would give us this de- sired result as well as acquiring newly elected people. The record speaks for itself. (d) The proponents for a ward system say this will give us equal representation. 'There are presently seven aldermen from one ward," they declare. At no time in past years has there been any charges that a particular ward is getting some- thing at the expense of another area in the city because an alderman is from a_ specific ward, In the past two years the seven aldermen from the north- east ward did not take advan- tage of this fact and looked at the city on an objective basis in carrying out the needs for Osh- awa. If the record is checked you will find there has been more money spent in other areas of the city than in the jnorth- -east ward, To substantiate this fact, it is well known a fire station is needed in the north-east ward to service the east end of the city. If these aldermen were taking a parochial view on this matter they would have insisted on the fire station being built regard- less of the needs of some other ward. This dign't happen as SECTIONAL POINT An alderman who is to make a contribution to a civic administration cannot take a |sectional point of view. It is not a matter of where an alderman lives. What really counts is his policy to the whole city. It must also be pointed out that the ward system does not require that an alderman live in the ward he is elected from, This could and does in some centres lead to an absentee type of land- lord. control. (e) Advocates of the ward sys- tem argue that the elected rep- resentatives would not make deals at the expense of another ward in the city. Let's face it, people elected on a ward basis are under the necessity of getting something for their ward in an attempt to justify their re-election. (Could mean greater increase in taxes as if they weren't high enough under the present system of electing aldermen.) The general vote system of electing aldermen however would eliminate the "'deals" and "back scratching"' that is neces- sary to get an alderman from another ward to support some- thing from your ward regard- less of need, A civic administra- tion cannot possibly be efficient on the basis of -- you support me and I'll support you. We must have a system where those elected at large can afford to take a community rather than a_ sectional viewpoint. Elected > representatives are compelled by the nature of their being elected at large to support measures designed to benefit the greatest number rather than just one section. The ward system would have a maximum of two aldermen in each ward and would limit the electorate to two votes in any given ward. Presently the ratepayers can aldermen at large are pledged under the ward system, It must Subsequently city council pass- ed a further resolution requiring the subdivider to pay a substan- tial portion of the cost of ex- tending sewers and water serv- ices to the area to be sub- divided, These two resolutions by rea- son of their economic implica- tions, further assisted the order- ly subdivision of land. Oshawa's. planning director stated 'Planning has paid hand- some dividends for Oshawa. With directed growth our situa- tion is 1000 per cent better than in the 1947 era and we have controlled it so that no sudden on the citizens." PHENOMENAL GROWTH Statistics reflect the phenome- nal growth in other areas of our city retail sales, 34 per cent above the national average with 1963 sales totalling $87.5 mil- n increase of 29,311 or|year in the building history = More than 88 per cent of the homes are owner occupied, and increasing each year. heques cashed in 1063 totalled more than $4,250 mil- lion, an increase of 225 per s issued in any one year was) cont since 1959. Personal income per capita is 27.8 per cent above the national average. enormous. debt will be saddled) to look after all of the people. vote for 12 aldermen who, in their opinion would best repre- overall attitude in terms of civic} this I and service the interest of the community whether the THE OSHAWA TIMES, Wednesday, November 11, 1964 7 ratepayer. lives in the north, east, west or south. Wards in the City of Toronto have for in- stance 115,000 population and itwo people have to represent number while here in Osh- =p our total population is REJECT PROPOSAL Most ratepayers know the al- dermen in Oshawa and do not hesitate to call them if neces- sary, It should be pointed out that no alderman is more than 15 or 20 minutes from any sec- tion or our city, Therefore a specific problem should not icreate a handicap because of distance from any alderman's home. Under our present system of municipal government there has been a planned program and this can be best emphasized by the fact there is water, sani- tary sewers, storm sewers, Dix seal, etc., in every, section of our city. The services are not just in those areas where the squeaking wheel gets the grease, so to speak. This is due entirely to our "at large" electoral sys- tem. We recommend to the citizens of Oshawa that we reject the proposal for a change to the ward system. We are of the opinion, the electorate should become more aware of the calibre of candidates they elect to municipal government and if in their opinion an alderman or aldermen is or are not doing an efficient and competent job in relationship to their responsibil- ities then they must be voted out of office. This would con- firm our 'belief in the demo- cratic. procedure of elections and would serve in the best in- terests of the ratepayers in the city of Oshawa. The tools of changing an en- tire council or any member of council are at the disposal of jsession of the American Dental the electorate. We should con- tinue with the tools we have at our Oshawa has made much a gress since the general vote for en oe we have a glorious chance to improve on the progress for our community in the future.Let us continue to select people who will further the cause of pro- gress and relate this progress to the benefit of the overall community, We have a proven system of municipal government yet some| hight, would advocate a change just for the sake of a change. Who is to say we will not find under'| a ward system @ chaotic and), cony civic administration? There is no proof that a ward system would be better. The only tangible evidence we have before us to make any kind of an honest appraisal of the situation is in the early and late 30's. The electorate made their intentions known in no un- certain terms as to what sys- tem of municipal government they wanted. The ward system never worked in Oshawa prior to the 30's. Who can _ honestly say it will work now? In the interest of sound ad- ministration and efficient local government we urge every rate- payer to vote "No" on Mon- day, Dec. 7. CITES NEW ADVANCE SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Slick coats for teeth will pro- vide the next great advance against dental disease, a Cana- dian dental scientist predicts. Dr. Gilbert J. Parfitt of Van- couver said the coating will make it harder for bacteria to cling to the tooth surface to cause decay and gum disease. Dr. Parfitt spoke at the annual Jet Bomber Crashes With - Seven Aboard , WOLF POINT, Mont. (AP)-- An eight - jet air force B-52 crashed and burned about 25 miles south of this northeastern Montana city late Tuesday t, the air force said today. Officials said it was on a trains ing mission and carried no bombs. : Two bodies were recovered. A defence department apokes- man in Washington said the fate of the other five persons was not known, RESCUED FROM WELL SALEM, Ind, (AP)--An 18- month-old girl, - mud-streaked and crying, was rescued from a farm well Tuesday after be- ing wedged for three hours in water up to her waist, Two dozen neighbors, digging fran- tically in the hard, stoney southern Indiana soil with shov- els, reached the blonde toddler, Deborah K. Dillman, and police took her to hospital. 723-5241 OSHAWA'S Newest Taxi Offering Safe, Courteous Service 46 King St. W. Oshawa Association. STARTING ae at 8:30 a.m. and on THUR.-FRI.-SAT. @ THURSDAY SPECIAL ONLY e HOUSEHOLDERS Save On FUEL 1¢¢ OIL 16 Ph: 668-3341 DX Fuel Oil Personal Our thoughtful approach to your estate and family prob- lems is based on nearly a cen- tury of experience as execu- tors and trustees. Trust service is friendly service. é CANADA PERMANENT ; CANADA PERMANENT TRUST COMPANY Executors and Trustees +» Management of Investments Estate and Pension Planning Assets under administration exceed $1 bilGon Oshawa Shopping Centre « J. W. Froud, Manager an Cut-Up CHICKEN LEGS and BREASTS CHICKEN NECKS i) Ib. e FREEZER SPECIAL e HIND QUARTERS of BEEF CUT AND WRAPPED FREE il READY T Whole He CLUB STYLE HAMS 39! O EAT SPARERIBS LEAN MEATY 39: SLICED PORK LIVER 4., ]-00 Lean Sliced Cooked 2 lbs ANY ONE ITEM ONLY $1.00 . PORK STEAK 3 lbs. VEAL PATTIES 4 lbs. Country SAUSAGE 2 lbs. POLISH SAUSAGE HAM "EXTRA SPECIAL" lb SIRLOIN STE T-BONE and WING AKS Boneless Rump or Round Steak ROASTS ROAST LEAN SHORT RIB or BONELES ONLY 49 S POT C lb SKINLESS WIENERS 2 lbs. 79° 5 lbs. 1.89 FRESH MADE SAUSAGE MEAT 4 Ibs. 9-00 4 LBS. FREE LEAN PORK Tenderloin ib 79¢ TASTY sin 'm DOC | \4 SCHNEIDER'S MEAT SPREAD ROLLS 99« 8-0Z. 4 pou STUFFED BEEF HEARTS u 29¢