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economist suntribune regional issues thursday may 23 2002 smoking bylaw finally decided by jeff mitchell staff writer charities will benefit from york region councils decision to relax smoking rules in bingo halls one fundraiser says this will enable our charities to go forward and continue their work in the community harvey meek a member of the markham bingo country sponsors association said after thursdays meeting in newmarket the group represents more than 30 charities that raise up to 1 million a year through bingo proceeds hopefully this vote will finalize this issue for the time being thursdays debate was the latest skirmish in an ongoing battle over the regions tough antismoking bylaw and the effect it may have on bingo halls bingo operators and char ities sought an amendment allowing smoking in desig nated smoking rooms that take up 50 per cent of the occupiable floor space in the halls an increase from the 25 per cent allowed in the origi nal bylaw proponents said the move would align york regions bylaw with those in toronto and peel region where 50 per cent smoking areas are allowed hopefully this vote will finalize this issue for the time being they claimed yorks pro hibitive rules would send bingo players to other juris dictions taking with them the money charities depend on so much opponents most notably vaughan regional councillor joyce frustaglio chair of the regions health committee and a vocal cru sader for stringent anti- smoking legislation argued relaxing the law would open the door to simi lar challenges from other businesses affected by the legislation there is no question that if we change this bylaw today it will open up the depressed anonymous f ycils feel alone or depressed experience feelings of hopelessness have thoughts of suicide here is fiowej come to a meeting of the depressed anonymous self help group weekly groups in richmond hill aurora newmarket support for supporters group in for family and friends newmarket for more information call 905 8987466 newmarket 416 7988500 toronto line extension o canadian mental health association association canadienne pour la saint mentale m member of united way of york region this message brought to you as a community service of economist suntribune j fri may 24 sat may 25 i sun may 26 go leafs go ernie g back beat m y karaoke 3 teuur tk avj j ybtjr ipajjqpikeefis f0k toronto iiieijeaeplayoees entoy2 for ownigs dumndplpfe visit our website v faj f 1 fathersmarkhamcom call for details adfeiim immk the last call free designated driver for you and your car starts 1130pm fc doors for bars and restau rants to come in and say what about me ms frustaglio argued thursday this is not about chari ties she added this is about doing the right thing for the health of our resi dents she said the charities had brought to bear influence and pressure on markham representatives who led the battle for relaxed laws markham regional councillor frank scarpitti replied the amendment makes the law less assailable because it creates an even playing field for halls here as they vie with establishments elsewhere for a dwindling customer base the laws here and in toronto are identical regard ing regulations in restaurants and bars he said i think it strengthens our bylaw he said i mink it can be said we treated each sec tor fairly councillors voted 108 in favour of the amendment over the objections of ms frustaglio and health depart ment officials yo triccium montessort school open house sunday may 26 2002 1 pm to 4 pm preschool grade 8 we are now accepting applications for september 2002 high emphasis on academics focus on individuality half day full day extended day programs custom built premises summer program available 4277 14th avenue between kennedy birchmount 9059461181 wam 29401 34spp3 corner of hwy7 suits mccoanrd since 1984 m505 handheld vibrant 65000 colour screen 8 mb storage capacity expandable for increased memory and applications 457059 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