PAGE 4, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1984, WHITBY FREE PRESS whitby Voice of the County Town Michael Ian Burgess, Publisher - Managing Editor The only Whitby newspaper independently owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents. blished every Wednesday by M.B.M. Publishing and Photography Inc. Phone 668-6111 The Free Press Building, 131 Brock Street North, P.O. Box 206, Whitby, Ont. MICHAEL KNELL Community Editor Second Class Mail Registration No. 5351 Debate shows that the future of Lynde House is too important to leave to the historical society alone Over the course of the last few weeks, this newspaper has faithfully followed the debate over the future of the Lynde House Museum. -Many opinions have been expressed. Much anxiety and hard feelings have come about and it is with a fair degree of reluctance that we com- ment on the situation now. However, we feel that some comment must be made. The debate was started when the Whitby Historical Society submitted to Whitby Town Council a "Statement of Goals and Objectives" for the Lynde House Museum. Without going into too much detail, the statement called for the acquisition of three acres of land surrounding the Dundas and D'Hillier Sts. facility. Furthermore, the society wanted an active role in any negotiations conducted by the town with the owners of the land and if that was not ac- ceptable, wanted the right to veto any agreement made. There were other conditions, many of which are totally acceptable, but were designed to ensure that control of the museum rested entirely with the society. According to Philip Lakas, the president of the society, the statement was simply a draft and wasn't intended for public distribution. In his resignation statement, Doug Anderson, former chairman of the museum committee, said that the statement was not a draft and was the of- ficial policy of both the committee and the society's executive. Because of the apparent division within the society, this newspaper believes that the time has come for the Town of Whitby to act. A few weeks ago, on this page, we advocated the establishment of a study group whose primary purpose was to determine the best available op- tions for the preservation of Lynde House. It has come to light that no one is really sure who actually owns the physical structure called Lynde House. We know the land it sits on is owned by a major supermarket chain. We know that the house was given to either the town or the society on the condition that it be moved to make way for future development. It is our opinion, that it has become incumbent on the Town of Whitby to determine the owner- ship of Lynde House. Once that is done, plans can be made. Over the course of the last few weeks it has become obvious to us that the Whitby Historical Society, a dedicated group of people trying valian- tly to do the best possible job, do not have the resources avallable to them to properly plan the future of Lynde House. This house has great historical sIgnificance as It Is the oldest home between Toronto and Kingston, originally built somewhere around 1812. We believe, that if only for educational pur- poses, it s in the public interest to preserve this house. Therefore, Whitby Town Council should assume this responsibility because it does have the resources to adequately plan its future. As we mentioned in a previous editorial, tourism is fast becoming one of Whitby's most important industries. But, with all due respect, tourism in Whitby neither begins nor ends with Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village. While it is an important part, it Is not the complete picture. We have other facilities, both public and private (e.g. the Whitby Arts Station Gallery, the marina, the Marigold Dinner Theatre) which have a role to play. It is our opinion that a collective and com- prehensive marketing study must be undertaken that exploits the full potential of all these facilities. Tourism brings money into our community. It produces employment and gives our town a sense of identity. Let's not waste it. Let's act before it is too late. ~---~ *~*~*~* L~?~te fto use- I j, j. 's. ey doing to my house, Ma?" t ar WEP. -fý9Rý- Shf, SU9 - 1"' 5FA 1