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economist sunsuntribune community saturday sept 17 2005 selfserve stations not wanted by joan ransberry staff writer the welcome mat for self- serveonly gas stations has been removed in markham a move that has the backing of a local accessibility committee and caught the attention of a nation al petroleum group thornhill resident bob hunn president of the markham advi sory committee on accessibility is applauding a recent council decision that takes issue with selfserve stations the dwindling number of fullservice gas stations in markham is a growing concern mayor don cousens said there are fewer and fewer stations offering fullservice facilities mr cousens said yet there are more and more dis abled people driving mothers with kids cant get out of their vehicles and older people have difficulty getting gas especially during the winter markham staff is gathering information to see if the town can introduce a licencing process or pass a bylaw to govern gas bars the preferred choice would be to negotiate with the propo nents markham chief adminis trative officer john livey said were looking into the legal aspects of it municipalities in ontario do have the authority to strike a bylaw restricting the types of service stations bruce orr direc tor of government and stake holder relations for the canadian petroleum products institute said there should be some way the disabled can access full service at the same price as selfserve prices bob hunn president of the markham advisory committee on accessibility the municipal act allows municipalities to make such bylaws mr orr said we are not seeing this development anywhere except in markham the majority of consumers prefer selfserve gas stations because theyre faster and cheaper he said service stations dont get built to serve the minority he said but the elderly have not been forgotten we will not see an absence of all fullservice the industry knows how to cater to the needs of all the town has asked that the petroleum institute review with its members the need to ensure all stations make provisions for full service to patrons with spe cial needs markhams actions will be given high priority at a petrole um institute committee meeting next week mr orr said loblaws properties inc is keeping an eye on the develop ment the company is one step away from introducing a self- serve station at its markham store at bullock drive and mccowan road three weeks ago council approved loblaws siteplan application however loblaws has yet to secure a building per mit well cross that bridge when we come to it loblaws spokesperson steve thompson said all of loblaws gas outlets in ontario are self serve mr thompson declined to give the companys position on offering fullservice components well see if the town tries to mandate us he said owners of all gas stations in markham are being asked by the town to review their current operations to see what can be done to accommodate people with special needs markham is also asking the province to address the issue of accessibility to gas stations when setting policies and guidelines linked to accessibility needs this is a step in the right direction mr hunn said it needs to be forwarded to those involved in the ontario disabili ty act while mr hunn drives his own vehicle he has been in a wheelchair for 35 years when he cant find a fullservice station his wife pumps the gas there should be some way the disabled can access full serv ice at the same price as selfserve prices mr hunn said councils unanimous deci sion included alerting york region and the association of municipalities of ontario mayor cousens noted i dont want to see one more selfservice station built in markham he said seawaypooisntubscom seaway pools hot tubs 27 heritage rd markham 9052948030 17480 y0nge st newmarket 9058538500 se hurry book your fall 2005 pool installation before all our spots are g0nei msm pteii- a8asasv 0 1 i i h2fflnfl n 7hriugerd 1 ihks3i s f hwyi7 i whim mi tj mti 5 miiiiib oztitis fall gt has arrived classic dress casuals elegant wear let us surprise spoil you with our selection service september 17 through october 6 during regular showroom hours wednesday thru saturday 11 am 5 pm dosed friday saturday of long weekends i in this coupon and get 6 off your next oil change at your nearest pafflcipating jiffy lube come jn every 5000 wtometers fora jiffy lube signature service oil 3 coupon qfferexpires october 31 2005 cede fw valid wtth other offers jiffy liioe the jiffyuibe design maricendjsfy rtureseri are registered lra4bfflaftertjlfiy lute- the ultimate car wash kit we feature high quality quaker state products valid at these participating locations burlington 1221 guelph line 0akville 645third line uni0nville 8332 kennedy rd the welloiled machine mississauga 1349 burnamthorpe rd e 2525 thomas st 3020 unity drive markham 5706 hwy 7 newmarket 16635 yonge st national fleet cards welcome