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130th Year No. 51 Wednesday, December 18, 1985 Waterloo, Ontario 25 cents at the Newstand ‘"We realize that after four months of hostility, the meeting will just be a sounding board for future meetings,"" she said. The City of Waterloo will stand firm on its original decision made three months ago to do nothing about an Uptown church allowing a business to use its parking lot during office hours, says the city‘s Chief Administrative Officer. Asked if that meant the legal opinion was the same, he said ‘"‘that‘s absolutely correct." White had first sent a letter to the city on Sept. 30 stating that nothing could be done to stop the use. Following a chain of events which included Ald. Brian Turnbull disagreeing with White, and the residents hiring the services of lawyer David Estrin, council told residents on Nov. 18 that White would be asked again if his position remained the same. Cilla Cross, the resident leader in the battle against the ‘"commercial use"" of the lot, was disappointed that a newspaper found out White‘s decision before the residents, but theorized that the city had held back because "they knew their position was very weak." Only moments before stating the city position, Roughley said he had ‘"no intention of making the city solicitor‘s opinion known*"‘, but asked if he thought it fair that residents not know the city position, Roughley said the city position was "quite clear‘‘. The residents left that meeting with the opinion that they would be informed immediately of White‘s response. However, at the Dec. 9 meeting of council, Roughley said he had the response in his possession since the previous Friday and had no intention of making it public. Even some alderman were taken back that Roughley had been informed and they knew nothing about it. When asked about that Tuesday, Roughley said it was usual practice for the CAO to receive the response first and in this case he simply did not have time to inform everyone on council. Despite her distaste for council‘s handling of the matter, Cross says her group will go into Thursday‘s meeting with an open mind. The residents argument since day one is that the use is clearly against the city bylaw that prohibits any use not specifically devoted to the use of the church. Don Roughley revealed Tuesday that a letter from city solicitor Bill White informed council to stand pat on their earlier decision to allow Mutual Life to park in the lot behind the Church of the Holy Saviour on Allen Street East despite the opposition of nearby residents. The revelation could hamper a closed door meeting scheduled for Thursday between Mutual Life, church officials, residents and city representatives because all sides seem to be firm in their position with hope of a compromise all but out of the question. ‘‘*Substantially we are into a position of confrontation," said Roughley. _ _A compromise to the residents, however, has nothing to do with allowing the use. They feel the best they can do is give Mutual Life a "few months"‘ to find alternate arrangements. Cross admitted her group was getting tired of the issue, but vowed to fight on because of the city‘s handling of the affair. "I‘m very disappointed in the city offices, especially with the fact that Mr. Roughley is aware of things that aldermen are not. He seems to be in control of everything," said Cross. Roughley denied controlling the issue, stating he had just become involved over the past week and had never played a major role. Mark Bryson Chronicle Staff ‘"*All I have done is tried to discuss the issue with all the parties and try to conciliate,"" he said. He said the reason for holding onto White‘s letter was to allow the meeting to take place and see if a compromise could be reached. Mutual Life, silent for much of the debate, declined to com ment. ' City will stand pat on lot iIssue C nB\ En* BP NLILVEA//ATLEL* LN EBP NEA BV NE ARLFNELARK NP M DNDELRNRL NPE MAZ I _ Merry Christmas Robinson‘s department store at Conestoga Mall did brisk business Sunday despite the blowing snow outside. The long lineâ€"ups at cashiers in every department seemed to make disobeying the provincial Retail Business Holiday act worth the trouble. Mark Bryson photo Since this will be the last issue of the Waterloo Chronicle delivered prior to Christmas Day, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers, advertisers, carriers and the entire community a safe, happy holiday. _ In celebration of Christmas, we have our traditional Christmas section in this week‘s paper, a 16â€"page extravaganza beginning on page 15. _ Because Christmas and New Year‘s Day fall on Wednesdays, our delivery and deadlines will also bo,al_lgred fqr the next two weeks. Next week‘s paper will be delivered Dec. 26, Boxing Day morning, while the following week, delivery will be in the morning on New Year‘s Eve, Dec. 31. Because of those date changes all advertising and editorial deadlines have been drastically moved up to 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 20 for the Dec. 26 issue and 9 a. m. Friday, Dec. 27 for the Dec. 31 issue. ~ ROBINSON‘S RUSH MB LEL M INEIL Med 4 LNEFL Pai 4+ Happy holidays!