Whitby's growth rate auring the month of May reached record levels with the town's public works depar- tment issueing almost $11 million in building permits. According to figures released last Wed- nesday by Mayor Bob Attersley, the town issued $10.94 million in permits during the mon- th. Once again, new home construction lead the way with 92 permits valued at $6.83 million were issued. However, commercial growth surged during May with $4.05 million in permits issued. As of the end of May, the town has issued $26.93 million in building permits this year. This is up substantially from 1984's $20.03 million. Almost all sectors of the local construction and development in- dustry were showing solid growth. Residential growth to date this year is now valued at $19.88 million, over $3 million more than last year. During May 92 residential units were built bringing the year's total to 290. This is down slightly from last year's 319. However, 1984 figures also included the development of 81 townhouse units on An- derson St. The 1985 residential figures show that only single family homes are being constructed. The surging commer- cial sector is being led by the development of a new shopping plaza on Thickson Rd. S. and a major expansion to the Whitby Mall, which is located on the same street. The Whitby Mall is being expanded to ac- commodate a new 70,000 square foot computer facility for General Motors while across the street First City Developments is building a new shopping plaza. Attersley is also an- -ticipating continued commercial growth, especially over the next few months. He hopes that the permits for the new 45,000 square foot Toys 'R Us store and the new Hopkins St. plaza will be issued in the next few weeks. These facilities will add over $1 million more to the town's commercial assessment base. Whitby's industrial growth is also on the up- swing with $2.35 million in building permits being issued. However, $2 million of that is for the construction of the new research and development facility of Mandrell Mining. Attersley says that the sudden surge of commercial develop- ment can be traced to 1984's strong residential growth. "You can't havet type of residen growth without s commercial backlas Attersley said. "The follow suit, there's question of that." The mayor isî hoping that he wil. able to announce in near future that th more industries hi decided to locater plants in Whitby. ATTERSLEY a iz fl-- np l He is aiso piease ou see the development in Whitby is becoming $11 million in building permits issued Growth rate sets new record in CONT'D ON PG. 25 Children brought out of burninAhus Vol. 15, No. 24 Wednesday, June 12, 1985 28 Pagesw Firefighters 1 honored for Free Press Staff Photo Poster contest winner For the first time since its inception, a Whitby youngster has been named the winner of the Carl R. Humphrey Memorial Fire Prevention Award by the Durham Fire Chiefs' Co-ordinating Committee. Teresa DiPadova, 10, (seen here with Whitby Fire Chief Ed Crouch) of Mansfield Cres. won the award for her poster designed for the recently held Fire Prevention Poster Contest. The theme of her poster was "Think Safety" and shows a fire extinguisher in use. Teresa is a grade 5 student at St. Paul's Separate School on Garrard Rd. The fire chiefs gave her $50 in prize money as well as a keeper plaque. The school will display the Carl R. Humphrey Award in its main lobby. Before she went on to the regional competition, Teresa also won the Whitby f ire department's poster contest for girls. The award was named for the late Chief Humphrey of the Brock Township Fire Department who lost his life while fighting a fire in Sunderland in 1979. In addition to being Whitby's fire chief, Crouch is also chairman of the Durham Fire Chief's Co- ordinating committee and president of the Ontario Fire Chiefs Association. rescue efforts Whitby Town Council honored two local firefighters for their ef- forts in rescueing two young girls from a bur- ning house on the night of March 29. Council and the 50 or so people who attended Monday night's meeting gave a standing ovation to both Firefighter Don Ferguson and Firefighter Don Mur- dock after the citation was read by town ad- ministrator Bill Wallace. Both Ferguson and Murdock were part of a team under the com- mand of Deputy Fire Chief Tony Van- doleweerd who respon- ded to a fire at 105 Rossland Rd. W. at 12:08 a.m. March 29. "Upon arrival at the scene," Wallace told council, "the fire fighters were informed that there were children still in the house. "Firefighters Fergu- son and Murdock, wearing breathing ap- paratus, entered the building and proceeded through the heat and smoke-filled hallway listening for indications of a child's call for help. "Firefighter Fergu- son," Wallace con- tinued, "heard the voice of Lee Anne Porter- Salvaterra and followed the sound until he came to the door of her bedroom. He picked Lee Anne up and upon returning to the front of the bouse, he encoun- tered heavy smoke, in- tense heat and a sudden ball of flame that knocked him and Lee Anne to the floor. "Firefighter Murdock was in the vicinity of this incident and im- mediately picked Lee Anne up and proceeded to the front door of the building handing Lee Anne over to Capt. William Clarke," Wallacesaid. "Firefighter Fergu- son had his hands severely burned during this rescue, but he re- entered the building with Firefighter Mur- dock and felt his way back to the bedroom area until he found a crib. "At this point," the administrator added, "he found a second child who he picked up and proceeded back through the smoke, heat and flames into the hallway handing the child over to Firefighter Murdock and Capt. Robert Vesey who proceeded to do C.P.R." Unfortunately, the lit- tle girl, Cassandra Por- ter-Salvaterra, 2, died a short time later in hospital. Words of praise for the firefighters' efforts also came from Mayor Bob Attersley and Reg. Coun. Tom Edwards, chairman of the Whitby Fire Department. Attersley said that Ferguson and Murdock represented not only the finest the department had to offer but were the kind of people who are truly representative of the town as well. "People often wonder what they get for their tax dollar," Edwards added, "Well, I'm pleased to show them men such as these who serve their community with bravery." May that more diversified. ntial -its the mix that rome counts," he said adding sh," that he doesn't want to y do see the town tied to one no industry or to solely residential develop- also ment. Il be "The thing you have the to have is diver- hree sification," he said, have "That's what matters." new Attersley is also pleased to see that the residential development has been concentrating on single family homes. People who buy these, he said, are working people dho are able to contrbute to the town's prosperity. He was also very pleased with the latest building report. "Whitby is just booming, couldn't be prouder," Attersley sasd. "This is certainly - the biggest year can remember since lve PREIS 1 1